Input apparatus for game systems
First Claim
1. An input apparatus for game systems comprising:
- an operation member adapted to receive a load; and
a plurality of detection units arranged such that said operation member is supported by said detection units at a plurality of points around an outer circumference of said operation member with a space being formed under a center of said operation member, each of said detection units being capable of outputting a predetermined detection signal in response to changes in load in a predetermined direction in relation to said operation member, each of said detection units including a sensing element and a coating member made of elastic material, said coating member coating said sensing element and functioning as a medium to unit the load applied to said operation member to said sensing element, said sensing element including one pair of elongate electrode plates arranged to contact or separate from each other according to the load, said coating member including a protrusion for limiting a position to which the load toward said sensing element is transmitted, said protrusion being shifted from both longitudinal ends of said electrode plates into a central side of said electrode plates and supporting said operation member.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided an input apparatus for game systems, which are simplified in construction. The input apparatus has a base (21) having a plurality of panel-attaching sections (26), a plurality of foot panels (50) arranged respectively at a plurality of panel-attaching sections (26), and tape switches (30) not only arranged between a panel supporting surface (27a) formed on each of a plurality of panel-attaching sections (26) and each of the foot panels but also outputting a predetermined detection signal responsively to changes in pushing load onto each foot panel (50). The tape switch (30) has a sensing element (31) and an elastic-material-made coating member (32) covering the sensing element (31) and functioning as a medium transmitting a load applied to each foot panel 50 to the sensing element (31). The coating element (32) supports the foot panel (50) by contacting with each foot panel (50). Ribs (32a, 32b) are formed on the coating member (32), so that a load is intensively transmitted to a desired position on the sensing element (31).
66 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An input apparatus for game systems comprising:
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an operation member adapted to receive a load; and
a plurality of detection units arranged such that said operation member is supported by said detection units at a plurality of points around an outer circumference of said operation member with a space being formed under a center of said operation member, each of said detection units being capable of outputting a predetermined detection signal in response to changes in load in a predetermined direction in relation to said operation member, each of said detection units including a sensing element and a coating member made of elastic material, said coating member coating said sensing element and functioning as a medium to unit the load applied to said operation member to said sensing element, said sensing element including one pair of elongate electrode plates arranged to contact or separate from each other according to the load, said coating member including a protrusion for limiting a position to which the load toward said sensing element is transmitted, said protrusion being shifted from both longitudinal ends of said electrode plates into a central side of said electrode plates and supporting said operation member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An input apparatus for game systems comprising:
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a base having a plurality of panel-attaching sections;
an operation member arranged at each of said panel-attaching sections and adapted to receive a load;
a plurality of detection units arranged at each of said panel-attaching sections such that said operation member is supported by said detection units at a plurality of points around an outer circumference of said operation member with a space being formed under a center of said operation member;
a plurality of stoppers for limiting an amount of pushing operation toward said operation member, said stoppers being arranged entirely inward compared to said plurality of detection units in relation to said operation member, each of said detection units being located between a panel-supporting surface formed on each of said panel-attaching sections and said operation member and being capable of outputting a predetermined detection signal in response to changes in pushing load applied to said operation member, each of said detection units including a sensing element and a coating member mode of elastic material, said coating member coating said sensing element and functioning as a medium to transmit the load applied to said operation member to said sensing element, said coating member being arranged to contact said operation member and support said onion member. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A foot switch for an input apparatus for game systems comprising:
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a frame defining a support surface;
at least one detection unit arranged on said support surface of said frame and to output a detection signal in response to changes in a load applied in a predetermined direction, each of said at least one detection unit comprising a sensing element and a coating member made of elastic and surrounding said sensing element, said sensing element including a pair of elongate electrode plates arranged to contact or separate from each other according to the load, and said coating member including a protrusion for limiting a position to which the load toward said sensing element is transmitted, said protrusion being spaced from both longitudinal ends of said electrode plates; and
an operation member adapted to receive a load and arranged in contact with said coating member of said at least one detection unit such that said coating member supports said operation member on said fame and transmits the load received by said operation member to said sensing element. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An input apparatus for game systems comprising:
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an operation member adapted to receive a load and having an outer surface portion formed into a panel; and
a detection unit capable of outputting predetermined detection signal in response to changes in load in a predetermined direction in relation to said operation member, and a stopper for limiting displacement of said operation member in relation to the predetermined direction in a certain range, said detection unit including a sensing element and a coating member made of elastic material, said coating member coating said sensing element and functioning as a medium to transmit the load applied to said operation member to said sensing element, said coating member being arranged to contact an outer circumference of said operation member and support said operation member in the predetermined direction, and said stopper being located closer to a center of said operation member than said detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification