US2668200A

US2668200A - Rotary multiple selector switch

Info

Publication number: US2668200A
Application number: US263121A
Authority: US
Inventors: Grady O Glaze
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1951-12-24
Filing date: 1951-12-24
Publication date: 1954-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-02

Description

Feb. 2, 1954 G. o. GLAzE ROTARY MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. 24, 1951 Saa/? O- SKG/zw,

Feb. 2, 1954 G. o. GLAZE ROTARY MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH 3 sheets-snaai 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1951 f INVENTOR SWA; o, fa/w,

Feb. 2, 1954 G, o, GLAZE 2,668,200

ROTARY MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH Filed Deo. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ege am Y

HVVEBHDR 3400?/ O, Sfclw.

l E- u E BY ATORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY MULTIPLE SELECTOR SWITCH Grady 0. Glaze, Washington, D. C.

Application December 24, 1951, Serial N o. 263,121

Claims.

My invention relates broadly to electric circuit controllers and more particularly to an improved construction or" rotary multiple selector switch.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction of rotary selector switch for controlling a multiplicity of electrical circuits within a minimum physical installation space.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of electrical switch which may be of relatively small physical dimensions for accommodating and controlling a relatively large number of switching circuits utilizing composite translatory and rotative movement for eilecting the selection and completion of electrical circuits.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of rotary multiple selector switch utilizing an actuator which is capable of 'both translatory and rotary movement for effecting, in anyone of a multiplicity of angular positions to which the actuator is adjusted, the displacement of a multiplicity of contactors upon transitory movement of the actuator.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of rotary multiple selector switch employing a multiplicity of spring pile-up assemblies located in angularly spaced radial positions around a slidable `and rotatable actuator, the actuator includingmeans rotatably adjustable to an aligned position with anyone of the spring pile-up assemblies and wherein the said means is radially projectable for displacing the spring contacts of the selected spring pile-up assembly and controlling the electrical circuits which are connected therewith.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a construction of rotary multiple selector switch which may be assembled in co-acting units and the units simultaneously controlled both as to selection and operation by composite, transitory and angular motion.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an arrangement of indicator mechanism coordinated with the control shaft of a rotary multiple selector switch., whereby any one of a number of spring pile-up assemblies may be individually selected and operated by composite rotary and transitory movement of the control shaft.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the arrangement of spring pile-up assemblies adjacent and angularly shiftable and linearly slidable control shaft for eiecting a displacement of the spring contacts of a selected spring pile-up assembly, as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken through a fragmentary portion of the rotary multiple selector switch of my invention, showing the actuator of the switch in a position for rotation to anyone of a multiplicity of radial positions with respect to radially disposed sets of spring pile-up assemblies; Fig. 2 shows the position of the actuator of Fig. 1 displaced lineally to a position in which the contact springs of a selected spring pile-up assembly are displaced to a circuit controlling position from the normal position thereof and the actuator latched in the selected position; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the actuator employed in the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and Fig. 2; Fig. Ll is a detailed fragmentary View on an enlarged scale showing the arrangement of radially disposed selector arm and the detent associated therewith; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. l; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 1; Fig. '7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3 8 of Fig. l and showing more particularly the arrangement of the locking plate in the switch assembly of my invention; Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 9 9 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the arrangement of latching mechanism for the switch assembly of my invention; Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on line lil-lll of Fig. 1 and showing more particularly in elevation the arrangement ci indicator dial associated With the indicator mechanism in the switch of my invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the manner of assembling multiple units or stages in the rotary multiple selector switch of my invention; and Fig. 12 schematically illustrates the type of electrical circuit that the rotary multiple selector switch of my invention is capable of controlling.

