CONTROL

GRIPS

Grips in this section

are normally used
in tracked vehicles
and naval vessels or
by aircraft crew mem-
bers other than the pilot or co-
pilot. Many have a non-conventional
shape.

In aircraft these are the grips used by the Weapons

Officer, Bomber/Navigator, Radar Intercept Officer, Refuel-
ing Boom Operator, Hoist/Rescue Hoist operator, or by crew
members responsible for deploying and retrieving sonar cables,
laying and sweeping mines, or other special functions. In
tracked vehicles they are used by the commander, gunner and
driver. In naval vessels they are used by the weapons/missile
officer. Various combinations of switches, optical encoders, poten-
tiometers, force transducers, lever and thumbwheel operated de-
vices and electronics are used in these grips.

Our most versatile grip, shown in various forms on the first few pages
of this section, utilizes a basic grip that has a large opening in the
head. Versatility is obtained by using different face
plates in the opening. Switches, potentiom-
eters, transducers, optical encoders, etc. can
be arranged as desired on this plate without
affecting the base grip. Configuration
changes can be made by simply using a different face plate.
The grip without protrusions on the sides is symmetrical
about the vertical centerline, allowing it to be used for right or
left hand applications, making it even more versatile. There
are more than 200 variations of these grips already in
existence, some specifically for right hand operation,
some for left, some for both. Grips are produced in
investment cast aluminum or molded plastic, usually in
flat black, although other colors are available.

Various types of mountings

are used, through the
base, side bracket or flat
base plate for attachment
to brackets. Some are portable,
stowed by a hook or strips of Velcro
(or firm mounted and easily detached to
become portable). Many include a connector,
cable or box below the mount to house mechanism or
required circuit cards.