US2521559A - Clock selector switch - Google Patents

Description

. p 1950 H. w. BATCHELLER 2,521,559

CLOCK SELECTOR SWITCH Filed Feb. 17, 1948 Patented Sept. 5, 1950 CLOCK SELECTOR SWITCH Hugh W. Batcheller, Newton, Mass., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Ark-Les Switch Corporation, Watertown, Mass., a. corporation of Massachusetts Application February 17, 1948, Serial No. 8,826

Claims.

This invention relates to an electric switch to be connected between two two-wire power lines and .a plurality of two-wire leads from powerconsuming units, the arrangement being such that one of said power lines can be connected to the leads from any one of the power-consuming units, the rest of the leads being connected to the other power line. More particularly, the invention relates to a switch designed to be used on an electric range or the like. Modern electric ranges are often equipped with automatic current cut-off mechanisms operable by a time-metering device which can be set to operate after any; desired time interval within the time-range of the device. Electric ranges usually have cooker units, oven units, and a convenience outlet to which appliances may be connected. It is desirable that the timing control mechanism be selectively usable with these difierent parts of the electrical system of the range. Selector switches are employed for this purpose.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved selector switch which, by reason of the construction and arrangement of its parts, is superior to the switches which have heretofore been used for similar purposes. Selector switches for electric ranges have to carry the considerable currents of electricity which are supplied to the heating elements. Such switches must therefore be constructed for correspondingly heavy duty.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch which is compact in structure, which is rugged, which is easily and quickly assembled, which is reliable in operation, and which is well qualified for the duty for which it is intended. These and other desiderata are attained by means of the structure which is hereinafter described and is illustrated on the drawing, of which Figure 1 is a rear view of a switch embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is a section on line 1-1 of Figure 3;

, Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram of apparatus including the switch and heating elements connected thereto; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of two of the parts of the switch structure.

The switch illustrated on the drawing comprlsesa housing consisting of a cup-shaped body of insulating material and a cover plate 2!. The body 20 has a rear wall 22 and a cylindrical side wall 24. Integral with the body 20 is a central boss 26 which projects forward from the rear wall 22 and is coaxial with the cylindrical wall 24 of the body. This boss 26 has a number of successive portions of reduced diameter forming shoulders for supporting the conducting elements, as hereinafter described.

The inner face of the rear wall is recessed to receive a contact plate 30. As, shown in Figure 4, this contact plate is circular with a central aperture of suflicient size to receive the boss 26. The circular portion of the plate 30 engages against the bottom of a similarly shaped circular channel 32 in the rear wall 22 of the body. Extending radially from the channel 32 are four short channels 34 in which are fitted radial arms 36 of the contact plate 30. Each arm 36 is bent forward at right angles so that the end portions 38 of these arms lie against the cylindrical wall 24 of the body or in shallow grooves in the wall.

A second contact plate 40 is mounted within the housing and is spaced forward of the plate 30. The plate 40 is circular like the plate 30 and is also provided with a central aperture to receive the boss 26. This plate has four radially projecting arms 42 which rest against elevated portions or lands of the inner surface of the rear wall of the body between the channels 34, the end portions of the arms 42 being bent forward, as at 44, to bear against the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 24 of the body or in shallow grooves therein.

As indicated in Figure 5, the plates 30 and 40 are angularly disposed with respect to each other in such a manner that the radial arms 36 and 42 are evenly spaced angularly in alternation. The end portions 44 of the arms 42 are shorter than the end portions 38 of the arms 35, as indicated in Figure 3, so that the forward ends of these portions are in common plane. Each of the end portions 38 has a contact element 46, which may be in the form of a rivet or the like, presenting a surface for electrical contact with another part of the switch. In like manner, each of the end portions 44 is provided with a similar contact element 48. The contact elements 411 and 43 are thus arranged in a circular series around the axis of the body 20 and in a. common plane perpendicular to that axis.

A third contact blade 59 is mounted on the boss 26, this plate having a central aperture of sufiicient size to receive one of the portions of the boss which is of slightly reduced diameter, to

that the plate bears against one of the shoulders on the boss, as indicated in Figure 3, and. is spread forward of the plate 40. The plate 50, as shown in Figure 6, is square, and from the corners of the square, bent-up extensions 52 are provided, each such extension having a contact element 54' which may be similar to the elements 46 and 48.

