GB736333A - Multiple contact electrical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

736,333. Retractive switches; switches held set and freed mechanically. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO., Inc. Oct. 30, 1953 [Nov. 4, 1952], No. 30039/53. Class 38 (5). A switch comprises at least one group of contacts mounted on parallel wires and operable by a slide movable in a rectilinear path parallel to the axes of the wires, the slide having a pre. determined pattern of cam depressions on its surface. As shown, the operating member is a handle 19 pivoted at 21 and has an extension 18 with ears 25, 26. The lower surface of extension 18 has a central depression 29 and two semi-circular recesses 27, 28 which co-operate with a roller 43 to locate and retain the handle in its central and two end positions, respectively. The roller is carried by a lever 35 pivoted at 34 and urged upwards by a spring 31. When the handle is tilted, e.g. clockwise, the ear 25 engages a lug 84 on a link secured to slides 50, 51 which are secured together by a rivet 80, the slides thereby being moved vertically upwards. Movement of the handle in the other direction causes similar upward movement of slides 52, 53. The slides are urged down by springs 90, 91 and each slide is formed with a depression 160 having irregular boundaries 54, 58 co-operating with elements, such as 61e, secured to wire springs 61a, the elements 61e also serving as contacts which co-operate with pairs of contacts 62g on wire springs 61b, 61c. The contacts are open when the elements 61e engage the depressions, and closed when they engage the normal surface of the slides, as shown at the left and right respectively of Fig. 8. The depressions may be arranged so as to cause simultaneous or successive operation of the contacts. The handle may be retained in one end position only, or the locating mechanism may be completely omitted so that the handle is retractive from both end positions. The wires 61a &c. are moulded in insulating blocks 100, 101 secured to the base by screws 106, and U-shaped covers 120, 121 are secured by notches 124, 125 which clip over ridges 122, 123 on the base. The handle pivot 21 projects into openings formed in bronze balls (Fig. 5, not shown).