US2885499A

US2885499A - Electrical switch

Info

Publication number: US2885499A
Application number: US609394A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bentzman Louis
Original assignee: SAXONY ELECTRONICS Inc
Current assignee: SAXONY ELECTRONICS Inc
Priority date: 1956-09-12
Filing date: 1956-09-12
Publication date: 1959-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1976-05-05

Description

May 5, 1959 L. BENTZMAN 2,335,499

* ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 10 5 I 92 INVENTOR LOUIS BENTZMAN ATTORNEYS May 5, 1959 L. BENTZMAN' ELECTRICAL SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1956 INVENTOR. LOUIS BEN TZMAN BY 6 M165 5 AT ORNE y 1959 L. BENTZMAN 2,885,499

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 12, 1956 :5 Sheets-Sheet s 256 zo zo" 1.17%

INVENTOR.

LOUIS BEN TZMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent ELECTRICAL SWITCH Louis Bentzman, Oak Hill, Del., assignor to Saxony Electronics, Inc., Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application September 12, 1956, Serial No. 609,394

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-) This invention relates to a switch for controlling the interconnection of electrical circuits, and more particularly to a switch as aforementioned which connects these circuits in various combinations.

Electrical systems frequently include a number of subsidiary circuits which in operation are optionally connected to a source of power and to each other in various combinations. Various electrical appliances, for example electric blankets, include a number of heating elements which are optionally connected in various combinations to provide various rates of heating. A switch for controlling an appliance of this type should have a simple, economical structure which is adaptable for controlling many circuit variations, yet is simple to operate.

An object of this invention is to provide a switch having a structure which is simple and economical to manufacture, which can control the interconnection of a large number of circuits in many combinations, and which is simple to operate.

In accordance with this invention, a number of conductors having tongues projecting at predetermined intervals are assembled with the tongues spaced from each other and aligned in selected groups. A closure means is operatively associated with each aligned group of tongues for selectively moving them into electrical contact. Each conductor is connected to a particular electrical circuit. Movement of each of the closure means interconnects the circuits having tongues in the particular aligned group brought into electrical contact by its movement.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view of electrical components of an embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view in elevation showing alternate operating positions of the assembled electrical components shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view in elevation of the outside of an assembled embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a side view in elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 3 along the lines 3-3;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 3 along the lines 6--6;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 3 along the lines 77;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the upper half of the casing of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the lower half of the casing of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the lower casing half and various elements of the embodiments shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken through Fig. 4 along the line 11-11;

2,885,499 Patented May 5, 1959 Fig. 12 is a simplified schematic diagram of electrical components and a closure element of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a closure element of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 13 along the line 1414;

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the closure element shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a view in elevation of the closure element shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of an actuating element of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken through Fig. 17 along the line 18-18.

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a number of

conductors

10, 12, 14 and 16, four for example, in the relative positions they assume in the embodiment of this invention described herein. Strips of insulation 18, Micarta for example, are interposed between the conductors to isolate them from each other when they are assembled.

Conductor 10 may be termed a common conductor and it includes a number of tongues 20 -20 for example, projecting consecutively at regular intervals along its length. Conductor 12 includes a pair of

tongues

22 and 22 for example, projecting at intervals corresponding to the positions of tongues on conductor 10 having identical subscripts. Conductor 14 has two tongues 24.; and 24 for example, projecting at intervals corresponding to tongues on conductor 10 having identical subscripts; and conductor 16 has three tongues 26 26 and 26 for example, projecting at intervals corresponding to the tongues on conductor 10 having identical subscripts.

Conductor 10 is elongated to the right, for example, to form an extension or terminal 30 for connecting conductor 10 to a circuit.

Conductors

12, 14 and 16 are elongated in the opposite direction, for example, to provide respective extensions or

terminals

32, 34 and 36. When these conductors and interspersed insulating strips 18 are assembled, the various tongues are spaced from each other and aligned in groups corresponding to their subscripts.

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view in elevation of the components shown in Fig. 1 assembled in operative positions. Tongues 20 to 20 are represented by a single tongue designated by reference character 20 and is shown in two phases of operation. The other tongues are also represented in the same manner but in only one position. The open circuit position of tongue 20 is shown in full outline, and the closed circuit position is shown in broken outline. indentations 40 are indicated on each of the tongues which provide extended areas of contact when they are brought into electrical contact with each other. A closure means 42 is indicated in phantom outline in the position it occupies when it is moved in the direction of the arrows to depress a group of tongues 20 of conductor 10 into electrical contact with the tongues of the other conductors which lie under the depressed group of tongues 20. The remote ends 43 of tongues 20 are bent to form a projection which engages an indentation 45 in the lower surface of closure element 42 to lock the tongues 20 in the make position. In Fig. 2 the

tongues

22, 24 and 26 of

lower conductors

12, 14 and 16 respectively are bent upward to a level immediately below the level of the undepressed tongue 20. Movement of tongues 20 connects them directly to each of the lower tongues. Other arrangements, however, may be provided where closure movement of a tongue interconnects a group of spaced tongues to each other. The arrangement herein shown, however, has the advantage of requin'ng minimummovement of the tongue to make contact.

Referring to Figs. 31l, details of an embodiment of is-.i yen ionenqlo e na a ng-des i d i and {i are illustrated. Casing Stigshown inFigs, 3 and 4,

may be described as a flattened oblate spheroid having,

push butt ns SZ S S, 56, .58 and 60 projecting .froma longitudinal cutout. casing fit convenientlyinto al hu man hand. with the push buttons in" an extremely convenient position to: be. actuated by the fingers of the hand which holds the casing. The novel appearance of-thisparticular casing. is disclosed and claimed incopending desi n application S.N: '42;009,'filed June 25,1956. The basic mechanism. disclosed and claimed herein is adaptable to many other convenient and decorative forms.; The illustrated. case,

The flat sides and back side of-the for example, pnovides theadvant age-,-in that-itmay be conveniently grasped and actuated -'in -accordance with the relative positions of the fingers with "respec;t-to the Figs.--8 and 9 are respectively'the upper-and lower halves- 64 and-920i casing 59; Theuterrns upper and lower are merely used-for-convenience in designation because the switch may be operated in any position.

Fig. 8 shows that the-interiorof upper casing fi-iis hollow-and-includes various functional projections. A pair of longitudinal strips 66 and 68 -providea surface for confining movementof a closure and 1cooperating actuating means" Pins 70jproject upwardly from strip 68jand provide centering and retainingmeans in cooperation with a slot 71 in the closure means (later described). Connecting-ribs :72 between strips 66 and 58 merely provide structural support. 1

A pair. of posts 74' and 76-project from-the interiora of. casing-r64 Holes-78g and .80 respectivelyiin posts: 74 and .76 provideianchoringmeans for screws which pass througha pair of. corresponding posts in the lower half 92 to hold the two halves assembled.

Apertures 82 and 84 are provided at the ends of casing half .64. for passing wires into the interior.

Ribs

86 and 88 project-adjacent the.

apertures

82 and 84. to,

cooperate withv spaced-.ribsrin the: other. casinghal-f to provide a labyrinth anchor. for the wire. Apertures 90. are notched in the cutout-side.oficasing half 64 for passageof pushbuttons 5 .760 through the. assembled.v

s ng- 1- In Fig. ;9, lower easing; half 92; has :an interior some,-

whatresembling thatofc singhalf It includes a pair-r lona udin ls ns .196 and; .8.. .c rresp ndin P h e -a or mentioaed s ips. eeand; 68. S rip 9mm 98, accordingly, cooperate withstrips-.56; and; 68-110 confine a closure and cooperating actuating means-which recipro ate--.between them.- Portions of casing half 92 corresponding to upperhalf fi ipare wire passing-apertures. 16d) and 102, lab yrinth wire anchoring ribs 1M and 106, joining posts .108 andilll), including counter.

sunk holes 112.andlM respecti /ely for cap screws which screw into holes 78 andfiitofposts m and 76,.and

notches 118' for passageof the pushbuttons are provided in the cutout side of casing half 92.

