Coded data generation or conversion – Bodily actuated code generator
Patent
1997-07-09
1999-12-14
Zimmerman, Brian
Coded data generation or conversion
Bodily actuated code generator
74471XY, 200 6R, 200 6A, G09G 100
Patent
active
060023511
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to joystick devices. More particularly, this invention is concerned with a joystick device having an operating axis (lever) arranged for tilt movement in a desired direction so as to output an electric signal depending upon a state of inclination in the lever (the direction and the angle of inclination).
2. Prior Art
One example of a joystick device is described for example in Japanese Provisional Utility Model Publication No. H2-68404. This conventional art joystick device has a pair of rocking members, each having an elongate hole arranged such that these elongate holes are placed perpendicular to each other. A lever is inserted through the respective elongate holes of the pair of the rocking members so that the lever is allowed to tilt in every direction about a predetermined point as a fulcrum point. The lever is projected to extend from a predetermined location of a cover attached to a case in which the rocking members are accommodated.
In the above conventional art, the lever has a lower portion inserted through an elongate hole of one rocking member to be attached to the same rocking member through a shaft extending perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the elongate hole, thereby preventing the lever from being removed and from rotating about its own axis. Consequently, the fulcrum point of the lever is located on the shaft where the lower portion of the lever is attached to the rocking member. To this end, it is necessary to provide a relatively large opening in the cover in order to obtain a sufficient range of tilt movement of the lever.
However, if a large opening is formed in a cover, dust or dirt is often allowed to intrude into an interior of the case through the opening, impairing operational reliability in rotational or sliding portions of the joystick device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a joystick device which is capable of positively preventing the lever from being removed and from rotating about its own axis, and positively preventing against intrusion of dust and dirt into the interior of the case.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a joystick device in which the lever can automatically and reliably be returned to a neutral position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a joystick device in which an electric signal is provided with accuracy in response to the position and the angle of tilt of the lever.
The present invention relates to a joystick device comprising: a case; first and second bearing portions formed in the case to have respective axes extending perpendicular to each other; a first rocking member having first support shafts supported by the first bearings and a first elongate hole that is long in an axial direction of the first support shaft; a second rocking member having second support shafts supported by the second bearing portions, and a second elongate hole that is long in an axial direction of the second support shaft, the first rocking member and the second rocking member being arranged in such an overlapped state that the first elongate hole and the second elongate hole extend perpendicular to each other; a lever inserted through the first elongate hole and the second elongate hole, the lever when operated causing rocking movement in at least one of the first rocking member and the second rocking member, the lever including an engaging portion in engagement with one of the first rocking member and the second rocking member and a spherical portion formed at a position thereof above the second rocking member; a detecting means for detecting rocking movement in at least one of the first rocking member and the second rocking member to output an electric signal; a cover attached to the case and having a hole defined by an inner peripheral edge that contacts with an outer peripheral surface of the spherical portion, the hole holding the spherical portion so that the lever can be op
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Nintendo Pow
Koshima Kazuo
Miyoshi Toshiharu
Nakamura Masahiko
Takamoto Junji
Takeda Genyo
Edwards, Jr. Timothy
Hoshiden Corporation
Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Zimmerman Brian
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