Abstract:
Aground engaging vehicle having a frame, a power unit connected to the frame, at least one ground traction device, a power transfer device directing power from the power unit to the at least one ground traction device. The control system controls the power transfer device. An input device accepts commands from an operator and provides a signal to the control system. The input device includes a first bracket, a second bracket pivotally connected to the first bracket and a joystick device connected to the first bracket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a joystick, and, more particularly, to a joystick for controlling a ground engaging vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Various methods have been used for the steering of vehicles such as controlling the direction and application of power to vehicle wheels. For controlling animal pulled vehicles a rein system was devised in which the desired direction and speed of the animal is conveyed to the animal using reins attached to the halter and/or bit system. It is known to use steering wheels to control the direction of vehicles, such as cars. The rotation of the steering wheel causes a pivoting of wheels that are steered to thereby cause a change in direction of the vehicle. Clutches and/or brakes activated by two levers have been utilized to control each side of a tracked vehicle, allowing the combination of the positioning of the levers to independently control the driven tracks located on each side of the vehicle. This allows one side of the vehicle to be driven forward while the other side is being driven backward to quickly turn the tracked vehicle. 
         [0005]    Joysticks are utilized to steer aircraft by having the joystick to control two of the steering systems, which are the elevator and the ailerons. Joysticks have also been utilized to control the steering of lawnmowers and other ground engaging vehicles. The joystick controls the steering and/or drive controls to thereby provide for the application of power and/or steer wheels to alter the direction of the vehicle. 
         [0006]    What is needed in the art is a joystick positioning mechanism that is economical to produce and reliable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention includes a ground engaging vehicle having a frame, a power unit connected to the frame, at least one ground traction device, a power transfer device directing power from the power unit to the at least one ground traction device. The control system controls the power transfer device. An input device accepts commands from an operator and provides a signal to the control system. The input device includes a first bracket, a second bracket pivotally connected to the first bracket and a joystick device connected to the first bracket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a crawler/loader utilizing an embodiment of a joystick positioning mechanism of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the joystick positioning mechanism used in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the joystick positioning mechanism of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partially sectioned side view taken along axis  4 - 4  of the joystick positioning mechanism of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       
    
    
       [0013]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a crawler/loader  10 , also known as ground engaging vehicle  10 . Crawler/loader  10  includes a frame  12 , a track  14 , an engine  16 , a loader  18 , a control system  20  and a seating system  22 . Frame  12  provides structural rigidity to crawler/loader  10  and has engine  16  mounted thereon. Tracks  14  provide traction to the ground and are driven by power from engine  16 , which also includes a power transfer device otherwise known as a transmission. The transmission is under the control of control system  20 . Loader  18  is positioned by way of control system  20  and allows for movement and relocation of earth that is scooped into its bucket. 
         [0015]    Seating system  22  includes a seat in which an operator sits and the seat has an arm rest  24  with control input device  26  attached thereto. Control input device  26  is in communication with control system  20  and positioning information from control input device  26  is transferred to control system  20  to interpret the commands from the operator relative to the speed, direction and steering commands, among others. While it is contemplated that more than one control input device can provide signals to control system  20 , for ease of understanding only control input device  26  and the commands therefrom are discussed hereinafter. 
         [0016]    Now additionally referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , there is illustrated a control input device  26  includes a joystick portion  28  and a pivotal portion  30 . Joystick portion  28  includes a handle  32  connected to a base  34 . Handle  32  is pivotable about axis  38  relative to base  34 ; however handle  32  is locked from pivoting about axis  36  allowing joystick portion  28  to provide side to side steering information to control system  20  as joystick portion  28  is pivoted about axis  38 . 
