US1197926A

US1197926A - Electric-switch button.

Info

Publication number: US1197926A
Application number: US6646015A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maxwell C Frank
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1915-12-13
Filing date: 1915-12-13
Publication date: 1916-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1933-09-12

Description

M. C. FRANK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH BUTTON. APPLICATION FILED 05c. 13, 19:5.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

MAXWELL C. FRANK, OF PIEDMONT, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC-SWITCH BUTTON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

Application filed December 13, 1915. Serial No; 66,460.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAXWELL C. FRANK,

citizen of the United States, residing at Piedmont, county of Alameda, State Of\ California, have" invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Switch But tons, whereof the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switch buttons and especially to means of rendering visible, the buttons for turning on and off electric lights.

The object of the invention is to enable the user to find such buttons in the dark,

and avoid the annoyance and danger of groping in the dark for the same.

In carrying out the invention I provide a luminous cap, which may be made of glass or other transparent material with a luminous material behind it. This cap I apply to the button, either by setting it in a hole cut in an existing button for the purpose, or by setting it in the material of the button in the process of constructing the latter.

In the accompanying one sheet of drawing, I have illustrated the invention in number of figures. I

Figure 1 is a plan View of an ordinary wall plate with two push buttons with my invention applied to one of them. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, but with the out button partly in section to show a method of applying the invention. Fig. 3 is a cross section, on a larger scale, of the cap of Figs.

1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view, but with the luminous material in the hollow glass cap, in powdered form, held in place and protected by a washer, and without filling. Fig. 5 is also a similar view, but with the cap free from filling, and with a fiat top instead of the curved or rounded top of the other figures. Fig. 6 is a top view of a snap switch button with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 7 is a side view of the same, partly in section to show the application of the cap. Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged cross sections showing various forms of caps, and the methods of applying them to the buttons of a snap switch.

In these figures: 1 represents a wall plate, secured to the wall 2, by the screws 3, and carrying the two push buttons, 4 and 5. The button 5, I assume to be the on button, that being the one to which I prefer to apply my luminous cap. The cap is composed of the glass, or other transparent body, (3, in the form of a thimble, and the luminous lining 7 in its interior. The luminous lining may be a thin layer of luminous material, as shown in most of the figures or it may fill all orpart of the hollow of the cap, as seen in Figs. 1, 7 and 10. In the latter case a closure 8 is applied below the luminous material, to protect it.

The method of applying the luminous cap to the button is as follows, viz z-The button may be made of ashell 9, see Fig. 2, of

vulcanite, or other suitable material, and the cap set therein, and secured by' filling the shell with a plastic on fusible cement, or plaster, 10, or other suitable material and this substance may fill the cap also, if de sired. If the material used should be a nonadhesive substance, the cap may be provided with a basal flange 11, which looks it in position. If the button is to be formed of vulcanite, or cast material, the cap may be set ,in the material before it is vulcanized, or in position if cast. In applying the cap to existing buttons, the button may be bored out at its top to receive the cap, and the latter may then be cemented or secured therein with any suitable material, as at 12,

in Fig. 9, or it may be threaded as at 13, in Fig. 10.

Having thus described my invention, and an embodiment of it, in the full, clear and exact terms required by law, and knowing that it comprises novel, useful and valuable improvements in the art to which it pertains, I here state that I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction and arrangement of the several parts, as herein set forth, as the same may be variously modified by a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

What I'claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is the following, to wit 1. In combination with a switch button, a cap of transparent material covering a luminous substance, embedded in the material of the button and projecting outwardly therefrom.

2. In combination with a switch button, a luminous hollow shell, embedded in the material of the button, and filled with plastic v substance.

3. In combination with a switch button, a

6. In combination with an electric switch button, a glass cap of thimble form, having a luminous substance applied thereon, and a basal flang to secure said cap to said button.

In testimony that I claim the'foregoing I have hereto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses, this 10th day of November, 1915.

MAXWELL C. FRANK.

Witnesses:

R. MAUDE WOLFE, S A. ALVES.