Abstract:
A hand operable switch includes an operating knob that is movable longitudinally or rotationally about a longitudinal axis of the hand operable switch. The operating knob is accessible from any circumferential location of the hand operable switch. A housing includes switching elements wherein movement of the operating knob moves an activation rod relevant to the switching elements for activating a switching element that corresponds to movement of a controlled device. A converter converts the hand operable switch into a foot operable switch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to switches for electrically controlling mechanical movement of a physical object, and more particularly relates to an improved and convertible switch assembly.  
         [0002]     Hand and foot switches are used in many applications, industrial and commercial as well as residential. Industrial applications may include operation of power tools, conveyers, lifting devices, and many other applications. In many applications, plural foot operated switches are utilized to control more than one operation or function. One common example is the up and down motions of a lifting or vertical positioning device.  
         [0003]     Presently used foot switches generally comprise a pivotal actuating treadle to operate a switch arm or a switch actuator in a separate housing. A spring in some form is provided as a treadle return. Generally, the actuating treadle is connected to a rotating shaft for operating a switch. U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,015 to Braaten discloses a foot switch that encloses the operating mechanisms of the foot switch for preventing adverse effects by environmental debris. Such foot switches are not designed for use by hand, nor for hanging in a pendant fashion from a controller.  
         [0004]     Presently used hand switches, also known as pendant switches, including a housing for accommodating control elements in the form of switches which are actuated by an operator from outside by buttons. Such hand switches must be rotated within an operator&#39;s hand until the buttons are accessible, or the operator must move to a position to access the buttons. In response to the actuation of a button, control signals are generated by which a physical object is moved in a dictated direction. The housing is connected to the physical object, either directly or indirectly, using a cable that includes a separate electric cable by which the control signals are conducted to a control mechanism. Such hand switches are not designed for use by feet, nor for positioning on a floor where one button would be indistinguishable from another without examining the indicia on the buttons or the housing.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The above and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by a switch system having a hand-operable switch, the hand-operable switch having a longitudinal axis and including a switching element for providing a control signal to a control box, an activation rod for activating or deactivating the switching element, and an operating portion for moving the activation rod, wherein the operating portion surrounds the activation rod and is hand operable at any circumferential location of the operating portion.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, a converter for converting a hand operable switch, having a hand operable operating portion, into a foot operable switch, includes a bottom plate, a first foot pedal section and a second foot pedal section, wherein the first foot pedal section and the second foot pedal section are depressible towards the bottom plate, a first operating portion engagement device in association with the first foot pedal section and a second operating portion engagement device in association with the second foot pedal section, wherein depressing the first foot pedal section pushes the first operating portion engagement device against the operating portion for activating a first switching element within the hand operable switch and wherein depressing the second foot pedal section pushes the second operating portion engagement device against the operating portion for activating a second switching element within the hand operable switch.  
         [0007]     In yet another embodiment, a hand operable switch includes a longitudinal axis, a housing, a first switching element in the housing for sending a control signal to move a controlled device in a first direction, a second switching element in the housing for sending a control signal to move a controlled device in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and an operating portion movable along the longitudinal axis, wherein movement of the operating portion towards the housing activates the first switching element and movement of the operating portion away from the housing activates the second switching element.  
         [0008]     The above discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGS.:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a hand switch;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the hand switch of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a hand switch;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a hand switch;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a hand switch;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a hand switch;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a hand switch;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front plan view of an exemplary foot converter for use with a hand switch as shown in one of  FIGS. 1-7 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a front plan view of an exemplary hand switch of the prior art; and,  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a front plan view of an exemplary foot converter for use with the hand switch of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]     A switch system will now be described that incorporates improvements to a hand switch. The switch system can include just the hand switch, or can include optional additional features such as hanging devices, hand guards, or foot converters.  
