Input assembly for a controller

Abstract

Input assembly (100) for a controller with a base (110) and a cap (120. The base includes a cap-receiving portion (111) and a switch-coupling portion (112). The switch-coupling portion may be couplable to a switch module (102) of the controller. The cap may include a connecting portion (121) removably connected with the cap-receiving portion of the base along a connection axis. The input assembly may further include a movable member (130) disposed at the cap-receiving portion of the base and displaceable relative to the base between an extended position and a retracted position along a displacement axis that is non-parallel to the connection axis.

Description

INPUT ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTROLLERTechnical Field

[0001] Various embodiments relate to an input assembly for a controller. Particularly, various embodiments relate to an input assembly (e.g. a gaming controller button, a joystick, a thumbstick, etc.) for a gaming controller.Background

[0002] In the gaming controller market, there is an increasing demand for joystick caps that are customizable and swappable. Currently, gaming controllers with interchangeable joystick caps often utilize magnets for this functionality, requiring the inclusion of ferromagnetic metal elements in the caps. The integration of metal not only adds a premium feel to the controller, but also enhances the overall tactile experience.

[0003] However, the cost associated with incorporating metal into gaming controllers is relatively high. Moreover, the use of magnetic elements, such as magnets, may impose limitations on the type of sensors or switches suitable for the gaming controller. For example, magnets used for the swappable cap feature may interfere with readings from a hall effect sensor within the controller.

[0004] Recognizing the aforementioned limitations, there may be a need for an improved mechanism to provide gaming controllers with interchangeable cap functionality.Summary

[0005] According to various embodiments, there may be provided an input assembly for a controller. The input assembly may include a base and a cap. The base may include a cap-receiving portion and a switch-coupling portion. The switch-coupling portion may be couplable to a switch module of the controller. The cap may include a connecting portion removably connected with the cap-receiving portion of the base along a connection axis. The input assembly may further include a movable member disposed at the cap-receiving portion of the base and displaceable relative to the basebetween an extended position and a retracted position along a displacement axis that is non-parallel to the connection axis. In the extended position, the movable member may engage an cngagcablc clement of the cap to secure the cap to the base. In the retracted position, the movable member may disengage from the engageable element of the cap such that the cap is separable from the base.Brief description of the drawings

[0006] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same pails throughout the different views. The drawings arc not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings:FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram depicting an input assembly, with a cap of the input assembly disconnected from a base of the input assembly, according to various embodiments;FIG. IB is a schematic diagram depicting the input assembly of FIG. 1A, with the cap being partially connected with the base, according to various embodiments;FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram depicting the input assembly of FIG. 1A, with the cap being fully connected with the base, according to various embodiments;FIG. ID is a schematic diagram depicting the input assembly of FIG. 1A being maneuvered with respect to the switch module, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2A is a partial cut-away side view of a controller, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2B is a close-up side view of an input assembly coupled to a switch module of the controller of FIG. 2A, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a movable member holder of the input assembly of FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2D is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the input assembly of FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 2D, taken along line A-A, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2F is a perspective view of a base of the input assembly of FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2G is a top perspective view of the base of FIG. 2G, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2H(i) and FIG. 2H(ii) respectively show a side view and a bottom perspective view of a first variant cap for the input assembly of FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments;FIG. 2I(i) and FIG. 2I(ii) respectively show a side view and a bottom perspective view of a second variant cap for the input assembly of FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments; andFIG. 2J is a perspective view of the controller having a pair of the input member assemblies, and a pair of first variant caps of FIG. 2H and a pair of second variant caps of FIG. 21 alongside the controller, according to various embodiments.Detailed description

[0007] Embodiments described below in context of the apparatus arc analogously valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it will be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with a part of another embodiment.

[0008] It should be understood that the terms “on”, “over”, “top”, “bottom”, “down”, “side”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “lateral”, “up” etc., when used in the following description are used for convenience and to aid understanding of relative positions or directions, and not intended to limit the orientation of any device, or structure or any part of any device or structure. In addition, the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0009] Various embodiments generally relate to an input assembly which may provide gaming controllers with interchangeable cap functionality, without the need for magnets and / or magnetic elements such as metals.

[0010] The input assembly may include a base (c.g. a base component) which may be coupled or affixed to a switch of the controller. Further, the input assembly may include a cap (e.g. a cap component) which may serve as a cap or a top portion of aninput member (e.g. a button or a joystick), which may be manipulated by a user to operate the controller.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the cap of the input assembly may be configured to be removably connectable to the base of the input assembly.

[0012] To secure the cap to the base, for instance, without the need for magnets and / or magnetic elements, the input assembly may include a movable member (e.g. another component, distinct from the cap and base) which may be displaceable between two positions relative to the base and the cap when the base and the cap arc connected with each other. Specifically, in one position (e.g. an extended position) of the movable member, the movable member may engage the cap, for example, in a manner such that the movable member exerts a force (e.g. a retaining force) onto a surface (e.g. a side surface) of the cap and / or such that the movable member latches onto the surface (e.g. side surface) of the cap, thereby inhibiting the cap from moving or coming apart from the base. In another position (e.g. a retracted position) of the movable member, the movable member may be displaced away from the surface (e.g. side surface) of the cap or may be only lightly (e.g. gently) contacting the surface of the cap, in turn releasing the abovesaid retaining force and / or unlatching from the surface of the cap. Accordingly, with the movable member in this other (retracted) position, the cap may be easily removable or separable from the base.

[0013] [Placeholder for '‘Examples” corresponding to claim language]

[0014] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram depicting an input assembly 100, with a cap 120 of the input assembly 100 disconnected from a base 110 of the input assembly 100, according to various embodiments.

[0015] FIG. IB is a schematic diagram depicting the input assembly 100 of FIG. 1 A, with the cap 120 being partially connected with the base 110, according to various embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram depicting the input assembly 100 of FIG. 1 A, with the cap 120 being fully connected with the base 110, according to various embodiments.

[0017] According to various embodiments, there may be provided the input assembly 100. The input assembly 100, when fully assembled, may serve as a button, a thumbstick, an analog stick, etc., for a controller, such as a gaming controller. The controller may be configured to control or provide an input to an electronic device, suchas a gaming console or a computer that the controller may be paired or linked with. Specifically, the input assembly 100 may be coupled or connectable (e.g. removably connectable) to a switch module 102 (e.g. a switch, which may include a potentiometer, hall effect sensor, optical sensor, etc.) of the controller and, in this manner, the input assembly 100 may be maneuverable or movable (e.g. tilted or pressed inwards) relative to the switch module 102 to control, operate, and / or actuate the switch module 102, in turn, causing the controller to provide an input or control signal to the electronic device (e.g. gaming console or computer).

[0018] According to various embodiments, the input assembly 100 may include (or may be formed of) several discrete or individual components. In particular, with reference to FIG. 1A, the input assembly 100 may include, at least, a base 110 (e.g. a first component of the input assembly 100) and a cap 120 (e.g. a second component of the input assembly 100). As some examples, the cap 120 may be a cover or a cap for a button of the controller, a joystick cover or cap, a thumbstick cover or cap, etc. According to various embodiments, the base 110 and the cap 120 may be connectable (e.g. removably connectable) with or to each other. Accordingly, the input assembly 100 enables replacement of a damaged cap 120 or the interchanging of an existing cap 120 with another cap (e.g. of a different length, and / or of a different shape and / or size) depending on user preference.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments, the base 110 of the input assembly 100 may include a switch-coupling portion 112. As an example, shown in FIG. 1A, the switch-coupling portion 112 may be located at a bottom or a lower region of the base 110. Accordingly, the switch-coupling portion 112 of the base 110 may be coupled or connectable to an underlying switch module 102 (e.g. of a gaming controller, not shown). As some non-limiting examples, the switch-coupling portion 112 and the switch module 102 may be coupled or connectable to each other by a snap-fit connection, a snug-fit connection, a friction-fit connection, a sliding connection, threaded engagement, by employing an adhesive, or by any other suitable connection means.

[0020] Additionally, according to various embodiments, the base 110 of the input assembly 100 may include a cap-receiving portion 111. As an example, shown in FIG. 1A, the cap-receiving portion 111 may be located opposite the switch-coupling portion 112 of the base 110. Hence, the cap-receiving portion 111 may be at a top or an upperregion of the base 110. According to various embodiments, the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 may be configured to be removably connectable with a connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 of the input assembly 100, described later.

[0021] According to various embodiments, the entire base 1 10 of the input assembly 100 may be a single and / or monolithic structure or entity. That is, the entire base component 1 10 of the input assembly 100 may be an integral structure or may be integrally formed (e.g. free from any disparate or separable parts or portions). Accordingly, according to various embodiments, the switch-coupling portion 112 and the cap-receiving portion 111 may be integral portions of the base 110.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1A, according to various embodiments, the cap 120 of the input assembly 100 may include the connecting portion 121 configured to be removably connectable with the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110. According to various embodiments, the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may be at a bottom or a lower region of the cap 120. In particular, the cap 120 may include a head portion 123 (e.g. at a top or an upper region of the cap 120, for a user’s thumb or finger to directly engage), with the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 extending (e.g. downwardly) from the head portion 123 of the cap 120. As shown in FIG. 1 A, according to various embodiments, the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may be an elongate connecting portion 121 (e.g. resembling a shaft).

[0023] According to various embodiments, the entire cap 120 of the input assembly 100 may be a single and / or monolithic structure or entity. That is, the entire cap component 120 of the input assembly 100 may be an integral structure or may be integrally formed (e.g. free from any disparate or separable pails or portions). Accordingly, the head portion 123 and the connecting portion 121 may be integral portions of the cap 120. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, the head portion 123 and the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may be discrete parts or members of the cap 120 which may be coupled (e.g. fastened, threadedly engaged, etc.) in a manner until they are immovable relative to each other.

[0024] According to various embodiments, to removably connect the cap 120 of the input assembly 100 to the base 110, the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may be aligned with the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 along a connection axis 180 (e.g. a linear connection axis 180), as shown in FIG. 1A. According to various embodiments, the connection axis 180 may be, but is not limited to, a vertical (e.g. asubstantially vertical) reference axis, along which the connecting portion 121 of the cap120 and the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 may be moved toward each other to removably connect the cap 120 to the base 110. Accordingly, the connecting portion121 of the cap 120 and the cap-receiving portion 1 1 1 of the base 1 10 may be moved toward each other, along the connection axis 180, until they are fully (in other words, properly, entirely, or completely) connected with each other, as shown in FIG. 1C. As some non-limiting examples, the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 and the capreceiving portion 111 of the base 110 may be removably connected to each other by sliding them relative to each other, by inserting either one portion into the other portion, or by employing any other suitable means of removable connection.

[0025] According to various embodiments, the input assembly 100 may further include a movable member 130. According to various embodiments, the movable member 130 may be a third (or another) component of the input assembly 100, discrete or distinct from both the cap 120 and the base 110 of the input assembly 100. According to various embodiments, the movable member 130 may be disposed at the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 and may be displaceable or movable, linearly (e.g. substantially linearly), along a displacement axis 182, relative to the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110. As an illustration, shown in FIG. 1A, the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 may include a guide element 111b (e.g. a linear or substantially linear channel, passage, passageway, elongate bore, or track, etc.) (illustrated only in FIG. 1A) configured to accommodate and / or guide the movable member 130 along the linear displacement axis 182. According to various embodiments, the displacement axis 182 may be non -parallel to the connection axis 180. Thus, as some examples, the displacement axis 182 may be at an acute or an obtuse angle relative to the connection axis 180 (e.g. with a free end or tip of the movable member 130, along the displacement axis 182, facing diagonally downwards or diagonally upwards), or the displacement axis 182 may be perpendicular (e.g. substantially perpendicular) with respect to the connection axis 180.

