US2479462A

US2479462A - Multiposition switch

Info

Publication number: US2479462A
Application number: US783308A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert H Bentley
Original assignee: Arrow Hart and Hegeman Electric Co
Current assignee: Arrow Hart and Hegeman Electric Co
Priority date: 1947-10-31
Filing date: 1947-10-31
Publication date: 1949-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1966-08-16

Description

g- 1949- R. H. BENTLEY 2,479,462

MULTIPOSITION SWITCH Filed Oct. 31, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT H. BENTLEY M ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 1949- R. H. BENTLEY 2,479,462

MULTIPOSITION swn'cn Filed Oct. 51, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g 1 7 Z m -O i O- if y in.

INVENTOR. ROBERT H. BENTLEY A; ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 18, 1949 MULTIPOSITION SWITCH Robert 11. Bentley, Hartford, 061m, assignor to The Arrow-Hart & Hegeman Electric Company, Hartford, Qonn a corporation of Connecticut Application October :1, 1947, Serial No. 783,808 13 Claims. (01. goo-e) This invention relates to improvements in electric switches and more particularly switches in which the movable contact member is capable of occupying several positions.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel structure oi a multi-position switch in which the parts may be of separate form and inexpensively manufactured and in which the assembly costs will be kept at a minimum in accordance with the liability of operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the foregoing type in which the movable contact is maintained inits different positions resiliently, but from which it may be moved without great effort and without need of overcoming undue frictional forces.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will occur as it is described in the accompanying drawings.

Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of switch mechanism embodying. the invention, with the cover plate and operating lever removed;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevational section view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of certain arts of the movable contact operation means;

' one end thereof. These extensions seat in U- shaped recesses in the inside of the outer walls of the outer chambers l2 and it. Thus, the bosses l8 and 22 at one end are supported for axial rotation by the recesses in which the extensions l9 and 23 seat, and at the other end by the recesses in the walls between the inner chamber I6 and outer chambers l2 and H.

Movable bridging contacts are carried by the bosses l8 and 22, being mounted thereon at the shoulder between or juncture of the reduced ends (l9 and 23) with the main portion of the bosses.

Fig. 5 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 0! an- 1 other form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevational view taken along line 6-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '1 is a longitudinal elevational section view taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the bridging contacts and their carrying means.

Referring to the drawings, the switch mechanism is mounted upon and mainly housed within an insulating casing ll, preferably of moulded insulating material. The casing is hollowed out to form three parallel longitudinal chambers l2, it and it of approximately equal width. The two outer chambers 12 and it are, or may be deep, extending fully to a thin bottom wall of the casing. The central chamber II is preferably of less depth. being approximately one-half the depth of the other two chambers. The central chamber has its side walls divided at their middle part by U-shaped bearing passages to receive cylindrical bearing bosses l8 and 22.

The bosses l8 and 22 are alike and preferably made of insulating material with reduced axial The illustrated movable bridging contact members 28 and 3|! are alike, being preferably stamped from thin, flexible sheet metal into the form best indicated in Fig. 4, wherein it may be observed that arms ll and 32 extend obliquely from a round central portion. In order to cause the bridging contact to move with the boss on which it is mounted, oppositely extending radial lugs, such as 24, are provided on the extensions 23 and IS. The lugs and their associated extension fit within a complementary recess, such as 33, in the bridging member. To space the bridging contacts from the inside surface of the outer walls of the chambers i2 and I4, washers, such as 3|, are placed on the extensions, between the outer wall of the chamber and the bridging contact.

A number of stationary contact members are or may be located in each of the chambers i2 and i4. Preferably these contacts are three in number, being located at opposite ends of the casing and in the bottom of the casing at the middle. The end contacts which may be similar, are designated generally by the

numerals

38, 38, 40 and 42. They have vertical portions such as 36a (referring to Fig. 3) whose edges are slidably received in slots i5 and I! (Fig. 1) formed in opposite walls of the chamber [4 at the ends thereof. By this means it is possible to slide the vertical portion (such as 36a of the contact 36) into position at the end of the chamber. The fixed contacts (referring for example to contact 36) have a contact portion, such as 36b, extending from and bent at right angles to the vertical portion 36a adjacent the top edge of the casing iii and lying along the inside surface of the outer wall of the chamber It in position to be engaged by the end of the arms 32 of the movable contact iii. For the purpose oi. attaching conductor wire,

a terminal portion flc extends from the top of the vertical portion 38a of contact 36 and is bent in a direction to lie outside the casing l 0.

Formed and mounted in like manner are the circular extensions (I9 and 21) extending from stationary contacts it, it and 42. The contacts 3- llandflarelocatedinopposlteendsofthe chamber l2. In the bottom of chambers l2 and I4 are central contacts, such as 3!. These contacts may be stamped from sheet metal with terminal por- -tions. such as "a, extending through an aperpeening over a portion of the contact member lying outside the bottom of the casing. The contact portion 39c is in position to be engaged by the end of the arm 32 of the movable contact 30 when the end of the arm 3| engages the contact 38. when the end of the arm 32 engages the contact 36, the end of the arm 3| will engage the central contact 88. A similar engagement of the fixed

contact

40 and 42 and the central contact in the chamber l2 takes place and is accompiished by the movement of the bridging contact 28.

In order to move the contact carrying bosses I 8 and 22, I have provided a pair of metallic stampings, such as 50. which are mounted upon rectangular extensions, such as 20, on the inner ends of the bosses l8 and 22. The stampings are of circular shape, having a flange in which are formed recesses 5|, 52 and I3- which are diametrically opposite to recesses 54, I5 and 56 respectively, so as to receive indexing balls 58 and 59 which are spring pressed by compression springs 63, into engagement with the stampings. The movement of the stampings coniointly and thereby movement also of the bosses I8 and 22 is accomplished by means of a lever or handle 60 mounted in a cylindrical mounting nipple 82 of a form now well understood in the art, the nipple being mounted upon a metallic cover plate 64 in conventional fashion and having a diametrical pivot pin '85 extending through the nipple on which the lever 80 is'mounted. The inner end of the lever lies between the two stampings ill and has passing transversely through it a small pin 6| whose ends are adapted to lie and move within radial slots 51 formed in the stampings 50. Thus, as the lever Gil is moved from mid-position as shown in Fig. 2 to the right or to the left, the engagement of the pin 6| with the sides of the slot 51 will cause the stamplngs 50 to rotate and also turn the bosses l8 and 22, thereby operating the movable contact members into and out of their three different positions. It will be noted that in the mid-position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the movable contact is disengaged from all of the stationary contacts.

The balls 58 and 59 and their springs 63 are located in opposite ends of the center chamber It.

In order to hold each spring and its ball in the bottom of the chamber in which they are located, I have provided a stamped sheet metal frame, designated generally by the numeral I0, over each spring and ball set. These frames have a horizontal bar portion H overlying the spring 63 and at theouter-end thereof a vertical portion bent down tofthe bottom of the chamber. Ex-

'4 ing balls and retaining frames are housed therein, similar to those in the previously described form.

As in the previously described form, stationary contacts may be located in the four corners of the casing at the ends of the outside chambers H2 and Ill. Such contacts may be stamped L shaped members, such as I36, thelong leg of which may extend through the floor of the casing to provide a wire terminal I366. Preferably the stationary contact members are seated in L- shaped shallow recesses Ill so that only the side face of the members projects slightly beyond the, inside wall of the chamber in position to be engaged by the ends of the arms of the bridging contact members 130.

As illustrated in Figs. 5-8, the bridging contact is of similar shape to the bridging contact 30 in the previous form. It will be understood, however, that the bridging contact in each form may be of difierent configuration depending entirely upon what contacts it is desired shall be engaged by the bridging contact in the several positions of the switch mechanism.

Although a central contact on the floor of the switch casing in the shape illustrated in the previously described form of the invention may be used, a central contact of different form may be employed for some uses of the switch. Thus, in Figs. 5-7 there is illustrated a central contact having a bar-shaped contact portion I39 lying along the inside wall of the chamber H4 at the bottom thereof. A transverse connecting portion I40 extends from the middle of the top edge of the contact I39 transversely across the base in a channel MI in the middle .of the casing and at the bottom thereof. At the opposite side of the casing from the contact portion Hi) the connecting portion joins another connector portion I42 which is bent up at a right angle from the transverse part I40 and extends horizontally for a short way along the inside surface of the outside wall of the chamber 2 toward its right end (Figs. 5 and 6). Thereupon it connects with one end of an inverted U-shaped portion 3 whose other end may extend through a slot inthe bottom of the chamber 2 at its right end to form a wire terminal portion I. If desired, the terminal end of the inverted U portion may be offset slightly in an outward direction so as tolie within a shallow recess, such as I". Such offsetting may be particularly advantageous if the casing is molded symmetrically throughout.

By making the casing symmetrical, it is possible not only to use the form of central contact just described, but it is possible also to use stationary contacts at the ends of the chamber H2 of the same form as illustrated (in Fig. 7) at the ends of the chamber H4, when desired.

Referring to the form of central contact as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, it will be understood that when the bridging contact is moved from the position of Fig. 7 ineither a counterclockwise or a clockwise direction, the ends of its arms I32, I 3| will either engage the fixed contact I38 and the left end 'portion of the central contactbers III and III, adjacent the top-edges thereof.

Mounted on the center of the spindle III is a metallic disc I88 havingrecesses I8I. Ill and Ill in the periphery thereof to receive the spring pressed indexing balls, such as I8I and I82. A radial slot I81 is formed in the periphery of the disc member I88 and receives a transverse pin I88 mounted in the end portion of a centrallylocated short rod I81 which extends out from and above the casing I88. For operating the switch mechanism and for moving the rod I81, an operating button or handle I88 which is or may be of cylindrical form and made from insulating material is molded or mounted upon the upper end of the rod I81. The operating button is slidably mounted upon a metallic mounting and cover plate I88. That plate has a centrally located slot I88 running longitudinally with respect to the casing to permit passage therethrough and sliding movement therealong by the rod. This cover plate I88 is secured over the casing by means of bolts threaded into tabs or lugs I88 which extend from the ends of the plate I84 and are offset downwardly so as to space the plate I88 from the top surface of the casing and slightly above an insulating cover plate I18 located between the casing and the metal cover plate I88. A slidable rectangular metal plate IIll is fixedly secured in any suitable manner on the rod I81 under the cover plate I84 in such manner as to slide over the under surface 01' said cover plate I88. In order to guide the sliding movement of plate I18 and thus to guide the sliding of the rod I81 and operating member I88, the side edges of the plate I ,88 are, or may be bent down as at I88 so that the side edges of the slide plate I'III slidably engage said bent down edges.

From the foregoing it may be observed that the operating member I88 may be moved from the position illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 to the right or to the left by a sliding motion. Such motion will cause clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the spindle H8 and disc member I80 carried thereby by reason of the engagement of the transverse pin I88 in the slot III. In order that this rotation of the spindle may be imparted to the movable contacts, insulating discs I88 having square central apertures are slidably mounted on the spindle II8 on opposite sides of index- 1 ing and operating disc I88. On opposite sides of these discs I88, movable bridging contacts, such as I88, are located. These contacts are generally similar in form to the bridging contact 38 in the form previously described. In order to translate movement of the spindle and discs I88 to the movable contacts radially extended lugs, such as I88, are bent at right angles to the plane of the bridging contact to lie within peripheral notches,

assemble, yet their resulting combination is a switch capable ofcontrolling low power circuits effectively.

Many modifications within the scope of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore I do not limit it to the specific forms illustrated.

What I claim is: v

1. In a. multi-position switch, an insulating casing having parallel chambers with bearing recesses in the walls thereof, insulating bosses rotatively supported across said chambers in said recesses, movable contact members carried by said bosses adjacent the walls of said chambers, stationary contacts engageable by said movable contacts and slidably mounted in slots in the walls of said chambers, in combination with means to move said bosses and contacts simultaneously comprising an operating lever extending into said casing, a pair of oppositely facing metal stampings engaged with said bosses for simultaneous rotation, laterally extending means on the end of said lever engaging in slots in said stampings to cause rotation of said stampings when said lever is .moved, and indexing balls and springs seated in one of said chambers with said balls engaging recesses on the peripheries of said stampings to releasabiy hold the stampings in one or another of several switch positions.

