US2273417A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1942. T. L. PARKER 2,273,417

SWITCH Filed July l5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Thomas L. Parker, Chicago, lll., assignor to The Standard Electric Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 1.5, 1939, Serial No. 284,602 7 Claims. (Cl. 200-66) The invention relates generally to switches, and more particularly to multi-position rotary snap switches.

The invention has among its objects the production of a switch which may be used for controlling multiple circuits carrying relatively heavy current, and yet which is very small and compact 1n size.

Another object of the invention is the construction of suchV a switch having 'a positive snap action.

A further object of `the invention is the construction of a switch having the above features which is provided with a reciprocating action.

Another object of the invention is the production of a switch which is so designed that it will withstand vibration, etc., without interrupting the current.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described' and more particularly pointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference char acters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a switch embodying the subject matter of the present invention, approximately actual size;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the shaft axis, the shaft being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 3 with the-switching mechanism rotated 120 from that shown in Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, with the disk 5I removed for clearness;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'I-T of Fig. 2; with the disk removed; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a fourposition switch constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the switchcornprises l the outer diameter of the ring being substantially the same diameter as the bore and is provided with a plurality of projections or lugs 5 engageable With the channels or grooves 3, the latter and the projections co-acting to prevent the ring 4 from rotating in the bore 2. An operating shaft 6 is journaled in the housing, the extreme inner end 'l of the shaft being positioned in a small bore 8 in the bottom of the housing. The opposite end ofy the shaft is journaled in a sleeve I I, the latter being secured to a ber plate I2 which seats upon the body member I at the side thereof having the open end of the bore 2. Stationary contacts I3 and I4 are inset in the base member I at the open end of the bore 2, the contacts extending i laterally into the bore, as shown in Fig. 7. Suitable hollow rivets I5 secure the contacts I3 and I4 to the body member. The rivets I5 are provided with square heads i6 at their opposite ends to prevent turning when screws I'l are threaded into the same, thereby providing binding posts for connecting the switch into the desired circuit.

Inset in the bottom of the bore 2 and forming a seat for the shaft 5 is a plate member I8 which as shown may be of laminated construction or, if desired, may be in a single piece. A connecting member IS is inset in the bottom and side wall of the bore 2 up to another rivet 2| similar to the rivets I5 and having a connecting screw 22 similar to the screws I1. As will be described subsequently, the plate I8 and member I9 serve to conduct the current from the line to the movable contact.

As shown in Fig. 2, the portion of the shaft G adjacent the inner end 'l thereof is milled or otherwise flattened on opposite sides as shown at 23. A carrier plate member 24 is journaled on the shaft 6 at the portion thereof having the flat sides 23, the plate 24 being freely rotatable on the shaft. The plate member is of a size to at least partially overlie the ring 4, as shown in Figs. 3 and2, and is provided with preferably rounded projections 25 which engage the ring 4, the latter being provided with correspondingly positioned recesses 25. These recesses in cooperation with the projections 25 provide a more pronounced snap action and insure accurate alignment of the plate and ring relative one another in the various positions of the switch. A portion of the plate member is bent transversely to the plate proper as shown at 2l and then back parallel to the major portion of the plate as shown at 28, and as shown in Fig. the shaft 6 passes through thev portion 28.

As shown in Fig. 7, the movable Contact of phosphor bronze or other suitable metal comprises a contact arm 29, a ring-like tongue 33 being cut from the arm and bent downwardly to adjacent the portion 28 of the plate 24. The contact is secured to the portion 28 by a suitable rivet 3|.

Positioned between the plate 24 and the bottom of the bore 2 is a locking member 32, the latter having a lug 33 extending through a radially positioned opening 34 in the plate 24. The member 32 is also provided with a circular opening 35 in which is positioned a cam member 33 of similar shape. Both the ring 4 and member 32 are especially hardened to withstand wear and breakage. As shown in Fig. 3, the cam member has a recess or slot 31 therein of a size to receive the shaft 6 at the attened portion thereof. It will be noted that the recess or slot 31 is so located in the cam member 36 that the axis of the shaft 6 is offset from the center of the cam member so that the latter when actuated by the shaft will not rotate about is own center, thereby providing the cam action.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the ring 4 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending projections 38, there being one projection for each position of the switch, including the olf position. In other words, if it is a threeposition switch, there will be three projections and if it is a four-position switch, there will be four projections. The member 32 is likewise provided with a pair of projections 39, the latter being so spaced that the member 32 extends substantially completely across the intermediate space between adjacent projections 3B. Carried on the shaft and positioned intermediate the plate 24 and the portion 28 thereof is an actuating member 4 I, the latter having a rectangular opening therein of a size to snugly receive the attened portion of the shaft and will therefore rotate with the shaft when the latter is turned. The member 4I as shown in Fig. 2 is provided with a transverse portion 42 corresponding to the transverse portion 21 of the plate 24. A coil spring 43 encircles the shaft B and has its ends 44 and 45 extending radially outward, the respective ends being positioned on opposite sides of the portion 42 of the member 4I and the portion 21 of the plate member 24. A sleeve 46 is positioned within the coils of the spring to maintain the same in proper position.

The shaft 6 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 41, one face of the ange butting against the movable contact 3| and portion 28 of the plate member 24 to urge the same towards the bottom of the bore, a spring 48 having one end seating on the opposite face of the flange 41 and the other end seating on an inwardly extending shoulder 49 of the sleeve I I supplying the necessary force to accomplish this. Thus. the projections 25 on the plate 24 are urged in rm engagement with .the recesses 23 in the ring 4.

Separating the contacts I3, I4, and movable contact arm 29 from the remainder of thesw'itch mechanism is a disk 5I which is so cut as to permit the shaft and the arm 29 to pass through the same as shown in Fig. 2. This disk is of any suitable insulating material and serves to pre vent any arcing or flashing from the contacts, during making and breaking thereof, from reaching the remainder of the switch mechanism where repeated arcing or flashing would have a tendency to remove the temper from the spring 43 and otherwise injure the elements. By the use of the disk 5I the stationary contacts I3 and I4 and the contacting portion of the movable contact arm 29 are positioned between the insulating disk 5I and the insulating plate I2 so that the contacting elements are completely isolated from the remainder of the switch.

A cover plate 6I overlies the liber plate I2 and securely holds the same in position. The cover plate 6I is secured to the body member I by lugs or arms 62 integrally formed with the cover member and are bent back upon a portion of the body member as shown at 63, there being two lugs, one at each end of the device. Extending from the cover plate GI is a threaded stem 54, the latter being of larger diameter than and therefore spaced from the sleeve II on the fiber plate, and thereby insulated therefrom. Rings or nuts 65 threaded on the stem provide means for securing the switch to any suitable plate 65 or the like. A handle 61 of Bakelite, plastic, or other suitable insulating material is secured to the shaft 6 by a screw 68 which is threaded into the shaft, the latter being milled or otherwise flattened adjacent the end thereof as shown at 69, the handle having a bore of a size to snugly t the end of the shaft, thereby eliminating any possibility of rotation between the shaft and handle. The free end of the shaft is provided with a narrow slot 1I allowing the shaft to spread as the screw is inserted whereby it will grip the sides of the bore in the handle and will thereby prevent the screw from working loose. The opening 12 in the body member is superficial in the three-position switch, it being used on four-position switches as will hereinafter be described, the provision of the opening 12 in the body member allowing the latter to be used in either a three or four position switch.

The operation of the device is as follows:

As shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 1, the switch is in an off position, the movable contact 3I being on the opposite side of the shaft 6 from either of the stationary contacts I3 or I4. Consequently, in this position, no current flows through the switch. When the shaft is rotated, it being immaterial in which direction, the member 42 will rotate with the shaft, carrying with it an end of the spring 44. For example, assuming the knob, and therefore the shaft, of the switch is rotated in a clockwise direction, the end 46 of the spring i4 will be moved as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, it being remembered that in this figure it will appear to be moving in a counter-clockwise direction as the section is taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. This movement is accomplished by the transverse portion 43 of the member 42, which will move with the shaft and must necessarily carry the end of the spring with it. The opposite end of the spring engages the transverse portion 21 of the plate 24 and does not move as one of the projections 39 on the member 32 will engage an adjacent projection 38 on the ring 4. As the transverse portion 33 in the member 32 extends through the opening in the plate member 24, rotation of the latter is prevented. However, it will be remembered that the cam 36 also rotates with the shaft 6. Consequently, as the shaft is rotated, the member 32 will move radially inwardly towards the shaft. This action -will continue until the shaft and cam 36 have rotated sufficiently to allow the projection 39, in this case the projection on the leftside of the member 32, as seen in Fig. 3, to clear the adjacent projection 38 on the ring 4, the member 32 being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 at the instant it is clearing contacts 11.

