Control lever assembly
First Claim
1. A control lever assembly for generating an electrical signal representative of the position of a linearly-moveable control lever, comprising:
- a bracket;
a control lever guide coupled to the bracket for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the direction of linear movement of the control lever, the guide including an arm for rotating the guide about the axis between a plurality of rotational positions, the guide having an opening with a longitudinal slot associated with each rotational position, each longitudinal slot having a predetermined length within which the control lever is positionable, wherein the range of linear movement of the control lever depends upon the rotational position of the guide; and
a sensing circuit coupleable to the control lever and configured to generate the electrical signal representative of the position of the control lever.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control lever assembly for generating an electrical signal representative of the position of a linearly-moveable control lever which extends through an elongated passage in a console cover includes a control lever guide rotatably mounted to a bracket beneath the console cover. An arm projecting above the console cover is provided for moving the guide between rotational positions. The guide has an opening with slots of predetermined length associated with the rotational positions which define ranges of linear movement of the control lever. The movement of the control lever causes a sensing circuit to generate the electrical signal representative of the position of the control lever. The assembly also includes a switch actuated by a cam on an end of the guide depending upon the rotational position of the guide. The assembly also includes detent mechanisms for releasably retaining the control lever and the guide in various detent positions.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A control lever assembly for generating an electrical signal representative of the position of a linearly-moveable control lever, comprising:
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a bracket; a control lever guide coupled to the bracket for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the direction of linear movement of the control lever, the guide including an arm for rotating the guide about the axis between a plurality of rotational positions, the guide having an opening with a longitudinal slot associated with each rotational position, each longitudinal slot having a predetermined length within which the control lever is positionable, wherein the range of linear movement of the control lever depends upon the rotational position of the guide; and a sensing circuit coupleable to the control lever and configured to generate the electrical signal representative of the position of the control lever. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A control lever assembly for generating an electrical signal representative of the position of a linearly-moveable control lever, comprising:
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a bracket; a control lever guide coupled to the bracket for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the direction of linear movement of the control lever, the guide including an arm for rotating the guide about the axis between a plurality of rotational positions, the guide having an opening with a longitudinal slot associated with each rotational position, each longitudinal slot having a predetermined length within which the control lever is positionable, wherein the range of linear movement of the control lever depends upon the rotational position of the guide; a sensing circuit coupleable to the control lever and configured to generate the electrical signal representative of the position of the control lever; and a switch having at least two states coupled to the guide, wherein actuation of the switch depends upon the rotational position of the guide. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A control lever assembly for generating an electrical signal representative of the position of a linearly-moveable control lever, comprising:
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a bracket; a control lever guide coupled to the bracket for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the direction of linear movement of the control lever, the guide including an arm for rotating the guide about the axis between a plurality of rotational positions, the guide having an opening with a longitudinal slot associated with each rotational position, each longitudinal slot having a predetermined length within which the control lever is positionable, wherein the range of linear movement of the control lever depends upon the rotational position of the guide; a detent mechanism including a protrusion on one of the bracket and the guide and recesses on the other of the bracket and the guide, the protrusion being engageable with the recesses to releasably retain the guide in one of the rotational positions of the guide; and a sensing circuit coupleable to the control lever and configured to generate the electrical signal representative of the position of the control lever. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A control lever assembly, comprising:
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a bracket; a linearly-moveable control lever; a control lever guide coupled to the bracket for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the direction of linear movement of the control lever, the guide including an arm for rotating the guide about the axis between a plurality of rotational positions, the guide having an opening with a longitudinal slot associated with each rotational position, each longitudinal slot having a predetermined length within which the control lever is positionable, wherein the range of linear movement of the control lever depends upon the rotational position of the guide; a lever detent mechanism including a lever detent protrusion associated with one of the bracket and the control lever, and lever detent recesses on the other of the bracket and the control lever, the lever detent protrusion being engageable with the lever detent recesses to releasably retain the control lever in one of a plurality of lever detent positions; and a sensing circuit coupled to the control lever and configured to generate an electrical signal representative of the position of the control lever. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification