US2319161A - Combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch - Google Patents

Description

y 1943- w. o. SCHULTZ 2,319,161

COMBINED FUSE CUT-OUT.AND DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed July 251 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 (9 1 14, 8 /5 I ,26 as 5 \M I Ra zo e6 4 3% 68 f 5 Z I 65 37 BIA x ,ej

1 l 43 4e as -flv y mum: I 72' 15' 3 17 6.1 INVENT OR. 2 BY ATTORNEY.

y 71943 i W. o. SCHULTZ 2,319,161

COMBINED FUSE CUT-OUT AND DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed July 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 aaU INVENTOR. a azw I BY c2l4222,LLCK2,

ATTORNEY.

W. O. SCHULTZ COMBINED FUSE CUT-OUT AND DISCONNECT SWITCH May 11, 1943.

Filed July 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENT OR. "Ma W ATTORNEY.

May 11, 1943. w Q SCHULTZ 2,319,161

COMBINED FUSE CUT-OUT AND DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed July 20, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /Z\7 78 7f 77 ilm i ,INVENTOR. F911 Y r ATTCQNEY.

y 1943- w. o. SCHULTZ 2,319,161

COMBINED FUSE CUT-OUT AND'DISCONNECT SWITCH Filed July 20. 1940 8 6 egg- .13

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 11, 1943 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE COMBINED FUSE CUTOUT AND DISCONNECT SWITCH 30 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined fuse cutout and disconnect .switch.

It is an object of this invention to provide for an electrical distribution system a combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a pair of conducting arms adapted to operate in electrical relation with each other either as switch arms for conducting an undetermined value of current or as fuse link-holding arms for conducting a predetermined value of current through a fuse link,

More specifically, it is an object to provide a combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, a flexible conductor arm mounted on the support, a rigid conductor arm spaced from the flexible arm and provided with a reversible contact head, which operates when positioned in one direction as a switch locking means for receiving the flexible arm in interconnected relation thereto, thereby providing a switch for an electric circuit; and, when reversed from its switch position, operates as a fuse link-receiving head for releasably holding a fuse link in tensioned relation with the flexible arm, thereby providing a fuse cutout for an and provided with link-holding means which operate to releasably hold a fuse link in electrical contact therewith and out of direct rigid connection with the arms, thereby preventing mechanical forces from being transmitted to the arms when the fuse link is ruptured by a fault current;

A further object is to provide a disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, a rigid conductor arm mounted on the support and provided with a switch arm-receiving means, and a resilient switch arm mounted in biased relation to the support and adapted to be releasably interconnected at its outer end with the switch arm-receiving means, the means including a wedge action adapted to automatically vripea clean contact surface on the resilient arm and by reason of its wedge-like shape insure a high contact pressure between the cooperating parts.

A still further object is to provide for a disconnect switch a resilient arm and a stationary arm provided with simple and effective means adapted to facilitate in the locking and unlocking of the resilient arm into circuit closing and circuit opening positions without the use of separate means carried by the resilient arm to effect this result, thereby providing a switch which is economical to build and simple to operate.

Another object is to provide for a combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch a pivotallymounted spring-actuated resilient conductor arm including a pair of spring wires cooperating at their outer ends to form a contact head which is comparatively light in weight and thereby providing a substantially mass-free conductor member which may be biased into open-circuit position in a shorter period of time than would otherwise be possible should a comparatively heavy mass be associated therewith and wherein the conductor member is brought to rest in opencircuit position with relatively no mechanical strain being exerted on the member and parts associated therewith.

Another object is to provide for a fuse link assembly a pair of frusto-conical contacts which act to hold the assembly in releasable relation with the fuse cutout and upon rupture 'of the link, release the severed parts from the fuse cutout, thereby simplifying and facilitating rapid refusing operation by having the cutout free of dangling parts which must otherwise be removed.

Another object is to provide for a combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch a coil spring acting in cooperation with a terminal housing and adapted to bias a conductor arm into opencircuit position, the spring being protected by the housing against direct weathering and arranged relative to the current conducting housing and conductor arm in such a manner that substantially no current is carried by the spring. thus preventing damage thereto by heat which would otherwise occur if the spring acted as a current conductor.

The circuit breaker disclosed in the copending application of W. D. Kyle, Ser. No. 346,579, filed July 20, 1940, for Combined fuse cutout and dis connect switch is the same in structure as that disclosed herein, but claimed more broadly than in this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation showing an embodiment of this invention operating as a fuse cutout.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the lower portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the invention shown in Fig. 1, operating as a disconnect switch.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view in cross-section of the fuse link assembly shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation partly cut away, showing a modification of this invention operating as a fuse cutout.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a view taken on the line |2-|2 of Fig. 10 with the fuse link removed.

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of the invention shown in Fig. 10, operating as a disconnect switch.

Fig. 14 is a. front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a view taken on the line |5 -|5 of Fig. 13.

Like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

elements 8 and 9, commonly used, adapted to receive electrical conductors (not shown) for connection with the terminals. As indicated, the support I is provided intermediate its ends with a hanger l0, shown fragmentarily, clamped to the support by means of the strap bolts l2, and nuts I3.

In Fig. 1, the contact arm I4 is rigid and comprises a casting having at its outer end a contact head |4A including an upwardly curved wedge-like guide l5 provided, at the base of the guide and on each side thereof, with a pair of catches or switch arm-receiving slots |6 extending transversely of the guide and a pair of fuse link-receiving slots extending downward- 1y toward the arm l4. A second Wedge-like uide |9 extends downwardly and outwardly from the base of the guide I5 and immediately in front of the slots l6 and terminates in a pair of switch arm spreading tips clearly shown in Fig. 8. A reinforcing rib 2|, located centrally of the head |4A, extends laterally from either side of the guide I!) upwardly along the guide l5 and downwardly along the wall portion 22.

The arm l4 comprises a base portion 23 and a rib 24 located centrally thereof, each extending from the wall portion 22 to the bolt receiving portion 25. As indicated in Fig. 2. the rib 24 terminates in a pair of divergent portions 26 and 2! flanking the triangular aperture 28 in the base portion 23. The opening 23 facilitates the mounting of the arm I4 on the terminal 2 by providing an unobstructed passage for the upper bolt 4 when inserted in the bolt-receiving portion 25. The arm I4 is held against rotation on the bolt by means of the nub portion 29 extending vertically on and centrally of the rear face of the portion and interlocking with the hub receiving groove 30 located on the front face of the terminal 2.

A pivotally movable conductor arm designated generally by the numeral 3| and shown in detail in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, comprises a continuous length of wire bent to provide a pair of spaced conducting portions or legs 3| A held in relatively fixed position relative to each other at the pivoted end of the arm 3| by a flat relatively stiff metal plate or spacing brace 32 having its ends bent at 33 into gripping engagement with the legs 3|A. The legs converge upwardly beyond the brace 32 into a horizontal section 34 which terminates in a pair of fuse link-engaging portions 35 each of which is spaced from an adjacent leg to provide a fuse link receiving slot 35A. As indicated in Fig. 5, the portions 35 are formed by reversely curved portions of the wire comprising the legs 3|A.

The contact end 36 of the conductor which includes portions 35, is provided with a tubular colla:- 31 having its flanged ends 33 engaging adjacent portions of the wire and holding the fuse link engaging portions in relative alignment to each other and to the arms 3|A when engaged by the fuse link hereafter described.

. The conductor arm 3| is pivotally mounted on a terminal housing designated generally by the numeral 40 and comprising a rear wall 4|, side Walls 42, a top wall 43 terminating in a curved portion 44 having a notch 44A, and an open bottom. The front of the housing is partly closed at its upper end by the curved portion 44. The rear wall 4| is provided centrally thereof with an aperture 45 receiving therein the bolt 4 which holds the housing in electrical and mechanical contact with the terminal 3. At the lower forward end of each side wall 42 a lug 45 is provided which is disposed immediately below an adjacent arm 3 EA and acts as means for limiting the downward movement of the conductor 3|. As indicated, each arm 3|A is provided with a hinge portion 47 extending into an aperture 41A located in a corresponding side wall 42 and about the axis of which the conductor may freely swing.

A tubular spring bearing 48 having a coil spring 49 slidably mounted thereon is disposed in axial alignment with the apertures 41A between the side walls 42 and held in place by the hinge portions 41 which extend into the interior of the housing 40 through the apertures MA as shown.

A rectangular plate 5|] is provided for holding V the hinge portions 47 in the apertures 41A by gripping the legs 3|A at 5|. A notch is provided at 52 on the plate in relative alignment with the notch 44A and receives in contact therewith the biasing arm 53 of the spring 49. The other end of the spring 49 is biased against the forward edge of the curved portion 44 by the arm 54.

It may be noted that the plates 32 and 55 hold the legs 3|A against lateral movement relative to each other. It may be further noted that due to the natural resilience of the legs 3 IA, some lateral movement of spreading takes place intermediate the plate 32 and the collar 31. This spreading action, which occurs when the conductor arm 3| is engaged with the contact head MA, as more fully described hereinafter, is confined by the plate 32 and thereby provides a higher contact pressure between the cooperating parts of the conductor arms 3| and contact head |4A than would be otherwise possible should the plate be omitted. It may be noted that the spring 49 disposed within the housing 40 is protected against direct weathering such as snow, sleet, and rain.

If it is desirable to utilize the structure as a fuse cutout, a fuse link assembly shown in Fig. 9 and designated generally by the numeral 55 .is provided comprising a stifi metal tubular conductor 6| having mounted adjacent its upper flanged end 62 a frusto-conical contact 63 and a flexible wire loop 56 and disposed within the tube 6| a strain wire 58 which is secured to the loop 56 by means of solder 64 which in turn secures the loop and contact 63 in fixed position with the tube 6|. A flexible conductor 6'5 is secured to the strain wir 58 by solder at 66. A predetermined length of fusible wire 59 is electrically connected to the tubular conductor 6| at 66 and to the flexible conductor 65 at 66. A comparatively light insulating tubular member 61 is tightly mounted on the conductor 6| so that its upper end comes into abutting relation with the contact 63 and its lower end extends a predetermined distance below the solder point 66.

The tight fit between the tube 6'! and conductor tube 6| forms a rigid arrangement of parts at the upper contact end of the assembly.

An anchor tube 68 having a flange 69 intermediate its ends is mounted on the conductor with. The portion of the tube 66 above the J flan e 69 acts to axially align the fusible wire 59 and strain wire 58 in spaced relation with the tube 61.

The lower end of the flexible conductor 65 is provided with a frusto-conical contact 1| having an aperture 10 through which the conductor 65 is passed to form a loop at E2. The loop and contact are secured together by any convenient means as solder (not shown). The loop is tinned to stiffen it as a ring.

The fuse link assembly 55 is mounted in the position shown in Fig. 1 'by inserting the prong end of an insulated switch stick, not shown, in the upper loop 55. With the conductor arm 3i in the open circuit position shown by the broken lines, the free end of the fuse assembly including the contact II is guided into either slot 35A on the contact head 36.

By moving the fuse link assembly upward against the restraining action of th spring 49, r

the contact 71 is urged into a positive electrical connection with the wire portions 35. Further upward movement of the link places the upper contact 63 in position for electrical insertion in either slot I! by guiding the tubular portion 61 of the link into either slot l1. It may be noted at this stage of the fusing operation that the energized portions of the device are insulated from each other by the tubular portion 61, thereby preventing arcing. By removing the prong end of the stick from the loop 56 the cone-contact S3 is snapped into positive circuit closing position with the slot l1, and the assembly is securely held under proper tension between the contact heads 4A and 36 by the biasing action of the spring 49.

Two fuse link-receiving slots are provided adjacent the ends of each member M and 3| to permit fusing of the structure from either side. depending upon the convenience of either side to an operator and for the further purpose of changing to a higher or lower current rating fuse link without interrupting the service.

When the fuse link assembly 55 is ruptured by a fault current, the fusible wire 59 and the strain wire 58 are melted and the conductor arm BI is biased by the spring 49 into open-circuit position shown by the broken lines in Fig. 1, throwing the lower portion of the fuse assembly including the flexible conductor 65, the anchor means 68 and a part of the ruptured fusible section free from the contact head 36. The upper end of the ruptured assembly is blown free from the contact head MA by the gases generated by the melting of the fusible section. The structure is now in position to be re-fused in a manner heretofore described or it may be used as a switch as shown in Fig. 7.

When it is desired to use the construction as a manually operable switch, the arm I4 is positioned so that the wedge guide i5 points downwardly. This is done by loosening the upper bolt 4 and disengaging the nub 29 from the groove 30 and rotating the arm 4 to position the contact head as shown in Fig. 7.

The switch is closed by moving the conductor arm 3| by any convenient means as a switch stick (not shown) upward toward the head MA where the wedge-like guide I5 is received between the converged legs 3|A intermediate the plate 32 and the horizontal portion 34. The legs are spread due to their inherent resilience, as the member 3| is moved toward the rear of the wedge i5. Further movement causes the legs 33A to snap into locked engagement with the slots Hi.

It may be noted that the wedge l5 acts to wipe the contacting portion of the legs 3|A free of any oxide coating or other current barriers that might be associated therewith as the legs are moved along the wedge toward the slots l6. Accordingly, this Wiping action by the wedge 15 insures a clean and positive electrical contact between the slots l8 and the legs 3|A. It is further noted that the spacing of the slots I6 insures a high contact pressure between the legs 3|A by holding the legs against their tendency to assume their narrower spacing.

The utility of the slot A may be noted by observing that the upward movement of the conductor arm 3! is facilitated by permitting the biasing arm 53 free movement into the slot, thereby permitting a substantially full upward swing of the conductor arm 3|.

The switch is disconnected from the contact head MA by reversing the previous movement of the conductor arm 3| by the same switch stick means. The legs 3|A are disengaged from their locked position with the slots 56 by the guide H! which spreads the legs as the tips 29 are received therbetween, and the conductor arm is moved downwardly against the guide i9. After the legs become released from the slots IS the spring 39 biases the contact into open-circuit position.

It may be noted at this time that the Wedges l5 and I9 converge into a common base immediately adjacent the slots l6 and that the wedge 5 operates to engage the legs 35A with the slots, and that the wedge i9 operates to disengage the legs therefrom without the aid in either case of separate means being associated with the legs, thereby providing a relatively lightweight conductor arm 3| which may be quickly biased into open-circuit position due to its substantially mass-free construction.

Figs. 10 through 15 illustrate a modification of the invention in which the insulator is provided at its upper end with an arm 13 mounted thereon and held against rotation in a manner heretofore described in reference to Fig. 1.

The arm 13 is rigid and comprises a casting having at its outer end a contact head 73A including a pair of horn-like wedges 15, each spaced from the other and extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the upper end of a cross web 16 which is provided centrally thereof with a link-receiving slot [1. v

A pair of slots l8 are provided adjacent the upper end of the web 16 on each side of the slot 1! and adapted to function in a manner similar to the slots [5 described heretofore in reference to Fig. 2.

A pair of support or side members 19 extend in parallel relationship to each other downwardly and rearwardly from each side of the bottom portion of the web 16 to a bolt-receiving member 80.

A second pair of support or side members 8! extend in parallel relationship to each other forwardly from the web 16 and terminate in ribs 82. Each rib 82 extends laterally outward relative to its corresponding side BI and upward toward the outward edge of the wedge I5. A second cross web 84 extends from the lower end of the web 16 a short distance rearwardly between the lower edge of each member [9.

A second wedge 83, carried by the contact head 73A, extends downwardly from the rear of each wedge 35 and tapers into the lower forward portion of the side 8!. It may now be seen that the forward side of the slots 18 comprise one side of the wedge 83 and one side of the web I6.

The conductor arm 14 comprises a continuous length of wire bent intermediate its ends to form the fuse link engaging portions 35 having slots 35A. A collar 3! is provided to hold the fuse link engaging portions 35 in relative alignment with each other when engaged by the fuse assembly E5 and as heretofore described with reference to Fig. 5. A=pair of conductor legs MA diverge arcuately downward where each leg terminates in a coil spring 85. Each coil spring 85 terminates in a support 86 which is positioned in the vertical slots 8! on the face of the terminal 3A. The contact member M is mounted on the face of the terminal by securing the supports 85 in the slots 8! and retaining them therein by means of a washer 88 and the head end of the bolt 4.

When it is desired to operate the structure as a fuse cutout, as shown in Fig. 10, the upper arm 73 is mounted on the terminal 2 as indicated. The lower arm M is in the position shown by the broken lines and its contact head is fused with the link 55 in the manner heretofore described in reference to Fig. 1.

The upper part of the fuse link is positioned between the members and guided into the bottom of the slot T! where a positive mechanical and electrical contact is made between the sides of the slot 1! and the contact surface of the contact 63.

The resilience of the wire legs MA and the biasing action of the springs 85 tensionally hold the link 55 between the arms 13 and M. When a fault current ruptures the fuse link assembly, the conductor arm M snaps downwardly, carrying with it the lower portion of the link, including the conductor 65 and a portion of the ruptured fusible section. When the arm reaches its open-circuit position, the parts held thereby are thrown free of contact head. The upper portion of the link assembly is blown free from the slot I? by the expanding gases resulting from the blowing of the fusible section; It may be noted at this time that the fuse link assembly is held in fused position between the heads 13A and 36 in a non-gripped manner by the cooperation of the frusto-conical contacts with the spaced sides of the fuse link-receiving slots. It may befurther noted that because of the arrangement between the fuse link contacts and the slots the assembly is held out of direct rigid connection with the conductor arms, thereby preventing mechanical stresses from being transmitted to these parts when the assembly is ruptured.

The structure may be used as a switch, as shown in Fig. 13, by positioning the arm !3 so that its contact head 13A points downwardly. The legs 14A of the conductor arm 74 are moved into the space between the wedges i5 Where they are then forced laterally inwardly by the wedges 15 as the arm is moved rearwardly, The legs snap into locked engagement with the slots 18 where they then operate with the arm iii to conduct an undetermined current.

The switch may be opened by pulling the upper end of the arm 14 outwardly which positions a portion of the legs MA between the upper end of the wedges 83. Further outward movement of the arm forces the legs MA toward each other and out of the slots 18 by means of the wedges 83 which taper toward each other adjacent the slots. The arm is then quickly biased into open-circuit position by the springs 85.

