Control device

Apparatus for the control of the operational states of a device comprising a maneuvering console including a maneuvering lever, a pivot hinge for said maneuvering lever whereby said maneuvering lever can be actuated into a plurality of positions corresponding to said operational states of said device, said pivot hinge being mounted to permit pivoting of said maneuvering lever with respect to said maneuvering console about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes, a plurality of controllable units comprising at least two hydraulic pistons and cylinders, a first hydraulic line connecting said at least two hydraulic pistons and cylinders and a first flow limiter disposed in said first hydraulic line, said maneuvering lever being mechanically coupled to each of said at least two hydraulic pistons and cylinders, whereby said pivoting movement of said maneuvering lever is converted into reciprocal movement of said hydraulic pistons within said cylinders, a plurality of sensors for detecting a maneuvering force applied to said maneuvering lever and the position of said maneuvering lever, whereby said pivoting movement of said maneuvering lever can be selectively limited by said plurality of controllable units based upon said detections, and a controller for controlling said plurality of controllable units thereby permitting selected movement of said maneuvering lever based on control conditions set by said controller.