US1536442A - Electric-switch clip - Google Patents

Description

H. E. LEPPERT ELECTRIC SWITCH CLIP May 5, 1925.

Filed Nov. 27, 1923 Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY E. LEPPERT, on NEW remain. CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 'ro THE TRUMBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTUBING' COMPANY, or PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A Con:

PORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC-SWITCH CLIP.

Application filed November To all 1071 0771 it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. Lnrrnwr; a citizen of the United States of Americi, residing at New Britain. Hartford County, Connecticut, have invented a new and use- 'ful Electric-Switch Clip, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to what is commonly termed a clip for akni-i'e blade switch and the method and process ofinalting the same. In this type of construction there is commonly employed a base plate having two jaw members between which the knife blade is adapted to move. The same construction is used both. for the pivoted or hinged end of the blade and for what is commonly termed the contact for the blade: It has been customary to solder or braze these jaw members to the baseplate. The soldering or brazing operation is not only expensive when properly done but is not entirely satisfactory since it is likely to leave excess metal which must be carefully removed from the clips before they are mounted on the base. Also solderedclips sometimes become loosened in caserthe switch is operated frequently or carelessly or in case the clips are overheated through an excessive electrical current.

The main object of my invention is to properly secure the "parts togeth-erpat a minimum expense. Another object is to provide a construction in which the parts are rigidly and pern'lanently secured together without the use oi solder or brazing material or separate rivets or fastening devices.

In carrying out my invention the blades are assembled in slots in the base plate and united by an upsetting or expanding action. An opening is provided through the base plate and between the blades for an anchor age screw.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the clip made according to my inventiomthe section being taken on the plane of the line 11 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the plane of the line 2--2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembled clip.

27, 1923. Serial No. 677,246.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the parts before assembly.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the clip .in the assembling dies.

Fig. is a side view of a forming punch.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ends of the jaw members. a o

The base plate 6 and jaws 7 are usually formed of copper or alloy of high copper content.

The base plate is provided with two slots 8 adapted to receive the ends9 of the aws. The jaws are notched at their bottom ends to provide shoulders 1(l10 on opposite edges. The ends 9 are designed to tit in the slots 8 and the shoulders 10 abut against the upper surfaces of the plate 6. The" plate 6 is also provided with a slot 11 Which connects the slots 8--8 and leaves projecting tongues 12-12.

hen the jaws are assembled in the plate they are inserted in a suitable die 13 where they are properly supported. A punch member 14 is then forced into the opening 11 bet-ween the jaw extensions 9-9 and the plate or tongues extensions 12-12.

The punch is provided with a leader portion 145, a shoulder 16 and lateral shoulders 16 and the lateral shoulders are further provided. with notch-forming projections 14.

The single operation 0? forcing this punch through the parts in this manner produces severalv'ery useful results as follows:

First: The leader portion oil the punch forces the plate extensions 9-9 outwardly into intimate contact with the adjacent metal of the base block to form a permanently fixed and reliable electrical joint.

Second: In its continued movement the leader forms grooves 1515 in the plates 9 9 to receive a tap Without further preparation.

Third: The lateral shoulders 16 of the punch swage or spread out the tongues 12'12 of the base plate between the extensions 9-9 of the clips so as to entirely close up the opening and make a positive electrical connection as well as to further secure the parts together.

Fourth: The shoulder 16 of the punch heads over the central portion of the clip extensions and countersinks the edge of the tap hole which countersink greatly assists in entering a tap and also completely obviates the necessity of removing any burrs after the tapping operation is completed.

Fifth: The forcing of the blunt leader portion of the punch into the metal in this manner hardens the adjacent metal so that it can be more easily tapped than regular commercial stock.

Sixth: In the final operating position, the notch forming projections 14 of the punch throw out the projections 19-19 into the adjacent metal of the base plate to prevent loosening of the clip plates through a rocking motion of the clips.

Throwing out the projections 1919 in this manner also draws the shoulders 10l0 of the clip plate into positive engagement with the surface of the base plate thus making a perfect mechanical and electrical connection.

From the preceding it is clear that the single assembling operation secures the parts rigidly together, closes up the slot opening to make a practical and dependable electrical joint, forms a tapping recess and countersinks the tapping recess thus completing an assembled switch clip without the use of solder, pins or further operations.

After the parts have thus been assembled they may be provided with screw threads 20 which cut into the edges of the projections 12-12 and into the inner faces of the jaws.

It will also be seen that the clips and the base are secured together as a unit solely by means of expanding and upsetting integral portions of the respective members which entirely avoids the necessity for using pins, rivets or other fastening means.

I claim:

1. The method of forming a. solderless switch clip which comprises assembling the ends of two jaws in a base plate between spaced tongues and then forming grooves in the adjacent faces of the jaws and expanding the jaw ends in said plate and spreading the tongues against the jaws in order to hold the parts together.

2. The method of forming a solderless switch clip which comprises inserting shouldered jaws into a slotted base plate, then forming grooves in the adjacent faces of the jaws and spreading the jaws in the base plate and staking the ends of the jaws at the back of the base plate.

3. The method of forming a solderless switch clip which comprises inserting jaws into spaced slots in a base plate, forcing a punch through said base plate and between the jaws and drawing the metal to form grooves between the jaws, and then screw threading the walls of the grooves.

4. The method of forming a switch clip which comprises inserting jaws into spaced slots in a base plate, forcing a punch through said base plate and between the jaws and drawing the metal to form grooves between the jaws, upsetting part of the end of each jaw to rivet the parts together, and then screw threading the walls of the grooves.

5. A solderless switch clip including a baseplate having slots and tongues between the slots and jaw plates inserted in said slots and expanded therein, the said jaw plates having integral portions upset adjacent the said slots to secure the said plates in position and said tongues being spread to grip said jaw plates.

6. A solderless switch clip including a base plate having slots therein and jaw plates in said slots, the said jaw plates being expanded in said slots to electrically and mechanically bond the said base plate and said jaw plates.

7. A switch clip including a base plate having slots and jaw plates in said slots, the metal of the respective members being expanded with respect to the complementary members to permanently secure the members together as a unit.

HENRY E. LEPPERT.

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