         [0021]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a hand switch  10  is shown. The hand switch  10  includes a flexible strain housing  12  for housing and protecting an electrical cable. The flexible strain housing  12  is biased in a position such that a longitudinal axis of the flexible strain housing  12  coincides with a longitudinal axis  8  of the hand switch  10 . The flexible strain housing  12  is bendable relative to the longitudinal axis  8  in any direction, and can further be compressed and extended. The flexible strain housing  12  includes a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The first end  14  allows for the passage of the electrical cable to be connected to a control box of a device to be controlled. The hand switch  10  can further include a hook for hanging the hand switch  10 , or a magnet to place the hand switch on any magnetically attractive material. A length of the flexible strain housing  12  from the first end  14  to the second end  16  may vary depending on application. The second end  16  is connected to a first end  20  of a housing  18 . The connection may be via any mechanical engagement, such as, but not limited to, screw threads. In one exemplary embodiment, the second end  16  includes an external male threaded section, while the first end  20  includes an opening having an internal female threaded section for threadably receiving the external male threaded section of the second end  16 . While screw thread engagement is specifically described, it should be understood that alternate connections, mechanical or otherwise, are within the scope of the hand switch  10 .  
         [0022]     The housing  18  can be described as a bell housing due to its bell-shaped cross-section, however alternate shapes are also within the scope of the hand switch  10 . The bell housing shape may advantageously shed liquids and dust. The housing  18  includes a second end  22 , opposite the first end  20 , that is open for receiving a switch mount  24 . The switch mount  24  is firmly attached to the housing  18 , such as by screws, although other connections are within the scope of the hand switch  10 . A seal  25  may be positioned between the switch mount  24  and the housing  18  for sealing the interior formed therein from dust, liquids, debris, etc. The housing  18  and switch mount  24  can form a device having a circular cross-section taken along a plane perpendicularly oriented to the longitudinal axis  8 , although other cross-sections are within the scope of the hand switch  10 .  
         [0023]     Passing through a center of the switch mount  24  is a longitudinally aligned activation rod  26 . The activation rod  26  can be pushed into and out of the housing  18  by an operating portion, such as the illustrated operator controlled thumb wheel  28 . The longitudinally aligned activation rod  26  includes a first portion  30  positioned on a housing side  32  of the thumb wheel  28 , and a second portion  34  positioned on the handle side  36  of the thumb wheel  28 . The thumb wheel  28  is movable with the activation rod  26  in the positive and negative Y directions shown, and is also rotatable with the activation rod  26 , for reasons which will be further described below.  
         [0024]     The hand switch  10  further includes a handle  38 , that, as illustrated, includes a generally conical shape following the longitudinal axis  8  of the hand switch  10 , however, any handle shape would be within the scope of the hand switch  10 . As the activation rod  26  moves further into the housing  18 , the activation rod  26  moves further out of the handle  38 , and as the activation rod  26  moves further out of the housing  18 , the activation rod  26  moves further into the handle  38 . Thus, the thumb wheel  28  is movable towards and away from the handle  38  during longitudinal movement of the activation rod  26 . It should be understood that an operator&#39;s response time to actuate the hand switch  10  is reduced, as compared to a prior pendant having push buttons, because the operator does not have to orient any buttons because the thumb wheel  28  is activatable at any angle.  
         [0025]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an interior view of the housing  18  and handle  38  is revealed. The switch mount  24  includes a base section  40  that substantially closes the open end  22  of the housing  18 , except for a rod opening  42  sized for receiving the activation rod  26  and at least one screw hole  44  for receiving a screw for attaching the switch mount  24  to the housing  18 . While only one screw hole  44  is shown, the illustrated embodiment includes three equally spaced screw holes  44  for receiving three screws  46  that pass through the screw holes  44  in the switch mount  24  and into corresponding aligned screw holes  48  on the interior of the housing  18 . While screws and screw holes are described for attaching the switch mount  24  to the housing  18 , it should be understood that alternate arrangements for attaching the switch mount  24  to the housing  18  are within the scope of the hand switch  10 .  
         [0026]     Extending from the base section  40  of the switch mount  24  is a mounting section  50 . The mounting section  50  supports a first switch  52  and a second switch  54 . The switches  52 ,  54  can be secured to the mounting section  50  using screws  56 . While two switches are described in the illustrated embodiment, certain applications of the hand switch  10  may require more or less switches. Each switch  52 ,  54  includes a plunger  58 ,  60 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2 , both switches  52 ,  54  are in an inactivated state because the plungers  58 ,  60  are not being engaged and pushed within the body of the switches  52 ,  54 . Thus,  FIG. 2  shows a neutral position of the hand switch  10 .  
         [0027]     Extending from the mounting section  50  of the switch mount  24  is a guide rod connecting section  62  that secures a central guide rod  64  to the switch mount  24 . The central guide rod  64  passes longitudinally through the activation rod  26 . The central guide rod  64  can be secured to the mounting section  50  and within the handle  38  using nuts  66  as illustrated, or using alternate connection devices. The central guide rod  64  can be made of a single uniform rod, or several solidly connected sections. The central guide rod  64  defines a preset distance between the switch mount  24  and the handle  38 .  
         [0028]     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the thumb wheel  28  and the activation rod  26  are integrally formed, although the thumb wheel  28  may be a separate element that is rigidly attached to the activation rod, such that movement of the thumb wheel  28  correspondingly moves the activation rod  26 . The activation rod  26  includes an O-ring indentation  68  between the first portion  30  and a cam portion  70 . An O-ring positioned in the O-ring indentation  68  seals off the rod opening  42  as the activation rod  26  passes in and out of the switch mount  24 . The illustrated embodiment of the hand switch  10  further includes an additional O-ring indentation  72  between the second portion  34  and a handle portion  74  of the activation rod  26 , for receiving an additional O-ring for protecting the handle interior from debris. In particular, a spring  76 , such as a compression spring, that is positioned within the handle  38  and surrounding the guide rod  64  is protected from such debris. The spring  76  is positioned between the handle portion  74  of the activation rod  26  and an inner ledge  78  within the handle  38 . With O-rings in place, the hand switch may be substantially waterproof.  
         [0029]     The cam portion  70  of the activation rod  26  is responsible for activating the switches  52 ,  54 . The cam portion  70  includes a generally hour-glass shape as shown. The cam portion  70  includes a central concave section  80  positioned between a first plunger engaging cam  82  and a second plunger engaging cam  84 . The cam portion  70  of the activation rod  26  has an external diameter at the central concave section  80  that is less than an external diameter at the first plunger engaging cam  82  and the second plunger engaging cam  84 . It should be noted that the plunger  58  is located closer to the base section  40  of the switch mount  24  than the plunger  60 . In the neutral position shown in  FIG. 2 , the plungers  58 ,  60  are both located within the central concave section  80 , but the plunger  58  is positioned adjacent the second plunger engaging cam  84  and the plunger  60  is positioned adjacent the first plunger engaging cam  82 . A spring  86 , such as a compression spring, is positioned about the guide rod  64  between the guide rod mounting portion  62  and an interior of the cam portion  70 .  
         [0030]     The operation of the hand switch  10  occurs as follows. With the hand switch  10  biased (via the springs  76 ,  86 ) in the neutral position as shown in  FIG. 2 , an operator may decide to move a controlled device associated with the hand switch  10  in a particular direction, or in a particular condition. By example only, the hand switch  10  can be hung in the vertical direction shown such that movement of the thumb wheel  28  in the negative y direction will move a lift table, for example, downwardly, while moving the thumb wheel  28  in the positive y direction will move the lift table upwardly. In such an exemplary embodiment, movement of the lift table, or other controlled device, is intuitively controlled by the operator moving the thumb wheel  28  in the same direction as the desired movement of the lift table.  
         [0031]     With the thumb wheel  28  positioned in the neutral position shown in  FIG. 2 , the cam portion  70  of the activation rod  26  is positioned such that the plungers  58 ,  60  are both located within the central concave section  80 , and are thus not pushed into the switch  52 ,  54 , and are thus not activating the switches  52 ,  54 . When the thumb wheel  28  is pushed in the positive Y direction, the second plunger engaging cam  84  engages the plunger  58  of the switch  52 . Because the plunger  60  is positioned further from the base section  40  of the switch mount  24 , the second plunger engaging cam  84  does not engage the plunger  60 . Instead, the plunger  60  is still located within the central concave section  80 . Thus, when the thumb wheel  28  is pushed in the positive Y direction, only switch  52  is activated. In an exemplary embodiment, activation of switch  52  can send a signal to a control box of the controlled device to move a lift table, by example only, upwardly. Of course, other control signals that result from an activation of the switch  52  are within the scope of the hand switch  10 .  
         [0032]     In order to engage switch  54 , the thumb wheel  28  is moved in the negative Y direction. Movement of the thumb wheel  28  in the negative Y direction causes the cam portion  70  to correspondingly move in the negative Y direction such that the first plunger engaging cam  82  engages with the plunger  60 , however the plunger  58  remains in the central concave section  80  thus the switch  52  remains inactivated. In an exemplary embodiment, activation of switch  54  can send a signal to a control box of the controlled device to move a lift table, by example only, downwardly. Of course, other control signals that result from an activation of the switch  54  are within the scope of the hand switch  10 .  
