An inter-pole drive bar in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept is usable to extend among a plurality of poles of an improved switch apparatus and to cause the plurality of poles to be together moved between a CLOSED position and an OPEN position. The inter-pole drive bar is elongated and has a plurality of connection points that are connectable with the poles and further includes a number of features that avoid engagement or other interference between the inter-pole drive bar and the various structures of the switch apparatus. The inter-pole drive bar includes an elongated linkage element whose movement between the CLOSED and OPEN positions of the switch apparatus are primarily translation of the linkage element in a direction generally parallel with its longitudinal extent and translation of the linkage element in a direction generally perpendicular to its longitudinal extent.