Control unit for video games and the like
First Claim
1. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like, comprisinga base structure,a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board,resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface,said circuit board and resilient pad means being formed with central openings and further comprising pin means for locating said circuit board and pad means relative to said base structure,a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure,directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, said directional actuator means having a cylindrical flange for engaging said pad means having a circumferential arrangement of resilient fingers opposite said flange for effective engagement with said control element in order to transfer forces from said control element through said cylindrical flange to said conductive pad means, andcoupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Two embodiments of a multi-directional control unit for video games and the like are disclosed. In each embodiment, the control unit includes a base structure, a circuit board with directional circuit segments, a resilient conductive pad arranged adjacent the circuit segments on the circuit board, a raised matrix on the conductive pad normally maintaining the pad in spaced apart relation from the circuit segments, a control element movable relative to the base structure and a directional actuator coupled with the control element for response to relative movement between the control element and the base structure for applying pressure to the resilient pad and establishing electrical contact with one or more of the circuit segments on the circuit board. One of the embodiments is a hand-held unit with the control element being a joystick, auxiliary triggers being mounted on opposite sides of the hand held unit for establishing selective contact in an auxiliary circuit segment. The auxiliary triggers may be employed for example as a firing control. The other embodiment is a foot-operated control unit including a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator and includes an override switch responsive to the weight of the operator on the platform.
94 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like, comprising
a base structure, a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board, resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface, said circuit board and resilient pad means being formed with central openings and further comprising pin means for locating said circuit board and pad means relative to said base structure, a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure, directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, said directional actuator means having a cylindrical flange for engaging said pad means having a circumferential arrangement of resilient fingers opposite said flange for effective engagement with said control element in order to transfer forces from said control element through said cylindrical flange to said conductive pad means, and coupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board.
-
2. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like, comprising
a base structure, a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board, resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface, a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure, directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, coupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board, and an adaptor element arranged for interaction between said control element and said directional actuator means, said adaptor element comprising means for permitting relative rotation of said control element in order to prevent torque forces from being applied to said pad means.
-
3. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like, comprising
a base structure a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board, resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface, a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure, directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, coupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board, and an adaptor element arranged for interaction with said directional actuator means to permit relative rotation of said control element in order to prevent torque forces from being applied to said pad means, said adaptor element including cylindrical means for limiting multi-directional movement of said control element, said base structure including means for supporting said adaptor element to limit application of force from said control element to said conductive pad means.
-
6. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like, comprising
a base structure, a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board, resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface, a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure, directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, said directional actuator means having a circumferential arrangement of resilient fingers for effective engagement with said control element in order to transfer forces from said control element to said pad means, and coupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board.
-
8. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like, comprising
a base structure, a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board, resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface, a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure, directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, and coupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board, said circuit board comprising an auxiliary circuit segment on its surface, and further comprising an auxiliary actuator and respectively opposed trigger elements for moving said auxiliary actuator toward said pad means in order to urge a portion of said pad means into electrical contact with said auxiliary circuit segment.
-
12. A multi-directional control unit for video games and the like adapted for use on a surface such as a floor or the like, comprising
a base structure, a circuit board mounted relative to said base structure, directional circuit segments being arranged on a surface of said circuit board, resilient conductive pad means arranged adjacent said surface of said circuit board, said resilient conductive pad means comprising a conductive surface generally coextensive with said circuit segments and means for normally maintaining said conductive surface in spaced apart relation from said circuit board surface, a control element capable of multi-directional movement relative to said base structure, directional actuator means associated with said control element adjacent said conductive pad means, said directional actuator means being responsive to movement of said control element for urging a portion of said conductive pad means into electrical contact with a circuit segment on said circuit board, and coupler means connected with said circuit segments on said circuit board, said base structure including platform means for supporting an operator'"'"'s weight, both said base structure and said control element being adapted for interaction with the floor surface so that shifting of the operator'"'"'s weight upon said platform means causes multi-directional movement of said control element relative to said base structure, said platform means being secured to said base structure and including web means adapted for engagement with the floor surface, said control element extending downwardly from said base structure to remain in generally constant alignment with the floor surface whereby shifting of the operator'"'"'s weight on said platform means tends to produce multi-directional movement of said control element relative to said base structure.
Specification