Single lever control mechanism

Claim 2

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said means for preventing rotation of the main control member comprising a first member which projects upwardly from the base member at a locality located laterally of the main control member, a second member projecting laterally from the main control member, each of said projecting members being provided with a ball-like member at its outer end, and a link member connecting said projecting members by means of substantially spherical housings which receive said ball-like members.

Claim 3

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, guide means for engagement with the main control member to guide its revolving movements and to limit its tilting movements about the means for supporting the main control member, said main control member comprising a substantially arcuate peripheral portion, and the guide means comprising a guide member attached to the base member for engagement with said substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member, said guide member being located between the base member and the substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member.

Claim 4

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, guide means for engagement with the main control member to guide its revolving movements and to limit its tilting movements about the means for supporting the main control member, said main control member comprising a substantially arcuate peripheral portion, and the guide means comprising a guide member attached to the base member for engagement with said substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member, said guide member being located between the base member and the substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member.

Claim 5

A control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said guide member comprises a plane surface.

Claim 6

A control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said guide member comprises at least one raised portion for engagement with the arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member.

Claim 7

A control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member extends for substantially 360*.

Claim 8

A control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member extends for about 180*.

Claim 9

A control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the main control member comprises a substantially arcuate peripheral portion and the guide means comprises a guide member attached to the base member for engageMent with said arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member, said guide member being located at the side of the main control member opposite the base member.

Claim 10

A control mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said guide member comprises a plane surface.

Claim 11

A control mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said guide member comprises at least one raised portion for engagement with the arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member.

Claim 12

A control mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member extends for substantially 360*.

Claim 13

A control mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the substantially arcuate peripheral portion of the main control member extends for about 180*.

Claim 14

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member when viewed from the top comprising at least one arcuate portion which is substantially concentric with said means for supporting the main control member for revolving movement and at least one straight portion which intersects one end of said arcuate portion.

Claim 15

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member when viewed from the top comprising at least one arcuate portion which is substantially concentric with said means for supporting the main control member for revolving movement and at least one straight portion which intersects one end of said arcuate portion.

Claim 16

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member comprising generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, said main control member comprising at least one substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion, and said control mechanism also comprising guide means for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion to guide said revolving movements and to limit said tilting movements of said main control member about said means for supporting it.

Claim 17

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member comprising generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, said main control member comprising at least one substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion, and said control mechanism also comprising guide means for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion to guide said revolving movements and to limit said tilting movements of said main control member about said means for supporting it.

Claim 18

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said guide means comprises a portion of the base member located below said arcuate peripheral edge portion.

Claim 19

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said guide means comprises at least a portion of the upper surface of the base member.

Claim 20

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said guide means comprises a member attached to the base member and located above the upper surface of the maiN control member.

Claim 21

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion extends for substantially 360*.

Claim 22

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion of the main control member extends for only about 180*.

Claim 23

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said guide means comprises at least one raised portion for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion of the main control member.

Claim 24

A control mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the means for supporting the main control member for revolving movement comprises a universal joint associated with the end of a support member.

Claim 25

A control mechanism according to claim 20, wherein the universal joint comprises a ball-like member.

Claim 26

A control mechanism according to claim 21, wherein said ball-like member is integral with the upper end of said extension of the means for supporting the main control member and, when the main control member is in its neutral position, at least the lower portion of said ball-like member which is adjacent to the upper end of said extension is journaled in a generally bowl-shaped bearing formed in the body of the main control member and said extension extends downwardly from and substantially normal to the lower surface of the main control member.

Claim 27

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member comprising generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface facing said base member and being spaced a substantial distance above it, whereby a substantial gap is provided between it and the upper surface of said base member when said main control member is in its neutral non-tilted position, said upper surface of the main control member being free from engagement with any casing at all times, the upper ends of said means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements being attached to said main control member, said means comprising extensions which pass downwardly through said gap and through openings in the base member, said means for supporting the main control member being attached to said main control member and comprising an extension member which passes downwardly through said gap to the base member, and means associated solely with said extension member of said means for supporting the main control member and with said base member for substantially adjusting the size of the space between the lower surface of said main control member and the upper surface of said base member, whereby the lengths of the linear movements of said control elements caused by tilting and revolving said main control member about said means for supporting the main control member may be substantially adjusted so that operators of different linear strokes may be used without the use of other adjusting means.

Claim 28

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member comprising generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface facing said base member and being spaced a substantial distance above it, whereby a substantial gap is provided between it and the upper surface of said base member when said main control member is in its neutral non-tilted position, said upper surface of the main control member being free from engagement with any casing at all times, the upper ends of said means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements being attached to said main control member, said means comprising extensions which pass downwardly through said gap and through openings in the base member, said means for supporting the main control member being attached to said main control member and comprising an extension member which passes downwardly through said gap to the base member, and means associated solely with said extension member of said means for supporting the main control member and with said base member for substantially adjusting the size of the space between the lower surface of said main control member and the upper surface of said base member, whereby the lengths of the linear movements of said control elements caused by tilting and revolving said main control member about said means for supporting the main control member may be substantially adjusted so that operators of different linear strokes may be used without the use of other adjusting means.

Claim 29

A control mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said means for substantially adjusting the size of said space compriseS an exteriorly threaded portion of said extension member of said means for supporting the main control member which extends into a passage in the base member and at least one interiorly threaded lock nut which receives a portion of said exteriorly threaded portion.

Claim 30

A control mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said control member comprises at least one substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion, and said control mechanism also comprises guide means for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion to guide said revolving movements and to limit said tilting movements of said main control member about said means for supporting the main control member.

Claim 31

A control mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said guide means comprises a portion of the base member located below said arcuate peripheral edge portion.

Claim 32

A control mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said guide means comprises a guide member attached to the base member and located above the upper surface of the main control member.

Claim 33

A control mechanism according to claim 25, wherein said guide means comprises at least one raised portion for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion of the main control member.

Claim 34

A control mechanism according to claim 28, wherein said guide means comprises means for adjusting the height of said raised portion.

Claim 35

A control mechanism according to claim 25, wherein the means for supporting the main control member for revolving movement comprises a universal joint associated with the end of a support member.

Claim 36

A control mechanism according to claim 30, wherein the universal joint comprises a ball-like member.

Claim 37

A control mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the means for supporting the main control member for revolving movement comprises a ball-like member integral with the upper end of said extension of the means for supporting the main control member, said ball-like member being journaled in a bearing formed in the body of the main control member.

Claim 38

A control mechanism according to claim 32, wherein a portion of said bearing comprises movable means for adjusting the fit between the ball-like member and the bearing.

Claim 39

A control mechanism according to claim 33, wherein said bearing comprises a generally U-shaped socket in the body of the main control member, said movable means for adjusting the fit between the ball-like member and the bearing comprising an exteriorly threaded movable member which extends into an interiorly threaded portion of said socket, the lower end of said movable member comprising an arcuate wall portion which cooperates with an arcuate wall portion of the lower portion of the socket to receive said ball-like member, the upper portion of said movable member being exposed above said upper surface of the main control member, and means on said upper portion of said movable member for use in rotating said movable member thereby to adjust the clearance between its lower end and the ball-like member.

Claim 40

A control mechanism according to claim 34, wherein said upper portion of said movable member comprises means for releasably locking said movable member in adjusted position.

Claim 41

A control mechanism according to claim 35, wherein said locking means comprises an exteriorly threaded screw extending into an interiorly threaded passage in said upper portion of said movable member for frictionally engaging said upper surface of the main control member.

Claim 42

A control mechanism according to claim 32, wherein each of said means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member comprises a ball-like member integral with the upper end of an extension of said means for connecting said control element to an operator, each said ball-like member also being journaled in a bearing formed in the body of the main control member, and said control lever is secured solely to the main control member and free from attachment to said ball-like member which is Integral with the upper end of said extension of the means for supporting the main control member, whereby turning movements of said control lever relative to the main control member do not alter the relationships of said control element ball-like members, said ball-like member of said means for supporting the main control member and said means for preventing rotation of the main control member with respect to a plane which is generally parallel to said upper and lower surfaces of the main control member or with respect to each other, but the main control member and said control element ball-like members are moved by tilting and revolving movements of the main control member about said ball-like member of said means for supporting the main control member.

Claim 43

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member comprising generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, said main control member comprising at least one substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion, said control mechanism also comprising guide means for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion to guide said revolving movements and to limit said tilting movements of said main control member about said means for supporting it, each of said means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member comprising a ball-like member integral with the upper end of an extension of said means for connecting said control element to an operator and, when the main control member is in its neutral position, at least the lower portion of said ball-like member which is adjacent to the upper end of said extension is journaled in a generally bowl-shaped bearing formed in the body of the main control member and said extension extends downwardly from and substantially normal to the lower surface of the main control member.

Claim 44

In a control mechanism comprising a base member, a main control member, means for supporting the main control member for tilting and revolving movements about a member which is spaced from the base member, means for preventing rotation of the main control member about an axis which coincides substantially with the center of said member about which the main control member is tiltable and revolvable and is substantially normal to the base member, at least two spaced apart control elements, means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member at localities which are spaced from each other and from said means for supporting the main control member, means for connecting the opposite ends of said control elements to operators, and a control lever mounted on the main control member for tilting and revolving the main control member about said means for supporting the main control member thereby to actuate the control elements, wherein the improvement comprises, said main control member comprising generally parallel upper and lower surfaces, said main control member comprising at least one substantially arcuate peripheral edge portion, said control mechanism also comprising guide means for engagement with said arcuate peripheral edge portion to guide said revolving movements and to limit said tilting movements of said main control member about said means for supporting it, each of said means for pivotally securing corresponding ends of said control elements to said main control member comprising a ball-like member integral with the upper end of an extension of said means for connecting said control element to an operator and, when the main control member is in its neutral position, at least the lower portion of said ball-like member which is adjacent to the upper end of said extension is journaled in a generally bowl-shaped bearing formed in the body of the main control member and said extension extends downwardly from and substantially normal to the lower surface of the main control member.

Claim 45

A control mechanism according to claim 38, wherein a portion of said bearing comprises movable means for adjusting the fit between the ball-like member and the bearing.

Claim 46

A control mechanism according to claim 39, wherein said bearing comprises a generally U-shaped socket in the body of the main control member, said movable means for adjusting the fit between the ball-like member and the bearing comprising an exteriorly threaded movable member which extends into an interiorly threaded portion of said socket, the lower end of said movable member comprising an arcuate wall portion which cooperates with an arcuate wall portion of the lower portion of the socket to receive said ball-like member, the upper portion of said movable member being exposed above said upper surface of the main control member, and means on said upper portion of said movable member for use in rotating said movable member thereby to adjust the clearance between its lower end and the ball-like member.

Claim 47

A control mechanism according to claim 40, wherein said upper portion of said movable member comrpises means for releasably locking said movable member in adjusted position.

Claim 48

A contRol mechanism according to claim 41, wherein said locking means comprises an exteriorly threaded screw extending into an interiorly threaded passage in said upper portion of said movable member for frictionally engaging said upper surface of the main control member.