Eastman-kodak Company

Harold A Paschal

David R Gotham

Thomas L Schwartz

Kevin C Koek

An interlock switch access control apparatus controls access to an interlock switch (12) positioned in a cavity (14) in a housing (16). The interlock switch access control apparatus includes a plate (32) for sliding above the cavity (14) in a slot (30) in the housing (16), with the plate (32) having a plurality of apertures (38, 40). A detent (34) is positioned in a first aperture (38) of the plate (32) for fixing the position of the plate (32) in a first position over the cavity (14) to cover the interlock switch (12) to prevent access thereto. A resilient member such as a spring (48) applies a restoring force to the detent (34) to push the detent (34) toward the plate (32). The resilient member pushes the detent (34) toward and through the first aperture (38) when the plate (32) is positioned with the first aperture (38) in a longitudinal path of the detent (34). The detent (34) responds to a releasing force opposing the restoring force to move out of the first aperture (38) to release the plate (32) therefrom and so to allow the plate (32) to slide in the slot (30). A main access cover (20) is pivotally mounted to the housing (16) to cover the plate (32) in a closed position, and pivots to an open position to expose the plate (32). A lip (50) at one end of the main access cover (20) pivots when the main access cover (20) pivots, so that the lip (50) contacts the plate (32) in the second position when the main access cover (20) is in the open position to prevent the main access cover (20) from pivoting to the closed position.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Harold A Paschal