US3271529A - Coded switch construction - Google Patents

Description

Sept 6, 1966 G. J. PAWELKA ETAL 3,271,529

CODED SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed May l2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l www ATTORNE Sept- 6, 1966 G. J. PAWELKA ETAL 3,271,529

GODED SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed May 12, 1964 INVENTORS @as 7,01/ Pau/U64 United States Patent O 3,271,529 CODED SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Gustav J. Pawelka, Sunset Ave., Glenwood Landing, N.Y., and Frederick H. Kroll, 72 Wood Hollow Lane, New Rochelle, N.Y.

Filed May 12, 1964, Ser. No. 366,725 9 Claims. (Cl. 200-5) The present invention relates generally to an improved electrical device and it relates in particular to an improved coded electric switch which is highly useful in the playing of games or in other operations.

Many procedures require for their proper practice an apparatus providing an indication of the selection of a predetermined arrangement or sequence of items or events. Thus, in the playing of many games, as bingo for example or lotto, the determination of the game depends on the special arrangement of randomly selected numbers on a card provided with spaces corresponding to these numbers. In accordance with the playing rules of the aforesaid games, the completion of the game is effected when the members in spaces on the card extending linearly for a full width or length or a diagonal of the playing card are selected. Heretofore, the observation lof the individual players were generally relied upon in determining a winning card and this practice frequently led to errors which greatly interfered with the continuous and proper playing of the game. Many other procedures, both of a recreational and educational nature depend on the determination of a predetermined special arrangement of items or events in a selected pattern for the successful practice thereof.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical switching apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coded electrical switching device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching apparatus responsive to the actuation of elements arranged in a predetermined pattern.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical switching device useful in the playing of multiple selection games.

Another and additional objects of the present invention are to provide an electrical apparatus of the above nature characterized by ruggedness, versatility, ease of operation and reliability.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan fragmentary view of an apparatus embodying the present invention as applied to the playing of bingo or similar game;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 in FIGURE 2, showing in full lines a pair of diagonal actuating bars, one in advanced position and the other in retracted position;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 in FIGURE 2, showing one of the transverse actuating bars in advanced position;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 in FIGURE 2, showing one of the longitudinal actuating bars in an advanced position;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the present apparatus;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7 7 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 8 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9 9 in FIGURE 4;

3,27l,529 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 FIGURE 10 is an exploded perspective view of the switch apparatus mounting structure;

FIGURE l1 is an exploded perspective view of the bar advancing and switch contact mechanism;

FIGURE 12 is a top perspective view of one of the end slide bar members;

FIGURE 13 is a top perspective view of one of the other slide bar members;

FIGURE 1-4 is a bottom perspective view of one of the diagonal swing bar members; and

FIGURE 15 is a bottom perspective view of the other diagonal swing bar member.

In a sense, the present invention contemplates the provision of an electrical switching device comprising an actuating member movable between a retracted and an advanced position and having a plurality of apertures formed therein, means resiliently urging said actuating member toward its advanced position, a latching element registering with each of said apertures and movable between a retracted position locking said actuating member in its retracted position and an advanced position releasing said actuating member for movement to its advanced position, and a switch responsive to the movement of said actuating member between said advanced and retracted positions.

According to a preferred form of the present device, there is provided a base plate having a plurality of circular apertures formed therein arranged in regularly spaced similar rows and columns and delineating linear diagonals, the intersecting point of which is free of an aperture, each of the apertures being provided with axial collars depending from the edges thereof. superimposed on the base plate in side-by-side arrangement are a plurality of longitudinally extending first slide bars in alignment with corresponding columns of base-apertures and being movable along their lengths between advanced and retracted positions, the first slide bars having apertures formed therein coinciding with the respective base apertures when the bars are in their retracted positions. Superimposed on the first slide bars and also in side-by arrangement are a plurality of transversely extending second slide bars in alignment with corresponding rows of base and first slide bar apertures and being movable along their lengths between advanced and retracted position. The second slide bars have apertures formed .therein in vertical coincidence with the underlying base and first bar apertures when the bars are in their retracted positions. Third and fourth swinging bars extend along the diagonals of the arranged apertures and overly the second bars and are pivoted at their point of intersection to the base plate. The third and fourth bars are swingable between advanced and retracted positions and have apertures formed therein which, when these bars are in their retracted positions, vertically coincide with the corresponding diagonally disposed apertures of the underlying base plate. A latching elemen-t movable between a raised and a depressed position registers axially with each axial set of apertures and includes a lower latching section which engages a corresponding aperture set when the latching element is in raised position to lock, releasably, the respective bars in their retracted positions, and when the latching element is in depressed position the latching section is out of engagement with said set of apertures whereby to release said respective bars for advance movement. A cover plate overlies the bars and has small apertures formed therein, the latching members having coaxial sh-anks directed upwardly from the latching sections and slidably engaging the cover plate apertures and being joined to the latching sections by conical shoulders. A resilient metal linger engages the trailing end of each of the bars to urge them toward their advanced positions, the bases of the lingers being illustrated these may be changed in number.

joined by a common cross bar. A plurality of contact elements are disposed in the path of the resilient ngers and are likewise joined by a common cross bar. A signal lamp is connected in series with the finger bar and contact bar to a source of energizing current.

Referring now to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral generally designates the improved apparatus which includes ya basel section 11, a cover section 1-2 and a bottom reset plate 13. Base section 11 comprises a rectangular frame 1-4 having vertical front and rear walls 16 and 17 respectively and side -walls 18. Depending from the rear corners of the frame member 14 are legs 15 of angular transverse cross-section and having underfaces lying in a plane containing the bottom edge of front wall 16 so that frame member 14 assumes -a forwardly downwardly inclined position when the appara-tus is supported on a horizontal base, as illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawing.

Supported by and integrally formed with frame 14 is Va base plate '19 extending to the fron-t, rear and side walls 16, 17 and 18 and disposed a short distance below the top edges thereof. Formed in base plate 19 and arranged in a square pattern are a group of regularly, transversely-spaced columns of regularly longitudinallyspaced circular apertures 20, the apertures being longitudinally and transversely aligned. Although, less the central space, ve columns of five apertures each are Apertures 20 are also arranged linearly along intersecting diagonals, an aperture being omitted at the point of intersection corresponding to -the medial section of the aperture rows and columns, and a cylindrical pivot post 21 is directed upwardly from base plate 19 lat the center thereof. Formed along a side edge of the base plate 19 and in transverse alignment with corresponding rows of apertures 20 are rectangular openings 22, the forwardmost of these, opening 23, being of somewhat greater width than the other openings 22. Similarly formed along the rear edge of base plate 1.9` in longitudinal alignment with corresponding columns of apertures 20 are a plurality of rectangular openings 24, the leftmost of which, opening 26 as seen in FIGURE l0, being wider than the other openings 24. Depending from base plate 19 along lines coinciding with lthe inner edges of openings 22 and 23 and the inner edges of -openings -24 and 26 `are side and rear panels 25 and 35 respectively.

A plurality of longitudinally extending slide bars 2-7 and 28 are arranged inrsubstantially side-by-side relationship and are superimposed on base plate 19 individually slidable .along the lengths thereof between advanced and retracted positions. The leftmost slide bar 27 is illustrated in FIGURE 12 of the drawing and is in the shape of a flat slat having a longitudinal medial axis coinciding with the medial axis of the leftmost column of base plate apertures 20. Formed in slide bar 27 is a plurality of spaced circular apertures 29 which are of the same diameter as apertures 20 and coincide with underlying of said apertures when slide bar 27 is in its retracted position. Slide bar 27 is provided with a tail or trailing section 30 registering with the right side of opening 26, the left corner of trailing section 30 being cut off to provide a recess 32 registering with the left side of opening 26. The remaining slide bars 28 are of the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 13 of the drawings, and are substantially of the same structure as slide bar 27 except that they lack recess 32. Each slide bar 28 has circular apertures 33 formed therein which vertically coincide with corresponding underlying base plate apertures 20 when the respective slide bars 28 are in their retracted positions. Slide bars 28 are also provided with trailing sections 34 which register with corresponding openings 24 when the respective slide bars 28 are in retracted positions.

