US1765132A - Rotary current-reversing switch - Google Patents

Description

June l7, 1930. c s 1,765,132

ROTARY CURRENT REVERSING SWITCH Filed April 16, 1928 INVENTOR Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES- FRED r. omrnsnn, on nosnnune, onneoiv V ROTARY CURRENT-REVERSING SWITCH Application filed April 16, 1928. Serial No. 270,560.

This invention relates to an electrical current reversing switch, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a positive and sensitive switch of such class for expeditiously and satisfactorily reversing the current when desired, and further whereby the switch is so constructed and arranged to practically eliminate sparking when operated from one position to another.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, anelectrical reversing switch of the rotary type having the elements thereof so constructed and arranged and coacting with each other to'set up a cleaning action therefor on the operation of the switch under such conditions maintaining such elements clean at all times.

' Further objects of the invention are to provide an electrical current reversing switch of the rotary type and in amanner as hereinafter set forth which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient in its'use, positive in its action, sensitive, conveniently operated', readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. 7

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a rotary reversing switch in accordance with this invention and with the cover plate removed and further illustrating in full and in dotted lines various positions of the reversing lever.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View of the switch'with the cover plate in position.

A switch in accordance with this invention is of the rotary type and includes a circular casing orhous'ing referred to generally at 8 and which comprises a body portion 4, in the form of an annulus, a bottom 5 which abuts against the inner edge of the body portion 4 and is fixedly secured thereto by the holdfast devices 6. The casing or housing 3 also includes a removable cover 7 positioned against the outer edge of the body portion 4. The outer edge 8 of the body portion 4 is formed with a pair of diametrically disposed wide grooves or cutouts 9, 10 to provide clearances for the reversing lever 11, and the latter is of a length to'extend a substantial distance from the clearance 9 to provide-a handle part 12. The lever 11 also projects from the clearance 10, as at 13 and suchprojecting portion of the lever 11 is less in length than the projecting portion of said lever 11 which provides the handle part 12.

The side walls 14, 15 of the clearances 9, 10

limit the rotative movement of the lever 11 in opposite directions. When the lever 11 is shifted in a clock-wise direction its movement is limitedby the walls 14, 15 of the clearances, 9, 10 respectively, and when shifted in anti-clock-wise direction its movement is limited by the walls 14, 15 of the clearances 10, 9 respectively.

The body portion 4 has its inner face provided with an annular shoulder 16 and that portion of the inner face of the body portion 4, from the shoulder '16 to the inner edge of said body portion 4, is flared as at 17 and by this arrangement the inner face of the body portion 17 from the inner edge of the latter to the shoulder 16 gradually decreases in diameter. The body port-ion 4 is provided with an opening 18 for the entrance of current conductors 19, 20, 21 and 22.

The cover plate 7 has the perimeter of its inner face at diametrically disposed points recessed as at 23, 24 and whichoppose and are arranged over the clearances 9, 10.

Secured within the body portion 4, and abutting against the shoulder 14, is a base member 25 formed of insulation material, preferably bakelite. The base member 25 is of the desired thickness and snugly abuts against the inner face of the body portion 4 below the shoulder 6.

Revolubly supported on the base member 25 is a current reversing element referred to generally "at 26 and which is of circular contour. The member 26 is formed of three sections 27, 28 and 29. The sections 28 and 29 are of segmental contour and the section 29 is of slightly greater length than the section 28. The sections. 28 and 29 are formed of conducti are term brushes. The section 2718 formed of non-conducting material and has its upper face formed with a 'circularenlargement 30; y The working edge of a brush 28 or 29 is of.

arcuate curvature and forms a continuation of the arc of the edge of the section 27 and the latter is formed with a centrally disposed opening 31'communicating at its upper end ina' socket 32 formed centrally of the upper face of the member 26. Extending through the opening 30 and through the base 25, as well as threadedly engaging with the latter, is a headed bolt 33 constituting a pivot for the member 26. The head 34 of the bolt 33 is positioned within the socket 32 and interposed between said head 34 and the base of the socket is'a washer 35. Carried on the lower end of the bolt 33 and positioned below the base 25 are securing nuts 36 for the bolts section 27 is furthermore provided with. pair of diametrically disposed openings 37 having threaded walls with which engage the coupling screws 38 which extend through and are countersunk in the lever 11 and provide means for fixedly securing the lever 11 to the member 26.

The diameter of the member 26 is materially less than the diameter of the base 25 and secured to the latter, and arranged equi-distant with respect to each other, as well as positionedadjacent the member 26, are four terminals 39,40, 41 and 42 for the power lines 19, 20, 21 and 22 respectively. The terminals depend below the base 25 and have the power lines electrically connected therewith as at 43. The terminals extend a substantial distance above the base 25 and are formed with enlarged upper portions thereby providing shoulders 44 which abut the up r face of the base 25. The upper portions 0 the terminals are formedwith concaved inner sides against which,, are secured by .holdfast devices 45 resilient. supports or carriers 46 of arcuate 1 form standing on edge and of materially .greater length than the diameter of the upper portionsrof the terminals. The carrier 46 which is secured to the terminal 39 has secured to its innerface, at each end thereof, a brush orcontact and: said "brushes or contactsare indicated M47, 48 and are normally arranged in spaced relation-with respect to the member 26; A like arrangement of brushesor-contacts is had in connectian with the of the, other terminals and the it brushes or'contacts for theterminal 40 are in- 5 (heated at 49, 50. for the terminal 41 materiahpreferably copper, and

- position and eliminates the possibility of an at 51, 52 and those for the terminal 42 at 53, 54. The brush 47 opposes the brush 49. The brush 50 opposes the brush 51. The brush 52 opposes the brush 53 and the brush 54 opposes the brush 48. The opposed brushes are arranged in spaced relation. The carriers resiliently su port the brushes. The hold- 7 fast devices or securing the brushes to the carriers are indicated at 55. The carriers are secured centrally thereof to the upper portions of the terminals.

. The base 25 is formed with a pair of open; ings 56 arranged outwardly with respect to the carriers and through said openings 26 is adapted to pass a pair of retaining bolts 57, only one of which is shown. The bolts 57 are adapted to en ge in the cover-plate 7 for securing it, tot e housing or casing. By this arrangement the cover plate 7 is secured in one openingthe case and tampering with t e switch. The cover plate 7 is formed with an opening 58; and the lever 11. with an opening 59 which is adapted to register with the opening 58. Secured to the cover plate 7 is a key operated locking mechanism 60 for the lever 11 andsaid mechanism includes a locking bolt 61 for passage through the open ing 58, to e 1n the ope 59 to lock the lever 11 rom movement. ny suitable key operated mechanism for such purpose can be employed.

The reversing lever 11 is spring controlled and for such purpose it has secured to the end portion 13 thereof, by the holdfast device 61 a depending apertured lug 62 which slides on a semi-circular rail 63'arranged in spaced relation withrespect to the body portion 4 of the casing or housing 3.

The rail 63 has its ends detachablyconnected to laterally extending apertured lug or supporting means 64 which are secured to and pro ect laterally from the body portion 4 of o r the casing or housing 3. Mounted on the rail 63 is a pair at spaced coiled sprin 65 66 arranged in the path of the depen ing-lugs 63 7 whereby when the lever 11 is shifted to dotted line position asindicated at -A the spring 65 will be compressed so that when lever 11 is released it will be returned to its normal position. When lever 11 is shifted to the dotted line position indicated at B the spring 66 will be compressed so that when lever 11 isreleased it will be restored to normal position.

The springs 65 and 66 act to maintain the lever 11 in the full line position shown in Figure 1'. I

The positive terminal is indicated at B.

ativeG and shield R at the top: If the operatordesire's' tetra-1e connections the lever" 11 is released" and reun ted to nornial position by spring 65. In order to turn the motor in the opposite direction, the'leverll is shifted to position B. This connects the positive terminal B with field R on the bottom and thenegative terminal G and field S onthe top.

The brush 29 which operates on the terminal B is somewhat longer than the brush 28'. This is'for the purpose of making a positive connection with the two lower brushes before the top brush engages either one of the field brushes on the negative side and by this arrangement it practically eliminates all sparking.

Asthe switch operatesin a rotary manner, it is very sensitive and positive and due to the rotaryantion it is inclined to keep all points ofcontact clean at all times. WVhen pressureis released'on the lever 11 it is immediately restored to normal position.

It is thought the many advantages of a rotary switch,'for the purpose referred to and in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described,- yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of con struction can be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed;

Whit I claim is:

1. 'A currentrefversing' switch comprising a positive terminal,- a neg'ative terminal, a

. right hand field terminal, a left hand field terminan'eani of said terminals including a carrier at one end thereof provided with a pair of spaced brushes, said carriers spaced fromeach other, and a normally inactive romaneciurr'ent reversing device including a pair of brssheseaeh for selectively bridging brushes of a selected pair of terminals when said device is shifted from normal position.

2. A current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal; a negativeterminal, a right hand field terminal, a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a carrier atone end thereof provided with a pair of spaced brushes, said carriers spaced. from each other, and a normally inactive rotatable current reversing device including a pair of brushes'each fors'electively bridging brushes of a selected pair of terminals when said device is shifted from normal position, said carrier's being resilient and each carrier having the brushes with which it is provided positioned at each end thereof.

3. A current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal, aneg'ative' terminal, a right handv field terminal,- a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a a carrier at one end thereof provided with a pair of.spacedb1tushes',-and a normally inactive rotatable icemnt reversing device including a; pair of" bru'she's each for selectively bridging'brushes' of a selected pair of terminals when said device is shifted from normalposition, the brushes of said device being of segmental contour, each of said carrier's being resilient and of arcuate contour and having the brushes with'which it is provided positioned at eachend thereof, and said carriers spaced from each other, arranged in a circular row and spaced from said device.

l: A; current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a right hand field terminal, a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a carrier at one end thereof provided with a pair of spaced brushes, and a normally inactive, rotatable current reversing device including a spring controlled shifting lever therefor and further including a revoluble circular element having spaced portions thereof providing a pair of brushes, each for selectively bridging'brushesof a selected pair of terminals when the'device is shifted from normal position.

5. A- current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal, a" negative terminal, a right hand field terminal, a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a carrier at one end thereof provided with a pair of spaced brushes, a normally inactive, rotatable current reversing device including a spring controlled shifting lever therefor and further including a circular, element formed of a non conducting part and a pair of conducting parts separated by the nonconducting parts, said conducting parts providing a pair of brushes, each for selectively bridging brushes of a selected pair of terminals when the device is shifted from normal position, and means engaging the said lever for locking said device from movement.

61 A current reversing switch comprising positive terminal, a negative terminal, a right hand field terminal, a left hand field terminal, each of'said terminals including a carrier at one end thereof provided with a pair of spaced brushes, said carriers spaced from each other, a normally inactive, rotatable current reversing device including a spring controlled shifting lever therefor and further including a revoluble, circular element formed of a non-conducting partand a pair of conducting parts spaced from each other by said non-conducting part, said con ducting parts providing a pair of brushes, each forselectively bridging brushes of a selected pair of terminals when the device is shifted from normalposition', the brushes on each of said carriers positioned at one end of the latter.

-7. A current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a right hand field terminal, a left hand field t erminaheach of said terminals including a carrier provided with a pair of spaced brushes, and a normally inactive, rotatable ther including a revoluble element provided with a pair of brushes, each for selectively bridging brushesof a selected pair of terminals when the device is shifted from normal position, the brushes of said device being of ental contour, said carriers being resilient, spaced from each other,ofarcuate centour, arranged in a circular row, opposing said element and each having thebrushes which they are provided with ositioned at each end thereof and extended toward the brushes of said device.

l 8. A current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a

right hand field terminal, a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a resilient carrier provided with a pair of spaced brushes, and a normally inactive, rotatable current reversing device including a shifting'lever therefor and further including a. revoluble element formed of a non-conducting part and a pair of conducting parts spaced from each other bythe non-conducting part, said conducting parts providing a air of brushes each for selectively brid g rushes ofa selected air of terminalsw en said deviceis shifte from normal position.

,9, A current reversing switch comprising a itive terminal, a negative terminal, a right hand field terminal, a'left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a resilient carrier at one end thereof, said carrier being of arcuate form and provided with .apair of spaced brushes, a normally inactive, rotatable current reversing device includin a, shifting lever therefor and further inclu :ing a revoluble element carrying'apair of brushes, each ,for selectively bridging brushes of a selected pair of terminals when said device is shifted from normal position,

and controlling springs for and positioned in the path of inovement'of one end of said lever, said .lever .havingsaid end provided with means for-engagement by said controlling sprin whereby the lever isnormally maintains in neutral position. f

10. A current reversing switch comprising a positive teminal, a negative terminal, a

righthand field. terminal, a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including 3 resilient carrier at one end thereof provi with apair of spaced brushes, said carriers spaced fromv each other and arranged in circular alignment, anorinallyinactive, rotatable current reversing device includincina shifting lever therefor and further inclu g a revoluble'element having portions thereof lever, said lever having one end constituting a pair of brushes, each for: se-

lectively bridging brushes ofaselected pair ofterminals when said deviceis shifted from normal pesition',oontrolling springs for said rovided with means for engagement by. sai controlvice in inactive position.

bri

lin sprin whereby the lever is normally maintains in neutral position, and means engaging the said lever for locking and de- 11. A currentreversing switch comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a

right hand fieldterminal, a left hand field terminal, each of said terminals including a carrier at one end thereof provided with a pair of spaced brushes, a normally inactive, i

rotatable'current reversi device including a spring controlled shiftmg lever therefor and further including a revoluble, circular element having a non-conducting part and. a pair of conducting parts space other by said non-conducting part, said conductin parts providing a pair ofbrushes each or selectively bridging brushes of a.

selected pair of terminals when the device is shifted from normal position, a base carrying said terminalsandsaid device, a casing enclosing said base, terminals and device and including-aremovable. end plate, connections between said plate and base for securing them together and said plate in position,sai

lever having its ends extended from the housing, and controlling springs for said lever arranged in i thereof.

12. A: current. revers ng switch from each thespath of one of the ends ing a positive terminal, anegative terminal,

a right hand field arma a: left handifi terminal, each of said including a carrier provided with ,a pair of spaced brushes, a normally,inactive, rotatable a p n rent reversing device including trolled sh fting lever therefor and for including a revoluble, circular v element has, 7 ing spaced segmental portions thereof providing a.

ng rushes of a selected I mina s when the device is shift from nor mal position, a base car said terminals and said device, a. casing enc osing said base, terminalsand device and including a removair of ter- %111.0f brushes each for selectively able end plate, connections between said plate and base for securi theinitogether and said plate in positiomsaid'leverhavin its ends extended from the housing, an resilient means'supportedfrom exteriorly of the hgusing, said-resilient means positioned t e in th of-one' end Offfifld lever for controllin the latter. 13. current reversing device comprisiihg a casin means arranged therein and inclu ing a. 'ftable lever for selectively reversing the direction of the current, said leverhaving and resilient means supported from the easing exterior-l thereof and;engeging with one? end of. s ver it to normal 14. A..curi-ent bqthef itsends extended from said casing,-

the direction of the current, said lever having its ends extended from said'casing, one end of the lever projecting a greater distance from the casing than the other end and providing a handle means, resilient means supported from the casing exteriorly thereof and engaging With that end of the lever nearest the casing for restoring the lever to normal position, and means carried by the housing and engaging in the lever for looking it from movement. I 15. A current reversing switch comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a right hand field terminal, a left hand field 5 terminal, each of said terminals including a resilient, arcuate carrier at the inner end thereof, said carrier provided With a pair of spaced brushes, said carriers arranged in spaced relation and in circular alignment, a normally inactive, rotatable current reversing device including a spring controlled shifting lever and further including a circular element carried With the lever and formed of a non-conducting part and a pair ,5 of conducting parts separated by said nonconducting part said circular element surrounded by said carriers and said conducting parts thereof providing a pair of brushes, each for selectively bridging brushes of a se- 301ected pair of terminals when the lever is shifted from normal position, and means engaging the lever for locking the device from movement.

In testimony Whereof,'I aflix my signature hereto.

FRED F. CRITESER.

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