US1100253A - Electric switch. - Google Patents

Description

A. N. PETIT. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 1913.

awn/e619 B's lave-n30 1 fimq 63. fldemor NPef/t. 6on1 7 m 7/0 UNITED STATES ADEMOR N. PETIT, OF WEST ORANGE. NEW JERSEY.

. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters fatent.

Patented June 16. tall 4-.

Application filed January 2, 1913. Serial No. 739,588.

. sex and State of New Jersey {have invented an improvement in Electric Switches, of winch the following description, in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to electric switches.

for lampsockets and other uses.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an illustrative lamp socket equipped witha switch mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section through the socket shown in Fig. 1, disclosing a switch mechanism contained therein; Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. t is a section taken on line H of Fig. 5-); Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the socket;

Fig. .(S is a sectional detail showing the switch in one position; T is a similar view showing the switch in a different position; and Fig. 8 is a detail to be referred to.

leferring to the drawing. the illustrative construction shown therein as embodying the invention comprises a' frame including a dome or covering; top 1 and a base block I, of porcelain or other appropriate insulation material. Said top and block are spaced and standards 5 and 7 are provided conveniently integral or rigidly and permanently connected with said'top and having feet held in recesses in said base blockby suitable screws, The top and standards herein form the support for said block and a switch mechanism to be described. To receive the usual incandescent lamp a. threaded socket 9 is secured to the under face of said base block.

To receive the wires leading to the lamp binding posts 11 and l?) are provided conveniently L shaped and seated in recesses in. the upper face. of the base block said binding posts being secured to said block by screws 1] and 13*. The head of the screw 11' is set in a recess in the under face of the disk 3. sutlicienty deepto prevent contact thereof with the threaded socket 9. The screw 13 is longer and is entered I through the bottom of the socket 9 and prorides a conductor between the binding post 13 and said socket, The binding p ost ll [H for transmitting the current to a spring contact H on the under face of the disk 3. which is adapted to engage the usual ceic tral contact on the end of an im-aiulesceni. lamp. This spring' contact is connected bv a screw 15 with a plate 17 set in a recess iii the upper surface of the disk 3.

To make and break the circuit between the binding post 11 and the spring; contact they are provided with opposed contact brushes 19. 19 projecting upwardly and con venientlv composed of a plurality of resilient leaves of copper or other suitable. conducting material. Tnterposed bet-ween these brushes and engaged by them is a switch wheel 21 of porcelain or other suitable material journalcd on a stud shaft 21% having a reduced end threaded to the standard b referred to. This wheel is provided with segments 25 of insulation material alternating with segments 27 of conducting material. aresult. when an insulation segment is between and in engagement with said ln'ushes the circuit is open and when a conducting secgment is between and in en- .ejagl'ement with said brushes the circuitis closed. To advance this wheel step-by-step its lateral faces are provided with inclines forming ratchet teeth '2 which are engaged by resilient paw s 3'1 projecting: inward from a rocking yoke 32% embracing a portion of said wheel and journaled on the stud shaft of the latter,

To rock the yoke in a clockwise direction to advance the wheel a step the yoke is provided with an a'rcuate channel 235 in which is seated a chain or cord or other flexible connection 37. one end of which is suitably secured to said yoke at one end of said channel. The other end of said chain projects out of the frame through an a per-- ture in the standard? referred to and is received and guided by a rigid tube 39 threaded in ,said aperture and having tubular portions extending in different direc- (lOllS. herein substantially at right angles to one another. said portions beingconnected by a friction reducing gradually curved portion. The tube is adjustably secured to said standard bv a set. nut 41. As a result. the tube can be set in various positions of adjustment relatively'to the Socket and always depend downward whether the socket the contourot the channel.

tion.

The free end oi? the chain depends 'trom said tube and may be provided with an appropriate handle.

