Patent ID: 6420806
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: A63F,G05G,G06F,H02K

Abstract:
An actuation device comprising:a support frame; a linkage mechanism secured to the support frame; a user interface component secured to the linkage mechanism and having a surface shaped for contact by a body part of a person, the linkage mechanism allowing for movement of the user interface component in at least one direction relative to the frame; an actuator having an actuator body and an actuating component secured to the actuator body, the actuating component being actuable to move relative to the actuator body, the actuator being connected between two components of the frame and the linkage mechanism such that movement of the actuating component causes movement of the linkage mechanism so as to move the user interface device; and a braking device having a braking device body and a braking component secured to the braking device body, the braking component being movable relative to the braking device body, the movement of the braking component being controllable so as to vary a resistance to be overcome to move the braking component relative to the braking device body, the braking device being connected between two components of the frame and the linkage mechanism such that an increase of the resistance brakes the movement of the linkage mechanism imparted by the actuation device.