This disclosure relates to a switch guard that prevents inadvertent pressing by a user of the direction-control switch of a handheld power tool. On each side of the housing of the tool, a pair of protrusions extend from the housing, one just to the front of the switch and one just to the rear. Whether the power tool is being operated right- or left-handed, the protrusions prevent a user's thumb or forefinger from inadvertently pressing the direction-control switch while the tool is in operation.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed. The MEMS switch may have an actuation voltage greater than the expected voltage of a signal being passed by the MEMS switch in normal operation. The MEMS switches may include a distributed hinge structure in some embodiments. Radial contact pads are included in some embodiments, with or separate from the distributed hinge.

This disclosure relates to a switch guard that prevents inadvertent pressing by a user of the direction-control switch of a handheld power tool. On each side of the housing of the tool, a pair of protrusions extend from the housing, one just to the front of the switch and one just to the rear. Whether the power tool is being operated right- or left-handed, the protrusions prevent a user’s thumb or forefinger from inadvertently pressing the direction-control switch while the tool is in operation.

A method of applying a switch locking device to a wall switch to prevent actuation of the wall switch. The wall switch has an actuator member extending through a toggle frame in a switch plate. With the switch in the desired on or off position, the snap-on locking device will be placed in the gap between the actuator member and the toggle frame. Operation of the switch is prevented by the arm of body that goes between the actuator member and the toggle frame surface.

An appliance includes a position switch retention device for use with an appliance includes a body defining a generally cylindrical profile extending through a first portion thereof along an axis and having a first radius. The body further defines a pin-receiving channel open on at least a first end thereof and positioned within the generally cylindrical profile. The device further includes a first tab extending from a side of the body. The tab defines a ramp and an edge with the ramp extending away from the first end of the body to the edge. A cap extends outwardly from a second end of the body opposite the first end. The cap is spaced apart from the edge of the tab at a first distance and has a second radius greater than the first radius.

A disabler cover plate includes a generally flat longitudinal surface, an upper hook extending approximately 90° from a top of an underside of the flat longitudinal surface, a lower hook extending approximately 90° from a bottom of the underside of the flat longitudinal surface, and a bump out on the underside of the flat longitudinal surface, the bump out positioned to depress and maintain pressure on a button on a face of a PBS-3 fixture.

An apparatus and method for a safety interlock door switch tool are disclosed. An example embodiment includes: support posts having a top end and a bottom end; base elements coupled to the bottom end of the support posts, an attachment mechanism being coupled to the base elements; a grip element coupled to the top end of the support posts; and a plurality of switch depression surfaces formed between the support posts, each of the plurality of switch depression surfaces being configured to engage and activate a particular type of safety interlock door switch.

The invention relates to a circuit for controlling light sources for a luminous garment, such as footwear, jackets, trousers, caps, belts. The circuit comprises an electric power source, such as a battery, a processor, one or more light sources and a switch. The processor and the light sources are powered by the electric power source. The light sources are connected to the processor, which controls their turning on and turning off, for example selectively based on a light program. The switch is connected to both the electric power source and the processor, and can be operated by the user in order to switch the processor on and off. The circuit is advantageously configured so that the electric resistance inside the processor, between the contact with the switch and the contact with the positive pole of the electric power source, is higher than the circuit resistance upstream of the processor itself, i.e. the resistance between the electric power source and the contact of the processor with the switch. In the event that water or condensation cause the circuit to close, even though the switch is in the open position, the current powering the processor is still insufficient to cause it to be switched on. A method for activating light sources in a luminous garment is also described.

A trigger assembly having: a housing with a switch; a trigger; an actuator movable from OFF wherein the switch is operably-opened, towards ON wherein the switch is operably-closed; a lock-on mechanism including a first locking member mounted proximate the trigger and a second locking member mounted proximate the housing; when the actuator is ON, said locking members are movable relative to each other into a locked configuration; a lock-off mechanism including a lock-off member that is movable about a rotation axis between locked-off-position, which restricts movement of the trigger and the actuator is restricted from movement, and non-locked-off-position, which does not restrict movement of the trigger and the actuator member is not restricted from movement; and a shaped-portion disposed proximate the housing that abuts the lock-off member when the trigger is moved towards the housing with the lock-off member in the locked-off-position, whereby the actuator is restricted from movement.

A surgical footswitch having elevated auxiliary buttons is provided. In particular embodiments, the surgical footswitch comprises a footswitch base, a treadle mounted on the footswitch base, a first primary button positioned on an upper surface of the footswitch base along a first lateral side of the treadle, a first auxiliary button housing positioned along a lateral side of the first primary button opposite the treadle, and a first auxiliary button mounted on an upper surface of the first auxiliary button housing, wherein an upper surface of the first auxiliary button is elevated in relation to an upper surface of the first primary button. In particular embodiments, the treadle is configured to activate a first function of a surgical console, the first primary button is configured to activate a second function of the surgical console, and the first auxiliary button is configured to activate a third function of the surgical console.