US1937657A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1933. N JAQB| 1,937,657

SWITCH Filed April 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 15 9.]: :fjl 0 @WMM/ Dec 5, 1933. JACOB} 1,937,657

SWITCH Filed April 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gMWmW v Edward N. Jacuh1 Patented Dec. 5, 1933 SWITCH Edward N. Jacobi, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Briggsiand Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application Aprilll 9, 1928. Serial No. 271,319 l 24 Claims. (01, 1200-41 This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in switchesof that'type especially designed to be mounted at the lower end portion of an automotive vehicle steering gear with means for operating the same from the upper end of the steering gear.

It is'an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified switch structure of the character described which is of extremely simplified construction wherein the tension of the movable spring contact provides the force to produce a detent action obtained through a plurality of ball members cooperating with pockets or indentations in the closed wall of the switch con tainer and in a switch actuator and ball retainer member. I

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an improved switch structurewherein the flange of a switchactuator is confined against axialmotion by the mounting plate or bracket and the switch casing, the flange being provided with grooves through which. driving tongues pass so that rotation of the actuator actuates the switch instrumentalities.

Itis a further object of this invention to provide positive stop means for limiting the rota,- tion of the switch instrumentalities and for holding the drive tube rigid while its jam nut is being tightened or loosened to connect or disconnect the control rod therefrom.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described andmore particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one complete example of-the physical embodiment of my invention constructedaccording to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which; g

Figure is a view taken through a switch structure embodying my invention, parts thereof being in section and parts in side elevation;

Figure 2 is a rear plan view thereof looking on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspectiveview of the actuator;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the switch casing;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the combination driver, retainer and detent member;

, 11 over its open face. The cover 11 is of insulatdisposed in registering pockets 26 and 2'7,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the contact carrying ring; and

Figure '7 is a perspective View of the contact plate with the contacts mounted thereon.'

Referring now more particularly to the a'ccom- 60 panying drawings, in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 designates a switch unitof special con-, structiomto be later described, to which a mounting bracket 6 issultably secured bYj DOt welding,

55 rivetingor the like, the bracket '6 being bolted 1 or otherwise secured to the lower end of a steering gear element, not shown, in amanner similar to that illustrated and described in my co-pending application, filed May 13,' 1927, Serial No. The bracket 6 has a centralaperture '7 through whichthe lower end of an actuating rod 8 extends, the rod being rotatably mounted within the steering COIllIIlll, not shown, and having -a suitable lever or other operating means, not shown, on its upper end. i

The switch unit consists of a substantially cupshaped housing 9 having lugs or tongues 10 extended from its peripheral edge to secure a cover ing material and has a plurality of spaced contact members 13 embedded in its inner face and electrically connected with terminal members 14 mounted on its exterior and to which the wiresof the various circuits are connected. 5

The bottom wall 15 of the switch housing has its centralp'ortion struck inwardly, as at,12, and centrally apertured, as at 16, to register with the aperture? of the bracket member, which is likewise struck outwardly in register with the instruck portion 12 of the housing to provide two spaced co-operating flanges 17 and 18 between which the .fiange 19-of an actuator 20 is rotatably confined. The actuator is of tubular constructionbto receive the rod 8 and has its outer end 2ll'taperingly reduced and externally threaded and slotted, as at 22, to receive a jam nut 23 for binding the actuator fast to the rod.

The flange 19 of the actuator has diametrically opposed slots 24 therein which permit the insertion of the flange 19 in the space between the flanges 12 and 18 and also provide the means for operating the switch instrumentalities, as later described. Rotatably within the bottom of the casing is a retainer and driver member 25 of substantially disc shape having a plurality of indentations or pockets 26 which'are adapted to register with similar'pockets 27 in the housing bottom wall 15, detent ball members 28 being movement of the driver and retainermember to.

accommodate the movement of the ball members 28 into and out of-the pockets 26.

V Mounted within the casing next to the driver and retainer'member is a fiber contact carrying disc or ring 31 the central aperture 32 oi which is provided with diametrically opposed notches 33 to receive driving tongues or lugs 34 struck upwardly fromthe member in a direction opposite to its tongue 29 whereby the ring vis drivingly connected with the'member 25. The member 31 is further provided with'notches or re-.

cesses 35 in which the fastening lugs 36 of a contact support 37 engage, the contact support carrying spring contact fingers 38 which selectively bridge the pairs of stationary contacts 13.

