Patent ID: 6501198
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B66F,E02F,F16P,G05G,H01H

Abstract:
A control lever for heavy machinery comprising:a movable control implement coupled with a controller circuit that effects control and operation of the heavy machinery, the control implement being movable in a plurality of directions to effect corresponding directional control of at least one component of the heavy machinery, the controller circuit driving the at least one component of the heavy machinery according to movements of the control implement; and a proximity sensor disposed adjacent an operating position of the control implement and including a sensing circuit communicating with the controller circuit, the sensing circuit detecting an operator's hand in an operating position on the control implement in accordance with a capacitance of the operator's hand, wherein the sensing circuit outputs an activate signal to the controller circuit when the operator's hand is in the operating position on the control implement, and wherein the sensing circuit prevents control and operation of the heavy machinery via the control implement when the operator's hand is not detected in the operating position, thereby reducing the likelihood of inadvertent activation of the heavy machinery components.