GB658295A - Multiple switch, such for example, as is used for establishing a number of connections in an automatic telephone exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

658,295. Automatic exchange switches. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES. Ltd. Sept. 10, 1948, No. 23839. Convention date, Sept. 12, 1947. [Class 40 (iv)] A multi-connecting switch comprises two kinds of electrical conductors, each kind disposed in one or more parallel flat or curved surfaces, a number of crossing points being provided at which a number of conductors of the one kind are adapted to be moved by a common member into contact with a number of conductors of the other kind, the movable conductors permitting such contact at one crossing point only. Operation of a magnet 40 (Fig. 5, not shown) withdraws a roller to permit a flexible gear on driving shaft 32 to engage gear 27, Fig. 2, to rotate a brush carriage 25 until marked contacts 21, 22 are engaged, when the magnet releases and a clutch plate 41, driven frictionally against the action of a spring 45, reverses the brush carriage slightly until a spring-pressed pawl 47 engages a ratchet 50 to position the brush carriage accurately. Clutch magnet 39 then operates to cause a flexible gear to drive cams 64, 65, Fig. 6, through one revolution. There are several levels of horizontal conductors 1 and for each level there is a pair of feelers 68, 69 urged radially outwards by the cams 64, 65 through the action of springs. Feeler 68 normally meets a tooth 94 on an L-sectioned ring 92, but energization of the appropriate magnet 96 rotates the ring 92 at one level one step to permit increased movement of the feeler 68, whereupon the feeler 69 contacts the end of one of several fingers 3 to project it radially outwards, pressing the horizontal conductors 1 into contact with several pairs of vertical conductors 2. A lever 90 carried by the feeler 69 catches against a projection 101 carried by the feeler 68, retraction of which by its cam then rotates the ring 92 a further step, whereby vertical teeth on the ring 92, by co-operation with projections 103 on the fingers 3, lock the fingers in operated or unoperated position until the related magnet 96 releases. Meanwhile the brush carriage is free to operate another finger 3 at some other level. Modification. Instead of a rotary switch, a switch moving over a straight line or over a plane may be used. Specification 632,220 is referred to.