From the foregoing description, it may be seen 7 that the objects of the invention have been attained by providing for an electrical distribution system a combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch having a resilient contact arm which may operate either as a switch arm or a fuse linkholding arm and a rigid contact arm which is provided with a contact head that may co-operate with the resilient conductor arm either as a fuse link-holding means or as a switch arm-receiving means by simply reversing the position of the rigid arm. It is further noted that a combined switch and fuse cutout has been provided which is simple and economical to manufacture and efficient and positive when operating either as a fuse cutout or as a switch.

I claim:

1. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a supporting structure, spaced contact members mounted on said structure, one of said members including a contact head and a pair of catches associated therewith and the other of said members being adapted to be moved into direct contact with said one member and provided with pairs of electrical conducting portions, one of said pairs functioning in electrical relation with said head either as an electrical conductor for a predetermined current or as a conductor for an undetermined current when interlocked with said catches.

2. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a supporting structure, spaced contact members mounted on said structure, one of said members being provided at one end with a reversible contact head having a pair of catches associated therewith and at the other end with a support adapted to hold said head in any one of its reversed positions, the other of said members being provided with pairs of electrical conducting portions, one of said pairs being adapted to either support a fusible element in electrical relation with said head thereby operating as electrical conductors for a predetermined current or operate as conductors for an undetermined current when said head is in a reversed position relative to its predetermined current position and said pairs are interlocked with said catches.

3. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a supporting structure, spaced contact members mounted o sild structure, one of said members being provi i at one end with a reversible contact head having a pair of catches and a pair of guiding means in cooperative relation with said catches, and at the other end with a support adapted to hold said head in any one of its reversed positions, the other of said members being provided with pairs of electrical conducting portions, one of said pairs being adapted to'either support a fusible element in electrical relation with said head thereby operating as conductors for a predetermined current or oper ate as conductors for an undetermined current when in interlocked position with said catches, said pairs being engaged with said catches by means of one of said guides and disengaged therefrom by means of the other of said guides, said guides operating only when said head is in a reversed position relative to its predetermined current position.

4. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a supporting structure, spaced contact members carried by said supporting structure, one of said members being provided at one end with a reversible contact head including a pair of catches and a pair of guiding means having a common base relative to each other and in cooperative relation with said catches and at the other end with a support adapted to hold said head in any one of its reversed positions, the other of said members being provided with pairs of electrical conducting portions, one of said pairs functioning in electrical relation with said head either as conductors for a predetermined current or as conductors for an undetermined current when in interlocked position with said catches, said pairs being engaged with and disengaged from said catches by means of said guides operating only when said head is in a reversed position relative to its predetermined current position.

5. A disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, contact members carried by said support, one of said members including lock means, a pair of wedge-like guide means associated in cooperative relation with said lock means and each terminating in a common base adjacent said lock means, the other of said members being resilient and pivotally mounted for interlocked relation with said lock means, one of said guide means being adapted to permit said pivot member to be moves. to locked position with said lock means and the other of said guide means being adapted to permit aid pivot member to be moved to unlocked position away from said lock means.

6. A'disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, contact members carried by said support, one of said members including a pair of switch arm-receiving means, a pair of angularly disposed guide means associated in cooperative relation with said arm receiving means and each terminating in a common base adjacent said switch arm-receiving means, the other of said members being biased for movement into electrical relation with said switch arm-receiving means, one of said guide means being adapted to engage said biased member into interlocked relation with said switch arm-receiving means and automatically insuring an oxide-free contact, the other of said guide meansbeing adapted to disengage said biased member from locked engagement with said switch arm-receiving means.

'7. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a supporting structure, contact members carried by said structure, one of said members being rigid and provided with a contact head and the other of said members being biased for movement away from said rigid member and comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in linl receiving slots, said arms being adapted to function either in electrical and mechanical contact with said head as conductors for an undetermined current or as conductors for a predeterfrom said rigid member and comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in link-receiving slots, said arms and slots being held in substantial alignment relative to each other by a clamp means, said arms beingadapted to function either in electrical and mechanical contact with said head as conductors for an undetermined current or as conductors for a predetermined current when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current- 1 responsive means in electrical relation with said head when said head is in a reversed position relative to its undetermined current position.

9. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising a supporting structure, contact members carried by said structure, one of said members being rigid and provided with a reversible contact head and the other of said members being provided with pairs of conducting portions mounted in pivotal relation with a terminal housing having stop means associated therewith, one of said pairs being adapted to function either in electrical and mechanical contact with said head and said housing as con- 1 ductors for an undetermined current or as conductors for a predetermined current when one or the other of said pairs operates as a holder for a current-responsive means in electrical relation with said head when said head is in a reversed position relative to its undetermined current position, said stop means acting to limit the downward movement of said conductors when in opencircuit position.

