US2660629A - Electrical switch - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1953 J. J. LUCAS ELECTRICAL swrrcn Filed Oct. 22, 1952 F/ci4 OUTPUT V; m m Z w WW W J w m 0 T U w U 0 Patented Nov. 24, 1953 ELECTRICAL swrron Joseph J. Lucas, Dayton, Ohio, assignor of onehalf to John A. Kappeler, Dayton, Ohio Application October 22, 1952, Serial No. 316,185

10 Claims. (01. 200-18) This invention relates to electrical switches, and more particularly to a switch unit embodying a pair of identical switch mechanisms individually actuated by a common actuator.

The switch herein disclosed is particularly adapted for selectively interconnecting separate input conductors to a common output conductor, and simultaneously therewith interconnecting one of said input conductors to a second output conductor when the switch is in one position of selective adjustment. Such switch has general application and utility, one .of such uses being by way of example, to control turn indicator apparatus in automobiles, wherein it serves to connect a single light bulb filament alternately in a stop light circuit and in a flasher circuit.

The object of the .invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of electrical switches, whereby such switches may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more eificient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch unit of the kind described in a compact structure containing a pair of switching devices, as for example, one for right hand turn signals and the other for left hand turn signals, adapted for foot operation if desired.

Another object of the invention is to present rocker means for selectively actuating a pair of identical switching devices, having a common connection to such devices, wherein the motion of the rocker arm to actuate one device is absorbed without effect in the other device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch unit of the class described, of general application and utility.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features f construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawing, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is'found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective, partly broken away, of a switch unit in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the switch with the case broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the switch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the movable contact carrier;

Fig. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Similar characters of reference are used throughout the several views to indicate like parts.

Referring to the drawings, a switch unit in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention, comprises .a body it! made of an electrically non-conductive material, forexample, a molded plastic. The body It is formed with a pair of upstanding end walls I i (one shown), and a central wall l2 spaced from the end walls II. The central wall I 2 is formed with a pair of upstanding ears i 3 to which a plate I4 is pivotally connected by means of projecting side fingers [5. The plate 14 corresponds substantially to the lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the body It and is disposed in aligned overlying relation to the body It as well as in vertically spaced relation thereto.

Before installing the plate l4, there is placed over the body It a casing or cover l6 which is slotted to permit the ears I3 to project therethrough, the plate {4 being also in vertically spaced relation to the top of the cover or case I 6.

In an opening 20, in each Wall ll of the body It, is a switching device I1. Sincethe devices l1 are identical, only one is here disclosed in detail. It will be understood, however, that there is a device ll at either end of .thebody l i], in opposing relation to one anotherand individually operable by a rocker arm [8, which arm is connected to and made an integral part of the plate [4 by means of vertical studs 19. The rocker arm 18 is in underlying relation to the plate I4 and is enclosed within the case I6. At about its mid point the arm I8 is elevated in such manner that it can be rockedaboutthe central wall 12 without interference therewith. The opposite ends of the arm [8 extend toward the respective switching devices l'l. Near each end a stud I9 is made fast to the arm l8 and extends upward through the case I5 into abutment with the plate 14, the plate being fastened to the-respective stud by screws'fl l.

The constructionand arrangementof parts is such that pressure applied to the plate M on either side of the centralpivot represented .by lateralprojectionsl 5results in the assembly. comprising plate l4, studs |9, and arm 18 rocking about the center wall l2, raising one end of the rocker arm I8 and depressing the other end of such arm.

Referring now more particularly to the switching device l1, it comprises a movable contact carrier comprising a pair of electrically non-conductive fiber elements 23 and 24 fastened as by screws or rivets to the upper and lower sides of the adjacent end of the rocker arm I8. To the underside of the carrier, as represented by the element 24, is fastened a conductor bridge or plate 26 having projecting spaced apart spring fingers 21 and 28 which are in overlying relation to electrically conductive posts 29 and 3| set in the bottom of the opening 20.

The top side of the carrier, as represented by the fiber element 23, has fastened thereto an electrically conductive element or contact 32. In opposing complementary relation to the contact element 32 is another contact element 33. The latter is formed on the lower end of a plunger 34 having a sliding mounting in a bore opening through the upper surface of the wall I At the upper end of the plunger 34 is a connection head 36 received in a counterbore 31. A compression spring 38 surrounds the plunger 34 and urges the contact element 33 downward or toward the contact element 32, motion of the plunger 34 and element 33 in this direction being limited by engagement of the connection head 36 with the bottom of counterbore 31.

In the bottom of the opening 20, in the wall i, is a stud 39 and in opposing relation to the stud 39, on the underside of the carrier element 24 is another stud 4|. The opposing studs 33 and 4| provide a mounting for a compression spring 4?. which urges the contact carrier and its associated parts upward and tends to move the rocker arm assembly in a generally clockwise direction as seen in the drawings. It will be understood, however, that since there is a pair of the springs 42, one at each end of the rocker arm It and working in opposed relation to one another, the net result is to tend to hold the rocker arm centralized in what may be considered a normal position. Thus, in this position of the parts, the spring fingers 21 and 28 are disengaged from the posts 29 and 3| while the contact elements 32 and 33 are engaged with one another. If, however, a rocking pressure is applied to one end or the other of the plate M the arm IE will rock about the wall l2, one end of the arm being raised and the other end being lowered. The switching device at that end of the arm which is lowered in efiect assumes an alternate position of adjustment. Thus, the contact carrier moves downward against the yielding resistance of the associated spring 42 and engages the spring fingers 21 and 28 with the contact posts 29 and 3| while disengaging the contact element 32 from the contact element 33.

As noted, the element 32 is prevented from following the motion of the carrier element by reason of the limiting of the connection head in the bottom of the counterbore 31. In the other switching device, wherein the described motion of the rocking arm I8 has resulted in raising the contact carrier, the actuating motion is absorbed in the springs 38 which allows the plunger 34 to rise in the bore 31 without disturbing the engagment between the contacts 32 and 33. Thus, an electrical connection may be maintained through the contacts 32 and 33 in one switching device 4 while the similar connection in the other device is being disabled.

In the electrical connection of the various parts, and as may be seen also in the wiring diagram of Fig. 5, a pair of separate input conductors 43 and 44 are connected respectively to the contact element 32 and to the post 29. Separate output conductors 45 and 46 are connected respectively to the post 3| and the plate 26. The plate 26 may be termed a bridging element since it serves to electrically connect the posts 29 and 3| when the contact carrier is in a lowered position of adjustment. Further, the contact element 33 is continuously connected to the post 3| and conductor 45 by means of a jumper wire 41. Tracing the circuit, there is normally no flow through the conductor 44 since in the normal position of the parts the post 29 to which conductor 44 is connected is disengaged with respect to its cooperating spring finger 21. Thus, the electrical current flow normally occurs by way of the conductor 43 to the contact element 32 and thus through the contact element 33 and plunger 34 to the jumper wire 41 to post 3| and from there to the output side of the circuit by way of the conductor 45. The circuit also is opened to the other output conductor 46 at this time since the bridging contact 26 is suspended out of engagement with either post 29 or 3|.

Upon an operation of the rocker arm assembly to lower a selected one of the contact carriers the electrical current fiow is modified in the following manner. Thus with the spring fingers 21 and 23 engaged with the posts 29 and 3|, and

- with the contact element 32 separated from the contact element 33, the efiective input circuit is shifted from the conductor 43 to the conductor 44. Accordingly, the current flow now is to the post 29, and by way of spring finger 21, bridging element 26, spring finger 28, and post 3| to the output conductor 45. Also, since the bridging element 26 now is energized, there is at the same time a parallel fiow to output conductor 46.

It will be understood that the input electrical conductors are or may be common to the pair of switching devices l1. Thus, while the fiow of current to the output conductors by way of the input conductor 43 is discontinued in one device i1 it will be maintained in the other device.

The switch unit remains actuated so long as a holding pressure applied to the plate |4. When such pressure is released the plate |4, rocker arm i8 and cooperating parts in the re spective switch devices |1 tend to resume their normal position under the urging of the springs 42.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An electrical switching device, including separate input conductors and separate output conductors, a pair of contacts, one of which is connected to one of said input conductors and the other of which is connected to one of said output conductors, a bridging contact arranged to engage and interconnect said pair of contacts, said bridging contact being connected to another of said output conductors, another pair of contacts, one of which is connected to the other one of said input conductors and the other one of which is connected to the said other one of the first recited pair of contacts, and means movable to a first position to engage the second recited pair of contacts with one another and to disengage said bridging contact from the first recited pair of contacts an movable to a second position to effect the reverse of such relationship.

2. An electrical switching device, including separate input conductors and separate output conductors, a pair of contacts, one of which is connected to one of said input conductors and the other of which is connected to one of said output conductors, a bridging contact arranged to engage and interconnect said pair of contacts, said bridging contact being connected to another of said output conductors, another pair of contacts, one of which is connected to the other one of said input conductors and the other one of which is connected to the said other one of the first recited pair of contacts, and a movable carrier supporting said bridging contact and one of the second recited pair of contacts, operable alternately to engage said second recited pair of contacts with one another while disengaging said bridging contact from the first recited pair of contacts and to disengage the second recited pair of contacts from one another while engaging said bridging contact with the first recited pair of contacts, said carrier being insulated from the contacts supported thereon.

3. An electrical switching device, including separate input conductors and separate output conductors, a pair of contacts one of which is connected to one of said input conductors and the other of which is connected to one of said output conductors, said pair of contacts being in side by side non-contacting relation, a bridging contact arranged to interconnect said pair of contacts and connected to another one of said. output conductors, a carrier for said bridging contact insulated therefrom and arranged for to and fro motion alternately to engage and disengage said bridging contact with respect to said pair of contacts, and another pair of contacts opened by motion of said carrier to engage said bridging contact with the first recited pair of contacts and closed by motion of said carrier to disengage said bridging contact from said first recited pair of contacts, one of the second recited pair of contacts being connected to the other one of said input conductors and the other one being connected to the said other one of the first recited pair of contacts.

4. A switching device according to claim 3, characterized by spring means urging said carrier in a direction normally to maintain said bridging contact disengaged from said first re cited pair of contacts and to close said second recited pair of contacts.

5. An electrical switch unit comprising a body, a switching device on said body, including a pair of contact posts installed in said body in side by side non-contacting relation, a bridging element in opposing relation to said posts and mov able to engage said posts effecting an electrical interconnection thereof, a movable carrier for said bridging element insulated therefrom, a pair or contacts in opposing relation and opened and closed in response to motion of said carrier, one of said pair of contacts being electrically connected to one of said contact posts, a pair of separate input conductors, one connected to the other one of said contact posts and the other connected to the other one of said pair of contacts, and separate output conductors, one connected to said one contact post and the other connected to said bridging element, said carrier being adjustable alternately to close said pair of contacts while disengaging said bridging element from said contact posts and to open said pair of contacts while engaging said bridging element with said contact posts, and spring means ltirging said carrier to one of said alternate posiions.

6. An electrical switch unit according to claim 5, characterized by a manipulation rocker arm pivotally mounted on said body and supporting said carrier.

7. An electrical switch unit according to claim 6, characterized by a second switching device on said body identical to the first and in opposing relation thereto, said rocker arm being pivotally mounted on said body intermediate its ends and supporting on its ends the respective carriers of said switching devices.

8. An electrical switch unit, including a body, a rocker arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said body, spring means tending to hold said arm centralized from which normal position it may be rocked by applied pressure to either end thereof, a switching device mounted on said body adjacent to each end of said rocker arm, each of said devices including an insulated contact carrier mounted on the respective end of said arm, contact means on opposite sides of each of said carriers, mating contact means supported by the body, the contact means on one side of said carrier in both said switching devices being engaged with its mating contact means in the normal position of said rocker arm and the other said contact means being disengaged, and a resilient mounting for one of said normally engaged contact means in each of said switching devices whereby to absorb without effect in one switching device a rocking motion of said arm initiated to disengage the normally engaged contact means of the other switching device.

9. An electrical switch unit including a body, a pair of identical switching devices mounted on said body in opposing spaced apart relation, each said devices including opposing contact elements and an intermediate contact carrier shiftable between said contact elements alternately to close a circuit therethrough, a rocker arm pivotally mounted on said body intermediate its ends and supporting said contact carriers on its respective ends, spring means centering said arm in a normal position in which corresponding contact elements are engaged by said contact carriers, and a resilient mounting for each of said corresponding contact elements absorbing motion of one end of said rocker arm when the other end thereof is moved in a direction to shift the respective carrier out of engagement with its respective one of said corresponding contact elements.

10. An electrical switch unit, including a body, a pair of identical switching devices mounted on said body in opposing spaced apart relation, 9,

devices permitting an overtravel of either one of said switch elements toward and beyond normal position when said rocker arm is actuated to move the other switch element away from normal 5 position.

JOSEPH J. LUCAS.

No references cited.

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