         [0033]     It should be understood that electrical connectors  88  extending from the switches  52 ,  54  are electrically connected to the electrical cable housed and protected by the flexible strain housing  12 . Thus, electric signals emanating from either of the switches  52 ,  54  are sent through the electrical cable to the control box associated with the controlled device. The electrical connection between the switches  52 ,  54  and the electrical cable may be via a card, such as a printed circuit board, housed within the housing  18 , or simply through electrical wiring.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  demonstrates other exemplary embodiments of the hand switch. The hand switch  100 , while functionally similar to the hand switch  10 , includes an operating portion, such as a double concave operating portion  102 , for moving the activation rod  26  in the positive and negative Y directions. The ergonomic shape of the operating portion  102  provides easily accessible areas at any angle for movement of the activation rod  26 . The operating portion  102  may further house a single compression spring  104 , biased in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . The operating portion  102  may include first and second ledges  106 ,  108  such that as the operating portion is pushed in the positive Y direction to activate switch  52 , the operating portion  102  is biased back to the neutral position when the operator releases the operating portion  102 . Likewise, when the operating portion  102  is pushed in the negative Y direction to activate switch  54 , the operating portion  102  is biased back to the neutral position when the operator releases the operating portion  102 . It is further noted that since there is no compression spring within the handle  38 , the activation rod  26  does not extend into the handle  38  as in the prior embodiment.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  demonstrates other exemplary embodiments of the hand switch. The hand switch  120  again functions similarly as the hand switches  10  and  100 , but includes a housing  122  instead of the housing  18 . The housing  122  includes a switch housing portion  124  for housing the switching elements as does the housing  18 . The housing  122 , however, additionally includes an umbrella portion  126  that circumferentially surrounds the operating portion  102  and provides ample space for receiving at least the operator&#39;s thumb. The umbrella portion  126  is open at end  128  for accessing the operating portion  102 . This embodiment provides additional protection to the switching interior from debris and other environmental factors via the umbrella portion  126 . While the umbrella portion  126  is described as part of a housing  122 , it is within the scope of this hand switch to provide the umbrella portion  126  as an option to the hand switch. In such a case, means for mechanically engaging the umbrella portion  126  to the housing  122  would be required, such as screws, correspondingly engaged screw threads, snap fit connections, etc.  
         [0036]     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , other exemplary embodiments of the hand switch are shown. The illustrated hand switch  150  includes switches  152 ,  154  mounted on base section  40  of the switch mount  24 , although they could alternatively be mounted on the mounting section  50 . Activation of the switches  152 ,  154  is via the depression of plungers  158 ,  160  on the switches  152 ,  154 , respectively. The cam portion  70  of the activation rod  26  includes at least one plunger engaging paddle  172  that engages either plunger  158  (as shown) or plunger  160  depending on the rotational movement of the thumb wheel  28 . The cam portion  70  could alternatively include a pair of plunger engaging paddles  172  such that one plunger engaging paddle engages plunger  158  during one of a clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the thumb wheel  28 , and another plunger engaging paddle engages plunger  160  during the other of a clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of the thumb wheel  28 . The hand switch  150  can be biased such that neither plunger  158 ,  160  is engaged (a null/neutral position), and can further include a torsion spring (not shown), or other spring, to bias the hand switch  150  to such a condition. The hand switch  150  can further include stops, such as protrusions extending from the base section  40  of the switch mount  24 , for preventing over travel of the thumb wheel  28 . It is noted that in the hand switch  150 , if the switches  52 ,  54  are not employed, then certain elements can be eliminated from the hand switch  150 , such as compression springs  76 ,  86  and concave portion  80 . Alternatively, such elements can be left in place for future modification of the hand switch  150  to include switches  52 ,  54 . The thumbwheel  28  for operating switches  152 ,  154  may be provided with depressions or indentations to aid in the rotation of the thumb wheel  28 . The switches  152 ,  154  may be employed for delivering any control signal, such as, by example only, movement of a controlled device in opposite horizontal directions. The hand switch  150  can be hung in relation to the controlled device such that rotation of the thumb wheel  28  in opposite directions intuitively controls movement of the controlled device in opposite directions.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  demonstrates an exemplary embodiment of a hand switch  180  that includes switches  52 ,  54 , that are operated via movement of the thumb wheel  28  in positive and negative Y directions, and switches  152 ,  154 , that are operated via movement of the thumb wheel  28  in clockwise and counter clockwise directions. While any control signals could be attributed to the switches, the hand switch  180  could be advantageously arranged relative to a controlled device such that movement of thumb wheel  28  in a positive Y direction would move the controlled device in a positive Y direction, movement of thumb wheel  28  in a negative Y direction would move the controlled device in a negative Y direction, movement of thumb wheel  28  in one rotational direction would move the controlled device in one direction perpendicular to the Y directions, and movement of thumb wheel  28  in an opposite rotational direction would move the controlled device in an opposite direction perpendicular to the Y directions. Thus, an operator can use the hand switch  180  to control a controlled device using movements in directions similar to those experienced by the controlled device.  
         [0038]     As a further option, the hand switches previously described can be provided with a Hall effect sensor that sends a Hall effect electric signal to the control box via the electrical cable. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to a Hall element in the Hall effect sensor, a voltage is created on opposite edges of the Hall element. The ratio of the voltage created to the amount of current flowing through the Hall element is known as the Hall resistance. The Hall effect sensor can output a voltage that is proportional to the applied magnetic field. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a hand switch  250  is shown to embody the Hall effect sensor option. It should be understood that other features provided in the hand switches of  FIGS. 1-7 , although not particularly detailed within  FIG. 7 , may also be included in the hand switch  250 , but are not shown for clarity. A magnet  252  positioned on the activation rod  26 , and within the interior of the housing  18  and switch mount  24 , can move relative to the Hall effect sensor, (Hall effect transducers  254 ,  256 ), thus altering the magnetic field applied to the Hall effect sensor and changing the Hall effect electric signal passed to the control box. Each Hall effect transducer  254 ,  256  occupies a discrete location with respect to the longitudinal axis  8 . The magnet  252  may be a ring shaped, annulus magnet positioned on the activation rod  26  and movable with the activation rod  26  to position the magnet  252  closer towards either the Hall effect transducer  254  or the Hall effect transducer  256 . The Hall effect electric signal delivered to the control box can be related to the speed in which the controlled device is moved. For example, if the thumb wheel  28  is moved quickly either towards or away from the housing  18 , the controlled device will likewise be moved quickly in the dictated direction, and if the thumb wheel  28  is moved slowly either towards or away from the housing  18 , the controlled device will likewise move slowly in the dictated direction. The magnet  252  is movable in the positive and negative Y directions towards and away from the Hall effect transducers  254 ,  256  as shown, with a null position positioned centrally between the Hall effect transducers  254 ,  256 . The magnet  252  is magnetized such that one pole (e.g., the North pole, as illustrated) faces the Hall effect transducer  254  and the other pole (e.g., the South pole, as illustrated) faces the Hall effect transducer  256 . The Hall effect transducers  254 ,  256  and the magnet  252  can be used alone for signaling direction of movement to the control box (as do the switches  52 ,  54 ) or can be used for both signaling direction of movement and indicating speed of movement. Alternatively, the Hall effect transducers  254 ,  256  and the magnet  252  can be used in conjunction with the previously described switches  52 ,  54 . That is, the switches  52 ,  54  could be used for indicating direction of movement, while the Hall effect sensor system could be used for indicating speed of movement.  
         [0039]     For detecting rotation of the thumb wheel  28 , a cylindrical magnet  258  can be placed within or about the activation rod  26  as shown, for rotational movement with the activation rod  26 . A Hall effect transducer  260  may be placed along the same longitudinal location as the magnet  258 . Although the magnet  258  is shown with the South pole facing the Hall effect transducer  260 , it should be understood that a neutral, or null, position of the magnet  258  would position the South pole and North pole equidistantly from the Hall effect transducer  260 . The activation rod  26  may be biased in the null/neutral position by a torsion spring (not shown), or other suitable spring or biasing means. The Hall effect transducer  260  and the magnet  258  can be used alone for signaling direction of movement to the control box (as do the switches  152 ,  154 ) or can be used for both signaling direction of movement and indicating speed of movement. Alternatively, the Hall effect transducer  260  and the magnet  258  can be used in conjunction with the previously described switches  152 ,  154 . That is, the switches  152 ,  154  could be used for indicating direction of movement, while the Hall effect sensor system could be used for indicating speed of movement.  
