Patent ID: 6931962
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A control for manual operation to control a machine, comprising: a fixed housing part; a pivotal housing part that is pivotal about an axis on the fixed housing part and that has a surface for manual depression to pivot the pivotal housing part; a pivot sensor arrangement that generates an electrical signal indicating the angle of pivoting of said pivotal housing part; a spring-operated mechanism that urges said pivotal housing part toward an initial position; said spring-operated mechanism allows said pivotal housing part to pivot continuously in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions by a plurality of degrees about said axis, from said initial position, and urges said pivotal housing part toward said initial position when pivoted in either of said directions from said initial position, and said pivot sensor arrangement indicates the amount of pivoting in either of said directions from said initial position; said spring operated mechanism includes a damping device that includes a cylinder containing a fluid, a plunger slideable in said cylinder, a first spring that urges said plunger upwardly, a ram that lies against said plunger to depress said plunger, and a second spring that urges said ram upwardly, said pivoting housing part being engaged with said ram to depress it so said ram depresses said plunger, but said ram being free to move up and away from said plunger under the force of said second spring to rapidly return said pivoting housing part to said initial position.