My invention is directed to a compact construction of rotary multiple selector switch capable of eflicient operation for audio and control circuit switching, utilizing conventional multiple leaf spring pile-up assemblies arranged in compact relationship in radial positions around a lineally slidable and rotatably adjustable actuator shaft. The actuator shaft in the construction oi my invention is lineally displaceable for freeing the shaft so thai-l it is capable of angular adjustment to aposition aligned with a selected one of a multiplicity of spring pile-up assemblies and, when thus aligned, is capable of linear movement for radially projecting a member aligned with the selected spring pile-up assembly for displacing the leaf springs and the contacts associated there-- with for moving the contacts to an operated position. The switch of my invention is associated with indicator mechanism for indicating from the front of a control panel the different selected positions of the actuator for indicating the position of a member carried by the actuator, when such member is aligned with a selected spring pile-up assembly. W hen thus aligned, the actuator may be moved lineally for projecting the associated member radially and displacing the spring pile-up assembly which is aligned therewith to an operating position. A relatively large num-- ber of electrical circuits may be controlled through the radially aligned spring pile-up assemblies within a relatively small physical installation space. Operation of the contactors in the selected spring pile-up assembly is positive and reliable. A multiplicity of the switching units constructed in accordance with my invention may be cascaded or arranged in multiple stages for increasing the number of electrical circuits which may be controlled by the switching system of my invention,

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character i designates the main shaft of the actuator of nay invention having actuating knob 2 on the end thereof which projects through panel 3 of the switching equipment. The panel 3 supports a subpanel which spaced rearwardly therefrom by means of pedestals The subpanel Il provides a mounting means for the sleeve 6, which extends through a central aperture in the panel d and is screw threaded to receive the securing nuts i. The subpanel Il also serves as a support for the pivotly mounted detent arm i3 which is pivoted in one end on the pintle 9 which projects rearwardly from the subpanel Il. The pintle 9 serves to pivotly mount the detent arm 8 with respect to subpanel li, while the free end of detent arm is formed substantially in U-shaped section Sd and serves to pivotly mount the roller i@ on an axis substantially normal to the plane of the subpanel 3. The detent arm 8 is provided with a centrally disposed spring attachment connection li to which one end of coil spring i2 connects. The other end of coil spring i2 connects to an adjustable screwthreaded member lli, supported by angle member l5, mounted on subpanel d. Thus, the detent arm 3 is biased in the direction of the detent wheel l5, which is secured to the longitudinally extending tubular member il. To facilitate as sembly, shaft i is constructed in two parts, which I have shown in section at la and Eli. The sections are coupled by co-acting ends which are milled diametrically to provide offset interengaging faces through which the securing screw it passes. The head of securing screw I8 is countersunlr in shaft section ic so that the shaft sections Ec and ib are free to slide longitudinally through tubular member il. rThe longitudinally extending tubular member il is keyed to turn with the shaft i by reason of the arrangement of longitudinally, diametrically disposed slot i9 therein which receives the flat hey which projects beyond the tubular member il' and through the longitudinally extending slot lla therein. The cam member 253 is secured in the slot lil of the shaft section ib by means of rivets shown more clearly at 2| in Fig. 6. The cam 2U is formed in a composite curve having a highpoint 20a and a low point 2Gb arranged to co-act with a roller member 22 disposed in tubular sleeve 2d which is supported from the tubular member l1 by strap portion 23a, whereby tubular sleeve 23 projects radially from the tubular member il. Tubular sleeve 23 serves as a housing in which plunger member 2li is slidable. The plunger member 2li provides mounting means for roller member 22 on the inner end thereof and is provided with a button 25 of insulation material on the outer end thereof. The plunger member 2li is biased inwardly for mounting roller member 22 in rolling and sliding contact with the high point Elia and low point 2Gb of cam member El by means of symmetrically arranged coil springs 26, shown more clearly in Figs. l and 7. Coil springs 25 connect at their inner ends with positions on the outer wall of tubular sleeve 23 and at their outer ends to the diametrically projecting pintles Ma `carried by plunger member 2c, as shown more particularly in Fig. '7. The tubular sleeve 23 is slotted at the opposite sides thereof, as represented at 2317 through which the pintles 24a of plunger member 2d extend and are free to slide as roller member 22 moves with respect to high point 20c and low point 2gb of cam 2d.

The coil springs 2t bias plunger member 24 into a retracted position, represented in Fig. l, subject to ejection into the projected position shown in Fig. 2 as the actuating knob 2 is moving inwardly.

The cam member 20 is also provided with a lineally extending tongue 20c on the end thereof, opposite the high and low cam faces Zlla and 20h. The tongue 20c is adapted to be moved lineally with the displacement of shaft l and oriented by rotation of shaft I to a position in which tongue 2do can be aligned with and projected through a selected locking aperture in plate 21. Plate 2l', which is shown more clearly in Fig. 8, is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures which I have designated 27a, 2lb, 2'l'c, 21d, etc., disposed in angular positions aligned with the spring pile-up assemblies designated at 28a, 2817, 28C, 28d, etc. The spring pile-up assemblies are supported on the exterior surface of the cylindrical member 29 which is supported by means of the pedestal members 3) which extend normally with respect to the plane of the end plate 3l of the switch assembly. The pedestal members 3l] are attached to the end plate 3i by screws 32 and the cylinder 29 connects with pedestal members 35i by means of screws 33. The locking plate 2l is supported interiorly of cylinder 29 by means of screws 34 which enter the ends of pedestal members Si). The end plate 3! carries a sleeve bearing 35 therein, which is secured to end plate 3l by means of fastening nut 36 which engages screw threads on the exterior of sleeve bearing The end of the tubular member H extends into sleeve bearing 35 and is rotatable either clockwise or counterclockwise therein as actuator knob 2 is revolved.

In addition to the tubular sleeve 23, which is attached in a radially extending position on tubular member i 1, I provide a detent cylinder 3l' supported in a radially projecting position on tubular member Il by means of straps 31a. The detent cylinder 3l' houses a ball detent 38 which is urged by spring 39 radially inwardly toward cam member 263. The screw plug 3lb engages the end of detent cylinder 31 and serves as an adjustable abutment for the end of spring 39 for variably and yieldably urging ball detent 38 toward the cam member 20.

The cam member 20, in addition to the high point 20d, the low point 20h, and the tongue 20c thereof, also includes a pair of' spaced recesses 20d' and 20e which are disposed intermediate the cam faced end of the cam member and the tongue end of the cam member. These two recess'es` Zlld and 29e serve to alternately receive theball detent 38 in the alternate positions shown in Figs. l and 2'. For the normalv position of shaft 1, wherein plungerv member 2t within tubular sleeve 23/ is free to be oriented prior to the selection of anyone of the spring pile-up assemblies 28a, 26h, 28o, andI 28d respectively, the balldetentoccupiesA recess 20d, asA shown i-n Fig. 1, whereas upon movement of actuator knob 2 inwardly as represented in Fig. 2, roller member 22 is moved outwardly by displacement of the lowv point 2de of cam member 2c rearwardly until high point 2da o'i cam member 20 moves adjacent roller member 22, thus ejecting plunger member 24 radially outwardly, as represented in Fig. 2. At the same time as the outward projection of' plunger member 24 is accomplished, tongue 2te is locked by the prejection thereof through one of the locking apertures 21a, 2lb, 2lc', 21d, etc. in locking plate 2l.

rlhe angular positions for the angularly shiftable plunger member 2d may be determined from the front of panel 3 by the cri-acting indicia mechanism shown more clearly in Figs. l and 2, as including the hub member lil adjustably iiXed on tubular member l 'l and adapted to turn therewith. The hub 4cis provided with a suitable flange lilla to which there is secured by means of screws 4l the masking disc 42'. The masking disc 42 is apertured at 43a, 431:, 43e, dtd, etc. A translucent light diusing annular plate :i4 is secured by means of screws 45 to the masking disc 42 for dilusing light emanating from lamp lli supported in socket 47 mounted on bracket 48 extending from the rear of panel 3. The iront of panel 3 is apertured at 49, whereby the apertures 43a, 3b. 43e, 43d, etc. are each illuminated as shaft l is oriented to bring a selected spring pileup assembly into operation. The translucent annular plate d4 is provided with a suitable groove or recess located behind the apertures 43d, 43h, 43o, 43d, etc. to permit the insertion of a designating character facilitating the movement of the switch to the particular position identied by the designation. The light source 46 is disposed between panel i and' the rear oi.

translucent annular plate 44, so that each designation inserted between the rear of masking disc 42 and the annular plate 44 is sharply illuminated through the aperture 49 inpanel 3.

The spring pile-up

assemblies

28a, 28h, 2do, 28d, 2de, Qdi. 239 2th, 222'., etc. arer each assembled in radial posit-ions more clearly indicated in Fig. 7 and include multiple leaf springs having various combinations of contactors. The spring pileup assemblies are conventional and include master spring members illustrated,y for example, in Fig. 1 at 23d 25a, 2201" and 28am. which are interconnected. by a lineally extending series of insulators designated generally at 28u". Pressure applied against the inner spring 28am tends to displace all of the master springs radially outwardly, effecting a displacement of the contactors controlled thereby. Similarly.. the set oi leaf springs in the spring pile-up assembly designated at 281', that is the spring pile-up assembly which isapproximately diametrically opposite the spring pile-up assembly 28a, is provided with master springs interconnected by space insulators 282W; subject to radial displacement by ejection of button 25 in alignment with spacing in- B sulfators. 28a?. In the.l position` shown in Fig; 1, however-,- the:- roller member 22. rests against; the low: point 21th@ of cam;` memberV 2.0-, so thatv tubular sleeve 23 is free to.v revolve in. a plane coplanar with the planes: of the spacing insulators: or the ends of the leaf springs without: displacing the leaf springs.. The actuating linob` 2 isf displaced outwardly' for this condition.. However, upon movement. of actuatingl knob 2 inwardly, as represented in Fig. 2, plunger 24l` is: ejected radially because the high point 22a of cam member 2li is moved beneath roller member' 22. thereby projecting button. 2:55 to a position in which the master springs andthe spacing` insulators which are disposed' therebetween. are displaced radially, thereby modifying the. positions. of the: contactors, as' represented' atv 8iy in the lower part'v of Fig. 2. As these conditions change the. ball detent 38 latches the cam. member in either orienting position, as in Fig.. 1, or in circuit controlling position, as represented. in Fig.` 2*.. To. guard against accidental opening: of' circuits established by the contactcrs under' the conditions shown in. Fig. 2, the late-hing mechanism. comprising tongue 20c interengaged with the selected one ofthe aperturesf 211m, 2lb; 21e, 21d; etc.` is: engaged' through the: selected aperturer thus maintaining the circuits; in. the condition effected by operation o1 the spring pile-up assembly. The d-etent wheel I6 and roller t0' by their (zo-action also preclude. displacement. of the switch, exceptv by positive actuation.

The. system. of my invention is: readily applicable to multiple units or stages, as represented in Fig. 11, wherein; the switch units: heretofore described are connected in gangs. with shaft I extending theretl'iroi-ighy for actuating all of the contactors of the several groups of spring pileup assemblies represented inthe units. 5 i, 52 and 53.

The switchingv system is installed within a frame constituted by end plate 3f and panel 3 with iframev members 54, represented in Fig. '7, extending therebetween.

Fig. 12 shows one of the applications of my invention in the control of electrical circuits. I

have shown the spring pile-up assemblies for four unitswith the actuating knob 2' moved out inthe extreme position illustrated in Fig. 1. For purposes of explaining the invention, I have illustrated' the spring pile-up contacts in positions 28a', 28h, 28o and 2811. With the actuating knob 2 moved to out position as in Fig. 1, all of the master springs and associated contacter-s occupy the same' relative positions. It' will be understood, however, that displacement of the master springs and their associated spacer insulators 28a", which would be the case if the button 25 is projected into pressure relation in alignment with spacer insulatorsy 28a", the master springs will? be displaced in an opposite direction, changing the. orderoi the. electricai contacts. This applies to all ofthe spring pile-up assemblies' at 2811i'. Zilcv' and 281'i where pressure applied in the axial direction of the spacer insulators operates to shiftv the master leaf springs, effecting connection with the reverse group of contactors associated therewith, It will be observed in Fig. 12 that the endwise movement' of the mas-ter springs may thus control a: variety of electrical circuits and, for purposes: of' illustrating the invention, I have represented the contactor group 28a as associated withv the. terminal panel 55` forming part of an air traine control system which. may include terminals to a stand-by radio receiver input and a starrd--byA radio receiver outputwhen the switch is in the off position. The terminal connections leading to the contactors of the spring pile-up assembly 28a are designated at I', 2, 3', 4', 5 and 6. Similarly, the circuits of spring pile-up assembly 28h, and also circuits from associated spring pile-up assemblies, may connect to terminal panel 56, including terminals i, 2", 3", 4, 21', 28', 29 and 30 leading from the outputs of radio receivers designated l to I4, for example.

Similariy, the spring pile-up

assemblies

28h, 28o and 28m may have their contacts associated with terminal panel l containing terminals I, 2', 3"', 4"', 21"', 28"', 29" and 30 leading to air traffic control receiver circuits for receivers l to I4 in the circuit assembly,

Terminal panel 58 may carry terminals interconnecting the leaf springs of spring pile-up assemblies 23h, 2SC and 28u, including terminals lill Z/lll gllll lllll, 271/!! 28,!!! the main receivers muting relays i to I4; and ter minals 25" and SDW leading to the stand-by receiver muting relay and also terminals 32" and 33 connecting to the power supply circuit. The circuits to the spring pile-up assemblies include resistors illustrated at Rz, R3, R15 and Rm. Certain of the spring pile-up assemblies may also include the circuits through the dial light 46 including'resistor R1 and a circuit through rheostat Ris arranged for controlling the brightness of the dial light. It will be understood that the diagram is merely representative of a variety of circuits in which the switch of my invention may be employed.

' In the operation of the switching system of my invention the shaft is shifted linearly outwardly to retract the button 25 and withdraw the tongue Zilc from the locking plate 2l so that the tubular sleeve 23 may be oriented in either direction to a position aligned with the desired spring pile-up assembly. The adjustment is stepbystep controlled by the detent wheel and associated detent and because the shaft system is capable of orientation either clockwise or counterclockwise, the desired spring pile-up can be selected rapidly by rotation of tubular sleeve 23 in that direction that is the shortest from the initial position to the position of selection. When the desired oriented position is reached, the shaft is moved linearly inwardly interlocking tongue 2do with the associated aperture in locking plate 2l and ejecting button 25 radially outwardly for operating the selected spring pile-up assembly. When the circuits established through the selected spring pile-up assembly are no longer required, the actuator knob 2 may be quickly pulled out to its initial position limited by the length of the slot in the sleeve member il allowing the previously selected spring pile-up assembly to be restored to its original position due to the inherent bias in the structure of the spring p'ileup assembly. The selection operation may now be quickly repeated and another spring pile-up assembly selected and operated. The number of circuits which may be controlled by the equipment of my invention per cubic volume of installation space far exceeds any previously known type of switching device such as plug and jack switch boxes, push key cabinets, toggle switch arrangements and cord and retractible reel plug and jack systems.

I have found the switching arrangement as shown herein highly practical in manufacture and production and eiiicient inoperation and, while I have described my invention in one or two preferred embodiments, I realize that modifications may be made, and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new Iand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A switching system comprising a frame structure, a shaft member journaled longitudinally of said frame structure and rotatable in either direction therein; a sleeve member extending radially with respect to said shaft member, a plunger slidable in said sleeve member, means for lineally shifting the position of said shaft member and correspondingly ejecting said plunger in a radial direction, a multiplicity of spring pile-up assemblies supported with respect to said frame structure, actuating means for each of said spring pile-up assemblies disposed in a position coplanar with said plunger, said plunger in ejected position establishing pressure contact with the actuating means of a selected spring pile-up assembly for displacing the spring pile-up assembly in a radial direction to operating position.

2. A switching system comprising a frame structure, a cylindrical member carried by said frame structure, a multiplicity of spring pile-up assemblies supported in radial positions around said cylindrical member, actuating means for each of said spring pile-up assemblies, said actuating means all being disposed coplanar in a transverse plane, a rotatable shaft member extending through said cylindrical member and selectively revolvable either clockwise or counterclockwise to a selected position aligned with the actuating means of a selected spring pile-up assembly and means associated with said rotatable shaft member and selectively projectable in a radial direction for radially displacing the aligned actuating means for operating a selected aligned spring pile-up assembly.

3. A switching system comprising a frame structure, a rotatable sleeve member j ournaled in said frame structure and extending longitudinally thereof, said sleeve member having a slot in one side thereof throughout a portion of its length, a rotatable shaft member disposed concentrically within said sleeve member and slidable longitudinally within said sleeve member within the limits of the aforesaid slot therein, a cam member carried by said shaft member and projecting through a portion of the slot in said sleeve member short of the limits thereof whereby said shaft member may be axially displaced longitudinally of said sleeve member with said cam member abutting with end of the slot in said sleeve member as limits, cam faces carried by said cam member, a radially extending sleeve supported by said sleeve member adjacent the position of said cam faces on said cam member, a plunger operative in said radially extending sleeve, means for biasing said plunger to retracted position, one of said cam faces on said cam member operating to radially eject said plunger when said shaft member is shifted longitudinally of said sleeve member, a multiplicity of spring pile-up assemblies mounted in radial positions around said shaft member, actuating means for each of said pile-up assemblies terminating in a plane coplanar with the plane of said plunger and in positions engageable by said plunger when in ejected position for engaging the actuating means of the selected spring pile-up assemblies.

