DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to electrical switches and more particularly, relates to a switch assembly having a safety lock mechanism to prevent unintentional operation of the switch assembly.

BACKGROUND

Commonly, electrical switches are employed for operating a wide range of appliances by controlling a flow of current to such appliances. In particular, the electrical switches are employed in electrical circuits to divert or interrupt the flow of current flowing towards the appliances, and thereby switching-ON or switching-OFF such appliances. However, such electrical switches usually fail to provide a mechanism to prevent unintended activation of the electrical switches. Owing to lack of such mechanism, the erroneous operation of the electrical switches may in turn lead to unintentional operation of the appliances connected to the electrical switches. This may lead to a significant reduction in service life of the appliances and the electrical switches. Further, due to unintentional operation of the appliances, safety of people in the vicinity of such appliances may be compromised.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved electrical switch with a mechanism to prevent erroneous operation of such electrical switch.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a housing member and a cover member coupled to the housing member. Further, the switch assembly includes a switching element movably disposed on the cover member. The switch assembly includes a locking member adapted to be coupled to the switching element and adapted to be engaged with the cover member to restrict sliding movement of the switching element. Further, the switch assembly includes an actuating element adapted to abut the locking member and adapted to be actuated to allow the sliding movement of the switching element. The actuating element is pushed to disengage the locking member from the cover member to allow the sliding movement of the switching element.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a housing member and a first electrical terminal disposed within the housing member. Further, the switch assembly includes a moving contact element pivotally disposed within the housing member and adapted to be pivotally moved to form an intermittent electrical contact with the first electrical terminal. The switch assembly includes a pushing member adapted to slide on the moving contact element and simultaneously push the moving contact element. Further, the switch assembly includes a locking member coupled to the pushing member and adapted to be moved to slide the pushing member on the moving contact element. The switch assembly also includes a safety switch adapted to be engaged with the locking member to restrict the movement of the locking member.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly having a safety lock mechanism, according to an embodiment, of the present disclosure;

Figure 2a illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2b illustrates a partial exploded view of the switch assembly depicting the saftey lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3a illustrates a sectional view of the switch assembly taken along an axis X-X’ of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3b illustrates a partial sectional view of an enlarged portion of the switch asssembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate partial exploded views of the switch assembly depicting a safety lock mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate partial exploded views of the switch assembly depicting the safety lock mechanism, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skills in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly 100 having a safety lock mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The switch assembly 100 may be provided with a safety lock mechanism 200 (shown in Figure 2) to eliminate the possibility of unintended activation of the switch assembly 100. In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may be employed for operating a wide range of appliances, such as household appliances. For instance, the switch assembly 100 may be employed to switch-ON or switch-OFF an operation of an electrical appliance. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may be embodied as a sliding switch assembly. Constructional and operational details of the switch assembly 100 are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 may include a housing member 102 adapted to accommodate various sub-components. The switch assembly 100 may include a supporting member 104 adapted to be coupled with the housing member 102. In an embodiment, the supporting member 104 may be removably coupled to the housing member 102. In an example, the supporting member 104 may be removably coupled to the housing member 102 through snap locks.

Further, the switch assembly 100 may include a switching element 106 movably supported on the supporting member 104. The switching element 106 may be adapted to slide between an ON-position and an OFF-position. In an embodiment, the supporting member 104 includes a guiding cavity 108 to movably accommodate the switching element 106. The guiding cavity 108 may be adapted to guide a movement of the switching element 106 in a predefined direction. Owing to such an arrangement, the switch assembly 100 may eliminate failures that might occur due to incorrect guiding of the switching element 106 while moving the switching element 106 between the ON-position and the OFF-position.

As mentioned earlier, the switch assembly 100 may include the safety lock mechanism 200 to prevent erroneous movement of the switching element 106. In an embodiment, the safety lock mechanism 200 may be adapted to restrict the movement of the switching element 106 from the OFF-position to the ON-position. In the illustrated embodiment, when the switching element 106 is at the OFF-position, the safety lock mechanism 200 may be locked to restrict the movement of the switching element 106 from the OFF-position to the ON-position.

