Abstract:
A joystick for operating heavy machinery. The joystick has a base assembly and a grip assembly wherein a display is integrated into the first end of the grip assembly and the second end is pivotably mounted within the base assembly. Movement of the grip assembly relative to the base assembly moves an actuating assembly of the heavy machinery wherein the display is able to provide useful information to the user during operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to control devices. More specifically, a joystick device for controlling heavy machinery. 
     Joysticks are used in heavy machinery such as backhoes, skid steer loaders and the like in order to operate actuating members such as hydraulic cylinders and lift arms that are used to lift a work bucket or the like. Typically these joysticks comprise a grip assembly that is pivotably mounted to a base assembly wherein the joystick moves the actuating member dependent upon the movement of the grip assembly relative to the base assembly. 
     Presently in the art in order to operate an actuating member an individual must concentrate on the joystick and actuating member at the same time in order to provide desired operation. This becomes extremely difficult when the actuating member needs to be moved during times when the heavy machinery traverses across the ground. Additionally, determining when an actuating member, such as a bucket or the like is at a level position is difficult to determine by merely using ones sight. Therefore, a need exists for a joystick that can provide a user with information that can be used during operating processes to facilitate the operation of the machinery. 
     Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a joystick that provides information to a user. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a joystick that enhances user control. 
     These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A joystick for operating heavy machinery. The joystick has a base assembly and a grip assembly wherein the grip assembly extends from a first end to a second end that is pivotably connected to the base assembly. A display is integrated into the grip assembly for providing user information. Movement of the grip assembly relative to the base assembly moves an actuating member of the heavy machinery wherein a user can use the information provided on the display during the operating process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side plan view of heavy machinery having joystick; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a joystick; and 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a control system for a joystick. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  shows one example of heavy machinery  10  that utilizes a joystick  12  that is used to control an actuating assembly  14  via a control system  16  ( FIG. 3 ). While the actuating assembly  14  in  FIG. 1  is shown as hydraulic cylinders  18  used to lift and actuate bucket  20 , any actuating member on heavy machinery controlled by a joystick  12  is contemplated by this disclosure. Similarly, while  FIG. 1  shows the heavy machinery  10  as a skid steer loader all types of heavy machinery are contemplated that utilize a joystick  12  including but not limited to a steer skid loader, backhoe, forklift, and the like. 
       FIG. 2  shows the joystick  12 . Joystick  12  has a grip assembly  22  that is pivotably connected to a base assembly  24 . The grip assembly  22  extends from a first end  26  to a second end  28 . The second end  28  is pivotably received by the base assembly  24 . The grip assembly  22  is contoured to accommodate the grip of a user and can have a recessed or padded area  30  disposed therein. 
     Integrated into the grip assembly  22  is a display  32 . In a preferred embodiment the display  32  is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Specifically, types of LCDs include color super twisted nemetaic (CSTN) displays, Thick film transistor (TFT) displays and chip on glass (COG) displays. Alternatively the display  32  could be a touch sensitive quantum tunneling composite (QTC), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a field emission display (FED), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, a plasma display panel (PDP), a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), or the like. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  the display  32  is located at the first end  26  of the grip assembly  22  in an arcuate angled surface  34  that angles the display  32  towards a user. Also, by having the display  32  at the first end  26  of the grip assembly  22  a user can place their hand around the grip assembly  22  grasping the recessed padded area  30  without covering the display  32  with their hand or fingers. The grip assembly  22  also has a plurality of buttons  36  that provide for different functions while operating the heavy machinery  10 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of the control system  16  of controller  12 . As shown, the grip assembly  22  has a grip printed circuit board (PCB)  38  that is electrically connected to the display  32  for electronic communication. Specifically, the grip assembly PCB  38  can provide information such as button status or function, joystick x/y position and false or errors within the system  16 . Thus, the display  32  is able to display button status or function, joystick x/y position and fault and error messages to a user. 
     Additionally, electrically connected to the display  32  is a base assembly printed circuit board (PCB)  40  that is part of the based assembly  24 . By being electrically connected to the display  32  the base PCB  40  can provide information to the display  32  regarding joystick x/y position and fault or error information. Thus, the display  32  is able to display x/y position and fault or error messages to a user. 
     Also electrically connected to the display  32  is a central processing unit  42 . The central processing unit  42  is able to provide information regarding the heavy machinery. For example, information regarding the heavy machinery&#39;s RPMs, speed or the like can be sent from the central processing unit  42  to the display  32  for viewing. Thus, once again a user can read the displayed information in order to more precisely and accurately control the actuating assembly  14 . Preferably the central processing unit  42  is a CAN node that is able to provide information from other sources on a CAN bus. 
     Thus, disclosed in an improved joystick  12  that has an integrated display  32 . By utilizing the display  32  information can be passed to a user such as the speed and RPM of the heavy machinery  10 , joystick x/y position and fault or error information to help facilitate the operation of the actuating assembly  14 . By having this information readily available at the joystick  12  a user more conveniently and safely uses the actuating assembly. Additionally, by placing the display  32  at the first end  26  of the grip assembly  22  within an arcuate angled section  34  the screen  32  is easy to see by a user thus maximizing use of the display  32  to facilitate working conditions. Thus, at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.