Re-centering mechanism for an input device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input device for capturing user control inputs for an electronic device, the input device comprising:
- a positioning element comprising a substantially disc shaped member;
a substantially annular shaped spring member, the spring member being a non-coil spring, the spring member being substantially planar on a plane and defining a substantially serpentine pattern on the plane, the spring member positioned laterally outward relative to the positioning element to substantially surround the positioning element and configured to exert a biasing force radially inwardly toward the positioning element;
a movable puck; and
a housing including a contact surface defining a puck field of motion and supporting slidable motion of the puck, the contact surface including an opening and the housing at least partially containing the positioning element and the spring member, wherein the positioning element is connected to the puck via the opening of the contact surface of the housing,wherein the spring member extends in substantially the same plane as the positioning element, and the input device farther comprises;
a stop mechanism extending in substantially the same plane as the positioning element and as the spring member, the stop mechanism positioned laterally outward from the positioning element and configured to releasably engage the spring member to limit radial inward movement of the spring member against the positioning element.
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Abstract
An input device includes a positioning element and a spring member. The positioning element comprises a generally disc shaped member. The spring member is a generally annular shaped spring member that is generally planar and that defines a generally serpentine pattern. The spring member is positioned laterally outward relative to the positioning element and is configured to exert a biasing force radially inwardly toward the positioning element.
32 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An input device for capturing user control inputs for an electronic device, the input device comprising:
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a positioning element comprising a substantially disc shaped member; a substantially annular shaped spring member, the spring member being a non-coil spring, the spring member being substantially planar on a plane and defining a substantially serpentine pattern on the plane, the spring member positioned laterally outward relative to the positioning element to substantially surround the positioning element and configured to exert a biasing force radially inwardly toward the positioning element; a movable puck; and a housing including a contact surface defining a puck field of motion and supporting slidable motion of the puck, the contact surface including an opening and the housing at least partially containing the positioning element and the spring member, wherein the positioning element is connected to the puck via the opening of the contact surface of the housing, wherein the spring member extends in substantially the same plane as the positioning element, and the input device farther comprises; a stop mechanism extending in substantially the same plane as the positioning element and as the spring member, the stop mechanism positioned laterally outward from the positioning element and configured to releasably engage the spring member to limit radial inward movement of the spring member against the positioning element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of re-centering a puck for an input device of an electronic device, the method comprising:
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slidably moving a puck over a contact surface of a housing; constraining lateral movement of the puck via a positioning element within the housing, the positioning element connected to the puck via an opening in the contact surface of the housing; exerting substantially continuously, via a spring member, a biasing force radially inward toward the positioning element, the spring member being a substantially planar element and extending in substantially the same plane as the positioning element, the biasing force acting against the positioning element upon slidable movement of the positioning element relative to the spring member; and limiting, via a stop mechanism, movement of the spring member radially inward against the positioning element, the stop mechanism positioned laterally outward from the positioning element and extending in substantially the same plane as the positioning element and the spring member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An input device for a portable electronic device comprising:
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a movable disc; a housing frame configured to support slidable motion of the movable disc; and a re-centering mechanism exerting a non-zero biasing force toward the movable disc in substantially the same plane through which the movable disc slidably moves, the non-zero biasing force being exerted substantially continuously and radially inward toward the movable disc and acting on the movable disc upon slidable movement of the movable disc relative to the re-centering mechanism, wherein the non-zero biasing force exceeds a frictional force between the movable disc and the contact surface of the housing frame, wherein the re-centering mechanism comprises; at least one spring element slidably movable relative to the housing frame and including an inner portion in releasable contact with the movable disc and a outer portion spaced laterally outward from the inner portion, the at least one spring element extending in substantially the same plane as the movable disc; and a limiting mechanism positioned laterally outward from the movable disc and extending in substantially the same plane as the movable disc, the limiting mechanism being substantially positioned laterally outward from the inner portion of at least one spring element and positioned to permit releasable contact of the outer portion of the at least one spring element. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification