# US 7,465,891 B2 · In-line lockable electrical switch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,465,891 B2 - Document ID: US7465891B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/701,905 - Filed: 2007-02-02 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-02 - Inventors: Anthony Brinton Wolbarst - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465891B2 ## CPC - H01H 9/281: {making use of a padlock (H01H9/287 takes precedence)} - H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract An electric switch which can be locked using any possible lock to either prevent or ensure the flow of electric power to an electrical apparatus. The switch has a toggle-handle that a bar from a lock can be fitted into and immobilize the toggle-contactor, preventing the toggle from being moved. Thus the switch is prevented from being turned on or turned off. The switch is intended to be placed into a power cord and can be sold with a device or added later. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical switch device comprising: an electrical switch with an open position and a closed position; a toggle-handle attached to the electrical switch so that the toggle-handle could move the electrical switch between the open position and the closed position and maintain the electrical switch in that position; at least two holes in the toggle-handle; a lock bar; a locking means to lock the lock bar and prevent movement of the lock bar; a housing for the electrical switch and the toggle-handle with at least one hole in the housing that substantially lines up with at least one hole on the toggle; so that the lock bar is attached to the electrical switch device by fitting the lock bar into both a hole in the housing and a hole in the toggle-handle and the locking means immobilizes the lock bar and thus the toggle-contactor and thus fixing the electrical switch in either an open or closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is a padlock. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is a combination lock. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is integrated into the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by a key. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by an electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by a computer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the toggle-contactor has an open position hole and a closed position hole, so that when the lock bar is in the open position hole, the electrical switch is immobilized in the open, or “off”, position and when the lock bar is in the closed, or “on”, position hole, the electrical switch is immobilized in the closed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the open position of the electrical switch results in a break in the circuit and the end of the electrical flow in the circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 used to prevent the operation of a television. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 used to prevent the operation of an electrical device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 used to prevent the operation of a power tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 used in a kit where a user inserts a lock with a lock bar into at least one hole in housing and at least one hole in the toggle to immobilize the electrical switch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by a keypad. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by a radio. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by a specific sound. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by an ultrasound pattern. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by an optical device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by an ultraviolet device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An electrical switch device of claim 1 where the locking means is controlled by a infrared device. ### Claim 21 An electrical switch device kit comprising: an electrical switch with an open position and a closed position and with two wire-connectors; a toggle-handle attached to the electrical switch to that the toggle-handle could move the switch between the open position and the closed position, with at least two holes in the toggle-handle; a lock bar; a locking means to lock the lock bar and prevent movement of the lock bar; a housing for the electrical switch and the toggle with at least one hole in the housing that substantially lines up with at least one hole on the toggle-handle; an electrical wire of an electrical circuit; so that the electrical wire of the electrical circuit can be cut and stripped of insulation such that one of the newly-created wire-ends can be electrically attached to one wire-fastener of the electrical switch and the other wire-end attached to the other wire-fastener of the electrical switch, so that when the electrical switch is in a closed position, electricity can flow in the electrical circuit; so that the lock bar is attached to the electrical switch device by fitting the lock bar into both a hole in the housing and a hole in the toggle-handle and the locking means immobilizes the lock bar and thus the toggle-contactor and thus fixing the electrical switch in either an open or closed position.