US5883618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer joystick
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1996-07-25
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2016-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A computer joystick having a sliding member for measuring rotations of the joystick's control handle is disclosed. The computer joystick comprises a housing having an upper opening, a vertical control handle having a hand holding part and a ball-shaped knob having a vertical groove installed in it, a knob holding means installed under the upper opening of the housing for rotatably holding the knob of the control handle, a sliding member having an inner end, a supporting means installed in the housing for slidingly supporting the sliding member, and a measuring means for measuring movements of the sliding member wherein the inner end of the sliding member is slidably positioned within the vertical groove of the knob and the sliding member is slidably moved within the supporting means by using the vertical groove of the knob when the control handle is rotated.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur Wu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:03
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A computer joystick comprising: a. a housing having an upper opening; b. a vertical control handle comprising a hand holding part on its upper end and a ball-shaped knob connected under the hand holding part having a vertical groove installed in it; c. knob holding means installed under the upper opening of the housing for rotatably holding the knob of the control handle; d. a sliding member having an inner end; e. sliding member supporting means installed in the housing for supporting the sliding member wherein the sliding member is horizontally and slidably supported by the supporting means; and f. measuring means for measuring movements of the sliding member inside the supporting means; wherein the inner end of the sliding member is slidably positioned within the vertical groove of the knob and the sliding member is slidably moved within the supporting means by using the vertical groove of the knob when the control handle is rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A computer joystick comprising: a. a housing having an upper opening; b. a vertical control handle comprising a hand holding part on its upper end and a ball-shaped knob connected under the hand holding part having a vertical groove installed in it; c. knob holding means installed under the upper opening of the housing for rotatably holding the knob of the control handle; d. a sliding member having an inner end; e. sliding member supporting means installed in the housing for supporting the sliding member wherein the sliding member is horizontally and slidably supported by the supporting means; and f. measuring means for measuring movements of the sliding member inside the supporting means; wherein the inner end of the sliding member is slidably positioned within the vertical groove of the knob and the sliding member is slidably moved within the supporting means by using the vertical groove of the knob when the control handle is rotated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer joystick of claim 1 wherein the sliding member further comprises an outer end and wherein the measuring means comprises an fringe installed in the outer end of the sliding member and an optic encoder installed in the housing for measuring movements of the fringe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The computer joystick of claim 1 wherein the sliding member further comprises a positioning mechanism and the supporting means further comprises an arc groove for slidingly receiving the positioning mechanism of the sliding member wherein the positioning mechanism of the sliding member slides along the arc groove of the supporting means when the sliding member is slidably moved by rotating the knob of the control handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer joystick of claim 3 wherein the supporting means comprises an upper flat installed inside the housing and a lower flat installed over the knob holding means wherein the sliding member is slidably supported between the upper and lower flats of the supporting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer joystick of claim 4 wherein the arc groove is installed on the lower flat of the supporting means for slidingly receiving the positioning mechanism of the sliding member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer joystick of claim 1 wherein the vertical groove of the knob is installed on a vertical plane crossing the center of the ball-shaped knob.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer joystick of claim 1 wherein the inner end of the sliding member is a column-shaped stub which horizontally points toward the center of the ball-shaped knob.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
The computer joystick of claim 1 wherein the lower end of the knob comprises a ring-shaped cross section and a downward protruding convex over the center of the ring-shaped cross section and wherein the knob holding means comprises an upward protruding structure with a round opening on its top end for engaging the convex of the knob wherein the knob is rotatably held between the upper opening of the housing and the round opening of the upward protruding structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer joystick of claim 8 further comprising an elastic member installed between the protruding structure of the knob holding means and the cross section of the knob for maintaining the control handle in an upright position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer joystick of claim 9 further comprising a washer clamped between the elastic member and the cross section of the knob for engaging the elastic member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |