US1412466A - Electrical switch and interlocking casing - Google Patents

Description

H. S. FREEMAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1918. I 1,412,466. Patented D 11, 1922.

v 2 bHLHS-SHEET L.

H. S. FREEMAN.

SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

ELECTRICAL APPLI CATION FILED WAY 9 I918.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

2 $HEET$SHEET 2- ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. FREEMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO SQUARE D COMiPANY, OF

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.-

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

I Application filed May 9, 1918. Serial No. 233,416.

To all who mil? may concern:

'Be it known that I, HARRY S. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Electrical Switches and Inter ocking Casings, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forms a complete and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to electrical switch of the general type havingan enclosing casing of metal or other suitable material properly insulated from the electrical contacts of the switch mechanism generally known as armor-clad switches.-

One of the objects of this invention is to rovide an enclosed switch with interlocking cover and switch mechanism whereby access cannot normally be had to the interior of the casing until the switch is in open position nor can the switch be closed normally until the'cover is first closed. These switches perform the very desirable function of preventing workmen or others from coming into contact with live parts of the switch mechanism as, under normalconditions, the cover is always closed while the switch is closed and can only be opened after the switch is opened. However, it will be readily seen that it would be impossible for the test man or inspector to inspect the switch mechanism without first shutting off the customers power, inasmuch as the cover cannot be opened normally without first opening the switch.

It is, therefore, a further object of my in vention to so'design the interlocking mechanism that such mechanism may be temporarily rendered ineliective by an authorized person suitably equipped with a key or similar means whereby access may be had to the interior of the casing while the switch is closed and also whereby the switch may he closed while the cover is open. It will, therefore, he seen that a suitably equipped authorized person may inspect the switch mech anism without interfering with the customers power, as he may then open the box or casing without first opening the switch.

It is a further object of this invention to so design the interlocking mechanism that at the completion of the inspection or test such interlocking mechanism may be again rendered effective.

It is a further object of this invention to so design the interlocking cover and switch mechanism that the switch may be permansntly'locked in off position, if so desire It is a further object of this invention to provide for the operation of such switch by means of an external handle or other suitable means, whereby the workman or others may turn on or off the current without opening such box or casing.

it is a further object of this invention to generally simplify the construction of enclosed or armor-clad switches whereby a very rugged or practically foolproof structure results.

One of the many possible embodiments of the IIlVGIItlOII is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts.

Fig. l is a perspective view of an armorclad or enclosed switch showing in full lines the switch operating mechanism in open pos tion, and in dotted lines the switch operating mechanism in closed position. Such figure further shows in dotted lines the ineffective position of the disabler for the interlocking means.

Fig. 2 is a detailed side elevation of portion of the interlocking mechanism in the inefiective position, and with the switch on, the small cover or shield plate removed, whereby the interior of such mech anism may be seen.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal. sectional view through the casing with the small cover of the interlocking mechanism removed and showing the details of the interlocking mechanism Fig. l is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional view showing the details oi: ie interlocking mechanism in position. with the switch operating means in off position the cover partly raised.

Fig. dis a section on line 5+5 of Fig. 3 showing the cover locked closed tull lines, and the interlocking mechanism disabled, in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 6 is a View showing the switchand lockoil as related to the interlocking mech anism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that the electrical portion of the switch mechanism has not been shown and only the operating means for such al -i3 mechanism has been shown, as this operating mechanism is a part of the switch mechanism which cooperates with the interlocking cover and relates directly to this inven- Zion. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the casing comprises a base i, n cover 2, such cover and base being liingedi connected in uhe usual manner and adapted to be locked in closed position by means of an nperafured member 3 on the body portion of the using which is oriented to pass through an open :1 in the top and such n oerrured meniher thereafter adapted to receive the hook loan-shaped portion of a suitable nrdloclc or other means.