         [0040]     While Hall effect transducers are specifically described with respect to the embodiment of a hand switch  250 , it should be understood that alternate sensing elements would be within the scope of the hand switch, such as, but not limited to, potentiometers, light sensing elements, etc. Likewise, the magnets  252 ,  258  used in the Hall effect sensing systems may be replaced by elements that are particularly detectable by the chosen alternate sensors.  
         [0041]     While the hand switches described in relation to  FIGS. 1-7  are ideally suited for hand use, the switch system described herein may further include a foot converter that can convert the hand switch described in  FIGS. 1-7  to a foot switch. Turning now to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary embodiment of a switch system including the foot converter  200  is shown. While hand switch  10  is shown within the foot converter  200 , it should be understood that any of the hand switches described herein could be utilized within the foot converter  200 . The foot converter  200  is shown including a bottom floor  202 , a top wall  204 , a pair of opposing side walls  206 ,  208 , and a back wall  210 . At least one of the walls, such as top wall  204  and/or back wall  210 , is removable for insertion of the hand switch therein. By example only, a slot can be provided in side wall  208  such that when top wall  204  is removed, the hand switch is insertable into the confines of the hand converter  200  by sliding the end  20  of the housing  18  into the slot. The top wall  204  can then be replaced to form the  5  walled box with open front. The handle  38  can be screwed or otherwise secured to the side wall  206 , and the electrical cable  212  that passes through flexible strain housing  12  passes exteriorly of the foot converter  200 .  
         [0042]     The foot converter  200  includes a pivotal foot pedal  214  that includes a first pedal section  216  and a second pedal section  218 . The foot pedal  214  is supported by at least one supporting beam  220 . The illustrated front supporting beam  220  includes a pair of prongs  222  that pass through correspondingly shaped openings in the foot pedal  214 . A rear supporting beam  220  (hidden from view) located closer to the back wall  210  includes an aperture for receiving a prong extending from a rear of the foot pedal  214 . Thus, the foot pedal  214  is pivotally supported on the supporting beams  220  about an axis defined by a line connecting the front and rear supporting beams  220 . The foot pedal  214  further includes a pair of pusher flanges  224 ,  226  that protrude away from the bottom floor  202  and towards the hand switch  10 . Pusher flange  224  is positioned adjacent side  32  of thumb wheel  28  and pusher flange  226  is positioned adjacent side  36  of thumb wheel  28 . The pusher flanges  224 ,  226  may be provided with semi-circular, or curved top surfaces for partially surrounding the activation rod  26 .  
         [0043]     During use, an operator can choose to depress either the first pedal section  216  or the second pedal section  218  with a foot. When the second pedal section  218  is depressed, that is, pushed towards the bottom floor  202 , the second pusher flange  226  pushes the thumb wheel  28  in the positive X direction. As previously described with respect to  FIG. 2 , when the thumb wheel  28  is pushed towards the housing  18 , switch  52  is activated. When the first pedal section  216  is depressed, that is, pushed towards the bottom floor  202 , the first pusher flange  224  pushes the thumb wheel  28  in the negative X direction. As previously described with respect to  FIG. 2 , when the thumb wheel  28  is pushed towards the handle  38 , switch  54  is activated. It should further be noted that the foot converter  200  does not require the use of springs as the biased condition of the thumb wheel  28  maintains the foot pedal  214  in its biased condition. Indicia may be provided on the foot converter  200  to remind an operator of the directions in which a controlled device will move when the first or second pedal sections  216 ,  218  are depressed. Such indicia may be provided on an exteriorly visible surface of the top wall  204 . Thus, a foot converter  200  has been described that can convert a hand operable switch into a foot operable switch.  
         [0044]     The foot converter concept may also be applied to alternate hand operable switches, such as the prior art hand switch  300  shown in  FIG. 9 . The hand switch  300  can be any known hand switch, and, as in the illustrated embodiment, can include a first depressible button  302  and a second depressible button  304  that may alternatingly be pressed into the switch housing  306  for sending signals to a control box for controlling a controlled device. The switch housing  306  can include indicia  308  for instructing an operator on which button  302 ,  304  to press to achieve a desired effect. The switch housing  306  further includes a first end  310  from which a strain relief housing  12  may extend, or alternately just the electrical cord  212 . A second end  312  is opposite the first end  310 , and opposing third and fourth sides  314  and  316  may connect the first end  310  to the second end  312 . A button surface  318  may include openings  320  for allowing the buttons  302 ,  304  to pass through. The hand switch  300  can also include a back surface (not shown) opposite the button surface  318  and for completing the switch housing  306 .  
