«2) United States Patent
`US 6,394,906 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`Ogata
`May28, 2002
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US006394906B1
`
`(54) ACTUATING DEVICE FOR GAME
`MACHINE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Hiroki Ogata, Chiba (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
`(IP)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/158,062
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 22, 1998
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Sop. 22,1997
`(UP)
`secsssessesssesstessessssssseescessessseesees 9-257216
`
`(SL) UntC1 es ccseenesesnecnrseenneneeees A63F 13/06
`463/38; 463/37; 273/148 B
`(52)
`
`(58) Field of Search ................. 463/37, 38; 273/148 B
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,486,629 A * 12/1984 Sledesky ........ce ee 200/6 A
`4,739,315 A *
`4/1988 Somael al.
`.. 340/710
`$012,230 A *
`4/1991 Yasuda.......
`s+. 340/706
`5,555,004 A *
`9/1996 Ono etal.
`..
`« 345/161
`..
`5,701,142 A * 12/1997 Brownet al.
`.. 345/168
`.....
`5,801,918 A *
`9/1998 Ahearn et al.
`+ 361/683
`5,897,437 A *
`4/1999 Nishiumi et al... 463/47
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`JP
`
`62-194389
`
`12/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICALIONS
`
`PS Analog Controller Finally Launched on the Market!,
`Game Walker, Jun. 1997, p. 76, No. 32, Japan.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Joe H. Cheng
`Assistant Examiner—Julie K Kasick
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lerner, David, Littenberg,
`Krumhbolz & Mentlik, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An actuating device for a game machine is disclosed in
`which the handorfingers do not fatigue on prolonged use,
`thereby imparting an optimum feel for the user. The actu-
`ating device has a main bodyunit andfirst and second grips
`projecting from one side of the main body unit at opposite
`ends thereof. Vibration-imparting units are enclosed within
`the first and second grips. First and second actuating units
`are mounted at opposite ends of the main body unit. The first
`and second actuating units include plural thrusting actuators
`which protrude from the upper surface of the main body
`unit. ‘Third and tourth actuating units are arranged on the
`proximal endsof the first and second grips so as to confront
`one another. The third and fourth actuating unils include
`rotation actuators and signal input elements actuated by the
`rotation actuators. The portions of the rotation actuators
`which actuate the third and fourth actuating units are pro-
`vided with top portions of a flexible material having out-
`wardly bulging distal end portions.
`
`JP
`
`07-112074
`
`5/1995
`
`
`
`15 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 1
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`Sheet 1 of 15
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`Sheet 2 of 15
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 15
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`a19b \a
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`das
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`FIG.5
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 15
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`iS
`f /
`Lf3 Lfe L% Lfs
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`FIG.7
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`May28, 2002
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`Sheet 5 of 15
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` 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`3!b
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`Be
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`U.S. Patent
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`May28, 2002
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`Sheet 6 of 15
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`TRVAY9|QEIHeecllAl
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`Yi)1|\niAHgReHVass
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`2EE~aee.
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`Ol'Sla
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 7
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`U.S. Patent
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`May28, 2002
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`Sheet 7 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 8 of 15
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`4AAT
`LSALAASALE
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`yfRET?
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`
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`LF
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`MA
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`FIG.13
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 9 of 15
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`Al
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`FIG.14
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 10 of 15
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`
`o4
`BZAOXSTIS 70
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`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`May28, 2002
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`Sheet 11 of 15
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`FIG.17
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`FIG.18
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 12 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 13 of 15
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`FIG.22
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 28, 2002
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`Sheet 14 of 15
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`FIG.23
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`May28, 2002
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`Sheet 15 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`FIG.24
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`US 6,394,906 B1
`
`1
`ACTUATING DEVICE FOR GAME
`MACHINE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the invention
`
`This invention relates to an actuating device used in a
`game machine employing a display unit of, for example, a
`television receiver. More particularly, it relates to an actu-
`ating device for a game machine having an actuating portion
`for controlling various operations, such as those of rotating
`a display character on a display screen, continuously chang-
`ing the movementspeed or deforming the display character.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Conventionally, a game machine employing a television
`receiver has a main body unit of the game machine, con-
`nected to a television recciver uscd as a display device, and
`an actuating device for controlling a display character con-
`nected via a connection cable to the main body unit of the
`game machine and which is displayed on the display sercen
`of the television receiver.
`
`‘The main body unit of the game machine has, enclosed
`therein,a disc driving portion for reproducing an optical disc
`as a recording medium carrying a game program and a
`picture processing device for displaying on the screcn of the
`television receiver a display character along with the back-
`ground picture in accordance with a game programrecorded
`on the optical disc.
`On the actuating device, connected to the main bodyunit
`of the game machine, there are arranged plural actuators.
`The user actuates these actuators to input
`the command
`information concerning the operation of the display charac-
`ters displayed on the display screen of the television receiver
`to control the movementdirection of the display character
`depending, on the command information.
`The actuating device used in this type of the game
`machine is held by hand or finger during use. On one side
`and on the opposite side of the main body unit, there are
`arranged a direction command actuating unit having a
`cross-shaped or circular direction indicating operating, but-
`ton and a function setting executing unit having plural
`function setting executing buttons for setting the operating
`function of the display character or executing its operation.
`The direction command actuating unit
`includes four
`switches having actuators which are arranged orthogonally
`relative to one another and which are brought into and out
`of contact with the contact. These switches are selectively
`turned on and off by the cross-shaped or circular direction
`command actuators for moving the display character. For
`example,
`the display character is digitally moved in the
`direction along whichis arrayed the one of the four switches
`that
`is turned on. The function setting executing unit
`includes switches in association with the plural function
`setting actuators so that the function of the display character
`allocated to each button is set or the function proper to the
`display character is executed.
`The direction commandactuatorof the actuating device is
`configured so that the onc of the four switches arranged in
`the mutually perpendicular directions gives a command
`signal of moving the display character in the direction along
`which is arrayed the switch turned on, so that it is not
`possible to give the command information of rotating and
`simultaneously advancing the display character or changing
`its line of sight. The result is that it becomes difficult to
`construct the game program employing the display character
`performing diversified operations.
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`10
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`wn
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`On the other hand, since switches constituting the direc-
`tion command actuating unit simply is turned on and off by
`actuation of the direction command actuator to give the
`command information controlling the movement of the
`display character, the movement of the display character
`becomesintermittent such that a series of continuous move-
`ments cannot be executed.
`
`There has been proposed an actuating device having an
`actuating unit which renders it possible to input a command
`signal for moving and simultaneously rotating the display
`character, moving the display character as its speed is varied
`or changing its configurations.
`‘This type of the actuating device is described in the
`Japanese Laying-open Publication H-7-88252.
`There is provided in an actuator adapted to be thrust and
`simultaneously rotated in the actuating unit adapted for
`rotating a display character or changing its configuration.
`This type of the actuator is gripped or thrust by hand or
`finger.
`The actuator for actuating the direction commandactuator
`is also thrust by being thrust by hand or finger.
`The actuatorof the actuating device for the game machine
`is frequently acted on during execution of the game pro-
`gram. Morcover, the actuating unit is uscd for prolonged
`time.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`Itis therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an actuating unit for the game machine which can give an
`optimum operating feeling to the actuation of the actuator
`acted on frequently.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide an
`actuating unit for the game machine in which the useris not
`fatigued in hand,finger or even on prolongeduseofthe unit.
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide
`an actuating device for a game machine which affords an
`agreeable use feeling and whichis highin reliability.
`Itis yet another object of the present invention to provide
`an actuating device for a game machine which enables the
`game to be executed with highly vivid play feeling.
`For accomplishing the above objects, an actuating device
`for a game machineincludesfirst and second grips protruded
`from one side of each end of the main body unit of the
`device. On onc and the opposite ends of the main body unit
`are provided first and second actuating units. Each of the
`first and second actuating units is provided with plural
`thrusting actuators projected to the upper surface side of the
`main body unit and with plural signal input elements thrust
`by these thrusting actuators.
`The actuating device also includes third and fourth actu-
`ating units arranged facing each other on the proximal ends
`of the first and second grips and which are provided with
`signal input terminals actuated by the thrusting actuators.
`‘These third and fourth actuating units can be actuated by
`thumbfingers of both hands of the user holding the first and
`second grips.
`The third and fourth actuating units including the signal
`input terminals actuated bythe rotation actuators input to the
`main body unit of the device command signals cnable
`rotation and translation simultaneously of the display char-
`acter displayed on the screen, movement of the display
`character with varying specd or change of the configuration.
`In the present actuating device for the game machine,
`eachrotation actuator includes a main actuator body portion
`of a synthetic resin connected to an associated actuating unit
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`3
`and a top portion of a flexible material swollen-out at its
`distal end and whichis formed as one with the main actuator
`body portion. Since the top portion contacted with the hand
`or finger has its distal end swollen-out and is formed of a
`flexible material, an optimum contact feeling can be realized
`to improve use feeling.
`There is cncelosed in the actuating device of the present
`invention a vibration-imparling unit which imparts vibra-
`tions to the user during operation to execute a game with a
`vivid play feeling. This vibration-imparting unit is provided
`in the first and second grips and is made up ofa driving
`motor and an eccentric member mounted ona driving shaft
`of the motor. The vibration-imparting unit has different
`vibration-imparting states to realize a more vivid playfeel-
`ing in executing a game.
`In the actuating device for the game machine according to
`the present invention, since the top portion of the rotation
`actuator for entering a command signal in executing the
`game program, contacted bythe hand or finger of the user,
`is formedofa flexible material and is swollen outatits distal
`end, optimumcontact feeling may be realized to improve the
`use feeling.
`Since the main actuator body portion and the top portion
`making up the rotation actuator is formed by two-color
`molding, the main actuator body portion and the top portion
`can be positivcly unificd to cach other to assure high
`operationalreliability of the actuating unit.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is a perspective view showing an actuating device
`for a game machine.
`FIG.2 is a plan view showingthe actuating device shown
`in FIG. 1.
`TIG. 3 is a back-side viewthereof.
`TIG. 4 is front view thereof.
`
`FIG. 5 is a right-hand side view thereof
`LG. 6 is a lett-hand side view thereof.
`
`FIG.7 is a perspective view showing the use state thereof
`FIG. 8 is a side view showing the state of using the
`actuating device for the game a machine mounted in a
`mounting surface.
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing essential portions of
`a first actuating unit.
`FIG.10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first
`actuating unit.
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional showing the state of first to
`fourth thrusting actuators of the first actuating unit.
`FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
`which a second actuator of the first actuating unit is being
`thrust.
`FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in
`which a second actuatorofthe first actuating unit has been
`thrust.
`
`FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a
`multi-directional input device constituting third and fourth
`actuating units.
`FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the multi-
`directional input device in aninitial state of the actuating
`shaft.
`
`FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the multi-
`directional input device on rotational actuation of the actu-
`ating shaft.
`FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the multi-directional
`input device for illustrating the state of actuating a thrusting
`actuating type switch element, with a portion thereof being
`broken away.
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`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the multi-directional
`input deviceforillustrating the actuated state of the thrusting
`actuating type switch element, with a portion thereof being
`broken away.
`TIG. 19 is a side view showinga rotary actuating member
`used in the first and second actuating units.
`FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional viewofthe rotary
`actuating member.
`FIG. 21 is a bottom view forillustrating the state in which
`a vibration imparting mechanism is provided in first and
`second grips.
`FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing the
`vibration imparting mechanism.
`FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the state in which
`the vibration imparting mechanism has been assembled in a
`main body unit of the device.
`FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the state in which the
`actuating, device for the game machine has been connected
`to a main bodyunit of the game machine.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to the drawings, an actuating device for a game
`machine according to the present invention will be explained
`in detail.
`
`The actuating device for the game machine is connected
`to a main bodyunit of the game machine having enclosed
`therein a disc driving unit for reproducing an optical disc as
`a recording medium carrying a recorded game program and
`a picture processing device for displaying a display charac-
`ter along with the background on a screen of the television
`receiver in accordance with a game program recorded on the
`optical disc.
`Anactuating device 1 for the game machine according to
`the present invention includes a main body unit 4 made up
`of an upper half 2 and a lower half 3 abutted and connected
`to each other by fasteners, such as set screws, as shown in
`FIG. 1. From one side of ends of the main body unit 4 are
`protruded a first grip 5 and a second grip 6 which are held
`byleft and right palms whenthe device 1 is connected to the
`main body unit of the game a machine for executing the
`game. Thefirst and second grips 5, 6 are protruded towards
`the lowerside of the main body unit 4 as they are flared and
`spaced apart from each other towards their distal ends, as
`shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. For enabling prolonged gripping of
`the first and second grips 5, 6, these grips are tapered from
`the connecting sides to the main body unit 4 towards the
`distal ends, while being arcuately contoured in peripheral
`surfaces and at the distal ends, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and
`6.
`
`On one end of the main body unit 4 is provided a first
`actuating unit 9, havingfirst to fourth thrusting actuators 8a,
`8b, 8c, 8d protruded on the upper surface side of the main
`body unit 4, as shown in FIGS.
`1 and 2. The first to fourth
`thrusting actuators 8a to 8d making upthefirst actuating unit
`9 are formed as one with a rotary actuating member 10
`having its ccntcr portion supported for rotation and arc
`arrayed in mutually perpendicular directions about the cen-
`ter of rotation of the rotary actuating member 10. Thatis, the
`first actuating unit 9 is provided with switch clements as
`signal inputting elements in association with the first
`to
`fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d. The first actuating unit 9,
`operates as a direction command controller for controlling
`the movementof the display character. By selectively thrust-
`ing the first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d to turn the
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`On the opposite side of the main body unit 4 is arranged
`a second actuating unit 12 having first to fourth thrusting
`actuators lla, 11b, Lc, 11d protruded from the main body
`unit 4 and which are arranged in mutually perpendicular
`directions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thesefirst to fourth
`thrusting actuators lla to 11d are formed as independent
`members and signal
`inputting elements, not shown, are
`provided in association with the thrusting actuators lla to
`11d. The second actuating unit 12 operates as a fimction
`setting executing unit for setting the functions of the display
`character allocated to the thrusting actuators Lla to 11d or
`executing the functions owned bythe display character by
`turning the switches associated with the first
`to fourth
`thrusting actuators 11a to 11d on andoff.
`The actuating device 1 according to the present invention
`includes third and fourth actuators 14, 15 mounted facing 5
`each other on the comers of the proximalendsofthe first and
`second grips 5, 6 connecting to the main body unit 4, as
`shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These third and fourth actuators 14,
`15 are provided with a rotation actuator 16 rotatable through
`360° about a central actuating shaft and a signal inputting
`element, such as a variable resistance element, actuated by
`this rotation actuator 16. Specifically, the rotation actuator
`16 is mounted at
`the distal end of an actuating shaft,
`mounted underthe bias of a biasing memberfor restoration
`thereof to a neutral position, and is rotated through 360°
`about the center of the actuating shaft as the center of
`rotation. These third and fourth actuators 14, 15 use an
`actuating unit which, by rotating the rotation actuator 16
`issues a command signal for realizing analog movements,
`such as rotating and simultaneously moving the display
`character, moving the display character with a variable
`speed, or varying its configurations.
`Onleft and right side ends on the front side of the main
`body unit 4 opposite to its back side provided with the first
`and second grips 5, 6 are arranged fifth and sixth actuating
`units 17, 18. These fifth and sixth actuating units 17, 18 are
`provided with first and second thrusting actuators 19a, 19b
`and 20a, 20b, respectively, as shown in L'IG. 4.
`‘These
`thrusting actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b are provided with
`associated switching elements. The fifth and sixth actuating
`units 17, 18 operate as function setting executing units for
`setting the functions of the display character allocated to the
`thrusting actuators 19a, 195 and 20a, 20b or executing the
`functions owned by the display character by turning on
`switches, not shown, associated with the first and second 5
`thrusting, actuators 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b.
`Betweenthefirst actuating unit 9 and the second actuating
`unit 12 on the upper surface of the main body unit4, there
`are provided, side-by-side, a start switch 22 for commanding
`the start of a game and a selection switch 23 for selecting
`relative facility or difficulty when starting a game, as shown
`in FIGS. 1 and 2. On the other hand, there are provided,
`between the third actuating unit 14 and the fourth actuating
`unit 15 on the upper surface of the main body unit 4, a mode
`selection switch 24 for selecting the operating mode of the
`third and fourth actuating units 14, 15 and a display unit 25
`for displaying the state of the operating modesof the third
`and fourth actuating units 14, 15. The display unit 25 is
`constituted by a light emitting element, such as LED. Bythe
`changeover operation of the mode selection switch 24, an
`operating mode enabling the inputting of a commandsignal
`from the third and fourth actuating units 14, 15 or an
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`aan
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`US 6,394,906 B1
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`5
`switches associated with these thrusting actuators 8a to 8d
`on and off, the display character is moved in the arraying
`direction ofthe thrustingly actuated thrusting actuators 8a to
`8d.
`
`6
`operating mode inhibiting the inputting of the command
`signal from the third and fourth actuating units 14, 15 is
`selected, while the commandsignal from the third and fourth
`actuating units 14, 15 is enabled to be entered and the
`operating mode is selected which has made a switching
`between the functionofthe first to fourth thrusting actuators
`lla to 11d of the second actuating unit 12 and the function
`of the first and second thrusting actuators 19a, 19b and 20a,
`
`205 ofthe fifth and sixth actuating units 17, 18. The display
`
`
`unit 25 is turned on and off
`depending onthe state of these
`operating, modes, while switching is made of the display
`light.
`On the lower side of the main body unit 4 are formed
`engagement recesses 26, 27 in which portions of hands or
`fingers Rf, Lf are engaged when the first grip 5 and the
`second grip 6 are gripped by the handsor fingers RS, LI, as
`shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. These engagementrecesses 26, 27 arc
`formed as smoothly curved reentrant recesses, as shown in
`FIGS. 5 and 6.
`
`
`
`On the front side of the main body unit 4 are formed
`depending finger supports 28, 29, in association with the
`engagement recesses 26, 27, as shown in L'IGS. 5 and 6.
`Specifically, these finger supports 28,29 are protuberantly
`formed from the lower ends of protrusions 31, 32 on both
`ends on the front surface of the main bodyunit 4 where the
`fifth and sixth actuating units 17, 18 are formed.
`In the actuating device of the present invention, in which
`the first and second grips 5, 6 are protuberantly provided on
`the main body unit 4, as described above,
`these first and
`second grips 5, 6 are held in a wrapping fashion by both
`palmsof the hands, as shown in FIG. 7, so that there is no
`necessity of holding the main body unit 4 by fingers, such
`that the actuating device 1 can be held in a state in which up
`to a maximum often andatleastsix fingers can be moved
`freely. If, for example, the first and second grips 5, 6 are held
`in a wrapping fashion by both palms of the hands, as shown
`in FIG. 7, thumb fingers Rfl, Lfl of both hands can be
`extended over the rotation actuators 16 of the third and
`fourth actuating units 14, 15, overthe first to fourth thrusting
`actuators 8a to 8d of the first actuating unit 9 and over the
`first to fourth thrusting actuators 11a to 11d of the second
`actuating unit 12 to permit sclective thrusting of the rotation
`actuators 16 and the thrusting actuators 8a to 8d and 11a to
`11d. In particular, since the rotation actuators 16 of the third
`and fourth actuating units 14, 15 are arranged facing cach
`other on the proximal endsofthe first and second grips 5, 6
`corresponding to the connecting portions to the main body
`unit 4, the rotation actuators 16 arc closcst to the thumb
`fingers Rfl, Lfl of both hands whenthe first and second
`grips 5, 6 are gripped by the hands, so that the rotation
`actuators 16 can be easily rotated by both thumbfingers Rf1,
`Lfl.
`
`Also, when the first and sccond grips 5, 6 arc gripped in
`a wrapping fashion byboth palmsof the hands, as shown in
`FIG. 7, index fingers Rf2, Lf2 and middle fingers RS, Lf
`of both hands can be cxtcnded to such positions as to enable
`selective thrusting ofthe first and second thrusting actuators
`19a, 19b, 20a, 20b of the fifth and sixth actuating units 17,
`18.
`
`Whenthe actuating device 1 is gripped by hands or
`fingers, finger supports 28, 29 can be held as the first and
`second grips 5, 6 are wrapped in the palms of the hands,
`while fourth fingers Rf4, Lf4 of both hands and/or little
`fingers Rf5, 1.f5 arc cngaged in the engagementrecesses 26,
`27, so that the main body unit 4 can be held atfixed positions
`relative to the fingers of the hands of the user. Thatis, the
`
`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 19
`
`IRONBURG EX2007, Page 19
`
`

`

`US 6,394,906 B1
`
`vy
`
`7
`8
`The elastic member 35 is sandwiched between a circuit
`fingers can be correctly positioned in association with the
`first to sixth actuating units 9, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18, thus
`substrate 38 and the rotary actuating member 10 and is
`realizing reliable actuation.
`provided with a number of movable contacts 34, such as
`The actuating device 1 according to the present invention
`rubber contacts, corresponding to the numberofthefirst to
`can also be sct on a planar sctting surface S, such as a table,
`fourth thrusting, actuators 8a to 8d.
`as shownin FIG. 8. If the actuating device 1 is set on the
`A fulcrum member 36 is spherically-shaped and is
`setting surface S, with the distal ends of thefirst and second
`arranged at a central portion of the rotary actuating member
`grips 5, 6 and those of the finger supports 28, 29 as supports,
`10 in register with the central supporting projection 33. The
`the actuating surfacesofthe first to fourth thrusting actuators
`fulcrum member36 is engaged inafirst recess 41 formed at
`8a to 8d of the first actuating unit 9, the first to fourth
`the center of the rotary actuating member 10.
`thrusting actuators lla to 11d of the second actuating unit 12
`If the rotary actuating member 10 is arranged on the main
`and the rotation actuators 16 of the third and fourthactuating
`bodyunit 4,the first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d are
`units 14, 15 are substantially parallel to the setting surface
`arrangedradially, about the central supporting projection 33
`S, as shownin FIG. 8. Thus, the actuating device 1 of the
`as center, and are progressively increased in height from the
`present invention can be set on the planar setting surface S$
`imaginary converging side ends towards the opposite outer
`and the hands placed onthe setting surface S, with the first
`and second grips 5, 6 being supported by the palms to
`ends. The result is that, when the finger is set at the center
`actuate the first to sixth actuating units 9, 12, 14, 15, 17 and
`portion of the recess 30 surrounded by the first to fourth
`18.
`thrusting actuators 8a to 8d,
`the relative position can be
`The first actuating unit 9 of the actuating device 1
`easily discriminated by the tactile feeling at the end of the
`according to the present invention is explained in further
`finger, due to the step difference between the center portion
`detail. Referring to FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, the first to fourth
`andthe first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d, such that,
`thrusting actuators 8a to 8d arc protubcrantly formed on the
`when the finger end is shifted for switch actuation from the
`rotary actuating member 10 within the substantially cross-
`center towards the outer side of the recess 30, which of the
`shaped recess 30 on one end of the upper surface of the main
`first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d is being thrust can
`body unit 4. On the upper and lowerandleft and right ends
`be easily discriminated based solely on the tactile feeling.
`of the cross-shaped recess 30 are provided direction indica-
`Therotary actuating member10, is formed as one with the
`tors 31a, 31, 31c, 31d towards the inner sides of which four
`first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d, are formed by
`apertures 32 are formed in mutually perpendicular directions
`molding a synthetic resin material of a relatively high
`for allowingthefirst to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d to
`toughness. The result is that the first to fourth thrusting
`be protruded from the upper surface side of the main body
`actuators 8a to 8d of increased toughness are thrust by the
`unit 4, respectively. The center area surrounded by these
`hand or finger such that
`the operational feeling is not
`apertures 32 is formed as a central supporting projection 33
`optimum.
`for supporting the center portion on the upper surface side of
`Thus, a top layer 7 formed of a soft flexible materialis
`the main body unit 4, as shown in FIG. 10. This central
`formed as one with the upper surfaces of the first to fourth
`supporting projection 33 is formed as one with the upper
`thrusting, actuators 8a to 8d acted on bythe hand or finger,
`innersurface of the main body unit 4. The central supporting
`as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The top layer 7 is formed of
`projection 33 is faced by an elastic member 35 having tour
`a material exhibiting rubber-like elasticity. The top layer 7 is
`movable contacts 34 thrust bythe first to fourth thrusting
`molded in two colors and formed as one with the first to
`actuators 8a to 8d. Al a center position of the elastic member
`fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d. The toplayer 7 is slightly
`35 is held a spherically-shaped tulcrum member36, such as
`swollen out at the mid portion for improving the tactile
`a steel ball, adapted for supporting the center of the bottom
`feeling.
`surface side of the rolary actuating member 10. The elastic
`Since the top layer 7 of a soft flexible material is provided
`member 35 contronts a circuit substrate 38 including four
`on the first
`to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d,
`it
`is
`stationary contacts 37 adapted to be contacted with and
`possible to relieve the impact otherwise applied to the hand
`disengaged from the movable contacts 34.
`or finger on thrusting actuation thus improving the opera-
`The rotary actualing member 10 constituting the first
`tional feeling on actuation with the handorfinger. Since the
`actuating unit 9 is made up of a circular-shaped base 39,first
`elastomer of the top layer 7 has large friction,
`it acts to
`to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d formed as one with the
`inhibit slipping of the hand or finger on thrusting actuation
`upperpart of the base 39, a spherically-shapedfirst recess 41
`of the first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d.
`in the bottom surface of the center portion of the base 39,
`If, in the above-describedfirst actuating unit 9, none of the
`adapted for engaging in the spherical surface of a
`first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a to 8d is actuated, the
`spherically-shaped fulcrum member 36,
`a spherically-
`rotary actuating member10 is uplifted by the contact guide
`shaped second recess 42 in the upper center surface portion
`43, under the bias of the elastic member 35, as shownin FIG.
`of the base 39 adapted for engaging with the central sup-
`11, with the central supporting projection 33 cngaging in the
`porting, projection 33 and a contact guide 43 protuberantly
`spherically-shaped second recess 42 of the rotary actuating
`formed on the lower side of the basc 39 for thrusting the
`back surface of the movable contacts 34 of the elastic
`member 10. Simultaneously,
`the peripheral end of the
`circular-shaped basc 39 is retained by the ends of aperture
`member 35, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The four thrusting
`32, the rotary actuating member 10 being then retained in an
`actuators 8a to 8d formed as one with the rotary actuating
`initial position, with the first to fourth thrusting actuators 8a
`member 10, are formed on the upper side of the base 39 so
`to 8d being pro