Patent ID: 6861596

Claim:
A switch interlock apparatus, for functionally interconnecting the handles of functionally and physically paired switches mounted in tandem on a switch panel, the switch panel having a front face and a housing portion disposed distal to the front face, wherein the handles are arranged in tandem to pivot in a common plane about parallel, spaced apart axes, such that when each handle is in its respective “OFF” position, the handles are pivoted away from one another and when each handle is in its respective “ON” position, the handles are pivoted toward one another, the switch interlock apparatus comprising: an elongated interlock member, having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends; at least one fastener structure disposed on the elongated interlock member, for enabling slidable mounting of the elongated interlock member in juxtaposed relation to the front face of a switch panel; a switch handle engagement surface, disposed on each end of the elongated interlock member; a mounting bracket operably configured to be attached to a switch panel housing, for slidably mounting the elongated interlock member in said juxtaposed relation to the front face of a switch panel, without attachment of the elongated interlock member to the front face, the mounting bracket further being operably configured for restrainably maintaining functionally and physically paired switches on a switch panel, the elongated interlock member being mounted, relative to the switches, so as to move in the direction of its longitudinal axis, parallel to said common plane of movement of the handles of the paired switches.