US1277426A - Electric switch. - Google Patents

Description

C. J. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWiTCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. H. [914- ,L 'l li i 2 a mi Z If .'5| a i 8 2 H H W Z g T 3 4 X 29 5 v 1' e e aria" mare.

. CHARLES J'. KLEIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. CO., 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

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specificati r ersr t t Pate l Application filed September 11, 1914. Serial No. 361,205.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN a citizen of the United States, residin at Mllwaukee, in the county of Milwau cc and State of Wisconsin, have invented-new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full,'clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to electric switches. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple and eiiicient snap switch mechanism particularly adapted for pullcord operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter in connection with the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention'illustrated in the accompanying draw ing, in wh1ch.'

. Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch mechanism and supporting base, with a casing therefor shown in dotted lines. s Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 Fig. 1, showing in addition another part of the base; and,

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the switch mechanism and bases.

The mechanism illustrated comprises in eneral a contactor 1 continuously rotatable 1n one direction with an intermittent snap movement under the influence of an ener storing operative connection with an osc1l-.

latory operating member 2to make and break circuit between stationary contacts 3 and 4 mounted upon an insulating base 5.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the base 5 has a circular recess 6 within which the parts of the switch mechanism are mounted. The bottom of this recess is provided with a plurality, 1n thls lnstance four, of equidistant raised portions 7 having flat upper surfaces and sheer sides and constituting stops for the contactor, as will appear hereinafter. The statlonary contacts 3 and 4 are positioned on opposite sides of the recess .6 between two stops 7 and a e preferably upturned at one end, as at to lie flush with the upper surface of the adjacent stop. The eontactor 1 is preferably of stamped metal and of a conformation shown in Fig.3. It comprises a central ortion 9 havin four equldistant radial ugs 10, two of w ich are extended into resilient are portions having at their extremities odset contact surfaces 11. The lugs 10 are designed to serve as ratchet teeth and are engaged by a circular pawl member 12 having four equidistant and slightly offset pawls 13.

The member 12 is mounted concentrically with member 1 and is resiliently held thereagainst by a helical spring 14 having one extremity restrained between lugs 14 on the'pawl member and having its other extremity bent at right angles in the directlon of its axis to be received within a marginal aperture 15 of the oscillatory operating member 2. This operating member has a radial extension 16 with a suitable catch other extremity bent diametrically to rest within a slot 19 of a threaded spindle 20, which passes through the base 5 and the aforesaid parts of the switch mechanism for securing the same in position on the base. A nut 21 threads on the end of the spindle 20 to revent disarrangement of the movable e ements. As shown the operating member 2 is provided with three of the marginal apertures 15, in any one of which the upturned end of the spring 14 is adaptedto fit. By this means the normal tension of the springs 14 and 18 may be easily regulated.

An insulating base 22 is also provided as complementary to the base 5 and is attached thereto for completing the inclosure of the switch mechanism. Both bases are rovided with cutaway portions 23 at one si e which give clearance for the operating arm 16-and the pull *chain 17. to swing as the switch mechanism is actuated. The stationary contacts 3 and 4 are held in position by integral riveting as shown in'Fig. 2 and the contact 4 is connected with a binding post 24 at one side of the insulating base while the other contact is connected by a screw passing through an aperture 25 to a second binding spring 14 and consequently tendsto rotate.

v The operating member 2 rotates clockwise and thereby tensions both the spring 18 and the contactor 1 also in aclockwise direction.

The latter is restrained against movement,

however, by the abutment of, the offset contact surfaces'll against the upturned ends 8 of the stationary contacts. This restraint of the contactor is maintained until the energy stored in the spring 14 is sufficient to overcome the resilient and inherently releasable lock of the contactor, whereupon the same is snapped; ahead until the contact surfaces 11 abut the next pair of raised insulating stops 7 on the base 5, during which time the energy stored in the spring 14' is. substantially dissipated. It is to be noted that during thi'sfmovement of the contactor circuit 'is broken from the stationary cont-acts 20v the influenceof the spring 18, which also, by

the other spring. 14, turns the pawl member 12 in a counter-clockwisedirection and backratc-hets the pawls 13 over the radial lugs 10' of the contactor. During the initial portion of this returning movement,the contactor is kitself moved slightly in'a counter-clockwise direction until the depressed. ends 11 thereof abut the insulation of the raised stops 7 which brace the bent ends 8 of the stationary contacts. The next operation of the switch causes the contactor to rotate aheadwith a snap, movement in a manner identical to that des'cribed, but this time to bridge the stationary (contacts: and close circuit. It is to be notedthat thestationary contacts 3, 4c

are maintained bright by a wiping engagement with the contactor both during the making and breaking of circuit and that by providing the upturned ends 8 of the stationary contactsit is insured that circuit remains closed until accelerated movement ofthe contactor actually begins. Further more, the break is very wide and the mechanism is accordingly capable ,of-etlicient'use for controlling currents. of relatively high value.

As shown in Fig. 1, a suitable metallic casing comprising acap 28 andshell 2-9 is provided for housing the switch mechanism. In practice, the cord 17 'islpreferably of a non-conducting material so that special insulation of the cord from the switch mechanism'is rendered unnecessary.

What I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1'. In an electric" switch, in combination, a stationary contact, a cooperating rotatable contact having parts tendin to hold the same in circuit making and fireaking position, an oscillatable ratchet member engagin said contact member to rotate the same 'umdir'ectionally for circuit making and breaking, an operating member and an energy storin operative connection between saidoperating member and said ratchet member to insure a snap movement of sa1d rotatable contact upon leaving and reingaging said stationary contact.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a stationary contact, a. rotatable cooperating contact having parts tending to lockhthe same in and out of engagement with said stationary contact, an oscillatable ratchet member engaging said rotatable contact, to rotate the same unidirectionally for engagement and disengagement of said stationary contact, an oscillatable operating member and an energy storing operative connection between said operating member and said ratchet member to insure snap movement of engaging said stationary contact.

3. In a pull switch, in combination, a stationary contact, a rotatable cooperating contact having parts to releasably lock the same in and out of engagement with said stationary contact, an oscillating ratchet member 'coacting' with said rotatable contactto rotatethe sameunidirectionally for engagement and disengagament of'said sta-,

tionary contact, an oscillatable operating member, an energy storing operat ve. 'con motion between said operating member and said ratchet member efi'ectlve by its stored energy to overpower the locking parts of said rotatable contact and a' returnspring for saidoperating member.

'member and said ratchet member comprismg an energy storingspring coiled about said stud and a return spring for said operating member also coiled about said stud,

said operating member when moved against said rotating member in leaving and rethe action of its return spring effecting through said'connecting spring and ratchet member a snap movement of said rotating said stationary contact.

5. In an electric switch, the combination contact'both when leaving and ree'ngaging with arotatable Contact, of an operating member therefor, an energy storing con--- nectiontherebetween and a base having a plurality of conducting and non-conducting bearing surfaces for said contact disposed alternately in a common plane and each terminating in a relatively abrupt shoulder to releasably restrain operation of said contact member pending storage of energy 1n said connectlon sufficient to effect release of said contact and movement thereof crating member therefor, an energy storing connection therebetween and a base having a plurality of conducting and non-conducting bearing surfaces for the extension of said contact disposed alternately in a common plane and each terminating in a relatively abrupt shoulder, cooperating with said contact extension to releasably restrain operation of said contact pending storage of energy in said connection suflicient to effect release of said contact and movement thereof with a snap action for engagement'with said conducting and non-conducting surfaces alternately.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with a rotatable contact, an oscillatable ratchet member for engaging said contact to rotate the same unidirectionally, an operating member, an energy storing operative connection between said ratchet member and said operating member and a base having a plurality of conductingand nonconducting bearing surfaces for said contact disposed alternately in a common plane and each terminating in a relatively abrupt shoulder to releasably restrain operation of sa d contact pending storage of energy in said connection sufficient to effect release of said contact and movement thereof with a snap action.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, a rotatable contact having resilient extensions on opposite sides of its pivot, an oscillatable ratchet member for engaging said contact to rotate the same un1d1rectionally,=-a pull operating member, an energy storing operative connection between said ratchet member and said operating member and a base having a plurality of conducting and non-conducting bearing surfaces for the extensions of said contact disposed alternately in a common plane and each terminating in a relatively abrupt shoulder requiring deflection of the resilient extensions of said contact for movement of the latter between adjacent bearing surfaces. and thereby restraining operation of said contact pending storage of energy in said connection sufiicient to insure such movements of said contact with a snap action.

9. In a pull switch, in combination, a

base, a contact fixed thereon, a stud fixed to said base, a contact rotatably mounted upon said stud to cooperate with said stationary contact and having parts tending to restrain the same in circuit making and breaking positions, a ratchet member oscillatably mounted on said stud to engage said rotatable contact to move the same unidirectionally to engage and disengage said fixed contact, a pull operating member also oscillatably mounted upon said stud, an operative connection between'said operating member and said ratchet member comprising an energy storing spring coiled about said stud and a return spring for said operating member also coiled about said stud, said operating member when moved against the action of its return spring effecting through said connecting spring and ratchet member a snap movement of said rotating contact both when leaving and rengaging said stationary contact, said contact having a relatively long range of unobstructed movement for producing a wide break in circuit upon leaving the contacting surface of said member.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses:

' CHARLES J. KLEIN. Witnesses L. A. WATSON,

TEKLA Bosr.

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