The remaining internal portion of lower half .92 providesa locatingand-retaining means for the conductors and insulatedstrips shown in exploded position in Fig. 1. groove l20between strip 96 and the-aligned edges of a This retaining means includes a longitudinal series. of =proiectingribs,-122 'to'il2213; Ribs 122 to- 1221-6: are regularly -spaeed, for example, to provide-regw '4..-; lar intervals or spaces 124 to 124 These spacescorrespond to the subscripts of

tongues

20, 22, 24 and '26 of

conductors

10, 12, 14 and,..16 respectively. The elongated portions of conductors 1t), 12, 14 and 16 lie in spaces with tongues projecting through respective spaces between ribs 122.

Fig. 10 shows lower casing narwa with closure means 132, 134, 136, 133aand-n-140 installed-inrrespeotive slots or channels between each third rib 122 which are accordingly. raised above the intermediate :ribs..:. These raised ribs also isolate the vario'us contacts from each other and may be utilized to prevent arcing over. Pins 7% are shown projecting; through -.-slots. 71 ofrthenclosure elements. Angular actuating elements 142 are restrained in longitudinal grou /

e97 betweenstrips

6 and 98. These actuators have angular surfaces corresponding to the angular front ends of closure elements 132-14tl and provide. only enough, space.therebetween.for/simultaneous depression .of a single pushbutton... Closure element 136 isshowninth'e depressedcondition betweena pm'r'of actuating elements 142"whiclrlwedge..all.1otherclosure elements ..to ..th.e.. undepressed ..position. Whnanother pushbutton is depressed, 'anygpreviously depressed closure elementreturnspto the opencircuit. position One push buttonand corresponding. closureelement provide an open circuit positionbecause of the absence .of tongues on contacts 12,141 and 16 lying beneath it.

Fig. llfisfla longitudinal cross-secti'onal-view in

elevation showing casingghalves

64 and 92 assembled by means oi screws .1441 The relative positions of the conductors; 10,12,1 3 and 16; and interspersed insulating strips 18, are. clearly shown as well 'as.th'e positions of closure .elements .132'"l4-0 guided .between the raised ribs 122 3122; 12231, 122m,l llig andl1221 Closure elements 132L140 are also guided by pinsflli'projecting from upper casing half 64 through slots 71;

Fig. .12 isan enlarged simplified schematic diagram in frontelevation of

conductors

10, 12, 14 and 16 and interspersed, insulating strips 18, ,showing.;the relative positions of'th'e'various tongues'and how'they are aligned. in groups withinchannels defined by. every third raised ribylZZ. The tongues'are shown in a straightforrn not correspondingto the actualconfiguration tomore' clearly illustrate their relativepositions and howmovement of a single closure elementdepresses all tongues-20 of con-' duetor- 10 which lie under it to movetheminto electrical contact with all of the" corresponding tongues of other conductors. As' shown in-=Fi"g. l2, closure element; 136

has beenactuatedtc move tongues 207, Zligand 20 downward so that tongues'20 and'20 move into contact with=tongues 22", and 24;,of'conduct0rs Hand 14 respec-' tively. Conductors 10, -12 andl i' are'accordingly inter= connected. Movement" of*="a closure" element may interconnect more tha'n one-tongue-of two conductors when-a higher'current carryin'grcapacityfis desired, as

is provided byclosure element-134 which interconnects tongues Zfi and 29 with tongues 24mand-2 in.