         [0045]     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , a foot converter  350  is shown. The foot converter  350  is sized to accept an exemplary hand switch  300  for allowing an operator to easily control the hand switch  300  using a foot. The foot converter  350  includes a housing  352  having a first, bottom wall  354 , an opposing second, top wall  356 , a third, side wall  358 , and an opposing fourth, side wall  360 . Secured to the first wall  354  is a hand switch holder  362  that includes a bottom plate  364  and a pair of upwardly projecting supports  366  that support the hand switch  300  between a pair of upwardly projecting clamping walls  368 . The hand switch  300  is positioned between the pair of upwardly projecting clamping walls  368  such that the button surface  318  faces the bottom plate  364  and the first, bottom wall  354 . The hand switch  300  is held therein by passing a screw  370  through the clamping walls  368  and securing it with a nut  372  as illustrated, although other securing devices may be utilized and are within the scope of this foot converter. That is, while clamping walls  368  and supports  366  are illustrated for holding the hand switch  312  in place, alternate designs of hand switch supports that support the hand switch  300  relative to foot pedals  374 ,  376  would be within the scope of this converter  350 . By example only, the hand switch support may include a formed housing that holds the hand switch  300  relative to the foot pedals  374 ,  376 .  
         [0046]     Pivotal with respect to the clamping walls  368  and the supports  366  are a pair of foot pedals  374  and  376 . The foot pedals  374 ,  376  include slots (not shown) for allowing the passage of the clamping walls  368  therethrough and the supports  366  include slots (not shown) for allowing the passage of the foot pedals  374 ,  376  therethrough. The foot pedal  374  includes a foot pressing section  378  and a button pressing section  380 . Due to gravity, the button pressing section  380  may rest gently on the button  304 , but does not depress it unless the foot pressing section  378  is stepped on and thus pushed down towards the first wall  354 . When the foot pressing section  378  is pushed towards the first wall  354 , the button pressing section  380  is pivoted upwardly towards the second wall  356  and depresses the button  304 . The foot pedal  374  is shown in a non-depressed condition, and thus the foot pressing section  378  is spaced from the first wall  354 . The foot pedal  376  is shown in an activated condition, with a foot pressing section  382  pushed downwardly (as by a foot) towards the first wall  354 , thus pivoting a button pressing section  384  (mostly hidden from view) towards the button  302  (also hidden from view). It should be understood that the button pressing section  380  of the foot pedal  374  only extends adjacent to the button  304  while the button pressing section  384  of the foot pedal  376  only extends adjacent to the button  302 .  
         [0047]     Indicia can be provided on the second wall  356  for clearly indicating to an operator which foot pedal  374 ,  376  should be depressed for achieving a desired effect of a controlled device. Indicia can also be provided on any of the other walls  354 ,  358 ,  360 , and on the foot pedals  374 ,  376 . Also, it should be noted that the walls  356 ,  358 ,  360 , and even the wall  354  are not necessary for the proper function of the foot converter  350 , although their inclusion within the foot converter  350  helps prevent the accidental operation of the switch  300  by a person walking by. The wall  354  helps stabilize the switch  300  within a particular location via securement device  386 . Alternatively, the plate  364  could be secured or placed relative to a piece of equipment having the controlled device without the need for the wall  354 .  
         [0048]     It should further be noted that the foot converter  350  does not require the use of springs as the biased condition of the buttons  302 ,  304  maintains the foot pedals  374 ,  376  in their biased condition. Thus, a foot converter  350  has been described which can convert a standard hand operable switch into a foot operable switch. It is further noted that the converter  200  and converter  350 , shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10  respectively, illustrate two embodiments of converting a hand operable switch into a foot operable switch. Alternate designs not specifically detailed herein would also be within the scope of such converters. For example, changes in a hand switch design may require changes in a converter in order to accommodate the new hand switch. It should further be noted that the converter does not require a disassembly of the hand switch used therein, instead, the hand switch may be easily placed therein and removed therefrom such that the hand switch may be used as either a standard hand switch or as a foot switch. Thus, the converter disclosed herein provides options to an operator not previously available.  
         [0049]     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.