US 2009/0255353 A1Published application

Multi-directional input apparatus

AssigneeAlps Electric Co., Ltd.

InventorsShinji Ishikawa, Kuniharu Kutsuna, Yasuhiko Yamazaki

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A multi-directional input apparatus includes a swinging member (first drive lever) having a through hole and an operating lever including a drive shaft which is inserted through the long hole. When the operating lever is tilted in a direction that crosses an axial direction of the swinging member, the swinging member is rotated by the drive shaft. A leaf spring is attached to the swinging member, and the drive shaft of the leaf spring is elastically biased against a side surface of an inner wall of the long hole. The leaf spring includes a bent portion which extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the swinging member and which is in elastic contact with the drive shaft. A hole at which the long hole is completely exposed is formed in the leaf spring.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A multi-directional input apparatus comprising:

an operating member including a drive shaft;
a base configured to support the operating member such that the operating member is tiltable in multiple directions;
a long hole, the drive shaft extending through the long hole;
and
a swinging member having a long hole through which the drive shaft extends and being supported on the base such that the swinging member is rotatable and such that an axial direction of the swinging member is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the long hole,
wherein, when the operating member is tilted in a direction crossing the axial direction of the swinging member, the swinging member is rotated by the drive shaft, and
wherein at least one of the swinging member and the drive shaft is provided with biasing means configured to elastically bias the drive shaft against a side surface of an inner wall of the long hole.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/424,256Filed 15 Apr 2009
Priority: JP 2008-10587915 Apr 2008
Published: 15 Oct 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G05G 9/047
In which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
G05G 25/02
Other details or appurtenances of control mechanisms, e.g. supporting intermediate members elastically: inhibiting the generation or transmission…
G05G 2009/04714
Mounting of controlling member: with orthogonal axes
Y10T 74/18568
Mechanical movements: reciprocating or oscillating to or from alternating rotary