US5423227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for generating multi-directional commands
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1992-10-29
•
Granted: 1995-06-13
•
Expires: 2012-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A device for generating multi-directional commands, comprising at least one plate provided with strain gauges (R 1 -R 4 ) (R 5 -R 8 ) which detect the multi-directional deformations incurred by the plate under the influence of a force F exerted on a surface of the plate. One of the extremities of the plate cooperates with a support and the plate bears, by way of its other surface, on a fulcrum at the other extremity. The fulcrum may be formed by the head of a microswitch, the extremity of the plate being linked to the support. The microswitch is capable of controlling operations for the activation of the device and/or the validation of the electric signals from the strain gauges. The orientation of the force F with respect to the axis of the fulcrum enables the issue of multi-directional commands. The device has a shape ergonomically adapted to handling by means of a single hand.
Inventors
- 👤 Remy Polaert
- 👤 Francois Maniguet
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Damour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:47
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0338
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for generating multi-directional commands, comprising at least one elongate member formed by a plate having a first extremity and a second extremity, the member being provided with strain gauges (R 1 -R 8 ) which detect the multi-directional deformation incurred by the member under the influence of a force exerted near the second extremity, the first extremity cooperating with a support, the second extremity bearing, by way of a surface of the plate, on a fulcrum which is coupled to the support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for generating multi-directional commands, comprising at least one elongate member formed by a plate having a first extremity and a second extremity, the member being provided with strain gauges (R 1 -R 8 ) which detect the multi-directional deformation incurred by the member under the influence of a force exerted near the second extremity, the first extremity cooperating with a support, the second extremity bearing, by way of a surface of the plate, on a fulcrum which is coupled to the support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, further including a button coupled to the second extremity wherein the force is exerted by pressing the button against the fulcrum in a predetermined direction against the fulcrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fulcrum is a microswitch, and wherein the microswitch includes contact means for activating the microswitch, the button serving to activate the contact means and the device further including linkage means for pivotably coupling the first extremity of the plate with the support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, further including a housing provided with deformable portions which serve to connect the button to a portion of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plate is a partly cut board whereby the first extremity of the plate remains integral with the board and the second extremity of the plate is mobile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, further including a housing provided with deformable portions which serve to connect the button to a portion of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the contact means controls a validation of a measurement signal supplied by the strain gauges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the linkage means includes a shaft which is mounted on pads and coupled to the first extremity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the linkage means is formed by an elastic plate coupled to the support and the first extremity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device as claimed in claim 3, further including force limiting means responsive to the microswitch for limiting the force exerted on the microswitch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the contact means includes a a first contact member being activated by a small applied force F1 and a second contact member being activated by a greater applied force F2 (F2>F1), the first contact member for controlling an activation of the device and the second contact member for controlling the validation of said measurement signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the linkage means includes a shaft which is mounted on pads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the linkage means is formed by an elastic plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is a partly cut board so that the first extremity of the plate remains integral with the board and the second extremity of the plate is mobile.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2487681A
Cited
US2597751A
Cited
US3264442A
Cited
US3600543A
Cited
US3978303A
Cited
US4063056A
Cited
US4411159A
Cited
US4423640A
Cited
US4394553A
Cited
US4429756A
Cited
US4501160A
Cited
US4867259A
Cited
US4680577A
Cited
US4621533A
Cited
US4718287A
Cited
US4759416A
Cited
US4905523A
Cited
US4982618A
Cited
WO1990000293A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-12 | 1998-12-12 | 1999-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-12 | 2002-12-12 | 2003-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-12 | 2006-12-12 | 2007-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |