US1514324A - Push-button-switch construction - Google Patents

Description

- mm 1a K. KNUDSEN PUSH BUTTON SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 31. 1923' Nov. 4 1924- 2 INVENTOR RMATW ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

an STATES PATENT OFFICE.

xnnn KNonsEN, or DANBURY, co-nnncrrco'r.

rnsn-eurron-swrron oonstrnocrron.

Application filed August 31, 1923. Serial No, 660,276.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KNUD KNUDSEN, a subject of the King of Denmark, and a resident of Danbury, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Push-BLitton-Switch Constructions, of which the following is a specifioation.

This invention relates switch construction.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple. practical and compact multiple push button switch construction. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature that will be of inexpensive manufacture and one that will lend tself readily to manufacture on a large quantity scale. Another object is to provide a construction of the above type that will be readily and conveniently assembled or disassembled, either in course of manufacture or in practical use and at the same time will be well adapted to meet the conditions of hard, practical use. Another object is to provide a multiple push button switch construction of reliable and dependable action and to provide also a compact, rugged and practical casing construction for push button switches of this type. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elc ments and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawing, in which are shown several of the various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view,

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly in central vertical section, and

Figure 3 is a bottom view of a multiple type push button switch, illustratively shown as embodying two circuit controlling devices.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view of a device carrying connecting mechanism and adaptedto be used in connection with the structureshown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 4 is a plan View, partly broken away to show certain features of construe tion more clearly;

to push button Figure 5 is afront elevation partly in central vertical section, and

Figure 6 is a bottom view of a modified form of multiple push button switch const-ruction particularly adapted for, and illustratively shown in connection with a multiple switch construction embodying two circuit controlling device's.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing. I

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown at 10 a base plate preferably of-sheet metal construction and illustrativelyshown in rectangular shape. The baseplate 10 may be beveled throughout its periphery as at 11 so as to merge into the face of the wall against which the base plate 10 may be secured, suitable openings 12'being provided therein forthis latterpurposei The base plate 10 is provided with a plurality of' aligned openings, illustratively shown as two in number, and in general of a ,circularshape, as at 13 and 14, and each overlapping the other so as to be intercon-v nected one with the other as atzl5. The plu-.

rality of interconnected openings in the base plate 10 may conveniently be formed therein as by stamping, for example. I I

Positioned upon the'base plate 10 and preferably made as a unit separable therefrom, is a casing member generally indi cated at 16, formed of sheet metal, and shaped to provide a plurality of overlapping domes or dome-shaped chambers illus tratively shown at 17 and 18 as two in number. As is clearly shown in both Figures 1 and 2, adjacent domes intersect one another as at 19 so as-to provide within the casing a passage 20 between adjacent domes and forming a communication therebetween. The casing member 16 may be formed into the plurality of domes out of sheet metal as by stamping,gthus to provide a rigid and compact series of interi'orly interconnected domes orshells. l r

The casing member 16is-m'ounted upon the base plate 10 as by a plurality of cars 21 formedintegrally with the casipg suitably bent :over as shown in igures 2 and 3 after "being passed through suitable openings in the base plate 10.- vWhen so re lated to thebase plate 10, the lower open ends of the intercommunie'atm'g and 17 are placedv in substantial registry 17 and domes 16 with the interconnecting openings 14 and 13 respectiyely in the base plate 10. The openings in the base plate 10, however, are of lesser expanse than the lower open ends of the chamber forming domes not the casing 16, so that the metal of the base plate 10 projects inwardly into the chambers within the domes and thus provides a pair of oppositely disposed supportingflanges 21 and 22 associated with the-interior of the dome 17 and a pairof oppositely disposed supporting flanges 23 and 24 associated with the dome 18.

7 As 'isclearlyshown in Figure 2, each of the plurality of domes; is providedwith an aperture at its upper end, through which projects a pushbutton 25 suitablyflanged as at25 to limit its upward or outward movement with respect to its associated dome.

{Each push button 25 is adapted to coact with the switching mechanism housed within the casing 16.

The switching mechanism preferably includesa plate or bar member 26 of insulating material, such as; fibre, for example, and has threaded thereinto a pair of screws 27 and ,28 (see Figure 3") adapted at their inner ends to coact with a spring circuit closing member,=29 .Iandada-pted at their outer or headed ends to secure in position the conductors 30 of. the circuit adapted to be controlled. I I

The plate member26 is in general or a rectangular shape, but has its ends preterably slightlycurved as is indicated more clearly in-Figure 8. The spring member 29 is made of {a flat spring material and is interlocked with the member 26, the latter being provided with an opening 26 through-which the spring member 29 passes in a downward direction and is thence bent upwardly or loopedas at 29 the member 26 being cut away as at26 and permitting the spring member'29 to pass upwardly and into overlapping relationwith respect to the contact members 27 and 28.

There is provided onesuch connecting mechanism as shown in'FigureS and as here inabove described for each chamber or dome into which the casing 16 is formed, The member 26 with its associated mechanismis adapted to be mountedwithin one of the domes ,andto be supported upon the oppositely disposed-flanges 21 and 22 hereinbefore described. In order to positionthe member 26-upon the oppositely disposed flanges 21 and 22, the member 26 is first positioned as shown mthe broken line in Figure 3 at 26",

with the lefthand end inserted into the dome 17 and wellfwithin the plane of the basetheneorf; :The right hand end of the member 2-;6is thereupon swung inwardly and also within the planelof the base of the dome 1-7,;it being noted that the connecting space between adjacent openings, as 13 and 14, in

the base member 10, as well as the interconnecting space 20 between adjacent domes, as 17 and 18, permit the right hand end to be carried beyond the plane of the flanges 21 and The member 26 may thereupon be rotated so as to carry its respective ends into supporting position upon the flanges 21 and 22, as shown in full lines in both Figures 2 and 3.

When thus positioned within a dome, as the dome 17, the spring member 29 acts not only to hold thepush button 25 in its uppermost positiombut also acts to hold the member 26 in frictional engagement with the supporting flanges 21 and 22, and to substantially prevent a rotation of the member 26 with respect thereto. Another member 26 with like connecting mechanism may thereupon be inserted into another dome, as the adjacent dome 18. It will be noted that the interconnecting space 20 between the interiors of the adjacent domes permits the insertion into each dome of the member 26 carrying the switching mechanism and into such a position that, upon a subsequent rotation of the switch carrying device, the latter is swung onto the oppositely disposed flanges 21 and 22. for example, of the dome. The series of adjacent domes, intersecting one another,

thus not only provide a very rigid and compact mechanical structure, but also inherently provide the requisite gap or space by means of which the switch carrying member may bepositioned beyond the plane of the oppositely disposed flanges and for subsequent rotation thereof into supporting position upon the supporting flanges.

Referring now to Figures l, 5 and 6, it will be seen that there is provided a casing 16 providing two intersecting domes 17 and 18, intersecting at 19 to provide the inter-communicating gap or space 20 as hereinbefore described. Each dome carries a suitablepush button 25. The base plate 10, however, is provided with two inter-connecting or overlapping apertures 13 and 14, each of irregular shape as is clearly shown in Figures 4-. and 6, so as to provide two oppositelv disposed supporting flanges 21 and 22% one for each dome or chamber 17 and 18 respectively.

A single member 30, preferably of elongated rectangular shape and preferably of insulating material carries two switching mech anisms, generally indicated at 31 and 320m on each half of the member 30 and one for each dome or chamber 17 and 1:8 respectively. These switching mechanisms are in general of the same nature as to their details as the single mechanism herei'nbefore described in connection with Figure 8 In order to position the switching mechanisms into coactive relation to their respective push buttons 25, themember 30 is first given the position indicated at 30 in Figure (-3 in broken lines. When. so positioned out of range of. the oppositely disposed'flanges 21 and 22, ed mechanisms may be carried inwardly within the casing 16, it being noted thatthe inter-connecting space :20 between the interiors of the two chambers or domes l7 and 18 permits the inward movement of the member 30 beyond the planerof the flanges of 21 and 22 to take place. The member 30 is thereupon rotated into the full line position shown in Figure 6, whereupon/its respective ends are carried upon the supporting flanges 21 and 22 The spring mem bers of each switching mechanisn'iact not only to hold the respective push buttons 25 in uppermost position, but also to holdthe member 30 in frictional engagement with the flanges 21 and 22 for ultimate manual operation of the mechanisms by the push buttons 25. H v

As hereinbefore noted, the structure shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is well adapted principally for use in connection with multiple push button constructions where the switching mechanisms to be manuallyloperated, are two in number. There only two such mechanisms are employed as illustratively shown in connection with the modification of'lligures 1, 2 and 3, and in the modification of Figures 4, 5 and 6, I prefer to provide in the base plate 10' (see Figure at) a substantially rectangularly shaped depressed panel 33 at one end thereof and a like depressed panel portion 34- at the opposite end thereof. In each of these paneled portions 33 and 34 suitable name plates or identification data may be mounted for identifying the respective push button switches 17 and 18. When mounted onthe face of a wall, the base plate 10 of Figure 4 is prefer-' ably so positioned that. the domes 1'? and 18 are in vertical alignment with one another whence it will readily be seen that confusion is readily avoided as to which of the identifying panels refers to which dome.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a. multiple push button switch construction of simple, compact and practical arrangement and one in which the several objects hereinbefore noted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. The overlapping or intersecting domes, preferably integrally formed with one another as illustratively shown in connection with two intersecting domes, form not only a very rigid mechanical structure, but also advantageously provide the requisite intervening space or gap between adjacent domes through which the switch mechanism carrying member may be inserted within the casing formed by the domes. Moreover, it will be seen that the parts may be readily assembled, and that the switching mechanisms the member 30 with its associat' beyond the ma be readil taken out of the casiin when necessary either for the connection thereto of the conductors or for purposes of'repair or replacement of parts. Moreover, also it willbe seen that the entire mechanism may be readily mounted in position on a wall and without interference with, or independently of the switch carrying members themselves, an advantage of material importance in practical. use.

I A, various possible embodiments "may be madeof the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment mg projecting therethrough a." manually controlledswitch actuating member, a pair of oppositely disposed flange portions each inwardly directed and adjacent the plane of the base of said casing, and means carrying connecting mechanism adapted to be sup i ported upon said oppositely disposed flange portions for presenting sa1d1sw1tch mechanism for actuation by said manually con-- trolled members, said chambers having an" inter-communicating passage through which said means may be inserted into saidcasing plane of said flange portions and by rotation thereof relative to said casing to be swunginto supporting position. upon said oppositely disposed flange portions.

2. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, a casing formed to provide a plurality of chambers, each having projecting therethrough a manually controlled switch actuating,meml'ier, a pair of oppositely disposedflange portions associated with each chamber and each'inwardly directed, and a plurality of members-each carrying connecting mechanism and each adapted to be supported upon the oppositely disposed flange portions of a chamberfor coaction with one of said manually controlled members,.said chambers havingan inter-communicating passage adapted to permit the insertion therethrough of a carrying member into one of said chambers and i by a rotative movement thereof relative to said casing to be swung into position upon said oppositely disposed flange portions.

, 3. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, a casing formed to provide a plurality of chambers, each having projecting therethrough a manually con trolled switch actuating member, a pair of oppositely disposed flange portions each inwardly directed and adjacent the plane of the base of said casing, and means carrying connecting mecl'ianism adapted to be supported uponsaid oppositely disposed flange portions for presenting said switch mechanism for actuation by said manually con-e trolled members, said chambers having an intercommunicating passage through which said means may be inserted into said casing beyond the plane of said flange portions and by rotation thereof relative to said casing to be swung into supporting position upon said oppositely disposed flange portions, and means independent of said last mentioned means for securing said casing to a wall.

4. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, a base plate adapted to be secured to the face of a wall and having a plurality of interconnecting openings therein, a casing formed tov provide a plurality of chambers interiorly connected by an intercommunicating passage, said casing being associated with said base plate so that the chambers thereof are in substantial registry with the openings in said base plate, and a plurality of members, each carrying connecting'mechanism and each adapted to "be supported upon oppositely disposed portions of said base plate formed by each opening therein, said intercommunicating passage between said chambers permitting an insertion of one of said parts beyond the plane of said base plate and into a chamber, and by a rotative movement thereof relative to said casing to be swung into position upon said oppositely disposed portions of said base plate. I

5. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, a sheet metal casing shaped to provide a plurality of adjacent substantially dome shaped chambers, adjacent chambers intersecting one another to provide an intercommunicating passage therebetween, means carrying connecting mechanism, and supporting means for said last mentioned means associated with said casing and arranged relative to said passage to permit the insertion into said casing of said carrying means only through said passage.

6. In construction for push buttons and the like,in combination, a sheet metal casing shaped to provide a plurality of adja cent substantially dome shaped chambers,

adjacent chambers intersecting one another ported upon said oppositely disposed flange-- portions for presenting said switch mechanism for actuatlon by said manually controlled members, said chambers having an intercommunicating passage through which said means may be inserted into said casing beyond the plane of said flange portions and by rotation thereof relat ve to said casing to be swung mto supporting positlon upon said oppositely disposed flange portions, and

means for holding said carrying means in position upon said oppositely, disposed flange portions. v

8. In construction for push" buttons and the like, in combination, a base platev having associated therewith a-plurality of individual chambers intersecting one another, and each chamber having projecting'therethrougha manually operable switclractuating member, a switching mechanism for each chamber and means mounting said switching mechanisms for actuation each by one of said manually operable members,

9. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, a sheet metal cas-v ing shaped to provide: a plurality of adjacent, overlapping and substantially domeshaped chambers, a push button projecting through each chamber, a switching mechanism for each chamber, and'means mounting said switching mechanisms relative to said casing for actuation each by one of said push buttons.

In test mony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 28th day of August, 1923.

KNUD KNUD SEN

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