US1119966A - Electric switch. - Google Patents

Description

CQJ. KLEIN. ELECTRIC swxTcH.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 28, 1911. 1,1 19,966. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

C. J. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLlGATIoN FILED n.a, 1911.

1,1 1 9,966. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

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CHALB'IJES'J. KLEIN, O MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB TO THE CUTLEBfHAMMEB l' 4MFG'. C05, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

FLECTRIC SWITCH.

To all 'w/wm it ma concern .Q Be itknown t at I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizenof the United States, residing' at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and '.in the actuating member or members may be disposed at any desired angle to the line of movement required of the means directly operating the switch mechanism..

A further object of my-inve`ntion is to eliminate the necessity of using levers and other complicated means for causing reverse movement'of the operating members of the switch where such movement is desired as for example in flush switches.

Various other objects and advantages of my inventionwill be hereinafter set forth.

(In'the application I shall describe my invention as applied to a push button flush switch, but .I have chosenthis type only as a means of illustrating the principle lof my invention which is capable oi. being used with various other types of switches and 1n various other relations.

Specicationof Letters Patent.

In the accompanying drawings I'have, for

purposes of illustration, shown two forms lr which' my invention may assume in practice f when applied to a switch of this type. Of course my invention may be embodied in various other forms. y

` The views in the drawing are as follows Figure 1 shows a top plan view of a switch. Fig. 2 shows a ,partial central sectional view. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view on line ?r 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a detail view of the switch operating mechanism, portions thereof being shown in section. Fig. 5 shows a partial sectional'v view of a portion of the switch operatingmechanism. Fig. 6 shows aperspectlve View of one form of movable contact. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the cam member and the spring. Fig. 8 shows a b0t- PatentedDec. 8, 1914.

Application led April 28, 1911. Serial No. 623,905.

9 shows a top plan view of 'an improved form of switch with the finishingcover removed. Fig. 10 shows a partial sectional view .through the complete switch shown in Fig 9. Fig. llshows an enlarged perspective view of a modified form of'movable contact member. Fig. 1,2'shows an enlarged detail View of a portion of the switch shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Let us first consider the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings. In Fig. 2 I have illustrated my improved switch mechanism inclosed in a substantially rectangular shaped two-part casing. This casing ma be of any suitable insulating material suc as porcelain, for example, and may consist 'of an upper portion 1 and a lower portion 2. These portions-1 and 2 are adapted to be clampedtogether and are provided with intercommunicating recesses in their adjacent faces' adapted to house the switch mechanism. In a preferred form I ybind the two parts of the 'casing together by the ,terminal connections 3. These terminal connections 3 preferably have `flat upper ends suitably fixed to the topofthe casing near the corners of the same as by contact screws 4 and have downwardly-extend-ing portions 5 preferably of a rectangular crosssection, which pass vertically downward through the two-part casing to the bottom .surface of the lower part-2 of the casing.

See Fig. 8. In apreferred form the lower ends of these contact parts 5 are screwthreaded and fitted with taps 6 which serve to clamp the parts of the base securely together to form a unitary structure. As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, I preferably provide an ipsulating strip 7 between the taps G and he lower surface of the casing. In a preferred form I also provide means consisting of inwardly extending shoulders S on the casing members which act to guide and strengthen the contact members 5 as they passv down throughv the casing. See Fig. 3. By this improved construction I am able to hold the parts of the casing together by the terminal connections vfor the switch and thus do away with unnecessary parts.

The switch 'mechanism proper is housed between the two parts l and 2 of the casing and includes a cam member 9 in the form of tomvplan view of the switch casing. Fig. a double frustum, the frustums being;v positioned base to oase so that the cam 9 has an enlarged center portion fromywhich tapering portions extend to each side toward the longitudinal axis of the cam member. The cam member is shown in Figs. 2 and`5 and is preferably constructed of sheet metal and provided with flanges 10 at the outer ends thereof. The cam 1s provided with a center Isupporting member 11, semi-cylindrical in cross-section and preferably constructed of sheet metal as shown in Fig. 7. The supporting member 11 has' upwardly extending portions 12 preferabl struck up at the ends thereof, which are la apted to be secured to the cam member 9 as by passing through a ertures 13 formed in the ends of the latter.

he member 11 also has an inwardly extending tongue 14 located at about its middle portion which is adapted to extend between the adjoining helices of a springoperating member 15. (Fig. 4). This spring operating member 15 extends through the semi-cylindrical member l1 and in a preferred form the inwardly extending projection 14 engages the spring member 15 at about its middle point. The spring member 15 is guided in its movement by a mem ber 16, preferably semi-cylindrical in cross'- section throughout the greater portion of its length and adapted to unite with the semi-cylindrical member 11 to form a cylindrical casing for the spring member 15. In a preferred form the member 16 is also made of stamped metal and is provided with upturned ends 17. These upturned ends 17 are of a cylindrical cross-section and arev held in place in the casin 2 by transverse strips 18.

At points ad3acent and above these 'ends 17, the spring member 15 is suit-` ably fixed to push buttons 19 and 20 as by having its opposite ends inserted in the same as shown in Fig. 4. These push buttons 19 and 20 are preferably composed of insulating material and are of the usual conformation at the tops, but are provided with downwardly extending portions 21 and annular shoulders 22 at about their middle points. These downwardly extending portions 21 move in recesses 23 in the casing and act as guides for the push buttons, while the shoulders 22 abut against the edges of perforations 24 formed in an insulating plate 25 extending across the open-'face of the casing, to limit the movement of the push buttons 19 and 20 and prevent these push buttonsdfrombeing moved too far out of the casing. This insulating plate 25 may be held in engagement with the upper portion 1 of the casing by centrally located screws 26 and may be xfixed to a wall or other surface by screws 27 located near its ends. An outer finishing or surface plate 28 is preferably fixed to the insulating plate 25 by screws 28` and is lprovided with perforations registering with the perforations 24 in the insulating plate 25. By the use` of this insulating guiding plate, I am able, t0 locate the parts very accurately sincethis plate may be very accurately perforatedor' stamped.

In a rpreferred form the cam member 9 is engage b y a resilient member in the form of a helical spring 29 which has its ends secured together as shown in Fig. 7 to form a ring which entirely surrounds the cam member. The cam and spring are so arranged' 'the push button is operated, which .movement takes place at an accelerated speed and independent of the operating. means. The cam 9 is moved by the push button into n. predetermined relation with respect to the spring 29 or until this spring reaches the point where the two frustums forming the cam meet andvthen the spring moves automatically and independently of the cam and of the operating buttons to its other limit of travel. A

In Fig. 6, I have shown one form of contact member adapted to be moved by the helical spring 29. This contact member comprises a body-portion 30 which is preferably formed of a single piece of metal bent at 'its center so that said body-portion is substantially U-shaped in cross-section. One side of the body-portion is preferably formed with extended ends 31 whichsare bent at right angles to the plane of said side and toward the other side. 'Ihe ends 31 when thus formed provide means whereby contact engaging portions 32 and 33 may be secured in alinement with each other on the opposite ends of said body-portion 30. Corresponding apertures 34 are formed centrally in the sides of the body-portion 30 of just Sullicient size to allow the passage of the cam 9 therethrough. In assembling the contact member 30, and the cam 9, the spring 29 is disposed in the base between the Sides of said contact member 30 and the cam member 9 is inserted through the apertures 34 in the sides thereof, and through the spring.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a section through the complete switch. VVlien it is desires to move the contact member 30 to its opposite limit of travel from th'at shown, one of the buttons 19 and 20 is moved downward, thus causing the spring 15 to slide along within the guiding member 16 and move the cam member 9 fixed to the spring through ,the supporting member 11, through the conhaving been tensioned, will be moved quickly to the opposite end of said cam member 9, thus carrying the contact member from one limit of its travel to the other with a quick snap action. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the limits of its travel may be the terminal contacts 5. The contact member 30 moves in a. plane at right angles to the contact surfaces of these terminal members 5, so that the ends 32 and 33 of the member 30 will engage the same with a wiping or sliding action and with a minimum of sparking. It is, of course, to be understood however, that instead of the connection shown in Fig. 3, the switch mechanism may be used to make or break a circuit in any desired manner, and that it may be used for controlling a single -iii'rcuit, a pair of separate circuits or as a--three way switch.

In Figs. 9 to 12, I have shown a modified form of the switch. In this modified construction I preferably form the supportlng casing of one cup-shaped piece of insulating material 35. As in the case ot the previous construction, I employ an insulatlng guiding plate 36 suitably fixed to the upper surface of the casing and an outer face plate 37 suitably fixed to the guiding plate 36. Both of these plates'are provided with snitable perforations for the push buttons 38 and 39. In this construction I provide a supporting and guiding rod 40 for each end of the spring operating member 41. In a preferredl form the upper ends of these guiding rods 40 are slotted as ,shown at 42 in Fig. 12 and are adapted to engage flanges 43 formed in longitudinally disposed recesses 44 in the insulating plate 36 and be..

held by these flanges in the said recesses. The push buttons 38 and 39 in this construction are preferably provided with lateral extensions 45 at their lower ends preferably provided with apertures 46 to fit over the guiding rods 40 and slide upon the same. The opposite ends of the spring operating member 41 are preferably secured to these extensions 45 so that .when the but` tons are depressed, the extensions 45 will be moved downward to cause a bodily movement of the spring member 41, whereby the cam will be moved and the switch mechanism operated. In this construction the cam member consists of an insulating sleeve 47 ot' substantially the same conformation as the sleeve 1l. This sleeve 47 is fixed to the spring member 41 so as to move with the same by an inner sleeve 48 fitted between the spring member and the cam member 47 and preferably of a construction permitting it to engage between the helices of the spring member 41. The action of this'cam' memoer is the same as that of the cam member 9 p re vio usly described.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a modified form of movable contact member. This contact member is formed of two plates 49 and 50 which are spaced apart and have inwardly extending portions 51 which are fastened together in any desired manner as by rivets 52. These 4plates may be insulated from one another if desired. Each of these plates 49 and 50 has its opposite ends bent outwardly as shown in Fig. 11 to form parallel Contact surfaces 53 on the op osite ends of the same. As in the case of t e previous construction, this contact member is pro- 1;ided with opposite perforations 54. Just as previously described, this contact member is adapted to inclose a helical spring 55r and move upon the cam member 47 when the push buttons are operaed. In this instance, however, instead o engaging terminal contacts of the conformation of the contacts 5 illustrated in Fig. 3, the movable contact member engages spring clip contacts 56 Which are adapted to receive the ends of the contact surfaces 53 and are preferably formed of sin le pieces of material suitably fixed to bin ing screws 57, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

W'hile I have shown and described in this application two specific forms which my .invent-ion may assume in practice, my invention itself is in no wise limited to these specific forms, but may assume other forms, and be adapted to switches of various other types, all of which fall Within the scope of my present improvement.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electric switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable contact actuating member, of an operating member therefor movable longitudinally and at an angle thereto, longitudinally movable means operatively connecting said members, anda guide for said connecting means intermediate said members.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable contact actuating member, of an operating member therefor movable longitudinally and at an angle thereto, a curvilinear guide between said members, and means movable longitudmally of said guide for operatively connecting said members. u

3. In an electric switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable contact actuating member, of an operating member therefor .y movable' longitudinally and at right angles thereto, a fixedV guide betweei said members, and means operatively connecting saidl members and movable longiltudi'nally in a single path controlled by said guide.

4. In an electric switch, the combination, with a longitudinally movable contact actuating device, of an operating member therefor movable lon itudinally at right `angles thereto and a exible thrust member beween said device and said operating memer.

5. In `an electric switch, the combination, with a longitudinally movable contact actunti'ng member,` of an operating member therefor movable longitudinally at right angles thereto and a thrust connection between said members comprising a helical spring.

6. In an electric switch, in combination, a movable contact actuating member, an operating member therefor movable in fa direction at an angle thereto, a curved guide member arranged between said two firstmentioned members, and a single flexible member in said guide to transmit movement of said operating member to' said contact actuating member.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with a contact actuating member, of a longitudinally movable member having a flexible portion for transmitting the thrust thereof to said Contact actuating member and a substantially right angle guide for said flexible thrust portion between said members.

8. In an electric switch, the combination .with a longitudinally movable o erated member, of anoperating member therefor m'ovable longitudinally at right angles thereto, a helical sprin connecting said members and a curved guide for said helical spring between said members.

9. In a flush switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable operated member, of a pair of push buttons therefor, movable at right angles thereto and flexible thrust connections between said push buttons and said operated member.

10. In a flush switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable operated member, of a pair of push buttons for operating the same, said push buttons being movable at right angles to said operated member and a flexible member provided with a substantially right angle guide, be-

tween each of said push buttons and said operated member.

11. In a flush switch, the combination with an operated member of a longitudinally movable flexible member connected thereto and having its extremities disposed at right angles to its intermediate portion and push buttons connected to the extremities of said flexible member.

12. In -a flush switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable operated member, a helical spring cor nected thereto, guides for directing the extremities of said spring at right. angles-to the line of `movement of said memberand push buttons cooperating with 'the extremities of said springs to thrust said operated member in opposite directions.

13. In an electric switch, in combination, a. reciprocable cam member, a contact member movable over said cam member, resilient means acted on by said cam member. and acting on said contact member for moving the latter with a snap action, push buttons movable at right angles to said cam member to reciprocate the same, and a single flexible member operatively connecting said pushbuttons and said cam member.

1l. In a flush switch, the combination with a longitudinally movable double frustum cam member, of a spring encircling the same and cooperating therewith to impart a snap action to the switch contacts, a pair of push buttons movable at right angles to said cam member and a flexible member connecting cach of said push buttons to said cam member and to the other push button.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES J. KLEIN.

Vitnesses C. K. RocKwELL, F. H. HUBBARn.

Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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