A latching and electrical switch mechanism (10; 46, 70, 140; 188; 210; 228; 246, 270) comprising: an insulated housing (12; 48; 74; 76; 142; 192; 212; 230; 250) having a cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) therein with an opening (16; 146) thereto; an electrically conductive ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) having a stem (24; 54; 154) of smaller diameter than the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) and extending therefrom, the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) being sized for rotational and translational movement within the housing cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144): at least one groove (30; 58; 90; 92, 94; 118; 120; 168; 194; 196; 214; 216; 218; 232; 234; 236; 252; 254; 256) in the housing cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144); a coil spring (28; 60; 98; 100; 102; 122; 124; 170; 198; 200; 220, 222, 224, 238; 240; 242; 252; 254; 256, 258, 260, 262), disposed in the groove (30; 58; 90; 92, 94; 118; 120; 168; 194; 196; 214; 216; 218; 232; 234; 236; 252; 254; 256), for making electrical contact with the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) and retaining the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) for rotation within cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) with said stem (24; 54; 106, 154) at selected conical angles (162, 164) with respect to a housing centerline; characterised by a partial wall being located opposite the opening (16; 146) in the housing (12; 48; 74; 76; 142; 192; 212; 230; 250); at least one electrical contact (178, 180) being disposed in said cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) on said partial wall at a spaced apart relationship with said coil spring (28; 60; 98; 100; 102; 122; 124; 170; 198; 200; 220, 222, 224, 238; 240; 242; 252; 254; 256, 258, 260, 262), for providing electrical connection with the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) upon translational movement of the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) within said cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144); wherein said partial wall has an opening which is smaller than a diameter of the electrically conductive ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272). an insulated housing (12; 48; 74; 76; 142; 192; 212; 230; 250) having a cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) therein with an opening (16; 146) thereto; an electrically conductive ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) having a stem (24; 54; 154) of smaller diameter than the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) and extending therefrom, the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) being sized for rotational and translational movement within the housing cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144): at least one groove (30; 58; 90; 92, 94; 118; 120; 168; 194; 196; 214; 216; 218; 232; 234; 236; 252; 254; 256) in the housing cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144); a coil spring (28; 60; 98; 100; 102; 122; 124; 170; 198; 200; 220, 222, 224, 238; 240; 242; 252; 254; 256, 258, 260, 262), disposed in the groove (30; 58; 90; 92, 94; 118; 120; 168; 194; 196; 214; 216; 218; 232; 234; 236; 252; 254; 256), for making electrical contact with the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) and retaining the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) for rotation within cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) with said stem (24; 54; 106, 154) at selected conical angles (162, 164) with respect to a housing centerline; characterised by a partial wall being located opposite the opening (16; 146) in the housing (12; 48; 74; 76; 142; 192; 212; 230; 250); at least one electrical contact (178, 180) being disposed in said cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) on said partial wall at a spaced apart relationship with said coil spring (28; 60; 98; 100; 102; 122; 124; 170; 198; 200; 220, 222, 224, 238; 240; 242; 252; 254; 256, 258, 260, 262), for providing electrical connection with the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) upon translational movement of the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) within said cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144); wherein said partial wall has an opening which is smaller than a diameter of the electrically conductive ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272). at least one groove (30; 58; 90; 92, 94; 118; 120; 168; 194; 196; 214; 216; 218; 232; 234; 236; 252; 254; 256) in the housing cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144); a coil spring (28; 60; 98; 100; 102; 122; 124; 170; 198; 200; 220, 222, 224, 238; 240; 242; 252; 254; 256, 258, 260, 262), disposed in the groove (30; 58; 90; 92, 94; 118; 120; 168; 194; 196; 214; 216; 218; 232; 234; 236; 252; 254; 256), for making electrical contact with the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) and retaining the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) for rotation within cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) with said stem (24; 54; 106, 154) at selected conical angles (162, 164) with respect to a housing centerline; a partial wall being located opposite the opening (16; 146) in the housing (12; 48; 74; 76; 142; 192; 212; 230; 250); at least one electrical contact (178, 180) being disposed in said cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144) on said partial wall at a spaced apart relationship with said coil spring (28; 60; 98; 100; 102; 122; 124; 170; 198; 200; 220, 222, 224, 238; 240; 242; 252; 254; 256, 258, 260, 262), for providing electrical connection with the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) upon translational movement of the ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272) within said cavity (14; 50; 86; 110; 144); wherein said partial wall has an opening which is smaller than a diameter of the electrically conductive ball (22; 52; 80; 82; 150; 272).