US1206244A - Electric switch. - Google Patents

Description

.l. LEVEQUE-PETIT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION man APR. 24, 1913.

m N d m e M P TED sa'rnsrann'r orrrc.

JOSEPH LEVEQ'UE-PETIT, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed April 24, 1.913.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, Josnrn Lnvno'on- Pnrrr, engineer, a subject of the King of the Belgians, and resident of 8 Rue de la. Liniere, Brussels, Belgium, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has for its object to provide an instantaneously acting electric switch, in which the switch blade is retained by an abutment during the tensioning of the spring which serves to effect the move ment of the switch blade and the disengage men-t of the contacts. This spring is mounted on a cylindrical body eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation, and which by engagement with the blade gives to the blade a combined radial and rotary movement which movement effects the disengagement of the contacts and effects an instantaneous break.

In the accompanying drawings is represented by way of example a construction of switch according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of the switch; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch, the cap being removed; Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the operating button with the eccentric body, made of porcelain; Fig. 4 represents part sections of the base of the switch showing the position of one of the contacts, and Fig. 5 illustrates the relative position of the switch blade 1 and the eccentric body.

The switch blade 1 of the switch, forming a bridge over the contacts 2, is provided at its middle with a longitudinal opening or slot 3. Within this opening 3 is disposed the eccentric cylindrical body 4 adapted to turn on a spindle 5 carried by the base 6.

A spiral spring 7 surrounds the eccentrical body 1; it is fixed at its lower extremity t0 the switch blade 1 by engagingv under a tongue 9 punched in the strip 1; at its upper extremity it rests against a nose or projection 13 in the form of a ratchet tooth disposed under the operating button 8; the two extremities of the spiral spring are bent outward several millimeters in such way as to project radially. This spring also presses at its lower end against a shoulder or projection 12 of the switch blade, exercising on this shoulder or projection a pressure directed inwardly of the end.

The use of the coiled spring 7 serves a fourfold purpose:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Serial No. 763,303.

1. It serves for the swinging of the blade 1 under the action of the turning movement of the operating button, a swinging move ment which begins at the moment that the extremity of this blade 1 pressed against an abutment will have been released from this abutment by reason of the movement which is imparted to it on the rotation of the eccentric body. 1

2. It presses the switch blade 1 against the contacts 2 which can be of heavy construction.

3. It maintains the spur or shoulder 12 of the switch blade 1 applied elastically and not rigidly against the eccentric body l, by which is secured the relative position of the body and of the blade 1 shown in Fig. 5, a position such that the play or the gap formed in the elongated opening 01' slot 3 of the blade 1 between this blade and the eccentric body is diametrically opposed to the shoulder 12, always reaches far enough from the axis to be able to dispose itself against one or other of the abutments, exercising thereon a tangential pressure and is able to draw itself in the direction of the axis in the case where it would bring itself against an abutment in the radial direc tion, that is to say in exercising thereon a radial pressure. This can take place if after having turned in the wrong direction a fraction of a turn one rotates it in the right direction for operation. The elastic connec tion between the blade and the eccentric body 4. will then permit the necessary and sufiicient displacement of the blade along its axis to escape the detaining part.

a. The extremity of the spring being drawn out so as to overlap the front side of the blade and touch the abutments during escapement, instead of the blade touching latter, this in order to deaden the shock of blade against the porcelain which would cause same to break.

The base carries four abutments 10 against one of which the blade presses by its longer arm, that is to say by the arm of the side of the gap formed in the elongated opening or slot 3 between the blade and the eccentric body. On turning the button 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow (in the direction of the hands of a watch) the spring tensions itself while the eccentric body causes the blade to recoil, which blade not being able to turn, is obliged to draw back gradually from the contacting abutdisengagement of the contacts is effected by ters Patent of the reason of the tension exercised by the spring 7 and the blade instantly engages with the following abutment, regaining its initial positicn with respect to the eccentric body.

Besides the four abutments 10 the base carries two other abutments 11 in the form of ratchet teeth intended to retain the blade in the case when the operating button is operated in the wrong direction, that is to say in the direction opposed to that indicated by the arrow, and when the blade will tend to displace itself in the opposite direction, held only by friction and not directly by the spring, seeing that in this case the upper bent extremity of the spring 7 will pass under the ratchet tooth 13 of the button.

The button 8 can be replaced by a blind cap made of porcelain or steatite, with the eccentric body.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let- United States is:

1. A switch comprising a base, contacts on said base, an eccentric body rotatably mounted on said base, a switch blade mounted on said body and having a slot therein within which the said eccentric body is disposed, a coiled spring surrounding said eccentric body having one end in engagement with a stop on said eccentric body, and the other attached to the blade, and resilient means for stopping the movement of said blade 2. A switch comprising a base, contacts on said base, an eccentric body rotatably mounted on said base, a switch blade having a slot therein, said blade having an upturned lug at one side of said slot, stops to limit the movement of said blade, a coiled spring surrounding said eccentric body, said spring having its upper end in engagement with a stop on said eccentric body, its lower end bearing on the blade, and also bearing on the outside of said upturned lug to retain said blade in position with respect to said body, the extremity of the spring being shaped to form a buffer to contact with said stops upon rotation of the blade.

3. A switch comprising a base, contacts on said base, an eccentric body rotatably mounted on said base, a switch blade having a slot and having an upturned lug at one side of said slot, stops to limit the movement of said blade and a spring surrounding said eccentric body said spring having its upper end in engagement with a stop on said eccentric body, its lower end bearing on the blade and also bearing on the outside of said upturned lug to retain said blade in position with respect to said body, the extremity of the spring being shaped to form a buffer to contact with said stops upon rotation of the blade, and means for preventing the backward rotation of the switch blade. 7

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH LEVEQUE-PETIT.

F. JOSEPH LABARRY.

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

' Washington, D. G."

Images