US1553314A - Switch-contact bank - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 15, 1925.

H. w. GOFF- SWITCH CONTACT BANK Filed Feb. 28, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 15, I925.

" H. w. GOFF SWITCH CONTACT BANK Filed Feb. 28, 1923 2 Sheets-Shut 2 //7z/e/7/0/: Ham/d I44 Goff Patented Sept, 15 m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD WHEELER GOFF, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

SWITCH-CONTACT BANK.

Application filed February 28, 1923. Serial No. 621,758.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IAROLD W. Gorr, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New York, in the county ofNew York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Contact Banks, of which the following is a' full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements n switch contact banks. More particularly, 1t refers to a grid of wire contacts such as are used in the coordinate switch structure of the type disclosed in Patent 1,517,425 issued to Charles J. He ndrickson et al. on December 2, 1924.

The object of the invention is the production of a grid of wire contacts for a telephone switch which will be simple, reliable, and cheap to manufacture.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a frame and novel fastening means thereon, whereby the contact w1res are positively held against longitudinal movement.

Another featureof this invention is the provision of notched insulating bars by which the cross wires are held in parallel and spaced relation to each other and se cured against lateral movement.

Other features of this invention will appear from the following description and the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 1s a plan and partial sectional view of a coordinate switch showing the improved grid in cross-section taken approximately on line AB of Fig. 4, Fig. 2 is a right-hand side view of the switch shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a partial front view of a set of active and passive contacts showing the camming card in normal non-operated position, Fig. 4 is a front assembly View of said grid, Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective and partial assembly view of the wire fastening device showing a strip of yieldable material and a reenforcing strip partially cut away and Fig. 6 is a perspective and partial view of an insulating weft bar used in the grid shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a coordinate switch structure in which the wire grid shown and described in this specification is particularly adapted for use. The switch structure, generally, comprises a plurality of sets of active contact wires 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, etc., secured 111 rows in supporting members 16,

'etc. A camming card 17 is provided for the cards through engagement with the supportlng springs 19 when conditioned by the operation of the vertical selecting bars 20.

F or each selecting bar 20, there is provided an electromagnet 24 adapted to attract its armature 25 in response to each energization and to rotate the bar 20 to position wherein the cams 21 intercept the normal path of the lifting fingers 23 as shown at 28 in Figs. 1 and 2. For each operating bar 22, there is provided an electromagnet 26 adapted to attract its armature 27 and to rotate the bar in response to each energization. When the operating bar 22 is moved out of its normal position as indicated in Fig. 2, the lifting finger coming in contact with the cam 21 is deviated from its normal path and engages its associated supportlng spring 19 whereby the contact wires 13, 14 and 15, associated therewith are brought into engagement with their asso ciated grid wires 42, 43 and 44.

The wire grid adapted for use in the coordinate switch structure above referred to, comprises preferably a rectangular shaped frame in which the bars 30 and the grid wires 31 are held secured. The grid wires 31 and the insulating bars 30 are interwoven. The bars 30 are disposed at regular intervals across the frame and held thereon by means of strips 32 and 33 which are secured to the frame 29 by means of a number of screws 34, 35, etc.

The bars 30 are preferably made of molded material and the notches 36 are molded therein across its opposite faces as shown in Fig. 6. The notches 36 are provided for locating the grid wires 31 in spaced relation with reference to their associated active contacts 13, 14, 15, as shown in the partial view of Figs. 2 and 3 and to hold them securely in position against lateral movement in order to assure positive contacts when the active contacts are brought into engagement therewith as indicated by the operated set of active contacts shown in Fig. 2.

The fastening portions 37 of grid wires a2, 43, etc. are preferably crimped and are rigidly attached on two opposite sides of the frame, by means of yieldable insulating strips 38 and reenforcing plates 39 securely fastened on the grid frame by means of a number of screws 40. As shown by the enlarged view of Figs. 5 and 6, the crimped ends of the wires are positioned between the yieldable strips and the screws 40 are then tightened to such an extent that indentures similar in shape to that of the crimped portions of the wires are impressed into the yieldabl strips and the grid wires are thereby eiliciently secured against longitudinal movement Should it be desired to replace the grid wires 42, 43, etc. the screws 40 may be loosened to permit for such replacements.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a grid of wire contacts, the combination of a frame, a plurality of contact wires arranged by sets thereon, a plurality of insulating elements attached to said frame with which .said wires are interwoven, curved portions on each of said wires, and means on said frame for detachably engaging the curved portions of said wires to secure them against lengthwise movement on said frame.

2. In a switching device, the combination of a grid comprising a plurality of contact wires having their end portions crimped, notched strips of insulation for locating and supporting said contact wires, a frame therer for, and means for detachal'ily fastening the crimped end portions of said wires on said frame.

3. In a contact bank, the combination of a plurality of contact wires each having its end portion crimped, a plurality of notched elements of insulation with which said wires are interwoven, a frame therefor, and means on said frame for removably engaging the crimped portions of said wires.

4. A grid of contact wires comprising a frame, wires having their end portions crimped and removably embedded in yieldable insulating material reinforced by rigid strips which are attached to said frame whereby said wires are restrained from longitudinal movement, and strips of insulating material woven between said wires and having notches formed therein at the crossing pont-s of said strips and wires whereby said wires are restrained against lateral movement.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of February A. 1)., 1923.

HAROLD lVI-IEELER GOFF.

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