Back to results
US 5,566,586 AGranted
Steering stick for switching or actuating components of a utility vehicle
AssigneeZF Friedrichshafen AG
InventorsArmin Lauer, Walter Frei, Alfred Schobinger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering stick (1) is disclosed for switching or actuating components of a utility vehicle, in particular a wheeled loader. In order to make handling and overview easier for the operator, the stick (1) has a handle (2) ergonomically adapted to the hand. Switching elements (6, 7) within reach of the thumb of the hand that grips the handle (2) are located in the head (3) linked to the handle (2). The switching elements (6, 7) are keys (10 to 13 and 15 to 17) and/or signaling elements, such as luminescent diodes. At least one further key (20) arranged on the back side of the handle (2) allows several keys to be actuated together.
Claims11
A steering stick (1) for switching and actuating components of a utility vehicle comprising:
- a handle (2) ergonomically adapted to a hand and having a head (3) with switching elements (6, 7) arranged so as to be within reach of a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- wherein a first row of first switching elements (6) is spatially positioned with respect to said handle (2) such that the first switching elements (6) lie substantially in a first arc (9) having a radius substantially corresponding to the radius of a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- a second row of additional switching elements (7) is arranged in a second arc spatially positioned with respect to said handle (2) adjacent the first row of said first switching elements (6), relative to a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- said first switching elements (6) consist of a plurality of keys (10, 11, 12, 13) for:
- traveling forward, traveling in reverse, stepping down by one gear and moving a working implement to a predetermined position, respectively, and said additional switching elements (7) consist of a plurality of keys (15) for:
- switching to a neutral position of a transmission, stepping the transmission up and stepping the transmission down, respectively;
- and
- signaling elements are placed on said head (3) of said steering stick (1) for visual indication of actuation of said switching elements.
5 more elements
A steering stick (1) for switching and actuating components of a utility vehicle comprising;
- a handle (2) ergonomically adapted to a hand and having a head (3) with switching elements (6, 7) arranged so as to be within reach of a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- wherein a first row of first switching elements (6) is spatially positioned with respect to said handle (2) such that the first switching elements (6) lie substantially in a first arc (9) having a radius substantially corresponding to the radius of a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- a second row of additional switching elements (7) is arranged in a second arc spatially positioned with respect to said handle (2) adjacent the first row of said first switching elements (6), relative to a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- said first switching elements (6) consist of a plurality of keys (10, 11, 12, 13 ) for:
- traveling forward, traveling in reverse, stepping down by one gear and moving a working implement to a predetermined position, respectively, and said additional switching elements (7) consist of a plurality of keys (15) for:
- switching to a neutral position of a transmission, stepping the transmission up and stepping the transmission down, respectively, and
- symbols designating the functions corresponding to said keys (10 to 13 and 15 to 17) are placed upon a first replaceable support (18) mounted to said head;
- and
- at least a second replaceable support, for mounting to said head in place of said first replaceable support, contains symbols designating functions corresponding to said keys that, for at least one of said keys, is different than the function designated by said first replaceable support.
6 more elements
A steering stick (1) for switching and actuating components of a utility vehicle comprising:
- a handle (2) ergonomically adapted to a hand and having a head (3) with a first arc of first switching elements (6) spatially positioned on said head (3) with respect to said handle (2) such that the first arc (9) has a radius substantially corresponding to a radius of a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2), and a second arc of additional switching elements (7) spatially positioned with respect to said handle (2) along a second arc located on a side of said first arc, remote from a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2), substantially concentric with the first arc;
- wherein said first switching elements (6) consist of a separate key (10, 11, 12, 13) for each of the following functions:
- traveling forward, traveling in reverse, stepping a transmission of the utility vehicle down by one gear and moving a working implement to a predetermined position;
- and said additional switching elements (7) consist of a separate key (15) for each of the following functions:
- switching to a neutral position of the transmission, stepping the speed level up (16) and stepping the speed level down (17);
- a first replaceable support (18), for attachment to the head (3) of said steering stick (1), contains symbols thereon indicating the functions of corresponding said keys (10 to 13 and 15 to 17) and at least a second replaceable support, for attachment to the head (3) of said steering stick (1), contains symbols thereon indicating a different function for at least one of said keys (10 to 13 and 15 to 17);
- and
- a variably programmable electronic control system, for, upon attachment of one of said replaceable supports to the head (3) of said steering stick (1), programming the functions of said keys (10 to 13 and 15 to 17) to correspond to the functions indicated by said replaceable support attached to the head (3) of the steering stick (1).
5 more elements
A steering stick (1) for switching and actuating components of a utility vehicle comprising:
- a handle (2) ergonomically adapted to a hand and having a head (3) with a first arc of first switching elements (6) spatially positioned on said head (3) with respect to said handle (2) such that the first arc (9) has a radius substantially corresponding to a radius of a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2), and a second arc of additional switching elements (7) spatially positioned with respect to said handle (2) along a second arc concentric to said first arc and located on a side of said first arc remote from a thumb of a hand gripping said handle (2);
- wherein said first switching elements (6) consist of a key (10, 11, 12, 13) for each of the following functions:
- traveling forward, traveling in reverse, stepping a transmission of the utility vehicle down by one gear and moving a working implement to a predetermined position;
- and said additional switching elements (7) consist of a key (15) for each of the following functions:
- switching to a neutral position of the transmission, stepping the speed level up (16) and stepping the speed level down (17);
- and
- signal elements are located on said head (3) of said stick (1) for visual indication of actuation of said switching elements.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.