US3717736A

US3717736A - Balanced line switch system with u-shaped crossed conductive channels arranged back to back

Info

Publication number: US3717736A
Application number: US00061585A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Kershner; K Owen
Original assignee: Delta Electronics Inc
Current assignee: Delta Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1970-08-06
Filing date: 1970-08-06
Publication date: 1973-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-20

Abstract

A switch system using a plurality of multi-contact reciprocating switch plungers to selectively connect any one of a plurality of multi-conductor lines running in one direction to any one of a plurality of multi-conductor lines running in a transverse direction with each plunger switch unit and its cooperating contacts being made in a module whereby a switch system of any number of switches can be readily assembled, particularly for the purpose of connecting any one of a plurality of transmitters to any one of a plurality of directional antennas for directing radio waves in a particular direction as required. Provision is made for shielding the conductor lines, whether a multiconductor line or a single conductor line, by means of shielding channels arranged with their backs in supporting engagement and fixed together providing the framework for the switch system. Suitable insulators are provided for supporting the multiconductor or single conductor lines in proper relation and the plunger switch unit serves to make the necessary connections without leaving an objectionable line stub on the energized portion of the lines.

Description

United States Patent [19 Kershner et al.

1451 Feb. 20, 1973 [54] BALANCED LINE SWITCH SYSTEM WITH U-SHAPED CROSSED CONDUCTIVE CHANNELS ARRANGED BACK TO BACK [75] Inventors: Stephen W. Kershner, Falls Church; Kenneth Owen, Springfield, both of Va.

[73] Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc., Alexandria,

[22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 61,585

Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 867,044, Sept. 25, 1969, Pat. No. 3,588,390, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 628,501, April 4, 1967, Pat. No. 3,500,004.

52 US. Cl ..200/153 s, 174/72 R, 200/175 51 1m.c1 ..110111 15/24, 11025 1/08, 110111 63/00 [58] Field oISearch.,.200/l53 s, 175, 176, 177, 178; 335/108, 109, 111, 115,317/122, 112;

174/72 R, 72 B, 72 c, 48

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 975,801 11/1964 Great Britain ..200/153 S Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney-Milford A. Juten [57] ABSTRACT A switch system using a plurality of multi-contact reciprocating switch plungers to selectively connect any one of a plurality of multi-conductor lines running in one direction to any one of a plurality of multi-conductor lines running in a transverse direction with each plunger switch unit and its cooperating contacts being made in a module whereby a switch system of any number of switches can be readily assembled, particularly for the purpose of connecting any one of a plurality of transmitters to any one of a plurality of directional antennas for directing radio waves in a particular direction as required.

Provision is made for shielding the conductor lines, whether a multiconductor line or a single conductor line, by means of shielding channels arranged with their backs in supporting engagement and fixed together providing the framework for the switch system. Suitable insulators are provided for supporting the multiconductor or single conductor lines in proper relation and the plunger switch unit serves to make the necessary connections without leaving an objectionable line stub on the energized portion of the lines.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEB FEBZO I973 SHEET 10F 6 FIG. I

INVENTORS W KERWR TH OWE/V ATTORNEY PATENTEBFEBZOIQH SHEET 2 OF 6 FIG. 2

IN VENTORS STEPHEN W. KERS-l/VER KENNETH OWE N G. W, ATTO :vzv

PATENIE FEBZO 197a SHEET 30F 6 ATTORNEY PATENTEDEmma' $717,736

' sum nor a VEN Tons STEPHEN w. KERmN KENNETH OWEN I9 BY QM ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 2 O 1575 SHEET 5 OF 6 b h 4 u v 0, I A z, I 4 I4 2 4 I FIG. 9

FIG. IO

INVEN TORS STEPHEN W. KE'RSHNER KEN/VE TH OWE/V ATTORNEY PATENTEYUFEBZOIHH SHEU 6 BF 6 INVENTOR Stephen W. K ershner8\ Ken neth Owen A'TTOR MFV FIG I3 BALANCED LINE SWITCH SYSTEM WITH IJ- SIIAIPED CROSSEQ GONIIIJCTIVIE CHANNELS ARRANGED BACK TO BACK This application is a division of application Ser. No. 867,044, filed Sept. 25, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,588,390, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 628,501, filed Apr. 4, 1967, by Stephen W. Kershner and Kenneth Owen now U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,004.

The present invention relates to electrical switching of relatively large power supplies and loads and more particularly to selectively switching from any one source of power to any one of a plurality of loads for radio broadcasting including balanced line and single conductor switching.

Heretofore various switch systems have been pro-v vided including that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,812 of Wright and Owen which relates to switching of coaxial lines, and which provides switch means for only the center conductor with suitable shielding means serving as the other conductor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch system for selectively connecting any one of a plurality of multi-conductor power lines to any one of a plurality of transversely arranged multi-conductor load lines spaced therefrom.

Another object is to provide a switch system including a framework of channel members for use with single conductor or multi-conductor lines.

Other and further objects will be apparent as the description proceeds and upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a switch system built up of a plurality of modules shown and described in a vertical position for convenience of illustration and adapted for horizontal mounting above the heads of the technicians.

FIG. 2 is an isometric schematic view with much of the supporting framework omitted showing the several switches in various positions of switching and fragmentarily showing the channel framework for supporting and shielding the switch system.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of one plunger switch unit and its operating mechanism in the line continuing position.

FIG. 4i is a plan view of the switch of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the switch shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear view taken substantially on line ti-ti of the same switch with parts broken away and the forward parts omitted showing the adaptability of the contacts to variations in alignment.

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary detail ofthe means securing a contact carrying insulator to the reciprocating shaft with a corona ring to minimize corona discharge.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the handle and crank mechanism and the forward bearing support for operating one of the switches and showing the cam operated micro-switches for turning the power off and on prior to disconnection and after reconnection and showing the detents for retaining the plunger switch unit in both positions.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the same.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the operating mechanism in position to connect one of the multi-conductor horizontal power lines to one of the multi-conductor vertical load lines and in dotted lines showing the multi-line continuing position.

FIG. I0 is a fragmentary section taken on line 10- I0 of FIG. 8 showing the cam operation of the microswitches with the background elements omitted.

FIG. II is a plan view of another form of switch system using outwardly flanged channels having intermediate inwardly extending ribs providing the supporting structure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective of the switch system supported overhead by suitable posts, beams and stringers.

FIG. 13 is a switch supporting structure in which the passages are formed by spaced-flanged beams.

FIG. I4 is an enlarged detail showing how the contacts are supported on the switch supporting structure of FIG. I3.

Referring more particularly to FIG. I, a plurality of multi-conductor lines A11, A2, A3, A4 and A5 shown as extending horizontally are adapted to be connected to corresponding antennas and multi-conductor lines T1, T2, T3, and T4 are shown as extending vertically and adapted to be connected to corresponding transmitters. Although the Figure illustrates the switch assembly III upright position, it is preferably mounted in a horizontal position, such as being suspended from a ceiling or supported on posts by suitable beams as shown in FIG. 112 and with the operating handles beneath so the technicians can have easy access and observation of the condition of each plunger switch unit while providing a switching system of unlimited size and combinations.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 11 through 6, inclusive, the switching system is made up of a number of modules secured together to form the desired number of switching connections between tubular antenna lines A and tubular transmission lines T with each line being shielded by a channel shape structure having one set of channels forming passages shielding the antenna line and another set of channels forming passages shielding the transversely arranged transmission lines, each channel including a back or base B, a pair of webs W,W and inturned flanges F,F at the free edges of the webs. The channels of one group are secured by suitable means to the transversely arranged channels of the other group such as by bolts or other suitable fasteners 15. It will be evident that suitable insulators are provided for supporting the antenna and transmission lines from the channels.

One of the four switch modules has a base plate B with front webs W,W,W perpendicular to the base defining two channels for housing parts of the antenna lines A3 and A t while rear webs W,W,W perpendicular to the base plate B and perpendicular to the front webs in cooperation with base B house transmission lines T3 and T41.

The switch plunger unit shown in detail in FIGS. 3 to ti, inclusive, is the switch plunger unit located at the intersection of antenna line Ad and transmission line T3. The plunger switch unit is mounted for reciprocation through opening 0 through the base B with the edges of each opening 0 being reinforced by channel shaped strap members MAJMA running along the antenna lines A and strap members ItiT,I6T on the other s de of the base plate and running along the transmission lines T. Supported from the base B are antenna lines supporting insulators 17 secured by bolts passing through the base plate B through the strap 16T and through the fitting 17X. Insulators 17 support the antenna line sections A4,A4 in spaced relation to the base B and the webs W. Supported from the outer end of each insulator 17A is a conductive block 17Y having a pair of spring leaves 18,18 on opposite sides of the block and projecting outwardly from the cooperating line sections. Similar parts in the antenna and transmission line sections A and T are identified with the postscript A or T for specific. identification and a further numerical postscript to indicate the line. The spring leaves have generally hemispherically shaped contacts 18B,l8B facing each other at their free ends. A bracing strut 18C of tubular rivet construction passing through apertures intermediate the ends of the spring leaves is secured by spinning into intimate binding relation maintaining the spring leaves 18,18 in parallel relation. An insulator l7 and conductive block 17Y and the

