US2558240A - Switch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1951 H. w. ECKER 2,558,240

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 25. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4%/ Illllllll IIIII I Mli.

June 26,. 1951 H. w. ECKER 2,558,240

swIATcH MECHANISM Filed'June 25, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 2 gwuwvbcw" HOWARD W. EGKER Patented June l26, 1951 UNITED STATES^l""ATENT OFFICE SWITCH MECHANISM HowardA W. Ecker, St. Paul, Minn.

Application June 25, 1949, Serial No. 101,400

(Cl. 20o-15.3)

20 Claims. 1

My invention relates tok switch mechanisms and particularly to a switch mechanism whereby a single mechanism may be readily converted into a normally open spring returned switch, a single stroke make and break switch or a normally closed spring returned' switch. The object of the invention resides in providing a switch mechanism constructed as herein disclosed and having the mode of operation, functions and advantages set forth.

The switch mechanism disclosed in this application for patent consists of a support and a rockingV contact' closer pivoted for movement about a shaft carried by the support and movable from a contact closing position to a contact opening position. Also mounted on said shaft is a selector having a spring mountingbetween which and the contact closer a spring is disposed and which exerts pressure in the direction of the shaft. The

selector may be positioned to cause the spring to be on dead center with respect to the axis of the shaft'v when` the contact closer is in an intermediate position or saidV selector may be positioned to cause said spring to urge the contact closer into either its contact closing or its contactV opening position regardless of the position of the contact closer. Positioning means operating in conjunction with the selector serves to hold the selector in any of said positions. The contact closer is moved from one position to the other by means yf of an actuator which is pivoted relative to the contact closer and which is adapted to be actuated by means of a manual or other operating member carried by the support. This actuator is adapted to be moved into two positions and upon actuation when in one position moves the contact closer to Contact closing position and when in its other position upon actuation moves the contact closer to contact opening position. Two opposed springs act on the said actuator and urge the same to an intermediate position. One or the other of these springs is adapted to be rendered ineffective by a lug movable with the selector. This lug is so positined that when the selector is in its intermediate position both springs are effective to permit of the switch functioning as a single strokemake and break switch and when the selector is in one of its extreme positions and the first named spring is in position urging the contact closer into contact closing position the spring of the two' springs tending to move the actuator into contact` openingy position is ineffective thereby making of the mechanism a normally closed spring returned switch. The' saidv lug is likewise sof constructed and positioned thatwhen 2, the first named spring is in position, urging the contact closer intoA contact opening position the other spring of the two springs tending to move the actuator into contact closing position is likewise i-neifective thusl making of the mechanism a normally open spring returnedY switch.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of aswitch mechanism illustrating an embodiment of my inventionwith parts cut away to show the construction of the switch mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2&2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3 '3 of Fig. 2 and drawn to a greater scale, the parts being arranged for normally closed operation of the switch- Fig". 4- is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 3 and showing the switch in open position.

Fig. 5 is' a cross sectional' view taken on line 5--5v of Fig. 2 and showing the' parts arranged as in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the .parts as arrangedl in Fig. 4.

Fig. y'7v is' a cross sectional view similar to Fig. Band showing the parts arranged for single stroke make and break action and illustrating the switch in closed position.

Fig. 8' is a view' similar to Fig. 7 showing the 'arrangement of parts after'the switchA mechanism has' been depressed.

Fig. 9 is a view similar toFig. 8 showing the parts after the switch mechanism has' been releasedl and illustrating the switch in open position.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8- showing the switch mechanism as having been depressed from the position illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts arranged for normally open, spring returned action and showing the switch open.

Fig. 12 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 11 showing the switch closed.

Fig. 13 is afragmentary elevational sectional view taken on line |3 l3 of Fig. 1..

The inventionl disclosed in this application comprises a at case l0 having side walls Il and l2, a rear wall I3 and an sloping front' wall t4. The wall |-4 merges with a top I5V which is' also connected to the other walls. The case is open at the bottoni and is preferably constructed of cast iron or some other suitable metalv giving to the entire device' suiiic'ient weight. overlying the front wall Hln and top l5 is a sheet I6 of. friction material by means of which the case may be stepped on and the users foot prevented from slipping off the case. The case I is formed with a rabbet I1 which extends completely about the case.

The invention further comprises a base I8 which is constructed from sheet metal and which is attached to and overlies a sub base I9. Between the base I8 and sub base I9 is a sheet of rubber 2|. These various parts are secured together by means of rivets 22. The sub base I9 and the sheet of rubber 2l are received within the rabbet II and are attached to the case Il] by means of screws 23 which are counter sunk in the sub base I9 and are threaded into the wall structure of the case I0.

Mounted on the base i8 is a switch 24 which may be of any suitable construction and which is provided with two terminals 25 and 25. This switch has an operating button 21 extending outwardly through the case 28 thereof and which is adapted to close the contacts of the switch and complete the circuit through terminals 25 and 26 when the said button is forced inwardly into the switch. The button 21 and the contacts of the switch are spring returned so that the switch is normally open and may be closed by pressure on the button 21 and upon release of pressure returns to normally open position. inasmuch as switches of the type illustrated are well known in the art and since the particular construction of the switch forms no feature of the instant invention the switch has not been shown in detail and will not be described.

The invention utilizes an operating member 30, best shown in Fig. l.. This member is constructed from wire U-shaped in form having spaced arms 3I and 32 and an elongated cross member 34. Inwardly facing trunnions 35 are formed on the ends of the arms 3I and 32 which are rotatably received in bearings 36 extending upwardly from the base I3. These trunnions and bearings form guide means for guiding the cross member 34 for up and down movement. The operating member 33 is normally forced downwardly against the sheet of rubber 2I by means of a leaf spring 31. This leaf spring overlies the cross bar 34 and is disposed between the sheet of rubber 2l and the base IB and is held in place by means of the rivets 22. The operating member 39 is operated by means of a pad 33 of any suitable material such as rubber which is cemented to the sheet 2l or formed integral therewith as desired. The pad of rubber 3B projects through an opening 39 in the sub base I9 and extends appreciably below the lowermost surface of the said sub base. Another pad of rubber 4I is attached to the sub base I9 at the end thereof nearest the wall I3 of case I9. When the switch mechanism is placed upon the floor the same rests on the pads 4I and 38, the sub base I9 being elevated above the floor. When pressure is applied by the foot of the user to the sheet I of friction material the entire case Il] is depressed and the pad 38 forced inwardly into the compartment 42 formed within the case Ill. The sheet of rubber 2l by engagement with the cross bar 34 urges the said operating member 30 upwardly against the action of the spring 31 until it occupies a position such as shown in Fig. 4.

For operating the button 21 of switch 24 and closing the contacts of said switch a contact closer 43 is employed. This contact closer is U-shaped in form having spaced legs 44 and 45 with a connecting portion 46 therebetween. A

shaft 41 extends through the said legs 44 and 45 and through bearings 43 and 49 bent upwardly from the base I8 and forms therewith pivot means for said contact closer. The shaft 41 is disposed near the base I8 and appreciably below the button 21. Formed on the Contact closer 43 is an arm 5I which issues outwardly from the leg 45. This arm is of appreciable lateral extent and at the uppermost portion of the same is adapted to engage the button 21. When the contact closer 43 is moved in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 arm 5I forces the button 21 inwardly and closes switch 24. When the contact closer 43 is moved in the opposite direction the arm 5I leaves the button 21 and permits the spring within the switch 24 to open the contacts of said switch. Movement of the contact closer into contact closing position is terminated by the structure with which the button 21 reacts and serves as a stop. Movement of said contact closer into contact opening position is terminated by another stop formed by the base I8 which engages a corner 84 of the leg 44 of contact closer 43.

For the purpose of shifting the contact closer 43 to its various positions an actuator 52 is employed. This actuator is constructed from wire and has a shaft-like portion constructed in two sections 53 and 54. The shaft section 54 is journaled in a bearing formed in the leg 45 of contact closer 43 while the section 53 is similarly journaled in a bearing formed in the leg 44 of said contact closer. This construction provides pivot means for the actuator. The shaft section 54 is formed with an offset 55 which projects upwardly therefrom. The shaft section 53 is bent downwardly as designated at 55 and is formed at its lower end with a foot 51 adapted to engage the cross bar 34 of operating member 30. The foot 51 travels in a slot 58 in the leg 44 of contact closer 43 the portions of said leg at the ends of said slot serving as stops for limiting the movement of the actuator with reference to the said contact closer. The actuator 43 is normally held in an intermediate position by means of a hairpin spring 59 which has two reaches lor spring members 3! and 62. These reaches straddle the offset 55 and both operate to move the actuator toward an intermediate position.

Operating in conjunction with the contact closer 43 is a selector 53. This selector is constructed from sheet metal and is U-shaped in form having spaced parallel flanges G4 and 65 and a web 66 connected therewith. The shaft 41 extends through the flanges 64 and 65 and which serve as guide means for guiding the said selector for swinging movement about the axis of said shaft. A compression coil spring 61 encircles the shaflI 41 and is seated at one end against the bearing 43 and its other end against the flange 64 and urges the iiange 65 toward the leg 45 of the contact closer 43. Acting between the selector 63 and the contact closer 43 is a spring 53, as shown in Fig. 1. This spring has a loop 69 with two arms 1I and 12 extending outwardly therefrom. The arm 1I is hooked into the opening 13 formed in the leg 44 of contact closer 43 while the arm 12 passes through openings 14 in the flanges 64 and 55 of the selector G3. The openings 13 and 14 are so located that when the selector 63 is in the position shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 the spring G8 urges the contact closer 43 into contact closing position. When the selector 63 is in the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the said spring asesino urges. the. contact closer intol contact opening position regardless of the position of said closer. When, however.. the selector 6,3 is inthey position shown in. Figs. '7 tov l0 the: springk 68 may urge the contact closer intov either opening or closing position. depending upon ther original: position of said contact closer.

The selector G3 has a latch l5 formed on the web 65 thereof and which projects outwardly therefrom. This latchis adapted to cooperate with a positioning device indicated at 16. This device is formed by bending up afiange. Tl. from the base i8 and. which extends. parallel' to the shaft 41. The said flange has. inthe endlk off' the same three notches '18, 18 and 8i) and intov which the latch 'l5 may project, The spring` 61 is adapted to urge the selector 63 toward the positioning device to. cause latch 15 to engage any of these notches and when disposed in said notches serves as locking means for holding. the selector positioned` in one of the three positions noted' in Figs. 3, 7 and 11.

The ange 65 of the selector 63 has formed in. the same a groove 82 through which the reaches 6I and 62 of spring 59 project and in which. the said reaches may travel. In this groove is. formed a lug S3 which. is straddled by the said reaches. When the selector is in the position shown in Fig. 3 lug `83. engages the reach 52y and moves the same away from the offset portion 55 of actuatorv 52 and transfers control of said actuator. to the reach 5i of said spring. When the selector is in the position shown in Figs. 7 to` 9 the actuator may be operated by either spring. When the selector is in the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12. control of the. actuator is transferred to the reach 62 of thesame.

lVIy invention operates in thev following. mam ne; Assume that the selector 63 is arranged as shown in Figs; 3, 4, 5 and 6 and that the switch mechanism is in normal position as shown in Fig; 3. In this position latch 'l5 is in notch 80 of positioning device i6. 1t will be noted that the lug 83 of selector G3 has moved the reach |82 of spring 59 away from the actuator52. Reach 6l engages the offset 55 of said actuator and moves it toward thel lefthand end of slot 58 as viewed in Fig. 3. The flange 54 of the. selector 53 being lowermost spring t8l is so disposed that iti urges the contact, closer 43 in a counter clockr wise direction bringing the arm 5i. of saldi cont-act closer into engagement with the button 21 and closing the switch 24. The switch is now normally in closed position. If pressure is applied to the pad 33 by stepping. on the case Il), the said pad moves inwardly into the compartment 42 and raises the cross bar 3Q of the operating member 3c'. This causes the contact. closer 43 to move in a clockwise direction and to swing the arm 5i out of engagement with the button 2l through the spring in switch 24. The Switch 24. now opens. The various positions of the arm 5I with reference to button 21 are best' shown in Figs. 5 and 5. Inasmuch as the opening L3 in the position shown in Fig. 4 is still` above the line connecting the opening 'ifi and the axis of the shaft Il?, the said spring still tends to urge the Contact closer for movement inA :a counter clockwise direction. Upon release of pressure on the case iii the parts through the `action of the spring 68 return to normal position.

When the selector S3 is moved to the position shown in Figs. ll and l2 with latch l5 disposed in slot Sf of the positioningA device '15, the l'ug 83 engages the reachA 6l of. spring 59- and: shifts '6 the same out of. engagement with the offset 55 of actuator 52. The openingr 13; in leg 4:4'of. con.- tact closer t3 is now below a line. connecting the opening Mi inthe flange' (illA of selector 6 3 and the axisA of. `shaft 4l'. This urges the contact closer 43 for movement in a clockwise direction, the said movement being limited when the corner 34 of the leg il of said contact closer engages the base is. Reach 6:5 of spring 59 being now ineifective the reach t2 forces the actuator 525 for movement in a counter clockwise direc tion bringing the foot 5l' of said actuator toward the righthand end of the slot 58. The switch 24 is thus; maintained` in normally open position. When the case lev is again stepped on pad 38 is forcedv inwardlyy and the actuator 52 moves the contact closer d3 in a counter clockwise direction. Thisv closes the. switchv 2d. Upon release of pressure on the case Iii' the parts are returned to normal position bymeans of spring 6B and the spring in the switch 24 opens the contacts of theswitch.

Whenv the selector 63 is moved to its intermediate position by directing the latch 'l5 into notch i9 the. parts become arranged as shown in. Fig. '7. Lug 83 in this case shifts the reach t2 of spring 59 out of engagement with the 01T- set of actuator 52. The. opening 1.3 in leg 44' of con-'tact closer #i3 is slightly above a line connecting the opening le of flange 64 and the a-xis cfshaft fil. The spring |66 hence urges the contact closer 43 for movement in counter clockwise direc-tion and closes switch 24'. When the case it. is stepped on pad 38 is moved inwardly into` the compartment t2 and theA cross bar 34 of thev operating member 30 is raised. This cross bar engaging the foot 57 of actuator 52 swings the contact closer `t3 in a clockwise direction. Opening 'i3' is now disposed at alocality below the said line and thev spring @8 urges the contact closer for clockwise movementand maintains it in lthe position shown in Fig. 8. At the same time the.4 reach S2 of spring 59 has been. forced to the right as shown in. Fig.. 8-. Upon removal of pressure on the case. lit the reach 62 of spring 59 moves the actuator 52 with reference to the contact closer 13 sovthat the footv. of said contact closer reaches the righthand end of the slot 5B asL shown in Fig. 9. A second depression of the; case l'y swings the contact closer '43: to the left and shifts the parts to the position shown in Fig. l0. This closes switch 2li and spring 68 maintains the switch in closing position. Upon release` of pressure on the case l actuator 52 isforced by means of the reach 6IVv back into-the position shown in Fig. '7. It will'` thus be seen that` with the parts disposed as illustrated in Figs. 'l to l-O that single stroke, namely pressure on the case il), will cause the switch to be alternately'opened and closed.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. My improved switch construction can be readily adjusted to-procure a normally opened spring returned switch, a single stroke makeand break switch, or a normally closed spring returned switch. The invention can be constructed at an economical expense. Mv switch mechanism is particularly adapted: to be used for foot operation. With my switch mechanism the entire switch may be.I enclosed thereby preventing dirt and foreign: material from entering theV same. In my switch mechanism fire hazard is reduced to a;Y minimum. and. no possibility of shock exists.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, asherein described;v may bemade with-in the'scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a switch mechanism, a support, an operating member, guide means acting between said support and operating member for guiding said operating member for movement in a certain direction, a rocking contact closer, pivot means acting between said support and contact closer and guiding said contact closer for rocking movement about an axis transverse to the direction of movement or" said operating member, said axis lying in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of said operating member, stops between said contact closer and support and limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, an actuator for said contact closer carried thereby, pivot means for said actuator guiding said actuator for swinging movement about an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot means for the contact closer and disposed on one side of said axis, the axis of said actuator being movable from one side to the other of said plane upon movement of the contact closer from contact opening to contact closing position. an engaging member on said actuator engageable with said operating member and adapted to be moved to either side of said plane upon swinging of said actuator, stops between said contact closer and actuator and limiting movement of said actuator to positions in which said engaging member engages the operating member on either side of said plane, said operating member when both said engaging member and the axis of said actuator are on one side of said plane urging rocking movement of the contact closer in a direction to shift said axis to the other side of said plane, resilient means for urging said engaging m-ember to the same side of said plane as the axis of the pivot means for said actuator comes to rest in and resilient means for urging said contact closer to one or the other of its positions.

2. A switch structure as recited in claim 1 in which the last named resilient means is shiftable to cause said contact closer to recurringly return to either contact closing or contact opening position.

