US1251985A - Automatic switch. - Google Patents

Description

F. A. LUNDQUIST.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH- APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12. i917.

1,251,985. Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

Q5 52 mg 52 Wu/KJ PATENT FRANK A. LUNDQUIST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOLR, TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF'NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

Application filed February 12, 1917. Serial No. 148,228.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK A. LUNDQUIST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chica o, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to automatic switches for use in either automatic or semiautomatic telephone exchange systems, and particularly to gravity operated switches of the panel type; In this type of switch, sets of contacts are assembled in large flat-faced banks or panels over which brushes are allowed to drop in a straight line to engage adesired'set of contacts. These contacts are multiplied horizontally across the panel to be accessible to a plurality of switches.

The object of this invention is to provide a switch of compact construction for rapidly connectinga subscribers line to an idle trunk.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention the contacts of each line are carried on a movable line bar.

A feature of this invention is the longitudinal displacing of a line bar in a gravity operated switch to position the contacts of the displaced line bar for arresting the movement of a gravity operated set of brushes.

Another feature is the longitudinal displacing of the brushes to engage contacts on the displaced line bar.

" Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, a perspective view of a switch employing this invention is shown with suitable circuit arrangements yoke-shaped member 3 is slidably mounted on this rod 2 and has the teeth 4 with which a holding pawl 5, pivotally mounted on the frame 1 engages to hold the yoke 3 in its normal position.

A.pin 6 on the yoke 3 normally engages one end of a bell-crank lever 7. This lever 7 has at its other'end a fiat spring 8 which normally engages an arm of a stepping pawl 9. This pawl 9 is pivotally mounted on the arm 10 of the armature of magnet 11, so that when magnet 11 is energized the pawl 9 engages the-holding pawl 5110 release the yoke 3 instead of engaging the teeth 1 to move the yoke 3 upward. A vertical rod 12 is slidably mounted in the frame 1 and is normally held against the lower arm of the yoke 3 by a spring 13, one end of which is fastened to the rod 12, and the other end is fastened to the upper arm of the yoke 3. Teeth 14 are cut in the rod 12 and a holding pawl 15 is arranged to engage these'teeth. A lug 16 is fastened to the rod 12 and controls a bell-crank lever 17 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A block of insulation 18 is rigidly secured to the rod 12 in any suitable manner. A pair of brushes 19 and 20, fastened together with a strip of insulation between them, are attached to the block 18 in such a manner that they have a longitudinal movement and also a lateral movement. A pin 22 secured to the block 18 serves as a stop against which the brushes are normally held by a spring 23, one endof which is fastened to the pin 22 and the other end is fastened to a pin 24 secured to the brushes. A slot 21 is provided in the brushes to allow them to be moved longitudinally. A spring 25 engages the side of the brush 20 to return the brushes to their normal position after they have been moved side-wise in a manner hereinafter described. A lug 26 on the brush 20 is so arranged that when the brushes are moved longitudinally by armature 28 of magnet 29 the lug engages a projection 27 of the block 18 to hold the brushes in their operated position.

The brushes 19 and 20 are arranged to engage contacts of a group of line bars generally designated 30. Each line bar consists of two thin metal strips 91 and 92 with a thin insulation strip between them held together in any suitable manner. Each metal strip has a plurality of contacts thereon and each contact of the strip 91 has a hole therein with-which a projection 33 of the brush 20 engages for a purpose hereinafter described. Each line bar is pivotally mounted in the frame and also arranged to be moved longitudinally.

', armature 10, which moves the pawl 9 upward battery, winding of relay 36, conductor 37,

contact springs 38 and 39, conductors i and 42, subscribers substation apparatus, conductor 43, resistance a l, to ground. Relay 36 becomes energized and closes at its armature and front contact a circuit for magnet 34, from ground, battery, front contact and armature of relay 36, winding 01 magnet 3%,

