US2520212A

US2520212A - Time-delay relay

Info

Publication number: US2520212A
Application number: US30952A
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore B Jochem
Original assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
Current assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
Priority date: 1948-06-03
Filing date: 1948-06-03
Publication date: 1950-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 1967-08-29

Description

Aug. 29, 1950 T. B. JOCHEM mm DELAY RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 3, 1948 se 66 mg i Aug. 29, 1950 T. B. JOCHEM 2,520,212

mm DELAY RELAY Filed June 5, 19 m 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .a/ 26 5 5a 40 /6 34 as '36 a9 /9 Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIltIE-DELAY RELAY Theodore B. J ochem, Wauwatosa,

to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., corporation of Delaware Wis., assignor Milwaukee, Wis., a

Application June 3,1948, Serial No. 30,952

(01. zoo-97 v with on naval ships under war time service conditions without unwanted changes from selected operating conditions.

Another object is to provide a relay of the aforementioned type which is characterized by quick make and break operation of its contacts for direct current service at relatively high voltages.

Another object is to provide a relay of the aforementioned type using a minimum number of moving parts to effect the desired sequence and character of operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the embodiment illustrated is susceptible of various modifications in respect of its details without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of an electromagnetically operated relay constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the relay in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in side elevation of the relay in Fig. l, and

Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially along the broken line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, they show a preferred form of support and housing member 5 which provides for the support and mounting of the various parts of the relay assembly. Member 5, which is preferably a molded casting of brass or other non-magnetic metal, comprises a vertical bracket portion 6, an upper flanged base portion 1 and a lower flanged base portion 8 integrally connected by concentric portions 9 and II] which are substantially cylindrical in form. The

base portions

1 and 8 are each substantially rectangular in horilontal cross section and the bracket portion 6 is rectangular in vertical cross section. The bracket portion 6 is provided with openings extending therethrough to facilitate mounting of the relay assembly. A downwardly opening cylindrical recess H (Fig. 3) is formed in member 5 within the

portions

8 and 9 and provides a chamber adapted to accommodate a flexible diaphragm l2 upon upward movement of the latter, said diaphragm being'secured between the base portion 8 and a bottom cover member l3. An upwardly opening chamber is provided within the

portions

1, 9 and in of member-5, said chamber comprising a cylindrical recess l4 which at its lower endcommunicates with the recess ll through a passage l5, and a concentric cylindrical recess I6 of larger diameter opening through the base portion 7 of member 5 at its upper end and communicating at its lower end with the recess Cover member l3 which is preferably molded from a suitable phenolic molding compound is provided with an upwardly opening chamber to accommodate diaphragm 12 upon downward movement of the latter. This chamber has an upper portion ll of inverted frusto-conical form and has concentric therewith a shallow cylindrical portion l8 of relatively large diameter and a deeper portion IQ of smaller diameter. Member 13 is also provided at its lower end with an integral portion 20 of substantially rectangular form in vertical cross section, said portion 20 merging into a frusto-conical portion 2| which underlies the afore-described chamber. Portion 2| has a flange 22 abutting the base portion 8 of member 5 to which it is secured at spaced points by screws 23. Portion 20 of member l3 has exteriorly opening cylindrical passage 24 which extends lengthwise thereof and which leads to the large end of a tapered passage 25 communicating with the cylindrical portion I9 of said chamber. A cylindrical passage 26 of small diameter extends upwardly from passage 24 and communicates with a passage 21 formed in member 5 and leading to recess I l.

Passage 24 is suitably threaded from its outer end for a portion of its length for cooperation with a threaded end portion 28 of an adjustable needle valve screw 28. Needle valve screw 28 is thus adapted to be adjusted longitudinally within passage 24 so that its tapered end portion 28 which is axially alined with the tapered passage 25 may be projected into or withdrawn from passage 25 to close or open the latter to the desired degree. Member I3 has formed therein transversely of the passage 24 a substantially rectangular upwardly opening slot to receive a fiber member 29 which frictionally accommodates the threaded portion 28 of valve screw 28 and which tends to lock the latter when adjusted to any position.

The flexible diaphragm I2 is preferably made in circular form irom a thin sheet of rubber impregnat @Xfiile material. It is provided with a series of marginal openings to register with screw receiving openings formed in the flange portion 22 of member l3 and is also provided with an opening registering with the passage 25 of member |3 and the passage 2'! in member 5. Ex? tending through diaphragm |2 centrally thereof and suitably clamped thereto is an assembly comprising a disc 30 of substantially inverted frustoconical form overlying the diaphragm, and a relief valve 3|.v Diaphragm I2 is of greater diameter than disc 30 and is secured about its outer circumference between the portion 8 of member and cover member Hi, the latter being tightly secured to member 5 by the screws 23 which penetrate the openings in the diaphragm and take into threaded recesses or inserts in the base portion 8 of member 5.

Relief valve 3| extends through diaphragm I2 and is provided with upper and lower shoulder portions 32 and 33 which are adapted to secure valve 3|, disc 30 and an annular sealing washer 34 to diaphragm l2 in a fluid tight relation. Disc 30 is provided with a central opening and is preferably positioned above diaphragm l2 and secured between the latter and the upper shoulder portion 32 of valve 3|. The sealing washer 34 is secured between the bottom face of diaphragm l2 and the lower shoulder 33. The upper shoulder is preferably formed as by spinning or riveting over a portion of the outer side wall of valve 3| after the assembly comprising the disc 39, diaphragm l2 and washer 34 has been positioned as above described with respect to the valve body of Valve 3|. Relief valve 3| is provided with two opposite- 1y opening cylindrical recesses 35 and 36 which communicate through a circular passage 31 of smaller diameter. A ball 38, preferably made of polished steel, is disposed within recess 36 and is normally biased upwardly to seal the lower end of passage 31 by a small coiled compression spring 39 which bears at its lower end against an annular retaining ring 40 rigidly secured over the bottom end of valve 3| as by riveting over the end portion of the valve body. The lower end of a rod 4| is positioned within recess 35 and is adapted for limited lengthwise movement therein. Rod 4| is provided adjacent its lower end with a pcripheral extension or shoulder 4| which cooperdicularly upwardly from a base portion 44 by which frame 44 is secured to the base I of member 5 by a plurality of screws i penetrating through suitable openings formed in the base portion 7 and taking into threaded recesses formed in the portion 44. A central cylindrical flanged opening is provided in the portion 44 of frame 44 and is preferably formed by extrusion of the portion 44 to provide a cylindrical flange 44 Adjacent their upper'corners the

portions

44 and 44 are each sheared downwardly, the sheared corner portions being bent perpendicularly and being provided with threaded openings extending therethrough, forming supporting and attaching lugs for a steel plate 44 which forms the upper side of magnet frame 44,

The plate 44 is secured to the

portions

44 and 44 by a plurality of screws which penetrate ates with a retaining ring 42 secured at the top end of valve 3| in the manner described in connection with retaining ring 40. Rod 4| has a lower end portion 4| of reduced cross section which is adapted to project through the passage 31 when rod 4| moves downwardly thereby pressing the ball 38 downwardly and away from the lower end of passage 31 to permitflow of fluid from the lower to upper diaphragm chamber. Rod 4| is slidable within the opening l5 and is provided with a threaded upper end portion which threads into a member 43.

For the most part, the portion of the relay assembly thus far described comprises the diaphragm time delay means which is like that shown and described in the Kuhn et al. Patent No. 2,506,225, issued May 2, 1950. As will be later more fully explained, the time delay means provides an djustable time interval between the energizetion of the relay electromagnetic operating coil and the closure of circuit comm-utating contacts.

