US1753977A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

April 8,1930. K. WINNING 1,153,977

SWITCH Filed Dec. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNEY;

April 1930. R. K. WINNING 1,753,977

SWITCH Filed Dec 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .%INVEPNTOR.

A TTORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1930 TUNITED STATES PATEN oF IcE ROBERT K. WINNING, or WAUWATOSA, wIscoNsIN, assreNon To CLUM MANUFAG- TUBING CQMPANY, or MILWAUKEE, wIscoNsIN v swrron This invention relates to improvements in switches. More particularlystated, this invention relates to improvements in switches of the type particularly adapted to control the lighting and ignition circuits of motor vehicles and exemplified by the switch disclosed by me in Reissue Patent No. 16,030, dated March 24, 1925. V

The type of switch to which thisinvention relates includes a relatively fixed terminal head, with reference to which one or more floating contact members are oscillatable for selective engagement with terminals of the head. It has heretofore been common practice to employ a terminal head of fiber or like di-electric material, in which the switch terminals are embedded with their extremities substantially flush with one face of the head. Thereby the moving contact member is made to traverse frictionally the exposed surface of the terminal head in passing from one terminal to another, and it is possible, after long continued wear, for minute pieces of conductive metal to become abraded from the moving contact member and deposited in the surface fof the fiber terminal head to produce a continuous metallic path between terminals.

It is one of the important objects of this in-.

vention to provide in novel and simple form a switch arrangement in which the establishment of such a continuous path between terminals will be obviated. More particularly stated,the purpose of this invention contemplates an arrangement in which the terminal contacts will not be set flush with a plane'surface as heretofore, or, to express it differently, the terminal head will be so formed as to interpose depressed areas intermediate the terminals in the path of oscillation of contactportions of the moving contact member.

A further important object of'this invention is the provision of a moving contact member so organized as to co-operatewith the terminal head to span the depressed areas 1 ber, the moving contact member having segthereof, and thereby to make possible the smooth operation of the moving contact memmental contact surfaces of an arcuate extent adapted at least to span the depressedareas of the head.

-less expensive terminal than has heretofore A further important object of this inven-' tion relates to novel and improved meansfor defining the various Working positions of the m0vi'ng switch member. It will be understood that the said member is operable between an open circuit position and one or more positions in which it operates to close electrical circuits. It is desirable to define such positions by some arrangement for impositively retaining the moving switch member against oscillation from its selected position or station. In the present device the segmental contact portions of the moving switch member are preferably disposed in a common plane and move smoothly from one terminal to another across interposed dead terminals when necessary to provide continuous support. I contemplate, therefore, an arrangement inwnich themoving part of the switch shall include two oppositely pressed members, one of which carries the contacts and v the other of which is formed for impositive interaction with the switch casing in the t selected operative positions of the switch. I have found that by the means hereinafter disclosed I am able .to shape the casing and' the aforesaid interacting member without additional expense to perform this added function, thereby making possible the use of a 5 been employed in switches of this character. Terminals may be employed which are quite similar to those heretofore used, but whereas the terminals shown in my previous patent referred to above constitute tubes with countersunk recesses in their extremities, I am now enabled to use unmachined tenni nals without such recesses.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a. novel and improved type of ter- .90 minal, requiring a minimum of material and labor, and adapted toperform its functions more effectively than terminals heretofore used. The invention contemplates that the L 4 exposed surfaces of'all terminals in a given head. The invention further contemplates a terminal having no through apertures or recess. Holes opening through the terminal head areavoided, since they are dapted to collect dust and dirt and. thereby possible to impair the effective operation of the switch Further objects of. the invention are to provide a novel and. improved moving contact switch assembly. and to include many proved constructional features adapted to member in which the spring seats are formed integrally with the segmental contact porly to attain the aforementioned object'of providing depressions between terminals while.

supporting adequately the moving switch contact member; toprovide a novel and improved switch casing; and otherwise to provide a novel and improved and more compact render. more economical the manufacture of switches of this character, and to render such switches more efficient and lasting in their that whether a single or double lever switch operation. 1

It is a'further object of this invention to provide a novel, improvedand simplified construction for. a combination ignition and lighting switch with a single actuating lever. .In the drawings Figures 1 to 4 inclusive and 18 disclose the adaptation of this invention to a'single lev switch wherein a single lever is used for the simultaneous control of ignition and lighting circuits, the arrangement being such that in the several positions of the lever suitable circuits will'be closed for parking lights, ignition only, headlights and dimmed headlights, the ignition circuit being maintained closedwhen ,the headlights are on.

Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, and 13 show-the adaptation of thisinvention to a double lever switch in which a key is used to control ignition, and the lights are controlled individually by a separate rganually operable lever.

Figures 9 to 1 clusive, are particularly intended to show parts interchangeable between these two switches, such parts being standardized so be required similar contact devices may be used in either. h

Figure 1 is a front elevation of assembled switch mechanism embodying this invention. Figure 2 is'a detail view on an enlarged scale taken on the section through the'device.

shown in Figure 1 which is indicated -at 22 in Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a sectiontaken on line'3-3 of. Figure 2. i

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

inclusive, and. 14 to 17,Tin-

. I Figure 5 isa front elevation of a modified type of-switchembodyingcertain features of this invention." I

Figure ti is a reverse View of the switch casing shown from the front in Figure '5, the rear plate or terminal head ofsuch' casing and the contact mechanism being removed therefrom.

Figure 7 is a detail view in rear elevation,

of a di-electric annulus adapted to 'be" received into the casing shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail. in side elevation of the annulus shown in. Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a detail view in rear elevation of a contact carrier unit adapted to bekeyopertated and to fit within the casing shown in Figure 6. J

Figure 10 is a sideview of the parts-shown in Figure 9, the contact carrier unit' being whereby it is actuated. I Figure 11 is -a detail in side elevation of a terminal contact such as is preferably used in switch mechanism embodying this invention. Figure 12 is a plan view of the contact shown in Figure 11. i p

Figure 13 is'a front elevation of the termidisassembled from, the di-electric plate nal headnsedxin connection" with the switch casing shown in Figure 6 showing the ar rangement of the terminal contacts therein. Figure 14 is a rear elevation of a contact unit embodying this invention and adapted for use with either of the switches herein disclosed.

"Figure 15 is a side elevation ofthe device shown in Figure 14. i

Figure 16 is a section taken on line 1616 of Figure 14. b

Figure .17 is a detail view taken on line 171 7 of Figure 4.

Figure 18 is a rear elevation on a reduced scale .of the di-electric diskwhich supports the contact carriers in the switch shown particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 4.

Like parts are identified by-the same reference characters throughout the several views. The switch casings for the different .switches shown in the above drawings are similar in that each includes a barrel 20, a rear terminal head 21, and a front plate 22. The exterior finish of ,the two switches is quite different but does not enter into the present invention. V I In the single lever switch there is a central erotor or shaft 25 journaled both in the-front wall of the casing and the rear wall of the terminal head thereof. This shaft may be die-cast to provide integrally a lever 26 whereby the whole comprises a handle for the operation, of the movable contact devices ings for purposes hereinafter to be described.

' This disk may conveniently be connected or embossed portion 32 of the front plate 22 of the casing and provided with, rearwa'rdly .projecting tongues at 33 which enter certain I of the openings in the contact actuator 30 and fit sufliciently closely therein to transmit rotative movement from the handle to the actuator. The metallic plate or disk 31 may be splined to the'handle by means of a rib or key 34 on the shaft portion 25 ofthe handle.

At one or more points which are preferably diametrically opposite or arcuately equi-distant from each other and likewise equi-distant from the axis of the switch handle, the

front plate 22 of the casing is embossed to provide rearwardly projecting protuberances 35 with which a series of openings 36 in the di-electric actuator are adapted to register during actuator movement. These openings will preferably take the form of holes, as shown, and they are of a size to receive the protuberances 35. The positions of holes 36 are such that one of said holes will register simultaneously with each of the several protuberances 35.

The interaction of the protuberances and holes has the effect of yieldably and impositively positioning the actuator 30 in each of the several positions orstations to which it is adjustable. The fact that the actuator interacts with the front wall of the casing simultaneously at arcuately equi-distant points tends to make its operation more smooth than would be the case if the structure were not thus balanced. The contacting device's hereinafter to be described include axially separable members, and interposed springs, an are thus adapted to press the actuator 30 in the direction of front plat'e 22 of the casing. The springs of these contact devices are consequently subjected to compression when the protuberances ride'out of their respective apertures 36.

In addition to the compression of the springs in the contact devices the outward or rearward axial movement of the actuator 30 is additionally opposed by a compression spring 37 seated at its forward end against a washer 38 hearing on the di-electric actuator disk 30 and seated at.its rearward end against a washer 39 which is fixed onshaft 25 by lugs 40. The washer has radial grooves 41 which receive the lugs in a manner to secure the washer against undesired independent rotation; Intermediate these grooves are notches 42 in the inner periphery of the washer, such notches being adapted to permit the passage of lugs when the washer is manipulated to bring the notches into registry with such lugs. A shoulder at 43 supports the metallic connecting member 31 and the di-electric disk 30 against undue axial thrust so that the frictional contact of these parts with the front plate 22 of the casing is not too great.

Before describing the standardized contacting devices carried by the di-electric actuator disk 30 I wish to refer to the terminal head .or rear wall-of thecasing which embodies some unusual features. The terminal head 21 is a disk made of fiber or other suitable di-electric material in order that the terminal contacts positioned therein may be nrutually insulated. The terminal contacts themselves are novel inasmuch as they com prise, L-shaped pieces, of strip metal, each of which has a contact portion 45 at right angles to a shank portion 46 which extends throughthe-tiber disk. The contact portion 45 is disposed in fiatface contact with the inner surface of the terminal head and is upset to occupy this position after it has been introduced through the fiber disk. The extremity 47 of the shank portion of each terminal contact is widened, as best shown in Figure 12, to provide shoulders 48 which abut the outer surface of the terminal head and co-operate with the contact portion 45 clampingly to engage the terminal head. Any convenient means may be used for securing conductors to the terminals 47, but among the simplest means for this purpose is a tapped aperture 49 adapted to receive a screw 50.

Suitably positioned intermediate the contact portions 45, are supporting members or dead terminals 55. -It is immaterial whether these terminals are made of metal or of dielectric material, since in practice they are not connected with any circuits. They can be very economically made integrally with d the'terminal head 21 by punching partially 2. The forward projection of each such dead terminal or support above the adjacent plane surface of the terminal head corresponds in height to the thickness of the strip metal used in the construction of thetern'iinal contacts. Thus, the contact surfaces 45 and the several intermediate supports are brought substantially to a common plane in which the contact surfaces of the movable switch devices operate.

In practice the severalterminal contacts and intermediate supports will be arranged about the inner surface of the terminal head in two concentric arcuate series, as shown in Figure 3. The outer series of terminals is adapted for connection with the lighting circuits of an automobile and one or more terminals of such series will, of course, be connected with a source of electrical energy. The

may be connected to a source of electrical energy and the other to a transformer which is operatively associated with the spark plugs of the vehicle.

In this particular switch there are two entirely separate contact devices which co-operate respectively with the lighting terminals in the outer concentric series and with the ignition terminals in the inner concentric series. The use of two entirely separate moving contact devices 1n a single lever switch is important'in that the arrangement is such as to ing contact devices.

make possible the use in this switch of the same contact devices which are used in the double lever switch. Thereby standardiz a-- tion is effected with corresponding economies tuator disk 30. In its inner periphery the ring 57 is-provided with integrally formed fingers 62 which extend rearwardly and are upset at 63, as clearly shown in Figures 14: and 16.

These fingers are received in suitable openings or notches 64in. annulus 58 and are consequently adapted to guide annulus 58 for movementto and from annulus 57. The upset portions 63 of these fingers are adapted to limit the degree of relative separation between the annuli. l I

Annulus 58 is the active contact portion of the switch and consequently is made of conductive material. It preferably comprises a complete ring rendered rigid by means of a circumferential rib 65 intermediate its inner and outer peripheries. At intervals this rib runs out in the more deeply embossed contact elements 66, each of which has a considerable extent arcuately, or in the direction of oscillation of the ring to which it is attached. In this particular embodiment of the invention each of the contact elements 66 has a-substantially plane surface which is farther from the adjacent portions of ring 58 than is the top of the rib 65. A part of each contact 66 is radially extended as at 67 to provide a seat for a compression spring-68 positioned therebeneath and confined between annuli 57 and 58. To position each such spring with reference to annulus 57 such veniently be provided with I an integrally stamped tubular stud 69.

Since the two annuli 57 and 58 are freely movable toward each other, guided and secured against undue separation by fingers 62,

and inasmuch as the compression of'springs' 68 normally maintain the annuli at their limit annulus may con-' of relative separation, it will be obvious that the entire annular contact device may be unitarily handledand assembled. The tongues 59 are adapted to permit of the freefengage ment of this device with any form of actuator which is provided with suitable apers tures for the reception of the tongues.

The ignition, contact device is positioned concentrically within the interior of the an nular lighting contact device. The ignition device comprises a metallic disk 57 which morresponds functionally with the annulus 57 above described. A like disk 58 corresponds functionally with annulus 58. Fingers 62 having upset extremities 63 are integrally connected with the outer of disk 57 and engage disk 58for the guidance and limitation of movement thereof. Disk 58,which is really centrally apertured and consequently is a miniature annulus like annulus 58, has embossed contacts 66, which periphery corresponds with those already described with the exception that the radial enlargements 67 for springs 68 are at the inner sides of the contacts instead of on their outer sides.

Tongues 59 serveto connect the entire uni- 7 tongues.

In both the ignition and lighting contact devices it is possible to anchor such devices for rotation with a suitable actuator by the means disclosed in Figure 17, wherein the lower annulus or disk 157 is downwardly embossed at 159 to provide thereby not only means for engaging a suitable aperture 160 in the actuator 30 but also to provide a seat 4 within which the lower receivable. The upper end of the spring is illustrated as being engaged in the pocket 67.,of a contact element 66 'on the ignition lighting ring 58. v

The arcuate extent of the contact surfaces in the two separate moving contact devices is such as to span the depressions which exist between the relatively elevated stationary contacts or live terminals 45 and the supports or dead terminals55. This construction has the very important advantage that it becomes impossible for the moving contacts to embed metallic particles in the terminal head in such a way as to establish a leakage path between the live terminal contacts 45. Obviously, the moving contact surfaces 66 do not touch the depressed portions of the terminal head intermediate the terminals, and, consequently, there can be no establishment of metallic paths across the terminal head.

I regard as a very important feature of this invention the arrangement just described, whereby the contact portions of the contactor tary ignition contact device with any suitable actuator provided with openings for said end of spring 68 is ring are arranged to span the relatively defor tangibly defining the several switch positions through a yieldable interaction of the switch casing and the contact actuator.

I will now describe the arrangement whereby the standardized moving contact devices may be used in a double lever switch. For purposes of illustration I have selected a switch in which a-hand lever rotatably secured to the front of the switch casing controls the lighting, contact device, and aremovable lever or key operates a plug connect.- ed to the ignition contact device.- Such arrangements are well known and are shown in the reissue patent above referred to and, consequently, need not be described in detail herein. The key plug 76 has a squared extremity 77 which is receivable into thecorresponding aperture78 of the ignition contact actuator 79. The standardized ignition contact device is adapted to be fixed upon the face of actuator 79 by means of tongues 59 such as have already been described. These are the same tongues which in the single lever switch engage the disk 30.

The front plate 22 of .the switch casing, as shown in Figure 6, has arcuate slots 81 through which project tongues 82 stamped integrally with the'lever member 75. These tongues are arranged to engage suitable openings 83 in the lighting switch actuator 84.

\ This'actuator is an annulus corresponding to functionally to the openings 60 in the actuator 30 shown in Figure 18 and which areadapted to receive the forwardly projecting tongues 59 which are clearly shown in Figures 15 and 16 on the standardized lighting contact device.

As shownin Figure 13 the terminal head used in connection with the double lever switch is similar to that illustrated in Figure ,3 for use in the single lever switch. It is obvious, however, that any suitable arrangement of the terminal contacts may be adopted in accordance with the requirements which the switch has to meet. It is unnecessary, therefore, to describe with particularity the various circuits to which the several terminal contacts are respectively connected. In Fig-' ure 13 I have illustrated the terminal contacts as being made in accordance with the disclosure in my reissue patent aforesaid. In

other words, the terminal contacts in this device may be tubular instead of benig made of sheet metal as are the terminal contacts illustrated in Figures 3, 11 and 12. Lhave so illustrated these terminals to make it clear that the particular type of terminals used does not affect the operation of a switch wherein the contact elements span the depressed areas between'terminals'in the manner contemplated by this invention.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the double lever switch, parts of which are illustrated in Figures 5. to 10, in-

principle from thesingle lever switch-so far as the various features of this invention are elusive and 13, does not differ materially in herein may be interchangeably mounted upon of a plurality of strip terminals extending through said head in arcuate series and having contact portions disposed flat against said head, and a di-electric support connected with said head and projecting therefrom to a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said contact portions of said terminals and disposed in the arc of said series of terminals and between two of'said termlnals. v I

axially embossed segmental contact portions, I

2. In a device of the character described. the combination wtih a di-electric terminal head having substantially parallel inner and .outer faces, of a terminal comprising a terminal portion shouldered to abut said outer face and projecting therebeyond with provision of means for fastening a conductor thereto, a connecting portion extending through said head, and a contact portion substantially at right angles to said connecting I portion and lying flat against said inner face 1 comprising a spring seat.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch casing provided with a plurality of terminals, a handle mounted for oscillation with respect to said terminals, and a di-electric plate connected with saidhandle for oscillationtherewith and provided with recesses, of a moving contact --unit loosely mounted on said plate and'confined between said plate and said terminals, said unit including a metal annulus having a tongue-engaging an aperture of said plate whereby to receive oscillatory movement therefrom, and a second annulus resiliently supported from said first annulus and pro-,

vided at circumferentially spaced points with contact portions adapted for interactionwith said terminals, one of said annuli being provided with axially extending limiting and guiding means engaging the other of said annuli, said means being adapted to transmit oscillatory movement between said annuli and to confine said annuli against a separation greatly exceeding their normal spacing when confined between said plate and said terminals, and said annuli and said means being freely removable unitarily from said plate.

6. In a device of the character described,

' the combination with a handle mounted-for oscillation and a plurality of relatively stationaryterminals mounted in a plurality of arcs concentric with the axis of oscillation of saidhandle and having contact surfaces sub stantially in a common plane, a (Ii-electric plate connected with said handle for'oscillation therewith in substantial parallelism to 'said plane, and a plurality of annular concentric floating contact 'members individually supported resiliently from said plate and said terminals, said contact members being insulated from each other by said plate and bemg'adapted respectively for interaction with the terminals in different arcuate series.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal head provided in concentric arcuate series with terminals substantially in a common plane, of a manually operable rotor supported adjacent said head, and concentrically disposed movable contactors resiliently supported from said rotor and insulated from each other,

' said contactors being disposed respectively for operative engagement with the terminals I of said series.

8. In a device of the character described,

support member and a contact member with interposed springs adapted tofioat said contact member from said support member, said di-electric actuator being assembled unitarily with said casing and the members of each contactor being assembled together for a unitary mounting upon and removal from said actuator.

9. A combination switch comprising a terminal head provided with lighting and igni tion terminals in separate arcuate series, a single manually operable actuator and a plurality of contactors carried by the actuator and positioned respectively for operative engagement with the lighting and ignition terminals of said head 1n selected OOSltlOIlS of said actuator, and means impositively engageable with said actuator and adapted yieldably to define said positions.

' 10. In a "device of the character described, the combination. with a switch casing including a terminal head provided on its face with a plurality of series of terminals in concentric arrangement at differing radii, of a single manually operable actuator disk oscillatory with respect to said casing and disposed therewithin, and contact devices indepencl,

ently supported from said actuator and adapted respectively for engagement with difierent series of terminals in selected positions of oscillation of said actuator, said actuator and a portion of said casing being formed for impositive interaction in said positions, whereby to define them tangibly.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with two concentric annular switching devices having a common actuator supporting them for substantially planar movement, of separate sets of terminals for said switching devices, the terminals in said sets being arranged to be contacted by said devices in corresponding positions thereof throughout a plurality of successive positions of said actuator, and impositive positioning means for defining tangibly the several positions of said actuator in which said switching devices are operatively contacting the terminals of their several sets, said actuator disk and said means being formed for interaction and mounted for bodily, relative, yielding movement.

- the combination with a switch casing provid-- 12. In a device of the character described,

said head, a switching mechanism within said casing, and means impositively defining a plurality of stations for said mechanism, said mechanism including contact devices independently supported therefrom and simultaneously movable therewith, said devices including contact portions arranged substantially in a common plane and adapted at each of a plurality of said stations to engage simultaneously selected terminals in the severalseries with whichthey are respectively associated.

13. In a device of the character described,

the combination with'a terminal head having termlnals thereon, of a plate substantially parallel to said head, a manually operable .actuator including a disk movable adjacent formed to provide a plurality ofarcuately spaced interacting recesses and protuberances and being relatively yieldable whereby to define tangibly saidpositions.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a casing, a contact acmeans for said actuator comprisingtwo parts tuator therein, and a contact element supported therefrom; of impositive positioning positioned at diametrically opposite sides of sa1d casing and adapted simultaneously to I resist the rotation of said actuator.

- 15. In a device of-the character described, the comblnation with'a casing having a front plate and a terminal 'head providing suitable arcuate' serles of terminals,- of switching mechanism within said casing comprising an actuator havlng a di-electric plate adjacent said front plate, contact mechanism connected with said actuator for rotation therewith about a given axis in said casing and operatively associated with said terminals, and balanced means for impositively but tangibly defining selected positions of said actuator,

.said means comprising diametrically opposite protuberances upon one of said plates and a series of recesses complementary to said protuberances upon the other of said plates.

16. In a device of the character described,

about a given axis in said casing and operatively associated with said terminals, and balanced means for impositively but tangibly defining selected positions of said actuator, said means comprising diametrically opposite pro tuberances upon one of said plates and a series of recesses complementary to said protuberances upon the other of said plates, together with means for resiliently pressing said dielectric plate in the direction of said front plate. I a

17. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch casing providing a front plate and a terminal head having a plurality of concentric series of terminals, of a switch actuator comprising a handle extending through said front plate and a dielectric plate connected for rotation with said handle and in face contact with said front plate, said front plate having a set of circumferentially equidistant protuberances and said di-electric plate having a circumferential series of apertures complementary to said protuberances and so positioned that two opposite apertures will be simultaneously engaged by said protuberances in each of a plurality of positions of said actuator, and contact devices interposed between said. actuator and said terminal head.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch casing providing a front plate and a terminal head having a plurality of concentric series of terminals, of a switch actuator comprising a handle extending through said front plate and a dielectric plate connected for rotation with said handle and in face contact with said front plate, said front plate having a set of circumferentially equidistant protuberances and said di-electric plate having a circumferential series of apertures complementary to said protuberances and so positioned that two op- 1 posite apertures will be simultaneously engaged by said protuberances ineach of-a plurality of positions of said actuator, and contact devices interposed between said. actuator and said terminal head, said contact devices comprising concentric conductive elements independently resiliently supported from said di-electric plate and adapted respectively for contact with terminals of different series.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal head and a front plate spaced therefrom, of a handle supported for oscillation with reference to said front plate and projecting therethrough, a di-electric plate mounted between said front plate and said terminal head and connected with said handle for oscillation therewith, a spring pressing said di-electric plate in the direction of said front plate, and a switch contactor supported from said di-electric plate for movement in operative relation to said terminal head, one of said plates being formed with protuberances and the other with apertures adaptedfor registry therewith in a selected position of said di-electric plate.

20. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a terminal head and ,a

e front plate spaced therefrom, of a switch handle supported for oscillation with respect to .said front plate, an actuating plate mounted adjacent said front plate between it and said terminal head and connected with said handle, and a switch contactor supported from said actuating plate in operative" relation to said'terminal head, one of said plates being formed with a recess and the other with a protuberance adapted in one position of oscillation of said handle to register with said recess, whereby impositively to define saidposition.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality-of switch terminals, a plate in spaced relation thereto, and a handle supported for oscillation; adjacent said terminals and extending through said plate; of an actuating plate connected with said handle, disposed between said first mentioned plate and said terminals and provided with a plurality of recesses in a seriesconcentrlc to the axis of oscillation of said,

handle; a member protruding from said first mentioned plate adapted in selected positions of said handle for impositive engagement with the recesses of saidactuating plate; a

switch device adapted in one of said positions for engagement with a selected terminal; and

a compression spring interposed between said switch device and said actuating plate and adapted to press said device in the direction of said terminaland to press said actuating plate in the directionof'said member.

22. In a device of the character described, a contact device comprising a pair of metallic annuli, one of which is provided with peripheral notches and'the-other of which is provided with peripheral tongues complemezr tary to said notches and upsetat their extremities'toengage unnotched portions of the other annulus, together with springs interv posedbetween said annuli and adaptedto maintain them at'the separation permitted by said tongues.

23. Switch "mechanism including a pair of annuli, springs interposed between said'an- 'nuli and tongues formed in the periphery of one of said annuli and extending axially therefrom to provide-guides for'the other front plate, an actuating member connectedwith said handle and provided with tongues engaging openings in said di-elec-tric eles nient, and a contact device provided with tongues engaging openings in said di-electric element whereby to receive motion therethrough from said handle. a

25. In a device of the character described,- the combination with ,a switch casing having a front plate, of adi -electric element adjacentsaidfront plate within said casing and provided with openings, a handle concentric with said element and extending through said front plate, an actuating member con-' nected with said handle and provided with tongues engaging openings in said di-electric j element, and a contact device provided with tongues engaging openings in said di-electrlc element whereby to receive motion therethrough from said handle, said contact device comprisinga pair of metallic members and interposed springs in unitary connection.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch casing having'a front plate, of a di-electric element adjacent said front plate within said casing and provided with openings, a handle concentric with said .element and extending throughsaid front plate, an actuating member connected. with said handle and provided with tongues engaging openings in said di-electric element, and a contact devlce provided with tongues engaging openings insaid di-electric element whereby to receive motion therethrough from said handle, said contact device comprising a pair of metallic' members and interposed springs in unitary connection adapted to maintain said di-electric element under pressure exerted toward said front plate, said element and front plate being provided respectively with interacting apertures and protuberances adapted impositively to define selected positions of said element.

27 The combination with acasing having a front plate anda handle extending therethrough and rotatable thereimthe portion'of outwardly countersunk, of an actuating de-f and provided with rearwardly' projecting tongues, adi-electrid element having apertures receiving said tongues arfil having its vice positioned inithecountersunk portion of said front plate connected, with said handle outer portion in face contact witlr the outer portion of said front plate, and switching mechanism mounted at the rear of'said dielectric element and including a part havelementat the-opposite side of said element from said actuating device, whereby to re- -ceive motion through said element and saidactuating device from said handle.

' 28. The combination with a casing having a front plate'and a-handleext ending therethrough and rotatable therein, the portionof f said front plate adjacent said handle being ing tongues receivable in apertures of said 110 said front plate adjacent said handlebeing outwardly countersunk, of an actuating device positioned in the countersunk portion of said front plate connected with said handle and provided with rearwardly projecting tongues, a di-electric element having apertures receiving said tongues and having its outer portion in face contact with the outer portion of said front plate, and switching mechanism mounted at the rear of said dielectric element and including a part having tongues receivable in apertures of said element at the opposite side of said element from said actuating device, whereby to receive mo: tion through said element andsaid actuating device from said handle, said dielectric element and said front plate being formed for impositive interaction in selected positions of said element.

29. The combination with a casing having a front plate and a handle extending therethrough and rotatable therein, the portion of said front plate adjacent said handle being outwardly countersunk, of an actuating device positioned in the countersunk portion of said front plate connected with said handle and provided with rearwa-rdly projecting tongues, a di-electric element having apertures receiving said tongues and having its outer portion in face contact with the outer portion of said front plate, and switching mechanism mounted at the rear of said dielectric element and including a part having tongues receivable in apertures of said element at the opposite side of said element from said actuating device, whereby to receive motion through said element and said actuating device from said handle, said dielectric element and said front plate being formed for impositive interaction in selected positions of said element, said switching mechanism comprising a plurality of contact devices separately mounted on said dielectric element for mutual insulation and positioned to contact separate series of terminals in said casing.

30. In a device-of the character described, the combination with a switch casinghaving a di-electric terminal head at its rear and having a plate in spaced relation to said head provided with an embossed protuberance, of a handle supported for oscillation with, respect to said casing and projecting through said plate, a di-electric disk in splined connection with said handle and disposed between said plate and said head,'said disk being provided with a plurality of recesses adapted in selected positions of said handle for registry with said protuberance, and a plurality of concentric switch devices confined between said di-electric disk and said head and each including a pair of interconbeing loosely engaged with said disk for oscillation therewith.

31 In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch casing having a front plate provided with an axially em-. bossed protuberance, of a handle mounted for oscillation with respect to said casing andextending through said plate, a connecting member splined to said handle and pro vided with axially projecting lugs, a di-electrio disk provided with recesses adapted to receive said lugs whereby to connect said disk with said handle for oscillation and provided with a series of recesses adapted in selected positions of oscillation of said handle to register with said protuberance, means for confining said disk yieldably against said plate, and a contactor connected with said disk for oscillation therewith.

32. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch casing having a front plate provided with an axially embossed protuberance, of a handle mounted foroscillation with respect to said casing and extending through said plate, a connectvided with axially projecting lugs, a di-electric disk provided with recesses adapted to receive said lugs whereby to connect said disk with said handle for oscillation and provided with a series of recesses adapted in selected positions of oscillation of said handle to register with said protuberance, means lng member splined to said handle and proing said disk and with axially projecting fingers and provided with a contact annulus guided by said fingers and springs confined between said annuli.

33. In a device of the character described,-

supporting members projecting from said head intermediate said terminals, of a handle mounted for oscillation with respect to said casing and projecting through said front plate, a di-electric plate in splined relation to said handle and between said front plate and head, one of said ,plates being formed with protuberances and the other with recesses adapted for impositive interaction, a plurality of arcuately extending contactors independently floated from said di-electric plate and adapted respectively to interact with different terminals-of said head, and springs interposed between said contactors and said last mentioned plate, whereby to urge said contactors and said last mentioned plate yieldably in opposite directions within said casing.

34'. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a switch casing in- I handle mounted foroscillation with respect to said casing and projecting through said front plate, a di-electric plate in splined relation to said handle and between said front plate and head, one of said plates being formed with protuberances and the other with recesses adapted for impositive interaction, a plurality of arcuately extending contactors independently floated from said dielectric pla'teand adapted respectively to interact with different terminals of said head, and springs interposed between said contactors and said last anentioned plate, whereby to urge said contactors and said last mentioned plate yieldably in opposite directions within said casing, said head being provided with depressed areas intermediate said terminals and said supporting members and said contactors being each provided with an arcuately extending contact surface of sufficient length to span said areas.

35. In a device of the character described, a moving contactor unit comprising spaced supporting and contacting annuli, said contacting annuli being provided with embossed segmental contact elements having radially enlarged portions intermediate their ends comprising spring seats, and said supporting annulus having portions upwardly embossed to comprise a stud spring seat, together with v springs positioned between said studs and receivedwithin the seats of said co supporting and contacting annuli, said con-- 'tacting annuli being provided with embossed segmental contact elements' having radially enlarged portions intermediate their ends comprising spring seats, and said supporting annulus having portions upwardly embossed to comprise a stud spring seat, together with springspositioned between said studs and received within the seats of said contactor and annulus; one of said annuli being provided adjacent its margin with recesses and the other of said annuli being provided with axially extending fingers engaging in said recesses andprovided with upset portions adapted to retain said annuli. in spaced relation against the compression of said springs.

37. A switch contact device comprising a pair of spaced metallic plates, tongues carried by one plate for guidance thereof in movement to and from the first plate and to limit the separation of said plates, springs interposed between said plates, embossed tubular elements integral with one of said ntactor plates and providing positioning posts for said springs.

' 38. In a switch, the combination with a movable contactor having embossed contact portions, of a di-electric terminal head provided with spaced embossed supports constituting dead terminals adapted to carry said contact portions, and a live terminal intermediate two of said dead terminals, said con tegrally a set of supports inwardly projecting from the face of said disk.

41. A switch casing comprising a cylindrical bod having a di-electricdisk at its rear, said isk being embossed to provide integrally a set of supports inwardly projecting from the face of said disk, said disk carrying a set of live terminals arranged in common series with said supports and each including a strip of metal of a thickness equal to the projection of said supports, said strip having a portion bent fiat against the inner face of said disk and having another portion extending through said disk and shouldered for engagement externally therewith.

ROBERT K. WINNING.

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