10. A disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, contact members carried by said support, a housing mounted on said support, one of said members being provided with a pair of spaced conducting legs, said conducting legs being pivotally mounted on said housing, stop means associated with said housing and adapted to limit the downward movement of said legs, the other of said members being provided with a contact head, lock means on said head, a wedgelike engaging means cooperatively related with said lock means a wedge-like disengaging means angularly disposed relative to said engaging means and cooperatively associated with said lock means, said legs being adapted to be secured in closed-circuit position with said lock means by means of said engaging means and disengaged therefrom by said disengaging means.

g 11. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, a pair of terminals carried by said support, contact members associated with said terminals, a housing mounted on one of said terminals, one of said members being provided with a pair of spaced conducting legs, a contact head associated with the other of said contact members, said legs being pivotally mounted on said housing, a biasing means held within said housim, by said legs and adapted to move said legs into open-circuit position, said legs being adapted to function alternatively in electrical and direct mechanical contact with said head or as conductors for an undetermined current when said legs are positioned as a holder for a currentrespcnsive means.

12. A disconnect switch comprising an insulator support, a pair of terminals carried by said support, contact members associated with said terminals, a housing mounted on one of said terminals, one of said members being provided with a pair of spaced conducting legs, said legs being pivotally mounted on said housing, a biasing means held within said housin by said legs and adapted to move said legs into open-circuit position, switch-holding means associated with the other of said contact members, wedge-like engaging and disengaging means each angularly disposed relative to the other and each cooperatively associated with said switchholding means, said legs being adapted to be secured in closed-circuit position with said head by means of said engaging means and disengaged therefrom by said disengaging means.

18. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising an insulating support, spaced apart contact members mounted on said support, one of said members being rigid and provided with a reversible contact head having a pair of switch arm-receiving means and the other of said members being resilient and comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in link-receiving slots, said arms being adapted to function either as switch arms in electrical and mechanical contact with said means or as slot-supporting conductor arms when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current-responsive means in electrical relation with said head when said head is reversed relative to its switch arm-receiving position.

14. A combined fuse cutout and disconnect switch comprising an insulating support, spaced apart contact members associated with said support, one of said members being rigid and provided with a reversible contact head having a pair of switch arm-receiving means and the other of said members comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in link-receiving slots, said arms and slots being held in operative position relative to each other by a pair of cooperating flanges, said arms being adapted to function either as switch arms in electrical and mechanical contact with said means or as slot-supporting conductor arms when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current-responsive means in electrical relation with said head when said head is reversed relative to its switch arm-receiving position.

15. An electrical structure comprising an insulator support, spaced apart contact members associated with said support, a contact head associated with one of said members, said head including link-holding and switch-holding means, a housing mounted adjacent one end of said support, the other of said contact members having a pair of spaced conductor legs pivotally mounted on said housing for movement into locked engagement with said switch-holding means, a biasing means disposed within said housing and held therein by said legs, said contact head and legs cooperating to operate alternatively as conductors for an undetermined current by means of said switch-holding means or as conductors for a predetermined current by means of said link-holding means.

16. An electrical structure comprising an insulating support, spaced apart contact members associated with said support, one of said members being rigid and provided with a reversible contact head, said head including a pair of switch arm-receiving means and fuse link-holding portions, operating portions cooperating with said switch arm-receiving means, the other of said members comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in linkreceiving slots, said arms being adapted to function either as switch arms by electrical and mechanical engagement with said switch-armreceiving means or as slot-supporting conductor arms when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current-responsive means in electrical relation with said head when said head is reversed relative to its switch arm-receiving position.

17 An electrical structure comprising an insulating support, spaced apart contact members associated with said support, one of said members being rigid and provided with a reversible contact head, said head including a pair of switch arm-receiving means, a switch arm-operating portion cooperating with said means, the other of said members comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in link-receiving slots, said arms and slots bein held in operative position relative to each other by a pair of cooperating flanges, said arms being adapted to function either as switch arms by electrical and mechanical engagement With said means through said portion or as slot-supporting conductor arms when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current-responsive link in electrical relation with said head when said head is reversed relative to its switch arm-receiving position.