3. A switch structure as recited in claim 1 in which the last named resilient means is mounted for over center action to alternately urge said contact closer into opposite positions.

4. A switch structure as recited in claim 1 in which a spring mounting is employed together with pivot means therefor having its axis coaxial with respect to the axis of the pivot means for the contact closer and pivotally supporting the last named resilient means for engagement with the contact closer at a locality shiftable into alignment with the axis of the pivot means for the contact closer and for the resilient means with respect to said mounting or to either side of its position of alignment.

5. In a switch mechanism, a base, an operating lever pivoted to said base and having vertical movement, a rocking contact closer, a shaft for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement relative to said base, the axis of said shaft being substantially horizontal, stops between said contact closer and base limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, an actuator for said contact closer comprising a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the contact closer, the axis of said shaft being parallel to the axis of said first named shaft 8 and disposed above said first named shaft, said second named shaft being positioned to be moved from one side to the other of a vertical plane passing through the axis of said first named shaft, an engaging arm on said actuator disposed below said first named shaft and adapted to be engaged by said lever, resilient means acting between said actuator and contact closer and controlling the relative position of said actuator with respect to said contact closer, and other resilient means acting between said contact closer and a part carried by said base and controlling the disposition of said contact closer with reference to said plane.

6. In a switch mechanism, a base, an operating lever pivoted to said base and having vertical movement, a rocking contact closer, a shaft for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement relative to said base, the axis of said shaft being substantially horizontal, stops between said contact closer and base limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, an actuator for said contact closer comprising a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the contact closer, the axis of said shaft being parallel to the axis of asid first named shaft and disposed above said first named shaft, said second named shaft being positioned to be moved from one side to the other of a vertical plane passing through the axis of said iirst named shaft, an engaging arm on said actuator disposed beiow said first named shaft and adapted to be engaged by said lever, resilient means acting between said actuator and contact closer and controlling the relative position of said actuator with respect to said Contact closer, and other resilient means acting between said contact closer and a part carried by said base and controlling the disposition of said contact closer with reference to said plane and a shiftable support for said last named resilient means shiftable to cause said resilient means to urge said contact closer into either contact closing or contact opening position.

7. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer movable from contact closing to contact opening position, a spring for urging movement of said contact closer, and a selector for shifting said spring to urge movement of said contact closer into one or the other of said positions.

8. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, pivot means therefor, Stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting, a spring carried thereby and engaging said contact closer outwardly of the axis thereof, guide means for guiding the portion of said mounting engaged by the spring in a circumferential direction and positioning means for holding said spring mounting in a central position in which force is exerted on said contact closer by the spring in a radial direction when the contact closer is in an intermediate position, and for holding said spring mounting in extreme positions in which the contact closer is urged into either contact closing or opening positions regardless of the position of said contact closer.

9. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, pivot means therefor, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting, a spring carried thereby and engaging said contact closer outwardly of the axis thereof, pivot means for said mounting having its axis coaxial with respect to the axis of said contact closer and positioning means for holding said spring 9 mounting in a centr-al position "in which force lis exerted on said contact Vcloser by the spring in a radial direction when the vcontact closer is in an inter-mediate position, and for holding 'said spring mounting in extreme positions iin which the contact closer fis urged into either contact closing or opening positions regardless of the position of said contact closer.

10. In a switch mechanism, a support, -a rocking contact closer, a shaft carried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement, stop means for limiting movement of 'sa-id contact closer -to -contact closing and opening positions, a springV mounting pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft, a lspring acting between 'said mounting and Contact closer `and exerting pressure on said contact closer in a direction toward said shaft, Ydisengageable positioning means acting between said mounting Aand support and 'disengageable upon axial movement of said mounting, said positioning means being Aadapted to hold said mounting in a position in which the spring exerts pressure 'in a dead center direction with reference `to said shaft when said contact closer is in an 'intermediate position or in a lposition in which the spring urges the contact closer toward contact closing position regardless of the position of said contact closer or in a position in which the spring urges the Contact closer toward Contact opening position regardless of the position of the 'contact closer.

11. In a switch mechanism, a. support, a rocking contact closer, a shaft carried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting p-ivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft, a spring acting between said mounting and contact closer and exerting pressure on said contact closer in a direction toward said shaft, a latch on said mounting, a positioning member on said support ,and having notches therein open for the endivise reception of said latch, said notches being spaced circumferentially and resilient means for urging said latch into said notches.

12. In a switch mechanism, a support, a rocking contact closer, a shaft carried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft, a spring acting between said mounting and contact closer and exerting pressure on said Contact closer in a direction toward said shaft, a latch on said mounting, a flange on said support and extending parallel to the axis thereof, said flange having an end disposed in a diametral plane and formed with notches for the endwise reception of said latch, said notches being spaced circumferentially and locking means for holding said latch Within any of said notches.

13. In a switch mechanism, a support, a rocking contact closer, a shaft carried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft, a spring acting between said mounting and contact closer and exerting pressure on said contact closer in a direction toward said shaft, a latch on said mounting, a flange on said support and extending parallel to the axis thereof, said flange having an end disposed fin a diametralplane and formed with notches for the endwise reception of said latch, lsaid notches `being Yspaced circumferentially and fa compression coil spring on said shaft and engaging said support and said mounting .and urgling said latch into said notches.

14. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, movable from contact closing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contact closer, guide means for guiding said actuator for movement in opposite directions, said actuator when moved in one direction moving saidcontact closer into contact closing position and when moved in the opposite direction moving said contact closer into contact opening position, resilient means for biasing saidactuator for movement in either direction `from an intermediate position, and a selector for varying the bias of said resilient means to cause movement of said actuator in either direction.

15. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer,

I `movable from contact closing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contact closer, guide means for guiding said actuator for movement Yin vopposite directions, said actuator when moved in one direction moving said contact closer into lcon-tact closing position and when moved in Vthe `apposite direction moving said contact closer into contact opening position, two opposed spring members acting on said actuator and moving said actuator to an intermediate position, and a selector for rendering either of said springs ineffective to transfer control of said actuator to the other spring.

16. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, movable from contact closing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contact closer, guide `means for guiding said actuator for movement ineffective to transfer control of said actuatorv to the other spring.

17. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, movable from contact closing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contact closer, guide means for guiding said actuator for movement in opposite directions, said actuator when moved in one direction moving said contact closer into` contact closing position and when moved in theopposite direction moving said contact closer into contact opening position, two spaced elongated spring members acting on said actuator on opposite sides thereof and flexed to move said actuator toward an intermediate position, and a selector having a lug disposed between said springs, guide means for guiding the lug on said selector for movement in the direction of movement of said springs whereby either of said springs may be further exed to render said spring ineffective and transfer control of the actuator to the other spring.

18. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer movable from contact closing to contact opening position, a spring for urging movement of said contact closer, a selector for shifting said spring to urge movement of said contact closer into one or the other of said positions, an actuator for said contact closer guide means for guiding said actuator for movement in opposite directions said actuator when moved in one direction moving said contact closer into contact closing position and when moved in the opposite direction moving said contact closer into contact opening position, two opposed spring members acting on said actuator and moving said actuator to an intermediate position and means on said selector for rendering either of said last named springs ineffective upon the shiftingof the rst named spring.

19. In a switch mechanism, a support, a rocking contact closer, a shaft carried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rocking movement, said contact closer being movable from a contact closing position to a contact opening position, an actuator movable relative to said contact closer and adapted to occupy two positions, said actuator upon actuation when in one position moving said contact closer into contact closing position and when in its other position upon actuation moving said contact closer into contact opening position, a selector mounted for swinging on said shaft and including a spring mounting, a spring acting between said mounting and contact closer and exerting pressure in a direction toward said shaft, said selector being movable to either of two extreme positions and when in one of said positions positioning said spring to urge movement of the contact closer into contact closing position and when in its other position positioning said spring to urge movement of said CTI contact closer into contact opening position, two opposed spring members acting on said actuator and moving said actuator to an intermediate position and means on said selector engageable with said last named springs and operable upon movement of said actuator to either of its positions to render one or the other of said last named springs ineffective.

20. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, guide means for guiding said contact closer for movement to contact closing or contact opening position, a selector, guide means for guiding said selector for movement in a predetermined direction and for movement from one extreme position to another, a spring acting between said contact closer and selector and when the selector is in one extreme position urging said contact closer into contact closing position and when in its other extreme position urging said contact closer into contact opening position and locking means for holding said selector in either of said positions.

HOWARD W. ECKER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,289,108 Eaton July 7, 1942 2,468,673 Kaminky Apr. 26, 1949

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