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A combination propulsion and control handle for a work machine, including an elongate control stalk having a mounting end, an opposite free end, and an internal cavity in connection with an opening in the free end, and a hand grip disposed in overlaying relation to the free end, the hand grip includ

A combination propulsion and control handle for a work machine, including an elongate control stalk having a mounting end, an opposite free end, and an internal cavity in connection with an opening in the free end, and a hand grip disposed in overlaying relation to the free end, the hand grip including at least one input device in a position so as to be operable by a finger of a hand grasping the hand grip for causing a change of state of the input device, the at least one input device including at least one elongate conductive element extending therefrom through the opening and the internal cavity of the control stalk, the hand grip being mounted so as to allow simultaneous limited rotation thereof about the control stalk and rotation of the elongate conductive element within the stalk, for allowing varying the positioning of an operator's hand, without twisting of the conductive elements.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A combination propulsion and control handle for a work machine, comprising: an elongate control stalk having a mounting end, a free end opposite the mounting end, and an internal cavity in connection with an opening in the free end; and a hand grip disposed in overlaying rela

What is claimed is: 1. A combination propulsion and control handle for a work machine, comprising: an elongate control stalk having a mounting end, a free end opposite the mounting end, and an internal cavity in connection with an opening in the free end; and a hand grip disposed in overlaying relation to at least a portion of the free end of the control stalk, the hand grip including at least one input device in a position so as to be operable by a finger of a hand grasping the hand grip for causing a change of state of the input device, the at least one input device including at least one elongate conductive element extending therefrom through the opening and the internal cavity of the control stalk, the hand grip being mounted so as to allow simultaneous limited rotation thereof about the control stalk and rotation of the at least one elongate conductive element within the stalk. 2. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 1, further comprising a hand rest mounted so as to extend at least partially around a lower region of the hand grip so as to be rotatable therewith relative to the control stalk. 3. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 1, wherein the hand grip is retained on the control stalk by at least one retaining element which passes through the internal cavity of the control stalk and rotates with the hand grip relative to the control stalk so as to urge the conductive element to rotate within the internal cavity when the hand grip is rotated, to limit twisting of the at least one conductive element during the rotation. 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the retaining element extends through slots in opposite sides of the control stalk so as to support the hand grip in a fixed longitudinal position thereon while allowing the limited rotation of the hand grip about a longitudinal axis through the stalk. 5. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 4, comprising two of the retaining elements. 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one input device comprise a plurality of switches. 7. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a layer of a rubbery material disposed between the stalk and the hand grip for providing limited resistance to rotation of the hand grip relative to the stalk. 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the work machine comprises an agricultural combine, and the at least one input device comprises a first switch operable for controlling a position of a header of the combine and a second switch operable for controlling a position of a reel of the header. 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises a wire. 10. An adjustable combination propulsion and control handle for a work machine, comprising: an elongate control stalk having a mounting end and a free end opposite the mounting end, at least the free end including a longitudinally extending internal passage therein in connection with a opening in the free end; and a hand grip mounted in overlaying relation to at least a portion of the free end of the control stalk for rotation relative thereto about a longitudinal axis therethrough, the hand grip including an outer surface therearound adapted to be grasped in a hand, the hand grip including a hand rest adjacent to a lower region of the hand grip in position for supporting a hand when grasping the hand grip, and a plurality of input devices on an upper region of the hand grip, each of the input devices being positioned so as to be operable by a finger of a hand resting on the hand rest and grasping the hand grip, the input devices including at least one elongate conductive element extending therefrom and routed through the opening into the internal cavity of the control stalk and downwardly through the internal cavity, and the hand grip being mounted on the control stalk by at least one retaining element extending transversely through the stalk thereby allowing simultaneous limited rotation of the hand grip and the at least one conductive element relative to the stalk about the axis. 11. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 10, wherein the free end of the control stalk includes at least one elongate slot therein in connection with the internal cavity and extending transversely relative to the axis, the slot having a predetermined transverse extent, the at least one retaining element extending through the slot for retaining the hand grip on the stalk and allowing a range of limited rotation of the hand grip about the stalk about equal to the transverse extent of the slot. 12. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 11, wherein the at least one retaining element comprises an elongate fastener which passes through a pair of the slots located in opposing relation one to the other on opposite sides of the internal cavity of the stalk. 13. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 12, comprising at least two of the retaining elements located at longitudinally spaced locations along the stalk in position for causing simultaneous rotation of the at least one conductive element within the stalk when the hand grip is rotated relative to the stalk, to limit twisting of the at least one conductive element. 14. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 10, wherein the at least one input device comprise a plurality of switches. 15. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 11, further comprising a layer of a rubbery material disposed between the stalk and the hand grip for providing limited resistance to rotation of the hand grip relative to the stalk. 16. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 11, wherein the work machine comprises an agricultural combine, and the at least one input device comprises a first switch operable for controlling a position of a header of the combine and a second switch operable for controlling a position of a reel of the header. 17. The adjustable combination propulsion and control handle of claim 10, wherein the conductive element comprises a wire. 18. A combination propulsion and control handle for a work machine, comprising: a generally upstanding elongate control stalk having a lower mounting end and an upper free end, at least the free end including a longitudinally extending internal passage therein in connection with a opening in the free end; and a hand grip disposed in overlaying relation to at least a portion of the free end of the control stalk, the hand grip including an outer surface therearound adapted to be grasped in a hand, the hand grip including a hand rest adjacent to a lower portion of the hand grip in position for supporting a hand when grasping the hand grip, and a plurality of input devices on an upper portion of the hand grip, each of the input devices being positioned so as to be operable by a finger of a hand resting on the hand rest and grasping the hand grip, the input devices including at least one elongate conductive element extending therefrom and routed through the opening into the internal cavity of the control stalk and downwardly through the internal cavity, the hand grip being retained on the control stalk by at least one retaining element extending transversely through a lower portion of the hand grip and through transversely extending slots through the stalk and into the internal cavity thereof, for preventing upward and downward movement of the hand grip relative to the stalk while allowing limited rotation of the hand grip about the stalk and simultaneous limited rotation of the at least one conductive element within the internal cavity of the stalk when the hand grip is rotated. 19. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 18, comprising at least two of the retaining elements located at longitudinally spaced locations along the stalk in position for causing simultaneous rotation of the at least one conductive element with in the stalk when the hand grip is rotated relative to the stalk, to limit twisting of the at least one conductive element. 20. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 18, wherein the at least one input device comprise a plurality of switches. 21. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 18, further comprising a layer of a rubbery material disposed between the stalk and the hand grip for providing limited resistance to rotation of the hand grip relative to the stalk. 22. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 18, wherein the work machine comprises an agricultural combine, and the at least one input device comprises a first switch operable for controlling a position of a header of the combine and a second switch operable for controlling a position of a reel of the header. 23. The combination propulsion and control handle of claim 18, wherein the conductive element comprises a wire.