Abstract: A rope tensioner sets the tension of a rope operated switch assembly actuable to switch between first and second conditions on a change in tension of the rope. The tensioner comprises a body, a rotatable member which engages the rope, a shaft for rotating the member relative to the body to adjust tension in the rope by winding the rope around the member, and a lock to lock the member in position relative to the body. The rope opperated switch assembly is much simpler to install than previous assemblies, as the tensioner may be simply threaded or otherwise installed onto the rope without the rope having to be cut.

Abstract: A switch mechanism comprising a housing in which a switch is mounted, the switch being actuable to switch between first and second conditions. A cam is mounted within the housing to rotate about a predetermined cam axis, the cam defining a cam surface against which a cam follower bears such that rotation of the cam causes displacement of the cam follower to activate the switch. An actuator shaft which may be connected to a safety rope is mounted to be axially displaceable within the housing, the actuator shaft being mechanically coupled to the cam such that axial displacement of the shaft causes the cam to rotate about its axis. The actuator shaft is positionable in an intermediate axial position in which the cam is rotatable to a predetermined rotational position such that the cam follower causes the switch to assume the first condition.

Abstract: A switch mechanism comprising a housing in which a switch is mounted, the switch being actuable to switch between first and second conditions. A cam is mounted within the housing to rotate about a predetermined cam axis, the cam defining a cam surface against which a cam follower bears such that rotation of the cam causes displacement of the cam follower to activate the switch. An actuator shaft which may be connected to a safety rope is mounted to be axially displaceable within the housing, the actuator shaft being mechanically coupled to the cam such that axial displacement of the shaft causes the cam to rotate about its axis. The actuator shaft is positionable in an intermediate axial position in which the cam is rotatable to a predetermined rotational position such that the cam follower causes the switch to assume the first condition.

Abstract: A contact assembly comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced apart fixed contacts supported in an electrically insulating body, an actuator displaceable relative to the body between first and second positions, and a plurality of movable contacts mounted on the actuator. Each movable contact is positioned on the actuator so as to interconnect the contacts of one of the pairs of fixed contacts only when the actuator is in one of the first and second positions. Each fixed contact has two limbs defining an L-shape, one limb defining a single leg which extends through an aperture formed in a partition defined by the body and the other limb extending to one side of the leg to define a head supporting a terminal for gripping a wire. Each movable contact is displaceable into contact with the leg of each of the respective pairs of fixed contacts on the side of the leg from which the head extends and on the side of the partition remote from the head.

Abstract: A rope gripper for connecting for example a rope operated switch to a rope. The gripper comprises a body defining a passage into which a rope can be inserted. Two jaws are mounted eccentrically on pivot pins on either side of the passage and biased towards the passage such that they are pressed against an inserted rope. The jaws are shaped and mounted such that movement of an inserted rope in one direction along the passage drives the jaws towards the rope, causing the rope to be jammed within the passage, whereas movement of the rope in the opposite direction along the passage drives the jaws to a position in which the rope is free to slide.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for use in for example a rope switch. The mechanism comprises a switch which is actuable to switch between first and second conditions, for example to turn on and off kinetic machinery. A cam follower actuates the switch, the cam follower bearing against the surface of a rotatably mounted cam. An actuator member is displaceable relative the cam and a linkage is provided between the actuator member and the cam such that displacement of the actuator member from a predetermined position causes the cam to rotate and actuate the switch. The linkage comprises a lever mounted on a pivot that is displaced with the actuator member, the lever co-operating with a surface of a stationary cam such that displacement of the actuator member causes the lever to pivot and rotate the rotatable cam.

Abstract: A switch comprises a housing containing electrical contacts moveable from a power supply OFF position to a power supply ON position. A control mechanism is operatively coupled to the contacts, which contacts are operable by an actuator of predetermined configuration engaging with the control mechanism to change the status of the contacts. The control mechanism is moveable relative to the actuator in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of the actuator to facilitate operative engagement therewith.

Abstract: A safety switch assembly for fitting to a safety enclosure. The switch includes a rotatable cam which operates electrical contacts. An actuator is insertable into the switch housing through either of two apertures to engage locking members. The locking members move in a rectilinear direction perpendicular to the cam axis away from the actuator and our of locking engagement with the cam. Ears on the actuator then engage in pockets in the cam and rotate the cam which causes movement of the electrical contacts to the ON position. Each locking member comprises a pair of locking components one of which is slidable on the other and both of which define elongate slots through which a cam shaft extends. The slots are inclined such that when the actuator pushes either one of the components away from a first aperture the other component is forced to move away from the other aperture.

Abstract: A safety switch assembly comprises a safety switch for securement to an enclosure having an openable closure, and an actuator for operating the safety switch for securement to the closure. The safety switch comprises a housing, containing electrical contacts, and a cam arrangement for operating the electrical contacts and formed with peripheral inwardly directed radial pockets. An axially-movable rod connects the electrical contacts and the cam arrangement. The housing has openings adjacent the cam arrangement for insertion of the actuator. The cam arrangement comprises a shaft bridging lateral walls of the housing, and an actuating cam rotatably supported on the shaft and connected to the rod by a cam follower pin connected to the rod and engaged in cam grooves in the actuating cam.