Claims
- 1. A device for generating electrical signals representative of forces applied in an x, y and z-axis, the device being responsive to a users actuation thereof, comprising:
- a) a shaft, having a first and second end;
- b) a flexible interposer having the first end attached thereto;
- c) a strain sensitive resistor, mounted on the shaft, for generating an electrical signal representative of a magnitude and direction of a force applied to the shaft by the user;
- d) a circuit trace disposed on the interposer and electrically connected to the resistor; and
- e) a substrate having a circuit line thereon, and electrically connected to the circuit trace such that the user actuating the device in the z-axis causes the interposer to flex, the flexing of the interposer providing a feedback to the user;
- f) a base disposed above the interposer, surrounding the shaft and having an aperture through which the shaft passes, the base having a collar, extending above the base for concentrating forces from the shaft onto the strain sensitive resistor when the shaft is moved in the x, y and z-axes by the user.
- 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a cover is disposed over the base for holding the base to the substrate.
- 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the cover is held to the substrate by at least one mounting tab.
- 4. A device for generating electrical signals in response to forces applied thereon by an operator, the device operable to be connected to an external circuit, comprising:
- a) an actuator, having a plurality of strain sensitive resistors mounted on the actuator for generating an electrical signal representative of force applied thereon;
- b) a substrate, having the actuator mounted thereon;
- c) a base mounted above and surrounding the actuator and having an aperture through which the actuator passes, the base having a collar, extending above the base for concentrating forces from the actuator onto the strain sensitive resistor when the shaft is moved by the user; and
- d) a cover, disposed over the base for holding the base and the actuator to the substrate;
- e) a flexible interposer attached to the actuator and located between the substrate and the cover, the interposer allowing the actuator to flex in response to forces applied thereon by the operator, the flexing of the interposer providing a feedback to the operator.
- 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the actuator has a shaft with the resistors mounted thereon, the shaft having a first and second end.
- 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the cover is held to the substrate by at least one mounting tab.
- 7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the cover is metallic for discharging electrostatic discharge.
- 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the cover is grounded.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/794,703 now abandoned filed Feb. 4, 1997 and is herein incorporated by reference.
This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/756,202, entitled Z-axis sensing pointing stick with base as strain concentrator, filed Nov. 25, 1996, and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,517 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,301 entitled Collar Mounted Pointing Stick, filed Sep. 23, 1996. Both applications being assigned to the current assignee of this application and are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
US Referenced Citations (16)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2290600 |
Mar 1996 |
GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
794703 |
Feb 1997 |
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