Control devices and systems for self-propelled machinery and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a control device for self-propelled machinery includes a central portion disposed between a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion and at least one pressure sensitive trigger control provided over either the first or the second gripping portion. The trigger control can be configured to reduce a speed of the self-propelled machinery by actuating a portion of a potentiometer for varying an electrical signal carried by the control device. In some aspects, the control device can electrically communicate with a control unit of the self-propelled machinery.

The present concepts relate to haptic controllers. In one example the haptic controller can include first and second capstans rotationally secured to a base and an energy storage mechanism connected between the first and second capstans. The example haptic controller can also include a user engagement assembly secured to the first capstan and a controller configured to control rotational forces imparted on the user engagement assembly by controlling rotational friction experienced by the first and second capstans.

The present concepts relate to haptic controllers. In one example the haptic controller can include first and second capstans rotationally secured to a base and an energy storage mechanism connected between the first and second capstans. The example haptic controller can also include a user engagement assembly secured to the first capstan and a controller configured to control rotational forces imparted on the user engagement assembly by controlling rotational friction experienced by the first and second capstans.

A navigation controller for a watercraft includes a grip member and control head that act as an integrated grab bar to be grabbed by a hand of a user and transfer an applied force to a mount. The grip member is engagable by fingers on the hand of the user for providing a grab bar to the user to resist movement of the body of the user caused by the applied force. A control plate supports control switches and is configured and dimensioned relative to the grip member to enable a thumb of the user to engage with one or more of the control switches while the fingers remain engaged with the grip member so that the resistance of the applied force to keep the user steady does not cause a unintended activation of one or more of the control switches.

A navigation controller for a watercraft includes a grip member and control head that act as an integrated grab bar to be grabbed by a hand of a user and transfer an applied force to a mount. The grip member is engagable by fingers on the hand of the user for providing a grab bar to the user to resist movement of the body of the user caused by the applied force. A control plate supports control switches and is configured and dimensioned relative to the grip member to enable a thumb of the user to engage with one or more of the control switches while the fingers remain engaged with the grip member so that the resistance of the applied force to keep the user steady does not cause a unintended activation of one or more of the control switches.

Work vehicle includes an operation lever pivoting forward and backward stepwise through a plurality of operation positions; and a detent type retention mechanism holding the operation lever in each of the operation positions. The retention mechanism includes a coupling member coupled to the operation lever; and a retention member holding the operation lever via the coupling member. The operation lever and the retention mechanism are provided separately from each other, aligned in a direction intersecting with a pivot support shaft of the operation lever. The operation lever and the coupling member are reciprocally connected via a linking mechanism.

Work vehicle includes an operation lever pivoting forward and backward stepwise through a plurality of operation positions; and a detent type retention mechanism holding the operation lever in each of the operation positions. The retention mechanism includes a coupling member coupled to the operation lever; and a retention member holding the operation lever via the coupling member. The operation lever and the retention mechanism are provided separately from each other, aligned in a direction intersecting with a pivot support shaft of the operation lever. The operation lever and the coupling member are reciprocally connected via a linking mechanism.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for enabling a smartphone into a remote controller for a radio-controlled instrument. The apparatus comprises a fixing support assembly, a steering assembly, and a throttle assembly. The fixing support assembly is configured for rigidly clamping a smartphone. The steering assembly is set over the fixing support assembly and configured for maneuvering a first capacitive tip over screen surface of the smartphone for providing steering control over the radio-controlled instrument. The throttle assembly is set over the fixing support assembly and configured for maneuvering a second capacitive tip over the screen surface for providing throttle control over the instrument. The steering assembly and the throttle assembly are configured to transmit capacitive effect of fingers of the user to the screen of the smartphone in order to remotely control the radio-controller instrument.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for enabling a smartphone into a remote controller for a radio-controlled instrument. The apparatus comprises a fixing support assembly, a steering assembly, and a throttle assembly. The fixing support assembly is configured for rigidly clamping a smartphone. The steering assembly is set over the fixing support assembly and configured for maneuvering a first capacitive tip over screen surface of the smartphone for providing steering control over the radio-controlled instrument. The throttle assembly is set over the fixing support assembly and configured for maneuvering a second capacitive tip over the screen surface for providing throttle control over the instrument. The steering assembly and the throttle assembly are configured to transmit capacitive effect of fingers of the user to the screen of the smartphone in order to remotely control the radio-controller instrument.

The control system for attachment to a collective lever in a rotorcraft which comprises a body with an extended horn portion which is generally contoured to provide for a place to rest the palm and grip the collective lever at the end in the form of an open spherical grip as opposed to the more traditional cylindrical grip used to grasp the throttle and/or collective lever directly. The control system generally includes a plurality of controls which can be manipulated by any or all of the four fingers of the hand and the thumb without need to substantially move the palm. The collective lever can also be moved without having to remove the hand from the control system or the fingers or thumb from the controls.