US1295040A - Multiple switch. - Google Patents

Description

C. H. KEENEY.

MULTIPLE SWIICH. I

AP PUCATION FILED FEB. 26, 1914. v 1,295,040. Patented Feb.18,' 1919.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTUF? m A TTUFQNE Y5.

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c. H-. KEENEY. MULTIPLE swncH. APPLICATXUN FILED FEB. 26; 1914. 1,295,040. Patented Feb. 18, 1919. v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2;

HIHIIl JIIIIIIlIIII 4 7 W ATTUFPNE Y5 CHARLES H. KEENEY, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN,

ASSIG-NOR TO UNION ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MULTIPLE SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 18, 1919.

Application filed February 26, 1914. Serial No. 821,154.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. KEENEY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of -Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Multiple Switches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanymg drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a multiple switch more particularly adapted for use in starting or controlling electric motors of large power and used in connection with the rheostat thereof.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a multiple switch which may be used for starting or for controlling duty when associated with a rheostat and a motor, and which is also adapted for other uses requiring a plurality of switches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch in which the switches may be closed one at a time in defi nite order and will be automatically held in closed positions and also automatically swung to open position under predetermined conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch which may, in the controller form, be arranged to hold and automatically release any number of the switch elements from the on position,

and in the starter form to only hold and automatically release the switch elements, when all of them are in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch in which the switch elements are closed in definite order and with a time period between the closure of each switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch in which all of the switch elements are moved to their respective closed ing handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch in which the major portion of the parts may be formed from commercial metal and stampings.

'A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch of simple construction, strong and durable and which is well adapted for the purpose described.

positions by a single actuat- With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of the improved multiple switch and its arts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

- In the accompanying drawings-in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views: I

Figure 1 is a front view of the improved controller form of the multiple switch with all of the switch elements shown in closed position, the view also showing the electrical connections in diagrammatic form;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, the operating lever also being indicated in open posi tion by dotted lines; a

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the switch elements and the operating lever being shown in open position;

Fig. leis a transverse sectional detail view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional detail View taken on line 66 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 7 is a similar view takenon line 7'T of the same figure;

Flg. 8 1s a fragmentary front view of the switch modified to serve as a starter;

- Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on line 99 of Fig. .8; and

Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 9. v 7 Referring to the drawing the numeral 12 indicates an insulating panel, of slate or other suitable material, upon the face of which the switch ismounted. The switch comprises a series of switch elements or levers 13 fulcrumed at their lower ends 14' to a transversely positioned pivot rod 15' which is mounted in end brackets 16 bolted on the insulating panel. The upper ends of the levers carry brushes 17 which are adapted to bridge contact plates 18 and 19' mounted in spaced relation on the slate when the levers are successively swung to closed positions. The levers are thus swung by means of cam members 20 mounted fixedly on a transversely extending'shaft 21 which extends throughand is journaled in the end brackets 16. The cam members engage anti-friction rollers 22 which are journaled between the projecting ears of the U-shaped holders 23, and these holders taken are fastened to and project outwardly from the lower end portions of the levers 13. The cam members are all of simllar shape and are mounted in stepped arrangement on- I the shaft sothat when the shaft is revolved approximately a half turn, the cam portion 20' of the first cam to the left will engage the first switch element and the other simia ratchet wheel 24 fixedly mounted thereon,

which is prov'ded with teeth 24" around'approximately one-half its periphery and these teeth bear a fixed relative position with the cam portions of the cam members so that whei'i the cam is revolved the teeth will be successively engaged by a. gravity holding awl 25. The holding pawl is pivoted on one end of the pivot rod 15 and depends therefrom and engages one tooth of the wheel coincident with the closure of each switch and holds the respective switch in closed position.

The shaft 21 is intermittently moved step by step by an. oscillatory hand lever 26 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 21 between the ratchet wheel 24 and the end bearing 16 adjacent thereto. A gravity pawl 27 pivoted to the hand lever is provided with a pin like proiection 2'8 eX-tendin'g from the side of the paw a direction toward the hand level which is adapted to ride on the outer curve-d edge 29' of a guard plate30" during the major portion of the movement of' the h and lever. The guard plate surrounds the shaft 21 and is interposed between the hand lever and the ratchet wheel andis prevented from turning by the engagement of its flat edge 31 with the face, of the panel 12. The outer curved edge 29 of the guard plate concentric with reference to the ratchet wheel and projects beyond the peripheral edge thereof and serves to hold thepawl 27 out of engagement. with the ratchet wheel, until thehand lever nearly reached the end of its u ward movement. The upper part 32- of the guard is formed at an angle and is radially below the plane ofthe, ratchet wheel so that as the hand" lever is": swung upwardly and nearly reaches the of its movement, the projectiers of" Te). pawl will ride on" the guard and the will engage a tooth and the further meverfienj-t ofthe hand lever will revolve the ratchet wheel" the distance of one tooth and permit the herding pawlito en age the next tooth mrthus revolve the cams and swing the switch levers intermittentl and succes'' lfiil Wltltl their respective contacts. i

The lever also carries an armature 33" ivotally mounted thereon which engages the pole pistes Qf'an' electr'omagnet 34 mounted on: the panel when the handlever is swung to its upper position.

The electromagnet is included in the field circuit 85 oi'an electric motor 36- and is adapted to magnetically hold the lever in its upper position and to automatically release the lever upon weakening of said circuit below a predetermined extent.

The contacts 19 are connected; to a resistance 37 which is included in the armature circuit 38" of theinotor and the contact 18 common to all of the switch l ver-s iscon: nected to a line wire 3 9"; A line wire- 40' is also connected tothe motor. K v

In order to automatically return thecams to their initial positionwhen the hand lever is released a retrieving spring 40 is provided which is mounted onthe end of the shaft 21 opposite to the end upon which the hand. lever is mounted and the spring at one end is connected to the adjacent end bracl'r'et and 7 its other end is connected to a collar 451 mounted on and, bolted to the shaft 21.

They inner end of the oscillatory hand lever is in the form of. a cam 4 2' which engages" a projection 43 extending ii'nvardllv from the holding pawl. and swings said pawl out of engagement with the ratchet" wheel when the hand lever reaches its lower position. When the holdin pawl has released the ratchet wheel the retrieving spring will, of course, revolve the shaft and theflcams and permit the switch levers to swing by gravity to open position. a r

A stop bumper 44' of rubber or other yielding material is mounted onthe inner face" of the left hand end. bracket and is adapted to fixedly mounted on the shaft.

Inv order to keep. down the cost of manuiacture, parts have been formed of stampbe ei'igaged by the shouldered stop collar 455 iii-gs and commercial channel iron as shown in the drawings. In the construction of the cam members it will be noted that they are all. of the sameshape ,and are secured to spacing collars' 46 fixedly mounted: on the shaft 21', by rods 47 which pass through openings irrthe collars and the earns, the cam openings being diiier'ently positioned with relation to the cam; portions of the cam mem; bers. It will also ben'oted that the switch levers are formed of channel iron having stamped U-shaped eyed members 48 which fulcil'uni the leversto the pivot rod 1 5 and also U-sl iaped. roller holders 459 in which the anti-friction rollers 22 are ournaled. These members are connected to the lower. ends of I the switch levers by rivets or in any other man nerldesi-red. I

U-shaped hrush holders 50 are also pro;

vided for attaching the brushes to the upper ends of the switch levers lhe medial portions of the brushes are: inserted between the side; flanges ot' the. Ursha'ped holders and are held ,in position by holts el which' pass through the brushes and the holders and the switch members. The first and last two switch levers are in double form to provide for initially completing the circuit and for carrying the full load when all of the resistance is cut out.

In the operation of the controller form of switch just described the first upward oscillation of the hand lever will cause the lever pawl to engage one tooth of the ratchet wheel, and turn said wheel and the shaft and the cams fixedly connected thereto the distance of one tooth from the other. This movement will cause the first double switch to the left to be moved by its associated cams to bridge the first contact to the left and the common contact and complete the circuit to the motor and energize the electro magnet. In this position the holding pawl will engage one of the ratchet teeth and will hold the wheel and shaft while the hand lever remains in its upper position. If it is now desired to run the motor at its slowest rat-e of speed the hand lever is left in its upper position and will'be thus held by the electromagnet. If it is now desired to increase the speed of the motor the hand lever is pulled downwardly a sufiicient distance to permit the lever pawl to engage the next tooth and is .thenswung upwardly so that the holding pawl will drop into locking engagement with the next tooth to the one formerly engaged and in this manner any number of the switch elements desired may be swung into engagement with their respective contacts and the hand lever will be held by the magnet with any number of the switch members in closed position.

Now assuming that the motor is running and the hand lever is held by the magnet and the current is weakened to an extent to cause damage if quickly resumed without the resistance being included in the armature circuit. In this event the magnet would release the hand lever and it would swing to its lower position and in swinging the cam portion of the hand lever will disengage the holding pawl from the teeth of the ratchet wheel and the spring will revolve the cams to their initial position and the switch levers will swing in reverse order to open position.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 a field circuit switch 52 is mounted on the panel to adapt the switch for use as a starter. The field switch is pivoted to the panel and is under spring tension to normally engage a short circuit button 53 and to be swung into contact with a circuit button 54: when the last switch lever 18 is swung to closed position by means of a pin 55 projecting from said lever 13 which engages an angled member 56 mounted on the field switch.

The holding magnet 34' of the starter form of switch is included in the field circuit wire 35 and this circuit also includes the field switch 52 and the contact button 54 so that when the last switch element is in closed position with the field switch engaging the contact button 54 the holding magnet will be energized and hold the hand lever in the manner before described. A short circuit connection 57 between the contact button 53 and the end lead 58 of the magnet serves to short circuit the holding magnet while the last switch element is in open position and the field switch is in contact with the button 53.

The operation of the starter form of switch is the same as the controller form with the exception that the oscillatory hand lever will not be retained by the holding magnet until all of the switch elements are in closed position and the armature resistance is cut out of the motor circuit.

WVhile the multiple switch has been described in connection with a motor it is to be understood that it is also applicable to other structures where a multiple control is desired.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the multiple switch is well adapted to perform the function described.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an actuating member for closing said switch elements in definite order by a plurality of movements of said member, means for holding the switch elements in closed position, and means automatically releasable for holding the actuating member in a position to maintain the switch elements in closed position, said actuating member having a portion which co acts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said member is in a certain position.

2. A multiple switch, comprising a plu rality of switch elements, cam means for closing said switch elements in definite order, a lever to move the cam means to close the switch elements, locking means for holding the switch elements in closed position, and means automatically releasable for holding the lever in a position to maintain the locking means and the switch elements in closed position, said actuating member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said lever is in a certain position.

3. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, a plurality of cams for closing the switch elements in definite order, said cams being connected together to move as a unitary member, a lever for intermittently moving the cams to close the switch elements, locking means for holding the switch elements in closed position, and means automatically releasable for holding the lever" in a position to maintain the switch elements in closed position, said actuating member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said lever is in a certain position.-

4 A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of fulcrumed switch elements, revoluble cams for swinging the switch elements to closed position in successive and definite order, said cams being connected together to move as a unitary member, a hand lever for intermittently revolving the cams to close the switch elements, locking means for holding the switch elements in closed position, and magnetic means for automatically releasably holding the lever in a position to maintain the switch elements in a closed position, said hand lever having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when the lever is in a certain position.

5. A; multiple switch, comprising a plu- (rality of ful'crumed switch elements, a shaft having a plurality of cams fiXedly mounted thereon for swinging the switch elements to closed position in successive and definite order, aratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and carrying a pawl for engaging and revolving the ratchet wheel intermittently to swing the switch elements to closed position, a locking pawl for holding the ratchet wheel during the retrieving movements of the hand lever, said hand lever having a portion which coacts with the locking pawl for causing said pawl to release the ratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position, and magnetic means for automatically releasably holding the lever in a position to maintain the switch elements in a closed position.

6. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a plurality of contacts mounted on the panel, a pivot rod and a shaft mounted on the panel, a plurality of switch elements fulcrumed on the rod and having brushes which are adapted to bridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fixedly mounted on theshaft with their cam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned to engage and move the switch elements into bridging engagement' with the contacts in successive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having a pawl arranged to engage and revolve the wheel intermittently to move the switch elements successively to closed positions, a. locking pawl engagingth'eratchet wheel for holding the wheel during theretrieving movement of the hand lever, said handleve'r having a portion which coacts with the locking awl for causing said pawl to release theratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position, and electromagnetic meansfor holding the hand lever in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position.

7. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a pluralityof contacts mounted on the panel, a pivot rod and-a shaft mounted on the pawl, a plurality of switch elements fulcrumed on the rod and having brushes which are adapted to bridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fiX-edl-y mounted on the shaft with their cam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned; to engage and move the switch elements into bridging engagement withthe contacts in successive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having a pawl arranged to engage and revolve the wheel intermittently to move the switch elements successively to closed positions, means for holding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel until the hand lever has almost reached the upper end of its" movement, a locking pawl engaging the ratchet wheel for holding, the wheel during the retrieving movement of the hand lever, said hand lever having a portion which coacts with the locking pawl for causing said pawl to release the ratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position. and electromagnetic means for holding the hand lever in aposition to maintain one or more oftheswitch elements in closed position. p I

8. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a plurality of contacts mounted on the panel, a pivot rod and a shaft mounted on the panel, a plurality of switch elements ful crumed on the rod and having brushes to bridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fixedly mounted on the shaft with their cam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned to engage and move the switch elements into bridging-engagement with. the contacts in successive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having pawl arranged to engage and revolve the wheel intermittently to move the switch elements successively to closed positions, a guard member positioned adjacent to the ratchet wheel and having a curved portion projecting radially beyond the periphery of the ratchet wheel upon which the pawl rides and is held out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel during the greater portion of the movement of. the hand lever, a locking pawl engaging the ratchet wheel for holding the wheel during the retrieving movement of the hand lever,

lot

said hand lever having a portion which coacts with the locking pawl for causing said pawl to release the ratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position, and electromagnetic means for holding the hand lever in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position.

9. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a plurality of contacts mounted thereon, end brackets mounted on the panel, a pivot rod and a shaft supported by the brackets, a plurality of switch elements fulcrumed on the rod and having brushes which are adapted to bridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fixedly mounted on the shaft with their cam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned to engage and move the switch elements into bridging engagement with the contacts in successive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having a pawl arranged to engage and revolve the ratchet wheel intermittently to move the switch elements successively to closed positions when the hand lever is oscillated, a guard member positioned adjacent to the ratchet wheel and having a curved portion projecting radially beyond the periphery of the ratchet wheel upon which the pawl rides and is held out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel during the greater portion ofthe movement of the hand lever, a locking pawl engaging the ratchet wheel for holding the ratchet wheel during the retrieving movement of the hand lever, the hand lever being provided with a portion for disengaging the locking pawl from the ratchet wheel when the hand lever is swung to its lower position, and electromagnetic means for holding the hand lever in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position.

10. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an oscillatory member for closing the switches in successive and definite order, a locking means for holding the switches in closed position, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said member is in a certain position, and means for holding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position.

11. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an oscillatory member for closing the switches in definite and successive order, means for holding the switch elements in closed position, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said member is in a certain position, and electromagnetic means automatically releasable for holding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain the switch elements in closed position.

12. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, a hand operated oscillatory member for closing the switch successive order,

elements in definite and means for holding the switch elements in closed position, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said member is in a certain position, and means for holding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position, the switch elements when released by the holding means moving to open position in definite and successive order reverse to their closing movement.

13. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, a hand operated oscillatory member for closing the switch elements in definite and successive order, means for holding the switch elements in closed position, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causing said means to release the switch elements when said member is in a certain position, and electromagnetic means automatically releasable for holding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain the switch elements in closed position, the switch elements when released by the electromagnetic means moving to open position in definite and successive order reverse to their closing movement.

14. A multiple switch-comprising a plurality of fulcrumed switch elements, cam means for closing the switch elements in definite and successive order, a hand operated oscillatory member for moving the cam means to close one switch element at each upward movement of the said oscillatory member, means for holding the switch elements in closed position, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch elements when said member is in a certain position, and means for holding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position, the switch elements when released moving to open position to definite and successive order reverse to their closing movement.

15. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of fulcrumed switch elements, cam means for closing the switch elements in definite and successive order, a hand operated oscillatory member for moving the cam means to close one switch element at each upward movement of the said oscillatory member, means for holding the switch elements in closed position, said oscillatory member having a portion which coaots with the switch element holding means and causes said means to release the switch element when said member is in a eertain position, and electromagnetio means automatically 1eleasable for holding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position, the switch elements when released moving to open posi- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. KEENEY.

Witnesses KA HERIM HOL Sonopz.

G p this pa ent y he ob ain d tor fiv ents ch, y ade essing th Gommis ipner or ratentsQ Wa hing n, D- 0-

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