Control Moves In Two Planes Patents (Class 74/471XY)
  • Patent number: 4658666
    Abstract: An improved rocking rod assembly for a new type of horizontal contact video game including a horizontal contact type circuit element, a rocking rod having a base end thereof provided with guide rails, a fixed ring having a central hole, guide grooves in the central configured to match the guide rail, and a resilient elastic mid-ring. In another embodiment, the present rocking rod assembly includes a double key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Lai-Jin Liu
  • Patent number: 4656960
    Abstract: A sailboat steering assembly is provided which has a hiking stick that assumes fixed positions in use, but smoothly responds to any changes induced by manual manipulation of the helmsman. Typical swinging and flopping of the unattended hiking stick are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: StaFast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Davenport
  • Patent number: 4656461
    Abstract: A control handle for remotely controlling a hydraulically operated apparatus. The handle comprises a flexible foil, conductor paths comprised of a pair of independent condensor plates arranged on the foil, and an isolating sleeve surrounding the foil and conductor paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: bso Steuerungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Morsch, Walter Heidelberger
  • Patent number: 4652871
    Abstract: An X-Y input device comprises a rotatable ball, a first driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, a second driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, the second driven roller having an axis of rotation extending substantially perpendicularly to that of the first driven roller, first rotation detector means for detecting an amount of rotation of the first driven roller, and second rotation detector means for detecting an amount of rotation of the second driven roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Tsukada, Junichi Hosogoe, Yuichi Ida
  • Patent number: 4646778
    Abstract: There is disposed a valve control structure for a working vehicle for operating two control valves by means of a control lever rockable crosswise, wherein one of the valves is operable by a rocking movement in a first direction of the control lever and the other valve is operable by a rocking movement in a second direction of the control lever. A connection switching mechanism is provided between the control lever and the valves to switch interlocking relations of the two control valves with respect to the rocking directions of control lever. This switching is readily carried out by operating a single switch lever permits the operator to use the vehicle after selecting the interlocking relations to which he is accustomed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsuji, Youji Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 4646087
    Abstract: An inductively coupled position sensing system wherein voltages induced in plural stationary sensor coils are combined and synchronously detected. Variation in the induced voltages results from movement of a drive coil mechanically coupled to a member the position or orientation of which is of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas D. Schumann
  • Patent number: 4641123
    Abstract: A joystick having a base and a handle. A plurality of potentiometers extending between the base and the handle so that as the handle is moved in any of six degrees of freedom, the resistance of the various potentiometers will change in a pattern which represents the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: James M. M. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 4639668
    Abstract: An analog proximity detector manipulator comprising, in a case with which are associated an electronic case containing the detectors and a piece for fixing to a table, a sub assembly containing an annular elastomer part which serves for pivoting and bringing back to the neutral position the control lever and a mass whose position influences the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: La Telemecanique Electrique
    Inventors: Pierre Petit, Jean-Marie Periot
  • Patent number: 4635802
    Abstract: A one-hand-operable control unit for a bridge crane. A cam, rotated by pointing a control handle in the direction toward which it is desired for the bridge crane hoist to be moved, operates switches which connect power to the appropriate motors of the bridge crane to move the hoist longitudinally, laterally, or diagonally when a thumb-operated traverse power control switch, located on the control unit handle, is closed. Switches are conveniently located on the front of the control handle to control load-raising and lowering operation of the hoist motor. A flexible hollow shaft connecting the control handle with the cam rotates the direction-controlling cam in response to pointing the handle toward the direction of traverse movement desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas W. Hylton
  • Patent number: 4635496
    Abstract: The invention provides a holder for a position indicator device used to position a cursor on a visual display. The holder comprises a rectangular base member having rotatably-mounted ball bearings and apertures adapted to allow the spherical transport ball of the position indicator device to come in contact with a supporting surface. When the holder is coupled to the position indicator, only the ball bearings and transport ball make contact with the supporting surface, thereby providing for smoother and faster movement of the position indicator and correspondingly more accurate positioning of the associated cursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Scott B. McTyre
  • Patent number: 4631975
