Pivoted-actuator switch with integral off-lock

Claim 1

A self-enclosed pivoted-actuator switch with integral off-lock comprising: a switch housing; stationary contact means within said housing connected to external terminals; movable contact means within said housing selectively operable to an "on" position closing a circuit with respect to said stationary contact means or to an "off" position opening said circuit; a switch operator subassembly; a hole in said housing; supporting means on said housing adjacent said hole pivotally mounting said switch operator subassembly for reciprocal movement to actuate said movable contact means; and said switch operator subassembly comprising: a contact actuator extending from said pivotal supporting means through said hole into said housing for actuating said movable contact means to said "on" or "off" position; a slot within said contact actuator; a spring-biased locking member pivotally mounted within said slot in said contact actuator and having a normal unlocking position wherein said member is retracted into said contact actuator and a locking position wherein a stop lug of said locking member at one side of its pivot projects from said contact actuator to abut the top of the rim of said hole in order to lock said contact actuator in its "off" position; a removable operating lever having a manually engagable portion; means for snap-in coupling said operating lever to said contact actuator so that selective actuation thereof by said manually engagable portion effects pivotal movement of both said removable operating member and said contact actuator coupled thereto; a cam on said locking member at the other side of its pivot; and a projection on said removable operating lever operable when inserted into said slot to engage said cam and pivot said locking member to retract said stop lug into said unlocking position thereby to allow normal operation of the switch.