18. An electrical structure comprising an insulating support, spaced apart contact members associated with said support, one of said members being rigid and provided with a reversible contact head, said head having a pair of switch arm-receiving means, a switch armoperating portion cooperating with said means, a terminal housing mounted on said support, the other of said members comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in link-receiving slots and at their other ends in pivot bearings each being mounted upon said terminal housing, said arms being adapted to function either as switch arms by electrical and mechanical engagement with said means through said portion and out of engagement from said means through the other of said portions or as slot-supporting conductor arms when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current-responsive link in electrical relation with said head when said head is reversed relative to its switch arm-receiving position.

contact head, said head having a pair of switch arm-receiving means, a switch arm-operating portion cooperating with said means, a terminal housing mounted on said support, the other of said members comprising a pair of conducting arms which terminate at their outer ends in linkreceiving slots and at their other ends in pivot bearings each being mounted upon said terminal housing, a biasing means and stop means associated with said housing, said biasing means being held within said housing by said bearings, said arms being adapted to function either as switch arms in electrical and mechanical contact with said arm-receiving means through said portion or as slot-supporting conductor arms when one of said slots operates as a holder for a current-responsive link in electrical relation with said head when said head is reversed relative to its switch arm receiving position, said stop means acting to limit the downward movement of said conductors when biased into open-circuit position.

20. An electrical structure comprising an insulating support, spaced conductor arms mounted on said support, one of said arms including a contact head and a pair of catches associated therewith and the other of said arms being mounted in pivotal relation with said support and biased from said first mentioned arm by means of a spring, said pivotally mounted arm being adapted to either support a fusible element in electrical relation with said head thereby operating as a conductor for a predetermined current or operat ing as a conductor for an undetermined current when interlocked with said catches.

21. A switch construction comprising an insulating support, a switch arm pivotally mounted on said support, a biasing means associated with said pivotally mounted arm, a contact arm having a head, said head including a switch armreceiving means, said means comprising a pair of angularly disposed cooperating wedge members adapted to permit engagement of said arm with said head by moving said arm against one of said wedge members and permit disengagement therefrom by moving said arm against the other of said wedge members.

22. A switch comprising: stationary structure including a terminal, an elongated switch-blade comprising a pair of laterally spaced flexible conductor wires, said blade being anchored at one end only and rotatable about its anchorage toward and away from said terminal to make and break contact therewith, said blade being springbiased toward open-switch position, said terminal comprising a contact member having indent means operative to latchingly engage said wires when the switch is fully closed, said contact member having a first cam-like portion operative during each completed closing movement of said blade to enter between and laterally fiex said wires to effect a latching engagement thereof with said indent means, said contact member having a second cam-like portion pointing generally toward the free end of said blade, when the switch is closed, and operative to pass between said wires during each opening and closing completed movements of said blade, said second cam-like portion being operative only in response to an external force applied to the free end of said blade in a direction tending to open said switch and only during the initial portion of each opening movement thereof to spread apart said wires and thus disengage the same from said indent means, thereby releasing said blade from said contact member and permitting the switch to be opened.

23. A switch comprising: stationary structure including a terminal, an elongated switch blade comprising a pair of laterally spaced flexible conductor wires, said blade being anchored at one end only and rotatable about its anchorage toward and away from said terminal to make and break contact therewith, said blade being springbiased toward open-switch position, said terminal comprising a contact member having indent means operative to latchingly engage said wires when the switch is fully closed, said contact member having a first cam-like portion operative during each completed closing movement of said blade to enter between and laterally flex said wires to effect a latching engagement thereof with said indent means, said contact member having a second cam-like portion pointing generally toward the free end of said blade, when the switch is closed, and operative to pass between said wires during each opening and closing completed movements of said blade, said second cam-like portion being operative only in response to an external force applied to the free end of said blade in a direction tending to open said switch and only during the initial portion of each opening movement thereof to spread apart said wires and thus disengage the same from said indent means, thereby releasing said blade from said contact member and permitting the switch to be opened, said contact member being adapted to be mounted on its supporting structure in two definite alternate positions of adjustment in the first of which, only, said latching means is operative as. above described and in the second of which said latching means is inoperative to engage said blade, said contact member being operative only in its second position of adjustment to engage one terminal of a fuselink and to support said fuse-link conjointly with said blade, the latter, when in open position, being operative to engage the other terminal of said fuse-link and to apply tension to said fuselink.

24. A switch comprising: stationary structure including a terminal, a switch-blade comprising an extenuate conductor, said blade being anchored at one end only at a point remote from said terminal and rotatable about its anchorage toward and away from said terminal to make and break contact therewith, said terminal including an adjustably movable contact member for en gaging said switch blade, said contact member having means for engaging one terminal of a fuse-link but which is so operative only when said contact member is disposed according to a first definite one of two predetermined alternate adjustments, said contact member having releasable means operative to latchingly engage said switch-blade and to hold said switch blade in closed-switch position, but so operative only when said contact member is disposed according to a second definite one of said two alternate predetermined adjustments, said switch-blade being provided with means at its free end to engage the second terminal of said fuse-link, said contact member and said blade being operative, conjointly, when said blade is in open position, to support said fuse-link.

