Patent ID: 9575504
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: G05G,Y10T

Claim:
1. An apparatus for controlling a machine, comprising: a base structure including a strain gauge assembly movable in three orthogonal directions to provide at least one signal or value indicative of a position of the strain gauge assembly relative to the base structure; and an actuator assembly supported on the base structure movable by at least one of an associated operator's arm, hand, digit, and wrist relative to the base structure, the actuator assembly operative to provide at least one signal or value indicative of the position of at least one of the operator's arm, hand digit, and wrist relative to the base structure, the actuator assembly comprising: wherein the strain gauge assembly includes a spring plate that connects a load cell to the actuator assembly, wherein the load cell includes a T-beam with at least one strain gauge positioned along at least one surface of the T-beam configured to sense a deflection of the load cell and to provide at least one signal or value indicative of the position of the strain gauge assembly relative to the base structure.