Abstract: The present invention is an electric switch for switching individual phases of multi-phase AC electric power. The switch has at least one pair of fixed terminals with each terminal of the pair having an ear extending upward in a vertical plane. The switch also has a conducting device with contacts that extend downward in the vertical plane corresponding to the fixed terminals. Moving contacts are mounted to an axially translatable contact carrier and engage contemporaneously in the vertical plane with the contacts from the conducting device and the fixed terminals when the contact carrier slides into an "on" position. Electrical power is then able to flow from the line-side fixed terminal, through the conducting device, to the load-side terminal. The contact carrier is translated axially by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism employs over-center shifting and lost-motion switching technology to prevent the switch from being in a partially "on" position.

Abstract: The present invention is an electric switch for switching individual phases of multi-phase AC electric power. The switch has at least one pair of fixed terminals with each terminal of the pair having an ear extending upward in a vertical plane. The switch also has a conducting device with contacts that extend downward in the vertical plane corresponding to the fixed terminals. Moving contacts are mounted to an axially translatable contact carrier and engage contemporaneously in the vertical plane with the contacts from the conducting device and the fixed terminals when the contact carrier slides into an "on" position. Electrical power is then able to flow from the line-side fixed terminal, through the conducting device, to the load-side terminal. The contact carrier is translated axially by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism employs over-center shifting and lost-motion switching technology to prevent the switch from being in a partially "on" position.

Abstract: An electric switch operating mechanism has a base fastened over an aperture in the cabinet enclosing the switch. A driving member extends into a cup-like member and the ends of both members extend through the base and the cabinet aperture. The ends of the driving member and retainer cup have apertures therein which receive an end of the control shaft for the switch. The cup-like member is rotatable with respect to the driving member to captivate a retaining pin on the end of the control shaft. A handle with a locking plate is connected to the driving member and abuts the base. The handle can be rotated to rotate the control shaft. The locking plate can engage the base and the retainer cup to lock the operating mechanism in different positions. The mechanism in addition to operating the switch also provides an interlock function preventing the cabinet from being opened.