Sequential shifter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12528010-B2
Application number	US-202318497542-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 30, 2023
Priority date	Oct 30, 2023
Publication date	Jan 20, 2026
Grant date	Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

Dual-function input devices for a computing device may include a housing and an actuator disposed within the housing. The actuator may be pivotable relative to the housing in a first direction and a second direction. The actuator may include a first connector and a second connector. The input devices may include an input lever that is coupleable with the actuator via one of the first connector and the second connector. The actuator may be configurable between a first mode by coupling the input lever with the first connector and a second mode by coupling the input lever with the second connector. In the first mode the input lever and the actuator may be pivotable in the first direction by a first distance. In the second mode the input lever and the actuator may be pivotable in the first direction by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A dual-function input device for a computing device, comprising:
a housing; an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator being pivotable relative to the housing in a first direction and a second direction, the actuator comprising a first connector and a second connector; an input lever that is coupleable with the actuator via one of the first connector and the second connector, wherein:
the actuator is configurable between a first mode by coupling the input lever with the first connector and a second mode by coupling the input lever with the second connector;
in the first mode the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the first direction by a first distance; and
in the second mode the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the first direction by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

2 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 1 , wherein:
the actuator is configurable between the first mode and the second mode without use of tools.

3 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 1 , wherein:
in the first mode, the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the second direction.

4 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 1 , wherein:
in the first mode, the actuator is biased to return to a neutral position when no external forces are applied to the input lever in the first direction or the second direction.

5 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 1 , wherein:
in the second mode, the actuator is biased toward the second direction by a spring; and a spring force of the spring is variable such that the spring force increases as a displacement of the actuator in the first direction increases.

6 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 1 , wherein:
in the first mode the actuator operates as a sequential shifter and in the second mode the actuator operates as a handbrake.

7 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a detent mechanism that is engaged when the actuator is in the first mode and that is disengaged when the actuator is in the second mode.

8 . A dual-function input device for a computing device, comprising:
a housing; an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator being pivotable relative to the housing in a first direction and a second direction, the actuator comprising a first threaded receptacle and a second threaded receptacle; an input lever that is coupleable with the actuator via one of the first threaded receptacle and the second threaded receptacle, wherein:
the actuator is configurable between a first mode by engaging the input lever with the first threaded receptacle and a second mode by engaging the input lever with the second threaded receptacle;
in the first mode the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the first direction by a first distance; and
in the second mode the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the first direction by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

9 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 8 , further comprising:
a detent mechanism that is engaged when the actuator is in the first mode.

10 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 9 , wherein:
the detent mechanism comprises:
a spring-loaded ball; and
a detent block that defines a recess that is engageable with the spring-loaded ball.

11 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 10 , wherein:
the detent block is translatable relative to the housing such that insertion of the input lever into the first threaded receptacle forces the recess into engagement with the spring-loaded ball.

12 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 8 , further comprising:
at least one spring that biases the actuator to return to a neutral position when no external forces are applied to the input lever in the first direction or the second direction when in the first mode.

13 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 12 , wherein:
the at least one spring comprises a first spring and a second spring; and a spring force of the first spring and a spring force of the second spring are substantially equal.

14 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 12 , further comprising:
an additional spring that biases the actuator toward the second direction when in the second mode.

15 . A dual-function input device for a computing device, comprising:
a housing, a top surface of the housing defining a slot; an actuator disposed within the housing, the actuator being pivotable relative to the housing in a first direction and a second direction, the actuator comprising a first threaded receptacle and a second threaded receptacle; an input lever that is coupleable with the actuator via one of the first threaded receptacle and the second threaded receptacle, wherein:
the first threaded receptacle and the second threaded receptacle are aligned along a length of the slot;
the actuator is configurable between a first mode by engaging the input lever with the first threaded receptacle and a second mode by engaging the input lever with the second threaded receptacle;
in the first mode the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the first direction by a first distance;
in the second mode the input lever and the actuator are pivotable in the first direction by a second distance that is greater than the first distance; and
when the input lever is engaged with the first threaded receptacle or the second threaded receptacle, a portion of the input lever extends through the slot.

16 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 15 , wherein:
in the first mode a maximum displacement of the actuator in each the first direction and the second direction is substantially equal.

17 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 15 , wherein:
in the second mode, the actuator is biased toward the second direction by a spring; and a magnitude of a spring force of the spring is adjustable.

18 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a knob coupled with the housing, wherein rotation of the knob causes a corresponding adjustment to the magnitude of the spring force.

19 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 15 , wherein:
in the first mode a maximum displacement of the actuator in each the first direction and the second direction is between 5 and 20 degrees.

20 . The dual-function input device for a computing device of claim 15 , wherein:
in the second mode a maximum displacement of the actuator in the first direction is between 10 and 30 degrees.

Assignees

• Logitech Europe Sa

Inventors

• Maher David
• Kelly Andrew
• Baumgartner Simon
• Chiu Cheng Hao
• Merminod Baptiste

Classifications

• A63F13/245 Primary

  specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels · CPC title