Patent ID: 7592562

Claim:
A switch assembly, comprising: a rotary electrical switch body comprising a plurality of switch positions, a switch stem extending along a first axis and having a first end and a second end, said first end engaging a rotary switch for alternating said rotary electrical switch body between said plurality of switch positions responsive to rotation of said switch stem about said first axis; and a knob assembly, said knob assembly comprising: a knob core contacting said second end of said switch stem, a knob collar contacting said knob core and adapted for rotating said knob core and said switch stem about said first axis, said knob collar comprising at least a first upper stop member, and a stop cam having a fixed position relative to said switch stem and disposed between said knob core and said rotary switch, said stop cam comprising at least one lower stop member having at least one feature for engaging said first upper stop member when said first upper stop member and said lower stop member are disposed along a common path, wherein said first upper stop member travels in a circumferential path normal to said first axis responsive to said knob collar rotating said knob core and said switch stem, wherein said knob collar is displaceable along said first axis between first and second axial positions, wherein said lower stop member is in said circumferential path when said knob collar is in said first axial position, and wherein said lower stop member is removed from said circumferential path when said knob collar is in said second axial position.