阅读说明：本技术 设置有调节杆长度的装置的用于操纵工具的杆 (Rod for operating a tool provided with means for adjusting the length of the rod ) 是由 阿尔贝托·罗拉 于 2018-06-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：操纵杆(1)包括第一细长部分(10)以及第二细长部分(20),第一细长部分是管状的并且设置有被构造为由使用者抓握的手柄部分(15),第二细长部分与作业工具(50)接合。细长部分(10,20)相互能伸缩地接合以便能够使一个细长部分相对于另一个细长部分自由滑动。然后,提供了阻挡/解挡装置(30),其被设置为从阻碍上述公开的自由滑动的阻挡构造运动到相反允许上述公开的自由滑动的解挡构造。上述阻挡/解挡装置(30)从阻挡构造到解挡构造的运动或从解挡构造到阻挡构造的运动由使用者通过在位于手柄部分(15)的控制构件(55)上作用而直接致动。(The joystick (1) comprises a first elongate portion (10) which is tubular and provided with a handle portion (15) configured to be gripped by a user, and a second elongate portion (20) which engages with a work tool (50). The elongate portions (10, 20) are telescopically engaged with one another to enable one to slide freely relative to the other. Then, blocking/unblocking means (30) are provided, which are arranged to move from a blocking configuration, which blocks the above disclosed free sliding, to an unblocking configuration, which on the contrary allows the above disclosed free sliding. The movement of the blocking/unblocking means (30) from the blocking configuration to the unblocking configuration or vice versa is actuated directly by the user by acting on a control member (55) located on the handle portion (15).)

1. A telescopic joystick (1) comprising:

-a first elongated portion (10) having a tubular shape and provided with a handle portion (15) at which a user grips the telescopic joystick (1);

-a second elongated portion (20) telescopically engaged with said first elongated portion (10) at a first end (21) and configured to slide freely with respect to said first elongated portion, said second elongated portion (20) furthermore being engaged with a work tool (50) at a second end (22);

-blocking/unblocking means (30) arranged to move between a blocking configuration, in which they block the second elongated portion (20) from freely sliding with respect to the first elongated portion, and an unblocking configuration, in which the blocking/unblocking means (30) allow the second elongated portion (20) to freely slide with respect to the first elongated portion (10);

the telescopic joystick (1) is characterized in that it further provides:

-a control member (55) configured to be manually operated by a user to move the blocking/unblocking means (30) from the blocking configuration to the unblocking configuration and vice versa, the control member (55) being located at the handle portion (15), whereby the user can operate the control member substantially without changing the grip on the handle portion with respect to a normal working position.

2. The telescopic joystick of claim 1, wherein the blocking/unblocking means (30) comprises:

-a blocking member (35) configured to move from a blocking position of the second elongated portion (20), in which it blocks the second elongated portion from freely sliding with respect to the first elongated portion (10), and a unblocking position, in which it allows the second elongated portion (20) to freely slide with respect to the first elongated portion (10);

-an actuating member (40) configured to actuate the blocking member (35) to move from the blocking position to the unblocking position, the actuating member (40) being operatively connected to the blocking member (35) and to the control member (55).

3. Telescopic joystick according to claim 2, wherein the blocking member (35) is a clamping cable (35) wound on the second elongated portion (20) to form at least one turn of a coil (36), and wherein the actuating member (40) is configured to move between an actuated position, in which it is arranged to generate a predetermined tension on the clamping cable (35) and thus fasten the second elongated portion (20) of the joystick (1) at the or each turn of a coil (36) so as to hinder the free sliding, and a released position, in which the clamping cable (35) is not subjected to the predetermined tension so that the or each turn of a coil (36) slackens around the second elongated portion (20) and allows the free sliding.

4. Telescopic joystick according to claim 2, wherein said blocking member (35) provides at least one annular element (36 ') positioned around said second elongated portion (20), said actuating member (40) being configured to cause the movement of the or each annular element (36') between said unblocking position, in which it is arranged substantially coaxially with said second elongated portion (20), thus allowing said free sliding, and said blocking position, in which it is positioned obliquely with respect to said second elongated portion (20), thus blocking said free sliding.

5. The telescopic joystick of claim 4, wherein the actuating member (40) provides first and second actuating teeth (46a, 46b) disposed on opposite sides of the or each annular element (36 '), the actuating teeth (46a, 46b) being configured to move the or each annular element (36') from the blocking position to the unblocking position and vice versa.

