Claims
- 1. A joystick controller for a video simulation system comprising:
- a base;
- a handle pivotally mounted on the base for rotational movement in a first direction about a first axis and a second direction about a second axis, normal to the first axis;
- a first potentiometer mounted on the base and having a stem coupled to the handle for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the first axis;
- a second potentiometer mounted on the base and having a stem coupled to the handle for rotational movement about an axis parallel to the second axis;
- means for transmitting the first and second potentiometer settings to the video simulation system;
- a first torsion spring operatively coupled between the handle and the base for imparting a compressive force to the handle responsive to forward or backward movement of the handle along the first direction; and
- a second torsion spring operatively coupled between the handle and the base for imparting a compressive force to the handle responsive to forward or backward movement of the handle along the second direction.
- 2. A joystick controller according to claim 1 wherein the first and second torsion springs each include a coil portion, and first and second end portions extending tangentially in opposite directions from the coil portion.
- 3. A joystick controller according to claim 2 including:
- a first gimbal pivotally coupling the handle to the base for pivotal movement about the first axis;
- a first stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the first end portion of the first torsion spring;
- a second stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the second end portion of the first torsion spring;
- a first stud fixedly mounted on the first gimbal and extending over the first end portion of the first torsion spring; and
- a second stud fixedly mounted on the first gimbal and extending over the second end portion of the first torsion spring.
- 4. A joystick controller according to claim 3 including
- a second gimbal pivotally coupling the handle to the base for pivotal movement about the second axis;
- a third stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the first end portion of the second torsion spring;
- a fourth stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the second end portion of the second torsion spring;
- a third stud fixedly mounted on the second gimbal and extending over the first end portion of the second torsion spring; and
- a fourth stud fixedly mounted on the second gimbal and extending over the second end portion of the second torsion spring.
- 5. A joystick controller according to claim 2 including:
- a first gimbal;
- first and second coaxial pivot members for pivotally mounting the first gimbal to the base for pivotal movement about the first axis;
- means for coupling the first gimbal to the handle such that the first gimbal pivots about the first axis responsive to movement of the handle in the first direction;
- a second gimbal;
- third and fourth coaxial pivot members for pivotally mounting the second gimbal to the base for pivotal movement about the second axis; and
- means for coupling the second gimbal to the handle such that the second gimbal pivots about the second axis responsive to movement of the handle in the second direction.
- 6. A joystick controller according to claim 1 including:
- a second gimbal pivotally coupling the handle to the base for pivotal movement about the second axis;
- a third stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the first end portion of the second torsion spring;
- a fourth stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the second end portion of the second torsion spring;
- a third stud fixedly mounted on the second gimbal and extending over the first end portion of the second torsion spring; and
- a fourth stud fixedly mounted on the second gimbal and extending over the second end portion of the second torsion spring.
- 7. A joystick controller for a video simulation system comprising:
- a base;
- a handle mounted on an actuation shaft;
- a first gimbal;
- means including a pivot member for pivotally mounting the first gimbal to the base for pivotal movement about a first axis;
- means for coupling the first gimbal to the shaft such that the first gimbal pivots about the first axis responsive to movement of the handle in a first direction;
- a second gimbal;
- means including a pivot member for pivotally mounting the second gimbal to the base for pivotal movement about a second axis;
- means for coupling the second gimbal to the handle such that the second gimbal pivots about the second axis responsive to movement of the handle in a second direction;
- a first potentiometer mounted on the base and having a stem coupled to the first gimbal for rotational movement responsive to rotational movement of the first gimbal about the first axis;
- a second potentiometer having a stem coupled to the second gimbal for rotational movement responsive to rotational movement of the second gimbal about the second axis;
- means for transmitting the first and second potentiometer settings to the video simulation system;
- a first torsion spring coupled to the first gimbal for urging the first gimbal into a neutral position by a compressive force when the handle is moved forward or backward along the first direction; and
- a second torsion spring coupled to the second gimbal for urging the second gimbal into the neutral position by a compressive force when the handle is moved forward or backward along the second direction,
- each torsion spring including a coil portion, and first and second end portions extending tangentially in opposite directions from the coil portion, wherein the coil of the first torsion spring is compressed when the handle is moved along the first direction and the coil of the second torsion spring is compressed when the handle is moved along the second direction.
- 8. A joystick controller according to claim 7 further including:
- a first stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the first end portion of the first torsion spring;
- a second stop fixedly mounted on the base and extending over the second end portion of the first torsion spring;
- a first stud fixedly mounted on the first gimbal and extending over the first end portion of the first torsion spring; and
- a second stud fixedly mounted on the first gimbal and extending over the second end portion of the first torsion spring.
- 9. A method of biasing a joystick for a video simulation system into a neutral position, the joystick having a base, a handle mounted on an actuation shaft, a first gimbal, means for coupling the first gimbal to the shaft such that the first gimbal pivots about a first axis responsive to movement of the handle in a first direction, a first potentiometer operatively coupled to the first gimbal for indicating rotational movement thereof, a second gimbal, means for coupling the second gimbal to the handle such that the second gimbal pivots about a second axis, orthogonal to the first axis, responsive to movement of the handle in a second direction, a second potentiometer operatively coupled to the second gimbal for indicating rotational movement thereof, and means for transmitting the potentiometer indications to the video simulation system, the method comprising:
- pivotally mounting the first gimbal on the base;
- pivotally mounting the second gimbal on the base;
- coupling a first torsion spring between the first gimbal and the base to bias the handle into the neutral position, the first torsion spring including a coil portion, and first and second end portions extending tangentially in opposite directions from the coil portion;
- coupling a second torsion spring between the second gimbal and the base to bias the handle into the neutral position, the second torsion spring including a coil portion, and first and second end portions extending tangentially in opposite directions from the coil portion;
- generating a first compressive force responsive to movement of the handle along the first direction, the first compressive force resisting forward or backward movement of the handle along the first direction; and
- generating a second compressive force responsive to movement of the handle along the second direction, the second compressive force resisting forward or backward movement of the handle along the second direction.
- 10. A method of biasing a joystick for a video simulation system into a neutral position according to claim 9 wherein the step of generating a first compressive force responsive to movement of the handle along the first direction includes:
- rotating the first end portion of the first torsion spring; and
- stopping the second end portion of the first torsion spring from rotating.
- 11. A method of biasing a joystick for a video simulation system into a neutral position according to claim 9 wherein the step of generating a first compressive force responsive to movement of the handle along the first direction includes:
- rotating the second end portion of the first torsion spring; and
- stopping the first end portion of the first torsion spring from rotating.
- 12. A method of biasing a joystick for a video simulation system into a neutral position according to claim 9 wherein the step of pivotally mounting the first gimbal on the base includes:
- connecting first and second mounting brackets to the base on opposite sides of the first gimbal;
- coupling a first pivot member between the first mounting bracket and a respective side of the first gimbal; and
- coupling a second pivot member between the second mounting bracket and a respective side of the first gimbal.
- 13. A method of biasing a joystick for a video simulation system into a neutral position according to claim 12 wherein the step of coupling a first torsion spring between the first gimbal and the base to bias the handle into the neutral position includes slidably mounting the first torsion spring on the first pivot member.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/145,982, filed Oct. 29, 1993, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
145982 |
Oct 1993 |
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