25. A switch comprising: stationary structure including a terminal, a switch-blade anchored at one end only at a point remote from said terminal, said blade being rotatable about its anchorage toward and away from said terminal to make and break contact therewith, said blade being spring-biased toward open position, latching means for positively retaining said blade in closed position, releasing means operative to effect release of said blade from said latching means, said releasing means being operative only in response to external force applied to said blade at a point remote from said anchorage, means connected with said terminal and carried by said structure exclusively of said blade and spaced from the anchorage of said blade for engaging one terminal of a fuse-link, the free end portion of said blade being provided with means for engaging the other terminal of said fuse-link, said two last-mentioned means being operative conjointly to support said fuse-link and apply tension thereto.

26. A switch comprising: stationary structure including a terminal, a switch-blade springbiased toward open position and anchored at one end only at a point remote from said terminal, said terminal including a contact member which is adapted to be mounted on said structure in two alternate manners and comprising latching means, said latching means being operative only when said contact member is mounted according to a definite first one of said two alternate manners to latchingly engage said switch-blade and hold the same in closed-switch position against the urge of its biasing spring, said latching means including a cam-like surface operative to flex a portion of said blade and thus eiiect unlatching thereof in response only to an external force applied to said blade at a point remote from its anchorage and in a direction tending to open said switch, the free end of said blade being operative to engage one terminal of a fuse-link when said blade is in open position, said contact member having a portion which is operative to engage the other terminal of said fuse-link only when said contact member is mounted according to a second one of said two alternate manners, said contact member being then operative, conjointly with said blade, to support said fuse-link and apply tension thereto.

27. In a switch: structure including a pair of co-operating contact members at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other to make and break contact therewith, said movable contact member being biased toward open-switch position, latch means for holding said contacts in engagement in opposition to the switch-opening bias, said movable contact having means for en aging one terminal of a fuselink, means connected with the other of said contacts for engaging the other terminal of said fuse-link, said last mentioned means and said movable contact being operative, conjointly, to receive said fuse-link in series circuit therewith when said movable contact is in open-switch position, and means included in said structure operative to prevent reception of said fuse-link while permitting said latch means to operate, said lastmentioned means being alternately operative to prevent operation of said latch means while permitting said fuse-link to be received.

28. In a switch: structure including a pair of co-operating contact members at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other to make and break contact therewith, means for biasing said movable contact member toward open-switch position, each of said contact members having means for engaging, in dividually, the respective terminals of a fuse-link, whereby said fuse-link can be inserted electrically in series with said contact members when said movable contact member is in open-switch position, latch means operative to retain said contact members mutually in contact without said fuse-link therebetween, manually operable means for releasing said movable contact member from said latch means, one of said contact members being adjustable and having two alternate positions of adjustment, in one of which it permits said latch means to operate while preventing said fuse-link being inserted in circuit with said contact members in the normal manner, said adjustable contact member being operative in its alternative position of adjustment to prevent operation of said latch means while permitting said fuse-link to be inserted in the normal manner.

29. A switch comprising: structure including a terminal, a switch-blade movable toward and away from said terminal to make and break contact therewith, said blade being spring-biased toward open position, said terminal and said blade being operative, respectively, to engage opposite terminals of a fuse-link when the switch is open and operative conjointly to support said fuse-link and to apply tension thereto, latch means for holding said blade in engagement with said terminal, manually operable means for releasing said blade from said latch means, and movably adjustable means operative in one position of adjustment to preclude the operation of said latch means while permitting a fuse-link to be engaged and supported by said terminal and said blade conjointly, said adjustable means being operative in another position of adjustment to preclude said fuse-link being engaged and supported by said terminal and blade conjointly while permitting said latch means to operate.

30. A switch comprising: stationary structure including a terminal, a long resilient switch blade anchored at one end only at a point remote from said terminal and rotatable about its anchorage to make and break contact with said terminal, said blade including a pair of laterally spaced resilient wires or the like extending lengthwise oi the blade and adapted to be flexed laterally, said terminal including latching means for positively retaining said blade in closed position, said stationary structure including a cam operative to flex said wires laterally during each completed closing movement of said blade whereby to efiect latching engagement between said wires and said latching means, said stationary structure also including a second cam which is disposed between said latching means and the free end of said blade, when said blade is in closed position, said second cam being operative to flex said wires for disengaging the same from said latching means, but so operative only in response to force applied to the free end of said blade in a direction adapted to open the switch, the efiectiveness of said second cam being dependent upon said wires being flexed in the plane of rotation of said blade and about said latching means as a fulcrum.

WILLIAM O. SCHULTZ.

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