US2200218A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

y 7, 1940- B. PUTTERMAN ET AL 2.200.218

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR$ Ben n/71m Puffer/nan Daniel E. Reed ATTORNEY M y 7, 1940- B. PUTTERMAN ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb 3, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTORS Benjamin Pufi'erman Daniel E. Reed BY *1 l iugun ATTORNEY Alia,

Patented May 7, 1940 means ELECTRIC SWITCH Benjamin Putterman,

Brooklyn, N. Y., and

Daniel E. Reed, Norwalk, Conn, assignors to Yankee Metal Products Corp, Norwalk, Conn.,

a corporation of New York Application February 3, 1939, Serial No. 254,390

9, Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in switch units. It is particularly applicable to switch 'units. adapted. to be used for controlling directional signals on automobiles and other vehicles.

.Many'proposals have heretofore been made relative to the construction of switch units for controlling circuits to directional signals associated with automobiles. In a large number of 10 instances these switch units are adapted to be 3 I secured to the steering post of the vehicle. Be-

cause these switch units'are located in a position where they are in full view 'of persons in a vehicle and may be inadvertently touched by persons getting into or out of a vehicle, it ishighly desirable that they have-casings which not only present a pleasing appearance but which also shield the electrical connections of the switch.

20 in the form of'an arcuately swinging lever, which lever protects through and is movable arcuately in a slot providedin an end wall of the casing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch unit of the same general character as the switch units mentioned above, but which maybe more easily and economically produced than prior known units and which are especially pleasing inappearance and sturdy in construc- 43 tion. 7 i I In the prior switch unit involving a switch with an arcuately swingable control lever member extending through a slot in the end wall of thecasing, there isnormally a very real problem in the insertion of the switch in the casing in'such a way that thejcontrol member is readily insertablein the slot. If the slot is made wide enough to permit a ready insertion of the control lever, the casing becomes unsightly and the I electrical connections not well shielded, whereas 40 if the slot is made more narrow the control lever often fouls the end wall when it is attempted to insert, itin the slot.

, An important object of the invention, therefore, is to provide aswitch unit which may be very easily assembled. A'fe'ature resulting from the above object re sides' in the provision of a switch unit inwhich'a base member is providedwhich casing and which locates an axially rotatable contact moving member relative to an aperture in the, top'wall of the casing. 1 Another and'..related' feature of the invention re'sidesinthe provisionof a. control member ex- Many of such prior switch units include a; switch in which" the manual control member is attainment of the may be readilyinserted in the bottom of the.

terior. the casing, which has'a'portion adapted to close the aperture formed inthe casing for the rotatable contact movingjmember of the switch.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a switch unit in which a single means, readily insertable in the casing-isprovided for supporting and properly locating both a-main Es PATENT OFFICE switch and a pilot lamp relative to apertures in awall of the casing.

Another feature of the invention provision of switch unit in which a novel base member not only supports a main switch and a pilot lamp in a casing but also divides the easing into two chambers and provides a partial closure for thecasing bottom.

Other objects and features will hereinafter appear.

' In the drawings: 1 Figure l is a top view of a switch unit embodying the invention, a portion of the control member being removed.

-Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line. Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an unit.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main switch and the base member. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the control member. Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the switch unit. Before describing the present improvements and mode of operation thereof in detail it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings, which'are merely illustrative of the present preferred embodiments, since the invention is capa ble of other embodiments, and the phraseology employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a switch unit H including a main casing 12' having a top wall {3, sidewalls l4 and I5, end walls 16 and I1 and an open bottom 18 in which is confined a main switch l9, and'a pilot lamp 20 comprising 'a socket member ZI adapted to receive a suitable electric light bulb 22. As shown, the switch unit H is especially adapted to be associated with the steering post, not shown, of an automobile and, to this end, a standard .23 is provided which is connected at one end to the end wall-I6 of the main casing l2 and, at the other end to a bracket 24 which may be clamped to the ablev manners Preferably the standard isof exploded side view of the switch steering post in any suit-.

resides in the tubular construction for receiving a plurality of conductors 25, 25 and 27, which may be encased in a suitable cable 28, inserted in an opening 29 in one of the end walls 30 of'the bracket, and passing through the tubular standard into the main casing I 2.

Of importance, there is provided a novel base member 34 through the use of which the final assembly of the switch unit is greatly facilitated. This base member 3! may be advantageously formed by bending a piece of sheet metal, and includes laterally oiTset sections 32 and 33 joined by a transverse section 34. Inturned portions 35 are provided on one of the ofiset sections 33 to constitute ears by which the base member may be fixed to the main casing. In the other oilset section 32 a slot 36 is provided, extending from one end thereof toward the transverse section, and adapted to aid in properly locating the main switch l9.

As shown, the main switch iii includes a contact housing 37in which a spring pressed movable contact member 38 is provided for movement to open and close a plurality of different c1rcuits39 and 48, as for example to a right signal light 1H and a left signal light 42, by selectively bridging fixed contacts 43, M and 15, see Fig. 6, and associated binding posts 45, 3? and it.

Also, the main switch i9 includes an axially rotatable contact moving member 59 which through an eccentric 5! is connected. at one end to the movable contact member 38 and extends forwardly through a detent plate 52 spaced from and connected to the contact housing 3'! by a tubular section 53. Fixed on the end of the con,- tact moving member 50 extending through the detent plate is. a member 5 carrying a pair of cup- shaped retainers 55 and 55 adapted to locate spring pressed detents 5! which snap into depressions 58 and 59 defined by projections lit and (H stamped in the detent plate. As clearly shown the closed ends of the retainers project forwardly from the member away from the detent plate.

The novel base member 3! out invention is especially advantageous in the mounting of a. switch such as the main switch 19 above described. Thus, it is merely necessary to fit the tubular connecting section 53 in the slot 3.6, and the projections 60 and {it on the detent plate serve to cooperate with the sides of theslot.

to properly locate the main switch it? relative to the offset section 32. Suitable fastening elements such as screws 62 may be utilized to fixthe detent plate of the main switch to the base member, with the contact housing extending rearwardly in the direction of the transverse section and with the rotatable contact moving member 53 and associated detent plate positioned forwardly of the offset section 32. r

In addition to serving as a mounting for the main switch I 9 the base member M is also adapt-- ed to serve" as a mounting for the pilot lamp 2s, and associated relay 63 including an electromagnet for controlling a circuit 65 through the pilot lamp. Thus, as shown most clearly in 2, 3, and 6, the socket member iii of the lamp is fixed to the offset section 33 to extend forwardly therefrom, being separated therefrom by a suitable insulating plate The olectro'mag net 64 isshown'as mounted on a finger 5? extending forwardly froma metal contact plate 658 in terposed between the insulating'plate 6d and the offset section 33. And, the magnet controlled movable contact 59 is mounted on a spring arm '7 electrically connected to thecontact plate 88.

.binding post it? on the switch provided by the pres- I The fixed contact H of the relay is provided by a finger 12 on a metal the contact. plate 68 by the insulating plate 56 and connected to the socket member 21 of the pilot lamp.

Asshown most clearly in the wiring diagram strip ?3 separated from in Fig. 6, the lead conductor 25 may be conveniently associated with a binding post on an I ammeter of the automobile and. secured to a unit, which is con nected by one wire "F5 to the electromagnet and by another wire "l? to the pilot lamp. Another wire 78 connects the electromagnet with the cen ter binding post it ofthe main switch. Conductors litand 27 extend into the main casing i2, then through an aperture F8 in the transverse section 84 of the base member and are re-.

spectively connected to the right and left binding posts ll and d8 of the main switch.

A Wire Ti con- ?3 through the main casing in a manner noivwell understood.

I In the operation of the switch unit, whenthemain switch is operated to" close either of the circuits 3% or 46 current is caused to flow in'qa predetermined amount if the circuit is in good.

As shown these conductors 26 and 2? may lead to the right 5 order and the relay 63 is operated in a well known mannertoclose the circuit to the pilot lamp. If

either of the circuits 39 or iii is not ingood order, for example if the right burned out, the relay will. not

operate to close the circuit to the pilotlampi or, left signal light has Y Whileprior electric switch units of the same general nature as the one forming.

the subject matter of the present invention have been-in.

use for some time, these prior switch units have in the main presented very real problems in as.-'

sembly. If oversized casingswere used the assembly was somewhat simplified, but in the case of units designed for mounting on automobile steering posts the demand was and is for units which are compact and pleasing to the-eye- With the switch unit providedby the present invention, assembly of the several mainpartsisa relatively simple matter. Thus, thejmain switch l9 and the pilot lamp and relaymay' be mounted on the base member outside of the casing, and the base member then inserted ing the 1 open bottom l8 thereof and fixed thereto by screws 89 passing through. the side wall'sio f the casing and into the ears on the offset section.

lamp so thatit extendstcward aperture M in the top wall of and through an the casing. A

washer 82 serves to insulate the socket member the casing.

Also, the base member'locates the vaz riallyirotatable contact moving member 50' of the main switch relativeto. an aperture 85 in the top wall of the casing. This aperture '85 is shown as being of circular shape and somewhat'l'arger thanjthe pilot lamp aperture'BI, and adapted to receive a forwardly extending flange 86 on the detent'plate.

Of importance a novel control member '81 is provided for controlling the'mainswitch exterior When thus inserted in the casing, the base, member locates the socket member 2! ofthe pilot her ' V slot means in operative where dirt might easily enter.

vided on the flange 86 for engaging the retainer I carrying member 54 and thus arresting movement of the contact member 38 in circuit closing positions. The detents 55 and 56 engage in the de pressions 58 and 59 to arrest the contact mem- 38 in a central circuit opening position. To facilitate a proper locating of thecontrol member relative to the axially-rotatable contact moving member 50, a rib 92 is provided on the inside of the recessed portion, shaped to define a socket 93 or slot for receiving and closely confining the forwardly projecting ends of the retainers 55 and 56. Thus, in effect, a key and slot means is provided not only for properly locating the control memberB'l and contact moving member 50 relative to' each other, but also for arresting relative rotative movement between the members. Screws 94 passing through the control member and into a fastening plate 95 on the contact moving member 50 may advantageously be utilized for maintaining the key and relation and for fixing the control member 8'Iv relative to the contact moving member 50 within the casing.

It is to be particularly noted that in the switch unit provided by the present invention the control member is associated with the main switch exterior of the casing and after the. switch has been fully mounted. There is thus eliminated the assembly problem present, in many prior units, of inserting the main control lever through a slot 7 in the end of the casing during the insertion and mounting of the switch.

In the completely assembled switch unit it is to be particularly noted that there are no unsightly openings in the top, sides or ends of the casing Also, it is-to be noted that the transverse section 34 of the base member divides the casing into two chambers 96 and 91 for the main switch l9 and relay 63 respectively, and that the ofiset section of the base member serves as a partial closure for-the casing bottom. The pilot lamp and relay chamber 91 is thus substantially enclosed so that noglare from'the pilot lamp will unduly light up the interior of the car and so that the relay mechanism is most efiectively shielded.

In addition, and as shown, when a shoulder 98 is provided on the socket member 2| to limit movement thereof through the aperture 8|, it is to be noted, see Fig. 2, that the threaded cap 84 serves not only to provide a light transmitting closure for the aperture 8| but also to lock the socket member 2| and through the latter the base member 3| relative to the main casing. In connection with the fixing of the socket member 2| to the offset section 33 particular attention is directed to the reduced hollow portion 99 of the socket member which extends from a shoulder through the offset section 33 to receive the wire 11. A washer I insulates the reduced portion 99 from the base member and a peened over flange |0| cooperates with the shoulder to fix the socket member to the base member.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new'is:

1. An electric switch unit comprising a main casing having a wall with an aperture therein; a base member having a slot therein with an open end; means for fixing said base member relative te said casing with the slot opposite said aperture; an electric switch in said casing, supported by said base member and having an axially rotatable contact moving member extending through said slot and toward said aperture; a separate control member exterior said casing and connected to said contact moving member; key and slot means associated with said control member and said rotatable member for locating said members relative to each other and for arresting relative rotation therebetween; and means for maintain ing said key and slot means in operative relation.

2. In a switch unit the combination of a main casing having a wall with an aperture therein;

a base member having a slot therein; means for I fixing said base member relative to said casing with the slot opposite said aperture; an electric switch in said casing, supported by said base member and having an axially rotatable contact moving member extending through said slot and toward said aperture; and a separate control member, exterior said casing, having a portion closing said aperture and connected to said rotatable member.

3. In a switch unit the combination of a main casing having a wall with a pair of spaced apertures therein; a main electric switch for controlling a main electric circuit, having an axially rotatable contact moving member extending toward one of said apertures; a relay and pilot lamp electrically associated with said main switch; a base member havingv laterally offset sections and an intermediate transversely extending section, said intermediate section dividing the casing into a main switch chamber and a relay chamber, one of said ofiset sections supporting said switch and the other of said offset sections locating said pilot light relative to the other of said apertures; and a separate control member, exterior of said casing and connected to said contact moving member.

4. In a switch unit the comb nation of a main casing having a top wall, side walls and an initially open bottom, said top wall having an aperture therein; a base member, secured to said casing, having laterally offset sections and an intermediate transversely extending section, said latter section extending towards the front wall, one of said offset sections having a slot with an open end and being located adjacent said front wall and aperture,'and the other of said offset sections serving as a partial closure for said bottom; an electric switch in said casing and supported by said base member, having an axially rotatable contact moving member extending through said slot and towards said aperture; and a control member, exterior said casing, having a portion connected to said rotatable member.

5. In a switch unit including an electric switch having an electric contact portion, a detent means spaced from the contact portion, a connecting section between the contact portion and the detent means, and an axially rotatable contact moving member extending from said contact portion and associated with the detent means; the combination of a main casing having a wall with an aperture therein; a base member secured to said casing, having a slot with an open end for receiving said connecting section,

for supporting said switch in said casing with the rotatable member extending toward said aperture; and a separate control member, exterior said casing, having a portion alined with said aperture and connected to said rotatable member.

\ 61A switch unit comprising a main casing having a top wall, side walls and an initially open bottom, said top wall having a pair of spaced apertures therein; a main electric switch for controlling a main electric circuit, having an axially rotatable contact moving member; a pilot lamp electrically associated with said main switch; a base member insertable in said open bottom, supporting said main electric switch and said pilot lamp with said rotatable member extending in the direction of one of said apertures and with said pilot lamp extending in the direction of the other of said apertures; a section on. said base member extending toward said top wall intermediate said apertures and dividing the casing into separate chambers for said main switch and said pilot lamp; and a separate control member, exterior said top wall and connected to said rotatable member.

7. A switch unit comprising a main casing having a top wall with a pair of spaced apertures therein, side walls and an open bottom; a main electric switch having an axially rotatable contact moving member; a pilot lamp electrically associated with said main switch; a base member insertable in said open bottom; laterally offset sections on said base member, respectively supporting and locating said rotatable member and said pilot lamp relative to said apertures, said pilot lamp supporting and locating section providing a partial closure for said open bottom; and a separate control member, exterior said top wall, having a portion connected to said rotatable member and closing the aperture associated with the latter.

'ing and closely confining said raised 8. In a switch unit including an electric switch having an electric contact portion, ,a detent plate spaced from the contact portion, a connecting section between said plate and said contact portion, an axially rotatable contact.

moving member extending from said contact portion through said detent plate/means on said rotatable member and overlying said detent plate, a pair of raised portions on said last named means, and detents associatedwith said raised portions; the combination of a main casing having a wall with an aperture. therein; a base member insertable in said casing, having a slot with an open end for receiving said connecting section, for supporting and locating said switch with the rotatable member extending in the direction of said aperture; and -a control member, exterior said casing, having-a portion for receivportions' to thereby locate said control member relative to said rotatable member and arrest relative rotatable movement therebetween.

9. In an electric switch unit the combination of a main casing having a, wall with an aperture therein; a base member for supporting a main electric switch;v a pilot lamp having a socket member with a threaded end extending through said aperture, electrically associated with said switch and fixed to'said base member; means on said socket member for limiting movement of said threaded end through said aperture; a threaded light transmitting cap, screwed on said threaded end for closing said aperture and cooperating with said means to lock said socket member and base meniber'relative to said casing; and a control member for controlling said switch exterior said casing.

BENJAMIN PUTTERMAN, DANIEL E. REED.

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