US1853798A - Ciecuit control apparatus for - Google Patents

Description

April 12, 1932. L, BROWNELL 1,853,798

CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FLOODLIGH'IS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 7, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet April 12, 1932. J. 1.. BROWNELL CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FLOODLIGHTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. '7, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ammo H 00 ,ILfB OW ICH Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES JAMES L. BROWNELL, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN CIRCUIT CONTROL APPARATUS FOR- FLOODLIGHTS AND THE LIKE Application filed February 7, 1930. Serial No. 426,726.

My invent-i011 relates to improvements in multiple electric circuit control means and which although capable of other utilization, will be especially adapted for use in the control of flood lights for eflecting many and varied blendings of colors.

Briefly -stated,-the invention has for its primary object to provide a novel and improved device of this kind which comprehends a single circuit control element adapted to variably and simultaneously control two or more of a plurality of circuits at one and the same time, and incorporating an actuating means whereby the circuits will be energized in a predetermined sequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character specified, a novel circuit control element whereby a plurality of circuits will be automatically and successively closed in original and reverse sequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of this kind, a traversing multiple circuit control means and actuating means therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple circuit control mechanism for flood lights and the like, which incorporates a movable control element and circuit wire carrying means for maintaining the circuit wires out of the path of said control element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multiple circuit control mechanism having a movable control element and support therefor, and carrying means for resistance elements, (which are interposed in the several circuits) said carrying means being associated with portions of the movable clement support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which is very simple in construction, relatively inexpensive of manufacture and which will be highly eflicient in practical use since it comprehends a minimum number of parts of durable construction,these being co-related in such a way as to reduce wear and tear to a minimum.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of the various parts and in certain modes of operation,all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying 55 drawings in connection with the detailed description thereof to follow.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a top plan view of a circuit control device embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view thereof;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view with certain parts shown in cross section;

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram showing the circuits; and,

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the carriage actuating shaft.

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts in all views, numeral 2 denotes what is preferably an elongated base of sheet metal having down turned end supporting portions 2 down turned supporting flanges 2 at the sides, and up turned tongues 3 intermediate the portions 2".

The tongues 3 at each side of the base carry substantially channel shaped bars 4 of insulating material which extend throughout a substantial portion of the length of the base, these being secured to tongues 3 by means of screws 5.

Strips 6 of L-shaped cross section are held seated in recesses in the top and inner side surfaces of insulation bars at by means of hollow rivets 7 which carry the wires 8. The L- shaped contact strips 6 are arranged in spaced series along each bar 4 and-are connected, each to one side of a flood light lamp as indicated in Figure 4: by means of the wire 8 which extends down through one of the rivets 7 as indicated in Figures 1 and 2. As shown the wires 8 are carried lengthwise of the base 2 and extend through transverse recesses formed by cross cleats 9 supported by the base 2 between the tongues 3 and which are held in place by the lower or flanged side of the channel members 4. In this way, the wires 8 are kept out of the path of the circuitclosing member 10 which is disposed thereabove and mounted for movement lengthwise of the base.

Mounted upon the base 2 are bearing mem bers 11, 12 which are spaced in the direction of the length of the base and carry the supporting or guide rod 13 of the slidable circuit closer 10, in addition to its worm drive shaft 14 which latter projects through th bearing 12 and may have a coupling 15 for establishing a driving connection with the reduction gearing of a powerunitbut which may be supported upon the adjacent surface oi base 2 which is denoted at 2;

The bearings members 11, 12 have opposed oflset cars 11, 12 at each side which are adapted to carry the securing screws 16 of the substantially I-shaped insulation bars 17 which carry the separate resistance coils 18, of which there is one for each of the flood lights -A,B, C, D, E, F, G, and H as shown in the wiring diagram, of Figure 4.

Each coil 18 has one end anchored as at 18 (Figure 2) to one of the top flanges of its insulating-material carrying bar 17 while the otherend is connected to a binding post 20, circuited as shown in Figure l, in one side-:21'of'an electric circuit,it being noted that the floodlights A, B, C, etc. are in the other side 22 of said circuit. The posts 20 are all in circuit through strip 20.

It will be observed that there are two rivets for each of the L-shaped contact strips 6. As-has already been mentioned one rivet of each strip'carries and forms aguide-like conduit for the wire 8 leading-to one of the flood'lightsA, B, etc. in line 22. The other rivet-ot'each strip 6 may be used to guide the insulated connection from coil 18 to the side- 21of the circuit of strip 20 is not used.

The circuit closing-member 10 is provided with longitudinal bores receiving the shafts 13, 1 1 and. there is a lug 23 adapted to engage the endless spiral groove 2 l of what has been termed the worm shaft i l.

Particular attention is directed to the groove 24 which is shcrwn as provided with two spiral flights, one being of what might be termed a right hand thread and the other of left hand thread,these flights being designated as at 2% and 24*". Since the two groove flights are connected, thecontact memberlO will be driven back and forth between the pairs-of insulating bars 6, 17 which c rry, respectively, the series of L-shaped contact strip-s6 and resistance coils 18 of the circuits of the respective flood lights, A, B, C, etc.

