US2203351A - Electrical switch - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1940. o. FROLAND ELECTRICAL swn'ca Filed NOV. 27, 1939 4 SheetsSheet 1 3 EM w o A Z M 5 a m A W m Y O r .I. O M Y R 3 NM 8 mm NS 3 mm Fl! u R Wm -VW w g a w hm MQ nix Km m6 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 4, 1940. o, FROLAND ELECTRICAL swncn F iled Nov. 27, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 MN. & M M

June 4, 1940. Q R L D ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed NOV. 27, 1939 mmswroz/ 0m v fem/4N0 Y A TTOE/YIE'Y Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,203,351 ELECTRICAL swrron Olav Froland St. Louis, Mo., assignor to James It. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri mentioned which includes improved means for.

operating the blade of the switch so that its movement may be under complete control at all times during movement thereof into and out of the closed switch position.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved switch with the lower portion of the operating element of the switch broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of a portion of the switch with parts thereof shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of the portion of the switch illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical fragmentary section taken on line 44 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig, 3 but showing parts of the switch structure in the positions which they assume when the switch is in the open switch position.

Fig. 6 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of a portion of the operating mechanism of the improved switch.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the portion of the switch at which the contacts are located showing said contacts as they appear when the switch is in the closed switch position.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the part of the switch illustrated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing contacts of the switch in contracted positions.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, I designates the base of the improved switch, said base preferably, though not necessarily being made up of a pair of spaced channel beams 2 suitably connected together to provide a frame. The switch base I is adapted to be supported by suitable supporting means to locate the switch in a desired position for use,

Secured to the base I and extended upwardly therefrom is a supporting member 3 which supports a stationary insulator 4. The insulator l 5' has fixed thereto at its top a member 5 which at its forwardend is provided with a horizontal wall 5a through which suitable fastening devices 5b are extended for the purpose of securing the member 5 to the insulator 4. The member 5 is provided with spaced apart side Walls 6 which project upwardly from the horizontal wall 5a and extend horizontally in a rearward direction. The extreme rearward portion of the member 5 is provided with a solid top wall i and forwardly of this solid top wall the member 5 is provided with relatively narrow, horizontal top flanges 8 which extend inwardly toward each other from the side walls of the member. Extended transversely of the member 5 between the flanges 8 thereof is a pair of transverse bars 9 which aid in imparting the required structural strength to said member 5.

Supported by and fixed to and between the spaced channel members of the base i is a hearing member I0, the construction of which is shown to the best advantage in Fig. 6. Disposed vertically and extended through the bearing member ID is a rotary spindle II which constitutes a downward continuation of a connecting element I2. cludes complementary rectangular shoulders I3 and the bearing member I0 is provided with similar shoulders I4, and interposed between the shoulders of the spindle and the shoulders of the bearing member is an annular ball bearing as- S.

sembly I5. Likewise at its lower end the hearing member Ill is provided with complementary rectangular shoulders I6 and a ball bearing assembly I1 is interposed between these shoulders and a raised annular face I8 on the spindle H.

The ball bearing assembly I! is supported from thebottom by a jamb nut I9 which is mounted on a screwthreaded portion 20 of the spindle and is pinned thereto. Secured to the lower end portion of the spindle I I, by means of a suitable coupling element 2|, is an operating element 22, said operating element being adapted to rotate the spindle with respect to the bearing member and the ball bearing assemblies serving to reduce friction during such rotation of the spindle. its upper end the spindle II is provided with an annual hood 23 which overlies and covers the upper end of the bearing member I i].

Mounted on and secured to the connecting element I2 by means of fastening'elements 24 is an insulator 25 which rotates with the spindle II and the connecting element I2. Extended upwardly from the upper end of the insulator 25 is a spindle 26 (Fig. 3) which passes through a bearing member 21 that forms a part of the solid top The spindle II at its upper end in- ,J'

wall portion 1 of the member 5 heretofore described. The bearing 21 is provided with complementary rectangular shoulders 28 which support a ball bearing assembly 29, said ball bearing assembly contacting also with a raised, annular face 39 formed on the spindle 26. The ball bearing assembly 29 is maintained in position by an annular flange SI of a member 32, said member being mounted on and pinned to a screwthreaded portion 33 of the spindle 26 and being so shaped and arranged that it overlies and closes the upper end of bearing member 27. The extreme upper end portion 34 of the spindle 26 is preferably non-circular in horizontal section and this spindle portion has clamped or otherwise secured to it an arm 35.

