Patent Publication Number: US-11661325-B2

Title: Control elements for materials handling vehicles

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/423,713, filed Feb. 3, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/291,968, filed Feb. 5, 2016, and entitled “CONTROL ELEMENTS FOR MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES”, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to control elements for use in materials handling vehicles, wherein the control elements are configurable such that spacing therebetween can be adjusted without modifying structure to which the control elements are mounted. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain types of materials handling vehicles, such as counterbalance forklift trucks, reach trucks, turret trucks, etc., typically include hand or finger controls (handles, buttons, levers, switches, dials, etc.) for controlling various vehicle functions, such as travel functions, load handling functions, e.g., fork raise/lower, tilt, sideshift, etc., and accessory functions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to materials handling vehicles that include finger controls for controlling various vehicle functions, such as travel functions, load handling functions, and accessory functions. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a control module for controlling at least one function of a materials handling vehicle comprises a base portion and a plurality of control elements extending from the base portion and located adjacent to one another. At least one of the control elements includes mounting structure that permits the control element to be selectively mounted to the base portion in at least first and second positions. The first position defines a first distance between the control element and an immediately adjacent control element and the second position defines a second distance between the control element and the immediately adjacent control element, the second distance being greater than the first. 
     The at least one of the control elements may further comprise a body portion having a bottom surface, and the mounting structure of the at least one of the control elements may comprise a mounting hole that extends from the bottom surface into the body portion and is offset from a center point of the bottom surface. The body portion of the at least one of the control elements may further comprise a central portion and a shoulder portion extending from a side of the central portion. The mounting hole of the at least one of the control elements may be at least partially located in the shoulder portion. The at least one of the control elements may further comprise an additional mounting hole extending from the bottom surface into the body portion, the two mounting holes being spaced apart from one another on the bottom surface of the body portion. The at least one of the control elements may be mountable in at least four positions by mounting the at least one control element in the respective mounting holes and by mounting the at least one control element with the shoulder portion facing opposite directions. 
     The plurality of control elements may comprise at least three or at least four control elements. 
     Actuation of the control elements by an operator may control a respective function of the materials handling vehicle, e.g., the control elements may control load handling assembly functions of the vehicle including at least one of: fork raise/lower, fork sideshift, fork tilt, and fork extend. 
     The control module may further comprise locking structure that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to lock/unlock the control elements in place on the vehicle. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a control element for controlling at least one function of a materials handling vehicle comprises a body portion having a bottom surface, and mounting structure comprising first and second mounting holes extending into the body portion from the bottom surface. The mounting holes are spaced apart from one another on the bottom surface for selectively receiving a mounting stem of the vehicle to mount the control element in the vehicle. The control element is mountable in at least two positions including: a first position wherein the mounting stem is received in the first mounting hole, and a second position wherein the mounting stem is received in the second mounting hole. 
     The first and second mounting holes may both be offset from a center point of the bottom surface of the body portion. 
     The body portion may further include a central portion and a shoulder portion extending from a side of the central portion. At least one of the first and second mounting holes may be at least partially located in the shoulder portion. The control element may be mountable in at least four positions by mounting the control element in the respective first and second mounting holes and by mounting the control element with the shoulder portion facing opposite directions. 
     The control element may control a load handling assembly function of the vehicle comprising one of: fork raise/lower, fork sideshift, fork tilt, and fork extend. 
     The control element may further comprise locking structure that can be locked/unlocked by an operator to lock/unlock the control elements in place on the vehicle. 
     A mounting stem of the at least one of the control elements may be movable with respect to the base portion to effect movement of the at least one of the control elements between the first and second positions. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a control module for controlling at least one function of a materials handling vehicle comprises a base portion, and a plurality of control elements extending from the base portion and located adjacent to one another. A first one of the control elements includes a shoulder portion extending from a side of a central portion and further includes mounting structure that permits the control element to be mounted to the base portion in a first position wherein the shoulder portion faces a first direction. A second one of the control elements includes a shoulder portion extending from a side of a central portion and further includes mounting structure that permits the control element to be mounted to the base portion in a second position wherein the shoulder portion faces a second direction different than the first direction. The first position defines a first distance between the first one of the control elements and an immediately adjacent control element and the second position defines a second distance between the second one of the control elements and the immediately adjacent control element, the second distance being greater than the first. 
     The first one of the control elements may further comprise a body portion having a bottom surface and the mounting structure of the first one of the control elements may comprise a mounting hole that extends from the bottom surface into the body portion and is offset from a center point of the bottom surface. The mounting hole of the first one of the control elements may be at least partially located in the shoulder portion. The first one of the control elements may further comprise an additional mounting hole extending from the bottom surface into the body portion, the two mounting holes being spaced apart from one another on the bottom surface of the body portion. The first one of the control elements may be mountable in at least four positions by mounting the first one control element in the respective mounting holes and by mounting the at least one control element with the shoulder portion facing opposite directions. 
     The plurality of control elements may comprise at least three or at least four control elements. 
     The plurality of control elements may control load handling assembly functions of the vehicle including at least one of: fork raise/lower, fork sideshift, fork tilt, and fork extend. 
     The control module may further comprise locking structure that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to lock/unlock the control elements in place on the vehicle. 
     A mounting stem of the first one of the control elements may be movable with respect to the base portion to effect movement of the first one of the control elements between the first and second positions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a materials handling vehicle comprising an armrest having a control module including a plurality of control elements according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a distal portion of an armrest of the materials handling vehicle of  FIG.  1   , the armrest portion including a plurality of control elements according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  3  and  4    are perspective views of one of the control elements of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 E  are, respectively, front ( FIG.  5 A ), back ( FIG.  5 B ), side ( FIG.  5 C ), cross sectional ( 5 D), and enlarged bottom ( FIG.  5 E ) views ( FIG.  5 D  is taken along line  5 D- 5 D in  FIG.  5 B ) of one of the control elements of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIGS.  6 A,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D  are, respectively, front, back, side, and top views of a switch provided on the armrest portion of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a front view of a control element according to another aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a control module in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  are cross sectional and perspective views showing an attachment of a control element to a mounting stem according to another aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a materials handling vehicle  10  (hereinafter “vehicle”) is shown. While the present invention is described herein with reference to the illustrated vehicle  10 , which comprises a forklift truck, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be used in a variety of other types of materials handling vehicles. 
     The vehicle  10  includes a power unit  12 , which includes a frame  14  defining a main structural component of the vehicle  10  and which houses a battery  15 . The vehicle  10  further comprises a pair of fork-side first wheels  16  (only one first wheel is shown in  FIG.  1   ) coupled to first and second outriggers  18  (only one outrigger is shown in  FIG.  1   ), and a powered and steered second wheel  20  located underneath the frame  14 . The wheels  16 ,  20  allow the vehicle  10  to move across a floor surface. 
     An operator&#39;s compartment  22  is located within the power unit  12  for receiving an operator driving the vehicle  10 . A tiller knob  24  is provided within the operator&#39;s compartment for controlling steering of the vehicle  10 . The speed and direction of movement (forward or reverse) of the vehicle  10  are controlled by the operator via a control module  26  provided adjacent to an operator seat  28 , which control module  26  controls one or more other vehicle functions and will be discussed in greater detail below. The vehicle  10  further includes an overhead guard  30  including first and second horizontal support structures  32 A,  32 B affixed to the frame  14 . 
     A load handling assembly  40  of the vehicle  10  includes, generally, a mast assembly  42  and a carriage assembly  44 , which is movable vertically along the mast assembly  42 . The mast assembly  42  is positioned between the outriggers  18  and includes a fixed mast member  46  affixed to the frame  14 , and nested lower and upper movable mast members  48 ,  50 . It is noted that the vehicle  10  may include additional or fewer movable mast members than the two shown in  FIG.  1   , i.e., the lower and upper movable mast members  48 ,  50 . The carriage assembly  44  includes conventional structure including a reach assembly  52 , a fork carriage  54 , and fork structure comprising a pair of forks  56 A. 
     The battery  15  supplies power to a traction motor (not shown) connected to the second wheel  20  and to one or more hydraulic motors (not shown), which supply power to several different systems, such as hydraulic cylinders for effecting generally vertical movement of the movable mast members  48 ,  50 , generally vertical movement of the carriage assembly  44  relative to the mast assembly  42 , generally longitudinal movement of the reach assembly  52 , commonly referred to as reach, and generally transverse or lateral movement of the fork carriage  54 , commonly referred to as sideshifting. The traction motor and the second wheel  20  define a drive mechanism for effecting movement of the vehicle  10  across the floor surface. 
     An armrest  70  is provided in the operator&#39;s compartment  22  proximate to the control module  26 , see  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The armrest  70  includes a pad  72  for receiving the arm of an operator using the control module  26 . A first end  70 A of the armrest  70  (see  FIG.  1   ) is located adjacent to a seatback cushion  28 A of the operator seat  28  and may receive the operator&#39;s elbow, and a second end  70 B of the armrest  70 , which comprises a distal end of the armrest  70  and is spaced from the first end  70 A, is located adjacent to the control module  26  and may receive the operator&#39;s wrist or forearm. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , the control module  26  includes a base portion  76  that includes an upper surface  80  spanning laterally between first and second sides  76 A,  76 B of the base portion  76  and spanning longitudinally between first and second ends  76 C,  76 D of the base portion  76 . As used herein and with reference to  FIG.  2   , the lateral direction D LAT  is defined between the first side  76 A of the base portion  76 , which is located proximate to an operator working position O WORK  within the operator&#39;s compartment  22  (see  FIG.  1   ), e.g., the position of the operator while sitting on the operator seat  28 , and the second side  76 B of the base portion  76 , which is located distal from the operator working position O WORK . The longitudinal direction D LONG  is in turn defined between the first end  76 C of the base portion  76 , which is located proximate to the armrest  70 , and the second end  76 D of the base portion  76 , which is located distal from the armrest  70 . 
     The upper surface  80  of the base portion  76  may define a generally planar surface, i.e., a flat surface, or the upper surface  80  may comprise a non-planar surface as shown in  FIG.  2   . In the embodiment shown, the upper surface  80  includes a first section  80 A extending generally parallel to a plane defined by the armrest  70 , and a second section  80 B angled upwardly from the first section  80 A. 
     Referring still to  FIG.  2   , the control module  26  includes a plurality of control structures for controlling various vehicle structures and functions, such as travel functions, load handling functions, e.g., fork raise/lower, fork tilt, fork sideshift, fork extend, etc., and accessory functions. A first plurality of the control structures comprise four control elements  90 A- 90 D extending upwardly from the first section  80 A of the base portion upper surface  80  and located laterally adjacent to one another, although additional or fewer control elements may be used, such as, for example, two control elements, three control elements, or five or more control elements. The control elements  90 A- 90 D are actuated by an operator&#39;s fingers for controlling, for example, fork raise/lower (first control element  90 A), fork tilt (second control element  90 B), fork side shift (third control element  90 C), and a fourth function, such as fork extend, pinching/clamping the forks  56 A together, changing the spacing between the forks  56 A, etc. (fourth control element  90 D). It is noted that other types of vehicle functions could be controlled by the control elements  90 A- 90 D without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     The control elements  90 A- 90 D are mounted to the first section  80 A of the base portion upper surface  80  via respective mounting stems  94 , see  FIG.  5 D . The mounting stems  94  are affixed to the base portion  76  such that back and forth and/or side to side rocking movement of the respective control elements  90 A- 90 D is/are allowed, wherein such an affixation of the mounting stems  94  to the base portion  76  may be made in any conventional manner. For example, moving the first control element  90 A forward may cause the forks  56 A to be raised (via raising the carriage assembly  44  or the mast and carriage assemblies  42 ,  44 ), and moving the first control element  90 A backward may cause the forks  56 A to be lowered (via lowering the carriage assembly  44  or the mast and carriage assemblies  42 ,  44 ). As another example, moving the second control element  90 B forward may cause the forks  56 A to tilt forward, and moving the second control element  90 B backward may cause the forks  56 A to tilt backward. As yet another example, moving the third control element  90 C forward may cause the forks  56 A to sideshift to the left, and moving the third control element  90 C backward may cause the forks  56 A to sideshift to the right. As a further example, in accordance with the fourth function noted above, moving the fourth control element  90 D forward may cause the forks  56 A to move in a first direction, and moving the fourth control element  90 D backward may cause the forks  56 A to move in the opposite direction. It is noted that one or more of the control elements  90 A- 90 D may be capable of being rocked to the left and/or right in lieu of or in addition to being rocked to the front and back as described above. 
     Preferably, protective stem covers  96  are provided over the stems  94  to prevent debris from entering the area where the stems  94  are affixed to the base portion  76 . The stem covers  96  also militate against pinching of the operator&#39;s fingers between the stems  94  and the base portion  76  when the operator is operating the control elements  90 A- 90 D. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , which illustrate the first control element  90 A of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, at least one of the control elements comprises a body portion  98  that includes a shoulder portion  100  extending laterally from a side  102 A of a central portion  102  of the body portion  98 . The shoulder portion  100  may provide the body portion  98  with a non-uniform (irregular) cross section, i.e., a non-circular/ovular/square/rectangular cross section, as measured at a bottom surface  104  of the body portion  98 . For example, as most clearly shown in  FIG.  5 E , the central portion  102  of the body portion  98  may define a generally uniform circular or oval cross section at the bottom surface  104 , while the shoulder portion  100  defines an arched-shape cross section, extending from the circular or oval cross section defined by the central portion  102 , thus providing the body portion  98  with an overall non-uniform (irregular) cross section. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the shoulder portion  100  of the body portion  98  may have a width W S , as measured in the lateral direction D LAT , that increases as the shoulder portion  100  extends down toward the bottom surface  104  of the body portion  98 . The width W S  of the shoulder portion  100  at the bottom surface  104  may be about ½ to about 1.5/1 of a width W C  of the central portion  102 , as measured in the lateral direction D LAT  at the bottom surface  104 . Hence, the shoulder portion  100  may result in the first control element  90 A having a total width W T , as measured in the lateral direction D LAT  at the bottom surface  104  (see  FIG.  5 A ), that is about 50-150% larger than a width W of a control element that does not include a shoulder portion (see, for example, the second control element  90 B in  FIG.  2   ). As shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the width W S  of the shoulder portion  100  of the illustrated first control element  90 A may be less than to about the same as the width W C  of the central portion  102 , thus increasing the total width W T  of the first control element  90 A over the width W of the second control element  90 B by about 50-100%, which second control element  90 B only includes the central portion  102  and not the shoulder portion as noted above. The width W S  of the shoulder portion  100  of the first control element  90 A may also be greater than the width We of the central portion  102 . 
     A height H S  of the shoulder portion  100  may be about ¼ to about 1/1 of a total height H T  of the body portion  98 . The height H S  of the shoulder portion  100  of the control element  90 A shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  is about ⅔ of the total height H T  of the body portion  98 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  5 A, and  5 E , the control element  90 A includes mounting structure  108 , which, according to an aspect of the invention, comprises two mounting holes  110 ,  112  extending up into the body portion  98  of the control element  90 A from the bottom surface  104  for selectively receiving the mounting stem  94 . It is noted that the mounting structure  108  could include more than two mounting holes without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is also noted that spacing between the mounting holes  110 ,  112  is preferably sufficient so as to preserve the structural rigidity of the body portion  98 . 
     The first mounting hole  110  may be located generally in the center of the central portion  102  of the control element  90 A, and the second mounting hole  112  may be located toward the shoulder portion  100  of the control element  90 A. As shown in  FIG.  5 E , both mounting holes  110 ,  112  are laterally offset with respect to a center point C P  of the bottom surface  104  of the control element  90 A. Specifically, the first mounting hole  110  is offset from the center point C P  in a direction away from the shoulder portion  100 , and the second mounting hole  112  is offset from the center point C P  in a direction toward the shoulder portion  100  and is at least partially located in the shoulder portion  100 . As shown in  FIG.  5 A , the first mounting hole  110  may extend up into the body portion  98  a length L 1  of about ⅔ of the height H T  of the body portion  98 , and the second mounting hole  112  may extend up into the body portion  98  a length L 2  of about ½ of the height H T  of the body portion  98 . The lengths L 1 , L 2  of the respective mounting holes  110 ,  112  are preferably large enough to accommodate the mounting stem  94  while fully lowering the control element  90 A down to the upper surface of the stem cover  96 . 
     The two mounting holes  110 ,  112  facilitate mounting of the control element  90 A on the base portion  76  in a plurality of different positions. For example, the control element  90 A may be mounted such that: 1) the mounting stem  94  is located in the second mounting hole  112  with the shoulder portion  100  facing to the left with reference to  FIG.  2    (this position is hereinafter referred to as the “far right position” since the central portion  102  of the control element  90 A is as far to the right as possible using the mounting holes  110 ,  112 ); 2) the mounting stem  94  is located in the first mounting hole  110  with the shoulder portion  100  facing to the left with reference to  FIG.  2    (this position is hereinafter referred to as the “middle right position” since the central portion  102  of the control element  90 A is less far to the right than as in the far right position); 3) the mounting stem  94  is located in the second mounting hole  112  with the shoulder portion  100  facing to the right with reference to  FIG.  2    (this position is hereinafter referred to as the “far left position” since the central portion  102  of the control element  90 A is as far to the left as possible using the mounting holes  110 ,  112 ); or 4) the mounting stem  94  is located in the first mounting hole  110  with the shoulder portion  100  facing to the right with reference to  FIG.  2    (this position is hereinafter referred to as the “middle left position” since the central portion  102  of the control element  90 A is less far to the left than as in the far left position). All four of these exemplary positions are facilitated by the configuration of the control element  90 A without requiring a modification to the structure of the base portion  76  of the control module  26  or the mounting stems  94 . By using one or more control elements with shoulder portions  100  in the first plurality of control structures, lateral spacing between adjacent control elements  90 A- 90 D can be adjusted without requiring a modification to the structure of the base portion  76  of the control module  26  or the mounting stems  94 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     Mounting structure (not shown) of the second control element  90 B, which does not include a shoulder portion as noted above, may include only a single mounting hole located generally at the center point of the bottom surface of the second control element  90 B. 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , the control module  26  further comprises a second plurality of control structures for controlling various vehicle functions, such as travel functions, load handling functions, and/or accessory functions. Exemplary illustrated structures in  FIG.  2   , which are associated with the second section  80 B of the base portion upper surface  80 , include: a switch  120  (to be further described below) for causing the vehicle  10  to shift between forward travel, neutral, and rearward travel modes; a dial  122  for interacting with a display screen (not shown) mounted within the vehicle  10 ; a plurality of buttons  124  for controlling vehicle structure and functions such as lights, windshield wipers and washers, emergency flashers, window/windshield defoggers, etc.; and a plurality of levers  126 , which may be used to toggle the control elements  90 A- 90 D between primary function (as discussed above) and secondary functions as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art. The second plurality of control structures could vary and could control alternative vehicle functions as desired. 
     A horn button  128  is also provided at the second end  70 B of the armrest  70  for sounding a vehicle horn, see  FIG.  2   . 
     As noted above, by using one or more control elements with shoulder portions  100  in the first plurality of control structures, spacing between adjacent control elements  90 A- 90 D can be adjusted without requiring a modification to the structure of the base portion  76  of the control module  26  or the mounting stems  94 . With reference to the exemplary control element configuration shown in connection with the control module  26  illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the first, third, and fourth control elements  90 A,  90 C,  90 D include shoulder portions  100 , and the second control element  90 B does not include a shoulder portion. The first, third, and fourth control elements  90 A,  90 C,  90 D are thus mountable in any one of the four exemplary locations on their respective mounting stems  94  as described above, e.g., the control elements  90 A,  90 C,  90 D are mountable in the far right position, the middle right position, the far left position, or the middle left position. 
     In  FIG.  2   , the first control element  90 A is illustrated in the far right position, and the third and fourth control elements  90 C,  90 D are illustrated in far left positions. The first control element  90 A, located in the far right position as shown in  FIG.  2   , is located a first distance D 1  from the second control element  90 B. The third control element  90 C, located in the far left position as shown in  FIG.  2   , is also located the first distance D 1  from the second control element  90 B (this is assuming that the mounting stems  94  for the first, second, and third control elements  90 A- 90 C are the same distance apart). Since the fourth control element  90 D is also located in the far left position as shown in  FIG.  2   , the fourth control element  90 D is located a second distance D 2  from the third control element  90 C, the second distance D 2  being greater than the first distance. Additional distances between control elements  90 A- 90 D are also possible, including but not limited to: a minimum distance smaller than the first and second distances D 1 , D 2 , which minimum distance is effected by a control element in a far right position immediately adjacent to a control element in a far left position (moving from left to right); an intermediate distance, which is effected by two control elements without shoulder portions adjacent to one another; and a maximum distance greater than the first and second distances D 1 , D 2 , which maximum distance is effected by a control element in a far left position immediately adjacent to a control element in a far right position (moving from left to right). These various distances between adjacent control elements can be effected by changing the type of control element (with or without a shoulder portion), and/or, for control elements with shoulder portions, changing the mounting hole used for mounting the control element and/or by changing the direction that the shoulder portion faces. As noted above, these distances between adjacent control elements are effected without requiring a modification to the structure of the base portion  76  of the control module  26  or the mounting stems  94 . 
     The positioning and type, i.e., with or without shoulder portion  100 , of the control elements  90 A- 90 D can be tailored to a particular operator as desired for ergonomic reasons, comfort, and accessibility. For example, for ergonomic reasons, an operator may wish to have tighter spacing between some or all of the control elements  90 A- 90 D, e.g., so the operator can easily rest their fingers on top of the control elements  90 A- 90 D while the operator&#39;s hand is in a relaxed or default position, or the operator may wish to have looser spacing between some or all of the control elements  90 A- 90 D, e.g., so the operator can easily rest their fingers between adjacent control elements  90 A- 90 D while the operator&#39;s hand is in a relaxed or default position. As another example, an operator with smaller than average hands or fingers may want the control elements  90 A- 90 D to be closer together, or an operator with larger than average hands or fingers may want the control elements  90 A- 90 D to be farther apart. 
     Vehicles may be sent to the customer with the desired positioning and type of control elements (with or without shoulder portion) pre-installed, or a qualified service technician may implement modifications, e.g., by swapping out control elements with shoulder portions  100  for ones without, or vice versa, by changing the direction in which the shoulder portion  100  faces, or by changing the mounting hole. Further, an operator may be capable of changing the positioning and/or control element type in the field. The control elements  90 A- 90 D, the mounting stems  94 , and/or the base portion  76  may include locking structure L S  (see  FIG.  5 D ) that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to lock the control elements  90 A- 90 D in place to prevent unwanted decoupling from the base portion  76 . 
     As noted above, one or more of the control elements  90 A- 90 D may be capable of being rocked to the left and/or right in lieu of or in addition to being rocked to the front and back. It is contemplated that two control elements, which each are capable of being rocked side to side and front to back, could be utilized with the base portion  76  instead of the four control elements  90 A- 90 D described above. In such a configuration, the two control elements, each with four degrees of motion (left, right, front, and back) for a total of eight supported functions, could support the same functions as the four control elements  90 A- 90 D described above, which each include two degrees of motion (front and back), also for a total of eight supported functions. The aspects of the present invention described above for changing the spacing between adjacent control elements could also be applied to such a two control element configuration. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D , the switch  120  that is used to control the travel direction of the vehicle  10  has a unique shape that allows the operator to reach the switch  120  without the need to excessively move their hand to actuate the switch  120 . In one embodiment, the operator uses their index and/or middle finger to actuate the switch  120  to a desired position, e.g., a forward position for forward travel, a rearward position for rearward travel, or an intermediate (default) position for neutral by extending their chosen finger(s) past the respective control element/s  90 A and  90 B (index finger in the embodiment shown) or  90 B and  90 C (middle finger in the embodiment shown). While the switch  120  disclosed herein may be positioned for engagement by the index and/or middle fingers, other configurations are envisioned, such as where the switch  120  is positioned on the base portion upper surface  80  further to the right than as shown and is also engageable by the middle, ring, and/or pinky finger(s). 
     The switch  120  includes a left extension  120 A and a right extension  120 B (left and right are defined with respect to an operator facing the switch  120 ) that extend laterally in opposite directions from a mid portion  120 C of the switch  120  and are substantially orthogonal to a vertical switch axis V SA , see  FIG.  6 C . A stem portion  120 D is aligned substantially along the vertical switch axis V SA  and is coupled to the mid portion  120 C. The stem portion  120 D is hingedly connected to the second section  80 B of the base portion upper surface  80  and defines the actuation of the switch  120  between the forward, rearward, and intermediate positions. 
     With reference to  FIG.  6 D , the left extension  120 A and the right extension  120 B are swept forward at an angle Ø from a switch plane S P  to enable actuation of the switch  120  using one or more fingers of the operator. In one embodiment, the angle Ø is the same for the left extension  120 A and the right extension  120 B. In an alternate embodiment, the angle Ø is different for the left extension  120 A and the right extension  120 B. Further, at least a portion of a front face  121  of the switch  120  may define a curved surface as most clearly shown in  6 D, or the front face  121  may define a flat, planar surface. In the embodiment shown, the angle Ø of the left extension  120 A and the right extension  120 B takes into account known typical lengths of index and middle fingers. Testing was also performed to verify usability of the switch  120  for operators having large and small sized hands and/or fingers, and the unique configuration of the switch  120  allowed all of the tested operators to easily reach the switch  120  through and/or over the control elements  90 A- 90 D. In one embodiment, the angle Ø is about 7 degrees to about 20 degrees for the left extension  120 A and about 5 degrees to about 17 degrees for the right extension  120 B, although other angles could be used. 
     With reference to  FIG.  6 A , the left extension  120 A extends at an angle α upwardly from the mid portion  120 C (away from the base portion upper surface  80 ), the angle α in one embodiment between 5-30 degrees relative to a plane P 1  that is parallel to the base portion upper surface  80 , and the right extension  120 B extends at an angle β downwardly from the mid portion  120 C (toward the base portion upper surface  80 ), the angle β in one embodiment between 5-30 degrees relative to the plane P 1 . In the embodiment shown, the mid portion  120 C itself is also angled relative to the plane P 1  at an angle θ of between 5-30 degrees. In another embodiment, the angles α, β, and θ may be between 10-20 degrees relative to the plane P 1 , and in yet another embodiment the angles α, β, and θ may be about 15 degrees, e.g., between 14 and 16 degrees, relative to the plane P 1 . In one embodiment, the combination of the right extension  120 B, the mid portion  120 C, and the left extension  120 A define a smooth and slightly curved upper surface  120 E. In one embodiment, the angles α, β, and θ may be generally equal to one another to define a generally straight/planar upper surface  120 E. The extension  120 A,  120 B,  120 C of the switch  120  may have other angles relative to the plane P 1 , including being generally parallel to the plane P 1 . 
     Referring still to  FIG.  6 B , the left extension  120 A may include a distal portion  120 F that extends downward and laterally from the upper surface  120 E to define a further engagement area for a finger of the operator. 
     In one embodiment, the vertical switch axis V SA  is inclined toward the operator, for example, at an angle Ω of about 90 degrees relative to the base portion upper surface  80  (although other angles are contemplated) while the switch  120  is in the intermediate (neutral) position, see  FIG.  6 C . The angle Ω of the switch  120  as defined by the vertical switch axis V SA  allows for easier access to the switch  120  by the operator&#39;s finger(s) since the switch  120  extends toward the operator. 
     As noted above, in one embodiment the left extension  120 A and right extension  120 B are positioned for an index and a middle finger of an operator to reach the switch  120 , such that the design of the switch  120  and its respective left extension  120 A and right extension  120 B allow the operator to easily engage either the left extension  120 A and/or the right extension  120 B with the index or middle finger to actuate the switch  120 , e.g., the pull the switch toward the operator, push the switch away from the operator, or to move the switch into an intermediate position. In one embodiment, pulling the switch  120  toward the operator may cause the vehicle  10  to enter a travel rearward mode and pushing the switch  120  away from the operator may cause the vehicle  10  to enter a travel forward mode, additional configurations are contemplated, such as one wherein pulling the switch  120  toward the operator may cause the vehicle  10  to enter a travel forward mode and pushing the switch  120  away from the operator may cause the vehicle  10  to enter a travel rearward mode. 
     Moreover, while the switch  120  according to this aspect of the invention may be used in combination with any type of additional vehicle controls or no additional vehicle controls, the ability to change the lateral spacing between the control elements  90 A- 90 D as discussed in detail herein allows the operator to even more easily reach either the left extension  120 A and/or the right extension  120 B with the index or middle finger to actuate the switch  120 . For example, additional spacing can be obtained between respective control elements  90 A,  90 B or  90 B,  90 C as described herein to provide a larger reach area therebetween. Moreover, if the switch  120  is used in combination with the control elements disclosed herein, instead of reaching through the control elements, the operator could reach over the control elements to operate the switch  120 . 
