US 10,344,453 B2 · Joystick controller for power machine

Abstract

Joystick controllers having one or both of a reference bar and a throat plate. The reference bar substantially surrounds the joystick and is mounted to a control panel, and provides a hand rest surface for an operator while operating the joystick. A top curved surface of the reference bar extends substantially parallel to the path of movement of the joystick in the fore and aft direction of travel. The throat plate has a shape oriented with tapered surfaces and vertices at the furthest fore and aft points to limit turning, caused by movement of the joystick in a side-to-side direction, at higher forward and aft speeds. The joystick can be biased such that, in the neutral position, it is oriented aft of center to allow for a full forward stroke, while limiting rearward stroke.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A power machine comprising:

a frame;
a tractive element;
a hydraulic drive pump;
a drive motor coupled to the hydraulic drive pump to receive hydraulic power from the hydraulic drive pump;
a control panel connected to the frame;
a joystick mounted to the frame and extending through the control panel to provide control signals for controlling the hydraulic drive pump, the joystick biased to a neutral position and configured to be moved fore and aft of the neutral position;
and
a reference bar coupled to the control panel, surrounding the joystick, and including a curved top surface extending between a fore most reference bar position and an aft most reference bar position, and wherein between the fore most reference bar position and the aft most reference bar position a side of the reference bar follows an arc of the joystick as the joystick moves between a fore most joystick position and an aft most joystick position.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Joystick controller for power machine

Life of this patent

Joystick controller for power machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13