US1621729A - Combination switch - Google Patents

Description

, 1,621,729 March 22 1927 w. KAlsLING COMBINATION SWITCH Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNETED: STAW WILLIAM KAIsLIne, or cIIIcAeo, ILLInoIs. assienon. rro; nnLLeee swImcnncann AND SUPPLY COMPANY, or cIIIcneo, Immers, n. cenno-namen or ILLINo-Isi COMBINTON SVIITCEI.

Application led December 15, 1922;

My invention relates to'.electrical switches in' general, and has 'to do more particularly with switches forV controlling a plurality ot' circuits. The present embodiment of my invention is constructed: more particularly for use in connection with ignition or lighting circuits for automobiles or the like. An object ot my invention is` the provision of a switch of the class described, in which a featureV oft` my invention isthe provision of a lock member which is. pivotally secured to the switch, and which lock member is adapted to lock other movable members of the switch in certain positions against movement.

Another feature of my invention is the manner in which the Contact springs of my switch are secured in place.

A further featureofvmy invention is the provision oi means for holdingl the lock barrel and casing of a'tumbler lock in an operativeV positionin my switch.

Still another feature of my invention is the manner in which the designating plate of my switch is held in place.

Another feature of my invention is the provision ot y rotor contact members and means for rotatably supporting the same in my switch, andA also the provision of actuating melnbers for engaging said rotor mein bers and said supporting means for effecting rotary movement of said rotor members.

Still another feature of my invention is the provision ot spring means ior engaging the rotor Contact members of my switch for effecting a snap action oi said rotor contact members when the same are rotated from one position to another position, 'said spring vmeans also serving to retain the rotor contact members in their diiifer'ent' set positions.

The above features, as well as .other desirable features and advantages not enumerated above` will .be pointed out in the ensuing specification and appended claims.

For a better understanding ot my invention,` reference'inay be had to the accompanying drawings', in lwhich like reference characters the different views denote like parts, and in which- Figui is' a front view of the switch of my invention; I

9' is a right side view of Fig. l, having aportion of the switch out away to show the manner in which the front and back parts of the switch are secured together;

Serial No., 607,045'.

Fig. 3 is a back view of the switchof my invention Fig. 4- is a view along the line 4 4 of 2;y

Fig. 5 is a left vside view` of Fig;` 4, showing the mounting plate and its assembled parts; 'Y

Fig. Gis a right side view off Fig: 4, slinwing' themounting plate and itsassembled parts; Y l

Fig. 7 is a view showing the rotor elements and the locking member for locking said rotor elements inposition'- against rotation, and also showing the spring means for engaging said rotor elements toeiiifect a snap action when the elements are rotated; theA locking' member inthisview being shown in its unlocked position; l

Fig. 8 is a view identical Awith Fig. but showing the looking member of myirrvention in its locked positionto prevent rotation of, the rotor elements; y

Fig. Sis a sectional viewslrowin-g the-construction of the rotor element of my invention supported upon a stud secured in a mounting plate;

Fig. 10 is another sectionalview similiar to Fig. 9, showing a further construction of the rotor element supported upon a stud se-l cured to a mounting plate; l

Fig. 11 is a view showing the rontpart and back part ot my switch in section, and

also showing the rotor element and actuating member for actuating said rotor element secured in said switch; y

' Fig. 12 is a view showing oneof the actuating members of my invention s cured" to the front part of my switch;`

Fig. 13 is a. view showing thetumblejr lock, for controlling the locking member of my invention,v secured in and' between the front and back parts of my switch; and also showing the nieanstor preventing the rotation. of

the casing of the tumbler lock;

Fig. 14 isa viewv showing the construction o'l one o'f the spring contact members ot my invention; i

Fig. 15 is a view ot1 a clamping member which is adapted tol be secured 'to`l themember shown in Fig. lll-g and .F 16 is a view showing the manner' in which the members shown in Figs. M- and l5 are securedl in the back mou'n ing plate of my switch. y 7 I Referring now in general to my inven- Ion tion, it comprises a lighting switch unit L and an ignition switch unit M. The light switch unit L has a normal or ott-position A and five operative positions B, C, D, E and F, which switch unit L, when in these different positions will close circuits to effect the burning of certain lamps of the automobile.

The ignition switch M has a normal or off position G, in which position the ignition apparatus is rendered inoperative, and an operative position H, as will be more fully hereinafter described. I also provide locking mechanism which consists preferably ot a pin-tumbler cylinder type lock T, which controls a pivotally supported loclring plate LP, which is adapted to loclr the lighting and ignition switch units L and M against rotation. The locking mechanism is so arranged that it operates only when the ignition switch unit M is in its normal or ofi position G, and the lightingswitch unit L is in its curb position F, or in its oil or normal position A. l/ihen the ig mtion switch unit M is in its position H, the rotatable lock barrel of t-he lock T can only be turned part way by the key. Now, it the operator attempts to operate the lock T, he is at once aware that the ignition switch unit M is in its opera-tive position or ignition position H, or if the lighting switch unit L is in any of its positions except its oil or curb positions, the key cannot be removed from the tumbler lock T, as will be more clearly pointed out in the ensuing specification.

Referring now more in detail to my invention, I will first describe the manner in which the designating plate 2 and the switch units L and M are secured to the front part oi' my switch.

A cup-shaped mounting plate 1 is provided, in the cup-shaped portion ot which is adapted to fit an escutcheon or designating plate 2 oi suitable material, bearing the names of the different positions to which the switch units L and M may be operated. A transparent member 3 such as glass or the like is provided, and is of a size to ht into the cup-shaped portion of the mounting plate 1 and to engage the escutcheon or designating plate 2, said member 3 being transparent for the purpose of permitting the reading oi' the names borne by the escutcheon plate 2. The transparent member 3 has its peripheral edge 4t. sloping towards the outer partot the cup-shaped member 1 and a ring 5 is provided which is suitably shaped to encircle and engage the sloping peripheral edge l of the transparent member 3, said ring member 5 being adapted to tit in the cup-shaped portion of the. mounting plate 1 and being secured therein by means of lugs or extensions 6 formed integrally with the ring member 5, and which lugs or extensions 6 extend through suitable openings in the mounting plate 1 and then have their ends turned back to prevent the ring memberl 5 from becoming displaced from the mounting plate 1. Thus, it is apparent that the ring member 5 which engages the transparent member 8 will be securely held in the cup-shaped portion of the mounting plate 1. A pair of screw-threaded supporting studs 7 are provided and suitably secured in depressions in the bottom of the cup-shaped portion of mounting plate 1 so as not to interfere with the escutcheon plate 2 and transparent member 3.

The switch levers of the units L and M are constructed and secured in the mounting plate 1 in the same manner so that a description of one will be suilicient. The lever of the switch unit M comprises an L-shaped member 10 whose leg 11 serves as an operating handle for moving the same, the other leg of the L-shaped member 10 is provided with afiange 12, a circular portion 13, a. rectangular portion 14- and a cylindrical end portion 15, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. A ferrule 16 is provided which passes through suitable aligned openings in the transparent member 3, Iescutcheon or designating plat-e 2 and the mounting plate 1, and its end which protrudes slightly beyond the face of the plate 1 is spun over to secure the transparent member 3 and plate 2 to the mounting plate 1 against displacement. The opening in ferrule 16 is of a size to receive the cylindrical portion 13 of the lever 10 and when the lever 10 is in position in the opening of the errule, its flanged portion 12 rests against the ferrule 16. To secure the lever 10 in position in the opening of the ferrule 16 against longitudinal movement but to permit the same to be rotated, I provide a cotter pin 17 which passes through a suitable orifice in the rectangular portion 1li of the lever 10, and whose ends span the spun-over portion of the ferrule 16.

Another ferrule 18 similar to that ot cylindrical member 16 is provided and is secured in suit-able aligned openings, in the plate 1, eseutcheon plate 2 and transparent plate 3 in the same manner as cylindrical member 16 is secured, as described above. The said cylindrical member 18 is provided and adapted to receive one end of the tumH bler lock T, as will be pointed out more in detail in the ensuing specification.

The ferrules 16 and 16 associated with the switching units L and M and the jferrule 18, through which the barrel ot the lock en-v tends, form securing means for the transparent member 3 and plate 2 to the plate 1.

Referring now to the back structure of my invention as illustrated, it comprises preferably a mounting base or plate 2() made of any suitable insulation material,

vtion @am 32 is provided.

suchpas bak-'elite or the like. To the' base or plate 20 is secured a pair of cylindrical members@ or'suppo'rtingwstuds 21 Whose pur4 pose will be pointed out' in the ensuing specification'. Each supporting stud 21 is providedl with a collar' or shoulder 22 integ'ally formed with the said stud 21 near its oneA end, the said one e-nd protruding through' al suitable opening23 in the base or plate 2O until one face ofthe colla-r 22 engages the side of the base or plate 20', said protruding end being then staked over to prevent the removalo'f the supporting stud 21 from its mounted position in the base 20. A pair oi' rotor circuit closing elements l and' K are provided and are adapted to be rotatably supported on the pairv oi' supporting studs 21 and as each' rotor element K and K is constructed in' the same manner and' also rotatably supported on the support? ing. stud 21 inthe same manner, a description of one will suirlce. The rotor element comprises acylindricalmember 24 which is provided with a central opening oit a. size to permit it to be slipped over the stud 21 so that one end of said member 24 will abut against the 'agce otIV the collar 22, the other end- 25 of, said member 24 being enlarged and" extending above the end oit' the stud 21, and Which enlarged end 25 is provided with a transverse slot or groove 26 formed therein, and the purpose of said slot will be pointed out later. The other end of the: cylindrical member 24 has its sides opposite each other shave-'deo' as to fform' flaty faces 27 and also to iorm shoulders 28. An insulation Vwasher 29 havingk an orifice oi2 a size to permit it to be slipped over the body portion 30 of the cylindrical member 24 is provided and' which washer 29 engages the lowerv face ofthe enlarged end portionA 25 ol said member 24. A pair oi cams 31" and 32 which are of Suitable insulation material is provided andwhich cams are provided with orilices oi' a size to permit their being slipped over the body portion 3()v of member 24. A Inetallic cam 33 oi' suitable conducting material is also provided, which' has an orice of a size to permit its being slipped over the portion 30 ot member 24, an'dwhen place rests. between the two insulation cams 31 and 4 A washer 34 ofi suitable insulation material and adapted to tit over the portion 30 of member 24 andV to engage the insu-lae A metallic` spacing washer 35 is provided whose diameter is somewhatV smaller than the diameter ot the cams 31 and 32 and cam and of a thickness so that one face of the Washer 35 becomes -almost flush with the shoulders 28 provided in' the end of the member 24 when the said washer 35 is slipped over the end ot t-he member 24 and into engagement with the washer 35. A holdingmem'ber 36 hav- 'ing its peripheral edge provided with a number" of depressions or teeth is provided,

and' whiolr member 36v has a centraLopen'ing of a size and shape to permit it to bef slipped on tei the `end oi' the member 24 so that. its one tace will engage the shoulders 28V` and the bottom r'tace ol'- the spacing washer 35. The dat faces27 provided in the end. of the member 24-by engaging similar faceszin the central opening of themember 36l prevent the sai'dme'mber from rotating on the said member 24. To' s'eoure the installation cams 31 and32 and metallic` cam 33 in positionl in relation to each other, apa-ir ofpins 37 and 38 are provided which engage suitable oriiiees insafid cams 31 and and cam 33, said pins 37 and 38 being' retained in the said Grill-ces by means odi' adrivo lit. A pin 39 suitably seeured inv the member 36 extends upwardly through an opening in the periphery otthe washer 35 andinto engagement withsuitable openings in the member 34 and cam 32. This pin 39 by engaging openings in the washer 35, member 34and cam 32 will prevent the cams 31, v32 and33, member 34 and washer? 35 from rotating on the member 24,v due tothe tarot that thlesaid pin 39 is secured in the-holding member 36, which member 36y is secured oir the end ot the cylindri'eall member 24l against rotation.

To prevent the holding member 36 and' othermembers secm'edtothe` cylindrical member 24 from being displaced from said member 24, the end oit said member 24- extends sliglrtly beyond the lower faoeof the holding member 36 and isthen staked over.

