Contactless switch and joystick controller using Hall elements

A contactless push button switch for use in a panel having an aperture formed therethrough comprising:

• an elongate tubular body having an aperture extending therethrough, said body being externally threaded adjacent the lower end thereof;
• a fastener engaging the threads of said body for securing the body in the aperture extending through the panel;
• a rod positioned in the aperture through the body for sliding movement longitudinally along a predetermined axis, said rod having a length approximating the length of the aperture of said body;
• a push button secured to one end of the rod;
• spring means positioned between the body and the push button for biasing the rod for movement in a predetermined direction along the predetermined axis;
• means for retaining said rod within said body;
• magnet means secured in the end of the rod remote from the push button;
• a Hall effect switch;
• and
• bracket means supporting the Hall effect switch in alignment with the predetermined axis at a point substantially displaced from the normal positioning of the magnet means under the action of the spring means and for actuation by the magnet means upon movement of the rod and the magnet means carried thereby along the predetermined axis against the action of the spring means in response to actuation of the push button.

A push button contactless switch for use in conjunction with a panel having an aperture formed therethrough comprising:

• an elongate tubular body having an aperture formed therethrough, said body having a retaining groove extending about the lower end thereof;
• a snap ring engaging said retaining groove for securing the body in the aperture formed through the panel;
• a spring mounted between said snap ring and said panel for holding said body within the panel;
• a rod positioned in the aperture in the body for sliding movement along a predetermined axis, said rod having a length approximating the length of the aperture of said body;
• a push button secured to one end of the rod;
• spring means positioned between the body and the push button for biasing the rod for movement in a predetermined direction along the predetermined axis;
• means for retaining said rod within said body;
• at least one magnet mounted in the rod for movement therewith back and forth along the predetermined axis;
• a Hall effect switch mounted in the body adjacent the path of movement of the magnet in the rod;
• and
• said Hall effect switch being normally substantially displaced from the magnet and positioned for actuation by the magnet upon movement of the rod along the axis against the action of the spring means responsive to actuation of the push button.