Further, the switch assembly 100 may include an actuating element 110 adapted to unlock the safety lock mechanism 200. In order to unlock the safety lock mechanism 200, the actuating element 110 may be pushed by a user in a downward direction. Subsequently, the safety lock mechanism 200 may be unlocked, and thereby allows the movement of the switching element 106 from the OFF-position to the ON-position. In an embodiment, the switching element 106 may include a touching area 106-1 at a height closer to the actuating element 110. Constructional and operational details of each of the safety lock mechanism 200 and the actuating element 110 are explained in detail in the description of Figure 2a, Figure 2b, Figure 3a, Figure 3b, and Figure 4 of the present disclosure.

Figure 2a illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2a, the switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, the housing member 102, the supporting member 104, the switching element 106, the safety lock mechanism 200, the actuating element 110, a moving contact element 202, a first electrical terminal 203, and a second electrical terminal 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing member 102 may include a cover member 206, a base member 208 adapted to be coupled to the cover member 206, and an intermediate member 210 disposed in the base member 208. The switching element 106 may be movably disposed on the cover member (206). In particular, the switching element 106 may be movably supported on the supporting member 104 which is disposed on the cover member 206.

Figure 2b illustrates a partial exploded view of the switch assembly 100 depicting the safety lock mechanism 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3a illustrates a sectional view of the switch assembly 100 taken along an axis X-X’ of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3b illustrates a partial sectional view of an enlarged portion A’ of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 2b, Figure 3a, and Figure 3b, in an embodiment, the safety lock mechanism 200 of the switch assembly 100 includes a locking member 212 and a pushing member 214 movably coupled to the locking member 212. The locking member 212 may be adapted to be coupled with the switching element 106. The locking member 212 may be coupled to the switching element 106 such that the locking member 212 moves along with the switching element 106. Further, the locking member 212 may be adapted to be engaged with the cover member 206 of the switch assembly 100 to restrict sliding movement of the switching element 106.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 212 may include a connecting portion 216 and a locking portion 218. The connecting portion 216 may be embodied as a protrusion adapted to be coupled with the switching element 106. Further, the locking member 212 may be adapted to be moved via the switching element 106. For instance, when the switching element 106 is moved to one of the ON-position and the OFF-position, the locking member 212 may move along with the switching element 106 in the direction of movement of the switching element 106.

Further, the locking portion 218 may be adapted to be engaged with the cover member 206 of the switch assembly 100. In particular, the locking portion 218 may engage with the cover member 206 to restrict the movement of the locking member 212, and thereby restricting the movement of the switching element 106 from the OFF-position to the ON-position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking portion 218 includes a protrusion adapted to be engaged with the cover member 206 to restrict the movement of the locking member 212, and thereby restricting the sliding movement of the switching element 106. Referring to Figure 3b, the locking portion 218 may be adapted to be engaged with an inner portion 302 of the cover member 206 of the switch assembly 100. For instance, when the switching element 106 is at the OFF-position, the locking portion 218 of the locking member 212 may be engaged with the inner portion 302 to restrict the movement of the switching element 106 in the guiding cavity 108.

Furthermore, the locking member 212 may be adapted to accommodate the pushing member 214. Referring to Figure 2b, the pushing member 214 may include a first end portion 220 and a second end portion 222 distal to the first end portion 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 212 may include a cavity 224 adapted to resiliently accommodate the pushing member 214. The pushing member 214 may be adapted to resiliently move in the cavity 224.

Further, the pushing member 214 may be resiliently accommodated in the cavity 224 of the locking member 212 through a resilient member 226. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient member 226 may be embodied as a spring. The resilient member 226 may be removably attached to the first end portion 220 of the pushing member 214. Further, the second end portion 222 of the pushing member 214 may be in contact with the moving contact element 202 of the switch assembly 100. The pushing member 214 may be adapted to slide on the moving contact element 202, when the locking member 212 is moved via the switching element 106. Owing to the sliding movement of the pushing member 214, the moving contact element 202 may be pivotally pushed in the downward direction.

In an embodiment, the actuating element 110 may be adapted to abut the locking member 212. Further, the actuating element 110 may be adapted to be actuated to allow the sliding movement of the switching element 106. The actuating element 110 may be pushed in the downward direction to disengage the locking member 212 from the cover member 206 to allow the sliding movement of the switching element 106. In an embodiment, the actuating element 110 may be resiliently disposed in the switch assembly 100 through a resilient member 228, such as a spring. As mentioned earlier, the actuating element 110 may be adapted to be operated by a user to unlock the safety lock mechanism 200.

Referring to Figure 3b, the actuating element 110 may include an input end 304 and a pushing end 306 distal to the input end 304. The input end 304 may extend through the supporting member 104. In an embodiment, the supporting member 104 may include an opening 104-1 adapted to receive the input end 304 of the actuating element 110. The input end 304 may be adapted to be pushed by the user for unlocking the safety lock mechanism 200. In particular, the input end 304 may be adapted to be pushed for disengaging the locking member 212 from the cover member 206.

The pushing end 306 may be adapted to abut the locking portion 218 of the locking member 212. Further, the pushing end 306 may be adapted to push the locking portion 218 of the locking member 212 in the downward direction, when the user pushes the input end 304 of the actuating element 110. In particular, the pushing end 306 pushes the locking portion 218 in the downward direction such that the locking portion 218 slides on the inclined surface 302-3 to allow the sliding movement of the switching element 106.

For instance, when the user operates the actuating element 110 by pushing the input end 304 in the downward direction, the pushing end 306 may push the locking portion 218 in the downward direction. Subsequently, the locking portion 218 may slide over the inner portion 302 of the cover member 206. Owing to such movement of the locking portion 218 and constructional characteristics of the inner portion 302, the locking member 212 may be unlocked, and thereby allows the movement of the switching element 106 to operate the switch assembly 100.

In an embodiment, the inner portion 302 may include a first surface 302-1, a second surface 302-2, and an inclined surface 302-3 extending between the first surface 302-1 and the second surface 302-2. As explained earlier, the actuating element 110 may be actuated by pushing in the downward direction to disengage the locking portion 218 from the inner portion 302 of the cover member 206. The locking portion 218 may be adapted to slide on the inclined surface 302-3, when the actuating element 110 is pushed in the downward direction. Owing to such movement of the locking portion 218, the locking member 212 may be disengaged from the inner portion 302 of the cover member 206.

Referring to Figure 3a, the moving contact element 202 may be pivotally disposed in the housing member 102 of the switch assembly 100. The moving contact element 202 may be adapted to be pivotally moved through the safety lock mechanism 200 to form intermittent contact with the first electrical terminal 203, interchangeably referred to as the riveted pillar 203. In particular, upon the movement of the locking member 212 via the switching element 106, the pushing member 214 may slide on the moving contact element 202 and simultaneously push the moving contact element 202 in the downward direction. Owing to such movement of the pushing member 214, the moving contact element 202 may be pivotally moved to form intermittent contact with the first electrical terminal 203. In one instance, when the switching element 106 is moved to the ON-position, the moving contact element 202 forms a contact with the riveted pillar 203. In another instance, when the switching element 106 is moved to the OFF-position, the moving contact element 202 is not in contact with the riveted pillar 203.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a switch assembly 400, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in details in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2a, Figure 2b, Figure 3a, and Figure 3b are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 4.

Similar to the switch assembly 100 explained with respect to Figure 1, Figures 2a-2b, and Figures 3a-3b, the switch assembly 400 of the illustrated embodiment includes the housing member 102, the supporting member 104 attached to the housing member 102, the switching element 106 movably disposed on the supporting member 104, the safety lock mechanism 200, the moving contact element 202, the first electrical terminal 203, and the second electrical terminal 204. The first electrical terminal 203 may be disposed within the housing member 102. The moving contact element 302 may be pivotally disposed within the housing member 102. As explained earlier, the moving contact element 202 may be adapted to be pivotally moved to form the intermittent electrical contact with the first electrical terminal 203.

