Hello Everyone,

This is sort of an odd question, but I was daydreaming the other day and started wondering if anyone knows of a fully mechanical joystick mechanism whereas:

-the joystick is connected to a series of pulleys, gears, ratcheting mechanisms, etc.

-the joystick creates an output on the system when the the stick is pushed away from center in any direction, but does not create any output on the system while the joystick returns to center (similar to some electrical joysticks) This action can likely be accomplished with a ratcheting mechanism that creates force when turned in one direction but not the other.

-no electricity is involved

Also, can anyone think of a useful application for a mechanism such as this?

Thanks for the help

  

"-the joystick creates an output on the system when the the stick is pushed away from center in any direction, but does not create any output on the system while the joystick returns to center (similar to some electrical joysticks) "

Even electric (game controller) joysticks produce an output, whenever the stick is off center.

The original joystick was a mechanical system, used to control ailerons and elevator in an airplane.