US1408999A

US1408999A - Electric switch

Info

Publication number: US1408999A
Application number: US447395A
Authority: US
Inventors: George H Hart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-02-24
Filing date: 1921-02-24
Publication date: 1922-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 1939-03-07
Also published as: GB195981A

Description

G, H. HART.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION msn FEB.24,1921.

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G. H. HART.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. 24. I92I.

1,408,999, Patented Mar. 7, 1922.

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GEORGE H. HART, 0F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application led February exact description.

My1 invention relates to electric switches and as for its object to produce a new and efiicient electric Snap switch strong and durable in construction, of long life and also inexpensive to manufacture. It further has for its object to producean oscillating switch having a bar detent whose position spring of the switch. It further has for its o ject to produce a switch having a revolvable bar ydetent and thereby reducing the wearof the detent and of the associated parts and increasing the life of the switch.

t further has for its object to produce anl improved operating connection. It further has for its object to produce a new and improved tumbler switch in which the lever is mounted upon a bearing integral with the bridging plate.

One feature of my invention is a revolvable elon ated detent one end of which is held against bodily movement while the other end .is controlled by an actuator so as to restrain and release the switch-arm carrier. This detent bar is preferably cylindrical andl being revolvable about its axis receives wear on all parts of its wearing circumference and has a rolling action with reference to the parts with which it makes engagement. Another feature of my invention consists in having the supporting frame,

`switch-arm carrier and actuator all U feature vof my invention relates to tumbler switches and consists. in providing a bearing upon the bridging plate and integral therewith, actin to hold the tumbler lever used for operatmg the switch mechanism. Another feature consists in housing for the central portion of this lever secured to the -Specication of Letters Patent.

is determined by the action of the driving Patented Mar. 7, 1922. 24, 1921.v serial No. 447,395.

bridging plate and extending. through the l face plate of the switch.

The following is a description of an embodiment of my invention, reference being had to the .accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l shows a side elevation of switch mechanism embodying certain features of my invention in a push-button switch of the two-button type;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the switch through the central plane thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section`on the line 3 3, Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a partial section on a medial plane;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the form of supporting member used in connection with the push-button switch;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the carrier member used in both forms of switch, i. e. both the push-button and the tumbler form;

Fig. 7 shows a 'tumbler switch embodying my lnvention, thev view being taken on a medial longitudinal plane, the switch -mechanism being the same as the switch mechanism of Figs. 1 to 4 with the exception of the closed end of the supporting member;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8--8, Fig. 7

Fig, 9 is a perspective view of the bridging member;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the suppoting frame used in the tumbler switch, an

Fig. 1l is a perspective view of the actuator used in both forms of switch.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 1 is an insulating base of porcelain or the like on which is mounted a U shaped supporting frame 2 closed at its upper end. The lower ends of the legs of this U shaped portion are provided with shoulders 3 which act to limit the throw of the switch-arm carrier in either direction. 4 is a U shaped switch-arm carrier having stop shoulders 5--5 .adapted to be engaged and disengaged at each end of its travel by a cylindrical detent 12 and formed by recesses 6 adapted to receive the detent. These recessesk are of a depth greater than half the diameter of said cylindrical detent. 7 is a U shaped actuating member or actuator having in one leg a concentric arc shaped slot 8 through which one end of an elongated bar detent enters so that the bodily movement of that end is prevented thereby. The other leg of the actuator is Yrovided with a concentric detent holding projection 9 and detent retracting cams 9', 9. The projection 9 acts to hold the free end of the bar detent in engagement with the stop shoulders of the carrier at certain times, while the

cam surfaces

9, 9 act at other times to partially withdraw thedetent, there being recesses 10--10 on each side of the projection 9 which prmit the free end of the bar detent to moved downward out of the path of shoulders 5-5 upon the carrier as hereinafter described.

The carrier 4 and the actuator 7 are mounted u on af'pin 11 which passes through the legs o the' Unshaped supporting frame 2 so as to be free to move thereon.

The detent 12 is an elongated cylindrical bar which extends to the outer sides of both members of the U shaped supporting frame 2. Onev 'end of this bar is provided with a neck 13, Fig. 3, which fits 1n a recess 14 in the frame 2 and is held therein by the upper curved edge of the slot 8 in the actuator. The other end of the detent extends through a recess 15 to the other leg of the frame 2 where it moves into and out of the path of the shoulders 5--5 of the carrier, the legs of the carrier being located on the outside of the legs of the U shaped supporting frame. The detent in passing through thel legs ofthe support passes beyond the projection 9 on one of the actuator legs, which legs lie inside the legs of the support.

Surrounding the pivot pin 11 is the driving spring 16 being of the ordinary type having two

free arms

17 and 18. These free arms embrace the two sides of the closed portions of both the actuator 7 and the carrier 4 with the result that when the actuator is moved from its positions of rest the tension of the spring 16 is increased by the movement of the corresponding arm of the spring. During this movement the projection 9holds the free end of the detent in the path of the corresponding shoulder 5 until the portion 9 has passed from beneath the end of the detent bar. `At that time one of the cam surfaces 9 on the actuator engages the detent and moves. it so that its axis lies in a circle concentric with the pin 11 andslightly within the

shoulders

5, 5. The driving spring 16 then moves the carrier, the detent.

being therebyforced into a recess' 10 which is ready to receive it. The carrier then continues to move under the action of the driving spring until it engages oneof the s top shoulders 3 upon the U shaped supporting frame whereupon when the actuator is released the detent moves behind the other shoulder 5. When the actuator is manually moved in the reverse direction the reverse operation takes place.

Inasmuch as the detent 12 is free to revolve on its longitudinal axis it rolls olf the the carrier so as to be insulated therefrom and switch terminals2() are mounted-upon the base in the usual manner to be engaged and disengaged by said switch-arms so as to make or break the circuit.

21 are push-buttons which are connected to the actuating member. These push-buttons are provided with Shanks 22 which in turn are provided with trunnions adapted to enter holes 24 in the actuating member into which they canbesnapped by flexing the actuating member slightly. The kpushbuttons pass through holes in a bridging member 25 and face plate 26 secured to the base 1. A

In a tumbler switch Figs. 7 and 8 the mechanism and supporting frame are the same except that the closed end of the supporting frame is made in different shape as shown in Fig. 10 and a tumbler lever and link connection with the actuator are used instead of push-buttons.

The hole 27 (Fig. 10) in the supporting frame for the tumbler switch permits the play of the inner end of the lever 28 which is connected to a link 29 having a hook end 30 which passes through a hole in the inner end of the lever 28. This link 29 is provided with lateral trunnions at its lower lend which enter holes 31 in their actuating member. This link can be snapped into these holes 3l by slightly flexing the legs of the actuating member.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the actuating and carrier members are adapted to be used with the switch whether it be made up Jfor a push-button switch or for a tumbler switch.

The lever 28 is mounted upon a bearing 32 which is integral with the bridging plate 33. The central portion of this lever is sur rounded by a slotted housing 34 secured by rivets to the bridging member 33 and projecting through a round hole in' the face plate 35. This housing member thus presents a finished appearance and furthermore guides the lever 28 in its movements.

From the foregoing it can been seen that whenever the actuator 7 is moved by either the push-button of Fig. 1 orby the tumbler lever of Fig. 7 it first puts the driving spring 16 under increased tension holding the detent in carrier restraining position until the actuator has nearly completed its movement whereupon one of the cam surfaces 9 of the actuator moves the detent slightly so as to the stop shoulder.I The driving spring 16 acting through the carrier 4 then forces the bring the axis of the detent out of line with shoulder 5, presenting a curved surface on which the shoulder exerts a cam action. Thereupon the driving spring 16 throws the carrier 4- with its switch-arm 19 a full throw so that it is stopped by one of the stop shoulders 3. Upon releasing either the pushbutton or the tumbler lever the actuator 7 .sets back a little under the action of the spring 16 so that the cam portion 9 engages lthe detent 12 and moves 1t upward behind the other carrier stop shoulders 5 or holds it there so that upon the reverse throw of the actuator the detent will be behind that stop shoulder and restrain the carrier while the spring is being put under tension by such reverse actuator throw. The cam surfaces 9 while they bring about the withdrawal of the detent only cause a part of its motion, the remainder of the motion being effected automatically by the cam action which follows when the axis of the detent is once moved out of line with the path of the stop shoulders 5.

Theaction' of the switch is very definite and positive. The cylindrical detent on account of its capacity to revolve has all the advantages of a ball detent and furthermore does not exert the side thrustl which is present where the ball detent is used, and on account of its rolling action presents continuously new surfaces of the detent to the engaging portions of the carrier and actuator. The control of the detent does not require any spring other than the driving spring y16 of the switch and it is always under positive control.

The parts are simp-le to manufacture, the frame, carrier and actuator being made from stampel metal as well as the link and lever yso that practically all the metallic parts of the -switch mechanism can be made up from stampings or screw machine parts which are eas to manufacture.

gs will be evident to those skilled in the art, my invention permits of various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an electrical switch comprising al support and the other end having a cylindrical surface adapted to engage said shoulders and actuator and being free to oscillate under the control of said actuator and carrier to engage and disengage said' stop shoulders.

2. In an electrical switch comprising a support, a switch-arm carrier having stop shoulders and an actuator both movably mounted on said support, ajdetent and a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, the improvement which consists in said detent being .an elongated member mounted on said support and rotatable on its longitudinal axis relatively to said support,

one end of ,said detent being held against4 bodily movement relatively vto said support andv the other end having a cylindrical surface adapted to engage said shoulders and actuator and being free to oscillate under the control of said actuator an'd carrier to enl gage and disengage said stop shoulders, said carrier having recesses adjacent said .stop shoulders of a depth greater than the radius of the cylindrical surface engaging therewith, and said actuator having aprojecting portion holding said detentin` one of said recesses when the partsare in normal position of rest, and cam surfaces acting .to move said detent partially -,out of said lrecesses when said actuator is fully thrown.

3. In an electrical 'switch comprising a support, a switch-arm 'carrier having stop shoulders 'and an actuator both movably mounted on said support, a detent and a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, the improvement which consists in said detent being an elongated member' mounted on said sup-port and rotatable on its longitudinal axis, relatively to said support, oneend of said detent being held against bodily movement relatively to said support and the other end having a cylindrical surface adapted to engage Said shoulders and actuator and being free to oscillate under the A control of said actuator and"ca'rrier to engage and disengage, said stop shoulders, said support having a recessior said fixed end of the d etent, and said actuator having a curved portion holding said detent in said recess.

4. In an electrical switch comprising a support, a switch-arm carrier having stop shoulders and an actuator both movably mounted on said support, a detent and a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, the improvement which consists in said detent being an elongated member mounted on said support and rotatable on its longitudinal axis relatively tosaid support, one end of said detent being held against bodily movement relatively to said support and the otherl end having a cylindrical surface adapted to engage said shoulders and actuator and being free to oscillate under the control of said actuator to enga-ge and disengage said stop shoulders, said support having a recess :for said xed end of the detent, and said actuator having a curved portion holding said detent in said recess and cam surfaces acting to withdraw it partly from said recess, said support having another recess for the free end of said detent, said actuator moving said detent in one direction and holding it while the tension of said sp-ring is being increased land said carrier member moving it in the other direction under the action of its driving spring when releasedand partly withdrawn by said actuator,

5. In an electrical switch, a support,'a carrier and an actuator all relatively movable and of U shape, agdriving spring connecting said carrier andA actuator, an elongated detent, a recess in one leg of the support receiving one end of said detent, means on one leg of the actuator holding said end in said recesses, a recess in the other leg of said support guiding the other `end of said detent and means on the other leg of said actuator controlling the position of the detent end in said second recess.

6. In an electrical switch, a support, a carrier and an actuator all relatively movable and of U shape, a driving spring oonnecting said carrier and actuator, an elongated detent, a recess in one leg of the support receiving one end of said detent, means on one leg of the actuator holdjgig said end in said recesses, a recess inthe other leg of said support guiding the other end of said detent and means on the other leg of said -actuator controlling the position of the detent end in said second recess, said detent being revolvable on its axis and having its carrier and actuator engagin surface cylindrical.

I. In an electrical'switch, a support, a carrier and an actuator all relatively movable and of U shape, a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, an elongated detent, a recess in one leg of the support receiving one end of said detent, means on one leg of the actuator holding said end in said recesses, a recess in the other leg of said support guiding the other end of said detent and means on the other leg of said actuator controlling the position of the detent end in said second recess, said detent being revolvable on its axis and having its carrier and actuator engaging surface cylindrical, said carrier member having stop recesses whose depth is greater than half the diameter of said cylindrical surface, and said actuatoi` holding said cylindrical portion` in said recess while the spring is being put under tension and then partially withdrawing the same.

8. In an electrical switch, a support, a earrier and an actuator all relatively movable and of U shape, a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, an elongated detent, the legs of said carrier being outside said support and the legs of said actuator being within both said support and carrierand having aligning holes, and an operating connection having trunnions entering sa1d holes and adapted to be inserted and removed'therefrom by flexing the arms of said actuator.

9. In an electric switch having a base, an oscillating switch-arm carrier, an oscillating actuator and a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, a metallic bridging member 4secured to said base, a bearing integral with said bridging member, a lever on said bearing, and a link between said lever and said actuator lthrough which said leverY operates said actuator.

10. In an electric switch having a base, an oscillating switch-arm carrier, an oscillating actuator and a driving spring connecting said carrier and actuator, a metallic bridging member secured to said base, a bearing integral with said bridging member, a lever on said bearing, a link between said lever and said actuator through which said lever operates said actuator, a slotted housing secured to said bridging member and surrounding and guiding the central portion of said lever, and a face plate having an opening through which said housing protrudes.

' GEORGE H. HART.