Switch and instrument panel interlock latch controlled by switch actuator

A method comprising the steps of:

• retaining a housing in an instrument panel with a latch assembly;
• actuating a switch assembly in the housing by manually moving an actuator member;
• and
• operating the latch assembly to release the housing for movement relative to the instrument panel by manually moving the actuator member.

An apparatus comprising:

• a switch assembly to be located in an instrument panel;
• a housing at least partially enclosing said switch assembly;
• a latch assembly connected with said housing and operable between an engaged condition retaining said housing in the instrument panel and a disengaged condition in which said latch assembly is ineffective to retain said housing in the instrument panel;
• and
• an actuator member connected with said switch assembly and movable relative to said housing to actuate said switch assembly, said actuator member having a latch actuator section which is movable relative to said housing to operate said latch assembly from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition.

A method comprising the steps of:

• actuating a switch assembly by rotating an actuator member connected with the switch assembly relative to a housing connected with an instrument panel by a latch assembly;
• disconnecting the actuator member from the switch assembly when the actuator member is in a first orientation relative to the housing;
• reconnecting the actuator member with the switch assembly when the actuator member is in a second orientation relative to the housing;
• and, thereafter,
• operating the latch assembly to release the housing for movement relative to the instrument panel by rotating the actuator member relative to the housing.

An apparatus comprising:

• a switch assembly to be located in an instrument panel;
• a housing at least partially enclosing said switch assembly;
• and
• an actuator member connected with said switch assembly and rotatable relative to said housing to actuate said switch assembly, said actuator member including a force transmitting surface which is engageable with said housing to transmit force applied to said actuator member directly to said housing to move said housing relative to the instrument panel under the influence of force applied to said actuator member.

A method comprising:

• retaining a housing in an instrument panel with a latch assembly;
• actuating a switch assembly in the housing by rotating an actuator member connected with the switch assembly relative to the housing;
• operating the latch assembly to release the housing for movement relative to the instrument panel;
• and, thereafter,
• pulling on the actuator member to move the housing relative to the instrument panel under the influence of force transmitted directly from the actuator member to the housing, said step of pulling on the actuator member to move the housing includes pressing a surface on the actuator member against a surface on the housing to transmit force directly from the actuator member to the housing.