Abstract: A three-position toggle switch having a transparent toggle lever (28) illuminated in its natural color in the center position and illuminated in second and third colors in its respective left and right positions. Molded color filters (32, 34) are structurally attached to the interior end of the lever by dovetail slots (28k, 28m) and dovetail ribs (32b, 34b) and are retained thereon by confinement within the interior switch cavity (2a). The filters (32, 34) have offset legs (32a, 32b) depending toward a lamp (8) in the switch base (2) to reflect or redirect light rays from the lamp (8) to enhance color separation while permitting an inexpensive, unfocused lamp to be utilized.

Abstract: An operator (10) having a lock releasing key (10a) formed thereon is removably coupled to a pivoted actuator (6) by resilient tabs (10d) depending from the operator which are cammed outwardly over the actuator during coupling operation and which engage with undercut surfaces (6e) in the actuator when the operator is fully seated upon the actuator. The tabs (10d) seated at one end of the actuator align with formations (4e) in the housing (2, 4) in the ON position of the actuator to prevent outward camming movement of the respective tabs, thereby preventing removal of the operator in the ON position.

Abstract: A pivoted operator d(4) for an electric switch has an inwardly extending actuating leg (4d) having direct connection with a contactor (12) to provide over-center pivoting and sliding motion for the contactor. The inner end of the actuating leg has a first slot (4f) wherein the actuator leg straddles the contactor and has grooved (4h) interior surfaces which receive outward lateral projections (12a) on the contactor for affecting a driving connection therebetween. The depending leg has a cylindrical recess (4e) which receives a helical compression spring (14) to bear between the operator and the contactor. Transversely aligned connection points (12a, 4h) actuator and contactor and the edges of the slot (4f) in the actuator cooperating with the lateral edges of the contactor (12) guide the latter throughout its longitudinal movement to prevent angular displacement in a horizontal plane of the contactor within the switch.

Abstract: A leaf spring (26, 66) is mounted under compression to be bowed to a first bistable position against a push button surface (10b, 40c) to engage a latch surface (10d, 40d) upon depression of the button (10, 40) to an intermediate position and to be driven to a second bistable position by a cam (10e, 40e) upon subsequent further depression of the button (10, 40) to release the button. Bridging contacts (14, 44) are held closed upon stationary contacts (18, 20, 48, 50) when the button is latched. A drive spring (12, 42) forms a resilient connection between the push button (10, 40) and the switch contact mechanism.