Electrical switch having means for interconnecting concentric switch shafts

Claim 1

AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY, COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SWITCH SHAFTS COAXIALLY SUPPORTED WITH THE FIRST OF SAID SHAFTS HAVING A HOLLOW TUBULAR SHAPE AND THE SECOND OF SAID SHAFTS BEING MOUNTED FOR ROTATION INSIDE SAID FIRST SHAFT; A PLURALITY OF SWITCH PLATES EACH HAVING A ROTATABLE CONTACT MEMBER AND A STATIONARY CONTACT MEMBER; MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID SWITCH PLATES TO SAID SHAFTS SO THAT AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SWITCH PLATES IS ATTACHED TO SAID FIRST SHAFT AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER OF SAID SWITCH PLATES IS ATTACHED TO SAID SECOND SHAFT BY THEIR ROTATABLE CONTACT MEMBERS FOR ROTATION WITH SAID SHAFTS TO CHARGE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE SWITCH CONTACTS; AND KNOB MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID FIRST SHAFT TO SAID SECOND SHAFT BY ROTATION OF ONE PORTION OF SAID KNOB MEANS SO THAT BOTH OF SAID SHAFTS CAN ROTATE TOGETHER IN ORDER TO OPERATE SAID SWITCH ASSEMBLY AS A GANG SWITCH, AND FOR DISCONNECTING SAID SHAFTS FROM EACH OTHER BY MOVEMENT PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID SHAFTS AND ROTATION OF SAID PORTION OF SAID KNOB MEANS SO THAT EACH OF SAID SHAFTS CAN ROTATE INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE OTHER IN ORDER TO OPERATE SAID SWITCH ASSEMBLY AS TWO SEPARATE SWITCHES, SAID KNOB MEANS INCLUDING A SPRING BIASED DETENT MEMBER SUPPORTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT WITH SAID ONE PORTION OF SAID KNOB MEANS.