Joystick offset controls

• US 8,276,476 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Diccion, Amory R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krause, Justin
• Application Number:
  US11/906,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20090090208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• Field of Search: 744/71.XY, 744/71.R, 744/69, 180/315, 180/333
• US Class Current: 74/471.XY
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/06 Details of their grip parts G05G1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04788 comprising additional control elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A joystick including a base portion, a grip portion extending from and pivotally attached to the base portion, and an offset control portion connected to the grip portion and offset from the grip portion such that the offset control portion moves with the grip portion relative to the base portion. A gap is provided between the offset control portion and the grip portion. The offset control portion includes an input device.

Claims

1. A joystick having a front surface facing an operator'"'"'s seat, the joystick comprising:

a base portion;

a grip portion extending from and pivotally attached to the base portion; and

an offset control portion having a front surface facing the operator'"'"'s seat and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and

an offset control portion connected to the grip portion, the offset control portion being offset from the grip portion such that a gap is provided between the offset control portion and the grip portion, the offset control portion including an input device, wherein the offset control portion moves with the grip portion relative to the base portion,

wherein the offset control portion is disposed between about forty-five degrees and about one hundred thirty-five degrees from the front surface of the joystick.

2. The joystick of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable positioner, wherein the offset control portion is connected with the grip portion via the adjustable positioner.

3. The joystick of claim 2, wherein the adjustable positioner includes an extendable arm.

4. The joystick of claim 2, wherein the adjustable positioner includes a pivotal joint such that the offset control portion is pivotally adjustable relative to the grip portion.

5. The joystick of claim 1, wherein the offset control portion is attached to the grip portion at positions above and below a finger section of the grip portion.

6. The joystick of claim 1, wherein the input device is disposed on the front surface of the offset control portion, the offset control portion further including a second input device disposed on the rear surface of the offset control portion.

7. The joystick of claim 1, wherein the offset control portion includes a modular faceplate.

8. The joystick of claim 1, wherein the offset control portion is disposed between about sixty degrees and about one hundred twenty degrees from the front surface of the joystick.

9. A joystick having a front surface facing an operator'"'"'s seat, the joystick comprising:

a base portion;

a grip portion extending from and pivotally attached to the base portion; and

an offset control portion having a front surface facing the operator'"'"'s seat and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and

an offset control portion moving with the grip portion relative to the base portion, the offset control portion being offset from the grip portion, wherein a gap is provided between the offset control portion and the grip portion, the offset control portion having a first input device located on a front surface of the offset control portion and a second input device located on a rear surface of the offset control portion

wherein the first and second input devices are disposed about seventy-five degrees radially about the offset control portion from the first input device.

10. The joystick of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable positioner, wherein the offset control portion is connected with the grip portion via the adjustable positioner.

11. The joystick of claim 10, wherein the adjustable positioner includes an arm slidable within the grip portion.

12. The joystick of claim 10, wherein the adjustable positioner includes a pivotal joint such that the offset control portion is pivotally adjustable relative to the grip portion.

13. The joystick of claim 9, wherein the offset control portion is attached to the grip portion at positions above and below a finger section of the grip portion.

14. The joystick of claim 9, wherein the offset control portion is disposed between about sixty degrees and about one hundred twenty degrees from the front surface of the joystick.

15. The joystick of claim 9, wherein the first input device is configured to be thumb-actuated and the second input is configured to be finger-actuated while an operator'"'"'s hand is holding the grip portion.

16. A joystick having a front surface facing an operator'"'"'s seat, the joystick comprising:

a base portion;

a grip portion extending from and pivotally attached to the base portion;

an offset control portion having a front surface facing the operator'"'"'s seat and a rear surface opposite the front surface, and

an offset control portion connected to and offset from the grip portion such that a gap is provided between the offset control portion and the grip portion, the offset control portion being disposed between about seventy-five degrees and about one hundred five degrees from the front of the grip portion,

wherein the offset control portion moves with the grip portion relative to the base portion, the offset control portion having a first input device located on a front surface of the offset control portion and a second input device located on a rear surface of the offset control portion

wherein the first input device and a second input device are disposed more than ninety degrees radially about the offset control portion from the first input device.

17. The joystick of claim 16, wherein the offset control portion is connected with the grip portion via an adjustable positioner.

18. The joystick of claim 17, wherein the adjustable positioner includes a pivotal joint such that the offset control portion is pivotally adjustable relative to the grip portion.