Safety device

A safety device comprising:

• a pivot means;
• a lever rotatably supported on said pivot means;
• first bias means biasing the lever in a first rotational direction, which first bias means can be overcome by exertion of sufficient force on the lever, whereby to rotate the lever in a second, opposite, rotational direction;
• an operating member rotatably supported on said pivot means, said operating member being movable in said two rotational directions, said operating member being adapted for connection to a spring-biased throttle valve with second bias means that tends to move the operating member in said first direction, and which can be overcome by exertion of a sufficient force on the operating member, whereby to open the throttle valve, said lever and operating member being abutable and independently rotatable on said pivot means, whereby the lever can be rotated in the second direction to abut and rotate the operating member, the said second bias means, when unimpeded, causing the operating member to follow the lever in said first direction, remaining in abutment therewith, the lever being free to continue to rotate independently of the operating member and leave it behind when the latter is restrained;
• a first switch member and a second switch member interconnected to one another and independently rotatable relative to one another around an axis of rotation;
• one said switch member being connected to said lever in such a manner that it rotates when the lever rotates, the other said switch member being connected to said operating member in such a manner that it rotates when the operating member rotates;
• and switching means mounted to both of said first and second switch members whereby to be responsive to the relative rotational orientation of the two switch members, said switching means having a conductive condition in one relative rotational orientation of the two switch members, and a non-conductive condition in another relative rotational position thereof.