spring leaf contacts

18,18 are provided on the ends of each line section of the antenna and transmission line sections for cooperation with a blade type contact 19 fixedly mounted on tapering insulators 20 fixedly secured by suitable bolts to one flat surface of a square cross-section tube 21 which passes through the associated opening in the base and mounted for reciprocating while prevented against rotation.

A channel shape bar 22A is non-movably mounted between the outer ends of adjacent webs W,W by means of a plate 22X welded to a flange F with the channel bar 22 being provided with an opening which slidingly receives the square tubular slide shaft 21. A pair of L-shaped

members

22B,22B having one leg of less inside length than the lateral dimension of the slide and the other leg of appreciably greater inside length than the transverse dimension of the slide is adjustably secured in position by machine screws 22C passing through enlarged openings in the bar 22 to provide adjustment of the angle members to accurately and snugly support the slide shaft for longitudinal movement while preventing'turning thereof. The short leg of each angle member has a pair of screw threaded apertures cooperating with screws 22C to retain the guides 22B in position. The angle guide members 223 are made of aluminum with chromium plating thereon to reduce friction and wear. A similar channel shaped bar 22T is removably mounted on the adjacent webs W,W of the channel confining the cooperating transmission line T by means of a plate 22X welded to the flange FT and cooperating screws 22Y passing through apertures in bar 22T and threaded into threaded openings in plate 22X whereby the slide can be inserted from the transmission line side of the assembly and the bar 22T mounted in place to accurately guide the slide 21 at the front and back of the plunger switch unit. Suitable angle guide blocks 22B are also mounted on the bar 22T to provide proper guidance of the switch plunger unit.

The switch plunger unit shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, illustrates the line continuing position between lipcei A4 and line T3 which is diagrammatically shown in F 2.

The line continuing knife blade contacts 19 are mounted to project outwardly from

opposed insulators

20,20 tapering toward their ends and secured to the square tubular shaft 21 with a cushioning lead pad 23 having a pair of screw receiving apertures between the insulator 20 and the shaft 21 and two

machine screws

23A,23A passing through the insulator, the lead pad and the cooperating corona ring 23B each having a countersunk opening receiving the head of the flat headed machine screw 23A the shank of the screws being screwed into threaded apertures in the wall of tubular square shaft 21 thereby securely maintaining the insulator 20 in fixed position.

The pair of opposing

insulators

20,20 for lines A4 carries contacts 19 extending outwardly into the position for engaging semispherical convex contacts 188,188 thereby making an effective electrical connection. The knife shaped contact 19 has a threaded stud extending through a corresponding aperture in the insulator 20 and secured by a nut 19A with suitable lead washers and corona rings similar to that previously described and dead soft copper ribbon conductor 19B is clampingly held between the shoulder of the contact 19 and the lead washer therebeneath so the contacts 19 and ribbon conductor 19B provide the line continuing switch elements for the balanced conductors A4,A4. It will be evident that similar contacts 18A,18A and movable knife contacts 19 with ribbon conductors 19B provide for line continuing relation of cooperating conductors T3,T3. Similar parts are identified by the same reference numerals with a postscript of the corresponding line such as A4 or T3 to avoid unnecessarily increasing the number of reference characters.

To cross connect antenna line A4 to transmission line T3, for example, the switch shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, is pushed rearwardly so the contacts carried by insulator 20CA engage the line A4 while the insulator 20CT has its contacts 19 engaging with transmission line T3 with a conductor 24 connecting one contact of insulator 20CA to one contact of insulator 20CT and another conductor 24X connecting the other contact of insulator 20CA to the other contact of insulator 20CT thereby providing the cross over from the transmission line T3 to the antenna line A4.

It is important that no stub ends of the antenna or the transmission lines be connected to the source of power when the switch is in its cross switching position and this desired condition is obtained with the present invention.