Secured to the baseof the member 10 by means ofscrews 26 is a cross block 27 which is recessed to seat the bottom of the member b and carries the contact or bridging n 1emhers-28 which are secured to the or as block 27 by screws 29. Thecontact members 28 havereverted portions 30 arra ed to suecessively engage the strips 6- and lateral portions 31 adapted to engage the bare convolutions of the coils 18 upon the I-shaped bars 17.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the device will be apparent to those skilled in tl c art but may be summarized as follows Assuming the circuit closer 10 to be in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the motor 35 (Figure l) is started causing the carriage to move toward the left (Figure 1). This means that the flow of current from the source o'f'supply 36 through line 21 will pass in undiminished strength directly to the flood light H in the other side 22 otthe circuit. However, respecting the flood light D whose contact strip 6 is directly opposite the contact strip of flood light 11 (and whose resistance coils 18 are also in opposition to one another shown),will be but dimly illuminated at first for the reason that the current from the supply line 21 mustflow through the coil 18, bridging strip 28 and contact strip 6 before reaching the line 22 containing the flood light D. However, as the member 10 moves in its leftward direction the resistance in circuit H increases whereas the resistance in circuit D decreases, it being noted that the right end of the H circuit coil 18 is connected to line 21 whereas the left end of the i circuit coil is connected thereto. Of course, the flood lights D and H will be of different colors,*;his being true of the other flood lights. Manifestly, many and varied color effects will be produced as the circuit closing member 10 moves in its leftward path with its bridging member 28 closing the circuits of two lamps simultaneously by means of the bridging elements 28 whereby through the coils 18 to progressively dim one flood light and progressively intensify the light of another lamp.

hen the lug 23 of the carrier 10 reaches the leftmost portion or end of groove flight 24; it is automatically carried into the oppositely spiralcd groove flight 2 1 which causes the member 10 to -move towards the right again producing a reverse control of the floor light circuits and the resulting color eflects and changes in inverse sequence.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 13 A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movable member, supporting and guide means for said member carried by said base, separate pairs of resistance and'contact elements arranged in spaced series paralleling the path of movement of said movable member, each pair being adapted to be included in a circuit to provide a gap therein, and bridging means can ried by said movable element for connecting said contactand resistance elements.

2. A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movable member, supporting and guide means for said member carried by said base, separate resistance and contact elements disposed at each side of said movable member and arranged in spaced lineal series paralleling the path of movement of said member, the adjacent resistance and contact elements of each series being adapted to be included in separate circuits to provide gaps therein, and separate bridging means carried by opposite sides of said movable elem'ent for bridging the adjacent contact and resistance elements to close the gaps therebetvveen.

3. A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movable member, supporting and guide means for said member carried by said base, a series of spaced resistance elements and a laterally spaced series of spaced contact elements adjacent the path of movement of said movable member and paralleling the same, corresponding ones of said resistance and contact elements being adapted to be included in one of a plurality of circuits to provide a gap therein, bridging means for said gaps and being carried by said movable element, and motivating means for said movable element.

4-. The combination set forth in claim 3, and said motivating means having a rev-ersing drive connection with said movable memher for automatically effecting a predetermined movement thereof in opposite directions.

5. The combination set forth in claim 2 and said resistance elements at one side of said movable member having circuit connec tion points lineally spaced from the circuit connection points of the resistance elements at the opposite side of said movable member.

A multiple circuit control mechanism comprising a base, a movable member, sup porting an actuating means for said member carried by said base, resistance and contact units carried by said base and adjacent the path of said movable member, said resistance and contact units being spaced from one another to provide a circuit gap, and separat ing cleats for circuit Wires disposed out of the path of movement of said movable memher.

7. In a multiple circuit control device, a base, spaced bearings mounted upon said base, a slidable circuit control element, a supporting guide therefor carried by said bearings, actuating means for said circuit control element carried by said bearings, resistance unit carrying bars at each side of said guide and spaced therefrom, said bearings providing a detachable support for said bars, resistance units carried by said bars and arranged in spaced lineal series, opposed resistance units of the respective bars having circuit take-off leads at lineally spaced points, a contact carrying bar adjacent each of said resistance unit carrying bars, spaced contacts on r said contact strip carrying bar adjacent the respective resistance units of said aforementioned bars, and corresponding ones of said contact strips and resistance units being adapted to be disposed in the same electrical circuit and providing a gap therein, and bridging means carried at each side of said circuit control element for closing the gaps between the respective resistance units and contact strips.

8. In a multiple circuit control device, a

base, spaced bearings mounted upon said base, a slidable circuit control element, a supporting guide therefor carried by said bearings, actuating means for said circuit control element carried by said bearings, resistance unit carrying bars at each side of said guide and spaced therefrom, said bearings providing a detachable support for said bars, resistance units carried by said bars and arranged in spaced lineal series, opposed resistance units of the respective bars having circuit takeoff leads at lineally spaced points, a contact carrying bar adjacent each of said resistance unit carrying bars, spaced contact strips on said contact bars adjacent the respective resistance units of said aforementioned bars, and corresponding ones of said contact strips and resistance units being adapted to be dis posed in the same electrical circuit and providing a gap therein, bridging means carried at each side of said circuit control element for closing the gaps between the respective resistance units and contact strips, a series of upstanding ears at each side of said base and supporting said contact-carrying bars, and transversely disposed Wire guiding cleats supported by said base beneath said contact carrying bars intermediate opposed ones of said ears.

9. In a multiple circuit control device, a base, spaced bearings mounted upon said base, a slidable circuit control element, a sup porting guide therefor carried by said bearings, actuating means for said circuit control element carried by said bearings, resistance unit carrying bars at each side of said guide and spaced therefrom, said bearings providing a detachable support for said bars, resistance units carried by said bars and arranged in spaced lineal series, opposed resistance units of the respective bars having circuit takeoff leads at lineally spaced points, a contact carrying bar adjacent each of said resist ance unit carrying bars, spaced contact strips on said contact bars adjacent the respective resistance units of said aforementioned bars, and corresponding ones of said contact strips and resistance units being adapted to be disposed in the same electrical circuit and providing a gap therein, bridging means carried at each side of said circuit control element for closing the gaps between the respective resistance units and contact strips, and hollow rivets extending through said contact carrying bars and contact strips thereon for securingithe latter and providing circuit Wire takeofi connections and conduits for suchwires.

10. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device' for flood-la1np systems or the like, a base two laterally spaced series of spaced resistance units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistance unitand forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of said resistance units of each'series having lineally spaced circuit takeolipoints, and movable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps.

11.- In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systems or the like, a base ,-two laterally spaced'series of spaced resistance'units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each'resistance unit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of'said resistance units of each series having lineally spaced-circuit takeoff points, a movablecircuit' closer having means for bridging said gaps, and an automatically reversible drive means for said circuit closer for movingsame back and forth along said series of resistance units and contact strips.

12. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systems or the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistance units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistanceunit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of saidresistance units of each series having lineally spaced circuit takeofi'points, a movable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, guide means for said circuit closer, and said'guide means providing a support for said resistance units.

13. In-a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systems or the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistance units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistance unit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of said resistance units of each series having lineallyspaced circuit takeofl? points, a movable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, guide means for said circuit closer, said guide means providing a support forsaid resistance units, a driven shaft adjacent said guide and having an endless groove comprising opposed spiral flights, and a lug extending from said carrier and engaging in said groove.

14. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lamp systems or the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistance units, a laterally spaced contactstrip for each resistance unit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones of said resistance units of each series having lineally spaced circuit takeoff points, a movable circuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, a mounting bar for the contact strips of each series of resistance units, and ears projecting from saidbase for supporting said mounting bars.

15.-In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood lamp systems or the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistance units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each'resistance unit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, corresponding ones o'l'said resistance units-ofeach series having lineally spacedcircuit takeoff points, a movable circuit closer havingmeans for bridging said gaps, a mounting bar for'the contact strips of each series of resistance units, ears projecting from said. base for supporting said mounting bars, and hollow lead wiresecuring and conduit-providing securing rivets for said contact strips extending through said mounting bars.

16. In a multiple circuit rheostat control device for flood-lampsystems or the like, a base, two laterally spaced series of spaced resistance units, a laterally spaced contact strip for each resistance unit and forming a circuit gap therebetween, cor-responding ones of said resistance units of each series having lineally spacedcircuit takeofl' points, a movablecircuit closer having means for bridging said gaps, a mounting bar for the contactstrips of each series of resistance units, ears projec'ting'from said base for supporting said mounting bars, hollow lead wire-securing and conduit-providing securing rivets for said contact strips extending through said mounting bars, lead wire guides upon said base beneath said-mounting bars and certain of said ears being opposed to one another and engaging the ends ofsaid'lead wire guides.

17.-In a multiple circ-uit'control device, a longitudinally arranged support for a plurality of coiled resistance elements, a slidable circuit closer traversingsaid resistance elements, guide means for the circuit closer carried'by the support, contact elements corresponding in length substantially to the traversable length of the resistance elements by the circuit closer, and power driven means for imparting a continuous reciprocating movement to said circuit closer along said resistance and contact elements.

18. In a multiple circuit control device, a. longitudinally arranged support for a plurality of coiled resistance elements, a slidable circuit closer traversing said resistance elements, guide means for the circuit closer carried by the support, contact elements corresponding in length substantially to the traversable length of the resistance elements by the circuit closer, and'a reversely threaded rotating member having communicating grooves for imparting a reciprocatory traversing movement to said circuit closer.

19. In a multiple circuit control device, a longitudinal arranged support for a plurality of resistance elements, a slidable circuit closer traversing said resistance elements,

guide means for the circuit closer carried by the support, contact elements traversable by the circuit closer, and a longitudinally disposed uni-directionally rotatable element having means cooperating therewith for imparting a reciprocatory traversing movement to said circuit closer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES L. BROWN ELL.

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