US2170154A - Circuit control device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 22, 1939.

c. w. MOORE 2,170,154

CIRCUIT CONTROL DEVICE Filed May 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I If 6 61 77 5' T 1 67 1? 1 2 b7 11 g, 2

I l 53 0 5 2 4 1 a 2 3 49 I IN VEN TOR.

CZ rezzce 11X floors, BY

ffl/ W A TTORNE Y.

" Patented Aug. 22, 1939 o UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT CONTROL DEVICE Clarence W. Moore, Roslyn, Pa, asslgnor, by

mesnc assignments, to United Specialties Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application May 28, 1934, Serial No. 727,976 12 Claims. (Cl. 20044) This invention relates to circuit control destarter circuit, and by so constructing the stavices and involves various improvements in comtlonary contact elements and the movable conbined switch and lock structures. As illustrated tactor as to prevent the automatic means from herein, these improvements are embodied in a returning the movable contactor beyond the posicombined switch'and lock of a type employed tion for normal operation of the engine. 5 pr m rily for controlling the electrical circuits A still further object of the invention is the of automobile ignition and starting devices, but provision of an improved terminal block for the it is to be understood that the invention is equalstationary contact elements. In terminal blocks ly useful for controlling circuits other than those of this general character it is the usual practice specifically disclosed. to embed the stationary contact elements in a 10 One of the principal objects of the invention block of insulating material, preferably of a kind is the provision, in a circuit control switch havwhich may be readily molded. Phenol-resin ing manually operated means for moving a concompositions are particularly well adapted for ta tor e e e t t a p ality f positions, of use in such terminal blocks and are commonly 35 means for automatically returning the contactor used for that purpose. It has been the practice element to apredetel'mined p s on W e o d heretofore in making such blocks to mold the h r yon y he m n al y op at means contact elements or terminal posts in the block,

n t De d o m f the ev s pu p e or to insert these elements in suitable openings is mpli h y the use of stati nary conprovided in the blocks when they are molded.

go tact elements and arotary contactor having man- In ither case, it has been necessary to grind u lly operated me n r m v n it n p oil the ends of the terminal posts which form ative relation with the various stationary conth t t l t i order t bring th ptact el m nts, t e a y p t d means crating faces of the contact elements into posituating he rotary contactor through a o y tions flush with the face of the block and polish 0 k y e hav n Coiled Spring associ te them to such an extent that they would not in- 25 therewith in such a manner as to be placed under terfere with the proper operation of the movable suiiicient tension to return the rotary contactor ta t r, to one of its circuit controlling positions when Under th practice heretofore f llowed, it, has it is moved t ereb y y the manually operbeen difiicult to grind off the surfaces of the conated mea s. tact elements without destroying the polished 36 The construction n arrangement of the 8921- surface inherent in the molded phenol-resin block. tionary contacts and the movable contactor are w t t u 1b1 k tr ct d i a cordanc such that, when the movable contactor is rot t present ti mthe operating surfaces tat d y t e a y Operated means to the of the stationary contact elements may be ground 5 limit of its movement in one direction, both the and h d t h t t as i necessary ith- 5 ignition and starter circuits of the automobile t interfering in any way ith th polished are closed, and as soon as the manually operurface of t i m h t l, ated means is released the movable contactor is A still further obje t of th invention i th returned to a position with respect to the staprovision f improved eans for retaining the 40 tionary contact elements wherein the starter clrvarious parts of the Switch Structure in assem- 40 cult is broken while the ignition circuit remains bled relation This object is accomplished by closed, the movable contactor remaining in the enclosing the switch elements within a Suitable position for normal operat1on of the automobile housing, with certain elements seated upon parts engine until it is moved therefrom by the manof the housing when the elements are in assem g ffi g ii gf the invention is the bled relation, and by retaining them in assem- 45 vision of r neails for rendering the automatic P relation by means of cover plate Secured means ineffective when the movable contactor m the Opel} end of the housing' is in a predetermined cooperative relation with other obJects and advantages of the improved respect to the stationary contact elements. This w will be apparent (ml the following 50 object is accomplished by so constructing the scriptlon, taken w t the a w pa y d awstationary contact elements and the movable h1g5 Wherelni contactor that there is no resistance to the opi 1 s a n tud al s t onal vi w throu h eration of the automatic means when the movthe device supported in position in the rear of able contactor is in a position to energize the the instrument panel of an automobile; w

Frgfl is a transverse sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing the detailed structure of the front end of the lock housing, reduced in size;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device, partly in elevation, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the the terminal block without the wear-resistant face plate in position;

Fig. 12 is a reduced elevational view of the face plate for the terminal block;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the movable contactor in a position wherein the battery circuit is open and the starter, ignition and gasoline gauge circuits are grounded;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the movable contactor in a position to close the battery, ignition and gasoline gauge circuits; and

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the movable contactor in a position to close the battery, starter, ignition and gasoline gauge circuits.

The combined lock and switch elements of the device illustrated herein are enclosed within a housing l0 comprising a cylindrical front portion H and an enlarged cylindrical rear portion l2. The forward end of the front portion abuts against the edge of an opening l3 in a reinforcing sub-panel l4, this opening alining with a similar opening |5 in the instrument panel l5 of the automobile. The housing IB is secured in this position by means of a pair of bolts |1 engaging with a pair of oppositely extending arms l8 integral with the housing, the heads of the bolts preferably being countersunk in the sub-panel l4 and welded thereto.

A look structure, preferably of the type including a rotary cylinder I9, is encased within the front portion H of the housing so that its forward end extends slightly in advance of the front end of the body of the housing as shown in Fig. 1. The front end of lock cylinder I9 is provided with a suitable opening 20 for receiving a key 2| by means of which the lock is actuated and the movable element of the switch structure is moved into its various circuit controlling positions. The lock cylinder l9 may be of any well known construction and is preferably of the type in which a plurality of spring pressed plungers 22, extending transversely of the cylinder, engage with a longitudinal groove in the housing in order to retain the device in locked position, unlocking thereof being accomplished by the insertion of the key 2|. The cylinder I9 is retained within the housing by the engagement of an arcuate, spring pressed retainer plate 23 with an annular shoulder 24 on the inside of the housing.

Inasmuch as the housing |0 is preferably formed by a casting operation, a structure is utilized for finishing the front end thereof easily and economically without necessitating the appli cation of the usual finishing processes to the body of the housing. As shown herein, the marginal edge of the front end of the housing is provided with a forwardly extending flange 25 and an annular groove 26 located within this flange. A

finished ferrule 21 has its inner end seated within the annular groove 26 and its outer end extending into the alined openings l3 and I5 in the subpanel and the instrument panel. A finished washer 28 is provided with a central opening 29 to receive the front end of the lock cylinder I9 and is supported upon the front end of the body portion of the housing and retained in position thereon by means of a shoulder 30 on the inside of the ferrule 21.

The ferrule 21 is provided with an arcuate slot 3| alining with a cutaway portion 32 in the flange 25 in order that the front end of the lock cylinder l9 may be provided with indirect illumination from the light 33 supported in the rear of the instrument panel. The ferrule 21 may be secured against rotary movement by providing the washer 28 with oppositely arranged shoulders 34 extending through the slot 3| and engaging with the ends thereof, and by providing the washer with a radial lug 35 extending through the slot 3| and having its angularly bent end engaging within a notch 36 in the flange 25. The ferrule 21 may be retained in position on the housing by indenting or staking the flange 25 at intervals in such a manner that the staked portions 31 engage with a circumferential shoulder 38 on the outside of the ferrule.

Mounted within an annular recess 39 between a reduced portion on the rear end of the cylinder l9 and a cap member 40 non-rotatable with respect to the cylinder and secured thereon by means of a screw 4| is a coiled spring 42 one end 45 of which is bent outwardly and extends into an opening 46 in the cap member. The opposite end 43 of the coiled spring 42 is bent outwardly and extends through an arcuate slot 44 in the forward end of the capmember 40 and into a position for engagement with a stop in 41 on the inside of the housing to thereby tension the spring when the key 2| is turned to rotate the movable switch element beyond a predetermined position.

The inner end of the cap member 40 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 48 for engagement within a transversely extending recess 49 of a cylindrical block 50 of insulating material upon which the movable contactor 5| is mounted. A positioning lug 52 may also be provided on cap member 40 for engagement within a corresponding recess in block 50 to locate the contactor 5| when the parts are assembled in the housing.

The contactor 5| is substantially triangular in shape and is provided with three spaced contact elements 53 pressed outwardly from one side thereof, and an outwardly pressed central boss 54 on the opposite side for engagement within one end of a coiled spring 55 the opposite end of which is seated within a recess 56 in the adjacent face of the block 50. The contactor 5| is provided with a pair of oppositely arranged arms 51 which extend into diametrically arranged grooves 58 in the block 50, with the free ends thereof bent inwardly for engagement with abutments 59 to retain the contactor 5| in position with respect to the block before the parts are assembled in the housing. When the block 50, with the contactor 5| secured thereto, is assembled in cooperative relation to the cap memcured within the base 66 tact elements may be varied as may be required by the circuits to be controlled, the structure shown herein is adapted for use in controlling starter, ignition and gasoline gauge circuits and for grounding these circuits when the movable contactor is rotated into a position to break the battery circuit.

The contact element B constitutes one end of a terminal post 62 extending through the terminal block 6| and having a binding screw 63 threaded in the opposite end thereof with which connection to the battery is made. The contact element B is secured one end of a bridging contact strip 64 the opposite end of which is secured to one end of an anchor post 65 the opposite end of which is seof the terminal block as shown in Fig. 8.

The contact element T constitutes one end of a terminal post 61 which extends through the terminal block and has a binding screw 68 threaded in the opposite end thereof to which connection with the gasoline gauge is made. The contact element T is likewise secured in one end of a bridging contact strip 69 the opposite end of which has secured therein an anchor post 10 having its inner end secured within the base tioned within a central opening in the base 66 and having the ignition cable 72 connected thereto. The opposite end of the bridging element 'H is secured to the inner end of a stub post 13 the outer end of which forms a contact element I.

The contact element S constitutes one end of a terminal post 14 which extends through the terminal block and is threaded at its opposite end to receive a binding screw 15 to which the Wiring for the starter is connected.

As shown in- Fig. 10, the stationary contact element G is in the form of a stub post having its inner end extending into the base 66 and engaging with a grounding strap 76 the outer end of which contacts with the wall of the housing when the terminal block is assembled therein.

The base 66 of the terminal block is preferably molded from a phenol-resin composition. While it may be molded with the various terminal posts and anchor posts in position therein, it is preferably molded with suitable openings therein toreceive the terminal posts and anchor posts. As disclosed herein the terminal posts 62, 61 and '14 are provided with annular milled or otherwise roughened portions 11 for tight frictional engagement with the walls of the respective openings in the base when the posts are pressed into position therein. These posts may also be provided with non-circular portions 18 for engagement within correspondingly shaped recesses in the base to prevent rotation of the posts when assembled therein. The various terminal posts and anchor posts are also provided with annular flanges 19 which seat Within corresponding recesses in the face of the base 66, the outer faces of these flanges being positioned in the same plane slightly outwardly of the face of the base to form a seat for the within an opening in plate 66. The outer face of terminal post 61 is positioned wear-resistant face the flange on the inwardly of the plane'of the outer faces of the other flanges 19 by reason of the positioning of one end of the bridging member Ii thereon, and in this case the outer face of the end of the bridging member H is in the plane of the other flanges.

The face plate 80 is formed from wear-resistant insulating material, preferably a laminated, pheare pressed into their respective openings in the base 66 so that the outer faces of the flanges 19 formed thereon are in the same plane, it being understood that the flange 19 on the terminal post 61 is located as hereinbefore described. The various stationary contact elements, together with the bridging contact strips 64 and 66, are then ground oil until these elements are in the same plane. The face plate 80, formed with anchor posts, the thickness such that the contact elements and bridging assembled is avoided, taken of the polished. laminated face plate and full advantage may be wear-resisting face of the as it comes from the mold.

When the assembled parts of the terminal block 6! are inserted in the cylindrical portion i2 of the housing, the edge of the face plate 86 seats upon a shoulder 81 on the inside of the housing, and the terminal block together with the movable contractor, is retained in position by means of a closure plate 82. This closure plate is provided with suitable openings to receive the insulated bosses through which the terminal posts 62, 67 and 14 extend, and it preferably has a ferrule 33 secured thereto within which one end of the armor 84 for the ignition cable i2 is secured. The closure plate is retained in position by turning the edge of the open end of the enlarged portion M of the housing inwardly thereover. The terminal block is located of a lug B5 on the housing within a slot 86 in the base 66 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and a corresponding notch 81 is provided in the edge of the face plate 86 for engagement with the lug 85 when the parts are assembled.

Referring to Figs. 13, 14 and 15 of the drawings it will be seen that when the contactor 5! is rotated to the limit of its movement in a clockwise direction by the key 2i, as shown in Fig. 15, whereby the starter and ignition circuits are connected to the battery circuit, the three contact faces in order not to interfere with the action of coiled spring 42 in returning the contactor to the position of normal engine operation as illustrated in Fig. 14. When in the latter position the contact elements 53 are in engagement with the cupped ends of anchor posts 65 and 16 and cupped contact I of stub post 13. The cupped formation of stationary contact element I and the outer ends of anchor posts 65 and 10 operates to discontinue the return movement of contactor 5| from the starter position under the action of spring 42 so that when the key is inserted in the lock to unlock the device and is then turned in a clockwise direction to rotate the contactor 5|, spring 42 will be tensioned as the contactor moves from" the position shown in Fig. 13 to the position shown in Fig. 15, and upon the release of the key the contactor is rotated by spring 42 in a counter-clockwise direction away from the starter position and is positively stopped in the position of normal engine operation, from which it may be rotated in either direction by means of a key.

When the contactor- 5| is in the position shown in Fi 13. wherein the battery circuit is broken and the starter, ignition and gasoline gauge circuits are grounded, two of the contact elements 53 are in engagement with smooth stationary contact elements T and S and the other element 53 is in engagement with the cupped end of grounding contact G. In this case a single cupped stationary contact is sufficient to ind cate to the operator that the contactor is in a position wherein the key may be withdrawn to lock the device.

While certain forms and arrangements of the elements employed in the invention are disclosed herein, it will be understood that these are illustrative and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a combined switch and lock structure, a housing, a rotary lock cylinder mounted therein, a rotary contactor member mounted therein for movement into a plurality of circuit controlling positions, means interengaging said cylinder and said member to transmit rotary motion from said cylinder to said member, manually operated means for actuating said cylinder to move said member into its various circuit controlling positions, a spring coiled around said cylinder and having one end connected thereto for movement therewith and the opposite end connected thereto for limited relative movement with respect thereto and a stop on said housing for engagement with the latter end of said spring to tension said spring and thereby return said member to one of said positions when moved therebeyond by said manually operated means.

2. In a circuit control device, a terminal block comprising a base of insulating material, a plurality of spaced terminal posts secured in said base and having the ends thereof protruding from one face of the base and positioned in the same piano to provide stationary contact elemcnts, a shoulder on each of said posts positioned slightly outwardly of the face of said base, said shoulders being uniformly spaced from the protruding ends of said posts, a sheet of insulating material having openings therein to receive said contact elements and supported upon said shoulders with its exposed face flush with the protruding ends of said posts, and means to retain said sheet in position.

3. In a circuit control device, a terminal block comprising a molded base of insulating material having a plurality of spaced openings extending therethrough and provided with enlargements in one face thereof, terminal posts secured in said openings with the ends thereof positioned in the same plane outside of said enlargements to provide stationary contact elements, flanges on said posts positioned in said enlargements with the outer faces thereof located in a plane between the adjacent face of said base and the plane of said contact elements, and a sheet of wear-resistant insulating material having openings therein to receive said contact elements and supported upon said flanges with its exposed face flush with said contact elements.

4. In a circuit control device, a plurality of spaced terminal posts having the adjacent ends thereof in the same plane to provide stationary contact elements, a shoulder on each of said posts, said shoulders being uniformly spaced from said ends, an insulating support for said posts, and a face plate of molded, wear-resistant insulating material removably seated on said shoulders and having openings therein to receive said contact elements, with the outer molded surface of said plate flush with said ends.

5. In a circuit control device, a base member of insulating material, a plurality of spaced terminal posts supported in said base with the adjacent ends thereof terminating in the same plane outwardly of one face of said base to provide stationary contact elements, an outwardly projecting shoulder on each of said posts, said shoulders being in a plane positioned outwardly of the adjacent face of said base member, and a face plate of wear-resistant insulating material removably seated on said shoulders and having the exposed face thereof in the plane of said ends.

6. In a circuit control device, a terminal block including a base of molded insulating material, a plurality of spaced terminal posts secured in said base with the ends projecting from one face thereof to provide stationary contact elements, a shoulder on each of said posts, said shoulders being uniformly spaced from said ends, and a face plate of wear-resistant insulating material seated on said shoulders and having its exposed, molded face in the plane of said ends, a housing enclosing said block, and means on said housing for retaining said base and said plate in assembled relation.

7. In a circuit control device, a terminal block comprising a base of insulating material, a plurality of spaced terminal posts secured in said base with the ends projecting from one face thereof to provide stationary contact elements, a shoulder on each of said posts, said shoulders being uniformly spaced from said ends, and a face plate of wear-resistant insulating material removably seated on said shoulders with its exposed face in the plane of said ends, a movable contactor element cooperating with said stationary contact elements, a housing enclosing said block and said contactor element, and means on said housing for retaining said base, said plate and said contactor element in assembled relation.

8. In a circuit control device, a housing having two spaced shoulders on the interior thereof, a rotary contactor member supported on one of said shoulders, a terminal block of insulating material supported on the other of said shoulders and having a plurality of stationary contact elements mounted thereon in cooperative relation to said rotary contactor member, spring means for urging said contactor into engagement with said block, and means in said housing for retaining said terminal block and said rotary contactor member in assembled relation.

9. In a combined switch and lock structure, a rotary locking member having a reduced portion on one end thereof, a rotary contactor member movable into a plurality of circuit controling positions, means interconnecting said locking member and said contactor member to transmit rotary motion from said locking member to said contactor member, manually operated means for actuating said locking member to move said contactor member into each of its circuit controlling positions, a spring coiled around the reduced portion of said locking member and having one end connected to said locking member for movement therewith and the opposite end connected to said locking member by a lost motion connection, and a stop for engagement with the latter end of said spring to tension the same and thereby return said contactor member to one of its positions when moved therebeyond by said manually operated means.

10. In a combined switch and lock structure, a rotary locking member, a rotary contactor member movable into a plurality of circuit controlling positions, means interconnecting said locking member and said contactor member to transmit rotary motion from said locking member to said contactor member, manually operated means for actuating said locking member to move said contactor member into each of its circuit controlling positions, a coiled spring having one end arranged for movement with said locking member and the opposite end arranged for limited relative movement with respect to said locking member, and a stop for engagement with the latter end of said spring to tension the same and thereby return said contactor member to one of its positions when moved therebeyond by said manually operated means.

11. In a circuit control device, a contact supporting member comprising a base of insulating material, a plurality of spaced terminal posts secured in said base, with theends protruding therefrom to provide contact elements in the same plane, and a sheet of molded, wear-resistant insulating material having openings therethrough to receive the protruding ends of said posts and having its outer molded and polished surface flush with said contact elements.

12. In a combined switch and lock structure, a housing member, a rotary locking member, a rotary contactor member movable into a plurality of circuit controlling positions, means in teroonnecting said locking member and said contactor member to transmit rotary motion from said locking member to said contactor member, manually operated means for actuating said locking member to move said contactor member into each of its circuit controlling positions, a spring operatively connected between said locking member and said housing member, one end of said spring being fixed with respect to one of said members and the opposite end of said spring having a lost motionconnection with the other of said members, and a stop for engagement with the latter end of said spring to tension the same and therebyreturn said contactor member to one of its positions when moved therebeyond by said manually operated means.

CLARENCE W. MOORE.

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