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:
Jul. 06, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2000
Kenji Nagata, Tokyo, JP;
Kaoru Watanabe, Tokyo, JP;
Kouki Atobe, Tokyo, JP;
Terukazu Shimada, Tokyo, JP;
Konami Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
There is provided an input apparatus for game systems, which are simplified in construction. The input apparatus has a base ( ) having a plurality of panel-attaching sections ( ), a plurality of foot panels ( ) arranged respectively at a plurality of panel-attaching sections ( ), and tape switches ( ) not only arranged between a panel supporting surface ( ) formed on each of a plurality of panel-attaching sections ( ) and each of the foot panels but also outputting a predetermined detection signal responsively to changes in pushing load onto each foot panel ( ). The tape switch ( ) has a sensing element ( ) and an elastic-material-made coating member ( ) covering the sensing element ( ) and functioning as a medium transmitting a load applied to each foot panel to the sensing element ( ). The coating element ( ) supports the foot panel ( ) by contacting with each foot panel ( ). Ribs ( ) are formed on the coating member ( ), so that a load is intensively transmitted to a desired position on the sensing element ( ).