A rotary operator assembly (1A) includes a grip member (4), a spindle member (6A), and an operator body member (8). The spindle member (6A) is attached to the operator body member (8), being rotatable with respect to the operator body member (8) about an operative axis of rotation (A). The grip member (4) is movably coupled to the spindle member (6A) and the operator body member (8) and is translatable between a first translational position and a second translational position with respect to the operator body member (8). The grip member (4) and the operator body member (8) include cooperating means for blocking rotation of the grip member (4) with respect to the operator body member (8) about the operative axis of rotation in the first position and for allowing rotation of the grip member (4) with respect to the operator body member (8) about the operative axis of rotation in the second position from a first angular position to a second angular position. The grip member (4) is configured to operably couple with the spindle member (6A) in at least the second translational position, and the grip member (4) comprises at least one portion cooperating with at least one portion of the spindle member (6A) for preventing translation of the grip member (4) between the first translational position and the second translational position in the first angular position.