US3906369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Function switch arrangement for hand-held remote control unit
Assignee: R O PRODUCTS Inc
•
Filing: 1974-09-18
•
Granted: 1975-09-16
•
Expires: 1994-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A portable, hand-held remote control transmitter unit comprises a housing which provides a pair of spaced parallel handgrips. Located forwardly of the handgrips and extending between them is a console having a function switch mounting surface with a Vshaped horizontal profile. The mounting surface comprises a pair of vertically inclined planes which intersect at an apex and diverge outwardly therefrom. An array of thumb actuated function switches is located on the mounting surface, arranged in upper and lower rows. The upper row of switches is offset from the lower row so that each switch is positioned within vertical range of the operator''s thumb. Since the apex of the resultant V-shaped rows faces the operator as he grips the unit with his hands, each function switch is positioned within horizontal range of the operator''s thumb as well. A pair of trigger switches, which effectuate proportional control of the functions initiated by the aforementioned function switches, are mounted on the underside of the handgrips within range of the operator''s forefingers. Either trigger switch may be operated simultaneously with the aforementioned thumb operated function switches, and the operator''s hand need not be moved. A safety disabling switch, located beneath the function switch rows, extends transversely between the handgrip frame members so that it, too, can be activated by either thumb without disturbing the operator''s grip on the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond F Pitman
- 👤 William T Dale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H01H2009/0257; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A portable remote radio frequency controller structure comprising two spaced, parallel handgrips having forward and rearward ends, a switch console at the forward ends of said handgrips, said console having a horizontal profile in the form of a V with the apex of the V extending toward the space between the handgrips, said console further including switch mounting surfaces in the form of a pair of inclined symmetrically diverging planes intersecting on the apex and extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said handgrips, and an array of thumb actuated function switch operating members mounted on and extending from said mounting surfaces, each switch in the array being located within range of an operator''s thumb while the fingers hold the handgrips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A portable remote radio frequency controller structure comprising two spaced, parallel handgrips having forward and rearward ends, a switch console at the forward ends of said handgrips, said console having a horizontal profile in the form of a V with the apex of the V extending toward the space between the handgrips, said console further including switch mounting surfaces in the form of a pair of inclined symmetrically diverging planes intersecting on the apex and extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said handgrips, and an array of thumb actuated function switch operating members mounted on and extending from said mounting surfaces, each switch in the array being located within range of an operator''s thumb while the fingers hold the handgrips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure as in claim 1 wherein said switch operating members are located on said mounting surface in a row extending between the handgrips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as in claim 2, wherein said switch operating members are located in upper and lower rows, the operating members in the upper row being offset horizontally relative to those in the lower row.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination as in claim 1, including at least one trigger switch for controlling variability of certain functions, said Trigger switch mounted on the underside of the handle grip within range of the forefinger of an operator''s hand gripping the handgrip for simultaneous manipulation thereby with a switch operating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure as in claim 1, including a switch operating member adjacent the side of a handgrip for manipulation by the thumb of an operator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
A portable, hand-held remote radio transmitter unit having electronic circuitry for generating and modulating and RF remote control signal, the unit comprising handgrip means for manually grasping and holding said unit, a switch mounting console with a V-shaped horizontal profile, the console located on said unit and comprising a pair of mounting surfaces arranged as vertically inclined planes which intersect each other to form a centrally defined apex and which diverge outwardly therefrom, said apex facing said handgrip means, and an array of thumb actuated function switch is electrically interconnected with said electronic remote control circuitry for remotely controlling predetermined events, each function switch having an operating member located within horizontal range of a thumb when a operator grasps said handgrip means with his hands.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A portable, hand-held remote radio transmitter unit having electronic circuitry for generating and modulating and RF remote control signal, the unit comprising handgrip means for manually grasping and holding said unit, a switch mounting console with a V-shaped horizontal profile, the console located on said unit and comprising a pair of mounting surfaces arranged as vertically inclined planes which intersect each other to form a centrally defined apex and which diverge outwardly therefrom, said apex facing said handgrip means, and an array of thumb actuated function switch is electrically interconnected with said electronic remote control circuitry for remotely controlling predetermined events, each function switch having an operating member located within horizontal range of a thumb when a operator grasps said handgrip means with his hands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as in claim 6 wherein said function switches vertically stacked thereon to form upper and lower rows, the upper row being offset horizontally relative from the next lower row so that each row is within range of vertical thumb movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination as in claim 6, including at least one trigger switch for controlling predetermined functions, the trigger switches mounted on the underside of said unit within range of the forefingers of an operator''s hands for simultaneous manipulation thereby as the operator grasps said handgrip and while said function switches are within range of the operator''s thumbs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination as in claim 8 wherein said remote control unit comprises an electrical circuit housing structure having said mounting surface thereon, and said handle means comprises a pair of generally tubular, parallel members integral with said circuit housing structure and extending therefrom, the parallel members separated from each other by a predetermined distance to thereby form an opening between said frame members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2641629A
Cited
US3183443A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |