US3126466A

US3126466A - Modular leaf switch

Info

Publication number: US3126466A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-24

Description

March 24, 1964 H. o. SCHWARTZ 3,126,466

MODULAR LEAF SWITCH Filed Feb. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J6 J4 54 .5, 4 I 10 4 32 6 56 70 55 {1-60 54 50 973 45 i 8 J4- 46 36 Z2 4; 45

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54, 52 2 Z INV TOR. Z6 jar'olda c zflarfi BY 40 54 40 J4 45071} 7% M h 1964 H. o. SCHWARTZ MODULAR LEAF SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1962 United States Patent Ofifice 3,126,466 Patented Mar. 24, v.1964

3,126,466 'MonULAR LEAF swrrcrr .HaroldQSchwartz, North Tonawanda, N .Y., assignor to The Wurlitzer Company,-Chicago,-Ill.,a corporation of'Ohio Filed'Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No.'175,'475 vZZClsinrs. (Cl.'200166) This invention relates generally .to electric switches .and more particularly to'electric switches which are arranged to be actuated .rnechanically.

According to one system of classification, electric switches ..are characterized by their mode of actuation;

and one common class of switch employs electromagnetic actuation.

When sucha switch is ;arranged:in the form of a leaf switch, it is necessary tofashion one .of the single type of switch leaf and theeconomies resulting there- :from. are not present .in such .ansarrangement.

Accordingly, a general object :of the present invention "is to provide a new and improvedzelectric switch arrangement.

Another object of the invention is ,to provide 'an electric switch which is both easy and economical to produce.

Still another object of :the invention 'is .to provide a modular type of. electric switch which incorporatesstraight leaves exclusively.

Yet another object ot'the invention is to provide a modular type of electric switch iniwhichthe modules are positively positioned :withrespect to each other.

A further-object of the invention is to provide .a mechanically actuated, leaf switch whichemploys a novel actuator arrangement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide electric switch arrangements in which thefixed leaves are resiliently supported against the kinetic force of the moveable ileaves.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain tothe particular structure and arrangements whereby the aboveobjects are attained.

An electric switch in accord with the invention .in-

-cludes.a first module comprising-a resilient'leaf adapted to flex in a path transverse to-its principal plane, an electric contact on the leaf, a first body of electrically insulating material encompassing. a portionof the leaf and 'de'fining male and female-elements respectively on oppos'ite facestransverseto the principal plane'ofthe leaf,

and-a second body of electrically insulating material enpositively to position the modules with respect to each other.

'Theinvention, bothto its'structure and mode of operation, will be better understood'by reference to the'following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof,

wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric switch arrangement constructed in accordance'with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the section 2-2 of 'with the illustrated embodiment.

tions of the leaves 36 to define an actuator member.

FIG. 3-is an enlarged view .taken through the section 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a'viewtaken'through thesection 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is .a top perspective view of the switch component incorporated in the arrangement of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of two of the .com-

ponents shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken through the section FIG. '8 is a top perspective view of the switch components incorporated in the arrangement o'f'FIG. 7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically .to FIG. 1, a switch arrangement indicated generally by the numeral '10 will be seen to include a'structural member 12 and a structural member 14, fashioned for example from sheet steel and spaced-apart to definea switch banks in which the individual switches are disposed in vparallel rows.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the

switches

16 and 18 are of modular construction; and'turningto aconsideration of FIGS. 3.6, the switch 16 will be seen to comprise a spacer member '24 disposed against the structural member'14 in'the space between the members 1 .2 and .14. The switch 16 also includes "a 'switchmodule 26, a switch module 28 and a rigid arm '30 which components are stacked over the spacer 24 in the-order named. The spacer 24-, the modules 26 and Z8 and the rigid arm 30 are mounted to the structural member 14 by meansof a self-tapping screw 32 which advantageou'sly passes through aligned'bores 34'fashionedrespectively in the several components.

With specific reference to FIGS..5 and 6,.the "switch module 26 will be noted as comprisinga pair ofla-terally spaced apart, parallel disposed leaves '36 which are fabricated from a resilient, electrically conductive material. lvloreover, the leaves 36 are arranged in theform of elongated rectangular parallelepipe'ds adapted to flex in a path transverse to their principal plane. The relative position of the leaves 36 is preserved by molding the leaves as 'inserts in a body '38 of electrically insulating material,

such as for example nylon. The body 38is .formed with studs or male elements 40 protruding from its uppersurface, as is shown in 'FIG. 5, and with acircular recess 42,-and an oval recess 44 comprising female elements penetratinginto its .opposite face, as is shown in FIG.'6. The body 38 encompasses a medial portion of the leaves 36,.and the male and female elements are disposed'transversely of .the principal ,plane of the leaves inaccordance The purpose of the male elements 40-and'the female elements .42 and 44'will become. apparent shortly.

Themodule 26walso comprises a rivet-type .electric contact '46fixedit0 eachof the'leaves after molding of the body .38. The module 26 also includes a'body "48 of electrically insulating material molded aboutterminalpor- The body 48 is, in accordance with the invention,'selected to 'be .of wedge-shape with the narrow edge of .the wedge "facingthe body-33 whereby to cooperate with an opera- 'with'lateral notches 50'forfacility in attaching electrical leads thereto.

Continuing with'reference'to FIGS. 5 and6,the module 28 will be seen to include a pair of leaves 52 fabricated of a resilient, electrically conductive material and disposed in parallel, laterally spaced-apart relationship, medial portions of the leaves 52 being molded into a body 54 of electrically insulating material. Electric contacts 56 of the rivet-type are fixed to terminal portions of the leaves 52, and the opposite terminal portions of the leaves are provided with confronting, lateral notches 58 to facilitate attachment of electric leads not shown. The leaves 52, like the leaves 36, are fashioned in the shape of substantially elongated rectangular parallelepipeds; and the body 54, like the body 38, incorporates abbreviated, cylindrical studs or male elements 60 extending from one face, as well as a circular recess 62 and an oval recess 64 comprising female elements penetrating into the opposite face of the body.

When the

modules

26 and 28 are stacked together to form a switch, the male elements 40 interfit with the

female elements

62 and 64, the oval character of element 64 accommodating slight imperfections in the orientation of the several interfitting elements. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the interfitting of the male elements of module 26 and the female elements of module 28 will be seen to position the modules positively with respect to each other, thus aligning and preserving the relative position of the

contacts

46 and 56.

The rigid arm 30 is also advantageously positioned in a positive manner with respect to the

switch modules

26 and 28. Accordingly, and with reference to FIG. 5, the rigid arm 30 will be seen fashioned with a circular aperture 66 and an oval aperture 68 disposed on opposite sides of the bore 34 in order cooperatively to receive the male elements 60 of module 28 as is well shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With the arm 30 and the

modules

26 and 28 positively positioned with respect to each other and with this relationship preserved by means of clamping these components against the spacer 24 using screw 32, a pad 70 of soft, resilient material, such as felt, is secured to the end of arm 30 to act between the arm and the leaves 52 of module 28 as is shown in FIG. 3. Pad 70 supports the leaves 52 against the kinetic force imposed thereon by the flexing of leaves 36 so as to cause interengagement between the cont-acts 46 and '56. Proper positioning of the contact 56 results.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operator 20 will be seen pivotally mounted on the structural member 12 by means of a shaft 72 which is supported in brackets, not shown. The operator 20 specifically includes a rockable body 74 adapted for manual manipulation, a leg 76 depending from the body 74 into actuatable relationship with the body 48 of module 26, and a triangular formation 78 which cooperates with a deflected end 80 of a leaf spring 82 which is riveted or otherwise suitably fastened to the structural member 12. The structural member 12 is fashioned with a slot 84 which passes the leg 76 into actuatable relationship with the body 48; and upon rockable movement of the body 74 between the two extreme positions established by the cooperation of formation 78 and spring 82, the tip of leg 76 will move through an arcuate path intercepting the plane of the upper face of body 48. Continued movement of the tip of leg 76 in a generally clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 will cause the leaves 36 to flex downwardly because of the inclination of the upper face of the body 48 whereupon to separate the normally closed

contacts

56 and 46. It is to be recognized that rocking of the body 74 so as to cause the tip of leg 76 to move in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 will eventually separate the leg 76 and the body 48 whereby to release the leaves 36 to the resiliency thereof whereby to return the

contacts

46 and 56 to their normally closed configuration.