A magnet frame 44 preferably formed of a soft steel, is secured to the upper side of the flanged base 1 of member 5 and has a solenoid operating coil 45 positioned therewithin. Magnet frame 44 comprises

vertical portions

44 and 44 integrally connected with and projecting perpenscrew receiving openings formed therethrough and take into the threaded openings in the aforedescribed attaching lugs of portions 4 and 4 A central circular opening extending through plate 44 is provided to accommodate a portion 46 of a cylindrical plunger stop 46 which has a portion 46 of larger diameter depending downwardly below plate 44 The stop 46 which is of magnetic material is rigidly secured to the plate 44 as by spinning or riveting over the end of the portion 46* which terminates above plate 44 A downwardly opening frusto-conical recess 46 is provided in the lower end of stop 46 which pening communicates with the upper end of the portion 46 through a cylindrical passage 46 A cylindrical tube 41, preferably formed of a non-magnetic metal such as brass, is secured adjacent its upper end about the portion 46 of stop 46 with its inner wall engaging the cylindrical wall of the portion 46 in a tightly fitting relation and with its upper end abutting against the plate M Tube 41 is secured adjacent its lower end by tight fitting engagement of its outer wall with the inside of the flange 44 of magnet frame 44.

The solenoid coil 45 is disposed about the tube 41 within magnet frame 44 and is restrained against vertical movement by a spring-washer 48 which presses soid coil upwardly against the lower side of the plate 44 A solenoid plunger 49, which is preferably formed of a magnetic type-steel, is adapted to move upwardly within the tube 4'! when the coil 45 is energized. Plunger 49 has a cylindrical portion 49 which is somewhat less in diameter than the inner diameter of tube 41, and a cylindrical portion 49 of relatively smaller diameter which joins with the portion 49 'at a sharply defined shoulder, and a frusto-conical portion 49 which at its base merges into the portion 49 The frusto-conical portion 49 of plunger 49 is complementary in form. to the recess 46 in stop 46 and is adapted to engage with'the bottom of said recess to limit the upward movement of plunger 49. Plunger 49 is also provided with a cylindrical passage 49 extending lengthwise thereof to accommodate a push rod 50 which projects through said plunger.

A coiled compression spring 5| is interposed within tube 41 to bias plunger 49 downwardly against the member 43. Spring 5| bears at its upper end against the'lower end of the portion 46 of member 46 and its lower end bears against the aforedescribed shoulder on plunger 49.

The push rod 50 which is preferably cylindrical in form also projects upwardly through the passage 46 of stop 46, a downwardly opening cylindrical recess 52' formed in a portion 52 of a contact lever 53, an opening 52 extending through portion 52 from the upper end of recess 52 and through and beyond an opening formed in a lug extension 54 of a portion 54 of contact lever 53. Adjacent its upper end rod 50 is threaded for a certain distance to accommodate a slotted nut 55 which is retained in a fixed position on rod 50 by a cotter key which projects through a transverse opening (not shown) drilled through rod 50 adjacent the upper end of the latter and a pair of oppositely disposed slots in nut 55. At its lower end rod 50 projects within the passage 43 of member 43 and'is secured to said member by a pin which tightly fits within alined openings formed transversely through the enlarged cylindrical portion 43 of member 43 and rod 56. Rod 50 is of such diameter that it is adapted to freely move lengthwise within the above mentioned openings through which it proiects.

The member 43 is also provided with a cylindrical portion 43 which is of smaller diameter than the portion 43 with which it joins at its upper end at a sharply defined shoulder. A guide 56 having an annular portion 56 is disposed about the portion 43 of member 43 and is retained against the lower end of the portion 43 of said member by a coiled compression spring 51. Guide 56 is also provided with a radially projecting lug portion 56 integrally formed with the portion 56 which is slidable within a vertical guide groove 58 formed in member said guide groove merging at its open side with the recess l6 with which it is co-extensive in the vertical direction.

Spring 51 which is disposed about the portion 43 of member 43 bears at its upper end against the lower side of the portion 56 of guide 56 and at its lower ends against the end wall of recess I4. Spring 51 biases the assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod 50 for upward movement but the biasing force of spring 51 is preponderated by the opposing force of spring 5| and the weight of the plunger 49*.

Contact lever 53 comprises the portion 52 which is preferably formed of a suitable molded insulating material and the portion 54 which is preferably made of metal. essentially of inverted channel form in vertical cross section and said portion is rigidly attached to the portion 52 as by a pair of rivets which penetrate through alined openings formed in such portions. The lug extension 54- which is integrally connected with the upper horizontal side of portion 54 depends angularly upwardly towards the free end of the portion 52 and the aforementioned opening extending through said lug is in substantial axial alinement with the recess 52 and the opening 52'- of the portion 52. Adjacent its free end, the portion 52 is of reduced rectangular cross section and is provided with a horizontal opening extending therethrough to provide for attachment of a knife blade type contact 59 which is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Contact 59 is provided with a channel shaped attaching portion 59 conforming to the reduced rectangular cross section of the portion 52 of lever 53 and has axially alined openings extending through the vertical legs thereof to accommodate a bolt 55 which penetrates through the openings in said vertical legs and the horizontal opening in the portion 52; said contact being rigidly secured to the portion 52 by a nut which The portion 54 is takes onto the threaded end of bolt 59. A contact blade portion 59 of contact 59 extends transversely of lever 53 and upwardly and is adapted to bridge a pair of stationary contacts 6| and 62 incident to the energization of coil as will later be more fully explained.

An essentially inverted U-shaped bearing bracket 63 is secured to the upper side of plate 44 of magnet frame 44 by a plurality of screws which penetrate through openings formed in the horizontally depending

portions

63 and 63 and take into threaded openings formed in plate 44, with a pair of such screws preferably providing for simultaneous securement of plate 44 to the aforementioned attaching lugs formed on the portion 44 of magnet frame 44. The portions 63'- and 63 are respectively integrally connected with

vertical portions

63 and 63 which are in a parallel spaced relation to each other and are integrally connected at their upper ends by a horizontal portion 63 which lies in the plane parallel with the portions 63* and 63 The

portions

63 and 63 are provided with axially alined openings to accommodate and provide bearing support for a pivot pin 64 on which contact lever 53 is supported. Vertical depending legs of the portion 54 of lever 53 have axially alined openings to accommodate the pin 64 which projects through and beyond the

portions

63 and 63. The pin 64 is secured against axial movement in any preferred manner such as by cotter keys which penetrate through transverse openings in pin 64 adjacent the ends thereof. Contact lever 53 is-pivotally supported with a loose fit on pin 64 between the

portions

63 and 63 and is adapted to be pivotally moved about said pin.

The

portions

63 and 63 are also provided with axially alined openings to accommodate and provide bearing support for a pivot pin 65 on which a latch 56 is supported for pivotal movement. Pivot pin 65 is secured within said openings in the manner described in connection with pivot pin 64. Latch 66 is provided with an opening through which the pin 65 projects and said latch is pivotally supported on pin 65, equidistant between the

portions

63 and 63 of bracket 63, there being tubular spacing member disposed about pin 65 on opposite sides of the latch.

Latch 66 is biased for pivotal movement in the counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) by a coiled torsion spring 61 which is disposed about one of the spacing members. One end of spring 61 is hooked over the upper side of latch 66 and the other end of said spring is hooked over an edge of the portion 63 of bracket 63. Latch 66 is provided with a cam portion 66 which is essentially of wedge shape and which is adapted to engage at a slightly rounded end thereof with the upper surface of a flat cam plate 68 and the end of a stop plate 69 which are rigidly secured to the upper side of the portion 54 of contact lever 53. Latch 66 is also provided with a portion 66 which is integrally connected with the portion 66 and which extends essentially at a right angle to the end of the portion 66 The portion 66 of latch 66 is provided with a threaded vertical opening extending therethrough to accommodate a threaded screw 10 having an enlarged fiat head which is adapted to provide an adjustable abutment on said latch. The screw 10 may be adjusted to a desired position and locked in such position by a nut which engages with screw 10 above the upper side of the portion 66 As will be later more fully explained, the nut 55 on rod is adapted to engage with the head of screw 10 upon upward movement of said rod thereby to effect pivotal movement of latch 66 in the clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) against the bias of the spring 61.

Contact lever 53 is biased for pivotal movement in the clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) by a coiled compression spring 1 I. Spring 1| is disposed about push rod 50 and bears at its upper end against the end wall of recess 52 in portion 52 of lever 53 and its lower end bears against the inner surface of a flanged retaining member 12 which is disposed about rod 50 and which abuts against the riveted end of the portion 46 of the stop 46. Spring 1| is restrained against lateral movement by the side wall of recess 52 at its upper end and at its lower end by the flange of retaining member 12.

The contacts 6| and 62 each comprise a pair of cooperating spring type contact jaws within which blade 59 of contact 59 penetrates for bridging of contacts BI and 62 as an incident to pivotal clockwise movement of contact lever 53 as will later be more fully explained. Contacts 6| and 62 are each secured to an insulating vertical contact board 13 adjacent the upper end of the latter in a spaced relation to each other. Each of these contacts is rigidly attached to a bolt as by welding and these bolts penetrate openings extending through the board 13 and are threaded adjacent their ends to provide for threaded engagement with a pair of nuts which hold the respective contact assemblies in a rigid relation to such board and which also provide for making circuit connection with the contacts 6| and 62.

Contact board 13 adjacent its lower end is secured to the outside of the portion 44 of magnet frame 44 by a pair of threaded attaching

posts

14 and 15 which penetrate through openings formed in board 13 and by nuts which take onto threaded end portions of said posts to hold contact board .13 rigidly against the portion 44*- of magnet frame 44.

Posts

14 and 15 are secured to the portion 44 of frame 44, as by welding the respective reduced end portions of such posts, which penetrate through openings formed in the portion 44 to said portion 44.

A .hood 16 formed of insulating material is secured to contact board 13 as by a screw Tl which penetrates an opening provided in board 13 and takes into a threaded recess (not shown) formed in such hood. The hood 16 together with the upper end of contact board 13 provided a partial enclosure for contacts 6| and 62 whose respective pairs of jaws open downwardly slightly below the lower end of hood 16. Hood 16 is suitably formed to accommodate lateral movement of such contact jaws therewithin and is also provided with a downwardly opening vertical notch (not shown) to accommodate the portion 52 of lever 53 when the latter moves pivotally upwardly to effect engagement of contact blade 59* with contacts 6| and 62.

A rectangular strip 18 formed of insulating material is secured to the upper side of plate 44 of magnet frame 44 underlying contact 59 and contacts 6| and 62. At one side thereof strip 18 abuts against contact board 13 and is preferably secured to plate 44 by a pair of the screws which are provided for securement of said plate to the vertical portion 44 of magnet frame 44 as aforedescribed. Thus strip 18 together with contact board 13 and the hood I6 insure that electrical arcs will not be drawn across to magnet frame 44 as an incident to disengagement of contact 59 from contacts 6| and 62.

As will be understood, the spring 5| is of such character that when in its extended condition shown in Fig. 3 it together combined withthe weight of plunger 49 and the assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide 56, rod 50 and the nut 55 will be sufficient to overcome the opposing bias of the springs 51 and H and retain the plunger 49, said assembly and contact lever 53 in their extreme downward positions depicted in Fig. 3.

The operation of the relay will now be described.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, it shows the aforedescribed parts of the relay in the respective positions ultimately assumed as an incident to de-energization of coil 45. Upon energization of coil 45 the plunger 49 quickly moves upwardly within member 41 against the bias of spring 5| and said plunger engages the stop 46 by abutment of its portion 49 with the bottomof the recess 46 and plunger 49 remains in such position so long as coil 45 is energized. The assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod 50 therefore tends to move upwardly under the bias exerted by spring 51 but such movement is retarded. During slight vertical upward movement of the latter assembly, the end 4| of rod 4| moves out of engagement with ball 38 which then seals passage 31 in relief valve 3| under the bias of spring 39. Also upon initial movement of rod 4| its shoulder 4| comes into engagement with the retaining ring 42. Thus continued movement of rod 4| causes the assembly comprising diaphragm l2, disc 30,and valve 3| to follow in upward movement. However, the last mentioned assembly retards the rate of upward movement of rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod .50 by virtue of a, vacuum produced in the lower diaphragm chamber and thereafter rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod 50 move upwardly at a controlled rate depending upon the rate that air or other fluid can flow from the upper diaphragm chamber through

passages

21, 26, 24 and 25 into the lower diaphragm chamber. The rate of flow of air on other fluid from the upper to the lower diaphragm chamber may be varied by, adjusting needle valve screw 28 so that its tapered end portion 28 increases or decreases the effective opening through the tapered passage 25.

