US4829844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power assist handle
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1987-11-25
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Granted: 1989-05-16
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Expires: 2007-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A power assist handle for providing control signals to a servo mechanism includes a spring-guided means of allowing motion of an input handle in only two directions in a configuration which has almost no friction between stationary and moving parts. Motion is sensed by a pair of Hall-effect sensors, each of which provides a signal output proportional to the displacement of the input handle in a respective orthogonal direction. The sensors and associated permanent magnets are arranged so that each is sensitive in one of the two directions and insensitive in the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan C. Boomgaarden
- 👤 Marlene R. A. Bandoian
- 👤 David W. Ambrose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/44; A61B6/4476; A61B6/4482; B; B25; B25J; B25J13/00; B25J13/02; G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/22; G01L5/223; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04755; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A handle adapted for movement in first and second orthogonal directions comprising: a support member; a carriage assembly including first and second carriage members joined by a pair of resilient crossed springs at their proximal ends to form a flexure pivot allowing rotation of said carriage members in the plane of said orthogonal directions; and a pair of resilient anchor springs connecting said carriage assembly to said support member, each at a respective distal end of said first and second carriage members, such that said anchor springs are movable in substantially only one of said directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A handle adapted for movement in first and second orthogonal directions comprising: a support member; a carriage assembly including first and second carriage members joined by a pair of resilient crossed springs at their proximal ends to form a flexure pivot allowing rotation of said carriage members in the plane of said orthogonal directions; and a pair of resilient anchor springs connecting said carriage assembly to said support member, each at a respective distal end of said first and second carriage members, such that said anchor springs are movable in substantially only one of said directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The power assist handle of claim 1 wherein said support member has a pair of apertures and wherein each of said carriage members has an aperture co-linearly aligned with a respective support member aperture, and each having a diameter smaller than its respective support member aperture, all of said apertures having their axes substantially perpendicular to said first and second orthogonal directions, said handle further comprising: a housing member including a pair of pins passing within a respective pair of aligned apertures such that said carriage members are rotatable about said pins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power assist handle of claim 1 wherein said first and second carriage members each includes a bore for receiving said support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A power assist handle adapted for movement in first and second orthogonal directions comprising: a fixed support member; a moving handle member movable in said first and second orthogonal directions; a pair of Hall-effect sensors mounted to said support member, each sensor being oriented to sense a magnetic field in a respective one of said first and second directions; and a pair of magnet means each mounted on said handle member juxtaposed with a respective Hall-effect sensor, each magnet means for providing a linearly varying magnetic field in a respective one of said directions and a substantially constant magnetic field in the other direction, such that each respective Hall-effect sensor is responsive to movement of said magnet means in only one direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A power assist handle adapted for movement in first and second orthogonal directions comprising: a fixed support member; a moving handle member movable in said first and second orthogonal directions; a pair of Hall-effect sensors mounted to said support member, each sensor being oriented to sense a magnetic field in a respective one of said first and second directions; and a pair of magnet means each mounted on said handle member juxtaposed with a respective Hall-effect sensor, each magnet means for providing a linearly varying magnetic field in a respective one of said directions and a substantially constant magnetic field in the other direction, such that each respective Hall-effect sensor is responsive to movement of said magnet means in only one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power assist handle of claim 4 wherein said pair of magnet means each comprises a pair of permanent magnets.
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) | 1992-05-15 | 1992-11-14 | 1993-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-15 | 1996-11-14 | 1997-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-15 | 2000-11-14 | 2001-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |