Hand controller for a camera crane
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hand controller, comprising:
- a controller housing;
a rocker button pivotally supported on the housing on a first pivot axis;
a variable resistor having a shaft on a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis;
a cable or wireless link connecting an output of the variable resister to a hydraulic system;
an arm attached to the shaft, with a slot in a lower end of the arm;
a spring biasing the arm to a center position; and
a pin on the rocker button extending into the slot, with movement of the rocker button through a first angle rotating the shaft through a second angle less than the first angle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for a camera crane has a rocker button pivotally supported in or on a controller housing about a first pivot axis. A shaft of an electrical component, such as a variable resistor, is on a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. An arm is attached to the shaft. A spring urges the arm to a center position. Movement of the rocker button moves the arm. Due to the offset of the first and second pivot axes, movement of the rocker button results in proportionally reduced movement of the shaft of the electronic component. Smooth crane arm movements are readily achieved as the controller is less sensitive to the operators hand or finger movements.
84 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A hand controller, comprising:
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a controller housing; a rocker button pivotally supported on the housing on a first pivot axis; a variable resistor having a shaft on a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis; a cable or wireless link connecting an output of the variable resister to a hydraulic system; an arm attached to the shaft, with a slot in a lower end of the arm; a spring biasing the arm to a center position; and a pin on the rocker button extending into the slot, with movement of the rocker button through a first angle rotating the shaft through a second angle less than the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A hand controller, comprising:
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a controller housing having a top surface; a rocker button pivotally supported on the housing on a first pivot axis; a variable resistor having a shaft on a second pivot axis spaced apart from and above the first pivot axis; a cable or wireless link for providing an output signal of the variable resistor to a hydraulic system of a camera crane; a spring biasing the arm to a center position; and an angular movement reducing mechanical linkage connecting the rocker button to the shaft causing movement of the rocker button through a first angle to turn the shaft through a second angle less than the first angle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A hand controller for hydraulic system, comprising:
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a hand-held controller housing; a rocker button pivotally supported on the housing on a first pivot axis; a variable resistor in a variable resistor housing, with the variable resistor having a shaft on a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis, with the variable resistor electrically linked to a control valve in the hydraulic system; an arm attached to the shaft with a slot in a lower end of the arm and a pin on the rocker button extending into the slot forming an angular movement reducing mechanical linkage connecting the rocker button to the shaft, causing movement of the rocker button through a first angle to turn the shaft through a second angle less than the first angle; a spring biasing the arm to a center position; a stop post on the variable resistor housing; first and second levers pivotally attached to the shaft and biased by the spring to urge the arm into the center position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification