Adjustable control assembly

Abstract

An adjustable control assembly includes a plurality of control members. The control members preferably include moveable portions such as levers that are manipulable to accomplish a desired operation of heavy duty machinery such as construction equipment, for example. The control members are supported on support plates that are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a single pivot axis. A locking mechanism is provided to selectively lock the support plates into a chosen position relative to each other. By adjusting the positions of the support plates, a variety of operator needs and preferences are readily accommodated providing effective and efficient access to the control members.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An adjustable control assembly, comprising: 
       a plurality of control members that are independently and selectively manipulable by an operator;  
       a base portion;  
       a first support supporting at least a first one of the control members, the first support being pivotally moveable relative to the base portion about a pivot axis; and  
       a second support supporting at least a second one of the control members, the second support being pivotally moveable relative to the base portion and the first support about the pivot axis.  
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism that is operative to selectively lock the supports into relative positions relative to each other. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second supports comprise generally planar platforms. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a pivot pin positioned along the pivot axis and wherein the first support includes a first longitudinal edge extending parallel and adjacent to the pivot axis and includes two generally cylindrical extensions extending from the first longitudinal edge that receive the pivot pin and wherein the second support includes a second longitudinal edge extending parallel and adjacent to the pivot axis and includes two generally cylindrical extensions extending from the second longitudinal edge that receive the pivot pin. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of threaded members that are received in corresponding threaded openings in the generally cylindrical extensions and are adjustable such that the threaded members selectively engage the pivot pin. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the pivot pin is selectively locked into a chosen position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism includes interengaging members disposed on the generally cylindrical extensions and the base portion, respectively and a locking member that is selectively positioned to cause locking interengagement of the interengaging members. 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism is also operative to selectively lock the supports into selected positions relative to the base portion. 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the control members each include a housing and a moveable portion and wherein the housings are supported on the supports such that the moveable portions are selectively manipulated by an operator. 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the moveable portions comprise levers. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the levers are sized and spaced relative to each other to collectively fit within an operator's hand. 
     
     
       12. An adjustable control assembly, comprising: 
       a plurality of control members that are independently and selectively manipulable by an operator;  
       a first support plate supporting at least a first one of the control members;  
       a second support plate supporting at least a second one of the control members; and  
       a base supporting the first and second support plates and including a pivot pin defining a pivot axis, the first support plate having a portion that is supported on the pivot pin for pivotal movement about the pivot axis relative to the base portion and the second support plate.  
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second support plate includes a portion that is pivotally supported on the pivot pin for pivotal movement relative to the base and the first support plate. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a locking mechanism that is operative to selectively lock the first and second support plates into chosen positions relative to each other and the base. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a locking mechanism that is operative to selectively lock the first support plate into a chosen position relative to the second support plate. 
     
     
       16. The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first support plate is a generally rectangular and generally planar plate having a first longitudinal edge that is parallel and adjacent to the pivot pin and wherein the portion of the first support plate that is supported on the pivot pin includes at least one cylindrical extension extending from the first longitudinal edge that receives the pivot pin and wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking member that secures the extension from rotating relative to the pivot pin. 
     
     
       17. The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a plurality of teeth members on the base and a corresponding plurality of teeth members on the first support plate extension that selectively interengage the base teeth members to thereby lock the first support plate into the chosen position relative to the base. 
     
     
       18. The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the pivot pin includes a threaded end that is threadedly received by a portion of the base and wherein the pivot pin is threaded into an engaging position that locks the teeth members into interengagement and wherein the assembly further includes a handle connected with the pivot pin to selectively thread the pivot pin into the engaging position. 
     
     
       19. The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the control members have a size and are positioned relative to each other on the support plates such that all the control members are accessible within the grasp of an operator's hand. 
     
     
       20. The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the control members include moveable lever portions and wherein the control members are positioned on the support plates such that the moveable lever portions are moveable without interfering with each other independent of a relative position between the first and second support plates.