BBC Micro unsprung joystick
 | |
| Branding | None |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Buttons | 1 |
| Interfaces | BBC Micro analogue in |
| Sensing | Analogue |
BBC Micro unsprung joystick refers here to an unbranded analogue joystick for the Acorn BBC Microcomputer.
Description
The joystick is entirely devoid of branding. Being an analogue device, it comprises solely a pair of potentiometers and a simple pushbutton switch; as such, there is no PCB to bear manufacturer details.
Instead of providing a full hand grip, the direction stick is a small thumb lever more like the thumb joysticks on game controllers. However, the direction stick is unsprung, and will remain in any position in which it is placed. The large range of motion offered, and the ease with which the stick can be moved, makes it suitable as a pointing device, where the cursor position corresponds precisely with the stick position.
In the example below, a simple threaded pushbutton was selected. The same joystick has also been manufactured with a more elegant choice of button.[Citation needed] The top and bottom shells are similar; the top shell has cutouts for the direction stick and pushbutton, while the bottom shell leaves these areas filled in. The screws enter from the top, and secure the shell by reaching down to the matching screw shafts on the bottom shell.
As the BBC Micro features only a single analogue port, a pair of joysticks are required to share the same plug. This type of joystick was also sold in this arrangement.[Citation needed]
Disassembly
Simply remove the three screws from the top; the case will then come apart. The potentiometer assembly is not secured, and is held in place purely by the case itself.
Gallery
Top
Pushbutton
Bottom
D-Sub 15-pin connector
Opened
Sensing module
Potentiometer detail
