US4050265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Force-displacement controller knob
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-08-03
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1996-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A force-displacement controller knob for use in isometric control devices provided. A controller knob component is mounted on existing control shafts and the knob itself contains a pair of compressible, resilient washers separated by and contacting a rigid washer in a chamber in the knob so that force appied in any direction on the knob will be transferred to the control shaft in a resistance ratio determined by the compressibility of the resilient washers.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Drennen
- 👤 Allen Neander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/08; G05G1/10; G05G1/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/45; Y10T403/455; Y10T403/456; Y10T403/457; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7047; Y10T403/7061; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834; Y10T74/2084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In combination with a control shaft for force controls: an appendage having a chamber therein for receiving the free end of said shaft; bifurcated compressible resilient means in said chamber for providing a selected resistance to force applied to said appendage; rigid means secured to said shaft end and axially and laterally engaging said resilient means for transmitting selectively lesser force to said shaft than is applied to said appendage, said rigid means and said resilient means in part spaced from said appendage so as to permit selected movement of said rigid means in said chamber; and means secured to said appendage for retaining said resilient means in said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination with a control shaft for force controls: an appendage having a chamber therein for receiving the free end of said shaft; bifurcated compressible resilient means in said chamber for providing a selected resistance to force applied to said appendage; rigid means secured to said shaft end and axially and laterally engaging said resilient means for transmitting selectively lesser force to said shaft than is applied to said appendage, said rigid means and said resilient means in part spaced from said appendage so as to permit selected movement of said rigid means in said chamber; and means secured to said appendage for retaining said resilient means in said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The control appendage of claim 1 wherein said appendage is a controller knob configured for finger-tip control of shaft movement, said resilient means is a set of compressible washers positioned one over the other in said chamber, and said rigid means includes a collar extending axially substantially through said chamber and a thrust washer positioned between said compressible washers and extending substantially across said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The control appendage of claim 2 wherein said compressible washers are substantially identical in shape and the sum of the thicknesses of said thrust washer and said compressible washers exceeds the depth of said chamber so that said compressible washers are under compression prior to the initial application of force to said controller knob, said controller knob made of plastic and having a depression remote from the end of said shaft for omnidirectionally accommodating a finger tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control appendage of claim 3 wherein a change in force-displacement relationship is accomplished by replacing said compressible washers with washers of similar shape and selected compression characteristics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control appendage of claim 1 wherein said appendage is a controller hand grip and said resilient means is configured to be accommodated in said chamber under compression prior to the initial application of force to said hand grip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The control appendage of claim 5 wherein said resilient means is a set of compressible washers positioned one over the other in said chamber, and said rigid means includes a collar extending axially substantially through said chamber and a thrust washer positioned between said compressible washers and extending substantially across said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |