US2849558A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 26, 1958 G. L. CHAPMAN SWITCH Filed Sept. 16, 1954 .INVENTORS (img zlrlmp nan BY Z5 41mm 75201 ATTORNEYS i in,

SWITCH George L. Chapman, York Village, Maine, assignor to ClarostatMfg. Co., Inc;, Dover, NL-HZ, a corporation of New York Application September 16, 1954, Serial No. 456,444

Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates to a functionally and structurally improved switch of the electrical type.

It is an object of the invention to furnish a positive action push-pull type unit which may conveniently be employed in numerous installations where only limited space is available. The rhechanismso installed-will I function over long periods of time with freedom from all difiiculties and under loads involving relatively high voltage and ampere values. 1

A further object is that of furnishing a switch which will have minimum axial dimensions and in which the actuating pressure required for its operation will be negligible.

Still another object is that of designing an. apparatus which will include relatively few parts each individually simple and rugged in construction and capable of. manufacture and assembly by quantity production methods to achieve a compact unit which will have a long effective life.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the unit with certain' of the parts broken away to disclose underlying structures;

Fig. 2 is a face view of the assembly;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the switch and showing the parts of same in openposition;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts in closedposition; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary somewhat schematic viewillus trating the cooperation of the'contact' elements.

A switch of this typewillordinarily be combined with an auxiliary electrical control. That control may for example be a potentiometer. For this reason, it has been so illustrated in Fig. 1. However, it will be understood that tbe switch might be combined with otherunits or might be independently employed. Regardless of whether it is combined with a control or used independently thereof, the entire assembly will occupy a very limited space but will nevertheless function with entire satisfaction for long periods of time.

Thus, referring to Fig. l the number indicates the casing of a control such as a potentiometer. Within the latter, mechanism 11, of more or less conventional design, is arranged. Extending from this mechanism are the usual leads and terminals 12. The casing is conveniently supported by a bushing 13, extending from the assembly. That bushing rotatably mounts a shaft 14. The shaft also will be capable of limited axial movements by, for example, being ppovided with a reduced portion United States Patent base of casing 10 and then beingv turned inwardlyas shown in Fig. 1. The base of that casing 10 is furnishedwith an opening such that the'inner end of shaft 14 may pass there through. At its inner end a groove 19 is formed in-the shaft to-provide' a coupling with the switch actuator. Terminals, 20, extend from the base of switch casing 17 (or otherwise) and are connected" with the circuit to be controlled. That circuit may include the control mechanism, 11, or be entirely'independent thereof.

Within casing, 17, a base 21, preferably of insulating material, is disposed; Itis this base which mounts theterminals 20 and a pair of spaced contacts, 22, in the'embodiment illustrated. Also this base mounts asupport in the form of a pair of upstanding spaced ears, 23, which may be-included as part of a U-shaped bracket. Between these cars a pin, 24, is disposed. This pivotly supports an actuator, 25. The latter has its body terminating. in: an arm 26, which is preferably trimmed so that its edge extends at an tangent. This arm is formed with anotch 30. The dimensions'of the latter are such that it may receive the groove 19 of shaft 14. One of the cars 23 is formed with a notch 31. A projecting portion 32 is provided in the edge. of actuator arm 26 and ridesing arm 41 underlying strip 36 and rockingly supported by thepin 24 through ears '43.

A strip forelectrically'bridging the gap between con- 'tacts 22 -includesa U-shapedbody 37 formed of ameta-l having resilient properties. Adjacent each of its ends. contacts 37 are carried bystrip 37, as seen-best in'Figs. 2 and 3. These contacts are disposed one above each of contacts 22. Arm 36 is connected to-strip37 at a point midway of the ends of the latter. That connection may include lugs 38extending-upwardly from its'face and lying within notches or perforations, 39, formed in arm or strip 36. integrally extending tongue 40 projecting through a slot in strip 36. These projecting portions areas shownbent over as to overlie-the faceof the arm.

lnconclusion it will be noted that the arm 41'is secured to strip 36 by for example a tongue 42, extending through a slot in the strip 36. The movements of thearms as sembly are restricted byhaving one of the ears 23'provided with an extension 44 which overlies the arm and limits its movement in a direction away from the base 21. Strip 37 being of resilient material, contacts 37 will normally extend towards the base 21 at points overlying contacts 22. However, as the ends of the strip are rocked, the contacts 37 will move through an are opposed to the arc of movement of arm 26.

