Abstract: A joystick includes a mechanism for facilitating the changing of a grip assembly. An actuation mechanism moves a ram into a position where the operator can press down on a locking pin to release the grip assembly. The ram will be in a default position that does not interfere with the operations of the joystick during normal operation. A relatively low amount of force is used to place the ram into position as the force needed to press down on the locking pin comes from the operator. A small electromagnetic that does not interfere with the joystick operations can be used in the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A joystick includes a mechanism for facilitating the changing of a grip assembly. An actuation mechanism moves a ram into a position where the operator can press down on a locking pin to release the grip assembly. The ram will be in a default position that does not interfere with the operations of the joystick during normal operation. A relatively low amount of force is used to place the ram into position as the force needed to press down on the locking pin comes from the operator. A small electromagnetic that does not interfere with the joystick operations can be used in the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a fixation adapter for a handlebar. An apparatus includes a fixation adapter mounted on a handlebar, the fixation adapter including a body having a pin on a bottom surface to secure the body to the handlebar and a latch on a top surface to fixedly lock to a control unit housing, and the control unit housing slidably mounted to the fixation adapter, the control unit housing including a mounting area for mating to the latch of fixation adapter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a fixation adapter for a handlebar. An apparatus includes a fixation adapter mounted on a handlebar, the fixation adapter including a body having a pin on a bottom surface to secure the body to the handlebar and a latch on a top surface to fixedly lock to a control unit housing, and the control unit housing slidably mounted to the fixation adapter, the control unit housing including a mounting area for mating to the latch of fixation adapter.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump having an impeller assembly within a pump housing and a wear plate positioned in confronting relationship with the impeller assembly. The wear plate includes an annular wear plate portion defining an impeller side that confronts the impeller and further defines an annular portion defining an eye formed generally centrally and has a center point that is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of the impeller. The eye includes a plurality of peripheral notches separated by tooth-like spacer gaps. At least one protrusion extends from the eye towards the impeller at a predetermined angle. Inner and outer radial grooves are formed in the wear plate surface that confronts the impeller.

Abstract: A rocker switch including a switching unit made up of a housing and including a spring-action switching element that moves back and forth with an actuating rocker that is connected to the switching element, whereby the switching element has a rotating axle rotatably supported within the housing and is surrounded by a spring. The spring is double wound and held in a prestressed state within the housing, one of the spring end shanks of the spring being fixedly supported within the housing, the other spring end shank being supported on a first arm that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotating axle, and an extended central spring leg being both fixedly supported within the housing as well as being supported on a second arm that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotating axle, and with an electrical switching unit.

Abstract: A rocker switch including a switching unit made up of a housing and including a spring-action switching element that moves back and forth with an actuating rocker that is connected to the switching element, whereby the switching element has a rotating axle rotatably supported within the housing and is surrounded by a spring. The spring is double wound and held in a prestressed state within the housing, one of the spring end shanks of the spring being fixedly supported within the housing, the other spring end shank being supported on a first arm that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotating axle, and an extended central spring leg being both fixedly supported within the housing as well as being supported on a second arm that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotating axle, and with an electrical switching unit.

Abstract: A handle (10) for controlling a machine, has a largely vertical shaft (12) forming a grip part (11) and has an upper end forming a receptacle (14) that holds switch units (15-17) and a lower end forming a hand rest (20). The hand rest can be adjusted along the shaft (12) and can be detachably clamped to the shaft. The hand rest (20) comprises front and rear rest part (26, 27) that are pivotally, or swivelably, connected to one another. To prevent unintentional opening of the hand rest (20) by axial pressure on the latter, the two rest parts (26, 27) can be moved relative to one another in the axial direction to effect a locking and unlocking of their relative pivotabilities.

Abstract: A rocker switch (10) is provided with a mechanical switch unit consisting of a switch housing (11) made of plastic, a switching element (14) supported in spring-loaded manner on said switch housing so as to be capable of moving back and forth, and an actuating rocker (16) connected to the switching element (14), and also with limit-stop elements (48, 49, 51, 52) for limiting the actuating angle of the actuating rocker (16), and with an electrical switch unit. In order to obtain variable actuating angles and overcompression functions, the invention provides that the actuating rocker (16) is provided with an overcompression element (36) which in one or both of the actuating directions comes to be operationally connected to an overcompression stop (46, 47) on the switch housing (11) before the limit-stop elements (51, 52) come into operation.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a machine or similar vehicle. The control device includes a control lever, a fixed console upon which the control lever is movably mounted about at least two intersecting axes, a plurality of crossing holders mounted to the fixed console, each crossing holder having a longitudinal slit for guiding the control lever, and a mechanical device having force modifying points configured to be detected by tactile means during any movement of the control lever, wherein the mechanical device is positioned between the fixed console and the crossing holders, and above an installing plane of the fixed console, and wherein the intersecting axes of the crossing holders pass below an installation plane of the fixed console.

Abstract: A rocker switch (10) is provided with a mechanical switch unit consisting of a switch housing (11) made of plastic, a switching element (14) supported in spring-loaded manner on said switch housing so as to be capable of moving back and forth, and an actuating rocker (16) connected to the switching element (14), and also with limit-stop elements (48, 49, 51, 52) for limiting the actuating angle of the actuating rocker (16), and with an electrical switch unit. In order to obtain variable actuating angles and overcompression functions, the invention provides that the actuating rocker (16) is provided with an overcompression element (36) which in one or both of the actuating directions comes to be operationally connected to an overcompression stop (46, 47) on the switch housing (11) before the limit-stop elements (51, 52) come into operation.

Abstract: A handle (10) for controlling a machine, has a largely vertical shaft (12) forming a grip part (11) and has an upper end forming a receptacle (14) that holds switch units (15-17) and a lower end forming a hand rest (20). The hand rest can be adjusted along the shaft (12) and can be detachably clamped to the shaft. The hand rest (20) comprises front and rear rest part (26, 27) that are pivotally, or swivelably, connected to one another. To prevent unintentional opening of the hand rest (20) by axial pressure on the latter, the two rest parts (26, 27) can be moved relative to one another in the axial direction to effect a locking and unlocking of their relative pivotabilities.

Abstract: A switch has a housing (11), a pair of switching units (17, 18) with buttons (19) that can be depressed to operate each switch unit, and a rocker (23) pivotally mounted on the housing to pivot clockwise and counterclockwise from a neutral position. An elastomeric diaphragm (30) mounted on a top wall (12) of the housing, extends across an aperture (13) in the housing, with first and second lower parts (28, 29) of the rocker passing through the diaphragm to rest closely above the buttons on the switch units. The diaphragm not only largely seals the switch units, but biases the rocker towards the neutral position.

Abstract: A control has a pivotal part with an operating surface that can be depressed by a person's foot or hand, with pivoting being sensed by a pivot sensor. A spring-operated mechanism urges the pivotal part toward an initial position while allowing it to pivot in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the initial position, the sensor indicating the amount of pivoting in either direction from the initial position. A damping unit for limiting the speed of depression includes a cylinder that contains fluid and a plunger that is depressed by the pivotal part into the cylinder to displace the fluid.

Abstract: A rocker switch with a shaft (30) that can be pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise from a neutral position, which reliably returns to the same neutral position without “play”, and which is of simple design. A coil spring (25) which extends around the shaft, has front and rear opposite coil end portions (24, 26) with corresponding spring ends (27, 29), and which has a spring middle (28). Arms mounted on the shaft include a first arm (39′) engaged with the front spring end and a second arm (39) positioned to engage the spring middle. When the shaft is turned clockwise from the neutral position, the arms turn the first spring end (27) and spring middle (28) clockwise while loading only the rear coil end portion (26). When the shaft turns counterclockwise, the spring middle (28) is prevented from turning by a spring center support (43), so only the front coil portion (24) is loaded.

Abstract: A rocker switch with a shaft (30) that can be pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise from a neutral position, which reliably returns to the same neutral position without “play”, and which is of simple design. A coil spring (25) which extends around the shaft, has front and rear opposite coil end portions (24, 26) with corresponding spring ends (27, 29), and which has a spring middle (28). Arms mounted on the shaft include a first arm (39′) engaged with the front spring end and a second arm (39) positioned to engage the spring middle. When the shaft is turned clockwise from the neutral position, the arms turn the first spring end (27) and spring middle (28) clockwise while loading only the rear coil end portion (26). When the shaft turns counterclockwise, the spring middle (28) is prevented from turning by a spring center support (43), so only the front coil portion (24) is loaded.

Abstract: A switch has a housing (11), a pair of switching units (17, 18) with buttons (19) that can be depressed to operate each switch unit, and a rocker (23) pivotally mounted on the housing to pivot clockwise and counterclockwise from a neutral position. An elastomeric diaphragm (30) mounted on a top wall (12) of the housing, extends across an aperture (13) in the housing, with first and second lower parts (28, 29) of the rocker passing through the diaphragm to rest closely above the buttons on the switch units. The diaphragm not only largely seals the switch units, but biases the rocker towards the neutral position.

Abstract: A control has a pivotal part with an operating surface that can be depressed by a person's foot or hand, with pivoting being sensed by a pivot sensor. A spring-operated mechanism urges the pivotal part toward an initial position while allowing it to pivot in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions from the initial position, the sensor indicating the amount of pivoting in either direction from the initial position. A damping unit for limiting the speed of depression includes a cylinder that contains fluid and a plunger that is depressed by the pivotal part into the cylinder to displace the fluid.

Abstract: A control handle (10) for operating a machine, includes a largely vertical shaft (12) that can be grasped by a person's hand and a hand rest assembly (20) that supports a lower end of the hand opposite the thumb. The hand rest assembly is slidable along the shaft and includes a clamp that clamps against the shaft to fix the position of the hand rest assembly at substantially continuously variable positions along the shaft. The hand rest assembly has front and rear sections (26, 27) that are pivotally connected together, with the rear section being pivotable between a clamping position (27) wherein it draws the front section firmly against the front of the shaft to fix the hand rest position, and a release position (27A) wherein it allows the hand rest assembly to slide to a desired position. The shaft has recesses (36) on laterally opposite sides, that form vertically-extending fixing edges (41) that face largely rearwardly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joystick having a hand-grip, which is mounted with two degrees of freedom in a mounting in a housing and which may be deflected in different directions out of an initial position, the grip being biased by a spring mechanism towards its initial position and sensor apparatus being provided to sense the different positions of the grip and to generate an output signal which may be used to control machine and/or vehicle functions. A housing cover (5) is provided having its upper side directed towards the grip, while on the underside, there is pivotally mounted a cardan joint center portion (6) on whose underside there is pivotally mounted a cardan joint inner portion (7), whose underside is provided with spherical segments, which are mounted in complementary bearing cup-portions provided on a receiving support (8).