US1625456A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

April 19, 192'17.v 1,625,456

P. K. CRAMBLET SWITCH Filed Aux. 11. 1924 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l s F /JO v 1Q g g il 0 x 5 l5 y E' if-J5 j I /J wm y April 19,1927. v P. K. cRAMBLET swIvTcH Filed Aug. 11. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 70 C Mm @im Tijl `Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL K. CRAMBLET, OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN.

swrrcn'.

Application led August 11, 1924. lSerial No. 731,283.

. of the compression of the air in the closet such complete closure requires a positive movement of the/door into vits closed position.

One object of my invention is to produce a combination lighting Fixture and switch device which is capable of being manufactured and sold as a unit and which1 is lalso capable of easy installation at a relatively small expense.

A further object of my invention is to produce a switch device for the fixture, which is operable by the movement of the door at or near its closed position so as to render possible its operation by merely imparting to the door a swinging movement such that it is substantially though not 'completely closed. L

A'further object is to provide a combination lighting xture of the character indicated which is of a thoroughly practical character capable of being economically manufactured and havin a movable switch operating member permltting kof considerable latitude in the installation of the fixture as well as in the -operation thereof by the door. e p

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lighting fixture, as an article of manufacture, including therein a receptacle for the light bulb, a switch and a source .of electricity, thus providing a uni` tary self contained device adapted for a wide range of application.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, two exemplary embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings herein described somewhat in detail. However, the drawings and the description are not to be construed vas limiting the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed, other constructions and modifications being contemplated, as set forth in the appended claims.

1n the drawings, Figure l is a longitudi- Y nal section of a door and door frame taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, showing thedevice suitably mounted.

Fig. 2 is a section ofthe door frame along the top of the ldoor taken along the line 2- 2 of F ig.:1.

Fig 3 is a view of the interior of the device showing the working parts.

Fig. 4 is a view of the end of the box along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of theV switch along theY line 5--5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a view'of another embodimentof the invention showingy a battery contained within the device. A

Fig. 7 is a vview of the switch of Fig..6 along the line 7-'-7 thereof.

Fig. 8 is a view of the partition between the two compartments taken along the line s-s of Fig. e!

Referring particularly to the drawings, 10.1n`d1cates the top memberof a door frame l.

of which 11 and 12 are the'side members. The door `13 is hinged to the frame member llas shown at 14, the. door'closing tightly against the door-stop 15 whichi is set into the frame.

The fixture comprises, generally, a box or casing 16 which serves as a support for an electric 1am-p or light bulb 17. Where the fixture is intended for closets requiring ^only a low candle power lamp, the size of t-he switch and hence also of the casing may be materially reduced by providing a candelabrum lamp 17 and socket 18 in place ofthe large standard sockets.

The casing 16` is adapted to be mounted on the frame 'by screws passing through holes 19 in the bottom of the casing. The open side of the casing is provided with a cover 20 fastened by means of screws to receiving lugs 2l secured inside the casmg.

One end wall ofI the casing has a shaft 22 therein bearing in a bushing 23 which is made fast in the wall. Inside the casing, clamping fingers 24 and 25 are secured to said shaft 22 and carry a mercury switch 26 therebetween having the contacts 27 and 28- thereof rconnected to flexible coiled wires the bar 33, and the wire 29 is connected to the bar 31. Wires 37 and 38 lead respectively from plates 31 and`32 to the lamp 17. The turning of the shaft 22 thus operates the mercury switch 26 to operate the light.

The shaft 22, externally of the casing, is radially bored to receive a flexibly resilient wire 39, which is held in the shaft by a screw 40 inserted at the end thereof. Inside the casing a radial arm, such as a screw 41, is carried by the shaft 22 to limit the motion of the shaft. A stop 42 is provided in the casing for the purpose of limiting the motion of the radial arm and hence the shaft 22. The stop 42 is provided by bending the end of a metal strip 43 located inside the casing and secured to the end wall. The end of the screw 41 is conveniently bent and is notched at 44 to receive a spring 45 which is otherwise held in the corner of the casing at 46.

In practice, the casing is mounted on the door frame by inserting screws through the holes 19, the cover 2() being removed for this purpose'. The [casing may be mounted at any desired distance from the pivotal line of the hinged door in order to vary the degree of sensltivity of the switch to the.

closing of the door. It\will' be observed that the casing 16 is herein shown as mounted not adjacent to the door, but at aslight` 'distance away therefrom. The end of the resilient arm 39 contacting the door in its closedposition is shown by Fig. 1, the arm being shown. considerably flexed in the 'figure. The flexibility of the 'arm permits that the door be o ened somewhat without operating. the switch. When the device is aplied to clothes closets or other closed chamers, this lfeature is of particular importance since a mere swinging of the door toward its closed position fails to eifect a complete closure thereof, owing to the compression of the air in` the closet, the door, under' such conditions, being nearly but not quite closed. The present device is so arranged that the light will be shut olf when the door is substantially shut, as in the case of the failure to close as above described. In Fig. 1, 13 indicates the position ofL the door in broken lines at the point at which theswitch operates to open the circuit. A-considerable latitude in having the rdoor slightly opened without closing the switch is thus permitted, as represented by the positions 13 and 13. It is clear that the further the device is placed from the hinges 14, the less will be this latitude for an open door. For a greater angle of opening the device will be placed nearer the hinged side of the door.

Another embodiment of my invention is described to show a unitary device embodying a battery as the source of power, thus makin this embodiment a complete outfit adaptale for use in places where an external source of power is not available. Herein I show a larger casing having two compartments therein formed by the partition 51. Thispartition is an insulating plate of bre or the like set in the casing against inturned lugs 52 struck from the casing. Suitable means are provided thereon for contact with the battery. A metal ring 53 and a center contact 54 make connection to a battery 55 .through its binding posts 56 and 57. The casing is provided with a chamber suflicientlydarge to hold any ordinary standard battery, and is further provided with a spring 58 pressin against the end 59 of the casing and the en of the battery 55 to furnish the requisite pressure for electrical contact therewith. The end 59 of the casing is removable and iS secured by, screws 60 to the casing. Suitable brackets 61 are provided in this instance for'mounting the casing.

The operating shaft 62 in the end of the casing is substantially like the shaft 22 hereinabove described. However, in place of lthe mercury switch in the previous embodiment, the low potential of the battery will permit using an open switch as indicated by the flat spring contacts 63 and 64. The end of the shaft 62 has a semi-cylindrical section removed therefrom leaving the diametral face 65. The contact 64 is arranged to lie alongside the face 65 when thev two contacts 63 and 64 are separated, and by turning the shaft, the contact 64 is" moved into position to close the circuit of the switch. Other connections to complete the circuit are shown bly binding posts 66 .and 67 which respective y hold contacts 63 and 64 in mounted position insulated from the casing by fibre members 68. Binding posts 69 and 70 on the partition plate 51 lead to the battery 55. Wires 71, 72 and 73 are then arranged leading respectively from post to post 67, from and from post 66 to the light.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a casing adapted to be secured to a closet door frame, a rock shaft journaled in said casing and having one end projecting from the casing, a mercury switch on said shaft for controlling the flow of current to a lamp, and means adapted to be controlled by the door for actuating said switch comprising an arm of substantial length on the outer end of said shaft and spring means tending to hold said shaft in a position such as to cause the mercury switch to permit the flow of current and also acting to hold said arm projecting bepost 69 to the light,

yond the plane of the forward side of the i rearwardly of the doorv in its closed position, a rock shaft journalled in said casing substantially parallel to the plane of the door opening and having one end projecting from the casing, an electric switch in said casing and operatively associated with said shaft, an arm of substantial length on the outer end of said shaft adapted to extend forwardly of the casing and through the door frame, an electric lamp receptacle controlled by the switch and mounted on said casing, and spring lmeans tending to hold said switch closed and to. hold said arm in its forwardly extendingposition in which the arm is adapted to be engaged by the door to' open the switch when the door is swung into partially closed position.

3.In combination, a switch adapted to be secured to a closet door frame inwardly of the door for controlling the flow of current to a lamp, means adapted to be controlled by `the door for actuating' said switch, said means comprising an arm of substantial length, and spring means tending to hold said arm in switch closing position in which position said .'arm extends forwardly with its free end projecting beyond the outer face of the door frame for engagement and actuation to switch-opening position by the door as the latter approaches its closed position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aliixed my signature.

PAUL K. CRAMBLET.

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