Patent ID: 6759609
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A switch lockout for a rocker switch comprising:a switch cover, a rocker plate having opposite first and second ends, said rocker plate pivotally mounted to said cover, said rocker plate pivotable about a pivot axis between oppositely tilted first and second tilted positions, a selectively translatable lockout slide and a base wherein said slide is slidably mounted on said base and wherein said first end of said rocker plate is spaced from said base when said rocker plate is in said first tilted position, and wherein said second end of said rocker plate is spaced from said base when said rocker plate is in said second tilted position, said lockout slide slidably mountable on said base for translation of said slide in a slide direction perpendicular to said pivot axis so as to slide relative to said rocker plate between a first lockout position and second lockout position, said lockout slide including oppositely disposed first and second interference bars, said interference bars slidable so as to sandwich said first interference bar between said first end of said rocker plate and said base when said lockout slide is in said first lockout position, and wherein said second interference bar is sandwiched between said second end of said rocker plate and said base when said lockout slide is in said second lockout position, said first interference bar thus protruding into a path of motion of said first end of said rocker plate when in said first lockout position and said second interference bar protruding into a path of motion of said second end of said rocker plate when in said second lockout position so that, in said first lockout position said first end of said rocker plate is selectively releasably locked into an elevated position relative to said base, and wherein in said second lockout position said second end of said rocker plate is selectively releasably locked into an elevated position relative to said base, said first and second interference bars spaced apart a distance greater than the length of said rocker plate between said first and second ends of said rocker plate, said lockout slide thus selectively translatable into either said first lockout position or said second said lockout position or a neutral position wherein neither said first nor said second interference bars are in said lockout positions and said rocker plate may be freely pivoted about said pivot axis.