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:
Jan. 15, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2007
Kenneth A. St.clair, Cary, NC (US);
Robert H. Marjoram, Holly Springs, NC (US);
Kenneth A. St.Clair, Cary, NC (US);
Robert H. Marjoram, Holly Springs, NC (US);
Lord Corporation, Cary, NC (US);
Abstract
A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever. The operator input device includes an interface lever controllable brake coupled to the operator interface lever, and a brake controller coupled to the sensor system for receiving the operator interface mechanism position signal and with the brake controller coupled to the brake for responsively transmitting a plurality of brake signals to the brake with the operator interface lever controllable brake responsively providing resistive braking forces to the operator interface lever for opposing a force applied to the operator interface lever by the operator, the operator interface lever controllable brake providing the resistive braking forces in response to controller brake signals, with the brake controller providing a first background force signal followed with a second below background force drop signal followed with a third above background stop force signal wherein the operator is provided with a mechanical detent sensation at a target lever location.