    Abstract: A transmission operating device comprising: a connecting arm of which both ends are connected with ends of two control cables, respectively, and having a first rotational center for rotating the connecting arm in a horizontal plane and a second rotational center for rotating the connecting arm in a vertical plane; a member to be rotated together with the connecting arm, being provided with a splined perforation; a splined shaft being a part of an outer shaft of a transmission, and being inserted into the splined perforation, so that the rotational motion of the connecting arm in the vertical plane is changed into a rotational motion of the outer shaft around an axis of the outer shaft, and a link mechanism being provided between the connecting arm and the outer shaft, so that the rotational motion of the connecting arm in the horizontal plane is changed into a sliding motion of the outer shaft in the direction of an axis of the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Cable System Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4630500
    Abstract: A transmission operating device comprises: a frame a change speed lever supported on the frame by a first ball joint, a first control cable and a second control cable extending in the plane crossing with an axis of the change speed lever and being arranged substantially parallel to each other, a bell crank being provided on the frame so as to rotate around a first axis extending substantially parallel to the change speed lever and having a first arm extending in the direction crossing with the first control cable and a second arm extending substantially parallel to the second control is connected with the change speed lever so as to rotate around a second axis crossing with the axis of the change speed lever, has the other end connected with the second arm by means of a second ball joint, and extends in the direction crossing the second arm. One end of the first control cable is connected with the first arm, and one of the second control cable is connected with the change speed lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Cable System Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4628755
    Abstract: A mouse (X-Y position controller) having axially-inclined transducer assemblies--preferably almost perpendicular to the surface on which the mouse is operated--for a compact, greatly simplified structure. The drive wheel of such an assembly can then be small relative to the transducer disk of that assembly, with considerably reduced precision requirements for location of indicia on the disk. Moreover, by use of a pair of spaced ring magnets urging the drive wheel toward the operational surface for the mouse, significant contact force against the operating surface is provided while eliminating substantially all of the friction attendant upon use of even a so-called antifriction thrust bearing. Due to the magnitude of the available contact force, the drive wheel can be of a hard and durable material rather than an elastomer and still provide improved tractional characteristics even on such a difficult operating surface as, for example, oiled teflon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Inventor: Jack S. Hawley
  • Patent number: 4616724
    Abstract: An all seasons vehicle has a hydraulic control circuit that is used to make the vehicle highly maneuverable in which the rear treads are controllable through a speed control driving or controlling the speed of each of the hydraulic motors from a pair of hydraulic pumps connected to the motors in proportion to the position of a control element that is changed through the steering wheel of the vehicle. The control over the hydraulic motors may be increased or decreased by overriding the position of the control element and increasing the hydraulic flow of fluid to one motor or the other without interfering with the direction being imparted to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: ASV Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Lemke
  • Patent number: 4612539
    Abstract: An X-Y input device comprises a rotatable ball, a first driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, a second driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, the second driven roller having an axis of rotation extending substantially perpendicularly to that of the first driven roller, first rotation detector means for detecting an amount of rotation of the first driven roller, second rotation detector means for detecting an amount of rotation of the second driven roller, and frictional force imposing means for resiliently urging the ball against the first and second driven rollers to impose frictional forces between the ball and the driven rollers, the frictional force imposing means comprising a contact roller held in rolling contact with the ball and having a shaft, a slidable roller support having bearings supporting opposite ends of the shaft and a spring bearing, a fixe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hosogoe, Motoyuki Suzuki, Yuichi Ida
  • Patent number: 4607919
    Abstract: A manipulator is provided for a surgical microscope in order to deflect a laser beam on the viewed operating area, the movement of a handle being transmitted via a lever mechanism to the movement of a mirror which reflects the laser beam to a point and via a path within the viewed operating area. The sensitivity of transmitted motion can be adapted to the selected magnification of the surgical microscope by changing the length of a transmission lever in order to change its point of motion pick-off from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Hartmut Gartner, Klaus Biber, Peter Greve
  • Patent number: 4606237
    Abstract: A control device 1 comprises an operator lever 2 fast at its lower end with a lever block 3 which carries a ball stud 4 of which the ball 7 is mounted for universal pivoting in a fixed ball housing 8. A cross shaft 13 is mounted for rotation about its axis in the lever block 3, and links 17 are pivotally connected to opposite ends of the cross shaft and each to an axially movable output member 20. The operator lever 2 can be pivoted about axes passing through the center of the universally pivoted ball 7 to cause axial movements of the output members, either together in the same direction or in opposite directions or one only at a time. A gate may be provided for the operator lever 2 to confine the ball 7 to pivot only about defined axes. A spring 24 may be provided which becomes loaded upon movement of each output member 20 either side of a neutral position to bias the output member and hence the operator lever 2 back to neutral. The output members 20 may operate push pull control cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Teleflex Morse Limited