2. In a multi-position switch, a casing having three parallel chambers, stationary contact means in certain of said chambers, movable contacts engageable with said stationary contacts, springs and indexing balls in the middle chamber, a rotary member having peripheral recesses engaged by said balls to hold said rotary member releasably in three switch positions, retaining means over said springs and balls to hold them in said middle chamber, operating means outside said casing extending therein, means transversely extending from the operating means and engaging in a slot in said rotary member for causing rotation thereof as said operating member is moved, and means extending transversely of said chambers supporting said rotary member and iournalled in bearing recesses in the walls of said chambers, said transversely-extending means engaging with said movable contacts to operate them in response to movement of said operating means.

3. In a multi-position switch, an insulating casing having three parallel chambers, movable contacts in the outside chambers, fixed contacts at the ends and bottom of said chambers for engagement by said movable contacts, each movable contact having supporting and operating means comprising an insulating boss rotatively supported in bearing recesses in the walls of said chambers, a shoulder on said boss by which said movable contact is held adjacent a wall of the chamber, said movable contact and boss being keyed for' Joint rotation, indexing means in the middle chamber, means turning with said bosses and having peripheral recesses engaged by said indexing means releasably to hold said movable contacts in any of three positions.

4. A multi-position switch as claimed in claim 3 having its bridging contact in angular form to disengage all fixed contacts in a mid-position of the switch, and to engage one end contact and a bottom contact in positions on either side oi said mid position.

5. A multi-position switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means turning with said bosses comprise identical metal stampings placed face to face and keyed to diilerent bosses for. joint rotation therewith.

6. A multi-position switch as claimed in claim 5, having an operating member extending into the casing, said stampings being formed to provide entrance therebetween of the inwardly ex- 1 1 3 wherein the means turning with said bosses comprise identical metal stampings placed face to face and keyed to different bosses for joint rotation therewith, and indexing balls and springs in the middle casing chamber engaging at oppomember between said insulating members turning in unison therewith, indexing balls and springs in the middle base chamber pressing on opposite sides of said indexing member into peripheral recesses therein to hold the switch releasable in one or another of three positions, an operating member extending into the base and having a transverse part slidably engaging with a slot in said indexing member to cause rotary movement thereof as said operating member is moved.

11. In a multl-position switch as claimed in claim 10 wherein the means which causes the in- .dexingmember and the rotary contact-carrying members-to turn in unison is a spindle having non-circular section passing through similarlysectioned aperturesin said rotary and indexing members.

site sides of said stamping into peripheral recesses to hold the switch releasably in one or another of three positions.

9. A multi-position switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means turning with said bosses comprise metal stampings keyed to diflerent bosses for rotation therewith, said stampings having slots and being formed to provide a space therebetween for entrance of an operating member, and a pivoted operating member having an end extending into said space, a transverse pin on said end entering said slots and causing both said stampings to rotate simultaneously.

10. In a multi-position switch, an insulating base having three parallel chambers, fixed contacts at the ends and in the bottom of the outer chambers, angular movable contacts engageable with certain of the fixed contacts, in combination with supporting and operating means for the movable contacts comprising circular rotary insulating members keyed to said movable contacts for rotation in unison therewith, an indexin 12. In a multi-fposition switch as claimed in claim 10, wherein the operating member is a slidably mounted member, a plate overlying the base over the surface of which said operating member slides, and means connected with'said operating member and sliding beneath said plate and holding saidoperating member on said plate.

13. Ina multi-position switch as claimed in claim 10, a mounting plate overlying the base and having a slot through which said operating member projects, said mounting plate being spaced from the top surface of the base, and a slidable guide plate beneath said mounting plate connected with said operating member.

ROBERT H. BENTLEY.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS