US1857379A - Switch handle - Google Patents

Description

May 10, 1932.

H. HUBBELL, JR, ET AL swn'cn HANDLE Filed April 30, 1929 Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE HARVEY HUBBELL, JR, AND CHARLES E. AVERY, OF BRIDGEPOBT, CONTTECTICUT, A S- SIGNOBS TO HARVEY HUBBELL, INCORPORATED, OF BEIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT SWITCH Application filed April 30,

This invention relates to an electric switch device and more particularly to the construction of the operating handle and associated elements, and has for an object to provide an improved operating handle construction for a switch mechanism which is very simple in construction and may be manufactured and assembled at a relatively low cost.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved handle construction for toggle switches which will have an improved means for closing the opening in the face plate or cover plate.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combinations, and arrangement of parts as will more fully be disclosed in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings V Fig. 1 is a partial section and partial side elevation of a switch mechanism provided with our improved operating handle.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof with the face or cover plate removed, the view being substantially on the plane of line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation and partial section of the operating handle removed from the switch.

Fig. 4 is similar view taken at right angles to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is front elevation of the cover block for the switch mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section thereof substantially on line 6-6of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a partial side elevation and partial section showing a different shape of handle.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing still another shape of handle.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the handle shown in Fig. 8 looking'from the left, and

Fig. 10 is an elevation looking from the right of Fig. 8.

The switch shown is a toggle switch mounted in a chamber 10 in an insulating body member 11 open at its front side for insertion of the switch mechanism. The switch mechanism is mounted in a frame 12 secured HANDLE 1929. Serial Manama.

to the body having spaced side walls between which is pivotally mounted a swing member 13 of substantially U-shape and pivoted at 14 in the frame 12. This swinging member carries the switch contact element-15 which is movable toward and. from stationary switch contacts, oneof which is shown at 15.

This swinging member 13 is limited in its 'posite laterally extending pivots 23 on its opposite side edges to pivotedly mount it in p the frame 12. It also has laterally extending lugs 24 to engage shoulders 25 on the frame to limit its movement. This plate 22 has a reduced free end 26 on which is mounted the knob or ball 27 forming a handle for operating the switch, this ball having a tight fit on the portion 26. Between the ball and the bodyv of theplateis areduced neck 28 forming shoulders 29, and this neck is enclosed by an eyelet'of a drawn sheet metal stamping comprising 'a tapered neck 30 to embrace the portion 28 of the plate or lever 22 and also provided with a spherically shaped skirt 31 resting against the shoulders 29, this eyelet being held against the shoulders by the ball or knob 27.

After the switch mechanism is mounted in the body the open side is closed by a cap or cover 32 also of insulating material. 7 This cover has a groove 33 in its front wall to receive the yoke 34. This yoke has theusual ears 35 at its {opposite ends provided with the elongated transverse slot 36 to receive the screws for'securing the yoke to the ears in a standard wall outlet box, not shown. The yoke is secured to the body by means of screws 37 passing through'openings in the body and threaded into the yoke, the yoke bei'ng'first' seated in the groove'33 of the cap 32.. 1 The screws 37 and yoke 34.- therefore, also secure theoap132 over the open side of the body. At its center the yoke has a spherically shaped 2 it is preferable to form a curved flange 38 flange 38, and the opening surrounded by this flange forms a passage for the operating handle 27, 80. The skirt 31 lies within this flange 38 and the curve of the flange is substantially on a sphere with the pivot 23 as the center, so that as the handle is swung back and forth the skirt 31 closes the opening in thefiange.

is flattened on its opposite sides so that it is substantially rectangular in cross section. The skirt is shown at 41 with its outer surface curved at 42 preferably with the pivots 23 of the plate 22 as a center. Between these curved surfaces and the neck 43 are substantially flat surfaces 44 on which may be placed designations as On or Off which are visible through the rectangular opening 46 in the face plate 45. The eyelet 41 is stamped and drawn from sheet metal the same as the first form. This form may also be used with the standard yoke 34 for mounting the fixture while with the spherical form of Figs. 1 and on the yoke although, even in this form the flange is not necessary. The skirt 41 seats on top of shoulders 29. on the member 22 the same as in the first form.

In Figs. 8, 9 and the skirt eyelet 47 is rectangular in cross section, the same as in Fig. 7 and as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10. The outer surface 48, however, is curved on the arc of a circle preferably with the pivots 23 of the plate 22 as a center. This form can also be used with the standard yoke 84 and a face plate having a rectangular opening 46. The skirt 47 seats on the shoulders 29 V of member 22,.the sameas in the other forms.

7 It will be apparent from the above that the switch operating handle is of an improved and simple construction. The operating lever or plate 22 may be stamped from flat metal of suitable gage while the eyelet 80, 31, 41 or 47 may be stamped and drawn from sheet metaL The knob or ball 27 may be made on an automatic screw machine. This construction effectively closes the opening in the face or cover plate and theyoke, and provides a neat and attractive appearance. The construction may be made and assembled at a relatively low cost as it may be made on auto-' matic machinery and requires the minimum of material. I

7 Having thus set forth the nature of our invention, what we claim is:

1'. An operating handle for a toggle switch "comprising a substantially fiat metal punching having pivots on the opposite side edges thereof, a stem projecting from one end and means on the other end for operative connection with a switch mechanism, a knob secured on the free end of said stem, a sheet metal eyelet on the stem between the knob and the body of the punching, said eyelet including a neck surrounding the stem and a skirt spaced from the knob to close an opening for the handle in a plate, and said knob engaging the outer end of the neck of the eyelet and securing the eyelet on the stem.

. 2. A handle for a toggle switch comprising a substantially flat body member having means for connection to a switch mechanism and a reduced stem projecting from one end providing shoulders, a knob on the end of the stem, a sheet metal eyelet having a neck embracing the stem between the knob and the shoulders and having a skirt seated on said shoulders, and said knob engaging the neck of said eyelet and holding the skirt thereof seated on said shoulders.

3. A handle for a toggle switch comprising .a substantially flat body member having pivots on its lateral side edges and means on one end for operative connection with the swltch mechanism, a reduced stem pro ectmg from theother end of said body member forming shoulders, a knob secured on the free end of the stem, a sheet metal eyelet having a neck embracing the stem and engaging the knob at its free end, said eyelet also having a skirt at the other end of the neck seated on said shoulders, and said knob having a tight fit on the stem and securing the eyelet thereon with its skirt portion seated on the said shoulders. In testimony whereof we affix our s1gnature's.

HARVEY HUBBELL, JR.

CHARLES E. AVERY.

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