US2295589A - Combined fuse and switch structure - Google Patents

Description

p 1942- H. E. MALONE 2,295,589

COMBINED FUSE AND SWITCH STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 8, 1941 Patented Sept. 15, 1942 2,295,589

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED FUSE AND SWITCH STRUCTURE Homer E. Malone Milwaukee. Wis, minor to Perle: Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corp ration of Wisconsin Application January 8, 1941, Serial No. 373,564 1: Claims. (01. 200-114) This invention relates in general to combined of the improved fuse and switch mechanism refuse and switch structures and the principal obside in certain novel features of construction, iect of the invention is to provide a new and arrangement and combination of the various improved fuse and switch mechanism combined elements and parts which will be hereinafter in a housing as gunitary structure. more fully described, particularly pointed out in A further object is to provide a combined fuse the appended claims, and illustrated fully in the and switch mechanism and housing therefor in accompanying drawing, in which:

which access to the fuseis prevented until the Fig. 1 is a full perspective view of the comswitch has been moved to the "01! position. bined fuse and switch housing structure em- Another object is to provide a combination fuse bodying the invention;

and switch structure in which the switch is pro- Fig. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the fuse vided with three different positions; one in which and switch structure and housing therefor;

the switch is on"; a second in which the switch Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the structure showis oif"; and a third in which the switch is "olf ing the switch elements in the off" position;

and the fuse is rendered accessible. Fig. 4 is a similar view with the switch elements An additional object is to provide an improved shown in the on position; while fuse and switch housing or casing in which a Fig. 5 is a perspective view of all of the elepart of the housing is utilized to enclose the fuse ments embodying the fuse and switch structure to render it inaccessible and also serves as the shown in extended relationship. means for actuating the switch mechanism. Referring now particularly/ to the drawing, the A further object of the invention is to provide various switch elements are arranged within a a compact unitary structure of the fuse and hollow casing or housing [formed into the shape switch elements having a minimum number of illustrated, and constituted preferably of some parts together with a housing comprising a base molded plastic insulation material. The hollow portion for enclosing the switch elements and a open end of the housing 5 may be enclosed by cover portion enclosing the fuse. an insulating plate 6 and the whole structure It is customary in many cases to provid a supported in any desirable position by means of metal switch box having a hinged cover thereon, screws or bolts passing through holes I on oppowhich switch box encloses a screw type fuse supsite ends of the housing 5. The housing 5 is ported in a receptacle. Inaddition, aline switch formed with a flat supporting base portion 8 is included in the box having a handle therehaving a cylindrical barrier portion 9 formed through whereby the line switch conductors are integral therewith and projecting outwardly opened and closed by manipulation of the hanfrom the surface thereof. Positioned within the die. Many times when a fuse is blown and is cylindrical portion 9 and having its bottom surremoved and a new one inserted, the person peras face resting against the supp r n base 8 is a forming the operation comes into contact with metal fuse recept or shell Ill adapted to re-' the exposed terminals of the line switch. and is ceive in screw threaded relationship therewith negligent about disconnecting the line switch a fuse plug ii of well known construction. The when such a fuse replacement is made. The opcenter terminal of the fuse plug ii is'adapted to eration is thereby attended with some danger. 40 establish electrical contact when screwed into In certain other cases, if a fuse is blown due to receptacle II, with the head of a screw I! which a short circuit in the line and the line switch P j through a p ng in the "S pp t is not thrown to open position, the insertion of base I into the hollow portion of the housing 5. a new fuse causes its blowing while the operator A metal fuse enclosing and switch operatin still has it in'his hand. It is accordingly an obknob or member II of the same general cylinject of this invention to obviate the foregoing drical shape as the barrier 8 fits snugly over the dangers to an operator when renewing a fuse, barrier 9 and serves to enclose the fuse II. The by providing an arrangement in which access to knob I3 is arranged to project fbrwardly from the {use plug 15 prevented whil th lin switch the base portion 8 of the housing 5. The barrier is in a closed position. In accordance with the portion a of the housing 5 electrically insulates above, a further object is to provide a combinathe inside surface of the operating knob it from tion switch actuating member and fuse cover as the fuse element i I and fuse shell in. In order a single unitarycombination instead of separate to establish electrical contact with the fuse relementsaspointed out. ceptacle It a contact plate is arranged to The foregoing and other objects and features rest in contact with the bottom of the fuse rehead of screw I2 which is in contact with the center contact of the fuse plug II, from the contact plate I4, an insulating washer I8 is interposed therebetween in the bottom of the fuse receptacle I8. The foregoing elements, except for the fuse plug II, are all held in assembled relationship within the cylindrical barrier portion 8 of the housing 8 by means of the screw I2.

Arranged on the opposite side of the supporting base 8 within the hollow portion of housing 8 is a switch centering disc or member I8 preferably made of some insulation or ceramic material, having shoulder portions 28 which are adapted to interfit with the opening I8 in the fuse receptacle I8,and opening II in the supporting base 8. The switch centering member I8 is also provided with a projecting and recessed portion 2I adapted to fit over a portion of the contact bracket I5 to securely hold it in its assembled position. The opposite side of the switch centering member I8 is formed with a series of raised and recessed portions 22 which serve as the switch positioning or centering means. The switch centering member I8 is confined in its position by means of a protruding portion 28 formed integral with and projecting rearwardly as a continuing portion of the barrier 8 on the front of the supporting base 8. Passing through the supporting base 8 and arranged on opposite sides of the outer surface of barrier 8 and the extending portion 28 are a pair of slots 24 and 25 which are slightly wider than the thickness of the operating knob I8. Theend of each slot 24 and 25 is arranged with slightly wider open ings 28 and 21 respectively, which enlarged openings are adapted to receive forked projections 28 and 28 (see Fig. 5) which are formed integral with the inner end of the operating knob I8. The forked members 28 and 28 are slightly off set from the plane of the sides of the operating knob I8 so that they may be inserted freely in the openings 28 and 21, and when the operating knob I8 is rotated the offset portion of each fork engages the bottom side of the supporting base 8 and holds the operating knob I8 locked onto the base 8. It is seen that only when the operating knob I8 is rotated to a position where the forked elements 28 and 28 register with the openings 28 and 21 can the operating knob I8 be removed from the base 5 to render the fuse II accessible.

One of the switch elements of the device comprises a fiat contact plate 88 having a tongue portion 8I positioned within a recessed central portion of the switch centering member I8. The contact plate 88 has a screw threaded extension centrally located which is adapted to receive the threaded shank portion of the screw I2. When the head of screw I2 is tightened into the contact plate 88 all of the elements I8, I4, I8, I8 and 88 are securely clamped together to the supporting base 8. The second switch element 82 is formed out of a contact bracket 88 which is positioned as shown in Fig. 3 at the opposite side of the housing 5 from the contact bracket I5. The switch elements 8I and 82 are so arranged upon the switch centering member I8 that they lie in the same plane and diametrically opposite each other. A contact bridEing member 84 for bridging the switch elements 8I and 82 and formed of some brass material into a star shape as shown is arranged for rotation upon the reduced portion of screw I2. The arms of the bridging switch member 84 are arranged to receive an insulating switch operating member 88 formed generally into the same shape as the switch member 84 but having a pair of oppositely disposed arms extending beyond the ends of the switch member 84.

The ends of the insulating operating member 85 are adapted to receive the forked ends of the elements 28 and 28 of the operating knob I8 for the purpose of actuating the same, and to thereby bridge and unbridge the contact elements 8I and 82 with the switch member 84. The switch member 84 when rotated about screw I2 is adapted to snap from one of the positions 22 of member I8 to the other. In order to provide for this snap action a tension coil spring 81 is arranged to encircle the extended portion of screw I2 and exert a constant pressure on one side of the switch member 84. A bearing washer 88 is preferably arranged between the end of spring 81 and the operating member 85. In order to protect the internal switching mechanism and to also enclose the same, a flat insulating plate 88 is provided which is arranged with a notched portion at opposite ends to permit contact brackets I8 and 88 to project therethrough. The plate 88 at the same time engages a projection 88 formed on contact bracket 88 for the purpose of holding the same in its position within the casing 5. Both contact brackets I8 and 88 are provided with bent over portions which are adapted to be seated into offset portions of the housing 8 so as to properly position the brackets and prevent their displacement. A metal cap 88 straddles the opening in insulating plate 88 and serves to restrain one end of the coil spring 81. A snap lock washer 48 engaging a notch in the end of screw I2 completes the assembly and holds the metal cap in position.

