Stephen M Reichow

US Patent:

6590171, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188501

Inventors:

Richard J. Wolf - Andover MN
Alex Ginzburg - Mendota Heights MN
Peter Chatman Leuty - Saint Louis Park MN
Stephen Richard Reichow - Eden Prairie MN
Ronald Clarence Celander - Loretto MN

Assignee:

ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 1370

US Classification:

200 51LM, 200 6 A

Abstract:

A machine control ( ) for controlling machinery, is disabled unless the hand (H) of a person grasps a handgrip ( ) of the control, and thereby increases the capacitance at each of two electrodes ( ) lying within the handgrip surface and spaced about the handgrip axis ( ). The handgrip is formed on a handle of a joystick ( ) that can pivot about two perpendicular horizontal axes ( ). The joystick has a lower end ( ) that lies in a cavity ( ) where the joystick is pivotally mounted, the joystick has an upper end ( ) forming a handle, and the joystick has a middle portion ( ) that projects through an upper end of the cavity that lies within an aperture ( ) of a housing top wall ( ). A plurality of joystick detents ( ) are mounted on the joystick middle portion, and a plurality of housing detents ( ) are mounted on the housing to each engage a joystick detent. The joystick detents are formed on a collar ( ) that is biased downwardly by a coil spring ( ), to provide high resilience in deflection of the joystick detent when it engages and disengages a housing detent.