US1967523A - Panel or switch box - Google Patents

Description

July-24,1934 w. wURDAcK 1,967,523 v PANEL OR SWITCH BOX Filed sept. 1o, 19:50 z'sheets-snee: 1

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PANEL on swITcH Box vFiled sept. 1o, 195o 2 sheetssheet 2` 4 lll/l HT ogwf Y Patented July 24, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PANEL OR SWITCH BOX Application September 10, 1930, Serial No. 480,937

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical apparatus and, more particularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in panel or switchboxes.

My invention has for its chief object the provision in connection with a panel or switch-box of line and distribution terminals and a terminal connecting member, the latter being so normally out of engaging registration with the terminals as to necessitate prior positive manipulation thereof for effecting electrical connection of the terminals.

My invention has for another object the provision of a panel or switch-box in which the line and distribution terminalsare housed in the box proper and the terminal connecting member carried by the door of the box for swingable actuation for electrically connecting the terminals, the Vconducting member, however, being also so shiftable relatively both to the door and the terminals as require positive prior shiftable actuation of the conducting-member for effecting electrical connection of the terminals.

My invention has for still another object the provision of a panel or switch-box of the type described in which the distribution terminals are protectingly connected by safety fuses completely housed in the box both during completion and interruption of the circuit and irrespective of the swung position of the box-door and its carried terminal connecting member.

My invention has for a further object the provision of a combination switch and fuse box, simple, unique, and compact in design and structure, and embodying a mounted switch associated with corresponding fuse-protective means, the casing of the structure being normally closed by a door of so-called dead-front type, whereby, when the doer is opened for access to the fuse compartment, all exposed parts are disconnected from the line, the live or line-side of the apparatus being enclosed in an inaccessible insulating compartment. v

Still further objects of my invention vare to provide a switching apparatus of the kind set forth, in which the parts are so constructed and arranged for co-operation that the circuit is made and interrupted respectively by closing and opening the door; in which the parts in the fuse compartment, when connected to the line, are coveredby the door and hence safely inaccessible; in which means are provided for normally automatically returning and yieldingly holding the switching members to and in circuit-interrupting position whenever the door is opened; in

' side walls b, is a trim B.

(Cl. Zoll- 162) which the switching members may be set and, if desired, locked, in circuit-opening or normal off position and the door closed; and in which the door may not be closed unless the switchingmembers are definitely in either off or on position. Y

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of .parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets) Figure 1 is a reduced elevational view of an enclosed panel or switch-board embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the board and its enclosing casing or shell, the door of th shell being widely opened to disclose the interior construction;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately along the line 3-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectionalview, the door of the shell being closed; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 5-5, Figure 1.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, A designates the enclosing shell or casing, which is constructed of any suitable preferably metallic material and which includes a rear wall a and forwardly projecting side walls b, the shell A at its oppositeV ends being preferably open to facilitate the electrical connections. The side walls b at their forward margin are laterally flanged inwardly,as at c, and suitably attached, as by screws d, to the flanges c to overlie the same and the forward marginal portions of the Forming part of the trim B and bordering three of the margins of its opening, is a doorstopping or limiting frame e. and hinged, as at f, to the other or lower margin ofthe trim-opening, is a preferably `sheet metallic door C adapted, when in casing closing position, to snugly fit within the trim-opening and upon the frame e, as best seen in Figure 1.

As shown, the. shell rear wall a is preferably formed with pressed-out corner portions 1 suit- 105 ably apertured for reception of suitable fastening-members, not shown, for securing the shell A to a wall' or other support.

Suitably fixed, as by suitable fastening members 2, flatwise upon the shell rear wall a and extending longitudinally substantially throughout the length or height of the shell A, is preferably a registering or parallel pair ofv suitably spaced insulation members or strips D, the upper part (reference being made to Figure 2) of each strip D being the line portion thereof and the lower part of each strip D being the load portion thereof, as will presently more fully appear. Upstanding or presented forwardly from the strips D in the upper part only of the shell A, is a pair of suitably spaced insulation wings or partitions 3, and suitably fixed, as by a Z-strip 4, to depend within the shell A and to extend transversely thereacross and -over the upper part only of the front marginal portions of the wings 3, is an insulation section or plate E. As will be noted, one leg 4a of the Z-bar or strip 4 is fixed to the trim B and also forms a part of the door-frame e. Suitably attached to the strips D, as by brackets 5, and disposed therebetweenand the lower margin of the transverse partition or strip E, is a pair of aligning insulation sections or barriers 6. Thus the interior of the shell A is divided into a lower or fuse compartment g freely accessible when the door() is open, and an upper or terminal compartment h insulated from the lower compartment g and inaccessible when the door C is open.