[0026] According to various embodiments, the movable member 130 may be displaceable or movable, along the displacement axis 182, between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 1A) and a retracted position (as shown in FIG. IB).

[0027] FIG. 1A shows the movable member 130 in its extended position relative to the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110, while the cap 120 is apart from the base110. As shown in FIG. 1 A, when the movable member 130 is in the extended position, while the cap 120 is apart from the base 110, at least a portion (e.g. a free end portion) of the movable member 130 may be in the way of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 A, in the extended position of the movable member 130, at least a portion (e.g. free end portion) of the movable member 130 may be extending or protruding out from a surface I l la (e.g. a wall surface) of the capreceiving portion 111 of the base 110. In other words, in the extended position of the movable member 130, the movable member 130 may be partially protruding from the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110. Accordingly, when the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 is configured as a receptacle, as shown in FIG. 1A, a portion (e.g. free end portion) of the movable member 130 may be extending into (e.g. inside) a receptacle space of the receptacle (i.e. the cap-receiving portion 111) in the extended position of the movable member 130.

[0028] FIG. IB shows the movable member 130 in its retracted position relative to the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110, while the cap 120 is partially connected to the base 110. According to various embodiments, the movable member 130 may be displaceable from the extended position (shown in FIG. 1A) to the retracted position (shown in FIG. IB) by applying a force onto the movable member 130. For instance, the movable member 130 may include a surface segment 130a (see FIG. 1A) (e.g. at a free end portion or an upper corner thereof) that engages the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 as the cap 120 is being removably connected to the base 110. According to various embodiments, this surface segment 130a of the movable member 130 may be a flat or planar surface segment 130a that is inclined (e.g. diagonally inclined) or sloped with respect to the connection axis 180 (e.g. such that the surface segment 130a faces upwards and towards the connection axis 180 in a diagonal manner), or the surface segment 130a may be a contoured or a curved surface. In this configuration of the movable member 130, a force (e.g. in a downward direction along the connection axis 180) that is applied onto the surface segment 130a of the movable member 130 (e.g. via the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 as the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 is being connected with the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110), may cause the movable member 130 to move or displace from the extended position (shown in FIG. 1A) to the retracted position (shown in FIG. IB), along the displacement axis 182.

[0029] According to various embodiments, the connecting portion 121 of the cap120 may similarly or identically include a corresponding surface segment (e.g. at a free end portion or bottom corner thereof) that engages the aforesaid surface segment 130a of the movable member 130. Such a surface segment of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may be configured similarly or identically as the aforesaid surface segment 130a of the movable member 130. This matching configuration between the movable member 130 and the cap 120 may facilitate sliding movement between the surface segment 130a of the movable member 130 and the corresponding surface segment of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120, as they interface (e.g. contact) and move against each other.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. IB, when the movable member 130 is moved or displaced from the extended position (shown in FIG. 1A) to the retracted position (shown in FIG. 1 B), it is moved or displaced out of the way of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120. Specifically, according to various embodiments, as an example, in the retracted position of the movable member 130, the entire movable member 130 may be retracted into or housed within the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 (e.g. within a passage or bore at the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110). Thereafter, the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may be moved further towards the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 until the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 and the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 is fully connected with each other, as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 1C, according to various embodiments, the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may include an engageable element 122 that aligns (e.g. horizontally or substantially horizontally aligns) with the movable member 130 (e.g. a free end portion of the movable member 130), when the connecting portion121 of the cap 120 is fully connected with the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 1 10.

[0032] As some non-limiting examples, the engageable element 122 may include or may be a level or a flush surface (or surface segment) of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 (e.g. which the movable member 130 may abut against and / or exert a retaining force thereon), an exterior surface (or surface segment) of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 that may be configured with anti-slip properties (e.g. by being textured and / or is composed of a material having anti-slip properties), or may bean indentation, groove, receptacle, depression, etc., on a surface (e.g. side surface) of the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 (e.g. which the movable member 130 may latch against).

[0033] Accordingly, when the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 is fully connected with the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110, as shown in FIG. 1C, the movable member 130 may be moved or displaced to the extended position (e.g. from the retracted position) to engage (e.g. abut, contact, interface, latch, etc.) the engageable clement 122 to secure the cap 120 to the base 110.

[0034] According to various embodiments, the input assembly 100 may include (e.g. optionally or further include) a biasing clement 140 configured to urge the movable member 130 towards the extended position. Accordingly, the movable member 130 may be biased, by the biasing element 140, to remain in the extended position absent any external forces acting on the movable member 130. As some non-limiting examples, the biasing element 140 may include or may be a spring (e.g. a coil spring, torsional spring, etc.), an elastic band (e.g. rubber band), memory foam, etc. As an illustration, an end or a portion of the biasing element 140 may be coupled to the base 110 (e.g. to the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110) while another end or another portion of the biasing element 140 may be coupled to the movable member 130, thereby biasing the movable member 130 relative to the base 110. Accordingly, with the biasing element 140 incorporated within the input assembly 100, according to various embodiments, the movable member 130 may be biased towards the engageable element 122 of the cap 120 or may be urged against the cngagcablc clement 122 of the cap 120, to secure the cap 120 to the base 110.

[0035] Conversely, to separate or remove the cap 120 from the base 110, the movable member 130 may be moved or displaced to the retracted position such that the movable member 130 disengages (e.g. is apart or away from) the engageable element 122 at the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120. Thereafter, the cap 120 of the input assembly 100 may be easily separated and removed from the base 110 of the input assembly 100.

[0036] While FIG. 1C illustrates a single movable member 130 for securing the cap 120 to the base 110, it is envisaged that, in other implementations, the input assembly 100 may include a plural number (e.g. two or more than two) movable members 130 configured similarly or identically to secure the cap 120 to the base 110.

[0037] According to various embodiments, with the movable member 130 configured as a mechanism for securing the cap 120 to the base 110 (as described above), the cap 120 and / or the base 110, or the entire input assembly 100 itself, may be free from or without the need to employ, utilize, or incorporate any magnetic element (e.g. magnetic material, and / or ferromagnetic material, and / or magnets, etc.). For instance, the cap 120 may include or may be composed of a non-ferromagnetic and / or non-magnetic material (or material composite) (e.g. polymer or plastic, and / or rubber, any non-metal or non-mctallic material, etc.). Specifically, the entire cap 120 may be composed of a non-ferromagnetic and / or non-magnetic material (or material composite). Similarly, the base 110 may include or may be composed of a non- ferromagnetic and / or non-magnetic material (or material composite) (e.g. polymer or plastic, any non-metal or non-metallic material, etc.). Specifically, the entire base 110 may be composed of a non-ferromagnetic and / or non-magnetic material (or material composite). Additionally, according to various embodiments, the movable member 130 of the input assembly 100 may include or may (e.g. optionally) be composed of a non- ferromagnetic and / or non-magnetic material (or material composite). Accordingly, the input assembly 100 may provide a controller with capabilities to replace or interchange a cap 120 without the need or use for any magnetic elements to secure the cap 120 to the base 110.

[0038] FIG. ID is a schematic diagram depicting the input assembly 100 of FIG. 1 A being maneuvered with respect to the switch module 102, according to various embodiments.

[0039] As shown in FIG. ID, with the cap 120 secured to the base 110, by way of the movable member 130 at the base 110 in engagement with the cngagcablc clement 122 at the cap 120, the cap 120 may be maneuverable (e.g. in any direction) relative to the switch module 102 (i.e. that is coupled to the base 110) to operate the switch module 102 (e.g. of a gaming controller).

[0040] With reference to FIG. 1A to FIG. ID, according to various embodiments, the input assembly 100 may include (e.g. optionally or further include) an anti-rotation arrangement 150 configured to prevent the cap 120 from rotating (e.g. about the connection axis 180) with respect to the base 110 (i.e. when the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 is fully connected with the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110, as shown in FIG. 1C). To illustrate, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. IB, the cap-receivingportion 111 of the base 110 may include an anti-rotation mating element 151, and the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120 may include a complementary anti-rotation mating clement 152. According to various embodiments, the anti-rotation mating element 151 and the complementary anti-rotation mating element 152 may inter-mate with each other, as shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. ID, in a manner that prevents or inhibits the cap 120 from any rotational or rotary movement relative to the base 1 10 (e.g. about the connection axis 180) when they are fully connected. As a non-limiting example, the anti-rotation mating clement 151 and the complementary anti -rotation mating clement 152 may be configured to engage or mate in a tongue (e.g. protrusion, tab, etc.) and groove sliding engagement. For instance, the tongue may be at the cap-receiving portion 111 of the base 110 while the groove may be at the connecting portion 121 of the cap 120, or vice versa. As another non-limiting example, the anti-rotation mating element 151 and the complementary anti-rotation mating element 152 may be anti-slip elements, such as textured surfaces or anti-slip materials.

[0041] FIG. 2A is a partial cut-away side view of a controller 2000, according to various embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 2B is a close-up side view of an input assembly 200 coupled to a switch module 202 of the controller 2000 of FIG. 2 A, according to various embodiments.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2A, there may be provided a controller 2000, such as a gaming controller for a gaming console. The controller 2000 may include a plurality of input members 2001 (e.g. buttons, joysticks, thumbsticks, etc.) which may be manipulated (e.g. pressed, moved, etc.) by a user for controlling a gaming console (not shown) that the controller 2000 may be paired with.

[0044] According to various embodiments, at least one of the aforesaid input members 2001 of the controller 2000 may be provided in the form of the input assembly 200, described herein.

[0045] According to various embodiments, the input assembly 200 may contain any one or more or all the features and / or limitations of the input assembly 100 of FIG. 1A to FIG. ID. In the following, the input assembly 200 is described with like reference characters generally referring to the same or corresponding parts / features of the input assembly 100 of FIG. 1A to FIG. ID. The description of the parts / features made with respect to the input assembly 200 may also be applicable with respect to the input assembly 100, and vice versa.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2A, as an illustration, the input assembly 200 may be configured or may function as a thumbstick (e.g. with a removable or interchangeable thumbstick cover or cap 220) for the controller 2000.

[0047] Particularly, the input assembly 200 may be coupled to a switch module 202 (e.g. a thumbstick switch module 202 or thumbstick switch) of the controller 2000, located within a housing of the controller 2000. With reference to FIG. 2B, as an example, the switch module 202 of the controller 2000 may include a post 202a (e.g. an elongate and / or cylindrical post) which may be coupled to a switch-coupling portion 212 of a base 210 of the input assembly 200. As an example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the switch-coupling portion 212 of the base 210 of the input assembly 200 may include or may be in the form of a receptacle (e.g. a blind hole) configured (e.g. shaped and / or sized) to accommodate (e.g. receive or fit over) the post 202a of the switch module 202. Accordingly, the post 202a of the switch module 202 may be insertable into the receptacle of the base 210 of the input assembly 200, thereby coupling the base 210 of the input assembly 200 to the switch module 202 of the controller 2000. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the receptacle of the base 210 and the post 202a of the switch module 202 may be configured for a snug-fit or friction-fit engagement. Consequently, the post 202a of the switch module 202 may be operated or actuated by moving (or manipulating) a cap 220 of the input assembly 200 (i.e. which is removably connected to the base 210 of the input assembly 200). According to various embodiments, a movement (e.g. in any direction) of the post 202a of the switch module 202 may be sensed by one or more sensors (e.g. potentiometers or hall effect sensors) incorporated in the switch module 202 of the controller 2000. Consequently, the controller 2000 may output a control signal corresponding to the sensed or detected movement of the post 202a, for controlling a gaming console (not shown) that the controller 2000 may be paired with.

[0048] According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, the base 210 of the input assembly 200 may further include a cap-receiving portion 211 (e.g. opposite the switch-coupling portion 212). As an example, shown in FIG. 2B, the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210 may include or may be in the form of a shaft (e.g. an elongate and / or cylindrical shaft) or stem which may be removably connectable with a connecting portion 221 of the cap 220 of the input assembly 200. As shown, the shaft may be extending along, or in a direction parallel with, a connection axis 280.

[0049] According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, the input assembly 200 may further include the cap 220, which may include the connecting portion 221 configured to be removably connectable with the cap-receiving portion 211 (c.g. shaft) of the base 210. As shown, the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220 may include or may be in the form of a sleeve (e.g. a sleeve with a hollow core or hollow center) which may be fitted or sleeved (e.g. removably sleeved) over the shaft (i.e. the cap-receiving portion 211), along the connection axis 280, thereby removably connecting the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221) to the shaft (i.e. the cap-receiving portion 211). According to various embodiments, the sleeve may include a continuous side wall, that may be free of any discontinuity, breaks, gaps (c.g. slits), etc. Accordingly, when the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221) and the shaft (i.e. the cap-receiving portion 211) are removably connected, the sleeve, specifically, its side wall, may be surrounding (e.g. entirely surrounding) the shaft.

[0050] According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, the cap 220 of the input assembly 200 may further include a head portion 223 that is adjoined to the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221) at an end of the sleeve. Further, as shown, the head portion 223 may include (c.g. optionally or further include) an anti-slip layer 224 (c.g. composed of anti-slip material, such as rubber) for enhancing grip and preventing slippage between a user’s finger and the head portion 223 of the cap 220.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments, when the shaft (i.e. the cap-receiving portion 211) is fully connected with (e.g. fully inserted into) the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221), the head portion 223 of the cap 220 may engage an end of the shaft to prevent the shaft from extending further into the cap 220. Accordingly, according to various embodiments, the head portion 223 of the cap 220 may serve as a stopper for limiting how far the shaft of the base 210 may extend into the cap 220.

[0052] Additionally, or alternatively, according to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, as well as in FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G, the base 210 of the input assembly 200 may include a flanged portion (e.g. a conical-shaped flanged portion) 216 at an end (e.g. a bottom end) of the shaft (i.e. the cap-receiving portion 211) of the base 210. According to various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 2B, with the shaft fully connected with (e.g. fully inserted into) the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221), a free end of the sleeve may engage the flanged portion 216 of the base 210. Accordingly,according to various embodiments, the flanged portion 216 of the base 210 may also be configured to serve as a stopper for limiting how far the shaft of the base 210 may be inserted into the cap 220.

[0053] Additionally, with reference to FIG. 2B, as well as in FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G, according to various embodiments, an upper surface of the flanged portion 216 of the base 210 (e.g. opposite the switch-coupling portion 212) may include or define a groove 215 (e.g. a circular or annular' groove) configured to receive the free end of the sleeve (e.g. which may be a circular or annular- shaped end of the sleeve, i.c. the connecting portion 221). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the groove 215 and the free end of the sleeve may have matching shapes (e.g. matching “stepped” shapes) and sizes which may facilitate positioning and alignment of the cap 220 with respect to the base 210.

[0054] According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, the input assembly 200 may further include a movable member 230. The movable member 230 may be a discrete component from both the base 210 and the cap 220.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments, the capreceiving portion 211 may include a passage (e.g. a linear, elongate, and / or cylindrical passage, e.g. hollow passage) that houses or accommodates the movable member 230 therewithin or therealong. Accordingly, the passage may resemble (or may be akin to) a bore or a hollow channel. As shown in FIG. 2B, the passage may be located at the cap-receiving portion 211 (e.g. shaft) of the base 210. Specifically, the passage may be extending into the cap-receiving portion 211 from a side (e.g. a side surface) of the capreceiving portion 211. The passage may also be oriented in a manner so as to extend along a lineal' axis (i.e. the displacement axis 282 of the movable member 230) that is non-parallcl (e.g. perpendicular or substantially perpendicular) to the connection axis 280. Accordingly, the movable member 230 may be disposed or housed within the passage and may be free to be displaceable linearly, within the passage, along the displacement axis 282 that is non-parallel to the connection axis 280.

[0056] Specifically, according to various embodiments, the movable member 230 may be displaceable along a main portion (e.g. an elongate portion) of the passage, while being inhibited from dislodging or slipping out from the main portion of the passage. For example, the main portion of the passage may have a width (e.g. a uniform or substantially uniform width) that is substantially equal to or larger than a width (e.g. a largest width) of the movable member 230. The passage may further include a passageopening at an end of the main portion of the passage. This passage opening may be at a side (e.g. side surface) of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210. The passage opening of the passage may have a width that is smaller than a width of the movable member 230. In other words, the width of the passage opening may be smaller than a width of the main portion of the passage. In this manner, the movable member 230 within the passage may be displaceable along the entire main portion of the passage, but may be inhibited from slipping out from the passage through the passage opening.

