Push button switch

A switch actuating mechanism includes a spring actuating pawl (24) for engaging the teeth (28) of a ratchet wheel (26) mounted rotatably in a casing (11) which also carries a reciprocating spring biased pushrod (14). The spring actuating pawl (24) is mounted on the pushrod (26) and has a stepped portion (36) which effects sequentially driving engagement with individual teeth (28) of the ratchet wheel (26) so that the ratchet wheel (26) is stepped in one direction of rotation upon movement of the pushrod (14) in the forward direction. The spring pawl (24) is deflected downwardly by the ratchet wheel teeth (28) on movement of the pushrod (14) in the reverse direction. The invention reduces required tolerances, push rod operating force and pre-travel requirements, automatically compensates for dimensional variations and substantially eliminates creeping.