6. The telescopic joystick as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the abutment surface (67) is configured to cause the or each annular element (36') to be positioned in the inclined position in the blocking position.

7. The telescopic joystick of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the actuating member (40) is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction to move from the actuating position to the release position and to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to move from the release position to the actuating position.

8. Telescopic joystick according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein the actuation member (40) is configured to translate in a first direction (141) for moving from the actuated position to the released position and in a second direction (142) opposite to the first direction for moving from the released position to the actuated position, and wherein first and second abutment surfaces (66, 67) are provided on opposite sides of the or each turn of coil (36), the first and second abutment surfaces (66, 67) being configured such that when the actuation member (40) is moved to the actuated position, the or each turn of coil (36) is forced to move around the second elongated portion (20) to an inclined position, firmly fastening the second elongated portion, and to hinder the free sliding of the second elongated portion with respect to the first elongated portion (10).

9. Telescopic joystick according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the control member (55) is configured to translate in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction, or to rotate in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, or to perform a first series of movements comprising at least one rotation and at least one translation, or to perform a second series of movements comprising at least one rotation and at least one translation, in order to move the actuation member (40) from the actuation position to the release position, or vice versa.

10. The telescopic joystick of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the actuating member (40) is an actuating lever having a control portion (41) operatively connected to the control member (55) and an actuating portion (42) operatively connected to the clamping cable (35).

11. The telescopic joystick of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first elongate portion (10) provides a first longitudinal cavity (11) and a second longitudinal cavity (12), the second elongate portion (20) being telescopically engaged with the first elongate portion (10) in the first longitudinal cavity (11) in use, the second longitudinal cavity (12) being eccentrically disposed with respect to the first longitudinal cavity (11) and being arranged to receive the actuating member (40) in use.

12. The telescopic joystick of claim 11, wherein the actuating portion (42) is configured to protrude a predetermined length from the second longitudinal cavity (12) of the first elongated portion (10).

13. Telescopic joystick according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a protective bush (60) is further provided, configured to cover, in use, said actuation portion (42) and said one or each turn of coil (36) of said clamping cable (35), said protective bush (60) providing an abutment surface (66) configured to axially house said one or each turn of coil (36).

14. The telescopic joystick of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein an anti-rotation member (25) is further provided, arranged to hinder rotation of the second elongated portion (20) with respect to the first portion (10), the anti-rotation member (25) being an element protruding from an outer surface (23) at the end (21) of the second elongated portion (20) and positioned, in use, at a groove (16) provided between the first longitudinal cavity (11) and the second longitudinal cavity (12).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a telescopic joystick for manipulating tools such as those used in the agricultural field (for example, tools for harvesting small fruits) or cutting tools, and also for manipulating tools for domestic and industrial use for totally different purposes.

Background

It is well known that there are numerous levers for supporting tools at a determined distance from the user, for example tools for picking fruit from trees, for cutting branches, but also tools for painting or for sanding or for painting walls or for gripping objects, in particular objects from high shelves and closets or for hanging objects, such as clothes, at a desired height, etc.

In order to be easily held by the user and also for long working times, the joystick should be very light and at the same time have sufficient rigidity to hold the engaged tool. Typically, a joystick for manipulating a tool provides a handle portion for a user to grasp the wand and a working end for engagement with the tool. The joystick typically comprises 2 elongate elements telescopically engaged with one another.

Many different kinds of telescopic rods are known from the above disclosure. They are different from each other mainly because of a mechanism for extending or reducing the length and a mechanism for blocking or unblocking the relative sliding.

In CN201878552, a joystick is disclosed, the length of which is manually adjusted by loosening a bushing blocking the sliding of the sliding part with respect to the fixed part and retightening the bushing once the desired rod length is obtained. However, since the operations required to manually adjust the rod length, both in the case of using the mechanism disclosed in CN201878552 and in the case of using other similar mechanisms, are generally repeated several times within a working day, they imply an ineffective waste of time and also a considerable ineffective loss of time at the end of the day.

Another example of a telescopic joystick is described in EP 2705932. In this case, the telescopic rod can be lengthened or shortened by acting on the bottom portion arranged close to the handle to actuate an electric motor, which is provided with the rod and causes the threaded rod to rotate in a direction of rotation or in the opposite direction of rotation and therefore causes the sliding element associated with the threaded rod to translate forwards or backwards.