[0057] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a movable member holder 260 of the input assembly 200, according to various embodiments.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 2C, according to various embodiments, the input assembly 200 may include (e.g. optionally or further include) a movable member holder 260 which may define the aforesaid passage for housing or accommodating the movable member 230.

[0059] Accordingly, the movable member holder 260 may be a modular or a removable component of the input assembly 200. To illustrate, referring back to FIG. 2B, the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210 may include or define a receptacle 217, which extends inwardly from a side (e.g. side surface) of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210. This receptacle 217 may be sized to receive the movable member holder 260 (e.g. at least a hollow cylindrical portion 261 of the movable member holder 260). Accordingly, the movable member holder 260 may be inserted (e.g. removably inserted) into the receptacle 217 at the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210, so that the movable member 230 may be displaceable along the passage defined by the movable member holder 260 along the displacement axis 282. According to various embodiments, the movable member holder 260 may be inscrtablc into the receptacle 217 at the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210 with a snug-fit, force-fit, or friction-fit engagement. Additionally, an adhesive may (e.g. optionally or further) be applied (e.g. at a rear end of the movable member holder 260) to affix the movable member holder 260 to the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, according to various embodiments, the movable member holder 260 may include the hollow cylindrical portion 261 which may correspond to or may define the main portion of the passage.

[0061] Further, the movable member holder 260 may include an opening at a front end of the movable member holder 260. This opening of the movable member holder 260 may correspond to or may define the passage opening of the passage.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2B, when the movable member holder 260 is inserted into the receptacle 217 of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210, a rear end of the movable member holder 260 may be covered or sealed (e.g. by the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210). Accordingly, within the input assembly 200, the passage for the movable member 230 may be a blind passage (e.g. resembling a blind hole).

[0063] Additionally, with reference to FIG. 2C, according to various embodiments, the movable member holder 260 may include a lip portion 262 (e.g. a flanged portion) extending sideways from the front end of the hollow cylindrical portion 261 of the movable member holder 260. According to various embodiments, the lip portion 262 may serve as a stopper for limiting how far the hollow cylindrical portion 261 of the movable member holder 260 may be inserted into the receptacle 217 of the capreceiving portion 211 of the base 210, by way of its engagement with a side surface of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210 (e.g. adjacent and / or surrounding the receptacle opening 217a), as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 2B, according to various embodiments, the input assembly 200 may include (e.g. further include) a biasing element 240. Specifically, as an example, shown in FIG. 2B, the biasing element 240 may be a spring disposed within the movable member holder 260. A first end of the biasing element 240 may be coupled with the movable member 230, while an opposite second end of the biasing element 240 may be coupled (e.g. directly, or indirectly coupled via the movable member holder 260) to the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210. Accordingly, within the input assembly 200, the biasing element 240 (e.g. spring) may be sandwiched between the movable member 230 and the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210. In this manner, when no other external forces are acting or applied to the movable member 230 (e.g. against the bias of the biasing element 240), the biasing element 240 may bias or urge the movable member 230 to the extended position shown in FIG. 2B.

[0065] According to various embodiments, the movable member holder 260, together with the movable member 230 and the biasing clement 240 (e.g. disposed within the movable member holder 260), may be referred to as a “ball plunger arrangement”. Such a ball plunger arrangement may be akin to a spring-loaded balldetent or a spring-loaded ball plunger. Accordingly, according to various embodiments, the movable member 230 may be a spherical movable member 230 (in other words, may have a spherical shape) and may be composed of a hard and / or rigid material (c.g. a hard and rigid polymer, or a non-magnetic metal such as aluminum, copper, steel / non-magnetic steel, etc.), thereby serving as a detent ball. It is envisaged that, according to various embodiments, such a spherical movable member 230 may be free to spin or rotate (e.g. about its center), while also being free to be moved or displaced translationally (c.g. linearly) along the linear displacement axis 282.

[0066] According to various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, when the movable member 230 is at the extended position, a portion of the movable member 230 may be protruding outwards from the passage opening (i.e. having a smaller width or diameter than the movable member 230 itself) and, in turn, away from the side of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210 towards the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220 (i.e. that is removably connected with the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210). In this manner, shown in FIG. 2B, the movable member 230 (e.g. its protruding portion) may engage an engageable element 222 at the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220 to secure the cap 220 to the base 210.

[0067] FIG. 2D is a bottom perspective view of the cap 220 of the input assembly 200, according to various embodiments.

[0068] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the cap 220 of FIG. 2D, taken along line A-A, according to various embodiments.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E, according to various embodiments, the engageable element 222 of the cap 220 may include or may be a depression or indentation serving as an indent for the movable member 230 (c.g. at least the protruding portion of the movable member 230). This engageable element 222 may be situated at the connecting portion 221 (e.g. sleeve) of the cap 220. Specifically, the engageable element 222 may be a concaved or recessed region along an inner wall surface of the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221) of the cap 220. As an example, shown in FIG. 2B, a shape and / or size of the engageable element 222 may correspond to (e.g. match) a shape and / or size of the protruding portion of the movable member 230 (i.e. at the extended position of the movable member 230). For example, the movable member 230 may be a spherical movable member 230 (e.g. detent ball), and the engageable element 222 may be a concaved region of the inner wall surface of thesleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221) shaped and / or sized similarly or identically to the protruding portion of the spherical movable member 230. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, a shape and / or size of the cngagcablc clement 222 may differ from a shape and / or size of the protruding portion of the movable member 230 (i.e. at the extended position of the movable member 230).