This using. it will he nosed. has open einls as shown at 5 end has adjacent such open ends at the interior corners thereof irons (i. interchangeshie end plates {not shown) of any suitable ,vpe are adept- Zio he slipped he een the engie iro is s Ci-OHS or me casing and are held from upvizi sliding "iv means 1 screws or hoilzs missing through by niezins l cne hop ivnion i 's in ciosed positiom sui'lis nu eeo e end puree i he noted that he suitable knockouts d be removed and i e neriicunir type echanism i PM? i s sho W n are oivo n one side or nni h' idle ndin l ihereivibh no nown, 'lcl mechanism may oe open en eriorof the hon Without ening :ne cover. In order to provide for inljerioclcing relation of the cover and tch niechsnisrn {1 iinlr or her 13 is proled which has ii slot i l QUiZitS ou bwsrci'enri, rich slot crioperates with a pin 15 holeed otherwise 7 upon ihe fastened arm 1;. pen the movement of the switch operating surii hair 13 given reciprocztory e reciproczinu'y her or arm ex- "n co the smziii casing or shield plane -ich encloses n portion oi the inlerc This in ceriocking meclr :inism is shown in detail in Figs. 22 to l. in lusive. he forward end: or the her or arm is provided with n recess '1? which is nlupted to cooperate in one position ith. "'OjQC EIUII or lug i75 provided upon a hitch einoer or invoied new} 191 which is uriirdly pressed by means oi a spring; 20. inis reciproczitorv arm 13 passes through guidin member or serefp :21 shown in i 5, which shrsp has n projecting portion 22 extending through an opening in the easing in the outside of lhe casing or box. This portion has :in opening; Jherein which niines \vilh :1 similar opening provided in an ear 2 3 rigidly fastened upon the exterior oi? the casing. These zilining openings are adapted to receive the hook or nail-shaped ])Ol'l011 of n padlock 2% or ohher suitable means whereby he guiding strap 21 is locked in place to herelrv definitely position the recipro-uloq lJill or arm 13 laterally Within the using and in ils lziterni rention lo the rest of the inieriocliiinc meclninism. Rig-idly secured to the cover 2 of is a tongue or iii'lgger E25 which extends downvnrdly therefrom and is provided with an outwardly xtending shoulder or lip 22.

The one 'zuion ol' this interlocking :ineciuw .nism will now he descriljied in detail. :11 normal condition. when the inieriociiingg mechanism in elieciive operation ns n, I. in full lines in F's, lhe padlock sitions the s5 up 2i through the medium oi? the nggning; opening-rs in he members and 12?; \r

nresseu snield so that the in: iroin the Well oi the czsin nvnrd plate and into eng n gunenl upon i with ihe lip Ll c win thus be seen that 5 ihe cover with the i closed oosnion.

i is nnndrnwn from the lip 98. shown in i nurv lhen he raised. to close he "tch.

rover a finger :35 presses against the uilhdrzi ihe projcciion l8 ment with iihe recess 11' or will thus he seen liililh ili is i under normal conl'li rions to open 'th the rzisingg 'xni'thout first opening the switch um} If is also impossllile under normal dilions to close inn the cover.

ihe switch Without ii in order lo provide For renderiruz this in cerlockin c eilicct ineliechive teninornrilv. i-he strep nleiiiher is operated froni the exterior of 'l he he by first removing; the padlock Q-l and drawing such st up neniloer ouluvzr'dl towards the outer side oi" the raising by means oi jhe projecting member 00 rom an lZlSIXCllOn of Fig. 53. it will ihus he seen that ihe lur i3 is wry from engagement W th the lip alul hhe cover therelore. he raised while the svvnch ll'lll in on position. will also be seen om an inspection of F :3 thei when the member 52,

is mulled outwardly the projection 18 of the pawl member 19 lies on the inner side of the bar 13 and does not lie in the path of travel of the aperture 17 in such bar, and consequently, travel of such bar in either longitudinal direction.

It will be seen from the above that when the interlocking mechanism is rendered ineffective by the means above described the cover and switch operating mechanism are wholly independent and may be operated independently of each other in any manner desired.

It will also be seen from the above description that great flexibilityis provided in an armor-clad or enclosed switch of this type, whereby it is possible to have a normally interlocking cover and switch mechanism rendered temporarily independently operative by means of a key or other device carried by a properly authorized person such as an inspector or test man,

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the covercarriesan L-sha'ped member 27 which normally acts asa stop to limit the motion of the operating crank 9. When, however, it is desired to lock the switch open so it cannot be closed by the consumer, the cover is opened and the crank 9 moved to its extreme position where it is stopped by the lug or projection 28 carried by the casing. When the cover is again closed, the crank is between the member 27 and-the-lug 28, as shown in dot and dash in Fig. 6. The insertion of a lock through the aperture in member 3 completes the o'eration so the switch cannot be closed. he bar 13 will be moved on account of the extra movement of the crank 9, and in order that the pro- The above descri tion and drawings must be interpreted in an illustrative sense and not in a limiting sense, except as hereinafter defined by the followingclaimsh- 1. In an enclosed switchhavinga casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means operated by said switch. operating means and cover, comprising a linearly reciprocatory laterally movable bar co-operating with the cover, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened.

2. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating does not interfere with the full.

therewith, whereby normally the cover can- "is closed. jection 18 will not interfere, theslot I7 is I tion is specific to the. form of mvention s own but such descripfor interlocking said switch opened until the switch is opened.

3. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means operated by said switch operating means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a linearly reciprocatory laterally movable bar, and a finger fastened to the cover and normally co-operating therewith, whereby the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened.

4. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided, with a cover, means for operating said switch, means operated by said switch operating means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a linearly reciprocatory laterally movable bar, and a finger fastened to the cover, said finger having a shoulder adapted to engage said bar and cooperating not be opened until the switch is opened.

5. In an enclosed switch having a cas ng provided with a cover, means for operating ,said switch comprising an interiorly arranged inverted U-shaped member, means operated by one arm of said U-shaped member for interlocking said switch and cover,

. and comprising a linearly reciprocatory bar,

and means operated by the cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and means for rendering the interlocking meanstemporarily' ineffective, whereby the cover may be opened while the switch 6. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising means operated by said switch operating means, a downwardlyextending finger controlled by the operation of the cover, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and a removable lock for the last mentioned means for, rendering said interlocking, means temporarily ineffective, Wherebythe cover may be opened while the switch is closed.

7. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a .cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising means operated by said switch operating means, a downwardly extending finger carried by the cover, whereby normally the cover cannot be closed until the switch is closed, means for rendering said interlocking means temporarily ineffective, whereby the cover may be opened while the switch is closed and a removable lock for the last mentionedmeans. 130

8. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising means operated by said switch operating means, a downwardly extending fin er fastened to the cover, whereby norma ly the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened and the cover cannot be closeduntil the switch is closed and means for-rendering said interlocking means temporarily inefiective, whereby the cover and the switch may be independently operated.

9. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and a latch member cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the cover carried member, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed.

10. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and a pivoted pawl cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the cover carried member, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed.

11. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatoiy bar operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and a latch member cooperating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed. a

152. In an enclosed swimh, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, and means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar provided with arecess and operated by said switch operating means, means carried by said cover and cooperating with reciprocatory bar whereby J3 cover cannot be opened until opened, a pivoted p wl so with said recess and controlled means, whereby mally the switch cannot becclosed until the cover is closed.

13. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a latch member cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally-the switch cannot be closed until closed, and means for rendering the interlocking means temporarily meffective whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

14. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking saidswitch and cover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operating means, means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and a pivoted pawl cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, and means for renderin the interlocking means temporarily ine 'ective, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

15. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar operated by said switch operating means, means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be'opened until the switch is opened, and a pivoted pawl cooper ating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, and means for rendering the interlocking means temporarily ineilec tive whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

16. In an enclosed switch, comprising casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar having a recess and operated by said switch operating means, means carried by said cover and cooperating with said reciprocatory bar whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switc'." is opened, and a pivoted pawl cooperating with said recess and. controlled by the cover d means, whereby normally the switch be closed l the cover clonal, i the interlock the cover is means temporarily ineffective whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

17. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means operated by said switch operating means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar and means carried by the cover cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and means for temporarily rendering the interlocking means ineffective comprising a movable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its lateral position relative to the cover operated means, whereby the cover may be opened while the switch is closed.

18. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means operated by saidswitch operating means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar and a finger fastened to the cover and cooperating with said reciprocatory bar,

whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, and means for rendering the interlocking means temporarily ineflective, strap means surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its lateral-position relative to said finger, whereby the cover may be opened while the switch isclosed.

19. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover'comprising a movable member operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a latch member cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, and means for rendering the interlocking means and latch member temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding said movable member and governing its lateral position relative tothe cover operated means and said latch member, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

20. In an enclosed switch, comprising a a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a movable member operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating. therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with said movable member and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed,

comprising a movable and means for rendering the interlocking means and pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding said movable member and governing its lateral position relative to the cover operated means and said pivoted pawl, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

21. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot b opened until the switch isopened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, and means for rendering the interlocking means and pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and govern ing its lateral position relative to cover operated means andsaid-pawl, whereby the cover and' switch may be independently operated. V

22. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking saidswitch and cover comprising a reciprocatory, bar having a recess and operated by i said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating with said reciprocatory bar, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with said recess and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, and means .for rendering the interlockin means and'pivoted pawl temporarily inerfective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its lateral position relative to the cover operated means and said pawl, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated.

23; In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with acover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar operated by said switch operating means and means carried by saidcover and cooperating therewith, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with said reciprocatory bar and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, means for rendering the interlocking means and pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its lateral position relative to said cover operated means and said awl, whereby the cover and switch'may be independently operated, and means for locking said strap member in one position.

24;. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means for interlocking said switch and cover comprising a map rocatory bar having a recess and operated by said switch operating means and means carried by said cover and cooperating with said reciprocatory' bar, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with said recess and controlled by the cover carried means, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, means for rendering the interlocking means and pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a movable strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its lateral position relative to the cover operated means and said pawl, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated, and means for locking said strap member in one position.

25. In an enclosed switch, comprising a casing provided with a cover, means for operating said switch, means torinterlocking said switch and cover comprising a reciprocatory bar having a recess and operated by said switch operating means and a finger fastened to the cover and provided with a shoulder and cooperating with said reciprocatory bar, whereby normally the cover cannot be opened until the switch is opened, a pivoted pawl cooperating with said recess and controlled by said shoulder, whereby normally the switch cannot be closed until the cover is closed, and means for rendering the interlocking meansoand pivoted pawl temporarily ineffective, comprising a mov able strap member surrounding said reciprocatory bar and governing its' lateral. position relative to" the said shoulder and said pawl, whereby the cover and switch may be independently operated, and means for locking said strap member in one position.

26. In combination, a switch, a protective enclosure for such switch provided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, means external of the enclosure for operating the switch, an interlock between the switch and cover preventing opening of the cover while the switch is closed, and an inside lockoff carried by the enclosure whereby the switch may be locked open.

27. In combination, a switch, a protective enclosure for such switch provided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, means external of the enclosure for operating the switch, an interlock between the switch and cover preventing closin of the cover while the switch is open, and an inside lockoff carried by the enclosure whereby the switch may be locked open.

28. In combination, a switch, a protective enclosure for such switch provided with a cover removable to afford access to the switch, means external of the enclosure for operating the switch, an inside stop and lockofi' whereby the switch operating means has normally a limited movement in the open position and whereby the switch operating means may be locked off when moved to extreme open position, and an interlocking mechanism between the switch operating means and the cover whereby operation of the cover and switch in pre-arranged sequence is insured, such interlocking mechanism having provision for movement of the switch operating means to both positions.

29. In combination, a switch, a casing having sides and provided with a cover hinged on one edge and removable to afford access to the switch, a U shaped switch. operating crankpivotally mounted in the sides of the casing, one edge of the cover and one of the sides of the casing carrying means cooperating with one side of the U-shaped crank to stop and to lock oif the crank, the other edge of the cover and side of the-casing carrying an interlocking device cooperating with the other side of the U- shaped crank to insure prearranged sequence of. operation of the cover and crank respectively, and means for normally retaining the cover closed.

30. In combination, a switch, a casing having sides and provided with a cover hinged on one edge and removable to afford access to the switch, a U-shaped switch operating crank pivotally mounted in the sides of the casing, one edge of the cover and: oneof the sides of? the casing carryin means co operating with one side of the shaped crank to stop and to lock off the crank, the other edge of the cover and one side of the casing carrying an inter-locking device co-operating with the other side of the U-shaped crank to insure pie-arranged sequence of operation of the cover and crank respectively, and means for normally retaining the cover closed, said interlocking device being on the edge remote from the hinge.

HARRY S. FREEMAN.

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