Electric, key-controlled switch lock

An electric, key-controlled switch lock for initiating and terminating the flow of electric current through a printed circuit board, comprising

• A. a housing incorporating
• a. a key entry zone,
• b. a tumbler holding zone in juxtaposed, spaced, cooperating relationship with the key entry zone, said tumbler holding zone having an opening;
• and
• c. means for mounting the housing to the printed circuit board so that the tumbler opening overlies a portion of the printed circuit board;
• B. a tumbler mounted for rotation about its central axis in the tumbler holding zone of the housing and comprising
• a. an open entry portal
• 1. formed at a first end of the rotational axis thereof, and
• 2. dimensioned for receipt of a rotation inducing key, and
• b. contact actuating means radially extending from the outer peripheral surface thereof and extendable through the tumbler opening when the tumbler is in a first or closed rotational position and at least less extended through the tumbler opening when the tumbler is in a second or opened rotational position;
• C. a first contact having means for mounting to the printed circuit board;
• D. a second, elongated, resiliently flexible contact
• a. having means for mounting to the printed circuit board in juxtaposed, spaced relationship thereto, overlying the first contact, and
• b. positionable to underlie the tumbler opening for cooperative, controlled responsive engagement with the actuating means of the tumbler so that the contact actuating means resiliently depresses the second contact to engage the first contact when the tumbler is in the closed position and to allow disengagement of the second contact from the first contact when the tumbler is in the opened position;
• and
• E. a key member
• a. insertable in the housing and the tumbler, and
• b. rotatable about its central axis, producing rotation of the tumbler from the second, or opened, position to the first or, closed, position,
• whereby axial rotation of the key and tumbler causes the actuating means of the tumbler to controllably engage and disengage the contacts.