This invention relates to a joystick controller, e.g. for use with computers when playing games.

In general known joystick controllers are either hand-held or arranged for mounting on the desk top and pro- vided with suction pads for holding them down. The hand¬ held joystick controllers are generally suited to right handed people only.

In accordance with this invention as seen from one aspect, there is provided a joystick controller comprising a base having a joystick projecting upwardly therefrom, the base being shaped for holding in the palm of the hand but having a portion which is displaceable to enable the joystick to be mounted on a desktop, the base being provid¬ ed with a suction pad for holding the joystick to the desk- top when said portion is appropriately displaced.

Preferably the base of the joystick is formed with a curved bottom suited equally for holding in the right or left hand. The displaceable portion of the base may be hinged outwards to form a flat bottom to the base, suited fo standing on the desktop. Preferably there are two por¬ tions which hinge outwards in opposite directions and which are provided with respective suction pads.

Known joystick controllers generally include micro- switches, leaf switches or small flexible tabs for effect- ing the different electrical contacts. All of these have

limited reliability. The electrical contacts are generally disposed in the base of the joystick controller, with a tendency for the base to be rather large.

In accordance with this invention as seen from another aspect, there is provided a joystick controller, which comprises a base, an elongate element fixed to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom, a tubular joystick positioned around the fixed elongate element and pivotally mounted to the base, and electrical contacts carried by one of the tubular joystick and the elongate element arranged to make selectively with the other of the tubular joystick and the element depending on the direction in which the tubular joystick is tilted.

By removing the electrical contacts from the base and disposing them within the joystick itself, more room is left in the base for other components such as autofire circuitry. Also or instead, the base may be made smaller to suit a smaller hand.

The electrical contacts are preferably direct-acting so as to be more reliable. Preferably the contacts are adjustable for contact point distance so that the feel of the joystick controller can be adjusted to the user's pre¬ ference. Further with these types of electrical contact, a "fire" button can be mounted at the top of the joystick, which is preferable to being positioned on the base.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompany¬ ing drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic vertical section through one

embodiment of joystick controller in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section on the line II - II_ of Figure 1 ; FIGURE 3 is a schematic vertical section through the upper end of a modified joystick;

FIGURE 1 is a section on the line 1_V - 1V of Figure 3 shown with the electrical contacts removed from their carrier insert; and FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of the components of the electrical contacts.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a joystick 20 projecting upwardly from the base. The base 10 has two bottom portions 12, 12 which are hinged to the upper portion 1*4 of the base at opposite edges 16, 16. The upper portion 14 has a flat bottom periphery and the hinged portions 12, 12 have flat surfaces which close onto the flat bottom of upper portion 14, as shown. When the hinged portions 12, 12 are closed as shown, they present a convex curved bottom surface 17 to the base, which is shaped for the joystick to be held comfortably in the palm of the hand, equally whether the right or left hand. However, when the portions 12, 12 of the base are hinged outwards in opposite directions from the portion 14, a generally flat bottom to the joystick base is presented, for it to be stood on a desktop. Further, the flat surfaces of the hinged portions 12, 12 are provided with suction pads 18, 18 for holding the joystick controller firmly to the desktop.

Thus the joystick controller has particular

versatility, being suited for holding equally in the right or left hand or for mounting firmly on the desktop.

The. joystick controller comprises a centre pole.22 , fixed to the upper portion 14 of the base and projecting vertically upwards therefrom. The joystick 20 itself com¬ prises a tubular member disposed around the centre pole, and journalled to the base portion 14 by means of a self-alig¬ ning bearing 24. A resilient ring 26 encircles the pole 22 and serves to centre the joystick 20 concentrically about the pole 22 when the user's grip on the joystick 20 is released.

Referring particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings, an annular ring is mounted to the inner surface of the tubular joystick member, and divided at intervals of 90 around its periphery to form four electrical contacts 28.

According to the direction in which the joystick 20 is til¬ ted relative to the base and centre pole, one or another (or any adjacent pair) of the contacts 28 will make with the centre pole at the top of the latter, thus completing a respective electrical circuit (or pair of circuits). As shown in Figure 1, "fire"buttons 30, 32 may be provided, one mounted in the closed top end of the joystick 20 and .the other in the side of the joystick 20, each being depressible against a spring bias to make with the top or side of the centre pole 22.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, the "tilt" contacts are adjustable. Thus, the tubular joystick element 20 is provided with a moulded plastics insert 3 which mounts four contact plates e.g. 2δa and an

adjustment screw 36. This adjustment screw bears against the outer, inturned end of the contact plate 28a, and com¬ pression spring 38 acting between this outer end of the contact plate and an abutment 40 of the insert 3*4. Thus tightening of the screw 36 reduces the contact point distance between the inner inturned end of the contact plate and the centre pole 22.