    Inventor: David J. Crack
  • Patent number: 4607159
    Abstract: A joystick controller for use with a home electronic video game produces electrical control signals in response to manipulation of a control stick. Within the controller housing a pair of light sources produce orthogonal light beams which are detected by respective light detectors to produce the control signals. A shutter, actuated by movement of the control stick, regulates the light falling onto the light detectors to produce control signals indicative of control stick positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: North American Philips Consumer Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Larry E. Goodson, Charles E. Dellinger
  • Patent number: 4604016
    Abstract: A hand controller or `cursor` for the actuation of slaved apparatus. The cursor includes a handle extending from a line attachment member comprised of four equally spaced legs. The ends of these legs define vertices of a regular tetrahedron. The cursor is supported within a subtending structure by a plurality of tension lines which may be connected to torque motors or to another controlled device. A control computer preferably interfaces the present controller with the slaved apparatus wherein signals representative of the several tension line lengths are translated by the computer into control signals actuating the slaved device. In addition, force transducers on the slaved mechanism generate signals representative of the forces encountered by the slaved device which, in turn, are translated by the computer into torque motor control signals thereby providing interactive cursor force-feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: Stephen A. Joyce
  • Patent number: 4594586
    Abstract: An X-Y input device comprises a rotatable ball, a first driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, a second driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, the second driven roller having an axis of rotation extending substantially perpendicularly to that of the first driven roller, first angle detector means for detecting an angle of rotation of the first driven roller, second angle detector means for detecting an angle of rotation of the second driven roller, and a sole biasing rotatable body positioned in confronting relation to the first and second driven rollers for resiliently biasing the rotatable ball against the first and second driven rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hosogoe
  • Patent number: 4589810
    Abstract: There is provided a device for programming motions and operational forces or torques of a robot, and a device for carrying out the method. The device includes a handle grip-sensor unit which includes a known sensor of forces and/or torques of the type which defines a load pick-up plate connected via spokes to a peripheral ring and via upright supports to a rigid base part. The peripheral ring is connected to an inner wall of a hollow body whose outer wall is shaped to match the contours of the human hand. The base part is rigidly connected either to an inertial platform or to an end link of the robot. The output of the sensor is connected to link driving means of the robot via a data-processing unit which converts the output signals from the sensor into data corresponding to forces or torques applied by the operator to the handgrip-sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Johann Heindl, Gerhard Hirzinger
  • Patent number: 4590339
    Abstract: A joystick having a casing, a pair of gimbal plates mounted in the casing each slidable orthogonally with respect to the other and a pair of transducers, a control member of each coupled to a corresponding gimbal plate. A handle is coupled to the casing having a gimbal actuating sphere engaging each of the gimbal plates with the handle being universally pivotal throughout a portion of a spherical arc whose center lies intermediate the actuating sphere and an opposite end of the handle. Movement of the handle results in corresponding movement of the gimbal plates by an amount proportional to the component of displacement of the handle along the direction of movement of each of the gimbal plates. Each gimbal plate is biased so that it is urged towards a neutral position in the event of displacement on either side of the neutral position. External contacts are coupled to the transducers to allow the joystick to the electrically coupled to an external electrical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Gravis Computer Peripherals Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Scott-Jackson, Grant N. Russell, Eric J. Richards
  • Patent number: 4587510
    Abstract: An analog joystick controller includes a handle shaft engageable with two yokes rotatably movable respectively about two perpendicular axes in response to tilting of the handle shaft. The yokes are respectively coupled to the wipers of two potentiometers, the resistance portions of which are fixedly connected to adjusting means manually movable for zero adjustments. Each yoke carries a pair of pivoting levers biased together into engagement with the yoke for movement therewith. Each pair of levers is associated with a control block which is manually movable between the levers to permit only one of them to move when the handle is moved from a center or home position, depending upon the direction of movement of the handle, for biasing the handle to its center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Wico Corporation
    Inventor: Syng N. Kim
  • Patent number: 4583417
