US1843933A

US1843933A - Switch operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US1843933A
Application number: US425998A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sachs Joseph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-02-05
Filing date: 1930-02-05
Publication date: 1932-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1949-02-09

Description

J. SACHS Filed Feb. 5, 1930 3 Sheei'Is--SheelI l fnl/Enh?" 7550/7 555/75 .77 )l '7/ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANI SM Feb. 9, 1932.

w mu o W U 6 7 M a o 1 o o H oui 'im w UH Feb. 9', 1932. sAcHs SWITCH OPERATING MEGHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1930 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1932. J, SACHS 1,843,933

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH SACHS, 0F WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed February 5, 1930. Serial No. 425,998.

This invention relates particularly to an operating mechanism for a double throw switch, the mechanism being adapted to effeet a quick movement of the switch to its open position from either of its closed positions and being preferably also adapted to eiect a quick movement of the switch from its open position to either of its closed positions.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and compact switch operating mechanism having the characteristics as described and of such construction as to be effective and reliable in operation and economical in manufacture. This object is attained by providing a switch operating element, and two independently movable actuating members for the operating element each having a lost-motion connection therewith, and preferably by also providing a manually movable controlling device having a lost-motion connection with each actuating member.

In the accompanylng drawmgs I have shown the embodiment of the invention which I now deem preferable, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustrative purposesjonly and are not to.

y be construed as defining or limiting the scope principal parts of the mechanism spaced from each other so that their details of construction may more clearly appear.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing in .assembled relationship 'the parts which are shown'separately in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 to 11 are views similar to Fig. 4 but showing the parts of the mechanism in various relative positions.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, l represents as anentiretya switch box or casing which may be of the ordinary rectangular form and which may be provided with the usual front cover 2 hinged to the box at one side and adapted to be held in closed position by means of a latch 3. Mounted within the casing is a suitable double throw switch which, so far as the present invention is concerned, may be of any suitable construction. For purposes of clearly illustrating the invention I have shown a switch of the type disclosed in my copending application for electric circuit controlling appliance, Serial No. 444,050 led April 14, 1930, but it is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limited to a .switch of this type.

I have illustrated a two pole switch, but the number of poles maybe varied as desired. For each pole there are provided two pairs of

stationary switch contacts

5, 6 and 7, 8. The electrical connections for these stationary switch contacts may be varied, but as shown the two contacts 6 and 8 are electrically connected to each other by means of a strap 9 and they are also electrically connected with a wire terminal 10. The stationary contact 5 is connected with a wire terminal 11 through the medium of a fuse mounted in

fuse contacts

12 and 13. The stationary contact 7 is connected with a wire terminal 14 through the medium of a fuse mounted in

fuse contacts

15 and 16.

Slidably mounted for movement betweenv the stationary switch contacts of the two pairs is a switching member 17, the main body of which is formed of insulating'mate rial. Mounted upon the main body of the sliding switching member are two conducting

contact elements

18 and 19 which are out of contact with the stationary switch contacts when the switching member is in central position as shown. It will be evident, however, that when the switching member is.

moved upward the conducting element 18 will move between the stationary contacts 5 and 6 to electrically connect them, and that when the switch member is moved downward the conducting element 19 will move between the

stationary contacts

7 and 8 to electrically connect them. The switching member 17 for the two poles of the switch are provided with slots 2O by means of which the switch members are mechanically connected with an operating element 21. Preferably and as shown the -operating element 21 is mounted for oscillatory movement about a transverse axis and it has aligned

pivot sections

22, 22 at its ends and an off-set crank 23 between the pivot sections. Then the switch is enclosed in a casing such as 1, the

pivot sections

22, 22 are` preferably supported by the opposite side walls of the casing. When the operating element 21 is oscillated the sliding member of the switch is moved by the crank section 23 thereof either to the central open position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or to either of the two closed positions. ,l

As clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 I provide two

members

24 and 25, which for the sake of convenience I will designate as actuating members. In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated, these two actuating members are mounted for oscillatory movement about the same axis as the operating element. Each of the

members

24 and 25 has a lost-motion connection with the operating element, and preferably this connection is obtained by means of

lugs

24a and 24b on the member 24 and lugs 25al and 25b on the member 25. The parts are so assembled that the radial portion of the olf-set crank section 23 of the operating element lies between the two lugs 24a and 24h and also between the two

lugs

25a and 25".

In addition to the actuating members- 24 and 25 I provide a controlling device which is mechanically connected with the actuating members independently of the operating ele-v ment, and preferably there are provided for this purpose lost-motion connections which are separate from the operating element. The controlling device is preferably mounted for movement about the same axis as the operating element. This controlling device comprises an arm 27 located on the exterior of the casing and carrying a handle 28. The

' controlling device also comprises a hub 29 which extends through and has a bearing in a circular opening in the side wall of the casing l. The' corresponding pivot section 22 of the operating element 21 extends into a central hole in the hub. The two actuating

members

24 and 25 are mounted on the periphery of the hub 29 and are adapted toturn thereon each independently of the other. The controlling device further comprises a linger 30 which contacts with the inner face of the hub and which projects radially outward sol as to lie between the two

lugs

24a and 24b of the actuating member 24 and between the

twolugs

25a and 25b of the actuating member 25. The three

parts

27, 29 and 30 of the controlling device are connected together by meansof

screws

31, 31.

Connected with each of the actuating

members

24 and 25 is an over-the-center spring means, which tends to hold the corresponding member in either of its extreme positions. As illustrated, each of the said means comprises a guide rod 32 which is pivoted to an arm extending from the corresponding actuating member. The opposite end portion of each rod 32 projects through suitable holes in a yoke 33, the yoke being pivoted to the adjacent side wall of the box by means of a bearing stud 34 held in place by means of a washer 35 and a cotter pin 36. ing each rod 32 and interposed between a shoulder on the rod and the corresponding yoke 33 is a compression coil spring 37. The spring 37, by its expansive action, tends to hold the corresponding actuating member at one or the other of its limits of movement. For limiting the movement of the actuating member 24 in the counter-clockwise direction there is provided a stud 38 carried by the side wall of the box, and for limiting the movement of theactuating member 25 inthe clockwise direction there is provided a similar stud 39.

I have shown and described a mechanism wherein the operating element, the two actuating members and the controlling device are all mounted for oscillatory movement about the same axis. This construction is preferred, but it is understood that as far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned I do not so limit myself.

I will now proceed with a detailed explanation with the operation of the mechanism in its preferred form as illustrated. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, it will be observed that all of the parts are in the positions corresponding to the central or open position ofthe switch. The linger 3() is parallel with the radial portion of the off-set crank section 23 of the operating element 21. The width of this finger may be approximately the same as the thickness of the operating element, although in the drawings I have shown it slightly wider for the sake of clarity of illustration. The two actuating

members

24 and 25 are at their o posite limits of movement, the member 24 Ibeing at its limit of movement in the counter-clockwise direction and the member 25 being at its limit of movement in the clockwise direction. With the actuating members in this position the operating element is between the

lugs

24 and 25? and is thereby held in its central position corresponding to the o en position of the switch.` Inasmuch as the ger 30 of the operating device is in engagement with the lugs ber has not yet been moved, ut'the4 lug 25J has been brought approximately into engagement with it. Any movementfof the controlling device beyond the position shown in Fig. 6 will enable the spring 37 to act and quickly throw the actuating member 25 in the counter-clockwise direction so as to causey the lug 25b to quickly move the operating element in the counter-clockwise direction to the corresponding switch closing position as shown in Fig. 7. Movement of the operating element in the said direction is limited by the lug 24b on the actuating member 24 which has not been moved, and the said operating element is in fact held between'the two

lugs

24b and 25b so as to be maintained in its switch closing position.

When it is desired to return the switch to its central open position, the actuating device is moved in the clockwise direction to approximately the position shown in Fig. 8, wherein the upper spring 37 is again at its ldead center position. The operating element has not yet been moved, but the lug 25a on the actuating member 25 has been brought approximately into engagement with it. Further movement of the controlling device in the same direction will move the upper spring '37, past its dead center position and will cause it to quickly move the actuating member 25 in the clockwise direction so that the lug 25a thereof will quickly move the operating element in theclockwise direction so as to restore all of the parts to the relative positions shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows the relationship of parts when.

the controlling device has been moved in the clockwise direction. The finger 30, by reason of its engagement with the lug 24a, has moved the actuating member 24 far enough to bring the lower spring 37 to its dead center position. The operating element has not yet been moved, but the lug 24b has been brought approximately into engagement with it. Any

movement of the controlling device beyond the position shown in Fig. 9 will enable the lower spring 37 to act and quickly throw the actuating member 24 in the clockwise direction so as to cause the lug 24b to quickly move the operating element in the clockwise directionto the second switch closing position of the switch as shown in Fig. 10. Movement of the operating element in the said direction is limited by the lug 25h on the actuating member 25 which has not been moved, and the said operating element is in factA held between the two

lugs

25b and 24b so as to be maintained in its second switch closing position.

When it is desired to return the mechanism to its central open position, the actuating device is moved in the counter-clockwise direction to approximately the position shown in Fig. 11, wherein thelower spring 37 is again at its dead center position. rl`he operating element has not yet been moved, but

the 1u`g 24a on the actuating member 24 has been brought approxlmately into engagement with it. Further movement of the lcontrolling device in the same direction will move the llower spring 37 past its dead center position and will cause it to quickly move the actuating member 24 in the counter-clockwise direction so that the lug 24a thereof will quickly move'the operating. element in the counterclockwise direction so as to restore all of the part-s to the relative positionsv shown in Fig. 4.

p That I claim is:

i 1. In a switch operating mechanism for 'a double throw switch, the combination of an operating element, two independently movable actuating members for the operating element each having a lost-motion connection therewith and serving when at their directionally opposite limits of movement to hold the said element in its central position, and means separate from the operating element for moving either of the actuating members in the direction away from its said limit position, the member so moved acting through the said lost-motion connection to move the operating element in the same direction to its corresponding switch closing position.

2. .A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim l, wherein there are two overthe-center spring means for the respective actuating members, each serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement.

3. A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for moving either lof the actuating members includes amanually movable controlling device having a lost-motion connection with each actuating member.

4..A switch operating mechanism as set 4 toa central open position, two actuating members movable to a limited extent independently of each other and independently of the operating element, two over-the-center spring means connected with the respective actuating members and adaped to hold both of them at their limits of movement in one direction or at their limits of movement in the other direction and to thereby hold the operating element in one or the other of its switch closing positions, and a controlling device mechanically connected with the actuating members separately from the operating element and serving to move one or the other of the said members away from its said limit position in one direction or the other as required, the initial movement of the said member so moved causing the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement in the said direction independently7 of the controlling device so as to quickly move the operating element to its central open switch position.

6. A quick operating m-echanism for a double throw switch, comprising in combination an operating element adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position, two actuating members movable to a limited extent independentlyv of each other and independently of the operating element, two over-thecenter spring means connected with the respective 'actuating members and serving when the operating element is-in its central position to hold the actuating members at their directionally opposite limits of movement, and a controlling device mechanically connected with the actuating members independently of the operating element for initially moving either of the said members independently of the other in the direction away Afrom its said limit position so as to cause the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement in the said direction, the respective actuating members including means serving during the latter part ofthe said movement of either member to engage the operating element and quickly move it to the corresponding switch closing position.

7. A quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, comprising in combination an operating element adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position` two actuating members movable to a limited extent independently ofeach other and independently of the operating element, two over-thecenter spring means connected with the respective actuating members and serving when the operating lelement is in its central position to hold the actuating members at their directionally opposite limits of movement, and a controlling device mechanically -away from its said limit position so as to cause the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement in the said direction, the respective actuating members including means serving during the latter part of the said movement of either member -to engage the operating element and quickly move it to the corresponding switch closing position and the respective actuating members also including means enabling either member to limit the switch closing movement of the operating element by the other member.

8. A quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, comprising in combination an operating element adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position, two actuating members movable independently of each other and each having a lost-motion connection with the operating element, two over-thecenter spring means connected with the respective actuating members and serving when the operating element is in its central position to hold the actuating members at their directionally opposite limits of movement with respect thereto, and a controlling device having lost-motion connections with the respective actuating members which lostmotion connections are separate from the operating element and serve to initially move either one of the actuating members independently of the other in the direction away from` its said limit position so as to cause the corresponding over-the-center spring means to actand quickly complete the movement in the said direction, the actuating member which is so moved serving during the latter part of its mov-ement to engage the operating element and quickly move it to the corresponding switch closing position.

9. A quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, comprising in combination an oscillatory operating element adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position, two actuating members movable independently of each other and each having a lost-motion connection with the operating element, tWo over-the-c'enter spring means connected with the respective actuating members and serving when the operating element is in its central position to hold the actuating members at their directionally opposite limits of movement with respect thereto and to thus hold the operating member in its said central position, and a controlling device mechanically connected with the actuating members independently of the operating element for initially moving either one of the actuating members independently of the other in the direction away from its said limit positionso asto releasecthe operating element for movement in the same direction and so as to cause the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement of the member so moved, the last said actuating member during the latter part of its movement engaging the operating elelment and quickly moving it to the ,corresponding switch closing position.

10. A quick operating mechanism Vfor a double throw switch, comprising in combination an element adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position, two actuating members movable to a limited extent independently of each other and independently of the operating element, two over-the-center spring means connected with the respective actuating members and adapted to hold both of them at their limits of movements in one direction or at their limits of movement in the other direction and to thereby hold the operating element in one or the other of its switch closing positions, and a controlling device mechanically connected with the actuating members separately from the operating element and serving to move first one and then, if required, the other of the actuating members away from their said limit positions in one 'direction or the other as required, the initial movement of the rst member causing the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement in the said direction independently of the controlling device so as to quickly move the operating element to its central open switch position and the initial movement of the second member causing the corresponding over-the-center spring means to act and quickly complete the movement in the said direction independently of the controlling device so as to quickly move the operating member from its central position to the remaining closed switch positions.

11. In a switch operating mechanism for a double throw switch,vthe combination of an oscillatory operating element, two oscillatory actuating members movable coaxially with the operating element and each having a lost-motion connection therewith, the said members when they are at their opposite limits of movement holding the operating element in its central position and the said members when they are both at either of their limits of movement in the same direction holding the operating element in its corresponding switch closing position, and means separate from the operating element for moving either of the actuating members in either direction.

12. In a switch operating mechanism for a double throw switch, the combination of anl oscillatory operating element, two oscillatory actuating members movable coaxially with the operating element and each having a lostmotion connection therewith, and a manually movable controlling device movable coaxially with the operating element and actuating members and having a lost-motion connection vwith each of the latter, 'which connect-ion is `separate from the operating element. y

13. In a quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, the combination of an oscillatory element adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position, two oscillatory actuating members movable coaXially with the operating element and each having an independent lost-motion connection therewith, the said members when they are at their directionally opposite limits of movement holding the operating element in its central position and the'said members when they are both at either of their limits of move-4 ment lin the same direction holding the operating element in its corresponding switch closing position, two over-the-center spring means for the respective actuating members each serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement, and a manually lmovable controlling device movable coaxially with the operating element and actuating members and having a lost-motion connection with each of the latter, which connection is separate from the operating element.

14. In a quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, the combination of an oscillatory element comprising a single rod bent to form aligned pivot sections at its ends and an oH-set crank section between the pivot sections adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions or to a central open position, and two oscillatory actuating members movable coaXially with the operating element adjacent one of the 'pivot sections thereof and each havingan independent lost-motion engagement with the crank portion thereof, the said members when they are at their directionally opposite limits of movement holding the operating element in its central position and the said members when they are both at either of their limits of movement in the same direction holding the operatingfelement in its4 corresponding switch closing position.

15. A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein there are two overthe-center spring means for the respective actuating members each serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement.

16. A switch operating mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein there is a controlling device movable coaXially with the operating element and actuating members andY having a lost-motion connection with each of the latter.

17. ,A switchoperating mechanism as set forth in claim 14, wherein there are two overthe-center spring means for the respective actuating members each serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement, and wherein there is a controlling device movable coaxially with the operating element and actuating members and having a lost-motion connection with each of the latter.

18. In a quick operating mechanism for a double throw switch, the combination of an oscillatory element having aligned pivot sections at its ends and an olf-set crank section between the pivot sections adapted to operate the switch to either of two closed positions .or to a central open position, two oscillatory actuating members movable coaxially with the operating element adjacent one of the pivot sections thereof and each having two spaced lugs extending parallelly with the axis and adapted to engage the radialportion of the crank section of the operating element so that when the said members are at their opposite limits of movement they will hold the operating element in its central position and so that when the said members are both at their limits of movement in the same direction they will hold the operating element in its corresponding switch closing position, two over-the-center spring means for the respective actuating members each serving to hold the corresponding member at one or the other of its limits of movement, and a controlling device movable coaxially with the operating element and actuating members and having a portion thereof extending between the two lugs of each actuating member to provide a lost-motion connection therewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of January, 1930.

JOSEPH SACHS.