With the foregoing assembly it is seen that a simple arrangement of elements is provided which may be readily assembled or disassembled by merely removing the snap washer 48 whereupon each of the elements inside the housing 5 can be removed in the sequential order as illustrated in Fig. 5. By merely removing the screw I2 from threaded engagement with the contact plate 88, the remaining elements in the barrier member 8 may be readily disassembled.

In order to provide a connection for the external electric wires to the contact plates I5 and 88, terminal screws H and 42 are threaded into the offset portions respectively of the foregoing plates. To facilitate the rotary manipulation of the operating knob I8 its forward edge portion is provided with a knurled surface 48. The end of the knob I8 also has an arrow stamped thereon .hich in cooperating with suitable indicia marked upon the supporting base 8 indicates the relative position of the bridging member 84 and also the position in which the knob I8 may be removed to render the fuse II accessible.

The electrical connections of the switch device extend over the following path: from the conductor (not shown) attached to terminal screw 4I, contact bracket I5, contact plate I4, through the fuse shell I8 which is in contact with the contact plate I4, the outer brass shell of the fuse II, through the fuse element (not shown), the center contact post of 'fuse II, the head of screw I2, in contact therewith, through contact plate 88 which is in screw threaded engagement with the screw I2, switch contact point 3| of plate 38, through oppofltely disposed arms ofthe contact bri in member 34 to switch contact plate 32, contact bracket 33, and out through the conductor of the hot" side of the line attached to terminal screw 42.

In this circuit path it is seen that the switch positioning disc I! is indead.

Under ordinary conditions the switch device is mounted in a horizontal position so that the operating knob i3 projects horizontally from its mounting plate 6 and in a position where it is readily visible and accessible for mutual manipulation. When serving in the capacity of a combination line switch and fuse holder the hot line feed wire is connected directly to the terminal screws 42 and the "load" wire is connected to screw 4|. When it is desired to connect the line circuit to some load for example, the operating knob I3 is grasped and rotated in a clockwise direction one step from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 to a position where the indicating arrow 44 on the top of operating knob l3 points to the designation on stamped on the supportingbase 8. The manual rotation of operating knob l3 carries along with it the forked extensions 28 and 29, which being in detachable engagement with the ends of switch operating arm 35 rotate the arm and with it the contact bridging member 34. The position of the switch elements after the knob I3 is rotated one step is indicated in Fig. 4. In this position of Fig. 4 the contact switch plates 3| and 32 are electrically bridged by the member 34 thereby closing the circuit through the switch device in series with the fuse element II. In this position of the operating knob i3 it is impossible to remove the knob l3 from the supporting base 8 to uncover the fuse ii, since the offset portions of the forked extensions 28 and 29 are now resting in a position in slots 24 and 25 where they are locked against the underside of supporting plate 8. It is therefore seen that it is impossible to gain access to the fuse element Ii while the switch device is in its circuit closed position.

In the event that the fuse II is blown, due to some circuit disturbance, or for some other reason it is necessary to remove the fuse, the operating knob I3 is rotated clockwise one step from the switch "on" position to a position where the indicator 44 registers with the fuse" designation on the base 8. In this position the contact bridging member 34 is rotated to the position indicated in Fig. 3 in which position the forked extensions 28 and 29 register with the enlarged slotted portions 26 and 21 which are large enough to readily permit the forks to pass through the slots and out of engagement with the switch operating arm 35, whereupon the operating knob i3 is readily disassociated from the, fuse II to uncover the same for replacement or other purposes. In this position of the contact bridging member 34 no circuit is established across the switch contact plates 3| and 32 so that the fuse and other elements of the switch are not electrically alive and the danger of accidentally receiving a shock by coming in contact with them is obviated.