However, in the illustrated embodiment, the switch assembly 400 may include a safety switch 402 adapted to selectively lock or unlock the safety lock mechanism 200. In particular, the safety switch 402 may be adapted to be engaged with the locking member 502 to restrict the movement of the locking member 502. The safety switch 402 may be adapted to be operated between a locked position and an unlocked position. In one instance, when the switching element 106 is at the OFF-position, the safety switch 402 may be operated to the locked position for locking the safety lock mechanism 200, and thereby preventing erroneous movement of the switching element 106 to operate the switch assembly 400. Similarly, in another instance, when the switching element 106 is at the OFF-position, the safety switch 402 may be operated to the unlocked position for unlocking the safety lock mechanism 200, and thereby allowing the movement of the switching element 106 from the OFF-position to the ON-position.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate partial exploded views of the switch assembly 400 depicting the safety lock mechanism 200, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details of the present disclosure that are explained in details in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2a, Figure 2b, Figure 3a, Figure 3b, and Figure 4 are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 5a and Figure 5b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the safety lock mechanism 200 may include a locking member 502 adapted to be coupled with the switching element 106 of the switch assembly 400. Further, the locking member 502 may be coupled to a pushing member, such as the pushing member 214. The pushing member 214 may be adapted to slide on the moving contact element 202 and simultaneously push the moving contact element 202. The locking member 502 may be adapted to be moved to slide the pushing member 214 on the moving contact element 202.

The locking member 502 may include a connecting portion, such as the connecting portion 216, adapted to be coupled to the switching element 106. Further, the locking member 502 may include a locking portion 504 adapted to be engaged with the safety switch 402. As mentioned earlier, the safety lock 402 may be adapted to be moved between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the safety switch 402 engages with the locking portion 504 to restrict sliding of the pushing member 214 on the moving contact element 202. The safety switch 402 may be adapted to be engaged with the locking portion 504 when the switching element 106 is moved to the OFF-position. In the unlocked position, the safety switch 402 disengages from the locking portion 504 to allow sliding of the pushing member 214 on the moving contact element 202.

The safety switch 402 may include an actuating end 506 and an engaging end 508 distal to the actuating end 506. The actuating end 506 may be adapted to be operated by the user for moving the safety switch 402 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The engaging end 508 may be adapted to be engaged with the locking portion 504 of the locking member 502, and thereby restricting the movement of the locking member 502 and the switching element 106. In order to move the switching element 106 to operate the switch assembly 400, the safety switch 402 may be moved to the unlocked position, and thereby disengaging the engaging end 508 from the locking portion 504. Owing to such movement of the safety switch 402, the movement of the switching element 106 may be allowed from the OFF-position to the ON-position.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate partial exploded views of the switch assembly 400 depicting a safety lock mechanism 200, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the safety lock mechanism 200 includes a locking member 602 coupled to the switching element 106 of the switch assembly 400. The locking member 602 may include a locking portion 604 adapted to be engaged with the safety switch 402. Constructional details of the safety switch 402 depicted in Figure 5a and Figure 5b are different from constructional details of the safety switch 402 depicted in Figure 6a and Figure 6b. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking portion 604 may have a substantially hook shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The safety switch 402 may include an actuating end 606 and an engaging end 608 distal to the actuating end 606. Similar to the shape of the locking portion 604, in the illustrated embodiment, the engaging end 608 may have a substantially hook shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The actuating end 606 may be adapted to be operated by the user for moving the safety switch 402 between the locked position and the unlocked position. Further, the engaging end 608 may be adapted to be engaged with the locking portion 604 of the locking member 602, and thereby restricting the movement of the locking member 602 and the switching element 106. In order to move the switching element 106 to operate the switch assembly 400, the safety switch 402 may be moved to the unlocking position, and thereby disengaging the engaging end 608 from the locking portion 604. Owing to such movement of the safety switch 402, the movement of the switching element 106 may be allowed to operate the switch assembly 400.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A switch assembly (100) comprising:
a housing member (102);
a cover member (206) coupled to the housing member (102);
a switching element (106) movably disposed on the cover member (206);
a locking member (212) adapted to be coupled to the switching element (106) and adapted to be engaged with the cover member (206) to restrict sliding movement of the switching element (106); and
an actuating element (110) adapted to abut the locking member (212) and adapted to be actuated to allow the sliding movement of the switching element (106),
wherein the actuating element (110) is pushed to disengage the locking member (212) from the cover member (206) to allow the sliding movement of the switching element (106).

