Collar mounted pointing stick

• US 5,894,301 A
• Filed: 09/23/1996
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Seffernick, Lewis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRIER, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US08/717,517
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/160, 345/161, 345/168, 345/169, 341/34
• US Class Current: 345/160
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

A pointing device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, there is a pointing stick assembly using resistive material strain gages mounted on the sides of a shaft or stick for sensing when the stick is experiencing stresses and strains therein because of an applied force to the stick. The pointing stick has a stick supporting collar securely attached to a substrate. The collar extends from the substrate to approximately around the location of the strain gages. The collar may have a beveled surface located between opposing surfaces of the collar and shaft.

Claims

1. A device for generating electrical signals responsive to a users actuation thereof, comprising:

a) a shaft, having a first and second end;

b) a base having the first end of the shaft mounted therein;

c) a sensor, mounted on the shaft and located a distance from the first end, for sensing the amount of strain in the shaft originating from an applied force to the shaft; and

d) a collar mounted around the shaft and onto the base for concentrating the strain on the shaft at the location of the sensor, wherein the collar extends from the base to a first distance that generally ends in a region that will cover a first part of the sensor and keep a second part of the sensor from being covered by the collar for concentrating the shaft strain at the sensor to generate signals representative of the forces applied to the shaft by the user.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a bonding material located between opposing surfaces on the shaft, the base, and the collar.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar has a beveled surface located between opposing surfaces of the collar and shaft.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft and collar have contiguous surfaces.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft and collar have a portion of contiguous surfaces.

5. A device for allowing a user to control an electrical responsive device, comprising:

a) a shaft, having a first and second end;

b) a base having the shaft mounted thereon;

c) sensing means, mounted on the shaft and located a distance from the base, for sensing the amount of strain exerted on the shaft;

d) a collar mounted around the shaft and onto the base for concentrating the strain on the shaft at the location of the sensing means; and

e) wherein the shaft is fixed relative to the collar and the collar extends from the base to a first distance that generally ends in a region that will cover a first part of the sensor and keep a second part of the sensor from being covered by the collar for concentrating the shaft strain at the sensor to generate signals representative of the forces applied to the shaft by the user.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the collar has a beveled surface located between opposing surfaces of the collar and shaft.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the shaft extends through the base.

9. A device for generating electrical signals responsive to forces applied thereon, comprising:

a) a shaft, having a sensor mounted thereon and located in a region away from an end of the shaft, for sensing an amount of strain in the shaft from the force applied thereto;

b) a base having the shaft mounted thereto; and

c) a collar, mounted around the shaft and onto the base, for concentrating the strain on the shaft at the location of the sensor, wherein the collar extends from the base to a first distance that generally ends in a region that will cover a first Part of the sensor and keep a second part of the sensor from being covered by the collar for concentrating the shaft strain at the sensor to generate signals representative of the forces applied to the shaft by the user.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the shaft extends through the base.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the shaft is permanently fixed relative to the collar.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the collar has a beveled surface located between opposing surfaces of the collar and shaft.