In case it is desired that the switch device be rotated from its circuit closing position to its circuit opening position without removing the:

operating knob I3 or uncovering the fuse ii the operating knob l3may be rotated ounter-clock wise from the on position to a position where the indicator 44 registers with the of f" indication on the supporting plate 8. In this position the forked extensions 28 and 29 rotate the switch operating arm 38 in a counterclockwise direction to where the bridging arm 34 is out of contact with the contact plates 3| and 32. This position is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 but with the switch operating arm 35 positioned 90 degrees counterclockwise from that illustrated. In this switch off position the operating knob I3 is not removable from the supporting base 8 since the offset forked extensions 28 and 29 are now resting on the underside of supporting base 8 where they prevent the removal of. the operating knob l3.

From the foregoing it is seen that the switch device is adapted to be operated to three different positions, one in which the switch device is in circuit on" position in which the fuse is inaccessible, a second position in which the device is in switch off position and in which the fuse is also inaccessible, and a third position in which the switch is in off position and at the same time arranged so that the fuse is readily accessible without danger of coming into contact with any live" portions of the switching mechanism. a

It is desirable that the contact bridging member 34 establish electrical contact or disconnect itself from the switch contact plates 3| and 32 with some degree of snap action in order that a quick circuit break or make is provided to minimize arcing conditions. It is also desirable that the rotation of the operating nob l3 to each of the three positions described be such that it is centered or snapped correctly in each of the positions and not half way between them. The coil spring 31 serves to provide this snap action by urging the switch operating arm 35 and the associated contact bridging member 34 in slidable relation with the bottom surface of the switch positioning disc I9} Since this disc I9 is provided with a series of diametrically positioned switch center projections 22 separated by raised portions, the bridging member 34 is accurately centered in the position to which it is rotated at each operation. The resiliency of the spring 31 and the sloping sides of the projections 22 combine to perform the stated function.

The switch device utilizes standard fuses II and fuse shells l0 and other elements and is arranged so that all of the various parts'are in compactrelationship and readily assembled. The switch operating mechanism is likewise readily accessible for observation and constructed ruggedly so as to function indefinitely and in a reliable manner.

The invention while illustrated in its preferred form as a switch device is capable of expression in various modifications readily comprehensible by those skilled in the art, and it is therefore desired that the invention be not limited to the precise structure illustrated and described but only within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch device,'a housing including a v supporting base, a fusereceptacle arranged at the front of said supporting base and a switching mechanism at the rear thereof, an operatinaccessible and having a portion extending through said base into engagement with said switching mechanism, an insulating barrier projecting from said base and arranged between said fuse receptacle and said operating knob, said insulating barrier having a portion extending through said supporting base into said housing for supporting the switching mechanism therein, and cooperating means on the supporting base and the portion of the operating knob projecting through said supporting base for detachably securing said operating knob to said housing in operable relation with said switching mechanism.

2. In a switch device, a switch housing includin a supporting base, a fuse receptacle arranged at the front of the supporting base and projecting therefrom, a switching mechanism arranged at the rear of said supporting base and within said housing, an insulating barrier projecting from said supporting base around said fuse receptacle, an operating knob on said supportin base enclosing said fuse receptacle and surrounding said insulating barrier, said operating knob having means passing through said supporting base for engaging said switching mechanism to operate the same, and a. unitarymeans for holdin said fuse receptacle and said switching mechanism to said supporting base.

3. In a switch device, a housing including a supporting base, a fuse receptacle arranged at the front of said supporting base, switching mechanism arranged at the rear of said supporting base and within said housing, said switching mechanism including contact means and a circuit bridging member for said contact b means, terminal connecting means for said contact means arranged within said housing, an insulating member for retaining said bridging member in contact opening and closing position when actuated thereto, and single means extending through said supporting base for securing said fuse receptacle, said contact means, said bridging means, said terminal connecting means and said insulating member in assembled relationship.

4. In a switch mechanism, for an electric circuit, a housing including a supporting base, a fuse receptacle arranged upon the front of said supporting base and outside said housing, switching mechanism arranged upon the rear of said supporting base inside said housing, a rotatable operating knob enclosing said fuse receptacle and having projecting means thereon extending through said supporting base into engagement with said switching mechanism for operating the same to circuit opening and circuit closing positions, said switching mechanism comprising, stationary switch contact plates and a contact bridging member actuated by the operating knob, means on said supporting base for insuring the centering of said bridging member and for pro- 'viding snap action as it is moved from one position to the other, means for preventing the removal of the operating knob from the fuse receptacle when the operating knob is rotated to circuit opening or circuit closing positions, and means on said supporting base to permit the removal of the operating knob from the base to uncover the fuse receptacle when the operating knob is rotated to a third position.