.The contact fingers 38, being at all times under compression, maintain pressure on the fiber ring 31 which in operation is transmitted to the member 25 so that the necessary yieldability is imparted thereto; and, as therod 8 is rotated through its lever member, not shown, corresponding movement is given the fiber contact carrying ring 31 to vary the circuits completed by the bridging of the contacts 13 by the member 25 which is drivingly connected withthe rod through the actuator 20. At distinct positions of the switch, the balls ride into the indentations,

providing a positive detent action to clearly 'de'- fine thefull position or theswitch.

The manner of mounting the actuator 20 be-' tween the flanges 17 and 18 prevents its axial movement and the stops 30 beinginte'gral with the bracket member 6 which is of heavier material than thecasing 9 provides a r g ed con- 'struction to facilitatetightening of the jam nut 23 without necessitating the use of a tool to hold the actuator as the nut 23 is tightened or loosened.

From the foregoing .descriptionQtaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which an invention of the character described appertains that I provide an improved switch constructionwhich'has a detent' action to distinctly define each switchposition and which is of extremely simplified and rugged construction.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A switch of the character described, comprising astationary case havingia'plurality of recesses in one wall, a terminal head opposite said'wall and having stationary'contacts, a contact carrier within the case, spring contactscarried bysaid carrier for engagement with the stationary contacts on the terminal head, a driver for the contact carrier of stiff material and having recesses, balls disposed between the driver and said wallof the'case to engage in the driver recesses, a connection between the contact carrier and the driver whereby the spring contacts yieldably urge the driver toward the said wall of the case to maintain a yielding pressure on the driver to provide a detent action as the driver is rotated with respect to the case, and means for rotating said driver.

2. In a switch of the character described, a substantially cup shaped enclosing case, a cover closing the casing and carrying switch terminals, switch instrumentalities mounted within the case and ccoperable with the switch terminals, anactuator passed through a central aperture in the end wall of the case and extending through the cover, a flange carried by the actuator and engaging the case-end wall about said aperture, said flange having a recess and an external plate fixed to the end wall of the case. andhaving a part engaging the unrecessed portion of said actuator flange to confine the actuator against axial movement, alignment of the recess with said external plate part enabling disengagement of the actuator flange from said part.

3. In a switch of the character described, a substantially cup shaped enclosing case, a cover closing the case and carrying switch terminals,

switch instrumentalities mounted within the case andc'ooperable with the switch terminals, anactuating member having a'partin a central aperture in the end wall of the case and extending through the cover, a mounting bracket for the switch and secured to the case end wall, and cooperating means between the case end wall bracket member and actuating member adapted to be engaged to confine the actuating member against axial movement, said cooperating means being disengageable when in predetermined relative positions. a

'4. In a switch of the character described, a substantially cup shaped enclosing case having an end wall, switch instrumentalities mounted within the case and including a switch driver, an actuator for the driver passed through an opening in the end wall of the case and having a slotted flange, and a tang carried by the switch w driver and engageable in the slot of the'actuator fiange whereby rotation of'the actuator imparts similarmovement to the switch driver.

5. In, a switch of they character described, a substantially cup shaped enclosing case, switch instrumentalities mounted within the case and including a switch driver, an actuator for the driver having a slotted flange, a tang carried by the switch driver and engageable in the slot or the actuator flange whereby rotation of the actuto the switch ator imparts similar movement through driver, said driver tang being extended the actuator flange and therebeyond, and means rigid withrespect to the case and engageable by the tang extended end to limit the rotation of the actuator and switch driver.

6. Ina switch of the character described, a substantially cup shaped enclosing case, switch instrumentalities mounted within the case and including a switch driver, anactuator for the driver having a slotted flange, tangs carriedby the switch driver and engageable' in the slots of the actuatorfiange whereby rotation of the actuator imparts similar movement to the switch driver, said driver tangs being extended through the actuator flange and therebeyon'd, means rigid with respect to the case and engageable by the tangextended ends to'limitthe rotation of the actuator and switch driver, and detent means cooperating with said driver to', cause the same to move in definite steps, saidtangs having longitudinal movement in said actuator slot to accommodate sidewise movement of the driver with respect to the case end wall.

7. In a switch of the character described, in-

rality of depressions in its end wall, a cover closing the casing and having stationary contacts, a

eluding a casing and switch instrumentalities 'mounted within the casing and embodying a movable contact having axial movements, a driver for the contact and an actuator for the driver extended into the casing, means outside the casing forming a splined joint between the driver and actuator permitting .relative axial movements therebetween while preventing relative, rotational movements therebetween.

8. In a switch of the character described, including a casing and switch instrumentalities mounted within the casing and embodying inovnecting the driver and actuator whereby the driver is permitted relative axial movement withv respect to the actuator but is held from'relative rotational movement with respect thereto.

9. In a switchof the character described, a substantially cup shaped enclosing casing, switch instrumentalities mounted within the casing and including a switch driver, an actuator for the driver passed through an opening in the end wall of the casing and having a slotted flange on the outside of the casing, and a tang carried by the switch driver and extending through the end wall of the casing to engage in the slot of the actuator flange whereby rotation of the actuator imparts similar movement to the switch driver.

10. In a switch ofthe character described, in-- cluding a casing and switch instrumentalities mounted within the casing and embodying a movable contactor, a drive member within the casing for the movable contactor, an actuator disposed axially within the casing, cooperating means carried by the driver and th actuator for imparting rotation to the driver while permitting axial movement thereof, and means cooperating with the driver and the casing for providing a detent action.

11. In a switch of the character described, including a casing and switch instrunientalities mounted within the casing and embodying a movable contactor, a switch driver within the casing, an actuator, and means carried by the switch driver and engageable with the actuator to afford a driving connection therebetween and with a casin carried part to define the limits of movement of the switch driver and consequently the movable contactor.. a

12. In a device of the character described, in eluding a substantially cup shaped casing and switch instrumentalities mounted within the casing and embodying a movable contactor, an actuator, balls disposed in depressions formed in the casing bottom wall, and a single member for driving the movable contactor from the actuator and for engaging said balls to provide a detent action.

13. In a switch of the character described, a substantially cup shaped casing, switch instrumentalities within the casing and including a movable contactor, a driver for said movable contactor disposed within the casing adjacent the bottom wall of the casing, balls disposed between the driver and the bottom wall of the casing and engaging the same to afford a detent action, and means engageable with the driver for moving the contactor.

14. In a switch of the character described, a substantially cup shaped casing having a pluwithin the casing,

movable'contactor formedof spring metal and movable to engagement with the stationary contacts, a driver for the movable contactor, balls between the driver and the end wall of the casing disposed in the depressions in the casing end wall and engaging the driver, the action of said spring contactor yieldably urging the drivertoward the end wall of the casing and retaining the balls in operative relation therebetween, and means engageable with the driver for imparting movement thereto.

15. A switch of the character described, comprising a substantially cup shaped casing having:

circumferentially arranged depressions in its end wall, a cover closing the casing and having stationary contacts thereon, a movable cont-actor within the casing and movable for engagement with the stationary contacts, a driver for moving the contactor, means connecting the driver with the contactor while maintaining the-same insulated therefrom, ball means between the driver and the casing end wall and disposedin the end wall depressions to afiord a detent action, and means engageable with the driver for imparting movement thereto.

16. A switch of the character described, coznprising an enclosing casing having a plurality of circumferentially arranged depressions in one wall, a cover for the casing having stationary contacts, a spring centactor movable within the casing for engagement with the stationarycontacts, a driver for the contactor, ball means between the driver and said casing wall and disposed in the depressions to afford a detentaction, the inherent resiliencyof the contactor yield ably urging the driver toward the casing wall having the depressions, and means engageable with the driver for imparting movement thereto.

17. In a switch. of the character described, including an enclosing casing and switch instrumentalities embodying a movable contactor a driver for the movable contactonan actuator, means carried by the driver and engageable with the actuator to alford' a driving connection therebetween and engageable with a fixed element to define the limits of movement of the movable contactor, and means engageable with the driver to provide a detent action;

18. In a switch of the character described, a casing, switch instrumentalities rotatable within the casing between predetermined limits, an actuator extending through an opening in one wall of the casing for imparting rotation to the switch instrumentalities, a flange on the actuator engaging the said wall of the casing adjacent the opening, and spaced lugs carried by the casing and overlying the flange to retain the actuator assembled with the casing throughout the movement of the actuator to effect the normal rotation of the switch instrumentalities.

19. In a switch of the character described, a casing having an opening in one wall, switch instrumentalities rotatable between predetermined limits within the casing, an actuator for imparting rotation to the switch instrumentalities and having a portion extending through said opening in the casing wall, a flange on the actuator engaging the casing wall about the periphery of the opening, and a mounting bracket for the casing having a portion overlying the actuator flange to confine the same between it and the said casing wall, said mounting bracket portion and the flange being so shaped with respect to each other nected with the switch instrumentalities, anda' lug carried by the said casing wall and extending radially with respect to the axis'of the opening to overly the actuator flange andc'onfine it between the lug and the casing wall, said lug being of such size as to pass through the recess in the flange, wherebythe flange is readily insertable between the lug and the casing wall in one position of the actuator.

21. In a' switch of the character described, a casing having an opening through one wall, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the easing, an actuator for the switch instrumentalities having a portion projecting through the opening in said wall, a flange on the actuator exteriorly of said wall and engaging the same about the peripheral edge of the opening, said flange having spaced recesses, means connected with the rotatable switch instrumentalities and extending through the opening in the casing wall to engage in said recesses and drivingly connect the actuator with the switch ins'truinentalities, and: a member connected with the said wall of the casing and having spaced lugs overlying the actuator flange to confine the same'between the lugs and the said casing wall, said lugs being of such size and being so located as to be received in the recesses in the actuator flange in a predetermined position of rotation of the actuator with respect I to the casing to enable the actuator flange to be engaged between the lugs and the said wall of the casing. l i s g 22. A switch of the character described'comprising a casing having an opening through one wall, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing an actuator for the switch instrumentalities and having a portion extending through said opening in the casing wall, a flange on the actuator exteriorly of said wall and engageable with the wall about the peripheral edgeportion means connected 7 of the opening, said flange having opposed recesses, means non-rotatably connected with the switch instrumentalities and having lugs projected through the opening to engage in said opposed. recesses whereby the actuator is drivingly connected with the switch instrumentalities, said actuator and switch instrumentalities having a predetermined degree of rotationinthe performance of their normal switching functions, and a mounting bracket connected with the said Wall of the casing and having opposed abutments overlying the actuator flange to hold it against the casing wall, said abutments being of such size'and so located as to pass through the actuator flange recesses in a predetermined position of rotation of the actuator and providing stop abutments with which the lugs oi the switch instrumentalities carried member engage to define the a the limits of rotation. I r

23. In a switch of the character described, 'a' casing having an opening in one wall, rotatable ,switch in strurnentalities within the casing, an actuator for drivingthe switch instrumentalities I and having a part extending through said opening, a flange on the actuator exteriorly of the casing wall and engaging the wall about theperiphery of the opening, means non-rotatably connected with the switch instrumentalities and having spacedlugs projected through the opening for engagement in'spaced recesses in the actuator flange, and a mounting bracket fixed to the'wall of the casing with a portion thereof overlying the actuator flange to confine the same between it and the saidcasing wall and extending into the or the lugs engaged in the flange recesses to limit the rotation of the actuator and switch instrumentalities. v

24. In an electric switch comprising in combination; a casing having parallel walls; a movable contact carrier and a movable contact plate provided between said walls; said contact plate having, tongues for drivingly connecting the plate to the carrier and having axial movement therewith; a driving shaft having a portion within the housing and having means for receiving a portion of said carrier for drivingly connecting the carrier with the shaft and providing relative axial movement between said shaft and the carrier; and actuating means, and meansvfor connecting the shaft to the actuating means to rotate the contact carrier.

EDWARD N. JACOBI.

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