Patent ID: 8003909
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. An emergency off switching device ( 1 ) for disconnecting an electrically operated machine ( 2 ) from a circuit ( 3 ) including a plurality of electrically operated machines, and for immediately detecting and indicating that the device has been switched off for one of the machines, the switching device comprising a housing ( 4 ) adapted to be attached to the machine ( 2 ), an externally accessible actuator cap ( 5 ) mounted on said housing and disposed in an axially movable arrangement, a contact switch ( 11 ) mounted in said housing ( 4 ) and adapted to be closed when the switching device ( 1 ) is in a non-actuated condition and the machine ( 2 ) is electrically connected to the circuit ( 3 ), and a driver sleeve ( 7 ) supported against an inside surface ( 6 ) of said housing ( 4 ) and connected to said actuator cap ( 5 ), with a free end ( 10 ) of said driver sleeve ( 7 ) disposed opposite to said actuator cap ( 5 ) and facing said contact switch ( 11 ) and operable to disconnect said contact switch from the circuit ( 3 ) in an actuated condition, wherein a contact bridge ( 21 ) is locked within a cavity ( 16 ) in said driver sleeve ( 7 ), a check switch ( 22 ) is supported in said housing ( 4 ) and movable in a movement direction ( 9 ) of said contact bridge ( 21 ) flush therewith, said check switch ( 22 ) being located at a distance from said contact bridge ( 21 ) when the switching device ( 1 ) is non-actuated, said check switch ( 22 ) being closed by said contact bridge ( 21 ) when the switching device ( 1 ) is in an actuated condition; wherein closure of said check switch ( 22 ) completes an electrical circuit by means of which actuation of the switching device is signalled to a control unit to identify to an operator the switching off of the affected machine among the plurality of machines.