Switch 18 is constructed in a manner similar to switch 16. Accordingly, like numerals have been used to designate like parts in the two switches, the sufiix letter a being employed to distinguish the elements associated with switch 18.

Switch 18 differs from switch 16 primarily in that the module 26a is sandwiched between two of the modules 28a as is well shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, switch 18 is arranged to be a double-pole, double-throw switch whereas switch 16 is arranged to be a double-pole, singlethrow switch. From a comparison of the

switches

16 and 18, it will become apparent that the switch modules of the present invention may be stacked in numerous configurations to define different kinds of switches for different circumstances.

Whereas a pad of resilient material 70:: supports the leaves 52a of the module 28a which is disposed between module 2611 and arm 30a, a pad 86 of soft, resilient material, such as felt, acts between structural member 14 and the blades 52a of the module 28a which is disposed abutting the spacer 24a. Thus, both of the blades carrying fixed contacts are supported against the kinetic force of the movable leaves 52a.

As will be recognized, manipulation of the operator 22 results in leg 76a controlling the flexing of leaves 36a and a resultant selective engagement of contacts 46a with either of the upper or the lower contacts 5611. In other respects, operation of the switch 18 is similar to the operation to switch 16.

The specific examples herein shown and described are illustrative only. Various changes in structure may appear to those skilled in the art; and these changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An electric switch comprising: a first module including a resilient leaf of electrically conductive material adapted to flex in a path transverse to its principal plane, an electric contact on said leaf, a first body of electrically insulating material encompassing a portion of said leaf and defining male and female elements respectively on opposite faces transverse to the principal plane of said leaf, and a second body of electrically insulating material encompassing a portion of said leaf spaced-apart from said first body to define an actuator member, said second body of insulating material being wedge-shaped whereby to cooperate with an operator movable in an arcuate path intersecting the plane of one face of said wedge-shaped body; and a second module including a leaf of electrically conductive material, an electric contact on said last mentioned leaf and a body of electrically insulating material encompassing a portion of said last mentioned leaf and defining male and female elements respectively on opposite faces, said last mentioned body being stacked with said first mentioned body aligning said contacts in confronting relationship, the male elements of one body interfitting with the female elements of the other body positively to position said modules with respect to each other.

2. An electric switch arrangement comprising: first and second structural members spaced-apart to define a switch housing; a first switch module including a resilient leaf of electrically conductive material adapted to flex in a path transverse its principal plane, an electric contact on said leaf, a first body of electrically insulating material encompassing a portion of said leaf and defining male and female elements respectively on opposite faces transverse the principal plane of said leaf, and a second body of electrically insulating material encompassing a portion of said leaf spaced-apart from first body to define an actuator member, said second body of insulating material .being wedge-shaped; a second switch module including a leaf of electrically conductive material, an electric contact on said last mentioned leaf and defining male and female elements respectively on opposite faces, said last mentioned body being stacked with said first mentioned body aligning said contacts in confronting relationship, the male elements of one body interfitting with the female elements of the other body positively to position said modules with respect to each other; fastening means mounting said switch modules to said first structural member; and switch operator means pivotally mounted on said second structural member, including a leg extending into actuatable relationship with the second insulating body of said first switch module and mounted to pivot in an armate path intersecting the plane of said second insulating body, said leg being reversibly pivotable from a position of disengagement spaced from said second body, toward the narrow end of said second body and into engagement with progressively thicker sections of said second body whereby to flex the leaf of said first switch module for selectively opening and closing said contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 947,155 Giles et a1 Ian. 18, 1910 1,161,192 Cook Nov. 23, 1915 2,734,257 Jonsson Feb. 14, 1956 2,748,204 Woods May 29, 1956 10 2,986,621 Midgley May 30,1961