Electrical switch and its use for the control of machines

Abstract

An electrical switch comprising a housing containing a linearly movable spring-loaded control element, n contacts each comprising a fixed element mounted in the housing and a movable element carried by the control element. The contacts are arranged such that upon progressive travel of the control element from its initial position each of the movable elements in turn makes contact with its associated fixed element at a respective operative position of the control element, the movable elements of the 1st to the (n-1)th contacts comprising respective arms pivotally connected to the control element. Each of the respective arms are arranged such that, in use, after making contact with its associated fixed element it cooperates with a respective first abutment means and is pivoted from its normal working position into a non-working position in which it remains, spaced from its associated fixed element, until, upon return of the control element to its initial position, it cooperates with a respective second abutment means arranged to return it to its normal working position without making contact with its associated fixed element. Consequently, when the control element is, in use, released and returns to its initial position there is no 're-making' of any contacts which were made and broken when the control element was actuated to move away from its initial position.