US1427312A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

"ETIITII/ LIER ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAY I2| I9I7.

Patented Aug. 29, 1922.

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'untreu sTAiEs PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E. MILLER, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A SSIGNOR T0 EETROIT STOVE WORKS 2 OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORYORATION OF MICHIGAN.

" ELECTRIC SWITGH.

Application le'd May 12,

mechanical movement therefor.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide an improved and simplified switch and operating mechanism of the snap-switch type; to so construct and arrange theparts that the switch can be operated-by turning the knob or handle in either direction, and preferably, to a plurality of different pos1- tions of adjustment when operated ineither direction; to provide an'improved construction in which a handle of the type such as used on gas stoves can be employed; to pro- Y plate in a vdifferent position of adjustment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view looking` vide an improved and simplified mechanical movement for automatically locking the switch in its various positions of adjustment; and in general to provide animproved and simplified switch and operating mechanism therefor of the characterabove referred to. l

In the drawings: I j

Figure l is a vertical ysectional view through an electric switch embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing thecam upward on a part of the mechanism;

Figure 5 is a perspective .view of thestop plate;

.Figure 6 is a view similarto Figure 3 showing the cam plate in still another position of adjustment.

Describing in detall the construction vshown in the'drawings, A designates the base of the switch, .which base isl preferably formed of hard rubber or other-suitable insulating material. vThis base is recessed at B to receive a part of the` locking mechanism,\leavng a 'circularange C to which there is secured at various points the contact members D. The latter are provided with one or more arms D and D2 with which Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug- 29, 1922 1917. Serial No. 168,155.

there cooperate the movable contacts E and E There are, 1n the particular construetion shown, two sets of these movable contacts E and E which are formed on plates the metal plate L. This plate is fixed to the bushing member H, which is loosely sleeved upon the operating shaft M.' The latter at its upper or outer end is provided with an operating handle M, while near its other end it is provided with a flat surface lVI2 over which there is slidably mounted a plate N spaced from the plate L by means of a spacing Washer or bushing N. Surrounding the bushing N is a coil spring O having its opposite ends O" and O2 extending upon opposite sides of a downwardly-projecting lug Ls on the plate L." An upwardly-extending lug N2 preferably formed integral with the plate N also extends between the ends 0 and 02. The under side of the plate N has a pin N"8 extending into a slot Q in the stop plate Q, whereby the rotation ofsaid plate and hence l of the stem M is limited by contact of sai pin with the ends of said slot.

v 'As shown in Figure 5, this stop plate, in addition to the curved slot Q', hasa plurality of stops Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q5 positioned at various` points near its periphery. These stops form the part of the locking mechanism by which the switch is held in its vari- `ouslpositions of adjustment and cooperate with lugs R and R on the cam plates Rg and R3 respectively.

As shown in Figure 6 these lugs on the cam plates have shoulder portions R4 and R5 whichengage opposite sides of the stationary stops whenever the ends of the spring- O are not under tension. These plates are each provided with elongated slots S through which the shaft M extends and at their rear ends with grooves vor recesses S and S2 intol which the ,lug L3 projects. Near their opposite ends 'the cam plates R2 and R3 are provided with-slots V and V which have %ppositely positioned enlargements V2' and The operation of the switch and locking mechanism above described is as follows: Assuming that the handle is rotated in a clockwise direction from the position shown` in-Figure 2, it will carry with it the plate N and as the projection N2 extends between the ends of the spring O, it will spread apart these ends and thus tension the spring upon the initial movement. The continued movement of the handle, vshaft and plate will -then, through the actionof the pin N3 in thev slot V, first withdraw the plate R2 and then the plate R3. As soon as the plate Ra is drawn to a position where its shoulder R5 is out of engagement with the stop Q3,

after the handle is rotated. As the rriovable contacts E and E are secured -to rotate with the plate` L the switch will be thus snapped from one position to another, and it is obvious that owing to the reversed relation of the slots in the cani plates'it is immaterialin which direction the switch is rotated. Also the construction is one which can be used on electric ranges or ovens and permits the employment of a handle such as is ordinarily used in turning on a gas burner.

able about the axis of said stem, corresponding stationary contacts carried by said base and successively engageablevby the rotative contacts, a plate stationary upon the ase having stops thereon corresponding to the stationary contacts, mechanism selectively engageable with saidstops for holding the rotative contacts in their various positions, said mechanism being releasable by said stein, a spring for actuating a snap movement of a rotative contact 'in either direction stressed b initial rotation of the stem prior to releasing of the locking mechanism, and a pin rotatively actuable by the stem engaging in a slot of the vstop-carr fin plate to limit rotation of the stem 1n eit er direction.

2; In. an electric switch, the combination with a base, of la stern rotatively carried by said base, a plurality of contacts rotatable about the axis of the stem. corresponding contacts stationary upon thevbase and engageable by the rotative contacts, a spring for actuating a-snap movement of the rotative contacts in either direction stressed by initial rotation of the stem, a locking mechanism comprising a series of stops corresponding to the several circuit closing po;

sitions of the rotative contacts, and a pairl of camplates respectively having shoulders for engagement at opposite sides of one of.'

said stops, and connected to said rotative contacts, a means actuable by rotation of said switch, subsequent to stressing of said spring, to successively withdraw said` cam plates from the engaged stop, and thereby permit actuation of the rotative contacts by the spring. n 3. in an electric switch, the combination with a base, of a stem rotatively carried by said base, `-a plurality of contacts rotatable about the axis of the stem, corresponding contacts stationary upon the base and engageable by the rotative contacts, a spring for actuating a snap movement of the rotative contacts in either direction stressed by initial rotation of the stem, a locking mechanism comprising a series of stops corre-l sponding to the several circuit closing positions of the rotative contacts, and a pair of cam plates respectively having shoulders for engagement at opposite. sides of one of said stops, and connected to said rotative contacts, said plates respectively having cam slots, and a pin rotative with the stem engaging in the slots of both of said plates, for withdrawing said plates from the engaged stop subsequent to stressing of said spring and thereby permitting actuation of the rotative contacts by the spring.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa-- ture in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT H. ,MILLER Witnesses:

ARTHUR D. PULVER, FRANK G. WELBON.

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