Electrical switches

Abstract

An electrical switch comprises a body, including a base, an operating member supported by the body for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, an aperture extending through the base and a light source support member received in said aperture. The support member and the wall of the aperture are so shaped that the support member can be located in the base in either of first and second different axial positions relative to the base. The support member includes a blocking element, which in the first axial location of the support member relative to the base extends into the path of either axial or rotational movement of the operating member relative to the body to prevent such movement of the operating member relative to the body. The second location of the support member relative to the base is such that said blocking element lies out of the path of either axial or rotational movement of the operating member so that both movements of the operating member relative to the body are permitted.

I claim: 
     
       1. An electrical switch comprising a body including a base, an operating member supported by the body for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, an aperture extending through the base and a light source support member received in said aperture, said support member and the wall of the aperture being so shaped that the support member can be located in the base in either of first and second different axial positions relative to the base, and the support member including a blocking element, which in the first axial location of the support member relative to the base, extends into the path of either axial or rotational movement of the operating member relative to the body to prevent such movement of the operating member relative to the body, the second location of the support member relative to the base being such that said blocking element lies out of the path of either axial or rotational movement of the operating member so that both movements of the operating member relative to the body are permitted. 
     
     
       2. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein both of said first and second locations of said support member relative to said base, axial and rotational movement of the support member relative to the base is resisted by engagement of abutting surfaces on the support member and the base, said support member being flexible to permit said abutting surfaces to be disengaged, and engagement of a light source in said support member preventing such flexure of the support member. 
     
     
       3. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support member occupies different rotational positions relative to the base in the first and second axial locations respectively. 
     
     
       4. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rotational position occupied by the support member relative to the base in the first axial location of the support member relative to the base is spaced from the rotational position occupied by the support member relative to the base in the second axial location by 90°. 
     
     
       5. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein means is provided for retaining the support member in either of said rotational positions relative to the base. 
     
     
       6. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein means is provided for retaining the support member in either of said rotational positions relative to the base. 
     
     
       7. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the light source which the support member is arranged to receive is one end of an optical cable.