The switch plunger unit located at the intersection of T3 and A3 has its insulator 20CA on the opposite side of the plunger tube 21 from that shown with respect to the switch at T2,A4 and T3,A4 of FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive. This arrangement provides for having the antenna loads extend from opposite edges of the switch assembly. The plunger switch unit may be modified so the transmission lines extend from opposite edges of the switch assembly and in an alternating manner, if desired.

The present invention provides for complete shielding to avoid crosstalk between adjacent lines and to further improve the avoidance of crosstalk,

baffle plates

25,25 are provided on each side of each transmission line at the emerging edge of the switch system. Transmission line T1, for example, is offset bringing the leads thereof near the front of the switch system while the leads T2 are offset bringing the leads near the rear of the switch assembly so the leads from T1 and T2 are I ball-bearing roller 26C rotatably mounted on a stub shaft fixed to the other or free end of aluminum crank 268. The bearing surfaces throughout the system are plated with chromium assuring long life and minimizing friction. A cross head having a squareshank 26]) is secured by a bolt 26E passing through aligned apertures in 'shank 26D and square shaft 21 to shaft 21. The cross head includes a four-sided open top box follower 26F which receives the cam roller 26C whereby when the crank 26B is rotated from the full line continuing position of FIG. 7 to the full line cross connection position of FIGS. 8 and 9 the switching is changed from the line continuing position shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, as illustrated at T3,A4 to the cross over position shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, inclusive and illustrated at T2,A4 in FIG. 2.

The box crosshead follower 26F is provided with a bottom, sidewalls 26G,26G and one end wall 26H with each sidewall having a cutout receiving an angular end 261 of a detent spring secured by rivets to the cooperating sidewall 26G with a reinforcing detent spring 26] providing additional force in the angular end 261 of the first detent spring. When the roller 26C is in the position shown in either switching position, the angular end 26], of each detent resiliently engages the roller 26C urging the roller 26C against the end wall 26H thereby retaining the crank arm 26B in position.

The crank shaft 26A has a square end 26K with the corners extending in the direction of the crank arm 26B and transverse thereto and such square end 26K receives a switch handle 26L having a square aperture which is substantially parallel to the front of the switch assembly in both positions of use minimizing space requirements, a pin 26M passing through an aperture in the square end 26K retaining the handle on the crankshaft.

A front collar 28surrounding the square shaft 21 and fixed thereto by a screw serves as a stop limiting the forward motion of the plunger by abutment with the front guides 23B as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 and in dotted lines in FIGS. 8 and 9 thereby positively limiting movement of the plunger in its line continuing direction. The sealed ball bearing roller 26C moves the plunger by engagement with the front sidewall 26G and front detent 261 to its final line continuing position. The detent 261 also semi-positivelyretaining the shaft 26A and the plunger in operative position.

To move the plunger to cross connection position, the shaft 26A is rotated by its handle 26L causing front a detent 261 to move outwardly before any change in the plunger position occurs and without the roller 26C contacting the rear detent 26l thereby avoiding friction. Theroller 26C is of appreciably less diameter than the spacing between

side walls

26G,26G thereby providing for lost motion of the crank shaft 26A before any movement of the plunger can occur. The microswitches 27 are operated by the cooperating cam pins 27Z on adjustable collars 278 to turn off the power before any motion of the. plunger occurs. After the power is turned off further rotation of the crank shaft 26A moves the plunger breaking the line continuing contacts and then making the cross connection contacts when the crank shaft is turned approximately a half revolution to the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Before the final turning of the shaft-26A occurs, a

. second stop collar 28B fixed to the shaft 21 adjacent the rear engages the rear set of plunger guides 23B fixed to the rear guide channel 22T to assure that cross contacts make proper connection. The plunger is limited in its rearward movement by the rearstop 28B and the cross contacts are in positive engagement before the crank arm reaches its final position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. During the last few degrees of movement of roller 26C past the rear detent 26] the micro switches 27 operate to turn on the power only after the cross contacts are in positive engagement thereby avoiding arcing.

The initial and final lost motion of the switch operating lever 26L and the crank results in turning off the power before the plunger contacts are moved and provides for turning on the power only after the contacts are in positive engagement and substantially in their final position. The crank arrangement provides for great mechanical advantage at the initial and final movement of the plunger and rapid movement between the initial and final movements.

The switch system is made in repeating modules and as illustrated in FIG. 2 each module includes the projected area of the crossing channels, each. channel having a back B, webs W,W, and flanges F,F with the cooperating channels being secured together by bolts 30 passing through aligned apertures adjacent the web of each channel. When the channels are of relatively light weight material the reinforcing channel shaped straps 16A,]l6A in the antenna channel and channel shaped straps I6T,16T in the transmission channels are bolted together where the channels intersect by bolts 31 adjacent each corner of the opening 0. Additional bolt receiving apertures 32 registering with one another are adapted to receive the bolts supporting the insulators 17A in their proper positions by means of the securing bolts 32A which pass through the attaching flanges 17F and through suitable spacers to maintain the conductive block 17! and leaf spring contacts 183 in proper position. The insulator 17 is received in a tubular cup in the flange 17F and secured by cement or the like thereto while a cup 176 surrounds the upper portion of the insulator 17 being secured thereto by cement and having a threaded aperture through the bottom which receives the attaching screw 17H for the block ll7Y.

The block ll7Y is of rectangular section with a bore running the length thereof and a counter bore receiving the adjacent tubular conductor A4, for example, which is secured thereto by silver solder, the conductors being copper tubes with silver plating on the exterior and the other conductive parts being similarly silver plated to improve the surface conductivity thereof. Attaching screws 171 secure the spring leaves 18 to the block l7Y while the tubular rivet 18C maintains the parallel relation between the spring leaves 18,18.

In assembling the switch structure, a plunger switch unit including the tubular square shaft 21 is inserted from the rear with the crosshead removed and thereafter the rear channel bar 22T is bolted in place providing the support for the plunger unit. Thereafter, the angular guide members 22B are adjusted to properly align the knife contacts 19 with the cooperating hemispherical shaped convex contacts 188 and the guides are bolted in place on their respective bars 22A at the front and 22T at the rear. The cover plates 33 are then applied thereby completely enclosing the antenna lines and the transmission lines. The crossheadwith its box type follower is then bolted to the shaft 21 by the bolt 2613 with the roller cam 26C in the box thereby providing for the reciprocation of the plunger switch unit. Baffles 25 shield adjacent transmission line leads and the leads being bent to provide a 45 offset where the leads emerge from the baffles 25.

Another form of channel has the cover plate mounting flanges extending outwardly with inwardly extending rib flanges 34 positioned on each web to support a cross piece 34B having an insulator receiving cup carrying an insulator 34C which in turn carries a conductor 120 secured to the insulator by a screw 34X. The cross piece 34B is secured to flanges 34 by bolts 34E passing through aligned apertures therethrough. The channels are arranged in crossing relation to provide the necessary number of shielded antenna and transmission lines whether a single conductor is used in a manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,812 or multiconductor lines are used and mounted in a manner above described. Suitable switching is provided and suitable cover plates and operating mechanism as well as microswitches to indicate the position of the plunger switch units and turn off the current to the load prior to making and breaking contact. The channels are connected together byfbolts 30 or other suitable means as previously described.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 11, a single line conductor and a plunger switch shown in FIG. 2 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,812 is included with corresponding reference numerals of similar parts in the 100 series. The operating shaft 130 of the plunger passes through openings in the back of the channels with the antenna line continuing contact 129F and the transmitter line continuing contact 129R being shown in line continuing positions. A cross connecting tubular element 131 carrying the cross connecting transmission line contact 133 and also carrying a cross-connection antenna line contact 132L connects the crossing antenna line 120A to transmitter line 120T when the plunger 130 is moved to its rear position.

Front cover plates 116F mounted on the antenna line channel and rear cover plates 116R on the transmission line channel complete the enclosure, thereby completely shielding the conductors 120A and 120T. The cover plates also serve as bearings for the plunger shaft 130.

The structure of FIG. 11 can be made in modules connected by conductive connecting plates having elongated bolt receiving apertures 45X receiving bolts 45Y threaded into threaded apertures 45Z to provide for making switching systems of any desired size. The modules may be made for a single switch and the system built up therefrom.

Connecting plates 46 are provided between the modules of FIGS. 1 and 12 and secured to the bottoms and webs of the channels by bolts 46X to provide effective connection between the modules and also to provide the proper surface conductivity of the channels housing the lines. Similar connection plates are used for the transmission and antenna line housing channels.

Referring to FIG. 12, the switch system is shown in a horizontal position with the front of FIG. 1 down and supported on posts 40 supporting beams 41 and stringers 42 providing an overhead support for the switching system for ease of access and operation to each switch with a substantially clear floor space therebeneath. The switch system may also be suspended from the ceiling. This figure also shows the baffles for the transmission leads extending from one end with the adjacent leads positioned 45 apart. The antenna lines are staggered and baffles therefor are omitted, but the antenna leads could extend from the same side and suitable baffles provided similar to those of the transmission leads to minimize cross talk.

The material for the channels and covers is shown as being of aluminum and the bearing surfaces of the guides 22B and the contacting surfaces of the square shaft 21 are preferably chromium plated to minimize friction. Although the plunger shaft 21 is shown as being square aluminum tube, it may be of insulating material suitably reinforced with a metal core or the like and the structure is designed to provide the proper electrical characteristics with a minimum of cross talk. The conductive lines and copper tubes are silver plated. The electrical contacts and contact blocks are of brass silver plated, and the springs are silver plated bronze. The insulators are of ceramic and it will be apparent suitable material is chosen for all the elements.

The passages for the balanced line conductors and switches may be formed of l-beams and/or channel beams as shown in FIG. 13, where the one series of lbeams include a web plate 201 secured to elongated T- shaped

sections

202 and 203, the parts being assembled by any suitable means, such as welds, rivets, or the like, and the other series of l-beams having a web 210A and T-shaped sections 202A and 203A secured thereto,

and such l-beams are secured together by rivets 204 or' the like passing through the flanges of abutting T-sections 203,203A. Four such fasteners 204 are shown to securely retain the two series of l-beams and/or channel beams in assembled relation leaving the passages 205 between adjacent horizontally extending l-

beams

201, 202, 203 and the vertically extending l-

beams

201A, 202A, 203A. Supported on the T-section 202 of the horizontally extending I-beams are laterally extending

angle members

206, 207 which. retain

insulators

208, 209 in position and such insulators support the

bifurcated leaf springs

210, 211 with fasteners 212 passing through the leaf springs and securing them in position on insulator 208, with the bifurcations 210A,

2108 and 211A and 2118 which carry convex shaped contacts 214 for engaging the tongue contact blade 19, shown in FIG. 3, there being four convex contacts 213 for engaging the tongue of the contact 19 to thereby increase the power which may be transmitted and switched by the switching system. A similar contact is provided from insulator 209 and a corona shield 214 is applied to prevent the corona discharge. Adjacent contacts 210,210 are connected together by a conductor section 215 which is secured to the contacts by suitable fasteners such as bolts or the like. It will be apparent that two pairs of contacts are as shown in FIG. 2.

It will be apparent that the l-beam and/or channel support may be made in modules of different numbers of switches which modules are connected by suitable means such as plates 45 shown in FIG. 11 whereby a switch system of any size may be formed.

The switches are supported for sliding movement by means of plates 216 carrying bearings 217 and secured to the adjacent T-shaped members 202 and 202A on opposite sides of the framework and cover plates 218 are provided to completely shield the passageway formed between adjacent I-beams and/or channel beams and the bearing arrangement is similar to that previously described to maintain the plunger in alignment so that the tongues of the contacts 19 will engage in proper registering relation so that the contacts 213 on the

leaf springs

210 and 211 will effectively make a contact.

The partitions formed at the outer periphery of the framework may be made of channels formed by

web

222, 223. 221 and angle beam members 222,223. It will also be apparent that the I-beams and/or channel beams may be made with the flanges integral with the web plates. The openings 205 between the flanges of T-

sections

203, 203A provide for the passage of the plunger switch to connect line sections together or to cross connect line sections of one series (horizontal) to the other series (vertical) whereby any switching arrangement for connecting any antenna to any receiver can be accomplished.

With this structure there is no need for a base plate such as base plate B and the abutting flanges provide for this function and the size of the openings 205 can be determined by the width of the flanges 203,203A. The beam sections are made of conductive metal such as aluminum or the like.

The invention, therefore, provides an effective switching system for connecting any line of a high frequency transmitter to any line of an antenna with minimum cross talk and satisfactory impedance characteristics with rapid switch plunger movement between initial and final positions.

It will be apparent that changes may be made within the practice of the invention as defined by the valid scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. A switching system comprising a series of conductive U-shaped channels having webs, a first series of two conductor line sections in said first series of channels, a second series of channels mounted in crossing relation to said first series of channels and fixedly secured to said first channels, a second series of conductor lines of line sections in said second series of channels, registering plunger receiving openings in the crossing portions of the channels, plungers mounted in said channels and having line continuing contacts and cross connecting contacts mounted for movement through said openings whereby said plungers in one position will provide for line continuing connection and in the other position will provide for cross connection between the crossing lines, the channels being separate channel elements arranged in back to back relation, in.- wardly extending rib flange means being provided on the webs of the channels for supporting the line secprovided at each crossing tions, said inwardly extending rib flange means being positioned intermediate the web and the free edges of the flanges and closely adjacent but spaced from the free edges of the flanges.