As the rod 50 moves upwardly, the nut 55 dis-v engages from the lug 54 and ultimately engages the aforedescribed enlarged head of screw Ill. On continued upward movement of rod 50, latch 66 is pivotally moved in the clockwise direction against the bias of spring 61. Clockwise pivotal movement of latch 66 effects disengagement of its cam portion 66* from the end of the stop plate 69 and finally effects disengagement of said cam portion from the upper surface of cam plate 66 whereupon the lever 53 becomes unlatched and pivotally moves in the clockwise direction with snap action under the bias of the spring 1|. Such movement of lever 53 causes the blade 59 of contact 59 to be interposed between the aforedescribed cooperating spring jaws of contacts 6| and 62; the jaw pairs of the respective contacts yielding laterally to accommodate the blade 59 therebetween. Thus the contacts 6| and 62 are bridged by the blade 59 of contact 59 to afford completion of circuit between contacts 6| and 62.

Upon subsequent de-energization of coil 45, the plunger 49 will quickly move downwardly to its initial position under the bias of spring 5|.

In moving downwardly, plunger 49 causes the assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide 65 and rod 50 to move downwardly therewith. During the initial downward movement the shoulder 4| of rod 4| moves out of engagement with retaining ring 42 and the lower end portion 4| moves into engagement with the ball 38 thereby to force the latter away from the lower end of passage 31. Depressing the ball 38 away from the end of passage 31 thereby permits substantially unrestricted passage of air or other fluid from the upper to the lower diaphragm chambers through the valve 3|. Thereafter further downward movement of rod 4|, member 43 and rod 58 as well as plunger 49 is obtained at a rapid rate with the assembly comprising diaphragm l2, disc 38 and valve 3| moving downwardly at the same rate.

As rod 50 and the nut 55 move downwardly, the latch 66 moves pivotally in the counterclockwise direction under the bias of spring 61. Ultimately the nut 55 disengages from the head of screw 10 and thereafter engages the lug 54 of lever 53. On continued downward movement of rod 50 and nut 55, contact lever 53 is caused to move pivotally in the counterclockwise direction against the bias of the spring II to effect disengagement of blade 59 from contacts 6| and 62; such disengagement of blade 59 from contacts 6| and 62 being essentially with snap action. By the time lever 53 has assumed its normal position, the latch 66 will have pivotally moved in the counterclockwise direction sufficiently to eilect engagement of its cam portion 66 with the upper side of cam plate 68 and with the end of stop plate 63 thereby to positively latch contact lever 53 in its lower position with the contact blade 59 of contact 59 disengaged from the stationary contacts 6| and 62.

The aforedescribed abutment screw 18 of latch 66 affords adjustment of the point in the upward travel of the push rod 50 at which contact lever 53 is released for clockwise pivotal movement by the tripping of latch 66 out of engagement with the cam plate 68. Preferably the adjustment of screw 70 should be such that con-' tact lever 53 is released for clockwise pivotal movement just before the rod 50 reaches the limit of its upward travel, thereby affording the maximum retarding effect to be obtained from the diaphragm time delay means.

In like manner the nut 55 on the rod 50 may ,be adjusted to cause the contact lever 53 to be moved to its lower position at a certain point in the downward travel of rod 58. Preferably the adjustment of nut 55 should be such that contact lever 53 is just moved to its lower position when the guide 56 e ages the bottom wall of recess I6 in member 55 thereby insuring against forced engagement of lever 53 with the insulating strip 18 on plate 44 of magnet frame 44.

Because of the aforedescribed construction the instant relay possesses features which make it resistant to unwanted changes of either of its operating conditions under high intensity shock. Certain features of this relay make it inherently shock resistant as will now be described.

