GB136918A - Improvements in Electric Switches. - Google Patents

Abstract

136,918. Abegg, E. Dec. 31, 1918. Quick-action switches. - In a rotary switch, the quick action is produced by straining and relaxing a soft material having about the same elasticity as rubber, and connected with the contact member and the operating-member. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the handle 3 drives the spindle 4, which has a one-way connexion with the plate 11 fixed on the upper face of the cylindrical resilient block 10, which is free on the spindle and has the contact member with the contacts 18 secured on its lower face. The resilient member may be reinforced by a coiled spring 16 surrounding it. The contact member takes a bearing on a plate 8 secured to a projection of the switch base, and the plate has recesses engaged by projections on the contact member to hold the contact member until the resilient member is sufficiently strained, when the contact member is lifted slightly and escapes from the detaining- means, and the resilient member carries it round rapidly. The bow-shaped bridging-contacts consist each of a number of plate segments with upturned ends 18 passing through an insulating plate on the end of the contact member and secured by pins 20. One of the outside plates 17 is longer than the others and engages the side of the fixed contact, so that a slow break of contact does not result when the contact member is lifted slightly preparatory to the rapid action. As applied to a lamp-holder, Fig. 3, the movable contacts 27 are carried by pieces 28 of the resilient material and are forced into engagement with the fixed contacts 26 when the rectangular member 29 on the operating-handle is rotated. With further rotation, the resilient pieces produce a quick break.