Patent ID: 7681340

Claim:
An electronic control device for controlling a plow, said control device comprising: a plow used in the snow and ice control industry; a pendant control structured and arranged such that an operator of said plow is permitted to control the plow by operation of said pendant control; said pendant control including: a handle having a first and a second end; a switch box secured to said second end of said handle, said switch box having a front and a rear face; a display surface secured to said front face of said switch box; a plurality of switches mounted on said pendant control for selective operation by the operator; at least one of said switches of said plurality of switches being a multi stage switch which permits the operator to activate to different current driven settings; and a capacitance sensor disposed within said handle, the arrangement being such that when the operator grips said handle, said pendant control is activated so that when the operator's hand is not present, said pendant control will not activate any current driven outputs, thereby providing a safety interlock system.