Multifunction tactile manipulatable control

#This invention relates to a tactile control for instruments or machines to be controlled by signal variations adjusted by manual manipulation.

#This application is related to U.S. applications Ser. No. 06/857,886, filed Apr. 30, 1986, Craig F. Culver, inventor, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,715, entitled "Control Mechanism for Computer Keyboard and the Like"; and Ser. No. 06/677,703, filed Dec. 4, 1984, Craig F. Culver, inventor, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,101, entitled "Control Mechanism for an Electronic Apparatus".

#As set forth in the above related applications and as otherwise well known, a hand-manipulatable trackball, touch tablet, mouse, or joystick has been used with a computer keyboard for moving a cursor on a CRT display. Likewise, it is known to have a control mechanism, including a rotatable shaft and a freely slidable sleeve member on the shaft to separately move linearly with respect to the shaft and move rotatively with the shaft. First and second analog valves, representing X and Y axis coordinates, for example, can be adjusted in mechanically actuated transducers such as potentiometers or other encoders by rotation of the shaft and linear movement of the member, respectively. Such mechanisms have been placed proximate to the keyboard so that a user's hand can be moved to effectuate the above movements and signal generation. Mechanisms of this type have also been constructed so that slight downward pressure on the shaft or sleeve member will actuate an electrical switch for enabling a circuit in the apparatus being controlled.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of the control integrated into a computer keyboard.

#FIG. 2 is an exploded simplified view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the control, taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 4.

#The multifunction control of this invention for use with computer keyboards and other instruments incorporates a rotating cylinder for generation of a motion signal. The rotating cylinder itself is journalled in a longitudinally traveling horizontal member or sliding bar, which itself is part of the control surfaces and which generates a second motion signal. The motion signals normally will represent X-axis and Y-axis orthogonal positions. The sliding bar has top surfaces curved for optimal finger/thumb or other digit contact and the bar is slidable in an elongated fixed support track. The track also serves as a lever arm to transfer pressure downwardly in a Z-direction to operate a Z-axis switch or other motion detector.

#In FIG. 1, a contactable topside portion of the overall control 50 is seen exposed in an aperture 56 positioned across a middle third of a computer keyboard frame 53 in front of a standard space bar 54. The exposed parts of the control include a surrounding connected rear switchbar 6, a front switchbar 5, and side switchbars 7. Other keyboard keys 55 are provided above and to the sides of the space bar as known in the computer art. Within the "frame" formed by the connected switchbars are seen slidable bar 8 extending thereacross and a rotary cylinder 16 journalled in the bar. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the hands of the user in normal input "home" position for the striking of keys is such as to allow primarily the thumbs of the user to not only press the space bar 54 but also to manipulate either or both the rotary cylinder and the sliding bar to generate an X-axis and Y-axis signal to suitable motion detectors. At any time, the user may press down on any part of the switchbars or any exposed part of the cylinder or sliding bar to produce due to a deflectable track in which the bar slides, a Z-axis motion, and resultant actuation of a pressure-or other motion-sensitive switch or control.

#The principal parts of the control 50 are shown in FIG. 2. A rigid control housing or base 1, which may be part of the computer or other instrument housing 53 or a separate housing attached or offset from the computer or other instrument, contains an operational aperture 2. The interior floor 2a of the housing contains a Z-axis snap-action, single throw switch 3 with a switch actuator 23 extending upwardly therefrom. The housing 1 is normally constructed of plastic material and is made in two parts so that the other components may be installed within the housing. A generally U-shaped support track 4 is installed inside the housing such that track legs 22 rest adjacent opposite ends of the housing floor. The center of the support track rests on or slightly above the Z-axis switch actuator 23. The support track has sufficient flexibility so that downward finger pressure on any of the central parts 5, 6, 7 or bar 8 or cylinder 16 deflects the center of the track downward against the operator 23, and closing the Z-axis switch.