Mechanical actuator apparatus for a touch sensing surface of an electronic device

1. A mechanical actuator apparatus for an electronic device having a touch sensing surface, comprising:

a) a mechanical actuator including a base for accommodating a first magnetic member;

b) a flexible attachment member including a second magnetic member for engaging said first magnetic member;

c) said attachment member including a surface configured to mount directly over and engage the touch sensing surface;

d) said mechanical actuator including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface; and

e) said mechanical actuator including a non-conductive member for spacing the actuator a distance from and contacting the touch sensing surface.

2. The actuator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

a) said second magnetic member is immovably positioned relative to said attachment member.

3. The actuator apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:

a) said attachment member is immovably mounted over the touch sensing surface.

4. The actuator apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:

a) the surface of said attachment member includes a temporary or permanent adhesive.

5. The actuator apparatus of claim 4 , wherein:

a) said attachment member is made of a clear plastic film substantially corresponding in size to the touch sensing surface.

6. The actuator apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

a) the mechanical actuator comprises a joystick.

7. The actuator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises a film having said second magnetic member embedded therein.

8. The actuator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises two films sandwiching said second magnetic member therebetween.

9. The actuator apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

a) said second magnetic member comprises a magnetic mesh.

10. The actuator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises a film having said second magnetic member attached thereto.

11. The actuator apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:

a) said second magnetic member comprises a magnetic mesh.

12. The actuator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

a) the electronic device comprises a television, videogame monitor, videogame console, a gaming device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a fablet, a phablet, a cellphone, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a combination thereof.

13. A joystick apparatus for an electronic device having a touch sensing surface, comprising:

a) a joystick including a handle portion and a cooperating base portion;

b) said base portion including an upstanding sleeve;

c) said handle portion including a skirt portion for operably engaging said sleeve for thereby securing a first magnetic member therebetween;

d) an attachment member including a second magnetic member for engaging said first magnetic member;

e) said attachment member including a surface configured to mount directly over and engage the touch sensing surface; and

f) said base portion including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface.

14. The joystick apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) said second magnetic member is immovably positioned relative to said attachment member.

15. The joystick apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:

a) said attachment member is immovably mounted over the touch sensing surface.

16. The joystick apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

a) the surface of said attachment member includes electrostatic, magnetostatic, or electromagnetic properties.

17. The joystick apparatus of claim 15 , wherein:

a) the surface of said attachment member includes a temporary or permanent adhesive.

18. The joystick apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises a film having said second magnetic member embedded therein.

19. The joystick apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises two films sandwiching said second magnetic member therebetween.

20. The joystick apparatus of claim 19 , wherein:

a) said second magnetic member comprises a magnetic mesh.

21. The joystick apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) said upstanding sleeve defines a recess therein for holding said first magnetic member.

22. The joystick apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) said skirt portion defines a recess therein for holding said first magnetic member.

23. The joystick apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises a film having said second magnetic member attached thereto.

24. The joystick apparatus of claim 23 , wherein:

a) said second magnetic member comprises a magnetic mesh.

25. The actuator apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

a) the electronic device comprises a television, videogame monitor, videogame console, a gaming device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a fablet, a phablet, a cellphone, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a combination thereof.

26. A mechanical actuator apparatus for an electronic device having a touch sensing surface, comprising:

a) a mechanical actuator including a base for accommodating a magnetic member;

b) a flexible attachment member including a magnetic mesh for engaging said magnetic member;

c) said attachment member including a surface configured to mount directly over and engage the touch sensing surface;

d) said mechanical actuator including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface; and

e) said mechanical actuator including a non-conductive member for spacing the actuator a distance from and contacting the touch sensing surface.

27. The actuator apparatus of claim 26 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises a film having said magnetic mesh attached thereto.

28. The actuator apparatus of claim 27 , wherein:

a) said film substantially corresponds in size to the touch sensing surface.

29. The actuator apparatus of claim 28 , wherein:

a) said magnetic mesh corresponds in size to said film.

30. The actuator apparatus of claim 28 , wherein:

a) the mechanical actuator comprises a joystick.

31. The actuator apparatus of claim 26 , wherein:

a) said attachment member comprises two films sandwiching said magnetic mesh therebetween.

32. The actuator apparatus of claim 26 , wherein:

a) the surface of said attachment member includes a temporary or permanent adhesive.

33. A method of attaching a mechanical actuator apparatus to a touch sensing surface, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a mechanical actuator apparatus, comprising:

i) a mechanical actuator including a first magnetic member;

ii) a flexible attachment member including a second magnetic member for engaging the first magnetic member;

iii) the attachment member including a surface configured to mount directly over and engage the touch sensing surface;

iv) the mechanical actuator including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface; and

v) the mechanical actuator including a non-conductive member for spacing the actuator a distance from and contacting the touch sensing surface;

b) mounting the attachment member immovably over and in engagement with the touch sensing surface; and

c) manipulating the mechanical actuator so as to engage the first magnetic member with the second magnetic member.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein:

a) the mechanical actuator comprises a joystick actuator.

35. The method of claim 34 , wherein:

the joystick actuator, comprises:

i) a joystick including a handle portion and a cooperating base portion;

ii) the base portion including an upstanding sleeve; and

iii) the handle portion including a skirt portion for operably engaging the sleeve for thereby securing the first magnetic member therebetween; and

iv) the base portion including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface.

36. The method of claim 35 , wherein:

the base portion defines a recess therein for holding the first magnetic member.

37. The method of claim 35 , wherein:

the skirt portion defines a recess therein for holding the first magnetic member.

38. The method of claim 33 , wherein:

the second magnetic member comprises a magnetic mesh.

39. A method of attaching a mechanical actuator apparatus to a touch sensing surface, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a mechanical actuator apparatus, comprising:

i) a joystick actuator including a first magnetic member and comprising:

a joystick including a handle portion and a cooperating base portion;

the base portion including an upstanding sleeve;

the handle portion including a skirt portion for operably engaging the sleeve for thereby securing the first magnetic member therebetween; and

the base portion including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface;

ii) an attachment member including a second magnetic member for engaging the first magnetic member;

iii) the attachment member including a surface configured to mount directly over and engage the touch sensing surface;

iv) the mechanical actuator including a conductive member for contacting the touch sensing surface; and

v) the mechanical actuator including a non-conductive member for spacing the actuator a distance from the touch sensing surface;

b) mounting the attachment member immovably over and in engagement with the touch sensing surface; and

c) manipulating the mechanical actuator so as to engage the first magnetic member with the second magnetic member.

40. The method of claim 39 , wherein:

the base portion defines a recess therein for holding the first magnetic member.

41. The method of claim 39 , wherein:

the skirt portion defines a recess therein for holding the first magnetic member.