Date: Wed, 5 Oct 1994 10:07:26 CDT From: Nick Parker Subject: Footswitches To: Multiple recipients of list SOREHAND > Anyway, it occurred to me that a way around the clicking problem > might be a foot pedal. If I could handle all the button pressing > with my foot, all I would have to use my arm for would be > moving the mouse around (and typing)..... Walking is a very repetitive action, and our legs are obviously designed to handle that. There is the possibility of developing a foot or leg problem from using a footswitch, but it does make sense that the larger and more robust structures of the leg could better handle the repetitive click-to-select action normally done with mouse buttons. This is conjecture on my part -- I haven't seen any studies on this specific subject. Anyone with some electronics or basic wiring experience can make a footswitch assembly. We have made some three-switch assemblies for use with 3 button mice, and they work fine. All it involes is making a "Y" cable, that connects both the mouse and the footswitches to the mouse port on the computer. The mouse will be fully functional. You can "click" with either the mouse switches or the footswitches. The mouse plugs into a connector box that is between the computer and the footswitches. You could remove the mouse connector, and hard-wire the mouse connection, but that would void your mouse warranty, and it would also make it difficult to change to another mouse. It is best to use a little plastic box with a mouse connector. Just buy some footswitches, or any other appropriate switches, then "Y" the connections to the mouse switches from the computer, like this: * * * * footswitches computer * mouse * * * * [] <------ (plastic box, with mouse connector) port \ \______ mouse (no modifications) You'll have to make the cable represented by "*" in the diagram above, including the connector box. Only the switch wires "Y" at the plastic box, the other mouse wires pass through. Except for footswitches, everything you'll need should be available at Radio Shack. Three-switch footswitch assemblies are available from: Linemaster 203.974.0322 Anthem Marketing (Herga switches) 619.632.1354 Altech Corp. 908.806.9400 Other footswitch suppliers are: Electric Switches, Inc. 800.421.8855 Conntrol International Inc. 203.928.0567 Pres:Air:Tools Corp 800.431.2625 Lanson Industries Inc. 414.679.0045 Lance Industries 813.522.5578 J.R. Merritt Controls Inc. 800.333.5762 Happ Controls Inc. 708.593.6130 Note: none of these companies make cabled and ready assemblies, you'll have to make the cable assembly yourself, or have someone make it for you. Any reputable computer repair shop should be able to make the cable for you. If they are uncertain of which wires are the switch wires, a little testing with a continuity tester will tell you which wires are the right ones. One caveat is that many footswitches are intended for industrial applications, and you'll have to look through the manufacturers catalogs to pick one that is appropriate for home/office use. You should also consider static muscle tension -- it is undesirable to make a footswitch assembly where you will have constant muscle tension to hold your foot off the switch when you are not using it. Some footswitches have raised resting platforms, one example is the Herga C56158-06. You can also experiment, and make your own resting platforms. Some footswitches have a rocker motion, where you can rest your foot in the center, and rock to either side for a "click", one example is the Linemaster Executive 72. +----------------------------------------------------+ | Nick Parker Email nsparker@ingr.com |-----+ | Mgr Design & Ergonomics Voice 205-730-6208 | |\O/ | Intergraph Corporation Fax 205-730-6239 | | | +----------------------------------------------------+ |/ | Huntsville, AL 35894-0001 Mail Stop CR2901 | +------------------------------------------------------+ I'd rather be rock climbing on a day like this!