         [0017]    Pivotal portion  30  includes a bracket  40 , a bracket  42 , a rod  44 , a position sensor  48  and a positioning device  50 . Bracket  40  is connected to arm rest  24  or to the structure to which arm rest  24  is connected. For purposes of this discussion, and for ease of understanding, bracket  40  will be considered immovable relative to joystick portion  28  and bracket  42 . Bracket  42  is pivotally connected to bracket  40  by way of rod  44  about an axis  46 . When the operator moves handle  32  forward or backward, this causes the repositioning of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40 , which is detected by way of position sensor  48  that provides a signal to control system  20  indicating the position of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40 . Bracket  40  includes two bent or formed ears through which rod  44  extends and is in close proximity to parts of bracket  42  having rod  44  extend through two parts of bracket  40  and through two parts of bracket  42  thereby allowing movement of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40  only about axis  46 . 
         [0018]    Position sensor  48  is connected to or is proximate to bracket  42  and detects the rotatable position of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40 . Position sensor  48  may detect the relative position of bracket  42  to bracket  40  by providing an angular measurement of the relative position that is then interpreted by control system  20 , or position sensor  48  may simply have three output signals that indicate one of the three detented positions of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40 . 
         [0019]    Positioning device  50  includes an arm  52 , a spring  54  and a roller  56 . Protrusions  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  extend from a surface of bracket  42  and interact with positioning device  50 . Protrusions  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  can be considered pins  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  that extend from an inner surface of bracket  42  and interact with roller  56  of positioning device  50 . Arm  52  is pivotally connected to a portion of bracket  40  and is biased by spring  54  away from axis  46 . Roller  56  is rotatably attached to the end of arm  52  opposite its pivotal connection to bracket  40 . Roller  56  encounters one or two of pins  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  at any one time. The interaction of positioning device  50  with pins  58 - 64  provide three detented positions of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40 . Pins  58 - 64  are generally equidistant from axis  46  and may be equally spaced or spaced differently to provide separate intensities of a detent. 
         [0020]    In operation control input device  26  provides for movement about an axis  46  of most of control input device  26 . Sideways movement about axis  38  is undertook by a movement of handle  32  in a sidewise direction to provide a signal to control system  20  that may be interpreted as a steering command to be utilized in the control of crawler/loader  10 . Axis  36  is substantially parallel with axis  46  and any movement of handle  32  in a forward direction causes control input device  26  to rotate about axis  46 . Side to side movement of handle  42  causes movement of just handle  32  about axis  38 . This provides various control applications, for example, the positioning of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40  can be thought of as a speed direction selection device. When bracket  42  is pushed forward about axis  46  roller  56  is then positioned between pins  62  and  64  and position sensor  48  provides a signal to the control system  20  to indicate that a forward direction of crawler/loader  10  has been selected. The actual speed of crawler/loader  10  in the selected direction is undertaken by a separate control, which may include a foot throttle, a hand throttle or other speed selection apparatus. Conversely when bracket  42  is rotated backwards so that roller  56  is between pins  58  and  60 , a reverse direction is interpreted by control system  20  from the signal sent by way of positioning sensor  48 . When roller  56  is between pins  60  and  62  a neutral position is established and engine  16  may be disengaged from providing any power to track  14 . 
         [0021]    Mechanical stops for the positioning of bracket  42  relative to bracket  40  are utilized, but not shown, for the purposes of clarity. Mechanical stops prevent the rotation of bracket  42  about axis  46  that would cause roller  56  to extend beyond pin  58  or beyond pin  64 . The detent positions, which positioning device  50  establish, remain engaged until the operator moves handle  32  causing pivotal portion  30  to be positioned in one of the three detented positions. 
         [0022]    Although not shown, joystick portion  28  may include other input devices such as roller wheels, a trigger or other mechanisms that provide other control features for the control of crawler/loader  10 . As discussed herein, the traction device was illustrated as a track  14  although wheels or other ground engaging mechanisms are also contemplated to be utilized by ground engaging vehicle  10 . Control input device  26  allows for the combination of forward/reverse direction selection and steering in an economical, reliable, mechanism that can intuitively be utilized by an operator in the operation of crawler/loader  10 . 
         [0023]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.