US2771535A - Rotary switch - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 20, 1956 D. G. KIMBALL ROTARY SWITCH Filed Nov. 19, 1954 [r2 Mentor: Dona/0 6. /1/}77ba//, MM 4 awe/(w HAS A C C or-mgg.

ROTARY SWITCH Donald G. Kimball, Stratforti, Coma, assigaor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application November 1?, 1954, Serial No. 469,993 6 Claims. (Ci. 21937) This invention relates to a multi-position rotary switch of the type used to provide several different settings for electrical apparatus; more particularly, the invention relates to a rotary switch of the type used on electric ranges in conjunction with a range back-splash.

It is highly desirable that range switches be equipped with pilot lights which operate as soon as the switch is turned away from its off position. The presence of a pilot light serves to warn the range operator of a possible hazard when the switch is set for a high heat and there is nothing being heated on the burner controlled by the switch. Where the operator inadvertently leaves the switch at a low setting after the cooking operation is completed, the pilot light warns that electric power is being wasted. While the desirability of pilot lights is obvious, they are sometimes so inaccessible that a housewife will not go to the trouble of replacing a pilot light which has burned out.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary switch having a pilot light that is readily replaceable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary range switch and back-splash assembly having a pilot light which may be replaced without dismantling the range assembly or moving the range.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification considered in conjunction with the annexed drawing which is a perspective cutaway view of a range back-splash equipped with a rotary switch constructed in accordance with this invention.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one of its aspects, the invention is directed to a switch assembly comprising a rotary switch having a rotatable control shaft projecting outwardly therefrom, a control drum mounted on the control shaft, a stationary pilot lamp socket positioned on the interior of the control drum, and an access door in the periphery of the control drum, the access door providing an opening to the interior of the drum for changing pilot lights mounted in the lamp socket.

Referring to the drawing, a range back-splash 10 defines an interior space within which is mounted a rotary switch 11 having a rotatable control shaft 12 projecting outwardly therefrom in spaced relation to an aperture 13 through the top surface of the back-splash It). The rotary switch 11 may be of the conventional type wherein rotation of the shaft 12 turns a cam surface (not shown) which engages a plurality of spring switch contacts (not shown) to bring about a prearranged contact closing pattern as the shaft 12 is rotated. The rotary switch 11 is maintained in position on the interior surface of the backsplash 10 by means of a pair of mounting straps 14 and screw members 15.

Mounted upon the control shaft 12 is a drum 16 having a peripheral portion which extends through the aperture 13 above the top level of the back-splash 10. The drum 16 is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 12 by means of set screw 16a and has its peripheral surface provided Patent 2,771,535 Patented Nov. 20, 1956 with a plurality of transverse corrugations 17 in order to improve the ease of manual rotation thereof. One side of the drum 16 is provided with a plurality of indicating apertures 18 to show the setting of the switch 11. A portion of the peripheral surface of the drum 16 consists of an access door 19 biased to a closed position by means of a coil spring 21 at the hinge 22 of the access door 19. v

Extending into the interior of the drum 16 is a stationary lamp support piece 23 mounted upon the rotary switch 11. The end of the support piece 23 on the interior of the drum 16 has a lamp socket 24 mounted thereon, the socket 24 being aimed in a direction to position a pilot light 25 mounted therein so that it can transmit light through whichever one of the indicating apertures 18 is positioned above the top level of the backsplash 10.

The switch assembly is shown in the off position at which time the pilot light 25 is also oif. Upon rotation of the drum 16, the rotary switch 11 is given a different setting and the pilot light 25 is actuated. The light remains actuated until such time as the drum 16 is again rotated to the ofi position. If the pilot light 25 burns out, it is only necessary to turn the drum 16 to the off position shown and open the access door 19 in order to unscrew the pilot light 25 and replace it with a fresh lamp.

A housewife who is afraid to tamper with electrical contrivances will be willing to perform the simple manipulations necessary to change the pilot light of this invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to a single embodiment, it is obvious that there are many variations which will come within the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is limited in scope only as may be necessitated by the appended claims.

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

1. In an electric range, a back-splash having an opening on the top surface thereof for accommodating a switch control drum, a rotary burner control switch mounted on the interior of said back-splash, said switch having a rotatable control shaft projecting outwardly therefrom in spaced relation with respect to said opening, a control drum mounted on said control shaft, said control drum having a peripheral portion extending through said opening a short distance above the top level of said back-splash, a pilot lamp fixedly mounted with respect to said back-splash on the interior of said control drum, said lamp having a portion protruding through said opening above the surface of said back-splash, and an access door in the periphery of said control drum, said access door providing an opening to the interior of said drum for changing pilot lamps.

2. An electric switch assembly comprising a rotary switch having a rotatable control shaft projecting outwardly therefrom, a control drum mounted on said control shaft, a pilot lamp socket fixedly positioned with respect to said rotary switch on the interior of said control drum, and an access door in the periphery of said control drum, said access door providing an opening to the interior of said drum for removing and replacing the pilot lamp mounted in said socket.

3. An electric switch assembly comprising a rotary switch having a rotatable control shaft projecting outwardly therefrom, a drum fixedly mounted on said rotatable shaft, a rigid support piece mounted on said switch and extending into the interior of said drum, a pilot lamp socket mounted on the portion of said support piece positioned inside said drum, a lamp mounted in said socket in a position to transmit light through the sides of said drum at the periphery thereof, and an access door in the periphery of said drum in spaced relation to said lamp whereby said door may be opened outwardly and said lamp replaced.

. 4. An electric switch assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the peripheral portion of one side of the drum is marked with a plurality of drum position indicators.

5. An electric switch assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the peripheral surface of the drum includes a plurality of transverse corrugations.

6. In an electric range, a back-splash defining an interior space, at least one aperture in the top surface of said back-splash for accommodating a switch control drum, a rotary burner control switch mounted on the interior of said back-splash, said rotary switch having a rotatable control shaft projecting outwardly therefrom in a position below said aperture, a control drum fixedly mounted on said rotatable shaft, a portion of said drum extending through said aperture, a rigid support piece mounted on said rotary switch and extending into the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,002,251 Sensiba et al. May 21, 1935 2,339,904 Almquist Jan. 25, 1944 2,541,892 Schulze Feb. 13, 1951 2,610,237 Benner Sept. 9, 1952 2,607,873 Sheidler Aug. 19, 1952 2,713,103 Slate July 12,1955

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