US1705136A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 1929. A. E. PHI'LLIPS 1,705,136

SWITCH Filed Dec. 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY ATTORNEY.

March 12 1929- A. E. PHILLIPS SWITCH Filed Dec. 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. r7. [By/440 J WORNEY.

Patented Mar. 12,1929.

UNITED STATES Amman E. PHILLIPS, or ZANESVILLE, 01110.

SWITCH.

Application filed December 12, 1927. Serial No. 239,586.

- This invention is directed to an improvement in current 'controllin switches designed primarily to provide fbr manual and,

under certain conditions, automatic control of the illumination of a lamp;

In connection with automobiles, .for example, it is highly desirable that temporary illuminating means be provided by which the running-board and ground immediately adjacent thereto and, if the car is of the closed car type, the keyhole for the door lock, may be temporarily illuminated in order to facilitate unlocking the door and enable a person leaving or entering the vehicle to know the character of the surface at the side of the vehicle and the location of the runningboard. Illumination of this character, which is at best of short duration and used at infrequent intervals, must be controlled by a switch and this switch must be capable of being opened and closed by hand or manually and should additionally be automatically opened to cut off the current in the actof closing the door.

The primary object of .the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a switch which may be closed or opened manually at the will of the user and which, when manually closed,may automatically open to break the current by the closing of the door with which the switch is associated.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a switch embodying a circuit closing element normally held in open position by a spring-pressed control member, the circuit closing element automatically moving to circuit closing position following its release by movement of the control memher, the switch including a trip to return the circuit closing element to non-circuiting position with such trip adapted for manual operation or for automatic operation in the closing of the door with which the switch is associated.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing sutticient of an automobile to indicate the application of the improved switch.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the switch with the casing in section, the switch being shown closed and the trip in the position assumed when the door of the automobile with which the switch is associated is in closed position.

Figure-3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the switch in open position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with the switch in closed position and the trip projected to the position assumed when the door with which the switch is associated is.

open.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the operating spring for the control member. 1

Figure 6 is a similar view showing particularly the operating spring for the circuit 4 of the upright of the automobile frame on which thedoor 5 is hingedly supported in the usual manner.

The detail partsof the switch include a control member 6 of bar-like form rigidly secured to a shaft 7 mounted in the side walls of the casing. The control member is formed in one edge near its upper end with a recess 8 to receive a bar-like projection 9 of a spring 10 coiled about the shaft 7 on one 'or both sides of the control member and tensioned to move the upper end of the control member in a direction from the face plate 2.

Projecting through and insulated from the upper wall of the casing is a contact post 11 provided beyond the casing for the securing of an electrical conductor 12 thereto. Mounted on a transverse shaft 13 having bearings in the side walls of the casing is a circuit closing member 14. This member is provided in one direction beyond the shaft with divergent upper and lower arms .15 and 16 and in the opposite direction with a contact surface 17.

The shaft 13 is arranged in such relation to the lower end of the post 11 that when such circuit closing member 14 is in inoperative or switch open position, the contact surface 17 of said circuit closing member is immediately below but free of engagement with the post 11. When the circuit closing member has been operated to switch closing position as will later appear, the contact surface 17 thereof is in circuiting contact with the lower end of the. post 11.

if desired, be coiled only on one side of the circuit closing member and the bar-like portion 19 of the spring form the terminal thereof. The function of the spring is to move the circuit closing member into circuit closing contact with the post 11 when such circuit closing member is free to move.

The lower end of the control member 6 is formed with a depression to loosely receive the terminal ofthe upper arm 15 of the circuit closing member, the lower end of the 7 control member providing an abutment 21 having a slightly rounded face. The relation of the control member and circuit closing member is such that when the switch is in open position, the free end of the arm 15 of the circuit closing member is held in the notch 20 of the control member, in which position the contact surface 17 of the circuit closing member is free of engagement with the post 11, and the spring 18 is under tension.

Immediately below 'the circuit closing member there is arranged a trip member 22 in the form of a bar having an extension 23 extending through the rearwall of the casing 1, which extension is encircled by a spring 24 to exert a forward movement on the trip. The forward end of the trip is seated in an opening 25 in the face plate 2, this opening having a vertical dimension exceeding the similar dimension of the forward end or nose 26 of the trip, so that such nose end of the trip'is permitted a vertical movement.

A spring 27 seating in an openin in the front wall of the casing underlies the forward end of the trip, bein however, free of any direct connection with the trip. This spring permits longitudinal movement of the trip under the action of spring'24 and resists a depressing movement of the forward end of the trip returning the same to normal position. The upuer edge of the trip immedi ately underlies the arm 16 of the circuit closing member and such upper edge of the trip is-formed with a rear depression 28 and a forward depression 29, the abutment 30, which divides these depressions, being rounded on the edge next the face plate 2 and more abrupt or square on the edge remote-from the face plate. The trip 22 is provided with a lateral projection which extends through the side wall of the casing 1 to provide for manual operation of the trip when desired.

In the use of the switch in connection with automobiles, the switch casing is seated in an appropriately formed recess in' the face 4 of the door-frame bar and is secured flush with the surface of such frame bar. Where the frame bar is constructed of wood, the switch easing may be secured in place by ordinary wood screws passed through the openings 3, while, where such frame bar is of metal, bolts may be used as a securing means. The manner of securing the switch casing in place or its exact location is wholly unimportant and forms no material part of the present invention as any type of securing means or any specific location of the switch which will per mit of the result desired, is considered as withi'nthe spirit of the present invention.

In the application illustrated, the shaft 7 on which the control member 6 is fixed is extended beyond the walls'of the casing and through the inner and outer surfaces 32 and 33 of thedoor-frame barin which the switch is located. The terminals of theshaft 7 beyond the respective surfaces of the bar are provided with suitable operating means, as

knobs 34. The handle extension 31 of the trip is also extended. through the inner surface 32 of the door-frame bar, being mounted .in a transverse slot 35 in such surface to permit manual operation of the trip by such handle extension when desired.

It is of course understood that the switch casing and therefore the circuit closing mem ber 14 isgrounded through the vehicle and that the battery forming the source of current for the light is also grounded as is usual in automobile construction.

The active circuit leads from the contact post 11, that is, through conductor 12 to the light indicated at 36 (Figure 7) and from the light to the battery, this circuit being a conventional one not requiring illustration. Of course, it-is apparent that if it should prove objectionable to have two wires leading to the 4 light, the light 36 may be grounded and the circuit wire 12 lead therefrom to the post 11 and a further lead extended from the circuit closing member 14 to the battery. This of course would require the insulation of the switch casing in order to prevent a ground therethrough.

The light 36, as shown, is preferably mounted on the rear fender, either one or both sides as indicated at 37, so that when illuminated the rays will reach the keyhole of the door, the running-boards and the ground immediately adjacent thereto.

In the use of the switch, assuming the automobile door closed and the switch parts in normal position, as illustrated in Figure 3, anyone desiring the illumination will turn the control member through operation of the inner or outer knob 34 in a direction to re lease the upper arm 15 of the circuit closing member 14. The spring 18 immediately acts to move the circuit closing member down in circuit closing position, that is, with its contact surface 17 in contact with the lower end of the post 11. The circuit is thereby completed and the lamps are energized. On release of the knob 34, the control member 6 tends to return to normal position under the influence of its spring 10. The free end of the arm 15 of the circuit closing member has, however, in the operative movement of said circuit closing member, moved into the path of movement of the end 21 of the control member. Therefore, the control member, when free to act, directly engages the free end of the arm 15 of the switch, tending to more effectively hold the circuit closing memher in circuit closing position and at the same time preventing the return of the control member to normal position; that is to say, the spring of the control member is still under considerable tension. The parts then are in the positions indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings. If the door has remained closed during this operation of the switch, the trip member is of course held at its inward limit of movement, the door being provided with a wear plate 38 to engage the end of the trip member. \Vith the trip member at its 1nward limit of movement, the operative movement of the circuit closing member causes its lower arm 16 to move downwardly into the forward depression 29 of the trip member, as illustrated in Figure If the door is opened following this switch actuation, the trip member, under the influence of spring 24, will move outwardly, the free end of the arm 16 of the circuit closing member riding over the rounded edge of the abutment 30, slightly depressing the trip member in this movement against the tension of spring 27 until, when the trip member has been projected to its limit of outward movement, the free end of the arm 16 of the circuit closing member rests in the rear recess 28 of the trip member, that is, in rear of the more or less abrupt surface of the abutment 3O. The switch parts are then in the position indicated in Figure 4.

If, under these conditions and relative positions of switch parts, the door is closed, the wear plate 38 engages the projecting end of the trip member, forcing the latter inwardly and causing the abutment 30 to engage the lower arm 16 of the circuit closing member and move said member upwardly against the tension of its spring 18. In this upward ment of the circuit closing member, the contact surface 17 of such member is moved from engagement with the lower end of the contact post 11 and the circuit is broken. In this upward movement of the circuit closing memher, the engagement between the face 21 of the control member and the free end of the arm of the circuit closing member is also interrupted, the arm 15 moving upwardly. The control member 6 is now free to move under the influence of its spring 10 and immediately moves to cause the notch therein to embrace the free end of the arm 15 of the circuit closing member, thus holding the circuit closing member in elevated or switch open position If, following the operation of the switch to closethe circuit as previously described, the door 5 remains closed or it is desired to extinguish the light without closing the door, it is of course apparent that-through the handle projection 31 the trip member niay be operated to actuate the circuit closing member in, a manner corresponding to its actuation in the operation of the trip member by the door. This of course breaks the circuit as previously described and the lights are extinguished.

The switch thus is adapted for manual opening or closing. with the latter operation performed either from withinior without the automobile, and is also adapted for automatic opening in the closing of the door with which the switch is associated. Thus, the driver or other attendant may close the switch from within or without the automobile and after entry into the automobile of the last passenger, the mere closing of the door extinguishes the lights. Furthermore, the attendant may operate the switch from within the automobile or from without the automobile to energize the lamp and open the switch from within the automobile without the necessity of manipulating the door for this purpose.

The invention has an important feature in the provision for manual control alone in closing the switch, combined with manual control and automatic control in opening the switch, for by manual control alone in closing the switch it is apparent that the switch will not be closed and the lightsilluminated merelyby opening the door. This precludes the possibility of the switch being closed to energize the lights on opening the door and left in this condition through failure to close or completely close the door'on leaving the vehicle. Leaving the door open either by accident or design will not, therefore, tend to a wastage of current unless the switch has been manually closed, for as long as the circuit closing member is in open position, as indicated in Figure 3, the movement of the trip member alone as would follow the opening or closing of the door is without effect on the switch.

It is of course apparent that the light 36 may be arranged on any portion of the automobile in order to give light at a particular point or points and that the invention as a whole is in no way restricted for use in connection with an automobile. It is designed and intended for use in any and all places where a temporary light may be desirable and which place or places includes a closing member which may automatically cut the switch in a desired operation of such member. For example, closet doors, room doors, refrigerator doors, garage doors, and all similar places are readily adapted for the use of the particular switch, as the light may be manually cut on before or after the door is opened and Will be automatically cut off by the mere closing of the door, coupled with the fact that if the light is not desired, the door may be freely opened and closed without in any way affecting the switch so far as energizing the circuit is concerned.

What I claim to be new is:

1. In combination with a door frame, a door threrefor, a light to illuminate the area in the neighborhood of the door, a switch arranged in the door frame and controlling the light, means whereby the switch may be closed from either side of'the door frame, means whereby the switch may be opened from one side of the door frame, and switch opening means responsive to door closing movement, said switch including an element movable within the influence of said doorcontrolled switch-opening means in any switch closing operation, whereby the door controlled switch-opening means is without effect on the switch except following a manual closing of the switch.

2. A switch of the type described compris- 'ing a contact member arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member adapted to engage the contact member to close the circuit, a control member normally holding the circuit closing member from engagement with the contact member, and means to operate the circuit closing member to circuiting position following movement of the control member to release said circuit closing member.

3. A switch having a contact member arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member movable to engage the contact member to close the circuit, a manually operable control member formed to engage and hold the circuit closing member against movement to close the circuit, means for operating the control member to release the circuit closing member, and means to operate the circuit closing member when released to cause the circuit closing member to engage the contact member.

4. A switch having a contact member arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member movable to engage the contact member to close the circuit, a manually operable control member formed to engage and hold the circuit closing member against movement to close the circuit, means for operating the control member to release the circuit closing member, means to operate the circuit closing member when released to cause the circuit closing member to engage the contact member, and a manually operable trip to move the circuit closing member to open circuiting position.

5. A switch having a contact member arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member movable to engage the contact member to close the circuit, a manually operable control member formed to engage and hold the circuit closing member against movement to close the circuit, means for operating the control member to release the circuit closing member, means to operate the circuit closing member when released to cause the circuit closing member to engage the contact member, and an automatically operable tripto move the circuit closing member to open circuiting position.

6. A switch including a Contact member arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member movable to and from electrical engagement with the contact member, a manually operable control member formed with a notch to receive and hold the circuit closing member free of engagement with the contact member, means for operating the control member to release the circuit closing member from the notch of the control member, means for operating the circuit closing member into engagement with the contact member following release operation of the control member, and means whereby the control member is caused to engage and exert holding pressure on the circuit closing member following the engagement of such circuit closing member with the contact member.

7. A switch including a contact member arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member movable to and from electrical engagement with the contact member, a manually operable control member formed. with a notch to receive and hold the circuit closing member free of engagement with the contact member, means for operating the control member to release the circuit closing member from the notch of the control member, means for operating the circuit closing member into engagement with the contact member following release operation of the control member, means whereby the control member is caused to engage and exert holding pressure on the circuit closing member following the engagement of such circuit closing member with the contact member, and a trip operable to actuate the circuit closing member into a position to permit the control member to receive and hold said circuit closing member in open circuiting position.

8. A switch including a contact post in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member arranged below the contact member and movable to electrically engage said contact member, said circuit closing member being formed with divergent arms, a springpressed rotatably supported control member adapted for manual operation and formed with a notch to receive one of the arms of the circuit closing member to hold the circuit controlling member in open circuiting position, and a trip to cooperate with the other arm of the circuit closing member following operative movement of the latter, said trip being operable to move the circuit closing member into open circuiting position and move the first mentioned arm thereof into position to be engaged in the notch of the control member.

9. A switch including a contact post arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member mounted below the post and movable into and out of engagement with said post to make and break the circuit, said circuit Closing member including divergent arms, a manually operable control'member formed with a notch to receive one of the arms of the circuit closing member to hold said member in open circuiting position, means for operating the control member to release said arm, means for operating the circuit closing member when released to move said member into contact with the post, and a trip movable below the circuit closing member and adapted to engage the remaining arm of said circuit closing member to move the circuit closing member into open circuiting position.

10. A switch including a contact post arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member mounted below the post and movable into and out of engagement with said 0st to make and break the circuit, said circuit closing member including divergent arms, a manually operable control member formed with a notch to receive one of the arms of the circuit closing member to hold said member in open circuiting position, means for operating the control member to release said arm, means for operating the circuit closing member when released to move said member into contact with the post, and a trip formed with an abutment to engage and operate the circuit closing member following the circuit closing position of such member.

11. A switch including a contact post arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member mounted below the post and movable into and out of engagement with said post to make and break the circuit, said circuit closing member including divergent arms, a manually operable control member formed with a notch to receive one of the arms of the circuit closing member to hold said member in open circuiting position, means for o erating the control member to release sai arm, means for operating the circuit closing member when released to move said member into contact with the post, a trip formed with an abutment to engage and operate the circuit closing member following the circuit closing position of such member, and means whereby the trip may be manually operated.

12. A switch including a contact post arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member mounted below the post and movable into and out of engagement with said post to make and break the circuit, said circuit closing member including divergent arms, a manually operable control member formed with a notch to receive one of the arms of the circuit closing member to hold said member in open circuiting position, means for operating the control member to release said arm, means for operating the circuit closing member when released to move said member into contact with the post, and a trip formed with an abutment to engage and operate the circuit closing member following the circuit closing position of such member, said trip being adapted for automatic operation.

13. A switch including a contact post arranged in the circuit to be controlled, a circuit closing member mounted below the post and movable into and out of engagement with said post to make and break the circuit, said circuit closing member including divergent arms, a manually operable control member formed with a notch to receive one of the arms of the circuit closing member to hold said member in open circuiting position, means for operating the control member to release said arm, means for operating the circuit closing memberwhen released to move said member into contact with the post, and a trip formed with an abutment to engage and operate the circuit closing member following the circuit closing position of such member, said trip being movable following operative positioning of the circuit closing member to set the trip for automatic operation to move the circuit closing member to open circuiting position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALFRED E. PHILLIPS.

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