Insulated joystick

An aerial device comprising:

• a base;
• a boom assembly presenting a proximal end and a distal end,
• wherein the boom assembly is pivotably secured to the base at the proximal end;
• a utility platform assembly pivotably secured to the distal end of the boom assembly;
• and
• an insulated joystick configured to control movement of the utility platform assembly and the boom assembly,
• said insulated joystick comprising:
• an inner assembly segment presenting a sensor void,
• wherein the inner assembly segment is formed of a dielectric material;
• a linear potentiometer disposed at least partially within the sensor void,
• wherein the linear potentiometer is configured to detect a linear movement of the insulated joystick by a user;
• an axial centering spring for returning the inner assembly segment to a default linear position absent an exterior force,
• wherein the axial centering spring is disposed co-axially with a traversing rod of the insulated joystick;
• a spring interface compressing the axial centering spring under force by the user and connected to the linear potentiometer,
• wherein the linear potentiometer is disposed parallel to the axial centering spring,
• wherein the axial centering spring, the spring interface, and the linear potentiometer are disposed within the inner assembly segment;
• and
• an outer protective segment disposed at least partially around the inner assembly segment,
• wherein the outer protective segment is placed over the inner assembly segment, the inner assembly segment is configured to receive the outer protective segment therearound by inserting the outer protective segment over a distal end of the inner assembly segment
• wherein the outer protective segment is formed of a dielectric material so as to reduce a likelihood of an electrical discharge.

A four-axis insulated joystick comprising:

• an inner assembly segment presenting a sensor void,
• wherein the inner assembly segment is formed of a dielectric material;
• a linear potentiometer disposed at least partially within the sensor void,
• wherein the linear potentiometer is configured to detect a linear movement of the insulated joystick by a user;
• an axial centering spring for returning the inner assembly segment to a default linear position absent an exterior force,
• wherein the axial centering spring is disposed co-axially with a traversing rod of the insulated joystick;
• a spring interface compressing the axial centering spring under force by the user and connected to the linear potentiometer, wherein the linear potentiometer is disposed parallel to the axial centering spring, wherein the axial centering spring, the spring interface, and the linear potentiometer are disposed within the inner assembly segment;
• and
• an outer protective segment disposed at least partially around the inner assembly segment,
• wherein the outer protective segment is placed over the inner assembly segment, the inner assembly segment is configured to receive the outer protective segment therearound by inserting the outer protective segment over a distal end of the inner assembly segment
• wherein the outer protective segment is formed of a dielectric material so as to reduce a likelihood of an electrical discharge.