In considering the behavior of the relay under such shock conditions, the vertical component of shock waves need only be seriously considered. As a first case assume that the relay is in its inoperative condition which it ultimately assumes as an incident to deenergization of solenoid coil 45. The vertical components of shock waves will tend to move plunger 43 upwardly and the assembly comprising rod 4|, member 43, guide 56 and rod 50 would then tend to move upwardly. However, upward displacement of rod 4| will cause ball 38 to sealpassage 3! and the above assembly would only move freely in the upward direction for a short distance before it is opposed by the retarding force of diaphragm l2 due to the partial vacuum produced in its lower diaphragm chamber. Further the energy of plunger 49 is rapidly dissipated by the biasing force of spring 5| and would be returned to its lower position before the nut 55 on rod 56 could engage the screw 10 of latch 66. Although latch 66, due to its own inertia might pivotally move against the bias of the torsion spring 61 and thereby effect disengagement of its cam portion 66- from cam plate 68, since rod 58 would only move a short distance upwardly lever 53 would not move suiilcientl to permit engagement of contact blade 59 with the stationary contacts 6| and 62.

Now consider the case when the relay is in its operated condition ultimately assumed as an incident to energization of coil 45 with the contact blade 59 bridging contacts 6| and 62. The vertical component of shock waves will tend to move plunger 49 downwardly away from the stop 46 but such tendency is opposed by the magnetic pull provided by coil 45. Inasmuch as the nut 55 is disengaged from lug 54 of contact lever 53 some downward travel of rod 50 can be tolerated and any such travel of rod 50 would not be sufficient to cause engagement of nut 55 with the lug 54 Contact lever 53 itself would only tend to move pivotally in the counterclockwise direction due to its own inertia which is effectively counterbalanced by the biasing force of the spring 1|. Any shock transmitted to lever 53 through pivot pin 64 would not cause rotation of lever 53. Further the gripping action of the jaws of contacts 6| and 62 on contact blade 59 of contact 59 would also tend to counteract any pivotal movement of lever 53. Although the jaws of contacts 6| and 62 might spread laterally they inherently restore themselves and any such spreading would be of momentary duration and insufiicient to permit contact blade 59 to drop out of its bridgin relation with contacts 6| and 62.

What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, cooperating contacts, biasing means for certain of said contacts, latching means for the latter of said contacts to restrain the same in a, given position against the bias of said means, said latching means being biased to latching position, a member movable in one direction to trip said contact latching means and in an opposite direction to free said latching means therefrom and to reset said certain of said contacts against the bias of the first mentioned means in a position to be again latched, operating means for moving said member in opposite directions selectively comprising a spring device in which energy is stored by movement of said member in said opposite direction for expenditure to move said member at a regulable speed in latch tripping direction,

2. In combination, cooperating contacts, biasing means for certain of said contacts, latching means for the latter of said contacts to restrain the same ina given position against the bias of said means, said latching means being biased to latching position, a member movable tain of said contacts against the bias of the first mentioned means in a position to be again latched, operating means for moving said member in opposite directions selectively comprising a spring device in which energy is storedby movement of said member in said opposite direction for expenditure to move said member at a regulable speed in latch tripping direction and further comprising a preponderating pring to move said member to store energy in said spring device and an electromagnet which when energized relieves said member of the influence of said preponderating spring.

3. In combination, cooperating contacts including a contact carrying lever movable between opposite extreme positions, means constantly biasing said lever toward one extreme position, a latch to restrain said lever in its opposite extreme position, means constantly biasing said latch into restraining relation with said lever, a member constantly under bias for movement in a direction to trip said latch, said member being movable in the reverse direction against its bias to free said latch therefrom and to move said lever to eilect disengagement of said contacts, electromagnetic means controlling said member, includin means selectively to release said member for movement under its bias and to move said member against its bias according to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces time delay in such movement.

