Hand-secured pushbutton control device

Claim 1

A control device comprising a body which can be maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the palm and back of the user's hand without immobilizing the user's fingers; and a plurality of sets of switch means supported by said body, each of said sets of switch means being aligned with and adapted to be operated by a different finger, each of said pushbutton sets comprising first, second, third, and fourth switch means, said first and second switch means being adapted to be actuated by pivoting of the aligned finger in first and second senses, respectively, about the center of said hand, in directions substantially parallel to the palm, from a rest position to positions corresponding to the opening and closing of the hand; said third switch means in each set being adapted to be operated by the aligned finger through the movement of the finger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the palm from the rest position to a position relatively remote from the palm; and said fourth switch means in each set being adapted to be operated by the aligned finger through the movement of the finger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the palm, from the rest position to a position relatively proximate to the palm.