    Abstract: In a remote shifter for a vehicle transmission, a transmitter unit is located near the vehicle operator while a receiver unit is mounted on the transmission. The transmitter and receiver are coupled by flexible push-pull cables that transfer the motion of a gearshift lever operated by the vehicle operator to the transmission to select and engage the desired gears in the transmission. The shift lever is operable in two independent modes of pivotal motion about orthogonal axes. Motion in a first mode controls gear rail selection in the transmission and motion in a second mode controls gear engagement. The transmitter couples the gearshift lever to the cables so that pivotal motion of the gearshift lever in a transverse plane is translated to linear motion of the select control cable while pivotal motion of the gearshift lever in the fore/aft plane is translated to linear motion of the shift control cable. The transmitter maintains the motion of the two cables independent of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Cablecraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Hurlow
  • Patent number: 4584577
    Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising a generator coil driven by an oscillator to provide an alternating magnetic field which is symmetrical about an axis, an annular rotor of electrically-conductive or magnetic material such that it distorts the magnetic field around it and arranged so that it is asymmetrical about its axis of rotation and lies outside the equatorial plane of the magnetic field and two sensing coils disposed within the magnetic field. As the rotor 16 rotates about its axis the emfs induced in the sensing coils vary in dependence upon the angular position of the rotor relative to the axis of the undistorted magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Brookes & Gatehouse Limited
    Inventor: Andrew W. Temple
  • Patent number: 4581609
    Abstract: An X-Y input device has: a sphere to be rotated disposed rotatably; a first driven roller in contact with the sphere so as to be rotated by the rotational force thereof; a second driven roller in contact with the sphere so as to be rotated by the rotational force thereof, and disposed so that its axial direction is substantially perpendicular to that of the first driven roller; a first rotation amount detecting means for detecting the rotation amount of the first driven roller; a second rotation amount detecting means for detecting the rotation amount of the second driven roller; and a casing for housing these sphere, first and second driven rollers, and first and second rotation amount detecting means. The casing is constituted by an upper case and a lower case. The lower case has support members for supporting respective bearing members for the first and second driven rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hosogoe, Motoyuki Suzuki, Yuichi Ida
  • Patent number: 4580006
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for providing two-dimensional positioning data signals for positioning an indicating element have an upper, hand-movable member having a center of rotational movement in close proximity to a palm carrying surface. A fixed base support provides a frictional supporting surface for the hand movable member so that any discontinuities of friction arising from the operation of the sensing elements described below are masked. Position sensing elements provide electrical signals corresponding to the position of the hand movable member. The position signals are processed to provide for a fixed mapping of hand movable element position to indicating element position when either the x or y axis position signals are changing at a rate greater than a preset threshold, and for a (low) fixed ratio incremental positioning otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Daniel T. Hull
  • Patent number: 4575086
    Abstract: The trackball device comprises cylindrical first and second supports. First and second code wheels are respectively coupled to the supports and are rotatable therewith. First and second reader means are respectively associated with the first and second code wheels for generating control signals. A ball is seated on the supports. The second support, both of the reader means, the second code wheel and the ball all lie on the same side of the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Wico Corporation
    Inventors: Syng N. Kim, Max Wiczer
  • Patent number: 4574651
    Abstract: A device for individually controlling multiple control functions with one hand comprises a base member movable back and forth and a stick member mounted on the base member to move back and forth with it and swing relative to it. The base member has one portion shaped like a pistol butt, with opposite upright front and rear surfaces and a top surface, and has another column-like upright portion, spaced in front of said front surface, defining an outer side surface. In one gripping position, a hand has its palm against said rear surface, thumb and forefingers overlying the top surface, and other fingers either curled around the butt portion to actuate pushbuttons or the like on its front surface or extended for actuating pushbuttons or the like on said outer side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Saab-Scania Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Lennart Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 4572019
    Abstract: A control device for control cables comprising a housing, a spherical bearing provided with the housing, a main shaft inserted into the spherical bearing, a lever base to which both ends of the main shaft are fixed, ball joints which are pivotally provided with the lever base at positions in the axial direction of the main shaft and in the perpendicular direction to the axis center of the spherical bearing, and a guide stopper for restricting a rotational motion of the main shaft around the spherical bearing, whereby at least two control cables connected to the ball joints can be independently together or simultaneously operated by means of a single lever fixed to the lever base. The control device is small, light and inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Cable System, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4569244
