Safety selector switch including photoelectric detection

摘要

A safety selector switch for preventing accidental energization of an electrical circuit. A plurality of circular discs, each having a cut-out portion in its periphery, are mounted on a shaft of an electrical component, such as a rotary switch. A second shaft is provided which is translatable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the electrical component, and an arm is provided on said second shaft and is selectively positionable in each cut-out portion of said circular discs to limit rotation of the shaft of the electrical component. Continued rotation of the shaft of the electrical component can only be made by alternately rotating said shaft of said electrical component and translating said second shaft to move said arm to a cut-out portion of an adjacent annular disc. One of said circular discs is of greater diameter than the remaining discs and is provided with a second cut-out portion to form a passageway for light. A light source is positioned on one side of the greater diameter disc and a light detector is positioned on the opposite side of the greater diameter disc such that light from said light source can only reach the light detector by passing through the second cut-out portion.