US2153430A - Switch index mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 4-, 1939. NEWMAN 2,153,430

SWITCH INDEX MECHANISM Filed Nov. 20, 1937 Z a i 4 4 5 Z a lhlVENTOR Inward Newman ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE SWITCH INDEX MECHANISM Application November 20, 1937, Serial No.'1'75,812 1 Claim. (01. 74-97) This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to indexing means therefor.

An object of the invention is to improve the indexing means for electric switches.

'. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawing taken in connection with the appended claim.

The invention comprises the features of con? in struction, combination of elements, arrangement of parts, and methods of manufacture and operation referred to above or which will be brought out and exemplified in the disclosure hereinafter set forth, including the illustrations in the drawing.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an electric switch showing the index means therefor; Figure 2 is a top view of the index mechanism;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a modified means for mounting part of the index structure; and

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

According to the invention a switch index means is provided which is suitable for rotarytype multi-position switches. The index mechanism is particularly well adapted for use in switches of the type shown and described in H. Hall application Serial No. 93,809, filed August 1, 1936. The mechanism is also adapted for use with other types of switches.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is described herein, it is contemplated that considerable variation may be made in the method of procedure and the construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the following description and in the claim,

parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 and plate It comprises part of a switch structure through which the switch control shaft ll passes. Plate I0 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed upturned flanges i2 from which one or more sets of switch rotorstator assemblies can be supported for control by the shaft II, the rotors being keyed to the shaft. Flanges l2 may be provided, as shown, with small cars l3 for use in mounting or to serve as soldering lugs for attaching a ground connection to the switch. Plate ll is also provided with a pair of upturned lugs ll which are notched on their inner edges to receive the ends of a leaf spring. Shaft II is supported for rotation in a bushing 15 which is secured in a central aperture in plate III. A lock washer ll fits into a groove in shaft I l at the end of bushing l5 to prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft in an inward direction.

The inner end of shaft II is milled to provide 10 a flat tongue ill, the end ll of which is made somewhat narrower than the rest.

An indexing disc i9, preferably of metal, is provided with a central aperture having a circular portion and a pair of side notches which are 15 adapted to fit over the tongue I! of the shaft so that disc l9 rests against the end of the round portion of the shaft. The shoulders on tongue portion ll may be upset over disc It to secure it to the shaft. A washer 20 is disposed between 20 disc l9 and the end of bushing I5 and serves to space disc ill from plate Ill. The edge of disc i9 is formed with an annular series of rounded teeth 2| so as to provide spaced notches 22 between them, corresponding to the desired switch 26 positions.

Indexing spring 23, comprising a narrow leaf spring has a rounded hump 24 at its middle and is bent into resilient U-shaped loops 35 near its ends. The extreme ends are bent back to pro- 30 vide hooked portions 25. The spring is mounted on plate ID by compressing it between lugs M with portions 25 hooked into the notches in lugs l4. Central hump 24 is thereby arranged to press into the notches 22 of disc 19 under pressure of 36 the spring.

It will be seen that this provides an indexing means for determining the stopping positions of the switch. When shaft I i is turned by a knob or other means mounted on its outer end, whereby 40 the switch contacts are moved into or out of engagement, the spring 23 will ride over the rounded teeth 2| and the hump 24 in the spring will always tend to bring the switch to rest in a position such that the hump 24 presses into one 45 of the notches 22. This may correspond to a closed or an open position of the switch contacts, as desired.

Plate [0 is also provided with a struck-up ear 26 and disc I! with a pair of downwardly project- 50 ing ears 2! which come into engagement with car 26 at certain switch positions to limit the rotation of the switch.

several switch sections are to be controlled by the same shaft and index means. According to this arrangement a round shaft 18 is provided with a reduced recessed circular section 2! at its end. Disc I. fits over the reduced circular section 20 so as to rest against the end of the larger circular part of shaft 2. and a pair of tongues II are stripped down from the wall of reduced portion 20 to flt into the two notches in disc I. A flat shaft Ii having a tapered end 32 may then be wedged into the recess and slots in the end of the round shaft. Shaft 3| passes through the various switch sections and is keyed to the rotor members of each section so as to control the rotation thereof.

It is evident that a switch index mechanism is provided according to the present invention which is simple andeconomical of construction and fool-proof in operation. Should the index spring 2! become damaged or bent it can readily be replaced without disassembling the entire switch.

While the present invention, as to its objects and advantages; has been described herein as carried out in specific embodiments thereof, it is not desired to be limited thereby but it is intended to cover the invention broadly within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaim.

What is claimed is:

An electric switch index mechanism comprising a switch mounting plate, a rotor control shaft passing therethrough, a notched disc mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, said disc being adjacent said mounting plate, a pair of opposed projections upstanding from said mounting plate beyond the edge of said notched disc, and a replaceable index spring mounted between said projections, said index spring comprising a leaf spring having a central disconformity engaging the edge of said notched disc, the ends of said leaf spring being angularly disposed with respect to the body of said spring and having hooked ends engaging and hooking against the inner sides of said upstanding projections whereby said spring is held in compression between said projections. V

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