Assuming that the parts are disposed in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it will be understood that a pull on shaft 14 will cause the inner end portion of that shaft to rock actuator 26 in a counter-clockwise direction.

, Prior to that movement of the parts, spring 33 will be urging arm 36 and strip 37 to assume a position at which contacts 22 are clear of contacts 37'. Under continued movement of actuator 26 in this direction, spring 33 will be expanded through and beyond its dead-center position to the station generally indicated in Fig. 4. In

the latter position, spring 33 will urge arm 36 in a clockwise direction. With such shifting, contacts 37 will engage contacts 22 and to a limited extent, move laterally across the latter. This results in a wiping action Patented Aug.- 26, 1958 This connectionadditionally includes an- 33 assuring proper cooperating contact surfaces throughout the life of the unit.

The circuit through contacts 22 and 37' and strip 37 is now closed. If at this time shaft 14 (or an equivalent operating unit) is shifted to the left as in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, actuator 26 will move in a clockwise position. It will carry with it one end of spring 33 and again shift the latter through and past its dead center position. With such shifting the opposite end of this spring will exert a pull upon the extension or lug 35 of plate 40. This will cause arm 36 to shift in a counter-clockwise direction. "With such shifting contacts 37 will become separated from contacts 22 as in Fig. 3.

In both this separation as well as engagement of the contacts a wiping action will occur. This has been shown in Fig. 5. In that view the full lines indicate the on gaged positions of the contacts. As they occupy stations just short of full engagement contacts 37' and the ends of strip 37 will be in the position shown in dot and dash lines. In other words, during the last stages of disengagement and initial stages of engagement, contacts 37' will move laterally over the face of contacts 22. Therefore a desirable wiping action will occur which will assure the establishment of a proper circuit.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically forenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A switch including in combination a mounting base, fixed contacts supported in a plane on said mounting base, a contact-carrying member pivotally connected with said base, second contacts mounted on said contact-carrying member in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of said first contacts, an axial member about which the contact-carrying member can rotate, an actuator pivotally mounted about said axial member, said actuator being insulated from the contact carried by said contactcarrying member, a spring one end of which is connected to said actuator and the other end of which is connected to said contact-carrying member and insulated from the contact carried thereby, and said spring being constructed to control the movement of said contact-carrying member by shifting its position to rotate the contact-carrying member about said axial member when the actuator is rotated by means of said shaft, said rotation of the contact-carrying member being in the opposite direction of rotation of said actuator and in an arc which moves the contacts carried thereby to wipe said fixed contacts, the direction of motion of the second contacts being at a right angle to the plane of the contacts.

2. A push-pull type of switch including in combination a mounting base, fixed contacts supported in a plane on said mounting base, a contact carrying member pivotally connected with said base, second contacts mounted on said contact carrying member in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of said first contacts, an actuator pivotally connected with said base adjacent said contact carrying member, said actuator being insulated from the contacts carried by said contact carrying member, a shaft coupled with said actuator and being supported by said base for axial movement relative thereto, a spring, one end of which is connected to said actuator and the other end of which is connected to said contact carrying member and insulated from the contacts carried thereby, and said spring being constructed to control the movement of said contact carrying member by shifting its position to rotate the contact carrying member when the actuator is rotated by means of said shaft, said rotation of the contact carrying mem her being in the opposite direction of rotation of said actuator and in an arc which moves the contacts carried thereby to wipe said fixed contacts, and the direction of motion of the second contacts being at a right angle to the plane of the contacts.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2, wherein said second contacts are disposed substantially on either side of said shaft and are electrically connected through said contact carrying member.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 2, wherein a limiting member is attached to said base and overlies said contact carrying member and further restricts the movement of said contact carrying member in a direction away from said mounting base.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 2, wherein a motion restricting member is attached to said base and has stops limiting the rotation of said actuator to a relatively small arc.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 639,557 Guett Dec. 19, 1899 1,334,784 Newton Mar. 23, 1920 1,399,490 Krantz Dec. 6, 1921 1,455,931 Pape May 22, 1923 2,215,816 Hathorn Sept. 24, 1940 2,235,366 Haselwood Mar. 18, 1941 2,247,061 Lodge June 24, 1941 2,327,069 Satterlee Aug. 17, 1943 2,444,529 Puster July 6, 1948 2,463,659 Tiedeman Mar. 8, 1949 2,582,034 Hausler Jan. 8, 1952 2,612,574 Wyman Sept. 30, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 909,571 France Jan. 2, 1946

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