Pivoted to the member 5 through the instrumentality of a pivot element 36 is a movable switch arm which is designated generally by the reference character 37. The switch arm 31 includes a rear portion 39 provided with a forward clamping portion 39 from which rearwardly eX- tended, spaced apart portions 46 are projected. The rear end portions of the spaced apart portions 46 of the arm portion 38 incline downwardly as illustrated in Fig. 3 and these inclined portions are provided with opposed hub portions 4!, arranged therebetween, through which the pivot element 36 passes. At the opposite sides of the rear portion 38 of the switch arm 31 coil springs 42 are attached to the spaced portions 49 through the instrumentality of pins 43, which extend from boss portions 43 formed on the spaced portions 46 of the portion 38 of the switch arm 57. The portions of the coil springs 42 at the ends of said coil springs remote from the end thereof which are attached to the pins 43 are attached to the forward end portions of rods 44', which at their rear ends are pivotally attached by means of pivot pins 44 to boss portions 45 which are extended from the member 5. At the forward ends of the coil springs 42 heads 46 are provided which are pivotally connected to the pivot pins 43 as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 2. These heads 46 include hollow forward portions 41 through which the forward extensions of the coil springs extend, and enlarged sleeve portions 48 at the rear ends of said heads which screw-threadedly receive tubular elements 49 that embrace the coil springs 42 and the forward portions of the pin 43.

In order to provide for good electrical con tact between the member 5 and the switch arm 3'! a plurality of pairs of resilient rods 56 are employed. These resilient rods are supported by members 55 which are secured to the side walls 6 of the member 5 (Fig. 3) and extend upwardly therefrom into contact with the hub portions 4! and because the upper end portions of the rods 55 tend to move toward each other close electrical contact between said rods and the hub portions 4| will be obtained.

The forward portion of the switch arm 3'! in-- cludes a tube 5! whose rear end portion is en gaged by the clamping portion 39 of the rear portion of the switch arm previously described herein, said tube being extended forwardly from said clamping portion 39 and being internally screwthreaded at its forward end as shown at 5| in Fig. 8. At its forward end the tube 5! has attached thereto an end member 52 which is provided with a screwthreaded extension 52 which is screwed into and pinned to the screwthreaded forward portion of the tube 5!. The end member 52 is hollow and is provided with an end wall 53 through which an opening is formed, said end member being provided also with an extension 54 which projects downwardly and forwardly from said end member as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 8 and is provided with oppositely extended flanges 54' at its forward end to provide said extension 54 with a broad forward face (Fig. 9).

Extended horizontally in opposite directions from the end member 52 are rigid extensions 55 each of which has formed thereon an upwardly and a downwardly extended bearing 56, each extension 55 and its associated bearings 56 having a continuous opening formed therethrough from top to bottom. Pivoted to each extension 55 is an arm structure 51 which comprises a pair of vertically spaced arms 51a which are rigidly connected at the approximate longitudinal center of the arm structure by an integrally formed bar 51?). Pivotal connection between rear ends of the arm structures 5'! and the extensions 55 is obtained by means of vertical pins 58 which are retained in place by cotter pins or otherwise.

The tube 5! has extended longitudinally thereof a tube 59 of smaller diameter and secured to this tube 59 at its forward end is a head 69. When viewed in side elevation the head 66 includes a vertically disposed portion 6911 which has an opening formed longitudinally therethrough and a shorter horizontal portion 601) which projects from the approximate longitudinal center of the portion 69a. The outer face of the portion 69b abuts against the forward face of the tube 59 and this portion 691) has extended therefrom a stud 690 which is disposed within the forward portion of the tube 59. In order to secure the head 69 to the tube 59 a pin 6! is extended through alined openings formed in opposed portions of the tube and in the stud 69o.

Associated with the head 69 is a pair oflink structures 62, each of which includes a vertical portion 62a from which is extended a pair of rigid substantially parallel arms 62?) (Fig. 9). The inner, adjacent ends of the arms 62b of the link structures 62 are pivotally connected to the head 60 by a vertical pin 63 which passes through alined openings in the associated pairs of arms 62b and in the vertical portion 60a of the head 69, it being noted from an inspection of Fig, 9 that the arms of the opposed link structures are so located with respect to each other that their end portions overlap so as to bring the alined openings of the arms into alinement with each other and with the opening formed through the portion 69a of the head. Because of this a1- rangement it is obvious that the arms of the link structures 62 are pivotally attached to the head 60. The vertical portions 62a of the link structures are in turn pivotally attached to the forward end portions of the arm structures 51. such pivotal attachment being obtained through the use of vertical pins 64 which pass through alined openings formed through the forward end portions of the arms 51a of the arm, structures and through openings formed in the portions 62a of the link structures, which portions 62% are interposed between said arms 51a of the arm structures 51.