4. A switching system as set forth in claim 3 in which said shaft member is divided into a pair of sections coupled one to another, said cam member being carried by yone of said sections and spaced from the other of said sections.

5. A switching system as set forth in claim 3, in which said cam member also includes a lineally extending tongue, and a locking plate having perforations therein extending in a plane normal to the axis of said shaft member said tongue being projectable through a selected perforation for locking said shaft member in a selected angular position.

6. A switching system as set forth in claim 3, in which said cam member includes a pair of recesses disposed intermediate the ends thereof and means selectively engageable with either of said recesses for latching said shaft member in either of two limiting, lineally disposed, displaced positions.

7. A switching system comprising a frame structure, a cylindrical member carried by said frame structure, a plurality of spring pile-up assemblies supported in spaced positions along said cylindrical member and projecting radially therefrom, each of said spring pile-up assemblies including a multiplicity of contact springs and associated contactors and actuating springs all extending generally parallel with elements of `the longitudinally extending surface of said cylindrical member, means biasing said actuating springs in a radially inward direction, said actuating springs terminating in a substantially coplanar position and selectively displaceable from the inwardly biased position outwardly in a radial direction lfor moving the contact springs into electrical connection with the associated contactors, and a rotatable shaft member journaled in said frame structure for selective rotation clockwise or counterclockwse and extending axially through said cylindrical member, a radially projectable member carried by said rotatable shaft member and operative within said cylindrical member to positions selectively alignable with the actuating springs of a selected spring pile-up assembly and selectively displaceable in a radially outward direction for applying pressure to the actuating springs of the selected spring pile-up assembly for controlling the operation of the contactors of the said selected spring pile-up assembly.

8. A switching system as set forth in claim 7 in which the means operative within said cylindrical member includes an axially extending, rotatable sleeve member in which said longitudinally displaceable, rotatable shaft member is adjustable, said sleeve member having a longitudinally extending slot in one wall thereof, said shaft member having a longitudinally extending slot therein terminating short of the length of the slot in said sleeve member, a cam member secured in the slot formed in said shaft member and projecting through the slot in said sleeve member and beyond the limits thereof, said cam member having a length terminating short of the limits of the slot in said sleeve member whereby said cam member may be displaced axially of said sleeve member by axial movement of said shaft member with the ends of the slot in said sleeve member serving as limits to the longitudinal displacement of said cam member, a detent engageable by said cam member for maintaining said cam member in either of two limiting positions, and in which said radially projectable member comprises a radially extending sleeve supported by said rotatable sleeve member in substantial alignment with said cam member, a projectable and retractable plunger disposed in said sleeve, cam faces on said cam member for engaging the end of said plunger for effecting the projection of said plunger to a radial outward position from an inwardly biased position and means carried by said plunger for engaging the actuating springs of a selected spring pile-up assembly.

9. A switching system as set forth in claim 7 in which a latch plate, having a multiplicity of spaced perforations therein individually aligned with the said spring pile-up assemblies, is mounted interiorly of said cylindrical member and wherein said cam member includes a tongue selectively insertable through a selected perforation in said latching plate for maintaining said shaft member in a predetermined aligned position with the actuating springs of a selected spring pile-up assembly.

10. A switching system comprising a frame structure a shaft system extending longitudinally of said frame structure and orientable either clockwise or counterclockwise, a radially extending tubular arm associated with said shaft system, a plunger member radially slidably disposed within said tubular arm and normally biased to a retracted position, means associated with said shaft system for ejecting said plunger member radially outwardly subsequent to the selective orientation thereof in either direction and a multiplicity of spaced spring pile-up assemblies located in radial positions around said shaft system and including actuating springs terminating in a lateral plane coplanar with the path of orientation of said plunger member, said plunger member when in inwardly retracted position being rotatablevby orientation of said shaft system in a path clearing all of said actuating springs and operating when projected to apply pressure in a radially outward direction against the actuating springs of a selected spring pile-up assembly when an ejection force is applied to said plunger member.

GRADY O. GLAZE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS`