Navigation controllers for a vehicle including watercraft

Abstract

A navigation controller for a vehicle comprises a grip member configured and dimensioned to be grabbed by a hand of a user. A mount is provided for mounting the grip member to a steering wheel of the vehicle. The grip member is mounted to be engagable by the hand of the user for rotating the steering wheel by the user to steer the vehicle. The control switches generating control output signals for controlling at least the speed of the vehicle. A control plate supports the control switches and is disposed near to the grip member and positioned, configured and dimensioned relative to the grip member to enable a thumb or finger of the user to engage with one or more of the control switches while the hand remains engaged with the grip member. The hand remains engaged with the grip member so that the steering of the vehicle is controlled by rotating the steering wheel through movement of the grip member by the user while simultaneous activation of the control switches by the thumb or finger of hand of the user remains available. A tactile location indicator may be disposed on the control plate to provide easy and rapid location indication by haptic feedback.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a U.S. Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. Utility Patent Application Ser. No. 14 / 690,385, filed on Apr. 18, 2015, entitled AN INTEGRATED GRAB BAR AND NAVIGATION CONTROLLER, which is a US Utility Patent Application of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 981747, filed Apr. 19, 2014, entitled AN INTEGRATED GRAB BAR AND NAVIGATION CONTROLLER, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to a navigation controller for a moving vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated grab bar and navigation controller for a moving vehicle such as a watercraft. Additionally, the present invention relates to a steering wheel mounted navigation controller for a moving vehicle such as a watercraft.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention disclosed below. The des...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a navigation controller for watercraft that includes a grip member and control head that maintains a stable relationship between the user's thumb and the primary control switches, even during rough sea conditions. The grip member and control head act as a grab bar for the user, allowing for easy and steady navigation control while resisting unwanted movement of the user's body. The controller includes force transfer members that transfer the applied force to the floor, transom, engine mount, armrest, or other structure member of the watercraft. Control switches are supported on a control plate that is positioned near the grip member, allowing the user's thumb or finger to engage with the switches while still maintaining a steady grip on the grip member. The navigation controller provides convenient and reliable navigation control even in challenging sea conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional joysticks, especially those used for controlling boats on the water, are typically not weatherproof even though they are inherently exposed to high humidity, corrosive and wet environments.

In particularly, because a typical navigation joystick must pivot in order to perform its intended function, it is not possible to utilize the same hand used to control the navigation of the watercraft and to use the joystick as an effective grab bar to steady the user against movement caused by an applied force, such as that resulting from a wave or motion of the watercraft.

Inherent in the use of a watercraft is bumping and jostling of the user's body during navigation control of the watercraft.

A conventional joystick requires the stick to be pivoted during use, so it is not effective as a grab bar.

Likewise, a grab bar is not effective for use as a conventional pivoting joystick.

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