The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 2002
Filed:
May. 05, 1999
Shigeru Furuki, Fukushima-ken, JP;
Makito Takigawa, Miyagi-ken, JP;
Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In a controller, a control member includes a stick portion to be manipulated with the hand, and a spherical portion, which are integrally formed. The control member is provided with a coil spring for urging the spherical portion, and a magnetic attracting member for attracting the control member opposite from the urging direction. When the control member is urged by the urging means, the spherical portion is held by a friction member so as to increase the load on the control member. In contrast, when the control member is attracted by the magnetic attracting member, the spherical portion is separated from the friction member so as to decrease the load on the control member.