Half-way down latching PCB push switch?

[microbailey]

Toying with some new pedal build ideas and just wondering if anyone has ever seen a pedal-sized PCB-mount push-button switch which has a 'half-way down' position as well as a full-way down position? Both latching states.

I could be raving mad but I'd imagine it working like this

Position 1: Unpressed -> contacts 1 and 2 (or example) shorted
Position 2: Half-pressed -> contacts 3 and 4 (for example) shorted
Position 3: Full-pressed -> contacts 5 and 6 (for example) shorted

So with one switch you get 3 functions, or 2 variations on one function + off.

I've never seen this on any pedal, but just thought someone might know of a manufacturer / supplier.

[FiveseveN]

I suspect this sort of configuration is not very popular because we don't have a lot of fine motor control in our feet:

Both latching states.

Say you've half-pressed it once. Are you certain you could unlatch the 1st stage without touching the second? With boots on and subs roaring near the stage?
If that's something you really need, one way to do it is by lengthening the travel, i.e. with an actual pedal https://ssccontrols.com/product/f222-f- ... ot-switch/ https://www.taiwantrade.com/product/two ... 17646.html#
Otherwise why not use off / short / long press for the 3 distinct states?

[microbailey]

Sorry to clarify this is not for a foot switch! (I have enough trouble oprating my looper pedal as it is ) it's for a miniature PCB panel switch.
Yes could do with length of presses but that assumes my circuit is digital and I have led status.

[phatt]

Maybe a slide switch will be easier to implement,, assuming it's hand operation you want?
Phil.

[plush]

This is a bad idea.

Button should only exist in two possible stages: pressed or not.
By no means there should be any mid-stages because it makes it difficult to interract with the button and it also would require you to implement additional indication to show in which stage the button currently is, which is pure nonsence.

People do study such things in Hardware interface design (HID) classes.

[FiveseveN]

this is not for a foot switch

Well shame on me for assuming.
But yeah, latching pushbuttons are hard enough to read, a 3 position toggle switch does the same thing, takes up the same panel space and unambiguously shows its state. Similar for slide switches.
A camera shutter release is a notable exception (though not latching): thing is you don't look at it while in use.

[JiM]

This is a bad idea.

Button should only exist in two possible stages: pressed or not.
By no means there should be any mid-stages because it makes it difficult to interract with the button and it also would require you to implement additional indication to show in which stage the button currently is, which is pure nonsence.

People do study such things in Hardware interface design (HID) classes.

This thing is very common in digital camera triggers. Half-press for focus, full press to take the picture. I have no idea how it's made.
I do not think it's bad UI, on the contrary, when there is a proper tactile feedback.

[plush]

This thing is very common in digital camera triggers. Half-press for focus, full press to take the picture. I have no idea how it's made.
I do not think it's bad UI, on the contrary, when there is a proper tactile feedback.

This is different. Camera triggers (focus/shutter release combos) are made such because they are tactile and only operate under one simple condition - they don't latch and there's no need for them to indicate their status.