However, the solution provided in EP2705932 requires equipping the joystick with a dedicated motor, an associated motion transmission mechanism and an energy supply for the motor. This means a significant increase in the weight and overall cost of the joystick, and also means mechanical complications for the joystick.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a telescopic joystick which allows the user to manipulate a tool in a remote work area, which allows the length of the joystick to be adjusted manually, and which allows the stick to be blocked easily and quickly once the desired length is reached, without losing the user's grip position of the joystick in the work condition.

The above and other objects are achieved by a telescopic joystick which can be lengthened or shortened manually, comprising:

-a first elongated portion having a tubular shape and provided with a handle portion on which a user grips the joystick;

-a second elongated portion telescopically engaged with the first elongated portion at a first end and configured to slide freely relative to the first elongated portion, the second elongated portion engaged with the work tool at a second end;

-blocking/unblocking means arranged to move between a blocking configuration, in which the blocking/unblocking means blocks the second elongated portion from freely sliding with respect to the first elongated portion, and an unblocking configuration, in which the blocking/unblocking means allows the second elongated portion to freely slide with respect to the first elongated portion;

the telescopic joystick is mainly characterized in that the telescopic joystick is further provided with:

-a control member configured to be manually operated by a user to move the blocking/unblocking means from the blocking configuration to the unblocking configuration and vice versa, the control member being located at the handle portion.

In particular, the solution provided by the present invention allows to adjust the length of the bar substantially without changing the grip of the user with respect to the working conditions (i.e. when the tool is working).

Further features of the invention and related embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

Drawings

The invention will now be illustrated by the following description of exemplary but non-limiting embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a telescopic joystick according to the present invention;

fig. 2 shows, in a partial section, an enlargement of a portion of the joystick of fig. 1, to highlight some structural aspects;

figure 3 schematically shows a side view of a possible embodiment of the rod of figure 1;

figure 4 shows a section according to arrows IV-IV of the rod of figure 3;

fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the telescopic joystick of fig. 1;

fig. 6A shows, in partial section, an enlargement of a portion of the lever of fig. 5, in order to highlight some structural aspects in the disengaged configuration;

fig. 6B shows, in partial section, an enlargement of a portion of the lever of fig. 1, in order to highlight some structural aspects in the blocking configuration;

figures 6C and 6D show an alternative embodiment of the blocking member of figures 6A and 6B provided by the present invention, in an unblocking configuration and a blocking configuration, respectively;

fig. 7 schematically shows a side view of another alternative embodiment of the telescopic joystick of fig. 1;

fig. 8 shows, in a partial section, an enlargement of a portion of the joystick of fig. 7, in order to highlight some structural aspects.

Detailed Description

As schematically shown in fig. 1, the telescopic joystick 1 according to the present invention comprises a first elongated portion 10, preferably tubular and provided with a handle portion 15 configured to be gripped by a user. Furthermore, the lever 1 comprises a second elongated portion 20 telescopically engaged with the first elongated portion 10 at a first end 21 so as to be freely slidable with respect to the first portion 10. Second portion 20 is then engaged with work tool 50 at a second end 22 opposite first end 21. As shown in the example of fig. 3, the work tool may be a motorized tool, such as a tool for shaking branches to drop fruit, or any other type of tool, such as a cutting tool or a tool for painting or grinding a surface, etc. Furthermore, the joystick 1 according to the present invention comprises blocking/unblocking means 30 arranged to hinder/allow the free sliding of the second elongated portion 20 with respect to the first elongated portion 10. More precisely, the blocking/unblocking means 30 are arranged to move between a blocking configuration, in which the blocking/unblocking means 30 blocks the second elongated portion 20 from freely sliding with respect to the first elongated portion 10, and an unblocking configuration, in which, on the contrary, the second portion 20 is free to translate with respect to the first portion 10.

According to the present invention, a control member 55 is also provided, which is configured to be manually operated by a user to move the blocking/unblocking means 30 from the above-mentioned blocking configuration to the above-mentioned unblocking configuration and vice versa. More specifically, the control member 55 may be configured to rotate in a first rotational direction and an opposite second rotational direction, or to translate in the first direction or the opposite second direction, or to perform a first series of movements comprising at least one rotation and at least one translation, and a second series of movements also comprising at least one rotation and at least one translation.

