Split grip control lever for heavy machinery
AssigneeJLG Industries, Inc.
InventorPhillip John Black
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A split grip control lever is suitable for operating heavy machinery and includes a fixed base portion that provides secure operator support during operation of the machine. A movable upper portion is pivotable relative to the fixed base portion by the user's thumb and index finger to control operation of machine components. The movable upper portion and the fixed base portion preferably define a substantially continuous profile. Additionally, a control device is placed inside the fixed base portion of the grip, allowing for a shorter control shaft that pivots at or near the center of the unit. This arrangement facilitates control of the equipment.
Claims19
A split grip control lever fixedly secured to a surface, the split grip control lever comprising:
- a fixed base portion that is immovable relative to the surface;
- a movable upper portion that is separately pivotable relative to the fixed base portion, wherein a perimeter of facing ends of the movable upper portion and the fixed base portion are substantially identical in size and shape to define a substantially continous profile;
- and
- the fixed base portion comprises means for an operator to resist effects of all external forces via one hand while maintaining control of the movable upper portion with said one hand.
Machinery including a control lever, the control lever comprising:
- a fixed base portion fixedly secured to a surface of the machinery such that the fixed base portion is immovable;
- a control portion disposed adjacent the fixed base portion and movable relative to the fixed base portion, the control portion being separated from the fixed base portion via a split line and being contiguous with the fixed base portion such that a perimeter of facing ends of the control portion and the fixed portion are substantially identical in size and shape to define a substantially continuous profile;
- and
- the fixed base portion comprises means for an operator to resist effects of all external forces via one hand while maintaining control of the control portion with said one hand.
A machine comprising:
- a machine frame supporting at least one movable element;
- and
- a control lever secured to the machine frame, the control lever comprising:
- a fixed base portion fixedly secured to the machine frame such that the fixed base portion is immovable, the fixed base portion providing support for an operator to resist effects of all external movements resulting from movement of the machine, and
- a movable upper portion that is separately pivotable relative to the fixed base portion for controlling movement of the at least one movable element, wherein a perimeter of facing ends of the movable upper portion and the fixed base portion are substantially identical in size and shape to define a substantially continuous profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.