US1699392A - Electric-switch attachment - Google Patents

Description

C. G. FISHER ELECTRIC SWITCH ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 30, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR fi m 0. Ma-

A TTORNEY Jan." 15, 1929.

C. G. FISHER ELECTRIC SWITCH ATTACHMENT Filed Sept. 30, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 CARL 611 /8/15 INVENTOR A TTORNEY Jan; 15,1929.

c. s. FISHER ELECTRIC SWITCH ATTACHIENI and Sept. 30, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 CARL G. ilS/IER INVENTOR 7%. f- Mn...

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

CARL G. FISHER, OF PORT W'ASHINGTGN,

series.

IIE'LV YG AEPBIGIJQR OF ONE-THIRD TO THOMAS XV. MILTON, OF PGRT XVASHINGTQZI, NEX -f YORK, AND ONE-THIRD TO JOHN P. NIKONOW, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIG-S'WITGH ATTACHHIENT.

Application filed September 30, 19554.

My invention relates to electric switch attachments and has a particular reference to switches controlling electric lights, ignition, signalling apparatus, etc. on moving vehicles, such as automobiles and the like.

The object of my invention is to provide an electric switch attachment directly on a steering wheel so that the driver could operate these switches with his fingers without losing or changing his grip of the wheel.

I am aware that switches have been invented for mounting on top of the steering column, but such switches do not move with the wheel and, consequently, can not be operated with the same hand with which the wheel is being turned; while with my switch attachment the drivercan use both his hands for operating the wheel, using at the same time one of his fingers to operate any of the switches,-for instance, to dim the headlights or to press the horn button.

In order to maintain an uninterrupted electrical connection between my switches and the electrical apparatus controlled by these switches, I provide sliding contacts between the leads coming from the switches and the stationary leads on the steering column, covering these contacts so as to protect them from dust and moisture.

My invention is more fully described in the accompanying specification anddrawings in which F 1 is a plan view partly in section of my switch attachment on a steering wheel, Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of same taken on the line 2-2 (Fig. 8), Fig. 3 is adetailed View of the contact springs, Fig. 4 is an end view of these contacts, Fig. 5 is a sectional eleva tion or" the contact arrangement, Fig. 6 is an elevation of same from another side, Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of same taken on the line 77 (Fig. 5), looking from the top, F 8 is a sectional elevation of a modified arrangement, and Fig. 9 is a section 9-9 (Fig. 8) looking from the top of same. Fig. 10 is a sectional detailed view of collector rings, Fig. 11 is a View of the contact arrangement looking from the bottom, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the collector sleeve.

My electric switch consists of a housing 1, cast integrally with spokes 2 of a steering wheel 3, or attached to them by means of screws or bolts (not shown). The housing contains a number of individual switches l,

Serial No. 740,776.

5 and 6, also contact buttons 7. An ordinary arrangement for an automobile would be to have switch t for main headlights, switch 5 for din d lights also for the tail lamp, switch 6 for the ignition circuit, and the contact button 7 for the electric horn. it is evi dent, of course, that any other arrangement of switches may be used.

The housing 1 has an elongated form and is made substantially concentric with the rim of the wheel, being placed at such distance that it docs not interfere with the drivers hand. being at the same time within easy reach for the outstretcaed thumb. This arrangement is illustrated in F 1 which shows the drivers hand operating the wheel withhis thumb pressing the horn button 7.

The switches 4-, 5 and 6 may be of any standard construction, but I prefer to use so called toggle switches, provided with tilting haudles 8, so that the switch is closed with the handle in one position (for instance, when tilted to the right, as shown in Fig. 1 or 2), and opened when tilted to the left (as shown with dotted lines in Fig. 2).

Leads or insulated wires 9 are brought from the switches and buttons under the spoke or" the wheel in a pipe or conduit 10 and are connected with corresponding contact springs or brushes 11, each brush being connected with one of the switches. The brushes are fastened to an insulation bar 12 (shown in detail in Figs. 3 and and this bar is attached with screws 13 to bosses or projections 14- iormed at the open portion of a sleeve or skirt 15 attached to a hub 16 of the wheel by means of screws 17. The contacts are protected with a metal cover 18 attached to the skirt or collar) 15 with screws 19.

The contact brushes 11 may be providet with stifiening steel springs 20 placed under the heads of fastening screws 21. The ends of leads 9 are fastened to the brushes with the same screws 21.

The contact brushes 11 are adapted to touch corresponding contact rings 22 with insulation spacers 23 between them and ihsulation rings 24 at the ends, mounted on an insulation sleeve 25. The sleeve is placed on a metal sleeve or bushing 26 wi h a shoulder 27 and a clamping nut 28 which holds the whole collector assembly together. A sawcut 29 separates the lower portion of the sleeve 26 which is split open at the middle,

the ends 4 5 being turned out and provided with holes for screw or bolt 30. A clamping arrangement is thereby formed adaptedto hold the collector assembly tight on a sta tionary tube 31 of the steering post. A clamp is provided at the opposite side ot the sleeve for holding one end of a conduit 33 for stationary leads 36L. ihese le ds are brought throun'h slots in the IlllZS 22 and x4 :3 24, each lead being then soldered or other wise attached to a corresponding collector" ring 22.

Yv'ith this arrruigeinent each switch is a l? ways in contact with a corresponding appa ra-tus (such as a lamp horn, etc.) and remains in a contact for all positions of the steering wheel 3.

The switch housing 1 is placed in such p osition that itrdoes not interfere with levers and 3,6 sliding along a sector 3? and controlling the spark adv ce of the motor and its throttle valve. Theh 16 is mounted on the end of a tubular steering rod 41% by means of a nut.

'lhe conduit 33 is ide of the steering post and lS'YOUQl-li) heel: ot the instrurnent heard 38 where the leads 9 are connected to main leads connect i rat-us. The other contact of each switch is simply grounded in the switch itselt which is in a permanent metallic connection with the frame of the automobile through spo''"s wheel and through the rest or the steering inechanisin.

T his arrangement is generally ,used on automobiles when one pole of the storage battery is grounded on the frame of the machine. Of course, in such cases when the whole circuit is completely insulated, a return lead should he brought from the switches to the batter" this lead being common to all of them.

A modified arrangement is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Here a ditt'erentcollar 39 is shown attached to the hub 16, the lower extension of this collar supporting the collector assembly with. contact rings 22. The leads 9 "from the switches are connected with, corresponding rings, the latter turning with the steering.

wheel. A sleeve ll), attached to the tube 31 ot the steering post with screws ll encircles contact rings are stationary and the hi the electrical appzu the collector rings.

of the collar 39 protects therings from dust and inoistur One side of the sleeve 40 is open and provided with a boss sunpo 1 an insulation plate 12 with contact brushes ll the brush arrangement similar to the one previously described. A cap 18 is attached to the sleeve to with screws (not shown), protecting the brushes. connected with corresponding brushes and are placed in a conduit 3%} The. essential dill'erence between the tvo modifications described that in one case the. shes turn with the whee-h while in the other case the rings turn and the brushes are stationary, there bein no. diti'erence ior the operation of my switchhow this r tive. ino

-linportznit anvantages ot inv switch are 1 tnet it is verv convenient for its operation and 4.! W T, w." n1 A H .L c 1, t1 Lilou/ 10 omo cs L 1c saiety in c iving, as e driver can retain full control of the vehicle wh'le dinnning his light. ror passinganother vehicle at night, or blowing the horn when there are people on the road in front ot him.

I claim my invention:

In an electric switch attachment, the combination with atuhifar member of means to support said member on the out 'de a stationary steering post of an automobile, a layer of insulation on said tubular member, a plurality of collector rings on said insulation, a plurality of insulated wires extending from said collector rings on the outside of said steering poet a tubular cover enclosing said collector rings on the outside and spaced therefrom, means to attach the upper portion of said-cover to a steering wheel of said automobile, a plurality of contact members inside 0t said cover and adapted to slidably engage said collector rings and a plurality of insulated wires extending from said contact ureur hers to a switch on said steering wheel,

Signed at Port l Vashingtou in the county of Nassau and State ot-llew York this 22 day of Sept. A. D.

cant e.

An overhanging portion Stationary leads are

Images