Joystick handle sock

Abstract

 A joystick handle cover for removable attachment to a joystick handle of a work vehicle, the joystick handle cover comprising: a cover body configured to surround the joystick handle, the cover body having a crown and a skirt extending from the crown; and an at least one opening to receive the joystick handle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a control system for controlling a work implement on a work vehicle, and more particularly to a joystick controls system which provides an control interface of a work implement for the vehicle operator.

Background

[0002] Wok vehicles may generally have at least one work implement. The work implement may have a variety of operations. Some work vehicles may be mobile machines (such as loaders and motor-graders). In these vehicle, the work implement may be used when the machine is traveling. In some the work implement may be used when the vehicle is static, such as excavators and cranes. The work implements may be operated manually. The operator may control at least the main functions of the machine through the use of joystick controllers.

[0003] The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of the prior art system.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure describes a joystick handle cover for removable attachment to a joystick handle of a work vehicle, the joystick handle cover comprising: a cover body configured to surround the joystick handle, the cover body having a crown and a skirt extending from the crown; and an at least one opening to receive the joystick handle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a joystick handle cover and a joystick handle according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the joystick handle cover of Fig. 1 positioned on the joystick handle; and

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a joystick handle cover positioned on a joystick handle according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0006] This disclosure generally relates to a joystick handle cover 10 for removable attachment onto a joystick handle 11.

[0007] The joystick handle cover 10 may be modified according to a shape and dimension of the joystick handle 11.

[0008] With reference Fig. 1, the joystick handle cover 10 may comprise a cover body 12. Cover body 12 may be formed of a suitable material. Cover body 12 may be deformable. The deformable cover body 12 may enable the joystick handle cover 10 to be attached to the joystick handle 11 in a manner such that joystick handle cover 10 may easily slide onto the joystick handle 11. The joystick handle cover 10 may not easily slide off of the joystick handle 11.

[0009] Cover body 12 may be formed of a suitable material. In an embodiment cover body 12 may be formed of a tactile rubber. In an embodiment, cover body 12 may be formed of an elastomer. In an embodiment, cover body 12 may be formed of a thermoplastic. The thermoplastic is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0010] In an embodiment, the joystick handle 11 may have a lower portion having a first diameter and an upper portion having a second diameter. First diameter of the lower portion may be smaller than second diameter of the top portion. Cover body 12 may comprise a crown 14 for engaging and covering the upper portion of the joystick handle 11. In an embodiment, crown 14 may be formed from a first material.

[0011] Cover body 12 may comprise a skirt 16 extending from the crown 14 for engaging and covering the lower portion of the joystick handle 11. The opposite end of the skirt 16 may be a free end 22. In an embodiment, the skirt 16 may be tubular. In an embodiment, the skirt 16 may comprise a plurality of sides mutually connected along respective edges.

[0012] Joystick handle cover 10 may comprise an opening 18. The free end 22 may define the opening 18. The opening 18 may be formed opposite the crown 14. The opening 18 may receive the joystick handle 11. Joystick handle cover 10 may be slid onto the joystick handle 11 for attachment thereto.

[0013] In an embodiment, the joystick handle cover 10 may further comprise a second opening 20. Second opening 20 may be formed as a slit on the skirt 16. The second opening 20 may extend to the opening 18.

[0014] In an embodiment, second opening 20 may extend from the crown 14 to the opening 18. A closing device may be provided to close the second opening. The closing device may be for example Velcro.

[0015] In an embodiment, the joystick handle cover 10 may further comprise an aperture 24 for access to a control panel 13 on the joystick handle 11. The aperture 24 may be located on the skirt 16. The aperture 24 may have a size that corresponds to the size of the control panel 13. The aperture 24 may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the control panel 13.

[0016] In an embodiment, crown 14 may be formed from a first material and skirt 16 may be formed from a second material. Crown 14 may have a different Shore hardness index from the skirt 16.

[0017] The joystick handle cover 10 may have a portion onto which a branding logo may be printed.

[0018] In an embodiment, the crown 14 and/ or the skirt 16 may comprises at least a portion that is transparent. An branding logo provided on the joystick handle 11 may be seen through crown 14 and/ or the skirt 16 when joystick handle cover 10 is attached to the joystick handle 11. The branding logo may include a image or a design.

[0019] The cover body 12 may include a slip resistant portion there. The slip resistant portion may be provided on the crown 14 and/ or the skirt 16. The crown 14 and/ or the skirt 16 may have a surface onto which the operator comes into contact. The surface may include a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. The protrusions may be situated in an array or pattern formed on the surface of the crown 14 and/ or the skirt 16. The array of protrusions may provide a slip resistant surface for engagement by a finger or thumb of an operator using joystick handle 11 having the joystick handle cover 10 attached thereto. The protrusions may include a variety of patterns and placement of the protrusions in predetermined locations on the surface the crown 14 and/ or the skirt 16.

[0020] The skilled person would appreciate that foregoing embodiments may be modified or combined to obtain the joystick handle cover 10 of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0021] This disclosure describes a joystick handle cover 10. The joystick handle cover 10 may be removably attached to the joystick handle 11. The joystick handle cover 10 The joystick handle cover 10 may be facilitate easier cleaning. A variety of joystick handle covers 10 may be available each having a different texture. The joystick handle cover 10 may be printed thereon for display of branding logos.

[0022] Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein.

[0023] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by references signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the technical features as described above or on the scope of any claim elements.

[0024] One skilled in the art will realise the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the disclosure or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the disclosure described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A joystick handle cover (10) for removable attachment to a joystick handle (11) of a work vehicle, the joystick handle cover (10) comprising:

a cover body (12) configured to surround the joystick handle (11), the cover body having a crown (14) and a skirt (16) extending from the crown (12); and

an at least one opening (18) to receive the joystick handle (11).

2. The joystick handle cover (10) of claim 1 wherein the opening (18) is formed opposite the crown (14) and defined by a free end (22) of the skirt (16).

3. The joystick handle cover (10) of claim 2 further comprising a second opening (20) formed as a slit on the skirt, the second opening (20) extending to the opening (18).

4. The joystick handle cover (10) of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover body (12) is deformable.

5. The joystick handle cover (10) of any one of the preceding claims wherein the skirt (6) is tubular.

6. The joystick handle cover (10) of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover body is formed of tactile rubber.

7. The joystick handle cover (10) of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 is formed of an elastomer.

8. The joystick handle cover (10) of any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 is formed of a thermoplastic.

9. The joystick handle cover (10) of claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

10. The joystick handle cover (10) of any one of the preceding claims further comprising an aperture (24) for providing access to a control panel (13) on the joystick handle (11).

Drawing