Figs:- 13 -16 show details-eta closure-element which is closure elementw136;-"forexample." Element'136 roughly includes three functionalportions? These portrons are pushbutton element 56, angular shifting portion 148 fonengagingactuating elements 142, and tongueoperating step 150. The upper portion 'ofthe element is hollowedat 1152 to conserve material' and lighten the element. Slot 71 is provided as previously described for cooperatinguwith pins 705 Ste'p 150" is positioned below lower flat surface 154 which cooperateswith fiat topvsurfacerlSfi toridej-between the" confining surfaces provided by strips 66 and 68 of the-upper casing half, and-96 and98 of-the lower casing halft The lower step 150, as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and -7, optionally engagesa tongue Eli-of conductor 10 to makeand break electrical contact'with corresponding;tongues of strips 12-16. Step-150 includes'anindentation 45*forengaginga corresponding projection 43- are tongue-ltl 'to maintain tongue 20 and a pushbutton locked in the make position. Fig. 6 shows a closure element 136 for example, in the break position with tongue 20 raised out of contact with corresponding tongues. Fi 7 shows element 136 depressed into the make position with tongue 20 depressed into electrical contact with corresponding tongues of conductors The make and break positions correspond to the alternate positions shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 17 and 18 show details of an actuating or shifting element 142 which includes an angular portion 160 for engaging corresponding angular portions of the closure elements. Element 142 also includes a lug 162 projecting from its lower surface for restraining motion of actuating element 142 in the groove 97 between strips 96 and 98. Upper surface 164 and lower surface 166 of element 142 ride between strips 66 and 68 of casing half 64 and strips 96 and 93 of easing half 9?. respectively when these halves are assembled as indicated in Fig. 11. When the switch is assembled, surfaces 164 and 166 of actuating element 142 are substantially parallel to

surfaces

154 and 156 of closure elements 132-140.

Operation Depression of any one of pushbuttons 52-60 moves corresponding actuating elements 132-146 and depresses tongues 20 of conductor 10 which lie beneath the operated closure element. When closure element 136 is depressed, for example as shown in Fig. 12, tongues 2t1 20 are brought into electrical contact with

tongues

22 and 24 This interconnects the electrical circuits connected to

conductors

10, 12 and 14. Conductor 10 is, accordingly, connected with any combination of three other conductors in accordance with the presence or absence of tongues under a particular closure element. A complete absence of tongues on

conductors

12, 14 and 16 under a particular closure element provides an oil or open circuit condition. The number of possible combinations may be increased further by providing a larger closure element which contacts a greater number of tongues. Addition of conductors may be provided for interconnecting additional electrical circuits.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical switch comprising an elongated casing whose outer surface is constructed and arranged in a shape which can be conveniently grasped by a human hand, an array of conductors disposed in parallel planes within said casing and having tongues projecting at predetermined intervals, retaining means mounting said condoctors within said casing in fixed relationship to each other with said tongues of said conductors spaced from each other and aligned in predetermined groups, pushbutton closure means operatively associated with said tongues and passing through said casing for selectively moving said tongues within each of said groups into electrical contact with each other, said casing including divider means providing a row of slots, said conductors 'eing elongated and having said tongues disposed at longitudinal positions corresponding to predetermined slots, said tongues being inserted within corresponding slots, predetermined divider means being extended to provide boundaries for predetermined groups of said slots, reciprocating closure elements being inserted between said extended divider means for selectively moving the tongues within said predetermined groups into electrical contact with each other, said pushbutton closure means being disposed in a row along said casing, insulating strips being interspersed between said conductors, said retaining means maintaining said conductors and said interspersed strips in intimate contact with said casing and with each other, said closure elements including projections for depressing predetermined tongues of one of said conductors into electrical contact with corresponding tongues of the others of said conductors, said closure elements including indentations for engaging said predetermined tongues of one of said conductors, and said indentations and tongues being cooperatively formed to maintain said closure elements and said tongues locked in the make position.

2. An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said casing is cut out to provide slotted guide means, shift elements are inserted to slide within said slotted guide means and in contact with said closure elements, the contacting surfaces or said shift elements and said closure elements being cooperatively angularly shaped to react with each other ror allowing only one of said closure elements to be operated at one time, and one of said closure elements being available to provide an open circuit.

References (Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES TENTS 1,199,843 Washburn Oct. 3, 1916 1,867,870 Baker et al. July 19, 1932 2,192,612 Radtke Mar. 5, 1940 2,439,500 Wood Apr. 13, 1948 2,531,457 McLarn Nov. 28, 1950 2,773,139 Forstrom et al. Dec. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 941,301 Germany Apr. 5, 1956 596,069 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1947