US5228348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strain gauge joystick
Assignee: Thales Avionics SAS
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Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2011-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A strain gauge joystick with an enabling push-button comprises a support part (1). A thin-wall cylindric tube (5) is rigidly fixed, at a first extremity (4), to the supporting part (1). Strain gauges (8a-8d) are fixed on the tube near its first extremity (4). A hand lever (6) connected to the other extremity (7) of the tube transmits to the tube the radial force (9) exerted by a user, and also constitutes a push-button movable along the longitudinal axis (10) of the tube when activated by the user. A control device (13) accommodated inside the tube can be activated by the longitudinal displacement of the hand lever.
Inventors
- 👤 Denis Frigiere
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:58
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04722; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04762; G05G2009/04777
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A strain gauge joystick comprising: a supporting part; a thin-wall cylindric tube rigidly fixed, at a first extremity, to said supporting part; at least two strain gauges fixed on the tube near said first extremity; a hand lever connected to a second extremity of the tube, said hand lever rotatable around a longitudinal axis of said tube to activate said strain gauges and movable inside the tube along the longitudinal axis of said tube; and a control device accommodated inside the tube and activated by the longitudinal movement of said hand lever; wherein said hand lever comprises a cylindric part passing through a tip fixed to said second extremity of tube, said cylindric part longitudinally sliding in said tip when said hand lever is used as a push-button, the longitudinal displacement of said cylindric part activating the control device by means of a driving mechanism arranged inside said bore of said cylindric portion of said supporting part and longitudinally sliding inside said bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A strain gauge joystick comprising: a supporting part; a thin-wall cylindric tube rigidly fixed, at a first extremity, to said supporting part; at least two strain gauges fixed on the tube near said first extremity; a hand lever connected to a second extremity of the tube, said hand lever rotatable around a longitudinal axis of said tube to activate said strain gauges and movable inside the tube along the longitudinal axis of said tube; and a control device accommodated inside the tube and activated by the longitudinal movement of said hand lever; wherein said hand lever comprises a cylindric part passing through a tip fixed to said second extremity of tube, said cylindric part longitudinally sliding in said tip when said hand lever is used as a push-button, the longitudinal displacement of said cylindric part activating the control device by means of a driving mechanism arranged inside said bore of said cylindric portion of said supporting part and longitudinally sliding inside said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A strain gauge joystick according to claim 1, comprising four strain gauges circumferentially arranged and equidistantly spaced on the external surface of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A strain gauge joystick according to claim 1, wherein the wall thickness of the tube is 20 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A strain gauge joystick according to claim 1, wherein said supporting part comprises a cylindric portion having a longitudinal bore, said cylindric portion longitudinally extending inside said tube, and said control device being accommodated inside said bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A strain gauge joystick according to claim 4, wherein said cylindric portion of the supporting part has an external cylindric surface and has a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tube, so as to limit the tube flection when said joystick is activated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A strain gauge joystick according to claim 1, comprising a protective external cylindric envelope surrounding said tube, without contracting the tube when it is bent, said protective envelope being fixed by one of its extremities to said supporting part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
A strain gauge joystick comprising: a supporting part; a thin-wall cylindric tube rigidly fixed, at a first extremity, to said supporting part; at least two strain gauges fixed on the tube near said first extremity; a hand lever connected to a second extremity of the tube, said hand lever rotatable around a longitudinal axis of said tube to activate said strain gauges and movable inside the tube along the longitudinal axis of said tube; and a control device accommodated inside the tube and activated by the longitudinal movement of said hand lever; wherein said supporting part comprises a cylindric portion longitudinally extending inside said tube and having a longitudinal bore accommodating said control device, and said cylindric portion has an external cylindric surface and a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tube, so as to limit the tube flection when said joystick is activated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
A strain gauge joystick comprising: a supporting part; a thin-wall cylindric tube rigidly fixed, at a first extremity, to said supporting part; at least two strain gauges fixed on the tube near said first extremity; a hand lever connected to a second extremity of the tube, said hand lever rotatable around a longitudinal axis of said tube to activate said strain gauges and movable inside the tube along the longitudinal axis of said tube; and a control device accommodated inside the tube and activated by the longitudinal movement of said hand lever; wherein said supporting part comprises a cylindric portion longitudinally extending inside said tube and having a longitudinal bore accommodating said control device, and said cylindric portion has an external cylindric surface and a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tube, so as to limit the tube flection when said joystick is activated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |