Patent ID: 8400333

Claim:
A multi-directional input apparatus comprising: an operating member including a shaft portion, the shaft portion extending to the outside; supporting means configured to support the operating member such that the shaft portion is tiltable in multiple directions; detecting means configured to detect tilting of the shaft portion; a restraining member provided with an opening and an annular edge portion surrounding the opening, the shaft portion extending through the opening, the annular edge portion serving as a receiving portion; a sliding member fitted to the shaft portion such that the sliding member is movable in an axial direction; and an elastic member configured to elastically bias the sliding member against the receiving portion, wherein at least one of a rubbing portion of the sliding member and a receiving surface of the receiving portion has a spherical shape centered on a tilting center of the shaft portion, the rubbing portion being provided at one side of the sliding member, the receiving surface being in contact with the rubbing portion, and the elastic member is held by the operating member, wherein the sliding member has a rubbing surface at the first side thereof, the rubbing surface being in elastic contact with the receiving portion and being formed along a convex spherical surface centered on the tilting center of the shaft portion, wherein the elastic member includes a compression coil spring wound into a tapered shape, a diameter of the compression coil spring at a distal end being smaller than a diameter of the compression coil spring at a proximal end, and wherein the compression coil spring being disposed in a storage space provided at the other side of the sliding member, and the proximal end of the compression coil spring is held by a flange provided on the operating member, and the distal end of the compression coil spring elastically biases the sliding member in a direction away from the tilting center while a movement of the sliding member is restrained by the receiving portion.