\Vhen the chain is.pulled the yoke is rocked in a clockwise direction (Fig. 7). In the course of this movement the opposed pawls of said yoke engage the ratchet teeth of the switch wheel and turn the latter also in a clockwise direction. The rocking of the yolrin this direction is limited by the engagement thereof with the upper surface of the base disk To prevent undue pound ing of said yoke on said disk from this rocking movement a helical spring 43, or other resilient means, may be interposed in the pull chain. To prevent the chain jumping out ot the channel of the rocking yoke a shield at is provided conveniently secured to the standard 5 and curved to conform to The rocking yoke ignormally urged in a contra-clocluvise direction 3) by a helical spring 4-5 encircling said stud shaft and having one end secured to said rocking yoke and its opposite end secured to the standard 5. On retreating movement'of the yoke the resilient pawls thereof drag idly along the faces of the switch wheel into positions to he in readiness to engage other teeth of said wheel and advance the latter another increment. To limit the rocking of said yoke in a con-- tra-clockwise direction a suitable stop is provided shown herein as a spur 4% projecting from said shield.

The opposed brushes not only act as contacts but also as dogs tolimit the reverse rotation of the switch wheel, and owing to their resilience tend to check the rotative movement of the wheel and prevent overthrow thereof.

The rocking yoke has a sutlicient arc of movement to advance the ratchet wheel a distance somewhat in excess ot'the distance between two successiveratchet teeth of the switch wheel but the yoke pawls on retreat of the yoke" press against the switch wheel and rcvcrscly rotate the same sutlicientl y to com 'iensate for the excess advance and bring the ratchet teeth thereol"back into engagement with the ends of the brush contact dogs. Thus the switch wheel .is always advanced equal steps and thereby proper engagement of the wheel segments with the brush contacts is assured on the successive steps of advance of the wheel.

The switch supporting frame may be connectedlto a bracket or other fixture in any suitable manner. .\s shown herein the dome ring 1 is mounted on the reduced end of a boss 47, said end being lippcd or riveted over into secure engagement with said ring. To connect this boss with the usual threaded pipe 4-9 of a fixture a pair of flanged be provided, one

being adapted for threaded engagementwith the fixture and the other with said boss. By this arrangement the socket may be turned to bring the chain guiding tube in any desired position.

.lleretofore, so far as I am aware, in connecting the switch carrying frame to fix-- tiures it. has been necessary to first inclose the frame in a socket. shell which made in two parts comprising a shell and a cap, the latter being provided with a bushing which is threaded to the fixture. In mounting such a lamp socket upon a. tixturc it is necessary to first screw the cap to the li.\'- ture, then secure the switch frame to the cap and finally inclose the frame, in the shell. By the construction described hcrein this ii'tconvenience is eliminated since the standards of the switch carrying frame are permanently connected to or integral with the ring which is secured to the fixture.

If desired, the frame may be incloScd in a shell 55 of brass or other suitable material which may be slipped over the base block and its upper edge fitted within the border of the dome ring. To prevent; interference from the chain guide tube with the shell the latter may be provided with a lateral aperture. To connect the shell with said ring the former may be provided with resilient fingers 57 having lugs projecting therefrom for entrance into corresponding apertures in said dome.

The usual paper insulation shell may be interposed between said brass shell and the switch carrying frame.

The shell and dome described present an outward appearance having a suitable tinish for certain purposes. but in some cases it may be desired to provide a finer linish by inclosing the socket in a metallic or other canopy. In such case the brass shell would not be necessary since it is not essential to connect and provide support for any of the parts but is merely a linishing member.

llerctotore. so far as l am aware. switch mechanisms for lamp sockets have made ncecssary upper and lower insulation blot-ks and also a considerable amount of insulation material in the switch mechanisms. This insulation material is objectionable for a variety of reasons. By my invention the n'ecessity for an upper insulation block is eliminated and the amount. ofinsulatinnmaterial in the mechanism is greatly reduced. In my device it is merely necessary to have the base block and switch wheel of insulation material and of course the usual paper insulation shell when the same is employed.

The switch wheel rotating between the spring brush contacts provides a simple and ellective positively operated makeand break arrangement which is cheap to manufacture and not liable to get out of order.

It not necessary for the wheel to slide on its shaft in making and breaking the circuit as is usual in socket switches, and therefore the wheel and its cooperating yoke may always remain in alincment with the chainguide so that the chain may freely render through its guide without liability of bind ing from one contact to another is not' obliged to pass through theshaft of the switch wheel or a series of elements of the mechanism. but on the contrary is directly transmitted trom one brush contact to the other through the single wheel conductor segment in engagement with said brushes. This reduces the liability ot short circuiting and poor electrical contact to a minimum. The resilience of the brush COntfitIfiS will cause the same to press into close engagement with the conductor segments of the switch wheel and the turning of the wheel For making and'breaking the circuit will create a rubbing between these surfaces which will maintain them constantly bright and conductive.

