Input apparatus

Abstract

An input apparatus is provided which comprises a thumbwheel integrated with a rotational shaft which rotates and oscillates, an encoder (a rotation detector) for detecting a rotational amount of the rotational shaft, and a switch operated by oscillation of the rotational shaft, wherein a first gearwheel (a rotational element) is provided between the rotational shaft and the encoder, and wherein the rotational shaft is connected to the first gearwheel in such a manner as not only to oscillate but also to transmit the rotation of the rotational shaft to the first gearwheel. Operation load applied when the thumbwheel is operated to be pushed to thereby operate the switch is applied not to the encoder but to the first gearwheel to which the rotational shaft is connected.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.