Push button switch for a controller

An improved controller of the type having a body which includes an interior wall and a floor forming an upper recess, a shaft having an external end and a pair of opposing longitudinal slots proximate the external end, and a means for pivotally mounting the shaft in the body, wherein the improvement comprises:

• a handle fitted over the external end of the shaft, the handle and shaft having a longitudinal opening therethrough which includes a constricted portion within the handle and the external end of the shaft is fixedly journaled within the opening such that a chamber is formed between the constricted portion and the external end;
• a rod means slidably positioned within the opening and having a piston portion located within the chamber of a length less than that of the chamber such that a movement of the rod means is limited by the travel of the piston portion within the chamber;
• a collar having a tubular neck portion which encloses and slidably engages the shaft and a concave end;
• a switch operator means having an outer convex bearing surface which slidably engages the concave end of the collar and a central passage through which passes the actuator shaft, the switch operator means fitting within the upper recess and slidably engaging the interior wall such that its movement is restricted to a direction parallel to the wall;
• and
• a switching means positioned between the switch operator means and the floor and having an actuator extending between the switching means and the switch operator means, and having a bracket mounted on the floor of the recess such that, as the rod means is displaced toward the body, the rod means urges the collar to displace the switch operator means toward the body thereby closing the actuator of the switching means.

In a controller of the type having a body, a shaft, and means for pivotally mounting the actuator shaft in the body, a push button switch comprising:

• a handle fitted over an external end of the shaft, the handle and shaft having a longitudinal opening therethrough;
• rod means slidably positioned within the opening;
• push button means slidably mounted within the handle and abutting the rod means;
• a collar connected to the rod means;
• switch operator means having an outer convex bearing surface slidably engaging the collar and defining a central passage through which passes the shaft;
• and
• switching means positioned between the switch operator means and the body such that, as the push button means is displaced toward the body, the rod means urges the collar to displace the switch operator means toward the body thereby closing the switching means.