GB482803A - Improvements in or relating to snap action electric switch mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

482,803. Snap-action switches. WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING CO. Oct. 15, 1937, No. 28049. Convention date, Oct. 21, 1936. [Class 38 (v)] An electric switch with a number of contacts' 7 has a blade 11 which moves from one contact to the next with a snap action imparted to it by a spring 13, which, after being stressed by the operating means 15, detaches the blade from engagement in a latch plate 9 and causes it to rotate to the next contact. In Fig. 1 an insulating base 5 carries spaced contacts 7, in engagement with one of which is the switch blade 11. This blade 11 is located bv the spindle 31 which also carries the spring 13, but an elongated slot 53 allows it a limited longitudinal movement, and the spring ends 65 pressing on lugs 60 and 61 of the blade 11 cause a projection on the part 57 of the blade to engage in a notch 41 of the latch plate 9 which is fixed to the base 5 and carries a terminal 45. The operating member 15 shown in Fig. 3 is mounted on the spindle 31 and when rotated in a clockwise direction by a handle 79, the edge of a flange 75, engaging the top end 65 of the spring 13, pulls it round to stress the spring until it reaches that lug 60 on the blade which is nearer the contacts 7, when the blade is pulled from engagement with the latch plate 9 and is speedily rotated under the action of the spring until, when the blade engages the next contact 7, it also engages the next notch 41 in the latch plate. Operation in the reverse direction is effected similarly, a projection 77 on the operating member 15 engaging the lower end of the spring 13.