US2956139A - Electrical multi-contact devices - Google Patents

Electrical multi-contact devices Download PDF

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Publication number
US2956139A
US2956139A US654695A US65469557A US2956139A US 2956139 A US2956139 A US 2956139A US 654695 A US654695 A US 654695A US 65469557 A US65469557 A US 65469557A US 2956139 A US2956139 A US 2956139A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
contact
stack
pile
fingers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US654695A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paddock William Joseph
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EGA ELECTRIC Ltd
Original Assignee
EGA ELECTRIC Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB1066456A external-priority patent/GB805171A/en
Application filed by EGA ELECTRIC Ltd filed Critical EGA ELECTRIC Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2956139A publication Critical patent/US2956139A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/24—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting
    • H01H1/26—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting with spring blade support
    • H01H1/28—Assembly of three or more contact-supporting spring blades
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
    • H01H50/56—Contact spring sets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/24—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting
    • H01H1/26—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting with spring blade support
    • H01H2001/265—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting with spring blade support having special features for supporting, locating or pre-stressing the contact blade springs

Definitions

  • 'Cl aims priority, application Great Britain Oct. 19, 1956 1 Claim. (Cl. 200-166) 'Ihis invention relates to electrical multi-contact devices embodying an assembly of contact elements or contact-carrying elements, and it has especial reference to multi-contact plu-g and socket connecting devices and to multi-contact electric switches, the latter being of the kind comprising a plurality of spring or resilient metal blades or fingers which carry electrical contact points and which, together with associated insulation pieces, are assembled in superimposed rela-tion in the form of a stack or pile.
  • Such multi-contact switches are frequently used in conjunction electro-magnetic devices in relay circuits, and also in the construction of thermostats and like heat-sensitive control arrangements, as well as for manual control switches or keys.
  • the contact-carrying fingers and their associated insulation pieces have, heretofore, been assembled in a stack or pile which has been clamped together by clamping-screwspassing therethro-ugh.
  • This known construction has required that the lingers and insulation pieces be' drilled to form screw-receiving holes, and has also had the disadvantage that should any individual finger need to be removed for repairor replacement, the whole stack or pile has had to be taken apart ⁇ to enable' the finger to be withdrawn'.
  • another object of the invention is to provide a multi-contact switch, of the kind referred to, having improved means for mounting and clamping the contact-carrying fingers and the insulation pieces in assembled relationship, whereby the necessity for drilling screwreceiving holes therein is obviated and whereby -any individual finger can be Withdrawn and replaced without disturbing the remainder of the stack or pile and external wiring associated therewith.
  • an electrical multi-contact device comprises a plurality of metallic or metallised contact elements, or metallic or metallised contact-carrying elements, and ⁇ associated insulation pieces assembled in superimposed relation in the form of a stack or pile within a housing, and means are provided whereby said contact elements and insulati-on pieces may be clamped together within said housing.
  • a multiecontact switch of the kind referred to has the contact-carrying fingers and associated insulation pieces assembled in the form of a pile or stack which is contained within a housing and clamped together therein by pressure means.
  • Figure l is a side elevation of a multi-contact manually operated key switch constructed in accordance with the invention.
  • Patented Oct. 11, 1960 ICC Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section on line II-II, Figure 1 but on a larger scale than that of Fig. l.
  • Figure 3 is a longitudinal part-section through the housing on line III-III, Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is a horizontal section on line IV-IV, Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of some of the contact elements and associated insulation pieces before assembly of the switch.
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 but showing a modified housing formed of plastic.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective View of a further form of housing.
  • FIGS 8 and 9 illustrate modified forms of housing which may be used.
  • the multicontact key switch comprises a plurality of resilient flexible metal strips or fingers 1 arranged in a superimposed and vertically-spaced relationship and carrying contact points 2 at their outer ends.
  • the inner ends of the metal strips or fingers 1 are separated by insulation pieces 3 consisting of thin, substantially rectangular, plates or wafers of insulating material such as fibre or plastic, and in addition, in the form illustrated the inner end of each metal strip or finger 1 is in contact with a short meta-l terminal plate or strip 4, a portion of which is interposed between said inner end and an adjacent insulation piece 3.
  • This assembly of the inner ends of the metal strips or fingers 1, insulation pieces 3 and terminal plates 4 in superimposed relationship forms a parallel-sided stack or Ipile indicated generally by the reference numeral 5, the elements of which are clamped together, in a manner hereinafter described, to maintain the individu-al members securely in place.
  • This stack or pile 5 is accommodated within a short rectangular-sectioned metal tube or openended hollow box-like member, which forms a housing 6, the interior side wall-s of which fit closely against lthe sides of the stack or pile 5 (see Figure 2).
  • the vertical depth between the top and bottom interior faces of the housing 6, however, is greater than the vertical depth or height of the stack or pile 5, and the top side of -the housing is formed with tapped holes 7, 7, through which are passed clamping set-screws 8, 8.
  • a metal pressure or squash plate 9 which is pressed downwards by the'lower end of the clam-ping setiscrews 8, 8, so as to clamp the stack or pile 5 between said pressure or squash plate 9' and the bottom interior face of the housing 6.
  • the met-al terminal plates or strips 4 associated with each contact-carrying finger 1 of the switch are arranged to as ,to project trom the stack or pile 5 adjacent the one open end of the housing 6 whilst the contact-carrying fingers 1 project from the stack or pile adjacent the other open end of the housing.
  • the individual fingers 1 are adapted to be connected into the circuit in which the switch is to be incorporated by wires 10 connected to the projecting portions ⁇ of their associated terminal plates or strips 4.
  • the main base 12 of the switch is formed with an integral fr ontbracket arm 14 upon which is pivotally mounted the usual operating lever 15 carrying a roller 16 for engaging and deilecting the outer ends of the contactcarrying iingers 1.
  • the above-described construction of the switch unit readily allows any individual contact-carrying nger 1 to be removed Vby slackening the set-screws 8, '8, holding the pressure or squash plate 9, and then withdrawing the iinger lengthwise from the stack or pile 5.
  • the latter are illustrated as being substantially T-shaped, having shoulders 17 (see Figure-5) which engage the end edges of the housing when the stack or pile is assembled and prevent lengthwise movement, and the width of the central body part conforming closely to the horizontal width between the opposed interior side walls of the housing 6.
  • the insulation pieces may also be I-shaped with shoulders at both ends.
  • the contact-carrying fingers 1 may carry integral extension parts to which the associated wiring is connected as in known constructions of such multicontact switches.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a modilication in which the tubular housing indicated now by the reference numeral 18, is formed of insulating material such as a plastic, instead of metal.
  • the clamping set-screws 8 in threaded holes 19 in a separate metal plate 20 interposed between the pressure or squash plate 9 and the top interior face of the housing, holes 21 being provided in the latter to allow the heads of the setscrews 8 to be accessible.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a plastic housing the lower part of which has longitudinal holes 22 for receiving fixing bolts so as to provide an alternative means of mounting upon a support.
  • the housing for containing the clamped stack or pile may be of other than tubular form if desired, being, for example, in the form of a U-shaped member as illustrated in Figure 8, arms 58 and 59 of the U forming the top and bottom faces, so as to permit of a sideways insertion of the elements of the stack or pile.
  • the housing may also comprise an open framework structure embracing the stack or pile and pressure or squash plate 61.
  • the insulation pieces (3) are of generally rectangular shape with incut corners fitting against the end bars 63 of the housing.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
US654695A 1956-04-07 1957-04-24 Electrical multi-contact devices Expired - Lifetime US2956139A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1066456A GB805171A (en) 1956-04-07 1956-04-07 Improvements relating to electrical multi-contact devices
GB2956139X 1956-10-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2956139A true US2956139A (en) 1960-10-11

Family

ID=32395909

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US654695A Expired - Lifetime US2956139A (en) 1956-04-07 1957-04-24 Electrical multi-contact devices

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US2956139A (fr)
DE (1) DE1095917B (fr)
FR (1) FR1174365A (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3204061A (en) * 1961-10-02 1965-08-31 Gen Signal Corp Electromagnetic relay structure
US3290461A (en) * 1963-10-07 1966-12-06 Amp Inc Electrical contact assembly with hinged wing portions and contact separating means
US20110130021A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Connection structure
US20110130022A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Connection structure

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US468654A (en) * 1892-02-09 Electric connector
US752613A (en) * 1904-02-16 A corpoeation
US1865600A (en) * 1931-09-09 1932-07-05 American Telephone & Telegraph Multiswitch coupling
US1917009A (en) * 1931-03-17 1933-07-04 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Electrical connecter
US2025380A (en) * 1934-01-31 1935-12-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Electric connecter device
US2069169A (en) * 1932-04-28 1937-01-26 Gen Railway Signal Co Relay
US2154338A (en) * 1936-09-12 1939-04-11 Philips Nv Electromagnetic relay
US2172927A (en) * 1936-09-11 1939-09-12 Western Electric Co Electrical device
US2277443A (en) * 1941-05-10 1942-03-24 Comar Electric Co Switch-stack assembly
US2334897A (en) * 1940-03-18 1943-11-23 Guardian Electric Mfg Co Spring tension device
US2748364A (en) * 1951-10-20 1956-05-29 Lawrence J Kamm Electrical connectors
GB770030A (en) * 1953-12-17 1957-03-13 Automatic Telephone & Elect Improvements in or relating to electromagnetic relays
GB771912A (en) * 1954-01-23 1957-04-10 Automatic Telephone & Elect Improvements in or relating to electromagnetic relays

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL87669C (fr) * 1953-09-05

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US752613A (en) * 1904-02-16 A corpoeation
US468654A (en) * 1892-02-09 Electric connector
US1917009A (en) * 1931-03-17 1933-07-04 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Electrical connecter
US1865600A (en) * 1931-09-09 1932-07-05 American Telephone & Telegraph Multiswitch coupling
US2069169A (en) * 1932-04-28 1937-01-26 Gen Railway Signal Co Relay
US2025380A (en) * 1934-01-31 1935-12-24 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Electric connecter device
US2172927A (en) * 1936-09-11 1939-09-12 Western Electric Co Electrical device
US2154338A (en) * 1936-09-12 1939-04-11 Philips Nv Electromagnetic relay
US2334897A (en) * 1940-03-18 1943-11-23 Guardian Electric Mfg Co Spring tension device
US2277443A (en) * 1941-05-10 1942-03-24 Comar Electric Co Switch-stack assembly
US2748364A (en) * 1951-10-20 1956-05-29 Lawrence J Kamm Electrical connectors
GB770030A (en) * 1953-12-17 1957-03-13 Automatic Telephone & Elect Improvements in or relating to electromagnetic relays
GB771912A (en) * 1954-01-23 1957-04-10 Automatic Telephone & Elect Improvements in or relating to electromagnetic relays

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3204061A (en) * 1961-10-02 1965-08-31 Gen Signal Corp Electromagnetic relay structure
US3290461A (en) * 1963-10-07 1966-12-06 Amp Inc Electrical contact assembly with hinged wing portions and contact separating means
US20110130021A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Connection structure
US20110130022A1 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-02 Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Connection structure
US7980879B2 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-07-19 Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Connection structure
US7985092B2 (en) * 2009-11-30 2011-07-26 Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Connection structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1174365A (fr) 1959-03-10
DE1095917B (de) 1960-12-29

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