In particular, as shown in fig. 1, 5, and 7, a control member 55 (e.g., a handle) may be positioned at the handle portion 15. In this way, the user can easily and comfortably block/unblock the free sliding of the second portion 20 with respect to the first portion 10 without losing grip on the joystick 1, in particular without losing the grip portion 15. In fact, for example, it is sufficient to rest the end of the holding means 50 of the joystick 1 against the ground: the blocking/unblocking means 30 are unblocked by acting on the control member 55 to withdraw or advance a distance corresponding to the desired lengthening or shortening of the joystick 1, and the second elongated portion 20 is blocked again from sliding with respect to the first portion 10 by acting again on the control member 55, all without losing grip on the handle portion 15 at which the user grips the joystick 1 during normal operating conditions.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the blocking/unblocking means 30 may in particular comprise a blocking member 35, for example a clamp portion, or, as will be described in detail below, at least one blocking member, advantageously substantially annular in shape, for example at least one turn of a clamping cable or at least one collar or other similar element.

More precisely, the blocking member 35 is configured to move from a blocking position of the second elongated portion 20, in which it blocks the free sliding of the second portion with respect to the first elongated portion 10, and an unblocking position, in which it does not block the free sliding of the second portion, on the contrary.

In particular, an actuation member 40, for example an actuation rod, is provided, which is operatively connected to the control member 55 and the blocking member 35, for example at the control portion 41 and the actuation portion 42, respectively. Advantageously, the actuating member 40 is configured to actuate the movement of the blocking member 35 disclosed above from the blocking position to the unblocking position and vice versa.

In particular, as shown in the exemplary embodiments of fig. 5 to 6B, 7 and 8, the blocking member 35 may be a gripping cable, for example a wire rope, advantageously made of steel, preferably consisting of a braid of very thin strands, which make the cable soft and pliable. More particularly, the clamping cable 35 is wound on the second elongated portion 20 in such a way as to form at least one turn of a coil (for example a five turn coil). In this way, the actuating member 40 is configured to move between an actuated position to clamp the cable 35 and a released position. In more detail, when the actuating member 40 is set in the actuating position, it stretches the clamping cable 35, thus exerting a predetermined tension on the clamping cable 35. Thus, the clamping cable 35 fastens the second elongated portion 20 of the lever at the or each turn of the coil 36 and thus hinders the second elongated portion 20 from freely sliding relative to the first portion 10. Conversely, when the actuating member 40 is set in the release position, the clamping cable 35 is not subjected to the predetermined tension disclosed above, and the or each turn of the coil 36 is relaxed around the second elongate portion 20 and thus free to slide relative to the elongate portion 10.

The technical features disclosed above of the invention therefore allow, on the one hand, to ensure that the second elongated portion 20 is firmly engaged with the first portion 10 in the operating configuration of the joystick 1 (i.e. once the desired overall length has been set), and, on the other hand, to easily and quickly trip the device that firmly engages the two portions 10 and 20 of the joystick 1, so as to adjust its length as required. In more detail, the control member 55 is configured such that, when it is manually acted upon by a user, it can actuate the control member to move the actuating member 40 from the actuating position to the release position and vice versa.