theadjacent projection 3S. As soon as. this has taken place, .the plate 24 actuated by the end 45 of the spring 44 will rotate, rotating with it the member 32, the latter rotating about the cam 36. The plate 24 and member 32 will rotate until the same projection 3 9 engages the succeeding projection 3'8 on the ring 4 and will-then assume the position shown in Fig.` 4, the relation of the .parts to one anotherr being the same as they were in Fig. 3, but all of them being rotated 120 relative the body member l. In this position, the movable contact 3| will engage the stationary contact I4, as shown in Fig. 6.

When the switch is turned to the next position. the same action will take. place and likewise, if itis desired to turn the switch back in the oppositey direction, the action is the same with the exception that the transverse portion d'3 of the member 42 would engage the end t5. of the spring instead of the end 46 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. As previously mentioned, the device may be also constructed with four positions instead of three. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 8. In this switch, there will be one oii position and three von positions. Thev general construction of this switch is the same as that just described. However, in the four-position switch, the ring "I3 corresponding to the ring 4 is provided with four projections 'it instead of the three projections 38 of the ring 4. Likewise,

the member i corresponding to the member 32 is provided with projections 'l5 corresponding to the projections 39 on the member 32. The contacts 'H are the same as the contacts. lli and I5 while contact 'i8 is so shaped that the portion thereof engaging the movable contact will be equally distant from the similar portions oi the In the four-position switch illustrated in Fig. 3 the ring. 'i3 similarly is provided with four recesses 'i9 corresponding to therecesses 26 in the ring 4. The carrier plate 8l corresponding to the plate 2li is provided with only one projection 82 similar to 'the projections 25 of vplate Z4, although more may be provided `if desired. The member 'l5 is provided with a. projection 83 corresponding to the transverse portion `33 of the member 32'.

. c It will be seen from the above description that I have provided a three or four position switch which is unusually small and compact. Likewise,

I' have provided a reciprocating switch of the type described employing novel means for locking and releasing the movable contact in any one of the desired positions, said means being precise and positive.

Having` thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be `made in the same without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and-combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What vI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l 1.' In a multi-position switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and rigidly secured to the body member, a shaft ypositioned in said bore. a plate pivotally carried on said shaft and partially overlying said for aligning the same relative one another at each position of the switch, anl actuating arm rigidly carried by said shaft and operatively connected to said plate, a contact within said bore. adjacent the mouth thereof carried by said plate, xed contactsv positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore and extending laterally 4therein' engageable with thecontact on said plate, a looking member engageable with said plate` and ring, means carried by said shaft for drawing said locking member out of engagement with said ring, a plate positioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly `from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said iiange and sleeve to maintain said mechanism in operating position, and means for maintaining said plate in operative position relative said body member.

2. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, a ring po- .rotatable therewith, said member engageable with said ring, to limit the movement of said member, cam means rotatable with said shaft engageable with said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cam means drawing said locking member out of engagement with said ring, whereby the contact on said plate may be rotated relative said fixed contact, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends, the latter having a iiange positioned inwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said flange and sleeve to maintain said mechanism in operating position and prevent vibration thereof, and a cover plate secured to the body member overlying said insulating plate and having an attaching stem spaced from and encircling said sleeve.

3. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and rigidly secured to the body member, said ring having projections extending inwardly from the inner edgethereof, a shaft rotatable in said bore, a plate pivotally carried on said shaft and partially overlying said ring, resilient means connecting said shaft and plate, a contact within said bore adjacent the mouth thereof carried by said plate, a fixed contact positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore and extending laterally therein engageable with the Contact on said plate, a locking member positioned adjacent one face of said plate slidable relative thereto and rotatable therewith, said member engageable with the inwardly extending projections on said ring, to limit the movement of said member, said member having an opening thereinpa cam memberfrotat'- able with said shaft positioned in the opening in said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cam memberv drawing said locking member out of engagement with the adjacent projection on said ring, whereby the contact on said plate may -be rotated relative said iixed contact, an insulating plate positioned ,across4 the mouth of said boreand having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said ange and sleeve respectively, and means for securing said plate to said body member.

4. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, the sides of said bore having longitudinally extending grooves therein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and having outwardly extending projections positioned in said grooves, said ring having recesses in its upper face and having projections extending inwardly from the inner edge of said ring, means on said plate engageable with said recesses, a shaft positioned in said bore and a plate pivotally carried on said shaft and partially overlying said ring, said plate having a slot therein and a portion thereof extending transversely thereto, means on said plate engageable with said member, an actuating arm rigidly carried by said shaft, a portion of said arm positioned adjacent the transversely extending portion of said plate, a coil spring positioned under compression and having its ends engaging the transverse portions of said arm and plate, a contact carried by said plate, xed contacts positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore and extending laterally therein engageable with the contact on said plate, a locking member having a transversely extending projection positioned in the slot in said plate, said member having projections thereon engageable with the inwardly extending projections on said ring, said member having a circular opening therein, a cam member rigidly carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith positioned in said opening in said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cam member drawing said locking member out of engagement with the adjacent projections on said ring, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends and means for maintaining said plate in position.

5. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, the sides of said bore having longitudinally extending grooves therein, a ring positioned in the bottom of said bore and having outwardly extending projections positioned in said grooves, said ring having recesses in its upper face and having projections extending inwardly from the inner edge of said ring, means on said plate engageable with said recesses, a current conducting member positioned in the bottom of said bore, a shaft positioned in said bore, a portion of said shaft engaging said conducting member, a plate having a slot therein pivotally carried on said shaft partially overlying said ring, said plate having a portion thereof extending transversely to the same, an actuating arm carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, a portion of said arm positioned adjacent the transversely extending portion of said plate, a coil spring encircling said shaft with its ends extending radially outward and engaging the transverse portions of said arm and plate, a contact carried by the transverse portion of said plate, fixed contacts positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore and extending laterally therein engageable with the contact on said plate, an insulating disk positioned in said bore below said contacts, a locking member having a transversely extending projection positioned in the slot in said plate, said member having projections thereon engageable with the inwardly extending projections on said ring, said member having a circular opening therein, a

cam member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith positioned in said opening in said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cam member drawing said locking member out of engagement with the adjacent projection on said ring, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said flange and sleeve, to maintain said mechanism in operating position and prevent vibration thereof, a cover plate secured to said body overlying said insulating plate and having a stem spaced from and encircling said sleeve, and means on said stem for securing the same to the object on which said switch is to be used.

6. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, a shaft rotatable in said bore, a contact operatively connected to said shaft, a fixed contact positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore engageable with the contact on said shaft, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said flange and sleeve to maintain said mechanism in operating position and prevent vibration thereof, and a cover plate secured to the body member overlying said insulating plate and having an attaching stem spaced from and encircling said sleeve.

7. In a switch mechanism, the combination of a body member having a bore therein, a ring secured to said member and positioned in the bottom of said bore, a current conducting member positioned adjacent the bottom of said bore, a shaft positioned in said bore, a portion of said shaft engaging said conducting member, a plate having a slot therein pivotally carried on said shaft partially overlying said ring, said plate having a portion thereof extending transversely to the same, an actuating arm carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, a portion of said arm positioned adjacent the transversely extending portion of said plate, a cc-il spring encircling said shaft with its ends extending radially outward engaging the transverse portions of said arm and plate, a contact carried by the transverse portion of said plate above said spring and actuating member, said contact positioned in said bore adjacent the mouth thereof, xed contacts positioned adjacent the mouth of said bore and extending laterally therein engageable with the contact on said plate, a locking member having a transversely extending projection positioned in the slot in said plate, said member having projections thereon engageable with the inwardly extending projections on said ring, a cam member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith engageable with said locking member, rotation of said shaft and cam member drawing said locking member out of engagement with the adjacent projection on said ring, an insulating plate positioned across the mouth of said bore and having a sleeve thereon through which said shaft extends, the latter having a flange positioned inwardly from said sleeve, a compression spring, the ends of which engage said flange and sleeve, and a cover plate secured to said body member spaced from said sleeve.

THOMAS L. PARKER.

Images