Joystick controller with centre-lock
AssigneePenny & Giles Controls Limited
InventorMark Gould
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A joystick controller comprises an operating shaft mounted for pivotal movement relative to a housing. The joystick controller is configured such that when the operating shaft is in a null position a release of pressure applied on the operating shaft is effective to lock the joystick so as to prevent further pivotal movement. Re-application of pressure on the operating shaft is effective to unlock the joystick.
Claims12
A joystick controller comprising an operating shaft mounted for pivotal movement relative to a housing, wherein the joystick controller is configured such that when the operating shaft is in a null position a release of pressure applied on the operating shaft is effective to lock the joystick so as to prevent further pivotal movement, re-application of pressure on the operating shaft being effective to unlock the joystick.
A joystick controller comprising an operating shaft coupled to a ball member of a ball-and-socket arrangement for effecting pivotal movement of the operating shaft relative to a socket member of the ball-and socket arrangement, the socket member being mounted in a housing,
- wherein the ball member comprises a part-spherical surface that cooperates with a bearing surface in the socket member, the socket member having a gate opening through which the operating shaft extends, the ball member having a non-spherical portion of a form that corresponds to the gate opening,
- wherein means are provided for effecting axial movement of the operating shaft into a lock position, in which the non-spherical portion of the ball member enters the gate opening when in corresponding alignment therewith so as to prevent further pivotal movement of the operating shaft in the lock position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.