TOGGLE AND LATCH MECHANISM FOR SWITCHES

A high-voltage switch comprising a fixed jaw contact and a switch blade assembly. The fixed latch-contact element includes a contact member and a projecting latching tongue and the switch blade assembly comprises a pair of spaced, parallel switch blades adapted to pivot into and out of electrical contact with the contact member. The switch blades are biased towards each other so as to exert sufficient pressure on the contact member for high amperage operation when the switch is closed. A toggle mechanism is provided between the switch blades which, upon actuation by the movement of an operating lever, urges the opposed switch blades apart to reduce the pressure between the blades and the contact member during opening and closing. The tongue formed on the latch-contact element cooperates with the toggle mechanism which latches to it to provide positive locking between the closed switch blade assembly and the fixed latch-contact element.