Console switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
An apparatus for activating and deactivating an electrically powered machine, comprising: a keyway adapted to receive a safety key, said keyway having a keyway housing with a base, side walls, a curved rear wall and a cover, said keyway having a key-insertable portion defining an "off" position, and a non key-insertable portion defining an "on" position, said keyway having an arcuate guideway to guide said safety key between an "OFF" position and an "ON" position; an electrical switch having actuator means adapted to be actuated by said safety key when in said "ON" position; and a safety key having a proximate end for operation by the user and an arcuate distal end for insertion in said key insertable portion of said keyway whereby said arcuate distal end pivots within said curved rear wall of the safety keyway housing between said "OFF" position in which said electrical switch is deactivated and said "ON" position in which said electrical switch is activated, said safety key including protrusile means for movement in said guideway wherein said protrusile means engages said guideway to hold said safety key in one of said "ON" or "OFF" positions and said protrusile means prevents said safety key being inserted into said non key-insertable portion.
2.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a dimension of said keyway is enlarged in said key-insertable portion to permit insertion of said key therein and wherein a dimension of said non key-insertable portion is reduced to block insertion of said key therein.
3.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dimension of said key-insertable portion permits passage of said protrusion therethrough, and said dimension of said non key-insertable portion obstructs passage of said protrusion thereinto while permitting removal of said key therefrom.
4.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said dimension of said key-insertable portion decreases with insertion distance to communicate with said protrusion and compress said protrusion toward said key