    Abstract: A device which, when manually operated, will automatically return to an original position wherein a manually-operated control lever rotates at least one shaft having an arm mounted on the end of the shaft, and with a roll at the other end of the arm which abuts against one of two profiled parts when the shaft is rotated by the control lever. The two profiled parts resiliently abut a stop or stops when the arm is in an original or zero position but one profiled part abuts a stop while the other profiled part resiliently abuts the roll on the end of the arm when the shaft is rotated, and the profiled parts have steps thereon which are position markings able to be sensed manually by the control lever by a snap effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Inventor: Ake Akerstrom
  • Patent number: 4562347
    Abstract: An input apparatus for use with a computer, including a housing having a top aperture and a bottom aperture, a spherical member supported in the housing so that a portion thereof protrudes through the top and bottom apertures, and encoding means for transforming the motion of the ball into computer compatible signals, wherein the input apparatus can be moved over a surface, so as to function as a mouse, or can be supported by its housing, with motive force applied to the portion of the spherical member protruding from the top aperture, so as to function as a trackball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Trace Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Hovey, Douglas R. Grundstrom, James R. Yurchenco
  • Patent number: 4562314
    Abstract: An X-Y input device comprises a rotatable ball, a first driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, a second driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, the second driven roller having an axis of rotation extending substantially perpendicularly to that of the first driven roller, first rotation detector means for detecting an amount of rotation of the first driven roller, and second rotation detector means for detecting an amount of rotation of the second driven roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hosogoe, Motoyuki Suzuki, Yuichi Ida
  • Patent number: 4558609
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a joystick controller includes a tiltably mounted, elongated, hollow, tubular shaft having an elongated rod extending coaxially therethrough. A helical compression spring is seated in a recess at one end of the shaft and coaxially encircles the rod for engagement with an enlarged-diameter button thereon, resiliently to urge the rod to a normal rest position projecting a predetermined distance from the adjacent end of the shaft. Several different-shaped handle members are interchangeably mounted on the shaft, each handle member having a cylindrical bore therethrough for receiving the shaft and frictionally engageable with a knurled portion on the outer surface of the shaft. The bore has a reduced diameter portion at one end thereof to limit the depth of insertion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Wico Corporation
    Inventor: Syng N. Kim
  • Patent number: 4559532
    Abstract: An X-Y input device comprises a rotatable ball, a first driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, a second driven roller held in contact with the rotatable ball and rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable ball, the second driven roller having an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to that of the first driven roller, first angle detector means for detecting an angle of rotation of the first driven roller, second angle detector means for detecting an angle of rotation of the second driven roller, and a casing housing the rotatable ball, the first and second driven rollers, and the first and second angle detector means. The casing has a lower opening with the rotatable ball partly projecting downwardly therethrough for rolling movement on a base. The casing has at least one annular projection on a lower surface thereof for rejecting foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hosogoe
  • Patent number: 4557570
    Abstract: A camera assembly is provided for photographing a scene or subject from two slightly different positions with controlled three-dimensional effects for subsequent viewing, for example, with the assistance of special eyeglasses having appropriately filtered lenses. The camera assembly comprises a pair of cameras, such as two motion picture cameras, mounted onto a rigid frame for photographing a common scene or subject, with one of the cameras receiving light transmitted through a beamsplitter and the other camera receiving light reflected from the beamsplitter. One of the cameras is stationary on the frame whereas the other camera is movably supported by a mechanical control linkage to controllably vary three-dimensional effects by adjusting the lateral or interocular spacing between the nodal points of lens units for the two cameras and further by adjusting the movable camera to select the point of intersection, or convergence distance setting, of the camera sight lines within their fields of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Walt Disney Productions
    Inventor: Stephen P. Hines
  • Patent number: 4555960
    Abstract: The invention relates to a 6 degree of freedom hand controller. The hand controller includes a handgrip member which is substantially spherical in shape and which includes a point disposed substantially centrally of the member. An elongated shaft member supports the handgrip member such that the handgrip member is rotatable, from an initial position, about the point. The rotational motion of the handgrip member about the point is resolvable into motion about a pitch axis, passing through the point, a roll axis at right angles to the pitch axis and also passing through the point, and a yaw axis, at right angles to both the pitch axis and the roll axis and also passing through the point. The elongated shaft member is movably supported such that the handgrip member is movable, from the initial position, in translational motion resolvable into motion along the pitch, roll and yaw axes and through the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: CAE Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael King
  • Patent number: 4538476
