Abstract: In an operation plane, a low friction layer, which has a lower friction coefficient than an elastic member, is formed on the elastic member to overlap it, portions of the low friction layer corresponding to contact points are removed, and concave portions are formed. A surface of the elastic member is exposed to the concave portions and the concave portions have a higher friction coefficient than the other portion. Accordingly, when an operator moves his finger on the concave portions, the operator can feel a predetermined friction resistance and recognize through his finger that the contact points are definitely pressed.

Abstract: There is provided an input device which is small, has good productivity, is inexpensive, and can be surface-mounted. In an input device of the present invention, a plurality of terminals of a metal material connected to deflection detecting elements are connected in a substrate portion of an operation member, and the terminal allows the input device to be surface-mounted on a print board. It is thus possible to provide the input device which is inexpensive and small without using a conventional, large flexible substrate.

Abstract: An input device has a control member having an operating part and a base part. The base part has arms and connecting parts connecting the adjacent arms. Strain gages are placed on the arms, respectively. Projections are formed on the connecting parts or a holding member for holding the control member thereon to secure spaces between the arms and the holding member to enable the arms to be strained greatly when the operating part is tilted so that the respective electrical resistances of the strain gages can be changed greatly for the slight tilting of the operating part of the control member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an input device in which a control member is molded by injecting a liquid synthetic resin from an inlet of a mold formed at a position corresponding to the top of a control portion. The inlet is positioned at about the center of the control member, and the synthetic resin flows from the control portion having a relatively large thickness to beam portions and base portions that have a relatively small thickness. This allows smooth flow of the synthetic resin, and ensures consistently high quality and high precision of the control member. Moreover, fiber orientation is made uniform in the beam portions and the base portions, which gives good bending characteristics to the beam portions.

Abstract: An input device has a control member having an operating part and a base part. The base part has arms and connecting parts connecting the adjacent arms. Strain gages are placed on the arms, respectively. Projections are formed on the connecting parts or a holding member for holding the control member thereon to secure spaces between the arms and the holding member to enable the arms to be strained greatly when the operating part is tilted so that the respective electrical resistances of the strain gages can be changed greatly for the slight tilting of the operating part of the control member.