2. A balanced line switch system comprising a conductive base, a plurality of conductive webs in side-byside relation forming passageways extending from one side of said base, another plurality of conductive webs extending from the opposite side of said base and transversely thereto, said base being provided with switch receiving openings between crossing passageways formed by said webs on one side and the passageways formed by said webs on the other side, a line including a pair of conductors of a plurality of conductor sections in each passageway, switch means extending through the openings and having one set of crossing connections insulatingly supported and adapted to cross connect an adjacent pair of conductor sections in one passageway on one side of the base to an adjacent pair of conductor sections in the crossing passageway on the other side of the base, said switch means also having two sets of line continuing connections insulatingly supported thereon, said switch means being mounted for switching movement to disconnect said pair of conductor sections in the crossing passageways to break the connection between a pair of conductor sections on one side of the base from a pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base and to connect an adjacent pair of conductor sections in each passageway to an adjacent pair of conductor sections in the same passageway to provide continuous pair of conductor lines along each passageway where the said passageways cross, the ends of each conductor section including a pair of spring pressed rounded contacts adjacent each opening and the switch means is a plunger carrying a plurality of contact tongues and conductive portions between the tongues and is movable selectively to provide the cross connection between the lines in the crossing passageways or the line continuing connection.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which the conductor sections are mounted on insulators extending from the base and the plunger includes a square shaft carrying flat tapering insulators supported from the square shaft by bolts with corona rings on the bolts.

4. The invention according to claim 2 in which both series of passageways extend horizontally and support means are provided to position the passageways over the heads of the technicians using the switching system and operating means for moving the switch means are provided beneath the passageways and accessible to the technicians.

5. The invention according to claim 2 in which the passageways are formed by flanged beams to provide the plurality of webs in side-by-side relation and the abutting flanges of the flanged beams provide the base.

6. The invention according to claim 2 in which said switch means is a reciprocatable plunger extending through its receiving opening and the connections are mounted on the plunger and the set of crossing connections extend through the switch receiving opening for connecting its associated pair of conductors on one side of the base to its associated pair of conductors on the other side of the base, when the plunger is in one position, one of said two sets of line continuing connections serving to continue the connection between the conductors on one side of the base and the other of said two sets of line continuing connections serving to continue the connection between the conductor sections on the other side of the base when the plunger is in its other position. i

7. A switch unit module having a base, flanges extending along one side of said base on one axis forming a first channel section on one side of the base, and flanges extending along an offset intersecting axis on the other side of the base forming a second channel section, a first pair of conductor sections in the first channel section in a plane generally parallel to said base and extending generally parallel to the base and extending generally parallel to the first channel section, a second pair of conductor sections in the second channel section extending generally parallel to the base and extending generally parallel tb the second channel section, said base having a plunger switch receiving opening therethrough communicating from a channel on one side of the base to a channel on the other side of the base, a plunger switch mounted for reciprocating movement through said opening, said conductor sections having a portion omitted adjacent said plunger receiving opening and having switch contact elements on the ends of said conductor sections adjacent the plunger receiving opening, said plunger having a-first pair of line continuing conductors with switch contacts forengaging the switch contact elements of the first pair of conductor sections to continue the conductance between the first pair of conductor sections, said plunger having a second pair of line continuing conductors with switch contacts to contact the switch contacts of said second conductor sections to continue the conductance between the second pair of conductor sections whereby in one position of the plunger the pair of conductor sections on each side will be in line continuing relation, said plunger having a pair of cross conductors with switch contact elements at each end of each cross conductor spaced from said line continuing conductors in the direction of plunger movement for cross connecting the pair of conductor sections on one side of said base and on one edge of said plunger receiving opening through the base to an adjacent pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base whereby the plunger in one operative position places the switch unit in line continuing relation and in the other position cross connects the pair of conductor sections on one side of the base with the adjacent pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base while simultaneously breaking the contact with the other conductor sections on each side of the base preventing stub ends from being connected in the cross connected circuit, and means to reciprocate the plunger from one position to the other.

8. The invention according to claim 7 in which a plurality of unit modules are connected together forming a switch system whereby a plurality of one group of different pairs of conductors can be selectively connected to any one of a plurality of pairs of conductors in another group of different conductors.

