Patent ID: 6085608
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
An improvement to a handle assembly of the type having a base plate, a cam mount attached to said base plate, a cam disk a shaft assembly interconnecting said cam mount and said cam disk to allow rotation of said cam disk, and a yoke pivotally secured to said cam disk and accommodating a handle such that said yoke rotates along with said cam disk as said handle is moved along a range of motion and tilts as said handle is moved normal to said range of motion, said improvement comprising:(a) first and second bearing members each attached to said base plate, said second bearing member including a stop block to prevent said yoke and said handle therewith from moving beyond first and a last positions in said range of motion;(b) a bar having (i) a first end rotatable within and protruding through said first bearing member (ii) a second end rotatable within and protruding through said second bearing member, and (iii) a middle section operable against an upper portion of said yoke on a side thereof opposite said cam disk;(c) a means for imparting a rotational force to said bar so that said middle section thereof presses against said yoke;(d) said stop block further acting to limit rotation of said bar against said yoke to a point at which said yoke and said handle therewith attain an untilted state;(e) a means, operable against a lower portion of said yoke, for providing a counterbalancing force to normally bias said yoke and said handle therewith in said untilted state;(f) first and second switches each attached to said base plate; and(g) an engaging means, operable with said bar, for engaging said switches such that no matter where said handle is positioned along said range of motion, when said handle is tilted by a preset amount, said yoke overcomes said rotational force of said bail bar and said counterbalancing force to cause said engaging means to change the state of said switches.