Natural response manipulator apparatus

Claim 2

A natural response controller comprising: support means; an elongated handle; and a plurality of pushbutton switches mounted on the support means and solely supporting the handle thereon, whereby forces on the handle in various directions will selectively operate the switches to enable the performance of controlling functions in directions corresponding to the applied forces.

Claim 3

A natural response controller as claimed in claim 1 comprising the pushbuttons of said switches simultaneously directly engaging said handle.

Claim 4

A controller as claimed in claim 2 comprising: the handle being supported on the support means in a generally horizontal position and having right and left ends; said switches including two pair of switches mounted on the support means at each end of the handle, one pair of switches horizontally supporting forward movement of each end of the handle and another pair of switches horizontally supporting after movement of each end of the handle, another pair of switches vertically supporting upward movement of each end of the handle and still another pair of switches vertically supporting downward movement of each end of the handle.

Claim 5

A controller as claimed in claim 3 comprising: said switches supporting the handle for slidable movement along its longitudinal axis; and said switches including a pushbutton switch mounted on the support means at each end of the handle along the longitudinal axis thereof, the latter switches supporting the handle in left and right directions along said longitudinal axis.

Claim 6

A controller as claimed in claim 4 comprising: said switches supporting the handle for slidable rotatable movement about its longitudinal axis; a pair of lever actuated pushbutton switches mounted on the support means; and a lever mounted on the handle between the pair of lever actuated switches for selectively actuating these switches as the handle is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 7

A controller as claimed in claim 5 comprising: a toggle actuated double-throw switch means mounted on the support means adjacent the left end of the handle; and a toggle operatively connected to the toggle actuated switch and located for finger operation of a hand grasping said handle.

Claim 8

A controller as claimed in claim 6 comprising: first through seventh bidirectional power units each being connected in series across first and second electrical power sources of opposite polarities; the right and left direction pushbutton switches being connected between the first power unit and respective electrical power sources; the horizontally supporting pair of forward switches and pair of after switches being connected between the second power unit and respective electrical power sources; the vertically supporting pair of upward switches and pair of downward switches being connected between the third power unit and respective electrical power sources; a pair of switches at opposite ends of the handle, selected one from each of the vertically supporting pairs of upward and downward switches, and the remaining pair of switches of the vertically supporting pairs of upward and downward switches being connected between the fourth power unit and respective electrical power sources; another pair of switches at opposite ends of the handle, selected one from each of the horizontally supporting pairs of forward and after switches, and the remaining pair of switches of the horizontally supporting pairs of upward and downward switches being connected between the fifth power unit and respective electrical power sources; each of the lever actuated switches being connected between the sixth power unit and respective electrical power sources; and each of the throws of the toggle actuated switch means being connected between the seventh power unit and respective electrical power sources.

Claim 9

A natural response manipulator apparatus including the elements of claim 7 and further comprising: further support means; a forearm and upper arm, the forearm being pivotally connected to the upper arm and the upper arm being rotatably connected to the further support means; a wrist pivotally connected to the forearm; a plurality of fingers, at least one of which is pivotally connected to said wrist; and means connecting the power units to the forearm, upper arm, wrist, and fingers for natural movements with respect to hand control of the handle of said controller.