In one example, the actuating member is configured to move from the actuated position to the released position and vice versa by rotation. In this case, referring to fig. 8, when the actuating member 40 is rotated about its axis of rotation 140 in a first rotational direction, it moves from an actuating position, in which the cable is subjected to a predetermined tension, to a cable release position, in which the lever 1 can be lengthened or shortened as required. Conversely, when the actuating member 40 is rotated in a second rotational direction, opposite to the first rotational direction, a movement is caused from the release position to the actuation position, in which the lever 1 of the manoeuvring tool 50 can be used instead.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, alternative to the previous embodiments and schematically illustrated in fig. 5 to 6B, the actuating member 40 is configured to move from the actuating position to the release position by translation in a first direction 141 and from the release position to the actuating position by translation in a second direction 142 opposite to the first direction. In particular, the clamping cable 35 has a predetermined fixed length, so that it is slightly loose around the second elongated portion 20, thus leaving the second elongated portion 20 in the unlocked position, completely free to slide (fig. 6A). When the actuating member 40 is slid in the direction of arrow 142 by acting on the control member 55, the multi-turn coil 36 is forced to secure the second portion 20, in particular by being arranged in an inclined position with respect to the second portion, for example due to the presence of a first abutment surface 66 and a second abutment surface 67 (fig. 6B) arranged on opposite sides of the multi-turn coil 36. In particular, the abutment surface 67 is configured to force the multi-turn coil 36 to be disposed in an inclined position with respect to the longitudinal axis 120 of the second elongated portion 20. As can be easily understood, this causes an extended elongation of the coil per turn, on the contrary being made of a material that is not stretchable and therefore does not allow such elongated coil to adhere to the portion 20 and firmly fasten it, thus hindering its sliding. It should be noted that any sliding force (if any) exerted on the second elongated portion 20 of the joystick 1 in the direction of arrow 142 during use may cause the multi-turn coils 36 to be positioned more obliquely and stretched, thereby further increasing their blocking effect on the second elongated portion 20. This last aspect may also be used to cause unidirectional movement of the second elongated portion 20. More precisely, by exerting only a small tension on the actuating member 40, in particular acting on the intermediate position of the actuating member 40, which is not sufficiently resistant, for example by means of a spring with a small elastic constant (not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity), the second elongated portion 20 is free to slide in the opposite direction to the arrow 142 (tending to make the multi-turn coil 36 less inclined, thus reducing the grip already little), whereas in the opposite sliding direction (i.e. in the direction of the arrow 142) a small grip on the portion 20 would tend to make the multi-turn coil 36 more inclined, thus increasing the grip, thus preventing the portion 20 from sliding in the direction of the arrow 142. The solution disclosed above therefore allows lengthening the telescopic joystick 1 without having to place the end provided with the tool 50 on the ground, since it is sufficient to apply one or more alternate and determinate movements in the direction of movement in this control position, so that the sliding member can move only in the desired direction of elongation due to inertia, since the return is hindered. It is to be noted that any solution providing for exploiting the sliding movement of the actuating member 40 instead of its rotation can also be achieved by using a wire, preferably made of steel, substantially in the shape of a spring instead of clamping the cable 35 or by replacing the or each turn of coil 36 with a determined number of annular elements 36 'or small rings, preferably made of metal, similar to what has been described above, the annular elements 36' or small rings being moved by the two projections or actuating teeth 46a and 46b of the actuating member 40, and the inner diameter of the annular element 36' or small ring is such that, when they are arranged substantially coaxially with the second portion (fig. 6C), they can slide freely on the second portion 20, and, on the contrary, they cannot slide when they are forced into an inclined position with respect to the second portion 20 by actuating the teeth 46a and 46b (fig. 6D).

It should also be noted that the blocking action shown in fig. 6B in the case of a cable and in fig. 6D in the case of a ring element 36 'can similarly be obtained by translating the actuating member 40 in the opposite direction to that shown with respect to the same free sliding position shown in fig. 6A or 6C, so as to force the turns 36 or the ring element 36' to be positioned mirror-wise in the opposite direction.

With reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 6C and 6D, when the user acts on the control member 55 to move the actuating member 40 to the release position (fig. 6C), the actuating teeth 46b, positioned downstream of the annular element 36 'in the translation direction, displace the annular element 36' to a position in which they are arranged substantially coaxially with the elongated portion 20, so that they do not hinder the free sliding of the elongated portion 20 with respect to the elongated portion 10, i.e. the unblocking configuration disclosed above is obtained. Conversely, when the user acts on the control member 55 to move the actuating member 40 to the actuating position (fig. 6D), the actuating teeth 46a arranged in a translational direction downstream of the annular element 36 'cause the or each annular blocking member 36' to move with respect to the axis 120 of the elongated portion 20 to an inclined position in which they hinder the free sliding of the elongated portion 20 with respect to the elongated portion 10. More precisely, the inclined position is obtained thanks to the provision of the abutment surface 67 arranged in an inclined position with respect to the axis 120 of the elongated portion 20.

Obviously, in all the embodiments, in order to obtain the return of the sliding portion without having to place the end of the holding tool on the ground, it is sufficient to manoeuvre the telescopic operating lever 1 upwards, since in the disengaged position it is the weight of the sliding portion that causes its return.