[0070] According to various embodiments, with the movable member 230 (e.g. at least its protruding portion) engaged with (e.g. received within, interfaced with, or mating) the cngagcablc element 222 of the cap 220, the cap 220 may be incapable of or may be inhibited from freely moving (e.g. sliding or slipping) away from the base 210 unless a user moves (e.g. pulls) the cap 220 away from the base 210 with a force (e.g. of a magnitude that overcomes the biasing force of the biasing element 240) which moves or displaces the movable member 230 away from the extended position (e.g. away from the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220, more specifically, away from the engageable element 222 at the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220) to a retracted position. According to various embodiments, the movable member 230 disengages from the engageable element 222 when it is moved or displaced to the retracted position, thereby enabling the cap 220 to be easily separable or removable (e.g. disconnected) from the base 210.

[0071] FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the base 210 of the input assembly 200, according to various embodiments.

[0072] FIG. 2G is a top perspective view of the base 210 of FIG. 2G, according to various embodiments.

[0073] According to various embodiments, the input assembly 200 may include (e.g. further include) an anti-rotation arrangement 250 configured to prevent the cap 220 from rotating with respect to the base 210 (e.g. about the connection axis 280).

[0074] For example, with reference to FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G, the cap-receiving portion 21 1 of the base 210 may include an anti-rotation mating element 251 . As shown, the anti-rotation mating element 251 may include one or more grooves 253 (or channels or slots) on an outer surface (e.g. outward-facing side surface) of the cap-receiving portion 211 (e.g. shaft) of the base 210. As an example, shown in FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G, each groove 253 may be tapered and oriented in a manner such that the groove 253 is wider at a free end region (e.g. an upper end region) of the cap-receiving portion 211 (e.g. shaft) of the base 210. Accordingly, each groove 253 may be a V-shaped (e.g.substantially V-shaped, or a U-shaped) groove 253, having an opening to the groove 253 at the free end region of the cap-receiving portion 211 (e.g. shaft) of the base 210 and that tapers (e.g. becomes narrower) at a bottom end region of the cap-receiving portion 21 1 (e.g. shaft) of the base 210. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the anti-rotation mating element 251 may include at least two grooves 253 which are non-aligned (e.g. are not directly opposite each other). For example, FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G illustrates a first groove 253a disposed at a first segment (e.g. a vertical segment) of the side of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210 and a second groove 253b disposed at a second segment of the side of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210. As shown, the second segment (and the second groove 253b) may be adjacent to, but not directly opposite, the first segment (and the first groove 253a). Moreover, the second segment may be, but is not limited to being, opposite the movable member 230 (and / or along the displacement axis 282 of the movable member 230). This non-aligned positioning of the first and second grooves 253a, 253b of the antirotation mating element 251 may ensure that the cap 220 of the input assembly 200 would be correctly oriented with respect to the base 210 when a complementary antirotation mating clement 252 (sec FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E) of the cap 220, described later, mates with the anti-rotation mating element 251 of the base 210. It is envisaged that, in other implementations, the anti-rotation mating element 251 may include only a single groove 253.

[0075] As an example, as further shown in FIG. 2G, the anti-rotation mating element 251 may additionally include a third (or further) groove 253c disposed at a third (or further) segment of the side of the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210. The third segment (and the third groove 253c) may be adjacent to, but not directly opposite, the second segment (and the second groove 253b). However, as an example, shown in FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G, the third segment (and the third groove 253c) may be directly opposite the first segment (and the first groove 253 a).

[0076] Referring back to FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E, the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220 may include a complementary anti-rotation mating element 252. As shown, the complementary anti-rotation mating element 252 may include one or more tongue projections 254 on an inner surface (e.g. inward-facing surface of a side wall) of the connecting portion 221 (e.g. sleeve) of the cap 220. A number of the one or more tongue projections 254 may correspond to (in other words, may be equal to) a number of theone or more grooves 253 (i.e. anti-rotation mating element 251). The one or more tongue projections 254 may be configured to slidably engage (i.e. mate or be inserted into) the one or more grooves 253 (i.e. anti-rotation mating clement 251) of the capreceiving portion 21 1 of the cap 220. Tn other words, the one or more tongue projections 254 and the one or more grooves 253 may be configured to slidably inter-mate with each other. Specifically, a shape of each tongue projection 254 may correspond to (e.g. match) a shape of a corresponding (or respective) groove 253 that the tongue projection 254 may be configured to slidably mate with. Thus, when the grooves 253 arc V-shaped grooves, the tongues projection 254 may be V-shaped tongues projection (i.e. oriented in a same orientation as the V-shaped grooves so as to be inscrtablc into the V-shapcd grooves).

[0077] Accordingly, according to various embodiments, the anti-rotation mating element 251 (e.g. grooves 253) of the base 210 and the complementary anti-rotation mating element 252 (e.g. tongues projection 254) of the cap 220 may be configured to engage in a tongue and groove inter-mating engagement, to prevent the cap 220 from rotary movement relative to the base 210 (i.e. when the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220 is fully connected to the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210).

[0078] It is envisaged that, in other implementations, the anti-rotation mating element 251 may include one or more tongue projections 254 at the cap-receiving portion 211 of the base 210, while the complementary anti -rotation mating element 252 may include one or more corresponding grooves 253 at the connecting portion 221 of the cap 220.

[0079] FIG. 2H(i) and FIG. 2H(ii) respectively show a side view and a bottom perspective view of a first variant cap 220a for the input assembly 200, according to various embodiments.

[0080] FIG. 2I(i) and FIG. 2I(ii) respectively show a side view and a bottom perspective view of a second variant cap 220b for the input assembly 200, according to various embodiments.

[0081] FIG. 2J is a perspective view of the controller 2000 having a pair of the input assemblies 200, and a pair of first variant caps 220a of FIG. 2H and a pair of second variant caps 220b of FIG. 21 alongside the controller 2000, according to various embodiments.

[0082] According to various embodiments, the cap 220 (described above, henceforth may be referred to as “default cap” 220) may be interchanged with the first variant cap 220a or the second variant cap 220b. That is, the default cap 220 may be removed (or decoupled) from the base 210 of the input assembly 200, and the first variant cap 220a or the second variant cap 220b may be removably coupled to the base 210 of the input assembly 200.

[0083] Accordingly, according to various embodiments, the connecting portion 221a, 221b of each of the first variant cap 220a or the second variant cap 220b may be configured similarly or identically as the default cap 220. For instance, the connecting portion 221a, 221b of each of the first variant cap 220a or the second variant cap 220b may include or may be in the form of a sleeve having a same inner diameter as the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221) of the default cap 220.

[0084] However, with reference to FIG. 2H, the first variant cap 220a may differ from the default cap 220 in that the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221a) of the first variant cap 220a may be longer in length (or taller in height) than the sleeve of the default cap 220. Furthermore, as an example, shown in FIG. 2H, the first variant cap 220a may differ from the default cap 220 in that a head portion 223a (and anti-slip layer 224a on the head portion 223 a) of the first variant cap 220a may be shaped and / or sized differently from the head portion 223 (and anti-slip layer 224 on the head portion 223) of the default cap 220. For instance, the head portion 223 a (and anti-slip layer 224a on the head portion 223a) of the first variant cap 220a may have a flat or recessed (e.g. concaved) upper surface, in contrast to the concaved upper surface of the head portion 223 (and anti-slip layer 224 on the head portion 223) of the default cap 220. Additionally, the head portion 223a (and anti-slip layer 224a on the head portion 223a) of the first variant cap 220a may have a larger diameter than the head portion 223 (and anti-slip layer 224 on the head portion 223) of the default cap 220.

[0085] As another example, with reference to FIG. 21, a head portion 223b (and antislip layer 224b on the head portion 223b) of the second variant cap 220b may have a smaller diameter than the head portion 223 (and anti-slip layer 224 on the head portion 223) of the default cap 220 (or of the first variant cap 220a).

[0086] Additionally, the second variant cap 220b may differ from the default cap 220 in that the sleeve (i.e. the connecting portion 221b) of the second variant cap 220bmay be shorter in length (or shorter in height) than the sleeve of the default cap 220 (or of the first variant cap 220a).

[0087] Various embodiment described herein may thus provide an input assembly for a controller which offers a swappable cap feature, without the need for magnets and / or magnetic elements to secure the cap to a base of the input assembly

[0088] Various embodiments may thus provide an input assembly that is versatile and compatible for use with various controllers (e.g. gaming controllers) utilizing various types of switches.

[0089] Furthermore, by eliminating a need for magnetic elements such as metal to construct the input assembly, the input assembly may be cost-effective to manufacture.

[0090] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modification, variation in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An input assembly for a controller comprising: a base comprising a cap-receiving portion and a switch-coupling portion, the switch-coupling portion couplable to a switch module of the controller; a cap comprising a connecting portion removably connected with the capreceiving portion of the base along a connection axis; a movable member disposed at the cap-receiving portion of the base, the movable member being displaceable relative to the base between an extended position and a retracted position along a displacement axis that is non-parallel to the connection axis; wherein, in the extended position, the movable member engages an engageable element of the connecting portion of the cap to secure the cap to the base; wherein, in the retracted position, the movable member disengages from the engageable element of the cap in a manner such that the cap is separable from the base.

2. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement axis is perpendicular to the connection axis.

3. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap-receiving portion of the base comprises a shaft extending along the connection axis, the shaft comprising a passage extending along the displacement axis with a passage opening of the passage at a side surface of the shaft; wherein the movable member is disposed within the passage and is displaceable along the passage between the extended position and the retracted position; wherein in the extended position, the movable member partially protrudes from the passage opening to engage the engageable element of the cap.

4. The input assembly of claim 1,wherein the engagement element of the cap is a side surface segment of the connecting portion of the cap; wherein in the extended position, the movable member partially protrudes from the cap-receiving portion of the base to abut against the side surface segment of the connecting portion of the cap.

5. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement clement of the cap comprises a depression on a side surface of the connecting portion of the cap, the depression serving as a detent for the movable member; wherein, in the extended position, the movable member partially protrudes from the cap-receiving portion of the base into the depression.

6. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable member has a spherical shape.

7. The input assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a biasing element configured to urge the movable member towards the extended position.

8. The input assembly of claim 7, wherein the biasing clement comprises a spring.

9. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an anti-rotation mating element; wherein the cap comprises a complementary anti-rotation mating element configured to mate with the anti-rotation mating element of the base to prevent the cap from rotary movement relative to the base about the connection axis.

10. The input assembly of claim 9, wherein the anti -rotation mating clement and the complementary anti-rotation mating element are configured to engage in a tongue and groove sliding engagement.

11. The input assembly of claim 10, wherein the cap-receiving portion of the base comprises a shaft; wherein the connecting portion of the cap comprises a sleeve that is removably sleeved over the shaft; wherein the anti-rotation mating element comprises one or more grooves on an outer surface of the shaft; wherein the complementary anti-rotation mating element comprises one or more tongue projections on an inner surface of the sleeve configured to be slidably inserted into the one or more grooves.

12. The input assembly of claim 11, wherein a shape of each tongue projection corresponds to a shape of a corresponding groove.

13. The input assembly of claim 12, wherein the one or more grooves are tapered and oriented in a manner such that they arc wider at a free end region of the shaft.

14. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is composed entirely of a non-ferromagnetic material.

15. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap is composed entirely of a non-metal material.

16. The input assembly of claim 14, wherein the cap includes a polymer.

17. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is composed entirely of a non-ferromagnetic material.

18. The input assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is composed entirely of a non-metal material.

19. The input assembly of claim 17, wherein the base includes a polymer.

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