2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member (212) include a connecting portion (216) adapted to be coupled to the switching element (106) and a locking portion (218) adapted to be engaged with the cover member (206).

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking portion (218) is a protrusion adapted to be engaged with the cover member (206) to restrict the sliding movement of the switching element (106).

4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking portion (218) is adapted to be engaged with an inner portion (302) of the cover member (206), the inner portion (302) includes a first surface (302-1), a second surface (302-2) and an inclined surface (302-3) extending between the first surface (302-1) and the second surface (302-2).

5. The switch assembly (100) according to claim 4, wherein the actuating element (110) is actuated by pushing in a downward direction to disengage the locking portion (218) from the inner portion (302) of the cover member (206).

6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any of claim 4 and 5, wherein the locking portion (218) is adapted to slide on the inclined surface (302-3) when the actuating element (110) is pushed in the downward direction.

7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any of claim 6, wherein the actuating element (110) comprises:
an input end (304) adapted to be pushed for disengaging the locking member (212) from the cover member (206); and
a pushing end (306) distal to the input end (304) and adapted to abut the locking portion (218) of the locking member (212),
wherein the pushing end (306) is adapted to push the locking portion (218) in the downward direction such that the locking portion (218) slides on the inclined surface (302-3) to allow the sliding movement of the switching element (106).

8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a supporting member (104) coupled to the housing member (102), and adapted to support the switching element (106) and the actuating element (110).

9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in any of claim 7 and 8, wherein the supporting member (104) includes an opening (104-1) adapted to receive the input end (304) of the actuating element (110).

10. The switch assembly (100) according to claim 8, wherein the supporting member (104) includes a guiding cavity (108) to accommodate the switching element (106) and adapted to guide the sliding movement of the switching element (106) in a predefined direction.

11. The switch assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (212) is coupled to a switching element (106) such that the locking member (212) moves along with the switching element (106), the switching element (106) includes a touching area (106-1) at a height closer to the actuating element (110).

12. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a first electrical terminal (203) disposed within the housing member (102);
a moving contact element (202) pivotally disposed within the housing member (102) and adapted to be pivotally moved to form an intermittent electrical contact with the first electrical terminal (203); and
a pushing member (214) coupled to the locking member (302) and adapted to slide on the moving contact element (202) and simultaneously push the moving contact element (202).

13. A switch assembly (400) comprising:
a housing member (102);
a first electrical terminal (203) disposed within the housing member (102);
a moving contact element (202) pivotally disposed within the housing member (102) and adapted to be pivotally moved to form an intermittent electrical contact with the first electrical terminal (203);
a pushing member (214) adapted to slide on the moving contact element (202) and simultaneously push the moving contact element (202);
a locking member (502, 602) coupled to the pushing member (214) and adapted to be moved to slide the pushing member (214) on the moving contact element (202); and
a safety switch (402) adapted to be engaged with the locking member (502, 602) to restrict the movement of the locking member (502, 602).

14. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the locking member (502, 602) include a connecting portion (216) adapted to be coupled to a switching element (106) and a locking portion (504, 604) adapted to be engaged with the safety switch (402).

15. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a switching element (106) adapted to be coupled to the locking member (502, 602) such that the locking member (502, 602) is moved by sliding the switching element (106), wherein the switching element (106) is slidable between an OFF-position and an ON-position.

16. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the safety switch (402) is adapted to be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position.

17. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the locked position, the safety switch (402) engages with the locking portion (504, 604) to restrict sliding of the pushing member (214) on the moving contact element (202).

18. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the unlocked position, the safety switch (402) disengages from the locking portion (504, 604) to allow sliding of the pushing member (214) on the moving contact element (202).

19. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in any of claim 15 and 17, wherein the safety switch (402) is adapted to be engaged with the locking portion (504, 604) when the switching element (106) is moved to an OFF-position.

20. The switch assembly (400) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the safety switch (402) comprises:
an actuating end (506, 606) adapted to be operated to move the safety switch (402) between the locked position and the unlocked position; and
an engaging end (508, 608) distal to the actuating end (506, 606) and adapted to be engaged with the locking portion (504, 604) of the locking member (502, 602) when the safety switch (402) is moved to the locked position.