Patents Examined by Teresa Walbarg
  • Patent number: 6758753
    Abstract: There is provided an input apparatus for game systems, which are simplified in construction. The input apparatus has a base (21) having a plurality of panel-attaching sections (26), a plurality of foot panels (50) arranged respectively at a plurality of panel-attaching sections (26), and tape switches (30) not only arranged between a panel supporting surface (27a) formed on each of a plurality of panel-attaching sections (26) and each of the foot panels but also outputting a predetermined detection signal responsively to changes in pushing load onto each foot panel (50). The tape switch (30) has a sensing element (31) and an elastic-material-made coating member (32) covering the sensing element (31) and functioning as a medium transmitting a load applied to each foot panel 50 to the sensing element (31). The coating element (32) supports the foot panel (50) by contacting with each foot panel (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagata, Kaoru Watanabe, Kouki Atobe, Terukazu Shimada