Abstract: Various improvements are disclosed for an inertia switch device. The device includes an inertia body, a casting forming a compartment for the inertia body and providing a rest position therefor, and a toggle operable by the inertia body when it is disturbed from its rest position from a first to a second toggle position. A member mounted in the casing is operable for moving the toggle from its second to its first position. The member may be biased to a rest position in the casing which is independent of the toggle position. There may be three contacts the first of which is electrically connected only to the second when the toggle is in its first position and only to the third when the toggle is in its second position.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a movable contact 15 and a fixed contact 14. A member 26 can move the contact 15 to make or break the switch. A latch including a movable device controls the initial movement of member 26 but the member 26 then moves independently of the latch. The device can be moved to release the latch either manually (by 31) or by another mechanism. This other mechanism can be an electromagnet 41; it also can be an inertia body 51 releasable from a rest position in response to excessive acceleration.