According to the invention, the user can cause the above disclosed rotation and the above disclosed translation of the actuation member 40 by acting on the control member 55 accordingly, according to the constructive solution adopted. For example, again depending on the constructive solution adopted, the user can actuate the control member 55 to translate, in particular longitudinally, to the first portion 10 (fig. 5), or to rotate (see fig. 7), also a combination of movements comprising at least one rotation and at least one translation of the control member 55. Generally, the user moves the actuation member 40 from the release position to the actuation position and vice versa as the control member 55 translates in one direction or the opposite direction, or rotates in one direction or the opposite direction, or moves through a first series of movements or a second series of movements opposite to the first series of movements.

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 4, the first portion 10 of the lever 1 may provide a first longitudinal cavity 11 at which, in use, the second elongate portion 20 is telescopically engaged with the first portion 10, and a second longitudinal cavity 12, the second longitudinal cavity 11 preferably being eccentrically disposed relative to the first longitudinal cavity 11 and arranged to receive, in use, the actuating member 40. The actuating member 40 may be a rod, for example made of a metal material or a plastic material. Still referring to fig. 4, furthermore an anti-rotation member, for example a tooth 25, may be provided, which is arranged to hinder the rotation of the second elongated portion 20 with respect to the first elongated portion 10 during its sliding or in any case without being blocked. In particular, the anti-rotation member 25 may be an element projecting from the outer surface 23 of the second elongated portion 20 and arranged at a groove 16, the groove 16 being arranged between the two longitudinal cavities 11 and 12 described above.

In particular, when the control member 55 is manually actuated by the user in one of the ways disclosed above, the actuating rod 40 is mounted inside the second longitudinal cavity 12 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis 140 in a first direction of rotation or in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. More specifically, rotation of the actuating lever 40 in the first rotational direction generates a tension on the clamping cable 35 and therefore tightens the second elongated portion 20 of the lever through the cable, thus blocking it in a determined position with respect to the first portion 10. Conversely, when the user acts on the control member 55 in the above-described manner in order to rotate the actuating lever 40 in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the cable 35 is not subjected to the above-disclosed tension, and therefore the second elongated portion 20 of the lever 1 is substantially disengaged and therefore free to slide with respect to the first portion 10.

As shown schematically in fig. 6A, the above disclosed clamping cable 35 provides a first end 35a and a second end 35b which are fixed to the actuating member 40, for example at respective through holes 45a and 45 b.

As shown in detail in fig. 2, 6A, 6B and 8, actuating portion 42 of actuating lever 40 may advantageously protrude a predetermined length from second longitudinal cavity 12 of first portion 10 of lever 1. In particular, a protective sleeve 60 may be provided which is configured to cover, in use, the actuation portion 42 and the or each turn of the coil 36 of the gripping cable 35. More particularly, the protective bushing 60 may be configured to engage the first portion 10 of the joystick 1. In this way, possible damages of the above disclosed mechanism of the blocking/unblocking device 30 according to the present invention or in any case a reduction of its efficiency due to the infiltration of dust or moisture or different kinds of material fragments generated during the use of the tool 50 are avoided.

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 8, the actuating portion 42 can be associated with a protective casing 47, the protective casing 47 being made, for example, of a metallic or plastic material and configured to guide the ends 35a and 35b of the clamping cable 35 during the rotation of the actuating member 40 in the actuating or releasing step. As also shown in the example of fig. 8, the protective bushing 60 can be provided with an abutment surface 66, for example formed at the abutment tooth 65, which abutment surface 66 is arranged to axially house the or each turn of the coil 36 of the clamping cable 35 wound on the second portion 20, or, as shown in fig. 6A, to allow, together with the opposite abutment 67, the correct positioning of the turns of the coil 36 corresponding to the free sliding position shown.

The following explanation is appropriate: although not shown in fig. 1 to 8, the tool 50 according to which the joystick 1 according to the present invention is equipped may be equipped with electrical and/or mechanical transmission means or other types of means required to move the tool 50. In particular, the joystick 1 can house at least an extensible, preferably helical, electric cable inside it, which is arranged to transmit, starting from the handle portion 15, the electric power necessary to power the tool 50 and to actuate the tool 50. Likewise, if the tool 50 is of the pneumatic type, the joystick 1 can house inside it an extensible, preferably helical, tube arranged to deliver, starting from the handle portion 15, the compressed air required to supply and actuate the tool 50.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiments without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. Thus, the means and materials for performing the different functions described herein may have different properties without departing from the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.