Pivoted actuator off lock switch with operator key nonremovable in ON position

Claim 1

An electric switch comprising, in combination: an insulating housing having an opening thereon; switch contacts in said housing; a pivotally supported actuator within said opening movable between ON and OFF positions for actuating said switch contacts between ON and OFF conditions, respectively; locking means carried by said actuator and biased for engagement with said housing for preventing movement of said actuator from said OFF position to said ON position; a manual operator removably coupled to said actuator for releasing said locking means, said operator having resilient coupling means extending along the exterior of said actuator and cammed outwardly by said actuator during coupling movement of said operator to said actuator, said coupling means moving inwardly into engagement with cooperating means on said actuator upon completion of said coupling movement for releasably retaining said operator coupled to said actuator; and means on said housing in juxtaposition with said coupling means when said actuator is moved to said ON position, said means on said housing comprises a constriction in said opening and movement of said actuator to said ON position carries at least one of said coupling means into juxtaposition with said constriction for preventing outward movement of said coupling means.