5. In a switch mechanism for an electric circuit, a housing including a supporting base, a fuse receptacle arranged upon the front of said supporting base, switching mechanism arranged upon the rear of said supporting base, a rotatmechanism comprising stationary switch contact able operating knob enclosing said fuse receptacle to render it lo and having projecting means thereon passing through said supporting base into engagement with said switching mechanism for operating the same to circuit closing and circuit opening podtions, said switching plates and abridging member engaged by the projecting means of the operating knob, means on said supporting base to provide snap action to the movement of said bridging member and to center the bridging member accurately in the position to which ithas been operated, cooperatingmeans ontheoperating knobandthesupporting base to prevent removal of the operating knob from the supporting base while the switching mechanism is in circuit closing position, and means on said supporting base to permit removal of the operating knob from the supporting base and render said fuse receptacle accessible when the switching mechanism is in circuit opening position.

6. In a switch mechanism for an electric circuit, a supporting base. a fuse receptacle and a fuse element therein arranged on one side of said supporting base, switching mechanism arranged on the other side of said supporting base, said switching mechanism comprisingzs pair of switch contact plates and a bridging member, means for operating said bridging member into circuit closing and circuit opening relationship with said pair of switch contact plates, one of said switch contact plates being formed integral with a wire terminal member arranged on the rear of said supporting base, means for holding the other of said switch contact plates to the rear of said supporting base, said holding means comprising a screw member passing through said supporting base and in electrical contact with said other switch contact plate and with said fuse element, a disc member arranged in electrical contact with said fuse receptacle and having an extension formed thereon passing through said supporting base to the rear side thereof constituting a wire terminal member, and insulating means interposed between said disc member and said screw member, and between said pair of switch contact plates.

'7. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported on said base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of the base to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on the base and located at the rear thereof so as to be inaccessible, a movable cover for covering the fuse, said cover being associated with means extending from thefront of the base through the base to the rear thereof for actuating said switching mechanism upon movement of said cover.

8. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported on said base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of the base to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on the base and located at the rear thereof so as to be inaccessible, a movable cover for covering the fuse. and lug means attached to said cover and located at the rear of said base, said lug means being constructed and arranged to actuate said switching mechanism and'to maintain said cover in place.

9. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported on said base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of the base to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on the base and located at receptacle supported on said and means for preventing removal of the cover without moving said switch to open podtion, said means including lug means attached to the cover and extending through the base for maintaim- 'ing said cover in place and actuating said switching mechaniln.

10. Inafusedswitch,asupportingbase.afuse fuse opening accessible from the front of the base to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechaj nism mounted on the base and located at the rear thereof so as to be. le, a rotatable cover for covering the fuse, said cover being associated with means extending from the front of the base through the base to the rear thereof for actuating said switching mechanism upon rotation of said cover. 7

ii. In a fused switch, a supporting base, a fuse receptacle supported on said base and having a fuse opening accessible from the front of the base to permit fuse replacement, a switching mechanism mounted on the base and located at the rear thereof so as to be inaccessible, a rotatable cover for covering the fuse and having lug means engaging the base at its rear for mainand having a.

base to permit fuse replacement,- a switching mechanism mounted'on the base and'located atthe rear thereof so as to be inle.,a roe tatable cover for covering said fuse and having means extending from the front of the base through the base to the rear thereof for actuating said switching mechanism, means associated with said extending means for theme: of

the base to maintainthecover in place, the base being formed with a slot cooperating with the last mentioned means to permit withdrawal of the cover when it is turned to a position causing the switching mechanism to be in-open position. 13. In a fused switch, a base, a fuse receptacle mounted on said base and having a fuse opening pivoted to said stud and adapted for movement taining the cover in place, said lug means being constructed and arranged to transmit rotary between circuit making and circuit breaking positions, a rotatable cover for said fuse receptacle,

and means-for transmittingrotary movement of said coverto said switch arm. a

- v H HOMER E.

' movement of the cover tosaid I 12. Ina switch, a aipporting s a receptacle supportedon said base and having a) fuse opening efrom the front ofthe

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