US1743597A - Combined door knocker and switch - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 14, 1930. c, c, cAsE, JR

COMBINED DOOR KNOCKER AND SWITCH Filed Feb. l5. 1928 Patented Jan. 14, 193- 3 PATEN'E GE FECIE CHARLES C. CASE, JR., 035 I-IOOSICK FALLS, NEVI YORK COMBINED DOOR KNOCKER AND SWITGH Application filed February 15, 1928.

The present invention pertains to improvement in annunciators, especially adapted for the door of a residence, wherein the device is constructed to simulate a conventional door knocking device, but which when operated, the same closes an electrical circuit by certain novel switch means, for ringing a bell located at a desirable place within the resi-o dence.

The purpose of the device is to provide a structure simulating a conventional door knocker, but which has concealed a novel switch construction for closing a circuit to a bell located at some remote part of the house,

whereas by the use of the ordinary knocker,

the sound thereof, as generally known, will carry only for a limited distance.

A paramount object of the invention is to provide a device or" this particular nature,

wherein by the usual movement of the knocker member, an electrical signal will be then given.

Still another object resides in providing a compact, neat appearing device, which may be employed to simulate a door knocker with out any suspicion that the same is of more modern exigencies.

After considering the following specification and claims, other very novel objects and advantages of this in ition will readily become apparent.

in the drawings Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the device, whil Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view through the same and disclosing the operative relation of parts.

New for a more detailed disclosure of the invention, reference is made to the drawing, wherein like numeral represent like parts of the invention. The plate 1 may be constructed of any desired shape or inscribed with any desired design or ornamentation, and which is formed with suitable openings, whereby the same may be secured to a door or the like by suitable screws 2.

The intermediate longitudinal portion of the plate is bulged as at 3, the outer side of which. tapers inwardly toward the lower end Serial No. 254,592.

of the plate, in the manner clearly shown in its inner face, to conform with the curvature of the shaft, is also curved at its outer face, and secured to the intermediate port-ion of the shaft by a screw '7.

To the inner side of the bulged portion 3, an insulating strip 8 is adapted to space a spring contact strip 9 from the metallic material of the bul e. The up-end of this contact member is bent inwardly as at 10, and slightly pointed, while the lower end portion of the member is bent slightly obliquely and to which a button 11 is secured.

This button is adapted to project through an opening at the lower end portion of the plate and against which the bight portion of the knocker i is to normally bear lightly. A. second spring contact strip 12 projects at its upper end beyond the pointed end of the member 9, and. is normally in spaced relation to the shaft 5.

The lower end of this member is bent toward the contact member 9 and pointed as at 13. As is clearly shown in the drawings, a strip of insulating material 14': separates the two contact members from each other. A strip of insulating material 15 is disposed "against the outer side of the member 12, while 'a pair of spaced openings are formed .in each oi the insulating strips and contact members respectively, so that when the same are assembled in the manner described, and shown in Fig. 2, the openings will register, whereby a bushing 17 may be inserted therethrough for connecting the elements together. A screw 18 may be inserted within the bushing for further securing these beveled elements to the inner side of the bulge. Each of the spring contact members is provided with a laterally disposed projection 19, through which a set screw 20 may be threaded for engagement with the inner surface of the bulge and respective leads of the annunciator' circuit,

In the operation of this device, when the lrnoclrer member 4 is lifted, the block 6 will engage the upper end portion of the contact member 12, resulting in the engagement of that member with the pointed end 10 of the contact 9, whereby the circuit will be made for ringing a hell or other annunciating means.

When the knocker is again returned to its original position with some force, the button 11 will be forced inwardly in contact with the pointed end 13 of the member 12. In this movement of the knocker arm, the completed circuit effected by the contact of the mem: bers at their upper ends will be broken and the circuit again closed at the lower end of the frame members, by the inward movement of the button 11.

Obviously the plate and bulged portion thereof can be attractively ornamented if desired, so that the presence of the switch mechanism within, will not be suspected by persons unconscious thereof, and which device will intermittently operate the annunciator, thus eliminating the annoyance of the continuous ringing thereof.

The particular construction of this combined door knocker and switch incorporates certain features rendering the same immune to form a short circuit, and mitigating the liability of shock to persons actuating the same.

, Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a switch of the character described, a casing, a pivotal member at the outer side of the casing, a pair of spring elements arranged within the casing in insulated and [Spaced relation, said elements being adapted to normally maintain an electrical circuit open, the ends of said elements being normally in spaced relation, cam means between the pivotal end of said pivotal member and one end of one of the said spring elements for contact therewith when the lever is moved in a given direction, to cause said end to contact with the end of the adjacent elements, and means associated with the opposite ends of the elements for contacting the same when the pivotal member is moved'inversely.

2. In switch of the character described, a casing, a pivotal member at the outer side of the casing, a pair of spring elements arranged within the casing in insulated and spaced relation, said elements being adapted to normally maintain an electrical circuit open, the ends of said elements being normally in spaced relation, scam means between the pivotal end of said pivotal member and one end of oneof the said spring elements for contact therewith when the lever is moved in a given direction, to cause said end to contactwith the end of the adjacent elements, the projection on the opposite end of one of the elements normally projecting through an opening in the casing and adapted for engagement by the free end of the pivotal member whereby said end of the elements will contact with the adjacent end of the complementary element to close the electrical circuit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' CHARLES C. CASE, JR.

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