9. The invention according to claim 8 in which one group of different pairs of conductors are connected to transmitters or receivers and the other group of different pairs of conductors are connected to antennas.

Claims

1. A switching system comprising a series of conductive U-shaped channels having webs, a first series of two conductor line sections in said first series of channels, a second series of channels mounted in crossing relation to said first series of channels and fixedly secured to said first channels, a second series of conductor lines of line sections in said second series of channels, registering plunger receiving openings in the crossing portions of the channels, plungers mounted in said channels and having line continuing contacts and cross connecting contacts mounted for movement through said openings whereby said plungers in one position wiLl provide for line continuing connection and in the other position will provide for cross connection between the crossing lines, the channels being separate channel elements arranged in back to back relation, inwardly extending rib flange means being provided on the webs of the channels for supporting the line sections, said inwardly extending rib flange means being positioned intermediate the web and the free edges of the flanges and closely adjacent but spaced from the free edges of the flanges.

2. A balanced line switch system comprising a conductive base, a plurality of conductive webs in side-by-side relation forming passageways extending from one side of said base, another plurality of conductive webs extending from the opposite side of said base and transversely thereto, said base being provided with switch receiving openings between crossing passageways formed by said webs on one side and the passageways formed by said webs on the other side, a line including a pair of conductors of a plurality of conductor sections in each passageway, switch means extending through the openings and having one set of crossing connections insulatingly supported and adapted to cross connect an adjacent pair of conductor sections in one passageway on one side of the base to an adjacent pair of conductor sections in the crossing passageway on the other side of the base, said switch means also having two sets of line continuing connections insulatingly supported thereon, said switch means being mounted for switching movement to disconnect said pair of conductor sections in the crossing passageways to break the connection between a pair of conductor sections on one side of the base from a pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base and to connect an adjacent pair of conductor sections in each passageway to an adjacent pair of conductor sections in the same passageway to provide continuous pair of conductor lines along each passageway where the said passageways cross, the ends of each conductor section including a pair of spring pressed rounded contacts adjacent each opening and the switch means is a plunger carrying a plurality of contact tongues and conductive portions between the tongues and is movable selectively to provide the cross connection between the lines in the crossing passageways or the line continuing connection.

6. The invention according to claim 2 in which said switch means is a reciprocatable plunger extending through its receiving opening and the connections are mounted on the plunger and the set of crossing connections extend through the switch receiving opening for connecting its associated pair of conductors on one side of the base to its associated pair of conductors on the other side of the base, when the plunger is in one position, one of said two sets of line continuing connections serving to continue the connection between the conductors on one side of the base and the other of said two sets of line continuing connections serving to continue the connection between the conductor sections on the other side of the base when the plunger is in its other position.

7. A switch unit module having a base, flanges extending along one siDe of said base on one axis forming a first channel section on one side of the base, and flanges extending along an offset intersecting axis on the other side of the base forming a second channel section, a first pair of conductor sections in the first channel section in a plane generally parallel to said base and extending generally parallel to the base and extending generally parallel to the first channel section, a second pair of conductor sections in the second channel section extending generally parallel to the base and extending generally parallel to the second channel section, said base having a plunger switch receiving opening therethrough communicating from a channel on one side of the base to a channel on the other side of the base, a plunger switch mounted for reciprocating movement through said opening, said conductor sections having a portion omitted adjacent said plunger receiving opening and having switch contact elements on the ends of said conductor sections adjacent the plunger receiving opening, said plunger having a first pair of line continuing conductors with switch contacts for engaging the switch contact elements of the first pair of conductor sections to continue the conductance between the first pair of conductor sections, said plunger having a second pair of line continuing conductors with switch contacts to contact the switch contacts of said second conductor sections to continue the conductance between the second pair of conductor sections whereby in one position of the plunger the pair of conductor sections on each side will be in line continuing relation, said plunger having a pair of cross conductors with switch contact elements at each end of each cross conductor spaced from said line continuing conductors in the direction of plunger movement for cross connecting the pair of conductor sections on one side of said base and on one edge of said plunger receiving opening through the base to an adjacent pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base whereby the plunger in one operative position places the switch unit in line continuing relation and in the other position cross connects the pair of conductor sections on one side of the base with the adjacent pair of conductor sections on the other side of the base while simultaneously breaking the contact with the other conductor sections on each side of the base preventing stub ends from being connected in the cross connected circuit, and means to reciprocate the plunger from one position to the other.