    Abstract: An improved ball-type cursor control assembly is provided for controlling the position of a cursor or the like within the field of a video display. The control assembly comprises two orthogonally spaced rotatable traction wheels for supporting the ball at two points substantially at the horizontal equator of the ball and a rolling bearing positioned generally equidistant between the traction wheels to frictionally support the ball at a point substantially below the horizontal ball equator. The traction wheels and rolling bearing thus define three contact points lying within a common plane canted relative to the horizontal ball equator to permit the traction wheels to be positioned to contact the ball substantially at or slightly below said equator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Inventor: Tom. R. Luque
  • Patent number: 4537084
    Abstract: A mechanism to set in motion the rectilinear transfer of a moving body sliding in relation to a support is disclosed. A servomotor drives a shaft in rotation. The rotation is transformed by pulleys and belts. Two belts are staggered along the shaft axis and are wound on two pulleys of the same diameter. A first end of each of these belts is attached to the corresponding pulley, while the second end of each of these belts is attached to the moving body, the winding directions being opposite so that each rotation in one direction or the other of the shaft causes the winding of one of the belts and the unwinding of the other. Application is to Cartesian displacement robot arms and devices of rectilinear transfer with cross-motions back and forth and up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault
    Inventors: Jean R. Passemard, Gaston Keledjian
  • Patent number: 4536746
    Abstract: The present invention can be used either as a joystick controller having three dimensions of control or as a three dimensional pressure sensor for signature verification or other purposes. The invention comprises a flexible web including a first deflection zone which extends between first and second spaced apart points on the web. A second deflection zone extends between third and fourth spaced apart points on the web. The first and second deflection zones intersect to divide each of the zones into first and second sections. A first fixed yoke includes first and second arms which are coupled to the first and second points on the web. A second floating yoke includes first and second arms which are coupled to the third and fourth points on the web. A web deflection device is coupled to the second yoke to transmit the mechanical input deflections to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: The Mercado Venture
    Inventor: Garth W. Gobeli
  • Patent number: 4533899
    Abstract: A control lever is distinctly movable in different planes for actuation of different control means. The control lever has, adjacent a control lever housing, a plate provided with a number of bevelled flat edges corresponding to the number of planes in which the control lever is movable. The plate is tiltable on its flat edges by means of movement of the lever on which is axially movable. A spring is provided between the plate and a fixed abutment on the lever for holding said lever in engagement with a seat and for urging said plate against a planar portion of the housing. When the lever is moved in a given direction, the plate is tilted or rocked about an edge against the action of the spring, with any risk of the lever moving in another undersired plane being effectively eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Akermans Verkstad AB
    Inventor: Karl Isaksson
  • Patent number: 4531080
    Abstract: A controller for producing electrical control signals has a relatively stationary supporting section providing an upwardly facing hand supporting surface and an upward projection, and has a stick-like control section mounted on a first gimbal joint on top of the projection, to swing about pitch and roll axes. A second gimbal joint is spaced along the roll axis from the first one and rotates about said roll axis and about a gimbal axis parallel to the pitch axis. A gimbal ring of the first joint is rigidly connected to a gimbal member of the second joint for unison rotation about the roll axis. A second gimbal member of the second joint is caused to rotate about said gimbal axis in unison with swinging of the control section about the pitch axis by a linkage connection between them. A signal generator for each of the pitch and roll axes and a stick force generating means for each of those axes are connected with respective gimbal members of the second joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Saab-Scania Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Lennart Nordstrom, Tommy Savstrom
  • Patent number: 4530376
    Abstract: A pilot valve having a universally tiltable joy stick further includes a cam attached to said joy stick and movable therewith. A plunger is selectively movable into engagement with the cam for latching the joy stick in a selected one position. Fluid is supplied to the plunger for developing a force acting thereon to move the plunger into engagement with the cam. The fluid force is eliminated and the plunger disengaged from the cam to delatch the joy stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Probir K. Chatterjea
  • Patent number: 4526055
    Abstract: A lockable control lever arrangement in which a pivotally mounted control lever (10) is provided with linkages (12,13,16,17,18,19) for connecting the control lever with one or more functions to be controlled. A locking device (60) is provided for locking the lever in a given position.The locking device includes a first locking formation (23,24) operatively connected with each of the linkages, a locking member (20,21,22) having a second locking formation (21a,22a) engageable with the first locking formation to lock the control lever (10) in the given position, and a manually operable operating means (26,27,28,29) for moving the locking member to bring the first and second formations into engagement to lock the control lever.The control lever arrangement is particularly applicable to the operation of hydraulic valves which control the loaders and diggers of industrial tractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Massey-Ferguson Services N.V.
