US2137077A - Disconnect switch - Google Patents

Description

' 4DIsc'oNNEcT swl'rcnv v Filed April 16, 1936 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR l W///////////////////////////I bution system,V and in tliislserviceilare sljecte'd to n a number ofw very exacting.v operational require` j i ments, someoiwhich are conictin'g'in nature. In the interest 'of safety, it is practically vi'rnp'erative that disconnectinglswitches shall sl'ioyfxr fa visi- Y yble breaksinthe controlled circuit`wheninthe Y' open position. 'Ordinarily this' means" that 'the devices must be air breaksWtches. and as a, result,

Patented Nov. 15, 1938 4Westinshoiue Electricsz lilnnufactui'ing'` Company, #East Pittsburgh,

1 Y Pennsylvania implicationA aprirla, isssgserisl No. 54,108 f l 15 Gummi.l (CL 20114-48) connecting switches.

i Devices of this type are utilized' primarily for interconnectingV and for isolatingportionsof ahigh'voltage transmission or other power distrithe switches are subjected'to all types of weather conditions. vDisconnecting'switches are operated l but; infrequently, yet when called upon theymust' be Vcapable of ,y opening the` controlled circuitdespite corrosion, iceA or sleet yforxnation,orfther maticallycapable ofcutting through oxidation t tand corrosion inorder to assure low resistancejj" .contacts throughout' their operative jlives.` As

opposed to these operational requirements, comsystem.

1 which ,are used The principal; objectief. the presentinvention,

necting switch. which shall be capable of'` satisfactorilymeeting the above stateclb` requirements', 'l i The particular structure'` utilizedfor 'accomplish ing this object ofthe invention is an improvement and a further refinement of the 'switch disclosed ,in my Patents Nos. 2,039,059 and y2,067,659 issued `breal: switch, either of the vtwo insulator ori'of the three insulator .type, an`d in' applying the'princiy ples disclosed in "the"` above-mentioned patents objects of myfinvention;`

The present inventicmny as to a sidebreakswitch Iaccomplishanother or the l a'.unitarymemberyhich' isfprovide'd with a toothed portion forengaginga similar toothed( portion forming a part'of the stationary contact means in .order to permittl'ie `mechanical inter-l mercially successful disconnecting switches must Abe relatively low incostidue tothe large numbers' on even a small transmission therefore, is ,to provide a simple, reliable discon" 'dol'thestructures disclosed int'heabovecited patents,` utuizes ai parallel blade construction., vOne of the blades is the details 0f the Cooperating contact portions of Fig 7; and

into engagement withthe stationarycontact. yBy this'operation the cooperatingtoothed members are causedto'engage each other, therebypme# chani'callyinterconnecting the rotatable insulator and the stationary insulator; Alost'motionconnection intermediate the` unitary `blade and the rotatable insulator-allows the further rotation of that insulator,- which v'rotation causes the articulated blade element gto". be moved longitudinally andy-at thes'ame" timefl'aterallywith respect to the funitarybladelelement. The combined4 result of l'this i." ngitudinal:andl lateralmovement is to providefahigh pressure wiping engagementbetween 4 the cooperating portions of the blade elements y I [and the-contact meana f' conditions.. Further,`,thedevice s should beauto- A further object of the-present invention to 'generally `simplify the structure ,of switches o'f "this typeby reducing the:.numberoi; partsjre- ,quiredv to the minimum'and toxincrease thereliability in operationfofthestructures.

Otherobjectswill be apparent in the iollowing 'description ofthe two preferred-.embodiments of ythe invention; Referring totthe drawings,

Figure 1 lis a side elevationalfview'of a three insulator side f break disconnecting vswitch utilizing the features ofthe presentinvention,

Fig. 2

is a plan view'ot the structure, shown in F1a-1,-

`rFig.; 3 is an enlarged fragmentary Dian view f similar to Fig. 2, showing they switch in the parv tiallygopen position, y

Fig. 4 is a Iragm'entary'elevational view-,sinnlar insulator and the other'endoi which isconnected i f to the unitary* blade'member adjacent the unsuplaortidexidfthereof.` rDuring the operation oi' 4the switch, the unitary blade element is'swung toQFiggl." showing-'th'e.relativellpositlon of,- the blade elements and the cooperating stationary ,Contact .when the switeh 'is 1n the fpartiauy. open position, Y

1 'Fig.` 5 isafragmentarysectionalview showing the. details of the lost motion lconnection between .the unitary blade elementV and the rotating'1nsu flator,` y

111g. 61s fragmentary secnonai view showing the stationary` contactfmeans and the blade ele..

Fig. 9-is a sectional view taken on .line

The three insulator switch illustrated in Figs'. 1

through 6, inclusive, includes a base i which'is preferably formed from a piece of channel iron.l

a pair of stationaryinsuiators 2 mounted on said base through the use' oi' a pair of suitable spacers 3, and a rotatable insulator l mounted on the base intermediate the two stationary insulators.

A ball bearing connection 5 permits the rotatable insulator I to be moved freely with respect to the base. A stationary contact assemblage 'I is sup-' ported upon each of the stationary insulator columns 2 and a blade means l movable into and out of engagement with these contact means is 'sup-f' ported upon the rotatable insulator l.

- Each oi the stationary contact assemblages 'l includes a jaw member l which is cast inteiral with the base portion i0 of the assemblage and an outwardly projecting portion ii which is utilized as'one of the terminals for the switch.

A The upper of the two inner surfaces of each of the jaw members 0 is machined into a knife edge form as `shown at I3 in Fig. 6 for cooperating with one of the Itoothed portions I4 of the blade assemblage land the lowersurface of each of i the jaw contacts is machined so as to dene a soo ` of the cooperating blade curved surface as shown at Il for cooperatlngwith .one oftheccntact portions il of the blade as- M semblage. The outerportion of each of the law` contact portions of the blade means and the contact jaws and toelfect thegoperlttiony of the means for. mechanically interconnecting the spaced stationary insulator columns. `The unitary blade element i1 includes a pair of ytubular blade members- ILeach oi which is rigidly afcap member 2| fixed to" a centrally `positioned n for the which-is bolted to the support member 22 blade assemblage, which member is, in turn, boltl of the rotatable insulator 4. The is movable with respect to the 22 through a-deiinitely restrictv spring 2| is provided for ed to the cap 23 capv member 2i support member ed distance and a coil biasing the cap member 2| and the blade por-v tions supported thereon to a predetermined position `with respect to the support member. The

" toothed portion il for engaging the toothed portion I3 of the cooperating contact jaw is brazed `or otherwise rigidly aiilxed to the other end of each of these tubular blade members i9.

As is-shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 4, the support member 22 for the blade assemblage is provided with a pair oi'outwardly projecting crank arms and the inner end lof each of the otherl two tubular blade members il is pivotally aillxed to each of these crank members. theresultant structure comprising a pair of articulated bladeV elements. The contact element ii, substantlallysimilarto the toothed members il except that the lower surface thereof is ilat, is affixed to the outer end of each of the blade elements i8, and the unsupported endf of each of the articulated blade elements I8 is mechanically connected to theadjacent unsupported end of swingable movement likewise supported the- 4 but. which are lrlovable'in-A the unitary blade element n by a pair or ne Y links 21. one end of each of these links being pivotally joined to one ofthe members by suitable pivot pins.

It will thus be seen that the blade assemblage comprises in effect one substantially rigid blade ement which isg'provided with toothed` portions -for engaging'the toothed portions of both of the two contact jaws and a pair of articulated blade elements fastened at their inner end to' the rotatable insulator column and fastened at their outerend by suitable tie links to .the unitary blade structure. The spring 2l intermediate the rotatable support member 22 and the cap member 2i biasesthe several portions of the blade assemblage to the position shown in Fig. 4. 'Ihat is,

it biases the articulated blade elements IB to a position where the contact portions it thereof are as'closelyg adjacent the toothed portions I4 of the unitaryblade'structure as is possible. This facilitates the engagement of the cooperating portions ofthe blade means and the contact jaws Q during the operationof the switch.

The switch is shown m me fully dosed-position portions i4 fof the unitary blade element Il and Vin Fig. 1. In this position, the toothed contact `A,the plalncontact portions I8 of thearticulated blade elements VIl are held into intimate engagement with the cooperating portions -of the contact jawsl. The rather considerable length of the blade elements I8 and the positioning of the link members 21 closely adjacent the outer end `of the blade assemblage allows the inherent' resilience of the blade members to be utilized as the source of contactpressure betweenthe coof the blade assemblage and To openthe switch, the rooperating portions the contact jaws.

tatable insulator I is turned in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) virom the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 4'. This clockwise rotation actuates each of the articulated blade members through-the crank arm's 2B -joined thereto, and moveseach of the blade members longitudinallywith respect to the unitary-l blade element i1. The presence of the links 21 causes the contactportion Il to move in the direction of the toothed -portion Il and thus decreases the space between those portions so as to permit leasy disengagement of the portions from the contact jaw 9. lThe swivel connection between the cap member` 2| and the support member 22. allows this longitudinal and lateral movement yof the contact portions I6 to take placewithout moving .the unitary bladestructure i1. When the articunormal fully open position ofthe switch.

To close the switch the central insulator 'l is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction so as to swing the blade assemblage from the open circuit position to a position where the toothed Vportiers. u of che unitary blade' element l1 eno gage the cooperating portions i3 of the contact jaws. The biasing spring 24 causes the blade assemblage to remain in theoposition shown in Fig. 4 during this portion of closing operation. As soon as the toothed portions Il engage the closed end of the jaws 9, further rotation of the unitary aisaovv blade element l1 is prevented and a subsequent rotation of the central insulator! will cause the articulated blade portions il .to be moved from the position shown in 113.4 to the position shown in Fig. 1. This movementbi!v thearticulated blade elements `Il causes each ot the blade portions Il thereof to be moved longitudinally and laterally with respect to the unitary blade element l1, and the combined result of this longitudinal yand .lateral .movement isito produce a high pressure wipingengagement betweenthe cooperatingcontact surfaces Il ot the contact jaws i and the` contaEtj portions i of the two, ...articulated blade elements.v The lateral movement of the articulatedblade elements Il alsoenects an intimate engagement: between Athe toothed portions Il ofthe contactiaws l and .the

` to't'ithedportionsil of the unitary blade element rotatable insulator 33. 1

I1, thus assuringv that the two `spaced stationaryinsulators I. shallbe rigidly interconnected'when the switchis in4 thegfully closed position.. j j j' j By interconnecting` the switchesl the spaced stationaryinsulatorsl. during the switch closing: operation, are subjected to substantially no canti-1 lever-stress.. This permits the useof high pressure contacts witha 'wiping .action and in addition makes i'or a much more rugged structure.

Figs. 7 through 9 illustratefanembodiment oi -my invention as applied-to 4a two insulatorgside break switch: The various structural elements t of. thedevice are mounted upon a base litwhich, "simllarto .the .base I of vthe previously described structure, mayfbe of channel iron and include j a stationary insulator. column lihaving a sta-` tionary contactmeans 32 supported thereon and p a rotatableinsulator column 38 supported upon thebase by means-ofy a bearing Il. u assemblage isl supported upon and adapted," to be actuated in response to the rotation of thef The stationary contact assemblage 3 2 comprises a jaw member4 31 which is bolted to the p. Theblade assemblage 8l comprises a pair o!v bladcelements 3l and Il. `I'he element 3l is a stationary supportinginsulator 3l therefor. this jaw ,beingv substantially the same as the jaw members i in thefstructure just descijbldtnd has a knifeedge I Ifupper portion and a curved `-llower portionzil. as is 'shown in Fig. 6. f

unitary member and is rigidly ainxed at one end to a substantiallylU-shaped support III, adapted `Ato engage a bearing pin," which projects upwardly from" acast Aframe l2. .The frame l2 is bolted to a ycap of the vrotatable insulator 33,

asis shown particularly in Fig. 'l.l The outer end of the blade member 38 is provided with a.v toothed portion for engaging thetoothed por--` tion i8 ofthe cooperating contact jaw 31. l

' .The blade element I9 is somewhat shorter the element 3l `and is supported uponl en out-v-f wardly. projecting crank memberll cast integral '.with the frames! by means'ofa pivotlpin Il.

" The other endoi.I :the-bladefmember-.II is pro-,1l vided with acontactportion .forjengaging the cooperating portion Ilof the contact, jaw I1 and isfmechanlcally connected to the outer end joi':the.blade element il by means of` a link` or pair o! links and twopivot pinsll.

A cylindrical member l2 is journaled upon the shaft portion 4I of the frame 42 4and is provided with an outwardly projecting element 53 for supporting one oisthe Vterminals of the switch. VA"

ilexible shunt 54 connects the cylindrical mein--V ber l2 with the blade element. and this element, in turn, isconnected to theblade element The.'operation A blade il Through 'thisarrangement the terminal at Il of the switchis free to turn `with respect to the rotatable insulator 33 during the operation of the device. .l 'nie other. or the switch is formed by an outwardly projecting element vI'l i cast integral with thecontactjaw 31.

A coil springnll :which ispositioned intermediate the u -shaped support and the crank portion 4I oithearticulated blade `element '3l' 1 .3 n by mesmo: a. sectas pair of shuntsfsl.

serves to biasthe 'blade assemblage toa position substantlauyas rthat* shown in Fig.V 4;.tnat is,` .to a position `where -thecontact portion It of i the articulated blade yelement Il has been movedas far as possible in the direction ofthe toothed vportion Il of the unitary blade element Il. rI lils arrangement, as'has been explainedinthe fore-- going, faeuits'tes the entry or the.; unsupported end ,foi the blade ass'e'inblyirlto the cooperating contact Jaw 31.

of this embodiment ormyfin;

ventionis substantially the same as the g'tion of the three insulator switch previouslydescribed. .'rne device is shown in the closed tira.

-cuit position in Fig.5'l.` To open the switch, ythe insulator Slis rotatedy in a clockwise direction (Flg..8), thereby causing thearticulated blade.

element n t'o b e moved substantially to the position shown infFlg.- 4. The coil spring if acts yto biasthe blade element 38 intoengagernent with the `contact Jaw Il du'rlngthis longitudinal andlateral movement ofthe contact portion foi the blade element l. As soon as the articu- I jandthe entire assemblage is then swung as a"unit from the closed. circuit positiontol the opencircuit position which maybe'f90.- more orll` lessgfromt'he position shownin Fig.' 8.

The closing. operation of the switch is'substantially the, reverse of the opening operation.

; The rotatable insulator 38' is turned so as to f swing theentire blade assemblage from'the open circuitposition to a position where the toothed lated 4blade element 30 hasl reached they position shown in Fig. 4, the rotation of therotatable 35 insulator `is transmitted tothe bladeeiement` portion ll of the blade element 30 engages the J cooperating toothed portion of the jawelement 31. The biasing spring ll by holding thefblade elements in the position shown in Fig. 4, assures thet'tne contact and toothed .portions 4s and l45, respectively; of that assemblage shall be'read- 1 ily moved into'the contact jaw Il..` Upon further rotation ofthe' rotatable insulator Il the articulated' blade portion Il ismoved from the co1- lapsed tofthe extended position, thus moving lthe blade member longitudinally and laterally with respectito the .blade .element ",@this movement v `beingcontrolled by the links Il connecting the `plain contact and-the toothedfcontact portions Il and ;`ll6=, respectively, oi' the blade assemblage -ati .their unsupported end. The combined result produce fa' high pressure wiping engagement 'of the cooperating contact portions lland' i5 oi' l the blade 3l and the contact jaw `I1 and to cause the cooperating toothed 'contact portions" and- I3 of those structures to be forcedI into intimate 'engagement With each other. ff' 'l c.

l By utilizing a `toothed element having.` a plurality of separate teeth as the interconnecting means for the insulators Il and n, a structure is provided which is capable of automatically adjusting itself` to a very substantial amount offrelative displacement of the stationary and the rotatable insulators. Satisiactory operation of the interconnecting means under extremely adverse conditions isthus assurred. o

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have ydescribed two embodiments of a novelform of side break disconnecting switch which possess numerous advantages 'over thestructures heretoiore .known to the art. More particularly, I have disclosed a double break three insulator disconnecting switch which isprovided with'means for rigidly. interconnecting the three insulators during the operation of the -switch so asto impart rigidity and strength to the device, and which interconnecting means is capable of automatically adjusting itself to a very substantial amount of relative displacement o! the several insulators of the'switch. Further, I have shown how this interconnecting means; can be applied to a switch structure which utilizes cooperating contacts adapted toengage each other with a high pressure wiping engagement.

` I have also disclosed how the above features for automatically interconnecting the rotating insulator and the spaced stationary 'insulator may be applied to a two insulator side break disconnecting switch with all of the advantages resulting in the case of the threeinsulator switch.

Both of the structures are relatively simple in design, they are easy to service andare not unreasonably costly.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, "v

I have disclosed in the foregoing thedetails of certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that many of these details are merely illustrative and variations in their precise form will be both necessary and desirable Y in certain instances. It is my intention, therefore, that the language of the accompanying claims shall be accorded the ybroadest reasonable construction and shall be limited only by what is expressly set forth therein and by the prior .art

Y I. claim the following as rnyinvention:y

1. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, contact means mounted on each of said spaced insulator columns, a rotatable insulator disposed intermediate said spaced insup lator columns, a blade means normally supported on said rotatable insulator for movement into and out of engagement with said contact means, and means responsive to the rotative movement of said rotatable insulator for causing said blade means to engage said contact means with a high pressure contact, .said `bl-ade means having contact portions adapted to interlock with said cony tact means in one of a plurality of predetermined positions for interconnecting said spaced insulator "columns prior to movement of said blade means into high pressure engagement with said contact means. l

2. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, contact means rigidly supported on each of said insulator columns, a rotatable insulator column disposed intermediate said spaced insulator columns; and a blade means normally supported upon said rotatable insulator column andr movable, in response to the rotation there-v of, into and out of` engagement with said'contact means, said blade means and said spaced insulator columns having cooperating toothed members for rigidlyinterconnecting said spaced insulator columns whenv said interrupter is in the closed circuit` position, and said toothed members lbeing disposed longitudinally of said blade means o for engagementwith each other irrespective of the displacement within certain limits of said thereof movable into and out of engagement withj said contact means in'response to rotation of said rotatable insulator, and means responsive to the rotative movement of said rotatable insulator for causing said contact portions of said blade means to engage said 'contact means with a wiping action, said blade means having other contact portions adapted to interlock with said contact means in one 'of va plurality of` predetermined positions for interconnecting said spaced insulator columns prior to` movement of saidinrstnamed contact portions'intowiping engagement with said contact means.

4. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, contact means mounted on each oflsaid insulator columns, a rotatableA insulator disposed intermediate said spaced insulator columns, and a'blade means supported upon said rotatable insulator and movable into and out of Aengagement with said contact means in response to the rotation of said rotatable insulator, lsaid blademeans including means for'rigidly interconnecting said spaced insulator columns during the .circuit closing operation,said interconnecting means including cooperating toothed memb'ersat least one of which'has a plurality of teeth to'provideffor cooperative engagement lof said members in any one of a plurality of positions, a contact portion for engaging each of said conf` tact means, and means for causing each of said contact portions to be moved, with respect to the contact means with whichA it vcoacts during each switch closing operation so as to eiect a high pressure wiping engagement between'each of said contact portions and saidA contactv means.

5. In an velectric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, contact means rigidly supported upon each of said insulator columns, a rotatable insulator disposed intermediate said spaced insuv. lator columns, and conducting means supported upon said'rotatable insulator column and movable into and out of engagement' with said contact means, in response to the rotation of said rotatable insulator, said conducting means including a plurality of blade elements, one of which comprises a relatively rigid bridging member supported on said rotatable insulator for swingable movement about the axis vof rotation thereof, and the othery of said blade elements comprising a blade member, said bridging member and said'contact means being provided with cooperating toothed membersadapted to en- 'gage each other in any onevof a-plurality of positions for rigidly'interconnecting said spaced insulator columns when said interrupter is in the closed circuit position, said blade member including a contact portion `which engages each of said contact means, and means for 'moving said blade memberduring each closing operation of said switch into a-high pressure wiping engagement with said contact means.

6. In a side break electric switch,"a stationary contact means, a rotatable insulator and a blade means supported thereon for swingable movement into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means in response to the rotation'oi said-rotatable'insulaton said blade means ,response` to the rotation `ofsaid rotatable 'insu-v i lator between said: predetermined angularfpositions forimoving lsaid articulated blade member longitudinally and independently'oisaid unitary lis` l f the llongitudinal movement `of saidf'larticulated blade member for eiecting a high pressure wiping engagement "between `the 'cooperating contact'A *j `members.` l Inl a side :bre

tween predetermined `angular positions, anvarticulated blade'imember, pivotally aixed atone end to said rotatablelinsulator, a linkage joining `the other end-offsaid articulated blade member' tdsaid unitary blade member adjacent the supported end` thereof, and means operable in blade member, said-linkage being responsive-to portionslof said contact means and said blade' a lase esta 'statmnary l contact means,` `a; rotatable-insulator and a blade lmeans supported `thereon for swingable move-2*]` mentintoiand `outjof engagement with said"sta`" 25.-

\ 1 `tionof said;rotatableinsulator, saidfblade means i 3 including-a* unitaryblade memberfsupportedffon saidzrotatableV insulator for relatively rotatable`--' e movementabout thepivotal axisf thereof betv'veen'Y member adjacent theunsupported Lend' thereof; `and meansnoperable in 'responseto therotation of said rotatableinsulator betweenfthe predetermined angulanpositionsjfor moving-said articutionary ,contact means in` response tothe r' o'ta4 predeterminedangular positions, an articulated blade member pivotallyxaiilxed at one endto said@ insulator, a.A linkage Vjoining the -other end offsaid* lated blade member ylongitudinallySand inde- 1' tatable insulator, a blade means comprising a, v

pair of blade elements supported upon saldrotatable insulator and swingable into and outof engagementlwith said contact means in response to the rotation thereof, one of s-aid blade elements being rotatably supported upon said rotatableinsulator for relative rotative movement about the pivotof said insulator, a mechanical. linkage connecting the other ofsaid blade elements at its outer end to said iirst mentioned blade member, a crank member rigidly alxed to said rotatable insulator and pivotally connected to the inner endof said other blade` element, said support means for said :first-named blade ele, ment permitting the rotation of said crank member independently of said first-mamerginblade` ele lment during the final stages of each closing operation of said switch, said last-mentioned blade element being movable longitudinally with respect to said `first-mentioned blade element in' response tothe rotation of said crank during the circuitclosing operation, saidmechanical linkage being actuable in response to the longitufdinalmovementof said'blade member for causvincluding afunitary blade member supportedon fV said rotatable insulator for relatively" rotatable .movement about `,the ,pivotal axisfthereoi'f-be- 'l ingthecontactyportionb! at. least lone of said bladeelements to engage'the 'cooperating contact portionotsaidcontactmeanswith a high pressure wiping engagement." l 9. In anlelectricswitch; a stationary insulator column; a Contact' means-mounted thereon, a rotatableinsulator, meansz;comprising a pair of blade elements'sulpported' upon said rotatable insulator and' swingable r1x1/response tothe rotation thereoi' 'finto and "out ofengagemfent 'with said contact means, lostf-rnotionimeans operatively' coupling one o-o'f'isaidi elements? and said 'rotatable insulator, the whenbfjsa1-1'.tieneV elements being mechanicallyconnectedg'at itsfouter end to :said tlrstimentioned blade *element arid pivotally connected i at its inner endtb a crank member 1` means having; cooperatin`g` 'toothed portions adapted toengag'e eachfother `ina'ny'one of a .plurality of positions fior positively' interconnect? ingsaidistationary insulator column and said ro` tatable insulator{colummwliensaid interruptor is nffthe closed "ci'c'suit'position` said `lastrnentioned A"blade :element*beingmcvable' longitudinally with --res'pectto"said nrst=mentioned bla'cle element in response ftoyniovement "of s'aid crank member yrig' idlyiafliced ofsaid rotatable insulator column contact-means `arid*s aidfblade lmeans 'andto effect articulated blade member-to'saidunitary blade" i rigidly-` amies* to Y said rotatable" insulator, said the'fcooperative*engagementof said interconnectl fing 'means during; each operation oi "said switch. 1 l0'. an'electric-switch including-acontact, a rotatable actuating@insula/tor;Li?l switch blade having "a contact atl one end :thereoi for engaging the "first said contact,` s a pendently foffsaid unitary blade memberfsaidf" 'sw ii'. 'cl 11` blade 'being piv-` otallymounted on said rotatable insulator and being actuated thereby,"`theI pivot'of'the switch vblade being coincident with the axisof rotation of the insulator and permitting rotation of` the insulator relative Vto the blade, spring means be-l 4tween the .blade and the `insulator tending to maintain them in a predetermined angular position with respect to oneanother, said rotatable insulator being rotatable relativerto said bladey against the biasof said spring after engagement of the contacts tomovevthecontacts into flnal high pressure engagement,A and theengageable surfaces' of said. contacts having cooperating switch blade with said first contact in any one of a plurality of positions as determined by the displacement between said first contact and said 11. InV an electric ber, "`a. linkage joiningsaidblades adjacent `said contacts, a rotatable insulator for pivotally supporting said switch blades and for actuatingv them to open and closed positions, one of said switch blades being rotatably movable with respect to said insulator between predetermined angular positions, and means responsive to the rotation of saidv insulatorbetween said predetermined angular positions for moving the other o tsaid switchblades longitudinally `with respect yto said rstblade, saidI linkage being responsivel to the longitudinal. movement of said switch `'blade for Acausing saidcontacts to firmly engage ysaidcontact member, at least one of said switch blade contacts and cooperating contact vportlon oi said contactf'memberbeing provided with switch,` a contact membena' pair of switch bladesfeachliaving acontactfat onjexend thereof forengaging said contact mem-` 4toothed portions for positively interlocking the bers "between predetermined angular positions,`

serrated surfaces for positively interconnecting the switch blade and contact member.

12. In an electric switch, a'supporting insulator,v a contact member mounted on'said insulator,

a rotatable insulator, a lpair of blade members,-A

mounted upon'nhsaidrotatable. insulator and operable by the rotation thereof into engagement with said contact member, a linkage joining said blade members adJacent the endvwrhich engages said contactmember, said rotatable insulator be-` ing rotatablerelative to one o fk said blade memtl'ieother of 'said blademembers being longitudinally movable-with respect tothehfirst said .blade member bythe rotativemovement of said rotatable insulator betweenA said'predetermined'` angular positionsfto actuate lsaid linkage and f therebymove said blade `members into inal high pressure contact withsaid contactmember, and

.the engageablevcontact. surfaces ofA atv-least onel of said blademembers andsaid lcontact member Y having cooperating toothed. bportionsyforgpositive# ly interconnecting, said insulators when,y the@ switchis in the closedposition.

13. In an electric'switcna cuntactmember;` a pair of switch bladeseach havingracontact; at;

one end thereof4 for engaging said contact meml, ber, a linkage Vjoiningsaid blades adjacentsaid contacts, arrotatableiinsulatorjior pivotallyvsup-A- porting said switch bliide s.l and for actuating` themto openandftoclosed positions,`one of*j said c switch blades' being rotatably movable' `with Arespect to said insulator between predetermined I angular positions, means biasingsaidfirst-namedblade to Aa predetermined angular position'with respect tosa'id insulator, andsirieansr responsive d to the rotation o1 saidinsulator between` said predetermined angular `Apsitioifis .against said*` biasing means for moving the other of said switch 40' blades longitudinally with respect to said first blade, saiqiinkagebeing responsive tothey 1onrgitudinal movementfoi witchblad,for l I said contact member.

causing said contacts to iirmly engage said contact member, at least one of said switch blade contacts and-the vcooperating contact portions Voi'said contact member being provided with ser- Aratedvsuriaces for positivelyinterconnecting the switch bladeand contact member.

. 14.,In an electric -switch,'. a supporting insulator,.a contact member mounted on said insulator, a rotatable'insulator, blader means carried by said rotatable insulator adapted to be swung into and outof engagementfwithsaid contact lmember 'by rotation of said rotatable insulator,

and means responsive'to .the rotative movement of said rotatable insulator for causing said blade means to engage -said contact member witlf'a `high pressure contact, said blade means having contact portions adapted tofinterlock with said contact` member in one of a plurality of predetermined positionsl for interconnecting said support andsaid rotatable insulators prior'to movementiof said blade means into high :pressure engagement with said contact member.

v- 15. In an electric switch, a pair of spaced insulator columns, one of'which is rotatable, acontactmember supportedupon the otherinsulator `column, a` pair of bladeelements carried by said .rotatable insulator column, said Vblade elements being adapted to be-movedinto'and out of enfgagement with `said v,contact memberin response to rotation of said rotatablef'insulator column, and means responsive rto theirotationof said rotatable insulator column for moving said blade relements into final high Dressurefiengagement -with said Acontact member, at least. one of said blade elements andsaidcontactm'ember having a yserrated contact Aportion for interlocking engagement with eachI otherpinone of 'a plurality of posltionsprior to movement :of said blade elements into final Ihigh pressureV engagement with :HERBERT J; enanas.

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