US Patent 7373036 Switching device and method

A rocker styled switch includes an arm member moveable into and out of a beam path transmitting light between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver for blocking and allowing light to reach the receiver for providing an actuating signal. An end of the arm member includes a cam follower moveable along a contoured cam surface for causing a preferential movement of the arm member from an unstable position to a stable position responsive to the cam surface for defining a switching operation. Interchangeable cam surfaces provide a one position momentary switch, a two position momentary switch, a two position stationary switch, and a three position stationary switch.