Gyral-linear actuator for encoder

Abstract

A gyral-linear actuator for an encoder comprises an actuator housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a hollow. A control member extends from the first end of the actuator housing. A spring is positioned within the hollow of the actuator housing. Moreover, a coupler has an encoder connector and an extension that couples the control member to the encoder connector. Under this configuration, when the encoder connector is coupled to a rotary shaft of the encoder, rotation of the control member causes corresponding rotation of the encoder connector so as to turn the rotary shaft of the encoder, and depression of the control member causes corresponding depression of the rotary shaft of the encoder operating a switch function of the rotary encoder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gyral-linear actuator for an encoder, comprising:
 an actuator housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a hollow;   a control member extending from the first end of the actuator housing;   a spring within the hollow of the actuator housing; and   a coupler having:
 an encoder connector and an extension that extends into the hollow of the actuator housing through the second end and couples the control member to the encoder connector; 
   wherein, when the encoder connector is coupled to a rotary shaft of the encoder:
 rotation of the control member causes corresponding rotation of the encoder connector so as to turn the rotary shaft of the encoder; 
 depression of the control member causes corresponding depression of the encoder connector, and hence the rotary shaft of the encoder operating a switch function of the rotary encoder; and 
 rotation of the control member to cause corresponding rotation of the rotary shaft of the encoder is independent of depression of the control member to operate the switch function of the encoder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the actuator housing cooperates with an associated equipment housing containing the rotary encoder to distribute at least some of the force applied to the gyral-linear actuator to the equipment housing when a user depresses the control member by foot when operating the switch function of the rotary encoder.   
     
     
         3 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the actuator housing further comprises a generally cylindrical body between the first end and the second end;   the body comprises a male threaded portion on an outside periphery; and   the control member comprises a neck axially received by the body of the actuator housing and a head positioned on a first end of the neck.   
     
     
         4 . The gyral-linear of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the control member includes an inside surface having a receiver that receives a distal end of the extension.   
     
     
         5 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the receiver comprises a socket.   
     
     
         6 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the socket comprises a milled cross pattern.   
     
     
         7 . The gyral-linear of  claim 1  further comprising a cap that seats over the first spring, the cap having an aperture therethrough;
 wherein the encoder connector of the coupler is positioned outside of the cap and the extension passes through the aperture of the cap. 
 
     
     
         8 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the actuator housing further comprises a generally cylindrical body between the first end and the second end;   the body comprises a male threaded portion on an outside periphery; and   the cap includes a female threaded portion that threads onto the male threaded portion of the body of the actuator housing.   
     
     
         9 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the extension of the coupler comprises:
 a primary shaft that connects to the control member; and 
 a secondary shaft axially coupled to the primary shaft for relative axial movement therebetween; 
 wherein: 
 the encoder connector is connected to the secondary shaft. 
   
     
     
         10 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the primary shaft has a hollow therein;   the secondary shaft is axially received in the hollow of the primary shaft;   the primary shaft has a male plug end that seats into a corresponding receptacle of the control member; and   the primary shaft and the secondary shaft have corresponding non-circular cross sections where the secondary shaft is axially received in the hollow of the primary shaft;   wherein, when the encoder connector is coupled to a rotary shaft of the encoder:
 rotation of the control member causes corresponding rotation of the encoder connector so as to turn the rotary shaft of the encoder; and 
 depression of the control member causes corresponding depression of the rotary shaft of the encoder operating a switch function of the rotary encoder. 
   
     
     
         11 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a secondary spring positioned in the hollow of the primary shaft adjacent to the secondary shaft. 
 
     
     
         12 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the primary shaft has a hollow therein;   the primary shaft has at least one key slot on an inside surface adjacent the hollow; and   the secondary shaft has at least one key that mates with a corresponding key slot of the primary shaft when the secondary shaft is axially received in the hollow of the primary shaft.   
     
     
         13 . A gyral-linear actuator for an encoder, comprising:
 an actuator housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a hollow;   a control member extending from the first end of the actuator housing;   a spring within the hollow of the actuator housing;   a cap that couples to the actuator housing so that the spring seats between the cap and the control member, the cap having an aperture therethrough; and   a coupler having:
 an encoder connector positioned outside of the cap; 
 an extension that passes through the aperture of the cap, extends into the hollow of the actuator housing through the second end, and couples the control member to the encoder connector; and 
   wherein, when the encoder connector is coupled to a rotary shaft of the encoder:
 rotation of the control member causes corresponding rotation of the encoder connector so as to turn the rotary shaft of the encoder; and 
 depression of the control member causes corresponding depression of the encoder connector, and hence the rotary shaft of the encoder operating a switch function of the rotary encoder. 
   
     
     
         14 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the actuator housing further comprises a generally cylindrical body between the first end and the second end;   the body comprises a male threaded portion on an outside periphery; and   the cap and actuator housing cooperate with an associated equipment housing containing the rotary encoder to distribute at least some of the force applied to the gyral-linear actuator to the equipment housing when a user depresses the control member by foot when operating the switch function of the rotary encoder.   
     
     
         15 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the control member comprises a neck axially received by the body of the actuator housing; and   a head positioned on a first end of the neck.   
     
     
         16 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the control member includes an inside surface having a receiver that receives a distal end of the extension; and   the receiver comprises a receptacle.   
     
     
         17 . A gyral-linear actuator for an encoder, comprising:
 an actuator housing having:
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite the first end; 
 a body between the first end and the second end; and 
 a hollow that extends into the body from the second end thereof; 
   a control member extending from the first end of the actuator housing, the control member rotatable within the actuator housing and capable of axial movement within the body;   a first spring within the hollow of the actuator housing;   a primary shaft within the first spring and within the hollow that couples to the control member;   a cap that couples to the actuator housing so that the spring seats between the cap and the control member, the cap having an aperture therethrough; and   a shaft coupler having:
 a secondary shaft that passes through the aperture of the cap and engages the primary shaft; and 
 an encoder connector at a distal end of the secondary shaft; 
   wherein, when the gyral-linear actuator is connected to an encoder;
 the encoder connector couples to a rotary shaft of the encoder; 
 rotation of the control member causes corresponding rotation of the shaft; 
 rotation of the shaft causes corresponding rotation of the encoder connector so as to turn the rotary shaft of the encoder; and 
 depression of the control member causes corresponding depression of the depression of the control member causes corresponding depression of the encoder connector, and hence the rotary shaft of the encoder operating a switch function of the rotary encoder. 
   
     
     
         18 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the body comprises a male threaded portion on an outside periphery thereof.   
     
     
         19 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the cap comprises a cylindrical, knurled cap.   
     
     
         20 . The gyral-linear actuator of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the aperture in the cap is axially aligned with the body of the actuator housing.