Elastomeric joystick assembly
AssigneeCSI Keyboards, Inc.
InventorPeter Castner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides, in some aspects, a rugged and inexpensive joystick assembly comprising a core configured to manipulate a series of switches and located by an elastomeric overlay. The elastomeric overlay can include a tactile surface for a user, a water-resistant coating for a switch panel and a flex-wall disposed between the tactile surface and switch panel coating. The elastomeric overlay can be configured to positively locate the joystick core relative to the switch panel and provide a water-tight seal. The thickness, width and hardness of the flex-wall can be tuned to provide adequate locating strength and resistance to wear.
Claims9
An electrical switch assembly comprising:
- a base member
- a first momentary switch fixed to the base member;
- an actuator arm configured to activate the first momentary switch;
- an elastomeric layer;
- wherein, the elastomeric layer comprises an actuator arm overlay fixed to the actuator arm, a flex-wall fixed to the actuator arm overlay and a base member connection area fixed to the flex-wall;
- wherein the base member connection area is fixed to the base member;
- wherein the actuator arm is located laterally relative to the base member substantially via the elastomeric layer;
- and
- wherein the flex-wall comprises a thickness between and including 0.015 inches to 0.020 inches.
An electrical switch assembly comprising:
- a base member a first momentary switch fixed to the base member;
- an actuator arm configured to activate the first momentary switch;
- an elastomeric layer;
- wherein, the elastomeric layer comprises an actuator arm overlay fixed to the actuator arm, a flex-wall fixed to the actuator arm overlay and a base member connection area fixed to the flex-wall;
- wherein the base member connection area is fixed to the base member;
- wherein the actuator arm is located laterally relative to the base member substantially via the elastomeric layer;
- and
- wherein the flex-wall comprises a lateral width between and including 0.030 inches to 0.060 inches.
An electrical switch assembly comprising:
- a base member
- a first momentary switch fixed to the base member;
- an actuator arm configured to activate the first momentary switch;
- an elastomeric layer;
- wherein, the elastomeric layer comprises an actuator arm overlay fixed to the actuator arm, a flex-wall fixed to the actuator arm overlay and a base member connection area fixed to the flex-wall;
- wherein the base member connection area is fixed to the base member;
- wherein the actuator arm is located laterally relative to the base member substantially via the elastomeric layer;
- and
- wherein the flex-wall comprises a silicone rubber with a hardness between and including 59 Shore A to 61 Shore A, a thickness between and including 0.018 inches to 0.020 inches and a lateral width between and including 0.040 inches to 0.060 inches.
An electrical joystick assembly comprising:
- a base member;
- a plurality of switches fixed towards an upper surface of the base member and spaced apart radially from a fulcrum point;
- an actuator arm configured to activate a plurality of momentary switches when manipulated about the fulcrum point;
- an elastomeric layer fixed to the actuator arm and the base member;
- wherein the elastomeric layer further comprises a flex-wall extending between the actuator arm and the base member, configured to laterally locate the actuator arm relative to the base member;
- wherein the actuator arm further comprises a disk with an elongate member fixed to the disk and extending upward and wherein the flex-wall is configured to be substantially parallel to the base member and unstressed when the actuator arm is in a neutral or equilibrium position;
- and
- wherein the actuator arm further comprises a central nub extending downward from the axial center of the disk and configured to provide the fulcrum point;
- and wherein the actuator arm further comprises downward facing nubs configured to actuate the switches.
An electrical joystick assembly comprising:
- a base member;
- a plurality of switches fixed towards an upper surface of the base member and spaced apart radially from a fulcrum point;
- an actuator arm configured to activate a plurality of momentary switches when manipulated about the fulcrum point;
- an elastomeric layer fixed to the actuator arm and the base member;
- wherein the elastomeric layer further comprises a flex-wall extending between the actuator arm and the base member, configured to laterally locate the actuator arm relative to the base member;
- and
- wherein the flex-wall has a width that is between and including 1.5 to 4 times a flex-wall thickness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.