to ground. Magnet 34, by attracting its armature 35, longitudinall moves the line bar 30 associated with the calling snbscribers line so that contacts thereotare in the path of the brushes of the selected switch. The armature 35 also moves spring to close a circuit for magnet 11 from ground, battery, contact springs a6, 15 and L7, starter wire 48, contact springs 49 and 50, conductor 51, left-hand armature and back contact of relay 52, conductor 53, winding o1 magnet 11, to ground. Simultaneously a circuit is closed for magnet 29 from ground, battery, contact springsxl o and l5, starter wire 5%, contact springs 55 and 56, conductor 57, winding of magnet 29, to ground. Magnet 29, by attracting its armature 28, longitudinally moves the brushes 19 and 20 to position them so that they will engage contacts or the displaced line bar. The brushes are held in their operative position by the lug 26 engaging the catch 27 Magnet 11, upon becoming energized over the circuit previously described, attracts its under the control of spring 8, to engage and withdraw holding pawl 5 from the teeth The brushes 19 and 20 will then be free to drop by gravity into engagement with the contacts 31 and 32 of the displaced line bar 30. The catch 58 of the armature engages a projection 59 of the spring 4E9 to maintain the contact between springs l9 and 50 closed as long as magnet 11 is energized.

As soon as the yoke 3, which slides down with brushes, leaves itsnormal position the bell-crank lever is moved against the stop 70 by spring 71. This movement of the bell crank lever closes contact springs 66 and 67 i and also moves spring 8 into a position to allow pawl 9 to engage teeth 4: so that when the magnet 11 is subsequently operated the yoke 3 will be stepped upward. Since the magnet 11 is at this time energized over the circuit above described the pawl 9 is pre vented from engaging the teeth a because it is held in the notch in the lower portion of the pawl 5 into which it was moved by the first energization of the magnet 11.

hen the brushes 19 and 20 are stopped by engaging contacts 31 and 32 01 the displaced line bar, the weight of the rod 12 and the apparatus attached thereto is carried by the brushes and the line bar and this weight is suliicient to bend the brushes upward so that the lug 26 disengages the catch 27 and allows the brushes to be moved slightly to the left, a distance determined by the pin 33, and the size oi the oval-shaped hole in the contact 31, and the weight of the rod 12 also causes the line bar to rotate so that its arm 59 slips oil the arm 60 of the armature 35. The spring 61 then moves the line bar back to its normal longitudinal position, thereby moving the contacts thereon out of the path or subsequently operated switches.

iihnce the pin is in the hole of the contact 31 the brushes 19 and 20 will be moved sidewise by this movement of the line bar. The rotation oi the line bar also separates contact springs 38 and 39, thereby opening the circ it of relay 36, which by becoming deerergizcd opens the circuit of magnet 3L. gnet3l by retracting its armature causes springs -15, at; and -l7 to separate from each other, thereby opening the circuits of magets 11 and 29. The magnet 29 by retracting s armature allows the bell-crank lever 17 o engage the stop 73. This lever 17 was reeased by the lug 16 as soon as the rod 12 left its normal position, but was prevented from moving by the attracted armature 28. The retraction of the armature 28 also moves the pawl 15 into engagement with the teeth l-il to prevent the rod 12 and brushes;

thereon from moving back to their normal position. Rod 17, by moving from its norma] position, opens the contact between springs and 56 and closes the contact between 56 and H, and between springs and 7 5. The closure ot' springs 55 and extends the starter wire 5 l to the next idle switch.

Upon engagement of the brush 19 with contact 32 a circuit for relay 62 is closed from ground, battery, winding of relay 62, conductor 63., brush 19, contact 32, terminal strip 92, conductor 42, subscribers substation appantus, conductor l3, resistance ii, to ground. Relay 62 becomes energized and closes a circuit for relay 52 from ground, battery, armature and from; contact of relay 62, conductor 6%, winding of relay 52, to ground. Relay 52 closes at its right-hand armature and front contact a circuit for magnet 11 from ground, battery, right-hand armature and front con 'act, of relay 52, conductor 65, contact springs 66 and 67, conductor 68, contact springs 76 and 77, conductor 78, winding of magnet 11, to ground.

Magnet 11 now attracts its armature 10 and the pawl 9 under the control of springs 8 and 79 engages the teeth 1 to raise the yoke 3. Since the circuit for magnet 11 is opened by the attraction of its armature the magnet will be intermittently energized and de'elnergized until the rack has been stepped back to its normal position, t which time the pin 6 engages the bell-crank lever 7 and open contact springs 66 and 6?, which permanently breaks the circuit for magnet 11. The rod 12 is prevented from moving upward at this time by pawl 15 being in engagement with teeth 14: and, therefore, spring 13 is placed under tension by this upward movement of the -ack to return the rod 12 to its normal position upon the release of the switch.

Relay 52 is slow to release its armatures so that it will remain energized during the sending of impulses by the subscriber.

At the end of conversation, the subscriber A replaces his receiver on the hook, thereby opening the circuit of relay 62, which, upon becoming deenergized, opens at its armature th circuit of relay 52. Relay 52, by retract ing its armatures, closes a circuit for magnet 29 from ground, battery, right-hand armature and back contact of relay 52, conductor 93, contact springs 7st and 56, conductor 57, winding of magnet 29, to ground. Magnet 29, by attracting its armature 28, withdraws pawl 15 from engagement with teeth 14:, thereby allowing the rod 12, carrying the brushes 19 and 20, to return to its normal position. Upon the rod 12 reaching its normal position the lug 16 engages the bellcrank lever 17, thereby opening contact springs 56 and 74, causing the deenergization of magnet 29. The lug 80, in the normal position of the rod 12, closes springs 49 and to connect magnet 11 to the starter circuit so that this switch is now ready for another call.

hat is claimed is:

1. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars, contacts on said line bars, a gravity operated set of brushes to cotiperate with said contacts, means for releasing said set of brushes, and means for longitudinally displacing a line bar to position its contacts to arrest the movement of said set of brushes.

2. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars, contacts on said line bars, a gravity operated set of brushes to cooperate with said contacts, means for releasing said set of brushes, means for longitudinally displacin a line bar to position its contacts 'to arrest the movement of said set of operated sets of brushes.

In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars in which subscribers lines terminate, one of said line bars being associated with each line, contacts on said line bars, a gravity opera ted set ot brushes arranged when released to traverse and engage said contacts, means operated upon the initiation of a call upon a line for longitudinally displacing the li bar associated therewith to position the contacts thereof in the path of said set of brushes, and means actuated upon the operation of said means "for releasing said set of brushes.

4. In an automatic switch, a plurality of contact terminals, a gravity operated set off brushes to coiiperate with said terminals, means for releasing said set of brushes, and means for longitudinally displacing said terminals to engage said set of brushes.

5. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars in which subscribers lines terminate, a line bar being associated with each line, contacts on said line bars, a gravity operated set of brushes arranged when released to traverse and engage said contacts, and means operated upon the initiation of a call on one of said lines for simultaneously releasing said set of brushes and for longitudinally displacing said brushes to engage said contacts.

6. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars in which subscribers lines terminate, a line bar being associated with each line, contacts on said line bars, a gravity operated set oi brushes arranged when released to traverse and engage said contacts, and means operated upon the initiation of a call on one of said lines for longitudinally displacing the line bar associated with said line, for releasing said set of brushes, and for displacing said brushes to engage contacts on the displaced line bar.

7. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars in which subscribers lines terminate, a line bar being associated with each line, contacts on said line bars, a gravity operated set of brushes arranged when released to trai 'erse and engage said contacts, means operated upon the initiation of a call on one of said lines for longitudinally displacing the line bar associated with said line. for releasing said set of brushes and for displacing said brushes to engage contacts on the displaced line bar, and means responsive to the engagement of the brushes ith the last mentioned contacts for removing said line bar from the path of subsequently operated brushes.

8. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars, contacts on said bars, a gravity operated set of brushes to cooperate with said contacts, means for releasing said set of brushes, a magnet individual to each of said. line bars and arranged to longitudinally displace said line bar to position the contacts thereof to arrest the movement of said set of brushes.

9. In an automatic switch, a plurality of line bars, contacts on said bars, a gravity perated set of brushes to cooperate with said contacts, means for releasing said set of brushes, a magnet individual to each of said line bars and arranged to longitudinally displace said line bar to position the contacts thereof to arrest the movement of 10 said set of brushes, and means responsive to the engagement of the brushes with contacts of the displaced line bar for removing said line from the path of subsequently operated brushes.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 6th day of Feb, A. D. 1917.

FRANK A. LUNDQUIST.

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

Washington, D. C.

Images