A fourth plate 60 is mounted on the boss 26, this plate having a central aperture adapted to receive the next portion of the boss of reduced diameter so that this plate bears against a sec nd shoulder on the boss forward of the plate 50. The plate 60 is square and has, at its four corners, extensions 62 which are bent toward the rear, each extension having a contact element 64. As indicated in Figure 7, the square plates 50 and 60 are arranged angularly offset so that the contact elements 54 and 64 form a circular series with equal spacing, this series being concentric with the axis of the housing and in "the same plane :as that of the series of contacts 4'6 and 48. The contact elements 152 are arranged so that each is radially aligned with a corresponding fixed contact element 48. In like manner, the contact elements 62 are arranged so that each is in radial alignment with a corresponding contact element 4.6. Thus, the contact elements associated with the plate are paired with corresponding contact elements carried by the plate 69, and the contact elements carried by the plate :are paired with corresponding elements of "the plate 50. The four contact plates are arranged in parallel planes which are perpendicular to the axis of the body 20, and are'uniformly spaced apart so as to take up a minimum of room consistent with safe spacing of conductors of opposite polarity 'On the outside of the rear wall 22 of the body is mounted a series of four terminal conductors 19, I2, H and' 'lfi, these terminal conductors being connected electrically with the plates 39, 40, and respectively by suitable means such as rivets -18, which project through the rear wall '22, as indicated in Figure 3, and are .in binding contact with inwardly-projecting tongues 30 from the respective plates, as indicated in Figures 4, 5,, 6 and '7. The conductors "I0, 12, I4 andlB may be mounted on the rear face .of the wall 22 but are preferably located in radial channels or depressions in that wall, as indicated in Figure 3.

The body 2G is made with a thickened rim '80 which is notched, as at 82, to receiveterminal members 84. There are eight such notches and terminal members equallyspaced around the rim. Each said terminal member consists of a strip of rigid metal bent to a U-shape with one arm longer than the other. The longer arm is the external portion of the member, the shorter arm being disposed within the housing. These members may be frictionally fitted into the notches and need no fastening means, being held in place by the housing cover 2| which is separated from the terminal members by an insulating disk 86 immediately behind the cover 2I. The terminal members 84 are Iangularly spaced to correspond to the series of contact-elements 4E and 48 and the series of elements 54 and 64. On each terminal member 84 is mounted a contact member consisting of a strip of resilient metal such as copper or brass sharply folded back upon itself at its mid-portion to form a finger 88 having two leaves which are in face-tmface contact. A rivet extends through the leaves ear the 4 fold and serves as a contact element. At a point spaced from the fold, the leaves diverge and bend away from each other, the end portion of one leaf being secured to the terminal member 84 which supports it, the other leaf being bent back to form an operating lever 92 which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the finger 88 :and .is nearer to the axis of the body. Each finger 88 extends rearward from its terminal member, its contact element 80 being disposed between a pair of fixed contacts of the outer and inner series hereinbefore described. The contact element 90 normally presses resiliently against the corresponding inner fixed element 54 or 54.

A rotor I00 of insulation is located within the housing and is keyed to a shaft I02. The rotor I00 is cylindrical except for a cam portion I04 of greater radius which has an angular length of about 90 and is arranged to be in simultaneous contact with two consecutive levers 92. When the 1cam .IIl4 moves into engagement with a lever :82. it pushes the lever radially outward. :Since the lever is an extension of one of the leaves for a finger $8, the finger is likewiseswung outward sufilciently to move itscontact element :sfl away from the fixed contact element of the innerrseries and to the opposite element of the outer series; Since the .lever 92 and the finger 88 are both resilient, the radius of the cam I04 is made sutficient to press the element ".90 firmly againstzthe corresponding fixed element of the outer series. The rotor of the switch shown on the drawing is (designed to have four operating positions, in each of which the cam I'M presses a pair of "consecutive fingers 88 which are adapted to be -con-' nected to leads from a power-consuming device; A detent mechanism is provided to hold the rotor yieldingly in any one of these four positions. For-thispurposaa hollowstem III] is assembled with the cover 21, the stem having a flange II-2, a screw-threaded portion II4, and a mid-portion I IS which fits a non-round hole "I I8 in the center of the cover plate 2 L The threaded portion 'I II projects forward from the plate 2I and receives a nut I20 which may be used to secure the switch to a supporting wall (not shown) through which the stem may project. The stem serves as a bearing for the shaft I02, the rear end of which is received in astep bearing in the boss26. The forward face of the rotor I-Ufl "is recessed, the recess being surrounded by a rim 'I22.- A springdisk I-24 is dispo'sed in-thisrecess, the disk having a pair of lugs 1'26 projecting radially from its circumference to engage in notches in the rim 122 so as to prevent'relat'ive rotation-of the disk and rotor. The disk I24 is, not plane but is convex upward between the lugs I 26. A t-the high portion of the disk are two small bosses I28 which are pressed against the rear face of the flange I I2. In this face are four radial grooves I29 into which the "bosses I28 enter so as to hold the rotor yieldingly in any one of four angular positions. A knob or finger piece (not shown) may'be mounted on the exterior portion-of the shaft'I 0'2.

The switch may be connected, as indicated in Figure 9. Two of the terminal-ls on 'therearwall of thebody are connected directly to the power supply lines, the other two terminals being connected to the power supply through a clock timer. The eight terminals on the rim of the body 20 are connected in pairs to the several power oonsuming units indicated. Since the cam M34 is in contact with one selected pair only of the :fingers '88, the clock timer is connected the unit corresponding to that pair, the other three units being connected directly to the power supply. By turning the shaft I02, any powerconsuming unit can be connected to the clock timer.

I claim:

1. An electric switch comprising a cup-shaped body of insulation, a circular series of fixed contact points angularly spaced on the inner wall surface of the body, a second circular series of fixed contact points within said body opposed to and radially inward from respective points of the first said series, a series of angularly spaced terminal members on the rim of said body, each said member having a movable finger extending in between a pair of opposed said contact points and normally pressing against the inner point, and cam means operable to move selected fingers away from contact with points of the inner series and into contact with the opposite points of the outer series.

2. An electric switch comprising a cup-shaped body of insulating material open at its forward end and having a central boss projecting forward from the rear wall thereof, said body having a series of angularly spaced notches in the rim thereof, a metal terminal member in each said notch, each said terminal member having a portion exposed for a connection on the outer surface of said body and a radially movable inner portion within said body, a series of conducting elements secured to the outside of the rear wall of said body, an equal number of parallel, spaced contact plates mounted within said body and surrounding said boss, each said plate being electrically connected to one of said conducting elements and having a series of contact fingers projecting out of the plane of the plate and angularly spaced about its center, all of said fingers being arranged in two circular series concentric with the axis of said body, a finger of each series being in radial alignment with the movable portion of one of said terminal members. I

3. An electric switch comprising a cup-shaped body of insulating material, a rotor mounted coaxially in said body, a series of spaced terminal members mounted on the rim of said body, each said terminal member having a portion exterior to said body and a resilient portion projecting into the interior of the body, a contact element mounted on each said resilient portion and mov able by flexing thereof, two circular series of fixed contact elements mounted in said body concentrically therewith, each of said movable elements being normally pressed against corresponding fixed elements of one of said series and movable into contact with corresponding fixed elements of the other said series, a plurality of metal plates mounted in said body in parallel planes perpendicular to the axis of said rotor, each said plate supporting some of the fixed contact elements of one or the other series, a cam member on the rotor adapted to engage certain of said resilient portions according to the angular position of the rotor and to press the engaged resilient portions so that the contact elements carried thereby move into contact with the corresponding fixed contact elements of said other series, and an exterior terminal on said body electrically connected to each said plate 4. An electric switch comprising a cup-shaped body of insulation having eight equally spaced notches in its rim, a terminal member mounted in each said notch, each said member having a portion exterior to said body and a resilient in terior portion within the bod arranged approxi mately parallel to the axis of the body, a series of four spaced parallel plates mounted within said body, each said plate having four extensions projecting from theperiphery thereof at right angles thereto, contact points on said extensions arranged in two circular series or eight points each, the points of one said series being radially inward of the interior portions oi respective terminal members and normall engaged thereby, the points of the other series being radially outward of said interior portions and engageable thereby, a rotor mounted in said body coaxially therewith, cam means on said rotor arranged to engage an of said interior portions of said ter minal members to move them out of engagement with the corresponding contact points of the inner series and into contact with the corr spending points of the outer series, four input terminals mounted on the outside of the body, and means electrically connectin said plates to respective input terminals. I

5. An electric switch comprising a cup-shaped body of insulation having a recessed rear wall and a central boss projecting axially from said rear wall, said boss having portions of successively smaller diameter forming a series of axially spaced shoulders, a rear contact plate secured in the recess in said rear wall, said plate having four angularly spaced extensions projecting for ward along the inner surface of the body, a second contact plate secured against said rear wall and spaced forward from said rear plate, said second plate having four angularly spaced extensions projecting forward along the inner surface of the body and angularly offset from the extensions of the rear plate, said extensions having fixed contact points arranged in a circular series concentric with the axis of said body, a third contact plate mounted against one of said shoulders and spaced forward from said second plate, a fourth contact plate mounted against another of said shoulders and spaced forward from the third plate, said third and fourth plates having spaced projections with contact points arranged in a circular series radially inward of said fixed contact points, terminal members on the rim of said body, each said terminal member having a resilient finger extending in between a corresponding pair of opposed contact points of said outer and inner series and normally in contact with the point of the inner series, and a rotor in said body carrying cam means for selectively pressing some of said fingers away from contact with points or th inner series and into contact with opposite points of the outer series.

HUGH W. BATCI-IELLER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,168,314 Kettering Jan. 18, 1916 1,843,804 Christie Feb. 2, 1932 1,952,372 Grace Mar. 27, 1934 2,156,902 Popp May 2, 1939 2,203,224 Kimball June 4, 1940 2,225,344 Kimball Dec. 1'7, 1940

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