Ihe present invention relates to a manoeuvring device of the kind which functions to produce at least two different signals and which includes a housing in which there is moveably mounted a lever means which functions to activate signal-producing devices.

Manoeuvring devices of essentially this kind are known to the art. Ihe signal-producing devices may comprise, for example, potentiometers and/or _rdcroswit__n.es and normally function to produce three different types of signal, namely:

A proportional output signal

A proportional output signal and on-off output signals - Qn-off output signals

Knσwn constructions are encumbered with the following, serious problems and limitations, among others:

- In the case of on-off signals, it is necessary to draw separate conductors to outer switches and therewith to a panel, lever knob or the like.

Lateral irovement of the lever is normally quite considerable, therewith limiting the closeness with which the levers can be mounted.

Costs are often high and the devices included are often bulky.

- Ihe possibility of introducing essential additional functions in practice, such as limit position solutions for instance, are normally very limited:

The present invention relates to a manoeuvring device which is not encumbered with the aforesaid limitations and problems.

Ihus, the invention relates to a manoeuvring device which f nctions to produce at least two separate signals and which includes a housing

in vΛiidh a lever part is moveably mounted for the activation of signal- producing devices by means of a manoevring part connected to a handle part.

Ihe manoeuvring device is mainly aracterized in that the manoevring part is mounted for limited irσtation about a first axis for movement between a first and a second signal position for activation of a sigral-producing device in respective signal positions, and for limited rotational movement about at least one second axis extending substantially transversely to the first axis between a third and a fourth signal position for activation of a signal-producing device in respective signal positions.

Ihe invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the a____mιpanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a first exemplifying eaπ odiment of an inventive device seen in the direction of one of the rotation axes of the manoevring part of the device;

Figure 2 illustrates the device shewn in Figure 1 with the manoevring part in one signal position;

Figure 3 illustrates the device shewn in Figure 1 seen from the right in said Figure;

Figure 4 illustrates the device shown in Figure 3 with the manoevring part in one signal position;

- Figure 5 illustrates schematically a second exemplifying embodi¬ ment of the inventive device, seen in the same view as that shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a third exemplifying eriibcdimeπt of an inventive device seen in the same view as that in Figure 3.

Figure 1 illustrates a manoevring device 1, which includes a housing 2 in which a lever 3 is moveably mounted for activation of

signal-producing devices described herebelσw, by means of a manoevring part 5 connected to a handle part 4.

Ihe manoevring part 5 is mounted for limited rotation about a first axis 6, between a first and a second signal position, of which one is shown in Figure 2, for activation of a signal-producing device 7, 8 in respective signal positions. In the case of the illustrated embodi¬ ment, the housing 2 includes a spine part 9, which is disposed sub¬ stantially transversely to said first rotational axis 6, and two end- wall parts 10 which are arranged on opposite sides of said first axis and which are preferably substantially parallel with one another and substantially perpendicular to said spine part, said manoevring part 5 being surrounded by the end-wall parts 10 and the spine part 9. The manoevring part 5 is also mounted for limited rotation about at least one second axis 11 which extends substantially transversely to the first axis for movement between a third and a fourth signal position, of which one is shown in Figure 4, for activation of a signal-producing device 12, 13 in respective signal positions.

In the case of the Figure 6 emb_diment, the manoevring part 5 functions to activate a fifth signal-producing device 14 upon rotation about said first axis 6, so as to produce a signal which is proportional to the rotary movement of said manoevring part 6.

Ihe aforesaid first, second, third and fourth signal-producing devices are microswitches, while the fifth device 14 is a potentiometer.

The reference 15 identifies a shaft mounted in the housing, this shaft forming the first rotational axis 6. Ihe manoevring part 5 is rotatably jσurnalled on the shaft by means of bearings 16, whereby the manoevring part 5 can be rotated about the second rotational axis 11 extending transversely to the first rotational axis irrespective of the rotational position relative to said first rotational axis.

Aα_x__ding to one preferred embcdiment, rotation of the manoevring part about said second rotational axis 11 from a neutral position is effected against a spring force which strives to return the manoevring part 5 and, when appropriate, the first rotational axis to its neutral

position. Ihe shaft 15 will therewith be displaced axially against the force of a spring 18, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6. Conceivably, the shaft 15 can be fixed and the spring mounted in connection with the pivot bearing 16, which is axially displaceable in this case.

Correspondingly, rotation of the manoevring part 5 about said first rotational axis is intended to occur against a spring farce which strives to return the manoevring part to its neutral position, said spring force preferably being exerted by at least one, preferably two spring-loaded balls 19 mounted in the housing and acting against the manoevring part 5.

Ihe aforesaid first, second, third and fourth devices are, as en- tioned, preferably microswitches, and then preferably microswitches which can be snapped securely into position in the housing.

In the case of the Figure 6 embodiment, the manoevring part 5 includes a recess 20 -d-ich coacts with the lever arm 21 of the pσtentiαmster for si _Ltaneαus rotation of the manoevring part 5 and said poten¬ tiometer.

According to one preferred embodiment, the manoevring part includes two mutually opposing side-parts 5* , 5", where at least one part 22 of each side part is intended for activation of said first and said second signal-producing devices respectively. The side parts are preferably arranged far coaction with said spring-loaded balls so as to provide one or more stable rest positions. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each side part 5 includes a central ∞ncavity 23 corresponding to the neutral position and a concavity 24 on each side of the central concavity 23, where bordering convex instability-parts 25 are located in adjacent said concavities 23, 24, therewith defining three fixed positions.

Figure 5 illustrates a variant having only one fixed position, the neutral position, wherein a central ditch 26 is provided on each side 5' 5".

The manner in which the inventive device operates will be understood in all essentials from the aforegoing. Thus, the centrally arranged manoevring part 5 is rotatable about two mutually transverse axes and functions to activate two pairs of mutually independent signal- producing devices. By rotating the manoevring part selectively around the first axis, it is possible to achieve for example a forward- backwards control by alternate activation of said first and said second devices, switches. By optional simultaneous rotation around the second axis, it is possible to achieve, for example, a right-left control, wherein both devices, switches, are held depressed, activated, in the neutral position and are released alternately upon rotation of the manoevring part.

It will be evident from the aforegoing that the invention offers a solution to the aforementioned problems, wherein at least four on- off-functions, and also a proportional function, can be readily obtained and at relatively lew costs.

Althαugh the invention has been described with reference to exem- plifying embodiments thereof, it will be understood that other embodi¬ ments and minor modifications are conceivable wi hin the scope of the inventive concept.

For example, more signal-producing devices than those described can be provided. For example it is conceivable to activate two devices in each signal position acx_»rding to Figure 2.

Ihe invention shall not therefore be considered to be restricted to the aforedescribed embodiments, since modifications can be made within the scope of the following Claims.