Video game controller

Abstract

A video game joystick controller is disclosed which includes a lower housing which defines a lower convex bearing surface, an upper housing which defines an upper concave bearing surface concentric with the lower bearing surface, and a handle which defines inner and outer bearing surfaces. The inner bearing surface of the handle is adapted to mate with the lower bearing surface of the lower housing, and the outer bearing surface of the handle is adapted to mate with the upper bearing surface of the upper housing such that the handle is free to pivot with a smooth action. A plate is mounted to the lower end of the handle, and this plate bears four switch actuators, one of which is higher than the other three. A circuit board is mounted to the upper housing, and it serves to mount four coplanar switches, each of which is situated directly above a respective one of the four actuators. The longer one of the four actuators is associated with rearward motion of the handle such that a reduced angular movement of the handle away from a central position is required to actuate the switch associated with rearward movement of the handle that is required to actuate any of the other three switches. A thumb operated trigger switch is positioned on top of the handle.