Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a snap-acting actuator blade movable with a snap action between two configurations to control the making and breaking of electrical contacts and a latching mechanism which, when the actuator blade has snap-acted in one sense to break or make the contacts, prevents return movement of a movable contact carrying member until the latching mechanism has been positively released. The latching mechanism comprises a pivotal rigid member having an arm defining an engaging portion, for restraining return movement of the movable contact carrying member, and a biasing spring which urges the latching member in the movable contact carrying member engaging direction.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a snap-acting actuator (22) movable with a snap action between two configurations to control the making and breaking of electrical contacts (3, 6), a latching member which, when the actuator blade has snap-acted in one sense to break or make the contacts restrains return movement of a movable contact carrying member (22) (which may be the actuator) to prevent re-making of re-breaking of the contacts until the latching member is positively displaced, the latching member comprising a spring member (7) having an arm (10) defining a portion (18) for restraining return movement of the movable contact carrying member (22), the engaging portion (18) being arranged to move in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the actuator blade between a latching position and a non-latching position and being biassed towards the latching position, the spring member (7) also having an operating portion (12) at an angle to the arm (10) and movable in a direction generally transverse to s