Suitably fixed to and upstanding or presented forwardly from the strips D within the shell compartment h and insulated one pair from the other by the wings 3, as best seen in Figures 3 and 5, is a pair of suitably spaced line terminals preferably in the form of co-operative spring-jaws 7 adapted for electrical connection through bars 8 and eyes 9, suitably fixed to the insulation strips D, as best seen in Figure 5, with respective linewires 10. Formed in the transverse plate or partition E, are two sets or pairs of openings or slots, one slot 11 of each respective pair registering with the respective terminals or jaws 7 and the other slot 12 of each respective pair being laterally offset a suitable distance from its companion slot 11 and permanently out of registration with the respective terminals 7, all for `purposes presently appearing.

of the door C, is a plate 13, to which is xed, byv

suitable fastening elements 14, a block F preferably constructed of a rectangular section of insulation material. Mounted on the block F, are two electrically independent switching members G each constructed of conducting material and preferablyY comprising a pair of spaced blades 15, 16, projecting rearwardly from the block F, each pair of blades 15, 16, being electrically preferably integrally connected by a yoke 17 flatwise engaging the block F and/ secured thereto by suitable fastening elements 18.

The respective switch-members G are each so co-operatively mounted on the block F that, at

one or the on shifted position thereof, the respective blades 15 will register with the slots 11 in the partition E for passage therethrough, on closing actuation of 'the door C, into circuit-establishing engagement with the jaws 7," while at the opposite or normal off position of the block F, the-respective blades 15 will, on closing actuation of the door C pass through the other slots 12 of the partition'E and be laterally spaced, and

hence positively disengaged and insulated from, the terminal jaws 7, from which normal or off position the block F obviously may not be shiftably moved except upon first opening the door C sufficiently for disengaging the blades 15 from 80 the partition-apertures or slots 12.

secured thereto by suitable fastening elements 22.

The other jaws 19', 20, are likewise formed by the forwardly presented legs of a second U-shaped strip of conducting material, the yoke 23 thereof 95 resting flatwise on, and being preferably brazed, welded, or otherwise united to, the yoke 21, the jaws' 19', 20, hence residing between, and in suitably spaced relation to, the jaws 19, 20', for respective blade-receptive co-operation therewith, the free ends 24 of the respective jaws 19, 20', being bent or folded inwardly toward, and extendng in blade-gripping relation with, the jaws 19', 20, and the latter jaws 19', 20, at their free ends being suitably hooked or flared, as at 25, to facilitate the entry of a contact blade between the respective pairs of jaws 19, 19', and 20, 20',

as best seen in Figure 4.

As best seen in Figure 2, the respective pairs of jaws 19, 19', of the terminal-members H longi- 110 tudinally the shell A align with the slotsll of the insulation section E and are adapted to receive the lower blades 16 of the switching-members GV when the latter are inv shifted on or circuitclosing position and the door C is closed for engaging the upper blades 15 with the terminals 7. Each of the respective pairs of the jaws 20, 20', is adapted to removably receive one of the blades 26 of a suitable safety fuse J, the other blade 27 thereof being received in a suitable 'co- 120 operating distribution terminal preferably in the form of a contact-clip 28 xed, as by means of a suitable fastening element29, on the lower portion of the respective panel strip D in suitably spaced fuse holding relation from the cooperating V terminal H. vAlso secured by the fastening element 29 to the strip D, is a terminal lug or eye 30 of conventional construction for electrical connection with the distribution lines 31. Preferably, as best seen in Figure 2, at least one of the insulation walls 3 projects sufficiently downwardly from the insulation shelves or sections 6 for substantially insulating the terminals H one from the other.

As best seen in Figure 4, the door C is provided with a pair of aligned transverse slots 32, in each of which works the shank of a suitable fastening element or screw 33, each of the screws 33 being conveniently threaded into the block-carrying plate 13 on the inner face of the door C and 140 with its head engaging the corresponding end of a handle-bracket-bar 34 disposed flatwise for slid.- able movement on the outer face of the door C. Having side bars 35 pivoted, as at 36, with preferably a rule-joint construction, on ears 37 disposed at the ends of the bracket-bar 34, is a handgrip K, which thus most conveniently is adapted for holding actuation downwardly against the door C when not in use. i

The block-supporting plate 13 is further pro-k 150 vided with an intermediate transverse slot 38, through which and into an elongated recess or channel provided in the block F inwardly projectsa stud 40 mounted on the door C, and suitably spaced from the stud 40 and pressed inwardly from the plate 13 to also reside in the channehis a prong 41. Disposed in the channel and having one end attached to the prong 41 and its other end to the stud 40, is a suitable tensional member preferably in the form of a coiled spring 42 for normally automatically retaining the block F and its carried switch-blade members G yieldingly in, and returning the same to, off position.

Ihe block F and its carried switch members G being in normal or ,off position, on the door C being actuated to closed position, the upper blades 15 pass into and through the slots 12 of the insulation wall E and the lower blades 16 inoperatively project into the spaces, as at g', of the fuse compartment g to the left (reference being made to Figure 2) of the terminals H. Thus, any electrical circuit through the apparatus is most positively and safely prevented, and, as has been stated, circuit through the apparatus can not be established until the door C is opened, the blades 15 removed from the slots 12, and the block F shifted to the right, on positive manipulation of the handle K and against the tension of spring 42. The block F being so shifted, the blades 15 and 16 are now disposed for co-operative circuitengaging relation with the terminals 7 andthe pairs of jaws 19, 19', the blades l5, 16,` co-operatively engaging with the terminals 'I and the jaws 19, 19', on the door C being closed, and thereby establishing the circuit through the fusemembers J between the line wires 10 and the distribution Wires 3l. On the door C being again opened, the block F carrying the blades 15, 16, is automatically returned, under the pull of the spring 42, to normal or off position, whereupon the again closing of the door C totally fails to establish any electrical connection between the housed terminals 7 and H.' In other words, the blades 15, 16, must be positively shifted to on position before electrical connection between the terminals 7 and H will be established on a closing of the door C.

A conventional type of spring clip 43 provided on the free margin of the door C is adapted for entry into a suitable slot 44 provided in the leg 4a of the Z-bar 4 for yielding latching engagement, when the door C is closed. with the projecting end of a strip 45 fixed on the adjacent margin of the trim B, as best seen in Figure 2.

Preferably, also, a suitable lock 46, adapted to receive a key inserted from the outside of the door C, is mounted on the inner face of the door C for engaging its extended bolt, when the insulationblock F is in its off`or normal position, with a recess 47 provided for the purpose in the preferably lower margin thereof, for preventing unauthorized manipulation of the block F and its carried switching members G from its said off or normal position.

It is to be noted that the door C, when closed, is flush with the trim B, which, hence, is most attractively adapted .toV beset flush with a wall, panel-board, or the like. However, it will be seen that, upon the opening of the door C, access to that part, namely, theV compartment g of the interior of the casing A containing the fuses J, is freely permitted, the fuses J remaining stationary within the shell A during actuationsof the door C, but access to the live or line side of the switch is prevented by means of the partition E and shelves 6. The switching members G provide a double-break contact, so that, when the door C is opened, all the parts exposed, as well as the members G, are disconnected from the line, providing a so-called dead-front" type ofy switch-board construction, whereby the fuses J may with safety and facility be changed or manipulated as conditions require. Once the door C is opened, deliberative manipulation of the block F is required for re-establishing the circuit, and the switch may be locked in circuit-opening position while permitting access to the fuse compartment of the casing.

If desired, to prevent any unauthorized manipulation of the door C, the door C and trim B may be provided. with co-operating eyes 48 adapted, when in registration, as best seen in Figure 5, to receive the hasp 49 of a lock 50. It will be noted further that the door C is preferably provided with a sight-opening 51 for visually exposing such designation as off and on suitably disposed on the plate 13 to indicate, the door C being closed, the respective circuit making or breaking positions of the block F and its carried blades 15, 16.

The apparatus is relatively'simple in structure, may be economically manufactured, and is exceedingly efficient in the performance of its intended functions, and it may be added that, in use, it will be understood that the particular embodiment of the switch as illustrated is adapted for protecting a two-wire circuit, the line wires 10 thereof being respectively connected to the eyes 9 of the terminals 7 and the corresponding load Wires 31 being respectively connected to the eyes 30 electrically connected through the fuses J to the corresponding terminals H. Obviously, however. a three-wire circuit may be protected by adding the requisite number of co-operating elements suitably for the purpose, and other changes vand modifications in the form, construction, a'rrangement, and combination of parts may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention. e

Having thus described my invention, what I claim andy desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair of spaced terminals mounted within the shell, al door hinged to the shell for closing said' opening, a conducting-member mounted on the door and being both swingable relatively' to the shell with the door and yieldingly slidably shiftable on and in a plane parallel with the plane of the door for, when shifted and the door closed, electrically connecting the terminals, said member being normally in off position out of engaging registration with the terminals, and means within the shell engageable with the conducting-member for, the door being closed and the conducting-member in normal position, retaining the conducting-member in its said normal position.

2. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair of spaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door hinged toy the shell for closing said opening, a conducting-member mounted on the door and being both swingable relatively to the shell with the doorA and yieldingly slidably shiftable on and in a plane parallel with the plane of the door for, when shifted and the door closed, electrically connecting the terminals, said member being normally in oil position out of engaging registration with the terminals, and means comprising a slotted insulation member within the shell, the door being closed and the tion' with the terminals, and a slotted insulation wall fixed within the shell adapted, the door being closed and the blades in normal position, for engagement with one of the blades for retaining the conducting member in its said normal position.

4. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pairvof spaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door comprising a panel hinged to the shell for closing said opening, said panel being provided with a pair of aligned transverse slots, a handle-bar disposed flatwise on the outer face yof the panel, a plate disposed flatwise on the inner face of the panel, studs disposed for movement in said slots and operatively connecting the handle-bar and plate for slidable shiftable movement relatively to the panel and shell, a conducting-member mounted onithe plate for, on shiftable movement of the plate and the door being in closed position, electrically connecting said terminals, and spring-means engaging the door and plate for yieldingly retaining the conductingmember in normal off position irrespective of the swung position of the door.

5. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair of spaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door comprising a panel hinged to the shell for closing said opening, a plate mounted for slidable movement on the under face of the panel, a recessed block attached to and shiitable with said plate, a conducting-member mounted on the block for, when said plate is shifted and the door closed, electrically connecting the terminals, a stud projecting from said plate into said recess, a prong projecting from the door panel into said recess in spaced relation to the stud, and a coiled spring having engagement with the stud and prong for yieldingly retaining the conducting-member in normal 01T position irrespective of the swung position of the door.

6. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair of spaced terminals mounted within the shell, a door hinged to the shell for closing sa`d opening, a conducting-member mounted on the door and being both swingable relatively to the shell with the door and slidably shiftable on and in a plane parallel with the plane of the door for, when shifted and the door closed, electrically connecting the terminals, said member being normally in off position out of engaging registration with the terminals, and means comprising a key-actuable lock on the door adapted for retaining the conducting-member in normal olf position irrespective of the swung position of the door.

7. -In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a terminal mounted within the shell, an insulation partition fixed within the shell over the terminal and having a pair of laterally spaced slots, one of said slots being in registration with the terminal, a door` hinged to the shell for closing said opening, and a conducting-member shiftably mounted on the door adapted, when shifted and the door closed, for projection through said one slot into electrical engagement with the terminal, said conducting member being normally in off position out of registering relation with said one slot and the terminal, -said partition being adapted, the door being closed and the conducting member in normal position, for engaging the' conducting member at its other slot for retaining the conducting member in its said normal position.

8. In combination, an enclosing shell having an opening, a pair of spaced terminals mounted within the shell, a cover hinged to the shell for closing said opening, an insulaton-block mounted for shiftable movement on the inner face of the door, a pair of correspondingly spaced inwardly presented conducting-blades on the block adapted, when the block is shifted and the door closed, for electrically connecting the terminals, the blades being normally in 01T position out of engaging registration with the terminals, a resilient member having connection with the block and the door for yieldingly retaining the block and its carr'ed blades in normal off position, and a hand grip disposed on the outer face of the door and having connection with the block for shiftably actuating the same against the pull of the resilient member.

9. In combination, a shell, line and distribution terminals mounted in spaced aligning relation Within the shell, an insulation housing within the shell comprising a partition wall vertically disposed intermediate said terminals and a second horizontally disposed partition wall having a slot in vertical registration with the line terminal, a door hinged to the shell, and a pair of spaced electrically connected conducting 'members permanently mounted on and relatively to the shell swingable with the door, said conducting members being normally out of engaging relation with said terminals and being shiftable on the door for, on closure of the door, electrically engaging and connecting said terminals.

WILLIAM WURDACK.

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