     With reference now to  FIG.  7   , a control element  90 ′ according to another aspect of the invention is shown, wherein structure similar to that described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5 E  includes the same reference number followed by a prime (′) symbol. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the control element  90 ′ comprises a body portion  98 ′ including a central portion  102 ′ and a shoulder portion  100 ′ extending from a side  102 A′ of the central portion  102 ′. The central portion  102 ′ according to this aspect of the present invention does not extend to the top of the body portion  98 ′, as the central portion  102 ′ terminates near the location where the shoulder portion  100 ′ extends from the side  102 A′ of the central portion  102 ′. The shoulder portion  100 ′ thus defines the uppermost portion of the control element  90 ′. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the shoulder portion  100 ′ according to this aspect of the invention defines a curved portion  103  that curves up and away from the central portion  102 ′. The control element  90 ′ can be mounted in first and second positions on an associated mounting stem  94 ′ (i.e., with the shoulder portions  100 ′ facing the right as shown in  FIG.  7    or with the shoulder portions  100 ′ facing the left) to effect a change in spacing between the control element  90 ′ and an immediately adjacent control element as described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , a portion of a control module  226  in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention is illustrated, wherein structure similar to that described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 5 E  includes the same reference number increased by 200. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , a plurality of control elements  290 A- 290 D extend generally upwardly from an upper surface  280  of a base portion  276  of the control module  226 . The control elements  290 A- 290 D include mounting structure  308 , which may comprise a single opening  310  for receiving a corresponding mounting stem  294  affixed to the base portion  276 . The opening  310  may be centrally formed in a bottom surface  304  of a body portion  298 , or the opening  310  may be offset with respect to a center point of the bottom surface  304 . 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the mounting stems  294  shown in  FIG.  7    are movable in the lateral direction D LAT  between multiple positions with respect to the base portion  276 , see, for example, the dashed-line mounting stems  294 ′ with associated dashed-line control elements  290 A′,  290 B′, and  290 D′. It is noted that each of the mounting stems  294  and their associated control elements  290 A- 290 D may be moveable between multiple positions, or only select ones of the mounting stems  294  and their associated control elements  290 A- 290 D may be moveable between multiple positions as shown in  FIG.  7   , i.e., where the mounting stem  294  and its associated third control element  290 C are in a fixed position. 
     Since the mounting stems  294  according to this aspect of the invention are movable laterally to different positions, the mounting structures  308  of the control elements  290 A- 290 D permit the control elements  290 A- 290 D to be selectively mounted to the base portion  276  in multiple positions, including the first and second positions of the control elements  290 A,  290 B,  290 D shown in solid and dashed lines in  FIG.  8   . For example, as shown in  FIG.  8   , while in the dashed line positions, a first distance D 1  is defined between the first and second control elements  290 A,  290 B, and while in the solid line positions, a second distance D 2  is defined between the first and second control elements  290 A,  290 B, the second distance D 2  being greater than the first distance D 1 . Similar differences in distances between immediately adjacent control elements  290 A- 290 D can be effected by laterally moving others of the control elements between positions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  9 A and  9 B , a control element  400  according to another aspect of the invention is shown. The control element  400  according to this embodiment is secured to a mounting stem  402  via an attachment assembly  404 . The attachment assembly  404  may be used with any of the control elements described herein. 
     In the embodiment shown, the attachment assembly  404  comprises a set screw  406  that is threaded into an insert  408  affixed within an aperture  410  formed in the control element  400 . The insert  408  may be formed from a material more rigid than the control element  400 , e.g., brass or another metal or plastic, to provide a secure fixation of the set screw  406  to the insert  408 . The insert  408  may be friction fitted, glued, melted, threaded, etc. within the aperture  410 . The control element  400  shown includes two apertures  410  and corresponding inserts  408 , the apertures  410  being orthogonal to and communicating with a respective one of one or more mounting holes  411  (only one mounting hole is shown in this embodiment) formed in the bottom of the control element  400  to allow for the control element  400  to be mounted in any one of the multiple positions as discussed in detail herein. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9 A , when the set screw  406  is fully installed into the insert  408  and with the control element  400  positioned over the mounting stem  402 , a tip  412  of the set screw  406 , which tip  412  is threaded in one embodiment but is not threaded in another embodiment, engages the mounting stem  402  or extends into a detent  414  or opening formed in the mounting stem  402 . A second detent  414  is shown on the mounting stem  402  of  FIG.  9 A  to receive the mounting structure  400  when in a different position. In one embodiment, the detent  414  is threaded to receive the threaded tip  412  of the set screw  406  but in another embodiment the pointed tip  412  of the set screw  406  tightly engages the mounting stem  402  to create a friction fit therebetween, wherein no detent in the mounting stem is required. The set screw  406  may be formed from a material more rigid than the mounting stem  402  such that the tip  412  of the set screw  406  may indent into the mounting stem  402  to further secure the control element  400  onto the mounting stem  402 . In one embodiment, a washer (not shown) is provided to fit between the insert  408  and an enlarged head (not shown) of the set screw  406  to more tightly secure the control element  400  to the mounting stem  402 . 
     The set screw  406  is removable in one embodiment to allow the control element  400  to be positioned in any of the one of the multiple positions as discussed in detail herein. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.