4. In combination, cooperating contacts, alever carrying certain of said contacts and movable selectively to effect engagement or disengagement of said contacts, means constantly biasing said lever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a latch to restrain said lever in a position disengaging said contacts, means constantly biasing said latch into restraining relation with said lever, a member constantly under bias for movement in a direction to trip said latch, said member being movable in the reverse direction against its bias to free said latch therefrom and to move said lever to effect disengagement of said contacts, electromagnetic means controlling said member, including means selectively to release said member for movement under its bias or to move said member against its bias according to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time dela in such movement.

5. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprises cooperating spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposed therebetween,

the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time delay in such movement.

6. In combination, cooperating contacts, a lever carrying certain of said contacts and movable selectively to efiect engagement or disengagement of said contacts, means constantly biasing said lever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a latch to restrain said lever in a position disengaging said contacts, means constantly biasing said latch into restraining relation with said lever, a membermovable in one direction to trip said latch and movable in the opposite direction to free said latch therefrom and move said lever against its bias to a position disengaging said contacts wherein it is again latched, a spring biasing said member for movement in said one direction, a preponderating spring to move said member in said opposite direction to store energy in the former spring, an electromagnet which when energized relieves said member of the influence of said preponderating spring, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time delay in such movement.

'7. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprises cooperating spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposed therebetween, a blade contact for bridging the former contacts, a pivotally supported lever carrying said bridging contact, spring means constantly biasing said lever for movement to eflect engagement of said contacts, a pivotally supported latch, spring means constantly biasing said latch in a direction to engage said lever, said lever having a part with which a portion of said latch is adapted to a blade contact for bridging the former contacts,

a lever carrying said bridging contact, means constantly biasing said lever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a latch to restrain said lever in a position disengaging said contacts, means constantly biasing said latch into restraining relation with said lever, a member move said member against its bias according to frictionally engage when said lever is moved to a position disengaging said contacts for locking it in such position, a member, spring means constantly biasing said member in a direction to trip said latch to permit snap-action movement of said lever to a contact engaging position, said member being movable against its bias to free said latch therefrom and to move said lever to said contact disengaging position wherein it is again locked by said latch, electromagnetic means controlling said member for movement under its bias or to move said member against its bias according to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time delay in such movement.

8. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprises cooperating spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposed therebetween, a blade contact for bridging the former'contacts, a pivotally supported lever carrying said bridging contact, spring means constantly biasing said lever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a pivotally supported latch, spring means constantly biasing said latch in a direction to engage said lever, said lever having a part with which a portion of said latch is adapted to frictionally engage when said lever is moved to a position disengaging said contacts for looking it in such position, a member, spring means constantly biasing said member in a direction to trip said latch to permit snap-action movement of said lever to a contact engaging position, said member being movable against its bias to free said latch therefrom and to move said lever to said contact disengaging position wherein it is again locked by said latch, said latch additionally having an adjustable part in the path of said member which according to its adjustment determines the movement of said member required for tripping said latch, electromagnetic means controlling said member for movement under its bias or to move said member against its bias accord-,

ing to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time delay in such movement.

9. In combination, a pair of contacts each of which comprises spring jaws adapted to grip a blade contact interposed therebetween, a blade contact for bridging the former contacts, a pivotally supported lever carrying said bridging contact, spring means constantl biasing said lever for movement to effect engagement of said contacts, a pivotally supported latch, spring means constantly biasing said latch in a. direction to engage said lever, said lever having a part with which a portion of said latch is adapted to frictionally engage when said lever is moved to a position disengaging said contact for looking it in such position, a member movable in one direction to trip said latch to permit snap-action movement of said lever to a contact en ing position and movable in the opposite direction to free said latch therefrom and to move said lever against its bias to said contact disengaging position wherein it is again locked by said latch, a spring biasing said member for movement in said one direction, a preponderating spring to move said member in said opposite direction to store energy in the former spring, an electromagnet which when energized relieves said member of the influence of said preponderating spring, and means which upon movement of said member in latch tripping direction introduces regulable time delay in such movement.

THEODORE B. JOCHEM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,029,137 Stevens Jan. 28, 1936 2,266,804 Roby Dec. 23, 1941 2,308,660 Kouyoumjian Jan. 19, 1943