Assooiatedwitlr the rotor elementy l are Contact springs 41 and 42 oi suitable condubting material secured' in the base 20, and asso'ciatedvvith the-rotor element K are contact springs 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 43,'vvhieh f#re also'secured in the base 20. Springs 41, 4 43, 44, etc., are' similarly construeted and secured tothe base 2() in the same mai-mer, so that bfy describing one of theml the construction and manner of seouiling the safme to the base 1, the eonstruotion and the securement oi the others will be readily apparent.`

The-contact spring is stamped out ofs'ome suitable spring and conducting material and has an angular exten-ding end portion 49, i'vhiehr angular end portion 49 has its sides 50 turned over at right angles to the body portion intermediate said sides 50, said intermediate body portion having an orificel provided therein, and also a' member 52 cut out ot said body portion anditurned over to assume a right angular position relative to said intermediate body portion, said member 52 beingr provided with` an orifice 53, the purpose olf which will be pointed. out later. Thel tree end oi' the 'contact spring is provided With a roundedor curved yend portion 56' which forms a contacting' endfor engaging the noncondu`cting cams 31 and 322 and the metallic cam 33 of the rotor element, as will be pointed out more in detail in the ensuing specification. The base 2() is provided with a slot 54 through which the end portion 49 of the contact spring extends until the angular member 52 is brought into engagement with the face of the base 20. The contact spring' is held in this position by means of a suitable rivet 55 which extends through the orifice 53 in the end of the member 52 and through a suitable opening in the hase 20. The Contact spring when in this position has its tree end provided with the curved end 56 in operative engagement with the cams 31 and 32 or the cam 33 ot the rotor element and is maintained in engagement therewith by the spring tension of said contact spring.

A clamping plate or member 57 of suitable conducting material having its one end t-urned back is adapted to extend into the slot 54 and to engage the inner faces of the turned over sides 50 ot the end portion 49 of the contact spring, the said turned over end of the plate 57 engaging the face of the end portion 49 intermediate the sides 50. The plate 57 has a portion of its body near one of its ends punched outwardly to provide a screw-threaded orifice 58. The clamping plate or member 57 is secured in this position as just described, by means of a screw 59, which extends through the oriiice 51 in the end portion 49 of the contact spring and whichY has screw-threaded engagement with the screw-threaded orilice 58 in the plate 57. A split spring washer 60 is provided and is of a size to lit over the screw-threaded end of the screw 59 and adapted to rest between the head of the screw 59 and the portion 49 of the contact spring, the said spring washer 60 serves to prevent the screw 59 from disengaging the end portion 49 and the member 57, due to the jarring or vibration of the automobile. The clamping plate or member 57 is provided and adapted to clamp a terminal of a current carrying' conductor to the end portion 4,9 of the Contact spring through the medium of the screw 59, whereby con* tactual engagement is obtained between the terminal of the current carrying conductor and the contact spring.

A description of the means for locking the rot-or elements K and K in position against rotation and also the means for etlecting a snap action of the rotor elements when the same are rotated from one position to an other, will now be given.

An angularly shaped locking plate LP having angulariy extended portions or ears and 66 integrally formed therewith and of a size and shape to permit the same to engage the slots 67 and 68 provided in the members 36 of the rotor elements K and K as shown in Fig. 8 when the said rotor elements are in this position, is provided and is pivotally secured on the base 2O and in operative relation with the members 36 by means ot a suitable rivet or pivot pin 69 which extends through a suitable opening in the locking plate LP and through an opening in the mounting plate 20, and then has its end staked over to hold the same in place. lfvlhen the rotor element K is rotated so as to bring the slot 70 in position to receive the ear 66 of locking plate LP and the rotor element K remains in the same position as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the ears 65 and 66 ot the locking plate LP will engage the slots 67 and 70 to lock the rotor elements K and K in position against rotation; but when the rotor element K is moved out of its normal position the locking plate LP cannot be moved to lock the said rotor elements, for in this instance the ear 65 will engage the edge 71 ot member 36 to prevent the movement of said locking plate LP to its locking position. The same is true when the rotor element K is moved to take the slot 68 or slot 70 of the member 36 out ot the path of travel of the ear 66 ot the locking plate LP, for when this condition is present the ear 66 will engage the edge 7 2 ot the member 36 of K to prevent the locking plate LP from moving to its locking position. To limit the amount of rotation of the rotor element K, a pair of teeth 7 3 and 74 integrally formed with the member K are provided and are adapted to engage the ear 66 of plate LP so that when the rotor element K is rotated the tooth 73 or tooth 74, depending on which direction K is rotated, will engage the ear 66 to pre-- -vent the further rotation of K in that direction. A pair of teeth 75 and 76 are provided Jfor the rotor element K and are adapted to engage the ear 65 to prevent the rotation ot' K in the same manner as that described above in respect to rotor element K.

For effecting a snap action of the rotor elements K and K a iiat leaf spring 77 is provided which has its ends curved and adapted to have one of its ends engage and rest between a pair of the teeth 78 or the tooth 73 and its adjacent tooth 78, depending on the position of the rotor element K. The other end of the leaf spring 77 is adapted to engage and rest between the tooth 75 and the tooth 79 of rotor element K or to engage and rest between the tooth 79 and face 80 opposite said tooth 79. The leat spring 77 is held in operative position relative to the rotor `elements K and K by means ot a pin 81 which, is secured to the mounting plate in any suitable manner, said pin 81 having a ring intermediate its ends, which ring engages the face of the mounting plate 2O when the pin 81 is secured to the said plate 20. rlhe pin 81 has its Yfree end enlarged so as to provide a flange 82, and the leaf spring 77 has itsl body portion 83 intermediate its ends arcuate shaped, and is adapted to engage that portion of the pin 81 between the ring engaging the plate 20 andthe flange 82 `o'l said pin 81, the said flange 82 preventing the spring 7 7 from moving vertically on the pin 81. `The pin 81 is secured in the plate 20 at such proximity to the rotor elements K and K that the spring 77 is held i-n its mounted position as shown in Figs. ,7 and 8 by the spring tension ot' said leatl spring 77, due to the tact that the ents .o'l' the `spring 77 engage the members 36 of the rotor elements K and K and the pin 81 engages the backof the spring 77 atits arcuate shaped portion 88.

When the rotor element K or K is r0- tated from one position to another,la snap action of the rotor element is eected in this manner, the end or" the leaf spring 7 7 tassociated therewith will Irideoverthe end of one ot the teeth ,of the member 36 then engaging the end ot said spring,an d when the center ot the curved portion of the end lof said spring 77 has passed beyond theentl of the tooth the rotor element will be forced the resto't the l`way by spring tension until the curved vend .ot the spring 77 engages the next adjoining tooth, whereby the rotor element is held in this position by the spring'77 resting 'between land Aengaging a Vpair of teeth. In forder to roperate the locking plate LP .to lock ,the rotor elements K and K in certain posi-tions against rotation, I provide van ordinary pin tumbler lock T which is secured between ,the front and back parts of my switch in a manner to ,be described later, and at this .time I will describe rhow the pin tumbler lock T controls the movement ot the locking plate LP. A `pin 83 is suitably secured .to the rotatable lock barrel ot the tumbler lock T and is adapted to engage ,an extension 8e of the locking plate LP. When the rotor elementsK and K `are in the paosition asshown in Figs.' ,7 and 8 and the "locking plate LP is to be moved into its locking position to lock ,the rotor elements K and K in position against rotation, the key ,R which engages the lock T .is vrotated Yto Athe right .to cause the vpin 88 to make a complete circle so as to bring it into engagement with the face of extension 84, whereby said pin 88 will move the locking Aplate LP about ,its pivot 69 to cause its ears 65 and E66 .to engage the slots 67 and 68 respectively, and when the said [ears have engaged said slots vas illustrated in Fig. 8, the key may be removed from the tumbler lock T. Should yit be idesired to unlock the rotor elements yK and K, the same may ,be `accomplished by inserting thekey R into the lock yT and turn -it to the left, which will cause the pin 83 to disenv gage the face 85 .ot the .extension 84n and will bring' 'the said pin 83 Vinto engagement with the jr'ace 86 .of the extension 84, whereby the locking plate LP will move about its vpivot pin .69to cause the -flanges 465 and 66 ,to disengage the slots 67 and 68 as illustrated in Fig. 7, which will permit the rotor .elements K and K to be rotated. W hen the rotor e-lement K or K is rotated `out of its normal or locking position, the key R cannot be removed, lfor in this case the ears 65 ,and 66 of LP will engage the faces 71 and 72 of members 86, which will prevent the locking plate' 'from being rotated about its pivot"sutiicient-y ly tar to permit the removal of the key It from the lock T, and when the operator is unable -to remove the key It he will know that the ignition circuit is closed or that the eircuit ot certain lights are closed which should not be closed, and he will cause the operm tion of the rotor elements K or K by operating L or M accordingly to perinit'the removal of the key, which will b e when the ,rotor elements lK or K are in their locking position.

Having de Icriloed the Vconstruot110.11.of the various parts oi my invention and the manner in which some ot them operate, I will now describe the manner in which the -liront and back parts ot' my switch are securedtogether to Vtorni a single operating unit and also the manner in which the tumbler lock T is secured in my switch.

A suitable opening 90 is provided in the mounting plate 2O and is of a size to receive the reduced end 9 1 of the rotatable lock barrel ot the tumbler lock T so as to bring the pin '83 into .operative relation with the extension 84: oi the locking plate LP` The casing 93 ot the tumbler lock Tis provided with a biturcated portion to ornnears 94. An enclosing and separating band ,inember 95, which is made ot suitable metal is provided and is ot' a lsize to fit .on the outer odge of the mounting plate Q0, the said band member 95 having a pair ot inwardly eX.- tending ears 96 and 97 integrally termed therewith and each provided with an orifice, and the enclosing member 95 is also provided with a pin 98 suitably .secured to said mem,- ber 95 and extends inwardly and is adapted to engage and rest between the ears 94E of the casing ,93 ot lock 'l to prevent rotary movement ot said casing 98. The front cupshaped mounting member 1 carrying the studs 7 and operating 'levers of the `switch units L and M is now brought into engagement with the member 95, the cup-,shaped portion ot plate 1 being ot' ya size to just fit into the opening in the band member 95.

The end ot the rotatable lock barrel V91A extends through the opening in the errule 18 until the turned over end of the said meinber 18 engages the end ot the casing 93. The studs 7 extend through the openings in the ears 96 and 97 of the band member95 and protrude through vsuitable orilices in the mounting plate 20. The cylindrical end por-.

tions 15 of the levers of the switch units L and M will engage the central openings in the supporting studs 21, and the rectangular portion 14 of the levers of the said switch units L and M lit into the slots 26 provided in the enlarged ends 25 of the members 2i of the rotor element K and K. The cupshaped mounting plate 1 and the mounting plate 2O having the member 95 interposed are secured together in this assembled position as set out above by means of the nuts 100, which have screw-threaded engagement with the screw-threaded ends of the studs 7. The studs 7 engaging orifices in the ears 96 and 97 of member 95 prevent the said member 95 from rotating. The pin 98 engaging the ears 9a of the casing 93 of lock T prevents the casing 93 from rotating within the switch when the locli barrel 92 is operated,

- and the cylindrical member 18 engaging one end 'of the lock T and the mounting plate 20 engaging the other end of said lock T, the lock T will be clamped in position against displacement.

' The various parts of my switch being assembled in the manner described above, the switch as a unit may be mounted on any suitable mounting member such as the dashboard or cowl of an automobile or the like, the outer portion of the mounting plate 1 outside of the cup-shaped portion of said plate 1 being adapted to rest against the face of the dashboard or cowl, or the like, while the rest of the switch protrudes rearwardly through an opening in the dashboard or cowl. Nhen the switch units L or M are desired to be operated, the operator will insert the key R to operate the locking plate LP to unlock the rotor elements K and K and when unlocked, the operator will move the switch unit L or M to the position he desires, which Will cause the rotor element K or K associated with the switch unit operating to rotate with the said operating switch unit, to bring the contact springs associated with the rotating rotor element into engagement with the insulation cams 31 and 32 or metallic cam 33, or to bring certain contact springs into engagement with cams 31 and 32, while other springs will engage cam 33 to close a desired circuit. The rotation of the rotor element with the operating switch unit is eiected due to the fact that the rectangular portion 111 of the switch unit engages the slot 26 in the enlarged head 25 of the cylindrical member 24 and the cylindrical portion 15 of switch unit engages the central opening in the said member 24, so that when the switch unit is operated, the rotor element will rotate with the rectangular portion let to bring the metallic cam and insulation cams of said rotor element in an operative position relative to their associated contact springs, whereby certain desired circuits will be closed. Now, should the operator attempt to remove the key R while the rotor elements are in their unlocked position, he will be unsuccessful, which will apprise him of this fact, and he will then operate the switch units L or M' accordingly to cause the rotor element associated therewith to assume its locking position, whereupon the operator is enabled to withdraw the key from the tumbler lock T.

While I have described various forms ot my invention, it is to be understood that changes and modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and, therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the enact structure as shown and described, but aim to cover all such changes and modifications as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What l claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. In a switch of the character described including a back mounting plate, a pair of supporting studs secured to said mounting plate, a pair of rotor elements rotatably supported by said pair of studs, said pair of rotor elements provided with transverse slot-s in their one end, a front mounting plate, a pair ot rotatable members rotatably secured in said front plate, said pair of rotatable members having a rectangular portion for engaging the transverse slots in said rotor elements Iso that when said rotatable members are operated the said rotor elements are caused to rotate, and a locking plate pivotally supported on said back mounting plate for locking said rotor elements and rotatable members against rotation.

2. In a switch of the class described including a back mounting plate, a stud mounted thereon, a rotor element having a slot provided in its one end rotatably supported on said stud, a front plate, an operating member rotatably secured in said front plate, said operating member adapted to engage said rotor element and having a portion of its body lshaped to tit into said slot in said rotor element for causing said rotor element to rotate when said operating member is operated, locking means pivotally secur-ed on said back mounting plate and in operative relation with said rotor element for locking said rotor element against rotation, a member for enclosing said rotor element, stud and locking means, and means secured to said front plate for securing said front plate to the said back plate, said enclosing member being interposed between said plates.

3. In a switch of the class described including a back mounting plate, a Isupporting stud having a central opening secured thereto, a circuit closing member rotatably supported on said stud and adapted to rest in diiierent positions, said member having a groove in its one end, a spring member for effecting a snap action of said circuit closing member and for holding the same in any of its resting positions, an actuating member having Iits one end adapted to engage the central opening in -said supporting stud, and also having a portion ot its body shaped to engage th-e Isaid groove in the `end or said circuit closing member so that when said actuating member is actuated the circuit closing member is caused to rotate from one of its positions to another position, and a locking plate pivotally supported on said back mounting plate for locking said circuit closing member against actuation.

4. In a switch of the class described including `a mounting y plate, a hollow stud secured thereto, a rotor actuating member having acentra-l openingior litting over said hollow ls`tud,`fsaid rotor actuating member having a slotted port-ion at its end ente-'nding above Asaid v'hollow stud, an actuating member having its one end adapted to engage V.said hollow stud and also having a portion of its-body adjacent to its said one end shaped to iit into theslot of said rotor actuating member V`whereby said actuating member is caused to rotate when said actuating member is actuated, and contact springs operatively associated with said rotor actuating member for closing circuits through said rotor actuating member.

5. In a switch of the class described including a mounting plate, a hollow stud secured thereon, a rotor element having a central opening 'tor receiving said hollow stud, said rotor element provided with a slot in its one end, a plurality of contact springs secured to said mounting plate in operative engagement with said rotor element, and adapted to close circuits through said rotor element, an actuating member adapted to engage said hollow stud and to also engage the slot in said rotor element whereby said rotor element and said actuating member operate as a unit, and locking means pivotally secured to said mounting plate Jfor locking said unit against actuation.

6. In a switch of the class described including a back mounting plate, a plurality of contact springs secured thereto, a rotor element rotatably .supported on said mounting plate and adapted to assume different positions to close circuits through said contact springs, a cup-shaped front mounting plate, a designating plate, for designating the position assumed by said rotor element, adapted to tit into said cup-shaped mounting plate, a transparent plate for fitting into said cup-shaped mounting plate to engage said designating plate, said plates being provided with openings, and cylindrical members for engaging said openings and having their ends turned over to secure said plates together as a unit.

7. In a switch oi the class described in clnding a back mounting plate, circuit closing elements rotatably supported on said mounting plate, a locking member pivotally supported 2in said vmounting plate tor flocking said circuit closing elements against. rotation, :a iront plate for said switch having actuating members rotatably secured therein tor Iactuating said circuit closing elements, a cylindrical member for enclosing said elements, means tor securing said tron-t plate to said back moruiting plate with said cylindric'ail member interposed to separate :said front plate rfrom .said mounting plate, a tuur bler lock for controlling said locking mehr ber secured in openings in said trent plat-e and mounting plate against endwise movenient, and means secured in said cylindrical member rfor engaging said tumbler lockt'o hold said lock 'in position against rotation.

8. In a switch of the class described 1including a b IlY mounting plate and a `front mounting plate, circuit closing elements ro# taably supported on said back mounting pla-te, a @locking member rotatably Supportaci onsaid back mountingplate for locking said elements against actuation, a member Vfor enclosing said elements and said locking member clamped between said front and back mounting plates, a tumbler lock for controlling said locking member having its one end engaging an opening in said back mounting plate and its other end engaging an opening in .said iront mounting plate whereby said lock is secured between said mounting plates against endwise movement, and a pin secured in said enclosing member for engaging said tumbler lock to prevent rotation of the casing of said lock.

9. In a switch or the character described including a back mounting plate provided with an orifice, circuit controlling elements rotatably supported on said mounting plate, locking means rotatably supported on said mounting plate for locking said elements in certain positions against rotation, a front mounting plate-tor said switch provided with an opening, a cylindrical member clamped between said tront and back mounting plates, a lockk for controlling said locking means, said lock comprising a casing and a rotatable lock barrel, one end of said rotatable lock barrel engaging the orifice in said back plate and its other end engaging the opening in said front plate, whereby said lock is secured between said mounting plates against endwise movement, and a pin secured in said cylindrical'member for lengaging said casing to prevent the rotation of said casing when said lock barrel is rotated.

l0. In a device ot the character described including a front and back mounting plate, each provided with an opening, a rotor element rotatably l supported between said mounting plates, a rotatable locking member tor locking said rotor element against rotation, a lock for controlling said locking member, said lock comprising a casing and a rotat-able lock barrel, the ends of said lock barrel rotatably engaging the openings in said mounting plates whereby said lock is supported in and secured between said mounting plates against displacement, and a pin for engaging said lock casing to prevent rotation of said casing when said lock barrel is rotated.

l1. In a device ofthe class described including a mounting plate, a pair of rotor elements rotatably supported thereon and adapted to be rotated and rest in different positions, a leaf spring having its end portions shaped to engage said rotor elements to hold the saine in their resting positions and to give a snap action to said rotor elements when said elements are rotated, said leaf' spring having an arcuate shaped body portion intermediate its ends, and a pin secured to said mounting plate for engaging said arcuate shaped portion to effect spring tension of said spring whereby said spring is maintained in operative engagement with said rotor elements.

12. In a device of the class described 1ncluding a mounting plate, rotor elements rotatably supported thereon and adapted to rest in di'erent positions, a leaf spring having is ends engaging said rotor elements to hold said elements in their resting positions, and a pin secured to said plate for securing said spring in operative relation with said rotor elements.

13. In a device of the class described including a mounting plate, rotor elements rotatably supporied thereon, a spring for holding said elements in position, a pin for securing said spring in operative relation With said rotor elements, means integrally formed with said spring to engage said pin to prevent endwise movement of said spring, and means integrally formed With said pin to prevent vertical movement of said sprinO.

Signed by me at- Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 13th day of December, 1922.

W'ILLIAM KAISLING.

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