    Inventors: Frederick H. Batchelor, David J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4526204
    Abstract: A two lever, three function control apparatus for hydraulic control valves wherein a first control lever end is connected by a first cable to a first hydraulic valve operator, a link perpendicular to the first cable interconnects the first control lever and one leg of a bellcrank rotatable about on axis parallel to the first control lever. A second leg of the bellcrank disposed at right angles to the first leg is connected to a second cable parallel to the first cable which in turn connects to a second hydraulic operator. Fore-and-aft movement of the first control lever actuate only the first cable and hydraulic valve and transverse movement of the first control lever actuates only the second cable and hydraulic valve. To physically differentiate between the two function, the second bellcrank leg is twice the length of the first leg and a detent mechanism acting on the bellcrank hub is also provided. A second control lever is connected by a third cable to a third hydraulic control valve operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Primdahl
  • Patent number: 4524634
    Abstract: A transmission shift mechanism including a shift selector lever mounted on a spherical bearing and a shifting segment mounted on a transverse axis and having a transverse slot receiving said shift selector lever for allowing said lever to pivot transversely for selecting a speed ratio and pivoting fore and aft for shifting said transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corp.
    Inventor: Robert C. Haupt
  • Patent number: 4523488
    Abstract: A compact single lever control device (26) is provided for a lift truck (11) which permits an operator to operate a carriage raising and lowering control valve spool (77) by lateral movement of a manual control lever (46) and to cause the lift truck to travel in forward and reverse directions by forward and reverse movement of the control lever (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corp.
    Inventor: Donald A. Ahrendt
  • Patent number: 4520355
    Abstract: A joystick apparatus is disclosed having a minimum number of component parts associated therewith. The joystick apparatus comprises a first potentiometer, a second potentiometer, a bracket interconnected between the shafts of said first and second potentiometers, and a joystick connected to the base of one of the potentiometers. The bracket is interconnected between the shafts of the first and second potentiometers in a manner such that a movement of the joystick along one axis will impart a rotational movement to the shaft of one potentiometer, but will not impart a rotational movement to the shaft of the other potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Mitch
  • Patent number: 4519266
    Abstract: A gear shift position sensing arrangement for a gear selector unit that selects the transmission gears indirectly. Magnetic sensors are arranged in the gear selector unit housing so as to be activated when a permanent magnet associated with the gear shift lever is brought into magnetic proximity therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: WABCO Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Reinecke
  • Patent number: 4513847
    Abstract: A single manually operated control lever is operable to operate a range shift mechanism and a park lock mechanism in a vehicle transmission. The control lever is pivoted to a pivot bracket on a first horizontal axis and the pivot bracket is pivoted to a stationary console on a second horizontal axis lying in a plane normal to the first axis. The control lever selectively and alternatively engages notches in a pair of operating members connected to the range shift and park lock mechanisms. A spring interacting between the pivot bracket and the control lever biases the latter into engagement with the notch on the range shift operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth N. Hansen