Abstract: An assembly of at least two single-pole, double-throw slide switches, with one of the switches being mounted 90.degree. with respect to the other switch. A movable plate is positioned above the two SPDT switches, and the movable plate has apertures or the like which engage the projecting arms of the two SPDT switches, whereby translating movement of the movable plate causes action of one or both of the SPDT switches. Appropriate springs are provided to bias the movable plate to a centered, rest position at all times. Hence, movement of the movable plate as a result of some manual force may affirmatively generate any one of eight distinct signals. The centered rest position of the movable plate may also be considered as a signal-generation position, such that nine distinct bits of information may be communicated through the manual manipulation of a single knob that is connected to only two SPDT slide switches.

Abstract: A communications device to foster the correct steering of a vehicle by a driver who cannot see where the vehicle is moving with respect to its surroundings, including a control box which is handled by a remote observer, and an indicator panel having at least three lights thereon, with the control box and the indicator panel being connected by appropriate electrical conductors. The control box has one or more switches which generate nine basic signals to indicate to the vehicle driver what he should do, including such signals as turn his steering wheel to the left or to the right, or that he should either move forward, backward or stop the vehicle. The preferred embodiment includes a single control knob on the control box which is moved by the observer in the direction that the vehicle should move.