US1158052A - Rheostat. - Google Patents

Description

A. J. HORTON.

RHEOSTAT. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 1915.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

a z HWAVS an" H u UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALB RT I ORTON, OE WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR To THE CUTLER- HAMMER MFG. 00., or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF wIsconsm.

RHEOSTAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

1 Application filed February 20, 1915. Serial No. 9,545.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. HORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at White Plains, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rheostats, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference. being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to rheostats.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and eflicient rheostat for various uses, such for example, as lamp regulation in connection with pathscopes.

A further Object is to provide a rheostat for concealed mounting with supporting means permitting ready adjustment thereof to an accessible position for regulation, inspection, and so forth.

Other Objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter in connection with a description of the accompanying drawing which illustrates a typical embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a front view of the rheostat and mounting therefor. Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the rheostat. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof with the cover removed. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The rheostat illustrated is particularly designed for a pathscope and is preferably mounted within a recess of the pathscope frame, as shown in Fig. 1. structurally, the

,rheostat includes a plurality of sections of of the rheostat. In practice, also, said frame is slidably mounted on a standard 7 so that the rheostat is capable of travel thereon for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The resistance elements comprise wires 8 of suitable gage wound spirally on the supports 1 and 2 which latter are ofinsulating material such, for example, as asbestos board. Each support carries a fixed resistance and a variable resistance, both of which for convenience are formed of a continuous-resistor and both of which are preferably embedded within a layer of insulating cement 9. As mentioned, however, certain portions of the variable resistances are left uncovered by the cementitious material, as indicated at 10, for engagement by the controlling member 5. It will thus be observed that the rheostat includes a definite amount of fixed reslstance and a variable resistance as is ordinarily desired in the control of motion picture machines. As illustrated, the variable resistances on the two supporting bases are connected by the controlling member 5 which constitutes a contact bridge, and the fixed resistances are provided at their Outer ends with the terminals 11 for line connections. Thus, as shown, the resistances are connected in series relation, although it will be understood that the same might be connected in parallel if desired.

The controlling member 5 comprises two spring arms having cupped contact extremities in resilient engagement with the exposed resistance coils, at 10. Said spring arms are mounted upon a'member 12 fixed to a spindle l3 revolubly journaled in the frame 4 and extending at right angles below the supports 1 and 2. The contact arms 5 are electrically connected together but are insulated from the member 12 by suitable means, such as an insulating bushing 14. The spindle 13 is also provided with a right angled extension 15 which serves as a handle for Operating the controlling member. Pivotal movement of said controlling member in both directions is limited by ofiset lugs 16 on the member 12 which abut the base of the frame 4.

The supporting standard 7 of the rheostat is provided with two parallel rods 17 extending longitudinally thereof and the rests within a recess 19 of a support 20, but may be readily withdrawn and rendered accessible for inspection and manipulation of its controlling. element. It may be noted in this connection that the concealed mounting of the rheostat as described has distinct advantages such as, the normal concealment of its controlling member whereby accidental for unauthorized operation thereof is safeguarded.

To facilitate withdrawal of the rheostat fromits inclosure, the same is preferably provided at its front end with a suitable hand grip 21. Further advantages of the structure described may also be mentioned, namely, that the rheostat may be Withdrawn from its inclosure during operation and thus exposed for better ventilation, and the heat generated thereby may be kept out of proximity to the working parts of the pathscope so that drying of the machine lubricant is avoided.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is one end of said frame, and said resistance having terminal connections adjacent the other end of said frame.

2. In a rheostat, a metallic supporting frame, a'pair of insulating bases mounted thereon in spaced parallel relation, resistances on said bases, a controlling member pivoted to said frame and movable over'a limited portion of said resistances, and a metallic cover for said bases secured to said fr'ame.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents;

3. In a rheostat, an elongated insulating base, a continuous resistance element coiled thereon, an insulating element adhering to said base and embedding a fixed portion of said resistance and exposing another portion thereof, and a controlling member movable over said exposed portion.

4. In a rheostat, an insulating support,

a resistor wound thereon to provide a fixed resistance and a regulating resistance, and an msulatmg element entirely covering said fixed resistance and covering all but a limited area of said regulating resistance. 5. In combination, a rheostat, an inclosingmember to support the same, and a standard fixed within said inclosing member and slidably supporting said rheostat to render the latter adjustable in position.

6. In combination, a rheostat, a standard therefor slidably supporting the same, and

an inclosing and supporting member having a recess to receive said rheostat and stand ard, said rheostat having a normally concealed controlling member operable upon slidin withdrawal of the same from said recess 7,. In combination, an elongated rheostat having a fixed resistance at one end and a regulating resistance and controlling member at the other end, and a standard arranged longitudinally of said rheostat and slidably supporting the same at its fixed resistance end whereby said rheostat is movable to clear its controlling member for op eration.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two wit- Washington, D. 0."

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