EP0024813A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Joystick controller
Assignee: Atari Inc
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Filing: 1980-07-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A joystick controller in which a conventional handle (20) is moveable radially with respect to its axis relative to an axial pivot location from the nominal rest position of the handle (20) is disclosed. A plurality of pressure-actuated switches (46-49) are disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle (20) in its rest position. The switches (46-49) cir- cumscribethe approximate pivot location of the handle (20). A deformable resilient annular member (58) is superimposed over the switches (46-49). The annular member (58) is fixed to the handle (20) so that displacement of the handle (20) from its rest position causes an arcuate portion (74) of the annular member (58) to press against at least one of the switches (46-49). The annular member (58) thus actuates selected switches (46-49) depending on the direction in which the handle (20) is displaced by the operator.
Inventors
- 👤 James Craig Asher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:20
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G9/04785; G05G9/04788; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04711; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04744; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A joystick controller for selectively closing switches comprising: an elongate handle (20) moveable radially with respect to its axis about an axial pivot location from a nominal rest position; and a plurality of pressure-actuated switches (46-49) disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle (20) in its rest position and circumscribing the approximate pivot location of the handle (20); characterised by a deformable resilient annular member (58) superimposed over the switches (46-49), said annular member (58) being attached to the handle (20) so that displacement of the handle (20) from its rest position causes an arcuate portion (74) of the annular member (58) to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches (46-49).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A joystick controller for selectively closing switches comprising: an elongate handle (20) moveable radially with respect to its axis about an axial pivot location from a nominal rest position; and a plurality of pressure-actuated switches (46-49) disposed in a common plane normal to the axis of the handle (20) in its rest position and circumscribing the approximate pivot location of the handle (20); characterised by a deformable resilient annular member (58) superimposed over the switches (46-49), said annular member (58) being attached to the handle (20) so that displacement of the handle (20) from its rest position causes an arcuate portion (74) of the annular member (58) to be pressed against and actuate at least one of the switches (46-49).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A controller as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the handle (20) includes a circular portion (56) proximate the annular member (58), and wherein the annular member (58) is attached to the circular portion (56) of the handle (20) at spaced locations (60) intermediate the respective locations of the switches (46-49).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A controller as claimed in claim 2, further characterised by a plurality of studs (72) disposed above the annular member (58) between the respective attachment locations (60) so that the movement of the handle (20) away from the position of a stud (72) biases that portion of the annular member (58) proximate the stud (72) toward its associated switch (46-49) to minimize permanent deformation of the annular member (58).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A controller as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the switches (46-49) each include a central depression (52), and in that the annular member (58) includes a plurality of depending projections (61, 62,63) overlying the respective switches (46-49) and adapted to mate with the depressions (52) therein to facilitate actuation of the switches (46-49) through movement of the annular member (58).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A controller as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the annular member (58) is constructed of polypropylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A controller as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the switches (46-49) comprise four switches disposed orthogonally about the axis of the handle (20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A controller as claimed in any preceding claim, further characterised by a substrate (40), said switches (46-49) being disposed on said substrate (40).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The controller as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the substrate (40) has a plurality of holes (66) formed therein, and characterised by a plurality of tapered pegs (64) adapted to mate with and engage the respective holes (66) in the substrate (40) to align the substrate (40) precisely in a preselected position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A controller as claimed in any preceding claim, further characterised by a flexible boot (24) circumscribing and attached to the handle (20), and means (26,28) for confining the outer circumference of the boot (24) so that said boot (24) maintains the handle (20) in its nominal rest position until the handle (20) is actuated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A controller as claimed in any preceding claim, further characterised by a post (32) having an axis coincident with the axis of the handle (20) in its rest position, and wherein the handle (20) includes a cup-shaped receptacle (38) at one end thereof which engages the post (32) so that the handle (20) is movable radially with respect to its axis from its nominal rest position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A controller as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the post (32) includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed supports (36) to add structural rigidity to the post (32).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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