At its rear end the tube 59 has fixedly attached thereto a member 65 which is bifurcated at its rear end. The bifurcated portion of the member 65 has pivoted thereto through the instrumentality of a pivot pin 66 a link 61, the intermediate portion of said link being disposed between the spaced legs of said bifurcated portion and the pivot pin 66 being extended through al-ined openings formed in the legs of the bifurcated portion and through said intermediate portion of the link. The lower portion of the link 61 is arranged in screwthreaded engagement with an element 58 which is pivoted between the spaced portions 44 of the rear portion 38 of the switch blade 31, a pivot pin 69 serving to provide the pivotal attachment of said element. The link 61 includes also an upper portion which projects upwardly beyond the point at which the member 95 is connected to said link.

. Associated with the link 61' is a member 19' which is supported for swinging movement by an arm ll anda pair of transversely spaced arms 12. The member Hi throughout most of its length is in the form of a bar 13 and at the forward end of said bar the member '79 includes a bifurcated portion 19 which is produced by laterally extended portions'lfi extended outwardly in opposite directions from said bar, and spaced apart portions 15 which extend upwardly and forwardly from said laterally extended portions. The upper end portion of the link 61 is disposed between the spaced apart portions 16 of the member 10, and said upper end portion of said link is attached for pivotal movement to the member Ill by means of a pivot pin l1 which is disposed in alined apertures formed through the upper portion of the link 9'! and through the spaced apart portions N of the member 19. The upper end portion of thearm H is bifurcated and the upper portions of the arms 12 are spaced apart, the bar'portions E3 of the member 1!! being disposed between the spaced upper portions of said bifurcated arm l! and between the spaced upper portions of said arms 12,'with pivot pins l8 and 79 pivotally connecting said upper end portions of said arms H and '12 to the bar portion of said member Hi. The lower portion of the arm 1! is pivoted, by means of the pivot element 3B hereinbefore mentioned, between the spaced portions 89 of the upper bifurcated portion of a support 89 which extends upwardly from the horizontal wall 5a of the member 5 (Fig. 4). The lower portions of the arms 12. are pivotally attached to the member 5 by pivot elements 8!.

Disposed between the spaced portions 16 of the bifurcated portion I l of the member 10, and pivoted thereto by means of a pivot pin 82, is a coupling element 83, said coupling element ineluding a portion which is disposed between spaced portions 84 of the forward bifurcated portion 84 of a connecting element 85, and which is pivoted to said spaced portions 84' by a pivot pin 86. At the rear end of the connecting element 85 a member 81 is clamped or otherwise secured thereto, and this member 81 is pivoted by means of a pivot pin 88 to an element 89 which in turn is pivotally attached to the outer end of the arm 35 by means of a pivot pin 90.

Secured to the base I of the switch is a supporting element 9i which supports a fixed insulator 92. The insulator has fixed to it a member 93 which includes an upwardly and forwardly extended portion 93 which is provided with a solid top wall from which a vertical extension 84 is projected. The vertical extension 94 has anchored therein a' contact 95 which is 001m prised of a plurality of relatively heavy parallel wires which when viewed in plan are bent in approximately U-shape as shown in Figs. '7 and 10. The wires of which the contact 95 is composed are possessed of resiliency so that when the rearwardly extended legs thereof are spread apart said legs will return to their original conditions when the force which spread them is removed.

The member 93 is provided with abuffer 96 which comprises a headed pin supported for vertical movement by a bearing element 9"! forming a part of the member 93, said headed pin having a coil spring 98 associated therewith which urges same in an upward direction. The coil spring 93 is interposed between the under face of the head. of the buffer and the top face of the bearing element 91, and a cotter pin 99 is employed to limit upward movement of the buffer in response to expansive action of the coil spring. When the switch arm 31 is lowered from the raised position in which it is shown in Fig. 5 to the'lowered position in which it is shown in Fig.1. the extension 54 of the end member 52 and said switch arm strikes the head of the buffer and. the coil spring of the buffer absorbs the shock incident to the sudden stoppage of the downward movement of the switch arm. Also the member 93 supports an arcing horn I09 which functions in an obvious manner as the broad face at the end of the extension 59 moves into and out of contact therewith when the switch arm 3! is moved into and out of the closed switch position.

The improved switch is provided'with a terminal In! which is fixed to the rear end portion of the member 5, and a similar terminal H12 which is fixed to the member 99. These terminals have secured to them conductors C forming parts of the electrical line in which the switch is interposed.

In explaining the operation of the improved switch it will be assumed that the switch is in the open switch position, as shown in Fig. 5, and that it is desired to operate the switch to cause it to assume the closed switch position as shown in Fig. 1. Such operation of the switch is pro duced by the person operating it rotating the operating element 22 so as to impart like rotary movement to the assembly of parts made up of the spindles II and 26, the member l2 and the insulator 25 and thereby swinging the arm 35 in an arc of a circle. As rotary movement is imparted to the arm 35 as described forward acting force is imparted to the switch arm 3'! through the connecting assembly which includes the element 89, the connecting element 85, the coupling element 89, the member 10, the link iii, and the arms H and 12. It is to be noted that at the time the forward and downward movement of the switch arm. is started the link 5'! is extended in substantial parallelism with respect to the connecting element 85, as shown in Fig. 5, and therefore force is directed longitudinally through said link 6! to the pivot pin 69 which is carried by a part of the switch arm 3'! until said switch arm reaches an overbalanced position from which it will move by gravity to its lowered position. As movement of the arm 35 continues toward the position in which said arm 35 is shown in Fig. 2 the switcharm moves toward its lowered position, saidmovement of the switch arm being controlled by the person operating the switch restraining rotation of the operating element 22, and eventually the switch arm 3? reaches its lowered position where the extension i l at the forward end of the switch arm contacts with and restsupon the buffer 96.

During downward movement of the switch arm toward its lowered position the link 61 is subjected to pivotal movement about the pivot pin 99 in the direction of the arrow in Fig.5 which results in the tube 59 being moved rearwardly of the switch arm. The result of such rearward movement of said tube 59 is that the head 69 at the forward end of said tube 59 is likewise drawn rearwardly as shown in Fig. 10. Also with the head 69 drawn rearwardly the link structures 62 assume the contracted positions in which they are shown in Fig. 10 and the arm structures 51 which are pivoted at their forward ends to the link structures 62 are drawn to the contracted and convergent positions in, which these arm structures are shown in Fig. 10.

When the switch arm 31 reaches its lowered position in contact with the buffer 96 the link structures 62 and the arm structures 51 are in the contracted positions described and a portion of the arcuate stroke of the arm 35 still remains to be traversed. During this additional movement of the arm 35 the tube 59 is moved forwardly with respect to the switch arm 37 and such forward movement of the tube 59 results in like forward movement of the head 69 which moves the link structures 62 and the arm structures 51 to the expanded positions in which they are shown in Fig. 7. This forces the portions 62a of the link structures, which serve as contacts of the switch, into close electrical contact with the opposed portions of the contact 95, spreading said opposed portions of said contact 95 to insure the desired close electrical contact. When the contact has been made between the portions 62a of the link structures 52 and the opposed portions of the contact 95, the tube 59 is held in its forward position by the locked condition of the to gle produced by the arm 35 and the assembly of which the connecting element forms a part. Also the head 69, link structures 52 and the forward portions of the arm structures 51 provide a toggle structure which is locked when the portions 62a of the link structures are expanded into contact with the opposed portions of the contact 95.

When the switch arm 31 is to be drawn upwardly and rearwardly from the closed switch position to the open switch position the sequence of operations just described are reversed. That is to say the initial portion of the arcuate stroke of the arm 35 from the position in which said arm is shown in Fig. 2 toward the position of said arm as illustrated in Fig. 5 moves the tube 59 and the head 69 rearwardly to draw the portions 62a of the link structures 62 inwardly away from the opposed portionsof the contact to their contracted positions as shown in Fig. 10. Continuation of such movement of the arm 35 results in the switch arm 39 being swung upwardly about the pivot 36 to its raised open switch position as shown in Fig. 5. In connection with the action of raising the switch arm 37 to elevated open switch position it is pointed out that the coil springs 42 (Fig. 2) serve to counterbalance the weight of the forward portion of the switch arm. In other words the coil springs 42 are under tension and as the upward movement of the forward portion of the switch arm is started the coil springs 42 exert a rearward pull on the lower end of the switch arm above the pivot element 36 which assists an operator to raise the switch arm. Likewise the presence of the coil springs 42 prevents the forward end portion of the switch arm from being dropped down with violence when the switch arm is lowered as the gradually increased tension which is built up in the coil springs as the forward end of the switch arm is lowered serves to prevent too rapid lowering of the switch arm.

