Abstract: A switch assembly comprises a push-button switch and a switch operating mechanism including an actuator and a plunger for transmitting the movement of the actuator to the push button to operate the push-button switch. While one end of the plunger is operatively associated with the actuator, the other end of the plunger is rotatably and removably, but axially non-movably, coupled to the free end of the push button. For this purpose, the other end of the plunger is formed with a radially outwardly extending anchor flange while the free end of the push button is formed with a generally U-shaped anchor recess for receiving the anchor flange therein.

Abstract: An alternate mechanism comprising a plunger (4) supported for a linear movement, a rotary cam (71) rotatably supported by the plunger, a spring (43) for biasing the plunger toward an original position (P.sub.1) of the plunger, a first stationary cam (76) which as the plunger is pushed to a first position (P.sub.2, P.sub.3) against the spring, is adapted to be engaged with the rotary cam so as to rotate the rotary cam by a predetermined angle, and a second stationary cam (32) which as the plunger supporting the rotary cam at the predetermined angle returns from the first position, is engaged with the rotary cam so as to lock the plunger in a second position (P.sub.4), and as the plunger locked in the second position is pushed again, the rotary cam is further rotated by the first stationary cam so as to be disengaged from the second stationary cam when the plunger returns to the second position.

Abstract: A mechanical switch comprises a pusher rod, a movable member movable from one position to another position in response to the depression of the pusher rod, a movable contact carrier normally held in position to connect a pair of contact elements on respective terminal members to each other therethrough so long as the pusher rod has not yet been depressed, and a return biasing spring for urging the movable member to the one position. The contact carrier is, as the movable member approaches the another position in response to the movement of the pusher rod, snapped to move from the position in which the contact elements are connected to each other to a different position to disconnect or open the circuit between the terminal members. The pusher rod has an abutment defined therein to forcibly separate the contact elements from the contact carrier in the event that the contact elements have been fused to the contact carrier.