System and method for allowing the free rotational spin in a controlled manner of grip section of a thumbstick potentiometer

A thumbstick control input device comprising:

• a thumbstick controller comprising a pivoting thumbstick post;
• a cap which is integral to an upper end of the thumbstick post, the cap providing a connector base for a platform, the platform connected to the connector base;
• a cushioning pad connected to an upper portion of the platform, the cushioning pad comprising an elastomeric material adapted to cushion contact between a user's digit and the platform;
• wherein an upper portion of the cushioning pad includes an upward facing thumbrest surface, the thumbrest surface having an outer ridge that forms a partial ring around a central depression with a notch disposed to one side to accommodate a user's thumb, the outer ridge being interrupted on the one side by a notch surface, the notch surface extending from the central depression to an outer periphery of the thumbrest surface, wherein a height of the notch surface is less than a height of the outer ridge;
• wherein the platform comprises a swiveling platform adapted to freely rotate with respect to the connector base during operation of the thumbstick controller by a user's digit and to thereby relieve stress on the user's digit when the swiveling platform is moved laterally;
• wherein the swiveling platform comprises a table which supports the cushioning pad and a connecting post extending downward from the table, the connecting post extending into a receiving hole in the connector base, the connecting post adapted to rotate within the receiving hole;
• and
• wherein the connecting post comprises a split shaft having a lower end which includes one or more barbs extending radially outward from the split shaft, the split shaft adapted to flex and thereby enable the barbs to be inserted through the receiving hole in the connector base, the receiving hole having a recess at a lower end of the receiving hole, the recess adapted to receive the barbs, wherein when the split shaft is fully inserted into the receiving hole, the barbs are seated in the recess to retain the split shaft in the receiving hole.

A control input device comprising:

• a hand controller for a computer system, the hand controller including at least one thumbstick;
• the thumbstick having a lower end pivotally connected to a three-axis potentiometer and an upper end adapted to be movable by contact with a user's thumb;
• the upper end of the thumbstick having a thumbpad support and a cushioning pad connected to the thumbpad support, wherein an upper portion of the cushioning pad includes an upward facing thumbrest surface, the thumbrest surface having an outer ridge that forms a partial ring around a central depression with a notch disposed to one side to accommodate the user's thumb, the outer ridge being interrupted on the one side by a notch surface, the notch surface extending from the central depression to an outer periphery of the thumbrest surface, wherein a height of the notch surface is less than a height of the outer ridge;
• wherein the thumbpad support comprises a connector base and a platform connected to the connector base;
• wherein the platform comprises a swiveling platform adapted to freely rotate with respect to the connector base during operation of the thumbstick by a user's digit and to thereby relieve stress on the user's digit when the swiveling platform is moved laterally;
• wherein the swiveling platform comprises a table which supports the cushioning pad and a connecting post extending downward from the table, the connecting post extending into a receiving hole in the connector base, the connecting post adapted to rotate within the receiving hole;
• and
• wherein the connecting post comprises a split shaft having a lower end which includes one or more barbs extending radially outward from the split shaft, the split shaft adapted to flex and thereby enable the barbs to be inserted through the receiving hole in the connector base, the receiving hole having a recess at a lower end of the receiving hole, the recess adapted to receive the barbs, wherein when the split shaft is fully inserted into the receiving hole, the barbs are seated in the recess to retain the split shaft in the receiving hole.

An adapter for a thumbstick control input device comprising:

• a connector base adapted to connect the adapter to an upper end of a pivoting thumbstick controller;
• a platform which is connected to the connector base;
• a cushioning pad connected to an upper portion of the platform, the cushioning pad comprising an elastomeric material adapted to cushion contact between a user's digit and the platform;
• wherein an upper portion of the cushioning pad includes an upward facing thumbrest surface, the thumbrest surface having an outer ridge that forms a partial ring around a central depression with a notch disposed to one side to accommodate a user's thumb, the outer ridge being interrupted on the one side by a notch surface, the notch surface extending from the central depression to an outer periphery of the thumbrest surface, wherein a height of the notch surface is less than a height of the outer ridge;
• and
• wherein the notch is disposed between a first end and a second end of the outer ridge, wherein the notch surface has an arcuate portion extending from a location a first distance from a center of the central depression to a location a second distance from the center of the central depression, the arcuate portion forming an intermediate ridge, wherein the first distance is less than a distance of the outer ridge from the center of the central depression, wherein a height of the intermediate ridge is less than the height of the outer ridge.