While the switch described herein is shown in connection with a lamp socket it will be understood that it is not limited thereto, but has a wide field of use.

Having described one embodiment of the invention. without lii'niting the same thereto. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of a switch wheel having conductive and insulation portions. opposed resilient contacts for engagement with opposite faces of said wheel; a rocking member having a resilient pawl for engagement with said wheel to advance the latter an increment. a channeh a flexible member seated in said channel and connected to said rocking member for actuating the latter. and means to prevent inadvertent displacement of said flexible member from said channel.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a switch wheel having conductive and insulation portions. opposed rcsilient contacts pressing toward one another against the opposite faces of said wheel. and means for advancing said wheel step by step including a rocking member having resilient pawls for engagement with opposite sidcs oi. said wheel.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a frame including a stand ard. a stud shat't projecting therefrom. a switch Wheel journaled on said shaft and having insulation and conductive portions, resilient contacts for engagement with opposits faces of said Wheel, a rocking memher jourualed on said shaft and having pawls for engagement with said wheel to rotate the same in one direction. and a spring on said shaft tending 'to' turn said rocking member in the opposite direction.

4. In a device of the class described the combination of a frame including a base block. a ring. standards connecting said block and ring. contacts mounted on said base blocli. a shaft carried by One of said standards, a switch wheel on'said shaft for cooperation with said contacts, and means including a rocking member for advancing said wheel step by step.

5. In a device of the class described the combination of a frame including a base block. a ring having provision for connection with a tixture. means connecting said base block and ring. fixed contacts carried by said base block, a wheel having conductive and insulation portions for engagement with said contacts. and pawl and ratchet means for advancing said wheel step by step.

(3. In a device of the. class described, the combination of a support; a switch mechanism carried thereby; a rigid curved tube having tubular portions extending in different directions and a gradually curved portion connecting said tubular portions; a pull chain connected to said mechanism and extending through said tube; and means for adjustably securing said tube to said support to permit said tube to be set in various positions relatively to said support.

7. device of the class described comprising. in con'ibinat'itm. a support. a switch mechanism; carl'icd thereby. a rigid guide tube having a gradually curved portion intcrnuuliate its ends. a pull chain extending 8. A device of the class described compris ing. in combination. a supporting member, a covering top therct'or. a "frame permanently and rigidly connecting said member to said top. a switch mechanism carried by said supporting member. means to connect said top-to a fixture, and mea'nsfor incasing said switch mechanism.

A device of the class described comprising. in combinatitm. a support having a covering top permanently and rigidly connected therewith. a switch mechanism carried by said support. a guide tube having a gradually curved portion intermediate its ends and secured to said support. a pull chain extending through said tube for operating said mechanism, and means for adjustably .through and beyond said tube for operating and rigidly Securing said support in difi'erent pesitiensrelative to a fixture.

10. A derive of the class described coinprising. in cmnlanation, a supporting memlierl a em-ering, tun therefor, means permanentl and rigidly (rennet-ting said member tn Fflitl tnp. a switch nieirhanisn'i carried by aid supporting member. and means for sei-nring said top rigidly tn a fixture including a clamping sleeve adjuntable externally nf said top and forming); a finishing member.

11. In a device of the nlass desi-ribed the remhination of a switch lilQL'llfllilSlll. a supporting n'ieinlier therefon a covering top. a frame perinanentl and rigidly (UllllPCllllQ' said member to said top and means tor euring the latter rigidly to a fixture in different. positions of rotative adjustment inilnding sleeves having frivtionaltv engag ng: flanges and aceessilvle extelierly elf said n iport for relative elaniping adjustment.

12. In a (ltVlk'l (it the clans deserilieth tlie runihinatien of a supporting member. a 60V ering top therei nr, means permanentl ennneeting .aaid menilier to Flfllil to an tltkll'l cal :',\Vlllll lll((llllll:lll earried by said sup porting member. a shell ineltwing' d meclianisnn and Illtllllfi detaehahly -m'iii(el in g said shell in said rep.

in l0lllfit lly wherein", l have signed my name to tlii speeiliraliim. in the prwenee of two sulisei'iliing witnesses.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner (if Patents Washington. D. C.

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