When the portions 62a of the link structures 62 are expanded into contact with the opposed portions of the contact 95 by forward movement of the head 60 at the forward end of the tube 59 said portions 62a are being rotated while contact is being made with said opposed portions of the contact 95. This produces a wiping action which serves to keep the contacting faces clean and free from corrosion. Additionally the rotary movement mentioned serves to break ice which may form under adverse weather conditions at the points where contact is made. In order to provide for efiicient transfer of electrical energy to the positions 62a of the link structures groups of resilient rods I03 are provided which are supported by the portions 51b of the arm structures 5! and contact with considerable force with portions of the end member 52 and with said portions 62a of the link structures. Also at the front ends of the lower portions 51a of the link structures 5'! downward projections I94 are provided which have curved faces I94 formed thereon (Fig. 9). These projections serve as guides which facilitate movement of the forward portion of the switch arm 3! between the spaced portions of the contact 95 even though the switch arm should, for any reason, be thrown out of '1 proper alinement with respect to said contact 95.

The predominant feature of the present invention, and the feature which differentiates the present invention from the invention disclosed in applicants previous application identified above, has to do with the connecting assembly which connects the switch arm 31 to the operating arm 35. This assembly includes the member 70', the arms H and I2, and the link 61 to which the tube 59 is connected by the pivot element 66, and becuase of the cooperative relation of the parts making up the connecting assembly referred to, the tube 59 and the switch arm 31 are maintained. under complete control at all times so that the action of gravity may not interfere with the operation of the tube 59 and its associated parts regardless of the position in which the switch is disposed.

I claim:

1. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is movably supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for T movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and. out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted to said switch arm and to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link and associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement.

2. A switch mechanism comprising a switch 7 arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is movably supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for 7 movement independently of said switch arm into and out :of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swingingsaid switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted to said switch-arm and to said member, an elongatedoperating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the points at which said link is pivoted to said switch arm and to said member and associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating -means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement. I

3. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of .closed switch position, a stationary sup- 20 movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact and. means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted at one of its ends to said switch arm :and pivoted at its opposite end to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the pivoted ends of said link and cooperatively associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivctal movement.

4. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is movably supported, a stationary contact; a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member, an arm pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said member is supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted to said switch arm and to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link and associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement.

5. A switch mechanism comprising aswitch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is movably supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member, a pair of arms pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said member is supported for pivotal movement by said support, a. link pivoted to said switch arm and to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link and associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly,andoperating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement.

6. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is pivotally supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into and cut of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comp-rising a member, an arm pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said member is supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted at one of its ends to said switch arm and pivoted at its opposite end to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the pivoted ends of. said link and cooperatively associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means forsubjecting said member to pivotal movement.

"7. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is 'pivotally supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported (by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member, a pair of arms pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said member is supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted at one of its ends to said switch arm and pivoted at its opposite end to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the pivoted ends of said link and cooperatively associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement.

8. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is pivotally supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member, a pair of arms pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said member is supported for pivotal movement by said support, said switch arm and one of said pair of arms being pivoted to said support at a common point, a link pivoted at one of its ends to said switch arm and pivoted at its opposite end to said member, an

- elongated operating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the pivoted ends of said link and cooperatively associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement.

9. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is pivotally supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member, a pair of arms pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said memberis supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted at one of its ends to said switch arm and pivoted at its opposite end to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the pivoted ends of said link and cooperatively associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement, said operating means comprising a rotary element, an arm fixed to said rotary element for arcuate movement, and connecting means for converting arcuate movement of said arm of the operating means into pivotal movement of said member.

10. A switch mechanism comprising a switch arm supported for swinging movement into and out of closed switch position, a stationary support by which said switch arm is pivotally supported, a stationary contact, a contact assembly supported by said switch arm and adapted for movement independently of said switch arm into F and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, and means for swinging said switch arm into and out of closed switch position and for moving said contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with said stationary contact, said means comprising a member, a pair of arms pivoted to said support and to said member whereby said member is supported for pivotal movement by said support, a link pivoted at one of its ends to said switch arm and pivoted at its opposite end to said member, an elongated operating element pivoted to said link at a point intermediate the pivoted ends of said link and cooperatively associated with said contact assembly for moving said contact assembly, and operating means for subjecting said member to pivotal movement, said operating means comprising a rotary element, an arm fixed to said rotary element for arcuate movement, and connecting means for converting arcuate movement of said

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