DESCRIPTION This invention relates generally to the field of joystick controllers and, more specifically, to one-handed joystick controllers.

Joystick controllers have been in use for many years and are mainly used for playing games. Although some joystick controllers may be securely positioned by relying on suction cups to attach the joystick controller to a smooth surface or by relying on the actual weight of the joystick controller, it is conventional for joystick users to use both hands to control the joystick controller: one hand to support the joystick controller itself, and the other hand to move the joystick handle. Accordingly, the present applicant proposed in GB 2310274 a one-handed joystick comprising an elongate support system for supporting a length of a user's forearm, the support

system comprising at least two straps in two spaced locations for attaching the elongate support system to an underside of the user's forearm. In this way, the need for the user to hold the joystick controller is removed and thus the user is able to operate all functions of the joystick using only one hand.

The present applicant has continued to develop the one-handed joystick controller proposed in GB 2310274, with the intention of improving the ergonomics and effectiveness of the controller, and has the conceived the following significant improvements.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a one-handed joystick controller, comprising: a support member for attachment to or engagement by part of a user's forearm; a lever pivotally coupled to the support member; a sensor for sensing pivotal displacements of the lever from a predetermined position; and a handle coupled to the lever and configured to enable a user to pivot one-handed the lever relative to the support member when the user's arm is attached to or engaged by the support member; characterised in that handle position along the lever relative to the support member is variable in dependence upon pivotal displacement of the lever.

In this way, a one-handed joystick controller is obtained in which a user may maintain a comfortable grip on the handle even when the lever is pivoted away from or towards the user's upper forearm. In this way, strain on

the user's arm may be reduced. This is particularly important in the case where the support member is attached to the user's forearm since movement of the user's arm relative to support member may not be possible.

Variation of the handle position along the lever relative to the support member may be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment the handle may be moveable along the lever. In another embodiment, the lever may be axially moveable relative to the support. In yet another embodiment, the lever may be telescopic. Alternatively, a combination of one or more of these embodiments may be used.

In the case of the first mentioned embodiment, the handle may have a first coupling part and the lever may have a second coupling part, the parts being configured to provide linear movement of one part relative to the other when coupled together. One part may define a linear track and the other part may define a carriage moveable along the linear track. The handle may comprise a pair of first coupling parts and the lever may comprise a pair of second coupling parts, with each pair being disposed on diametrically opposed sides of the lever, for example to provide extra stability when the first and second coupling parts are interengaged.

In the case of the second mentioned embodiment, the lever, sensor and handle may form a unit which moves along the axis of the lever relative to the support member.

The handle may be rotatable relative to and around

the lever, with rotational displacement of the handle from a rest position being sensed by a second sensor. In this way, a joystick controller is provided which, in addition to allowing convention up-and-down and side-to-side movements, also allows left and right banking movements.

Thus, the joystick controller may have three axes of control. Such a joystick controller may be of particular use when controlling aircraft simulators and the like.

The handle may be coupled to a drum which is rotatably mounted on the lever, and the handle may be biased to provide a return force when rotationally displaced from the rest position. The handle may be biased by a resilient member, one part of which rotates in sympathy with the handle and another part of which is anchored to the lever.

The lever may be biased to provide a return force when pivotally displaced from a rest position. For example, the handle may biased by a resilient member, one part of which rotates in sympathy with the handle and another part of which is anchored to the lever.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a one-handed joystick controller, comprising: a support member for attachment to or engagement by part of a user's forearm; a lever pivotally coupled to the support member; a first sensor for sensing pivotal displacements of the lever from a predetermined position; and a handle coupled to the lever and configured to enable a user to pivot one-handed the

lever relative to the support member when the user's arm is attached to or engaged by the support member; characterised in that the handle is rotatable relative to and around the lever, with rotational displacement of the handle from a rest position being sensed by a second sensor.

In this way, a joystick controller is provided which, in addition to allowing convention up-and-down and side- to-side movements, also allows left and right banking movements. Thus, the joystick controller may have three axes of control. Such a joystick controller may be of particular use when controlling aircraft simulators and the like.

The handle may be coupled to a drum which is rotatably mounted on the lever, and the handle may be biased to provide a return force when rotationally displaced from the rest position. The handle may be biased by a resilient member, one part of which rotates in sympathy with the handle and another part of which is anchored to the lever.

The lever may be biased to provide a return force when pivotally displaced from a rest position. For example, the handle may biased by a resilient member, one part of which rotates in sympathy with the handle and another part of which is anchored to the lever.

The handle position along the lever relative to the support member may be variable in dependence upon pivotal displacement of the lever.

Variation of the handle position along the lever relative to the support member may be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment the handle may be moveable along the lever. In another embodiment, the lever may be axially moveable relative to the support. In yet another embodiment, the lever may be telescopic. Alternatively, a combination of one ore more of these embodiments may be used.

In the case of the first mentioned embodiment of the second aspect, the handle may have a first coupling part and the lever may have a second coupling part, the parts being configured to provide linear movement of one part relative to the other when coupled together. One part may define a linear track and the other part may define a carriage moveable along the linear track. The handle may comprise a pair of first coupling parts and the lever may comprise a pair of second coupling parts, with each pair being diametrically opposed to provide extra stability.

In the case of the second mentioned embodiment, the lever, sensor and handle may form a unit which moves along the axis of the lever relative to the support member.

In either aspect of the present invention, the support member may be configured for attachment to or engagement by a length of a user's forearm between wrist and elbow. For example, the support member may be configured for attachment to or engagement by an underside of the user's forearm. The support member may comprise at least two straps in two spaced locations for attaching the

support member to an underside of the user's forearm. One of the at least two straps may be positioned along the elongate member adjacent the end of the elongate member furthest from the handle such that the elongate support system is attachable nearer the user's elbow than wrist.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing a one-handed joystick controller embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the one-handed joystick controller of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the one-handed joystick controller of Figure 1 in a first position; Figure 4 shows the one-handed joystick controller of Figure 1 in a second position; Figure 5 is a detailed exploded view of a part of the one-handed joystick controller of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a schematic side view of another one- handed joystick controller embodying the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a one-handed joystick controller 10 comprising a support member 50 for supporting a length of a user's forearm between wrist and elbow, and a lever 20 pivotally coupled to the support member 50. A handle 15 is coupled to the lever 20 via a sliding coupling 30 mounted on a drum 35 (see below). In use, pivotal displacement of the lever 20 caused by a user moving the handle 15 relative to the support member 50 is sensed by a first sensor (not

shown) of a type known in art.

As the lever 20 is pivotally displaced"up"and"down" in a notional vertical plane, the sliding coupling 30 allows the handle 15 to move"forwards"and"backwards" along the lever. In this way, the user may maintain a comfortable grip on the handle 15, even when the lever is fully pivoted"up"or"down" (e. g. by up to 45° from horizontal, or even up to 65° from horizontal). The lever 20 is pivotally biased to restore a central position in line with the support member 50 by means of a spring 55 which becomes compressed when the lever 20 is pivotally displaced.

The drum 35 is rotatably mounted on the lever 20. In this way, the handle 15 may rotate about the lever 20 to provide an additional axis of movement for the joystick.

The lever 20 comprises a D-shaped shaft 22 upon which a second sensor (not shown) is rigidly mounted. Rotation of the drum 35 relative to the D-shaped shaft 22 is sensed by the second sensor. The drum 35 is rotatably biased to restore a central position with the handle upright by means of a spring arrangement (see Figure 5).

The elongate support member may include straps (not shown) for attaching the elongate support member to an underside of the user's forearm. The support member also comprises extendable supports 51 which may be extended or retracted to suit the user's arm length. The joystick further includes a trigger 40, and may include additional controls such as additional triggers or a thumb-controlled

miniature joystick of the type known in the art (not shown).

Figure 2 shows two axes of joystick movement (X and Y) and the direction of rotation Z. In addition, axial movement of the handle 15 (i. e. along a third axis perpendicular to the page) is permitted by the sliding coupling 30. The sliding coupling 30 comprises interengaging first and second coupling parts 32 and 34 which permit only axial movement of the handle 15 relative to the lever 20. Bearings (not shown) may be incorporated to allow smooth movement of the parts. The first and second coupling parts 32 and 34 may further comprise end blocks to stop one part slidably disengaging the other part.

Figure 3 shows the handle 15 and the lever 20 in a first (horizontal) position with the spring 55 uncompressed. Figure 4 shows the handle 15 and the lever 20 in a second position, with the joystick pivoted "upwards"towards the user's upper forearm. In Figure 4 the displacement of the lever 20 causes the spring 55 to compress. To maintain the handle 15 in a comfortable position in the user's hand, the handle moves axially along the lever 20, away from the support member 50, to compensate for the displacement of the lever 20.

Accordingly, distance L2 is longer than L1. In use, the handle 15 moves axially away from the support member 50 when the lever is pivoted upwards, and moves axially towards the support member 50 when the lever is pivoted

downwards. The handle 15 may also move axially when the lever is pivoted laterally (i. e. along the X axis).

As can be seen in Figure 5, the drum 35 (and second coupling part 34) are rotatably mounted on the D-shaped shaft 22 by means of a first bearing 36. The drum 35 houses an anchoring member 58 which is rigidly coupled to the D-shaped shaft 22. The anchoring member 58 comprises front and rear faces 60 and 65, with the front face 60 including brushes 62 which are positioned in electrical contact with a rotating potentiometer 70 of a type known in the art to form the second sensor. Rotating potentiometer 70 is mounted in a rotatable end-cap 75 which rotates with the drum 35. Alternatively, brushes 62'may be used with a second rotating potentiometer (not shown) formed on an inner surface of the drum 35. The rotatable end-cap is mounted on the D-shaped shaft 52 by means of a second bearing 76. The rear face 65 of the anchor includes a spring arrangement 80 comprising limbs 69, capped by a washer 82, which biases the handle 15 in its upright position. A pair of pins 68 disposed on an inner face 85 of the drum 35 engage limbs 69 which, as displaced during rotation of the drum, provide a return force. A pair of pins 66, mounted in angularly spaced apertures 67 which are radially offset from pins 68, act as stops to limit angular rotation of the limbs 69 and the rotation of the drum 35.

The amount of drum rotation allowable may be readily altered by moving the pins 66 to different apertures 67.

Figure 6 shows a one-handed joystick controller 10'

comprising a handle 15'coupled to the lever 20'via a sliding drum 35'mounted on a rod 90. A stopper 92 prevents the sliding drum 35'from disengaging the rod 90.

In use, pivotal displacement of the lever 20'caused by a user moving the handle 15'is sensed by a first sensor (not shown) of a type known in art. As the lever 20'is pivotally displaced"up"and"down"in a notional vertical plane, the sliding drum 35'allows the handle 15'to move "forwards"and"backwards"along the lever. The drum 35' is additionally rotatably mounted on the rod 90. In this way, the handle 15'may rotate about the lever 20'to provide an additional axis of movement for the joystick. A flexible shroud 95, held in place by a c-shaped clip 98, conceals one end of the lever 20'.