One piece toggle switch cover with integral panel standoff and seal receptacle

A method of fastening a toggle switch to a panel, wherein the toggle switch comprises a plate, a stand off, a seal, a bushing, and a toggle lever, wherein the stand off has a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein the stand off and the protrusions determine a stand off depth of the plate from the panel, wherein the seal is seated around the bushing, against the stand off, and within the protrusions so that the protrusions determine an amount of compression of the seal, wherein the toggle lever extends through an opening of the bushing, and wherein the method comprises:

• inserting the bushing and the toggle level through a hole in the panel until the protrusions engage the panel;
• fastening the toggle switch to the panel by use of a single fastener so that the seal is squeezed between the stand off and the panel to provide a seal between the panel and the toggle switch.

A toggle switch comprising:

• a switch cover having a plate and a bushing, wherein the bushing has a threaded area in proximity to the plate and an unthreaded area away from the plate, wherein the unthreaded area is sized in relation to the threaded area so as to facilitate threading of a switch mounting nut onto the threaded area of the bushing and to thereby reduce the possibility of cross threading of the switch mounting nut onto the bushing;
• and,
• a toggle lever extending through an opening of the bushing.