superimposed on the slide bars 27 and 28 and slidable along their lengths between advanced and retracted positions are a plurality of transversely extending side-by- side slide bars 36 and 37. The lowermost slide Ibar 36 is similar to slide bar 27 and includes an upper trailing corner 38 registering with the upper part of opening 23 and spaced circular Iapertures vertically coinciding with the underlying base plate apertures 19 when slide bar 36 is in its retracted position. The remaining upper slide bars 37 are similar to slide bars 28 and provided with trailing sections 39 registering with base plate openings 22 and spaced circular apertures vertically coinciding with the respective underlying base plate apertures 19 when the respective slide bars 37 arefin their retracted positions. It should be noted that the central apertures of the medial slide bars register with pivot post 21.

A pair of upper and lower swing bars 40 and 41 respectively overlie upper slide bars 36, 37 and extend along the respective diagonals of the underlying groups of slide bars, and are each swingable through a limited arc about their central axis Vbetween a clockwise retracted position and a counterclockwise advanced position. Lower swing bar 41 rests on the slide bars 36, 37 and has formed therein a central opening 42 which engages pivot post 21 and opposite spaced pairs of circular openings 43A which are of the same diameter and vertically coincide with lthe underlying diagonally related sets of base plate and slide bar apertures when the bars are in their retracted positions. Formed along opposite edges of swing b-ar 41 are arcuate recesses 44 which clear the adjacent slide bar apertures.

Swing bar 41 terminates at one end in a triangular section 46 having edges converging at about 90 to a tip and a lip 47 depends from one of said edges and engages the left hand section of the base plate opening 26. Lip 47 is forward of the inner edge of opening 26 when swing `bar 41 is in retracted position and abuts said inner edge when swing bar 41 is in its advanced position. A second lip 48 is directed upwardly from the opposite edge of the triangular section 46 and is of a height about that of the thickness of swing bar 40. The other end 49 of swing bar 41 is arcuate and is provided along its peripheral edge with an upstanding lip 50 of the height of lip 48.

The upper swing bar 40 has formed therein -a -central opening 51 which engages pivot post 21 directly yabove swing bar 41, and opposite spaced pairs of circular openings 52 which are of the same diameter and vertically coincide with the underlying diagonally related sets of base plate and slide bar apertures when `the bars are in their retracted positions. Formed along opposite edges of swing bar 40 are arcuate recesses as 53 which clear the adjacent slide bar apertures. Swing bar 40 terminates at one end in a triangular section 54 having side edges converging at about to a tip and provided with a depending triangular section 56 having converging edges coinciding with those of section 54 and being of a height about that of the thickness of swing bar 41. Depending from one of the converging edges of the section 56 is a lip 57 which engages the forward section of base plate Iopening 23. Lip 57 is disposed outwardly of the inner edge of opening 23 when swing bar 40 is in its retracted position and abuts said inner edge when swing bar 40 -is in its advanced position. The other end 59 of swing bar 4t) vis or arcuate shape and is provided with a depending peripheral lip 60 of a height substantially that of the thickness of swing bar 41.

' The slide bars and swing bars are normally individually urged toward their advanced positions by a resilient iinger assembly 63 preferably integrally formed of resilient sheet metal, as seen in FIGURE ll of the drawings. Assembly 63 includes a pair of .angularly related joined cross strips 64 and 65 respectively, strip 64 extending along the inner lower border of side wall 18 adjacent base plate openings= 22 and 23, and strip 65 extending along the rear wall 17' inner lower border. Inwardly directed from the bottom free end of strip 64 is .an elongated tongue, screw-connected at its inner end, as seen in FIGURE 6 of the drawing, to an overlying lug formed at the corner of front wall 16 and corresponding side wall 18. Directed inwardly from the lower inner end of strip 64 -is an ear 67, screwconnected to an overlying lug at the corresponding rear corner of frame member 14. Similarly, an ear 68 is directed forwardly from the free end of the strip 65 and is screw-connected to an overlying lug located at a corresponding frame member corner.

A plurality of spaced arms 69 project inwardly from the upper edge of strip 64 to points adjacent side panel 25. Projecting upwardly from the end of outer arm 69 -is an inwardly sprung resilient finger which extends through base plate opening 23 and bears on swing arm lip 57 to urge the swing arm 40 counterclockwise toward its advanced position. Also extending through base plate opening 23 is a resilient finger 71 which projects upwardly from the `arm 69 next to the outer end arm 69 and bears against the trailing end of bar section 38 to urge slide bar 36 transversely toward its advanced position. Projecting upwardly from the inner ends of the remaining arms 69 .are inwardly sprung resilient lingers 72 which extend through base plate openings 22 and bear on the trailing edges of corresponding slide bar 37 to individually urge these transversely toward their advanced positions.

Directed forwardly from the upper edge strip 65 to points adjacent rear panel l35 are a plurality of spaced arms 713. Projecting upwardly from the end of inner -arms 73 is a forwardly sprung resilient finger 74 which extends through base plate opening 26 and bears on swing arm lip 47 to urge swing arm 41 counterclockwise toward its advanced position. Also extending through ibase plate opening 26 is a resilient finger 76 which exrtends upwardly from arm 73 next to the inner end arm and bears against the trailing edge of slide bar section 30 to urge slide bar 27 longitudinally toward its advanced position. Projecting upwardly from the inner ends of the remaining arms 73 are forwardly sprung resilient ngers 77 which extend through base plate openings 24 and bear on the trailing edges of corresponding slide bars 28 to urge these individually longitudinally toward their advanced positions.

A U-shaped bracket 78 extends rearwardly from the medial lower edge of strip `65 and includes a bottom cross web 7-9 screw-connected to the bottom edge of rear wall 17 and an elongated upright rear leg 80 abutting the rear face wall 1-7. The leg 80 terminates in a rearwardly directed, horizontal, contact-defining arm 81.

A contact assembly 82 lis preferably integrally formed of resilient sheet metal and includes a pair of angularly related strips 83 and 84 respectively which extend along and abut the lower outer borders of panels 215 and 35 and are being secured in position by means -of a screw engaging an apertured lug 86 projecting outwardly from the outer lower edge of strip 83. A contact lug 87 projects rearwardly from the lower outer edge of strip 84. Directed upwardly from the top edge of strip 83 and abutting the outer face of panel 25 are spaced legs 88 which terminate at their upper ends in outwardly upwardly inclined arms 8-9 provided with upwardly directed contact elements 90. Contact elements 90 are spaced from side panel 25 and confron-t respective resilient iingers 70, 71 and 72, being spaced therefrom when the corresponding ngers and swing and slide bars are in their retracted positions and being engaged by a ringer with the ladv-ance of the corresponding bar. Similarly, directed upwardly from the top edge of strip 84 and abutting the rear face of panel 35 are a number of spaced legs 91 which terminate .at their upper ends in rearwardly upwardly inclined arms 92 provided with upwardly directed contact elements 94. Contact elements l94 -are spaced from rear panel 35 and confront respective resilient lingers 74, 76 and 77, being spaced therefrom when the corresponding fingers and swing and slide bars are in their retracted positions a-nd being engaged by a iinger with the adv-ance of a corresponding bar. Projecting from the botto-m edge of strip 84 forwardly of 6 the bottom edge of the panel 35 are a pair of spaced support tongues 96.

Cover 12 includes a rectangular top plate 97 provided with a rim 98 of enlarged transverse cross-section and having a groove formed in the underface thereof engaging the upper edges of frame walls 16, 17 and 18. Projecting upwardly from Ithe front and side periphery of rim 98 is a locating lip 99. Extending rearwardly from top plate 97 is a triangular section 100 having an upper face coplanar with that of rim 98 and having a ymedially located circular opening 101 formed therein. The rear edges of section are provided with upstanding lips 102 and skirts 103 depending to the level lof the bottom edge of rear wall 17. A metal bulb socket member 104 includes a rearwardly directed horizontal lug 106 secured to skirt 103 by a terminal-defining screw 107 engaging lug 106 `and a tapped bore formed in a shoulder section on the inner face of skirt 103, lug 106 abutting said shoulder. Projecting upwardly from the inner edge of lug 106 is a vertical arm 108 abutting a flat section of the skirt front face and terminating in a forwardly directed arm 109 underlying section 100 and having formed therein a socket-defining circular opening 110 registering with opening 101. An electric bulb 111 has a terminal base engaging socket opening 110 and a central terminal bearing on contact arm 81.

A plurality of upwardly directed frusto-conical guide socket members 112 are formed on plate 97 coaxial with the base plate apertures 20, the recesses therein facing downwardly. Circular apertures 113, Vof smaller diameter than that of apertures 20, are coaxially formed in the top walls of socket members 112. Centrally located on plate 97 is a raised section 114 having an axial well formed in its underface engaging pivot post 21. Depending from the peripheral edges of apertures 20 and integrally formed with base plate 19 are sleeves 116.

A latching element 117 is associated with each set of vertically aligned apertures coaxial with the respective apertures 20 and is axially slidable between a raised, retracted lock position and a depressed, advanced release position. Each latching element 117 includes a lower cylindrical section 118, frictionally slidably engaged by a corresponding sleeve 116 releasably to support the latching element 117 in its raised position and in mating engagement with the corresponding bar apertures registering with the latching element 117. Located atop latching `section 118 is a frusto-conical intermediate section 119 which complements and engages a respective socket member 112 when the latching member 117 is in its raised position. A cylindrical stem or shank 120 `of reduced transverse cross section is directed coaxially upwardly from intermediate section 119 and slidably registers with a corresponding socket aperture 113.

Reset plate 13 is of rectangular configuration and has a perimeter slightly less than that of the inside of frame member 14. The reset plate is supported within the lower border 0f frame member 14 on the top faces of tongues 66 and 96, and an opposite corner tongue 121 secured to a lug carried by frame member 14, and is vertically movable between a normally gravity lowered depressed position and a raised position. When the reset plate 13 is in its raised position, all the latching elements are raised and the various bars retracted, and when the reset plate 13 is in its normally lowered position the latching elements I117 are selectively movable to their depressed positions.

Considering now the operation of the switching device 1-0 described above, reset plate 121 is momentarily raised to elevate all the latching elements 117 to their raised, retracted positions. As the latching elements are raised, the conical intermediate sections 119 engage the edges of the apertures of any of the -advanced actuating bars to retract the bars with the raising of the latching members, and the latching sections are brought into mating registry with the aligned base plate apertures 20 and the aligned apertures of the actuating bars releasably to lock the actuating bars and the bar advancing resilient fingers in their retracted positions whereby all of the contact elements are thereby disengaged. The conical sections 119 nest in sockets 112 when latching elements 117 are retracted.

A coded or playing card 122 of rectangular configuration and having openings complementing and arranged in the manner of the stems i120 of the latching elements, is superimposed on rim 98 within lip 99 with the card openings engaging stems 120. Indicia are carried by the card 122, assigning a number or identity to each of the respective engaged latching elements 117. Selected of the latching elements 117 are then sequentially depressed in accordance with the procedure being practiced or the game being played, the lowering of the selected latching elements being limited .by the reset plate 13, to shift the respective latching sections 118 out of engagement with the correspondingly registering actuating bar apertures. In the depressed position of a latching element 117 the stem 120 registers with the aligned actuating bar apertures and being of substantially smaller diameter than the apertures releases the corresponding bar for advance movement. However, an actuating bar is not advanced until all of the apertures therein are disengaged by the corresponding latching sections 118, since engagement thereof by one of the latching sections locks the bar in its retracted position. Thus, to effect the advance of slide bar 36 or 37 all latching elements I117 in any transverse roW thereof must be depressed, thereby freeing the corresponding slide bar which is advanced by a resilient finger 71 or 72 which in turn engages a contact element 90 to close the switch defined thereby. Similarly, the depression of all the latching elements in any vertical column thereof effects the advance of a corresponding slide .bar 27 or 28 and a resilient arm 76 or 77 and the consequent closing of a switch contact 94. The depression of all the latching elements lying along one or the other of the diagonals, frees a corresponding swing bar 40 or 41 which is advanced by a respective resilient finger 70 or 74 to close a switch contact 90 or 94. The closingof the switch defined by the assemblies 63 and 82 mai/complete the energizing circuit to any desired electrically actuated device. For example, the indicator lamp 111 may, as illustrated, have one terminal connected through the socket 104 and a suitable lead to one terminal of a source of current, and the other lamp terminal may be connected to the assembly 63, the assembly 82 being connected by a suitable lead to the electric current source other terminal. Thus upon engagement of any of the contact elements -by a resilient finger the current circuit to the lamp 111 is completed to energize the lamp and indicate the depression of all of the latching elements 117 in an aligned group thereof. The latching elements 117 may then be retracted by raising the reset plate 13 to return the apparatus to its initial position, and the above sequence repeated. Y

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

I1. An electrical switching device comprising a base plate Y having formed therein a plurality of longitudinally and transversely aligned regularly spaced first apertures provided with sleeves depending from the peripheral edges of said apertures and integrally formed with said base plate, a plurality of longitudinally extending first bars, superimposed side by side on said base plate and individually movable along their lengths between advanced and retracted positions, said bars having formed therein second apertures substantially coinciding with said first apertures when said first bars are in retracted positions, a plurality of transversely extending second bars superimposed side by side on said first bars and individually movable along the lengths thereof between advanced and retracted positions, said second bars havingformed therein third apertures substantially coinciding with said first and second apertures when said-second bars are in retracted positions to define with said first and second apertures a plurality of sets of three registering apertures, means individually resiliently urging said bars toward their advanced positions, a latching element registering with each of said aperture sets and axially movable between a raised and depressed position and including a latching section frictionally slidably engaged by a respective of said sleeves and engaging a respective aperture set when said latching element is in its raised position to lock the corresponding bars in their retracted positions, and out of engagement with said aperture set when said latching element is in its depressed position to release said corresponding bars for movement toward their advanced positions, and switch means responsive to the movement of any of said bars to its advanced position.

2. An electrical switching device comprising a base plate having formed therein a plurality of longitudin-ally and transversely alignedv regularly spaced first apertures, a plurality of longitudinally extending first bars superimposed side by side on said base plate and individually movable along their lengths between advanced and retracted positions, said bars having formed therein second apertures substantially coinciding with said first apertures when said first bars are in retracted positions, a plurality of transversely extending second bars superimposed side by side on said first bars and individually movable along the lengths thereof between advanced and retracted positions, said second bars having formed therein third apertures substantially -coinciding with said first and second apertures when said second bars are in retracted positions to define with said first and second apertures a plurality of sets of three registering apertures, a pair of upper and lower intersecting third and fourth bars overlying sraid second bars and diagonally disposed relative to said superimposed first and second bars, means pivotally supporting said third and fourth bars for swinging in the plane thereof about their point of intersection 'between advanced and retracted positions, said third and fourth bars having apertures formed therein vertically coinciding with corresponding diagonally underlying of said aperture sets when said diagonal bars are in their retracted positions, means individually resiliently urging said bars toward their advanced positions, a latching element registering with each of said aperture sets and axially movable lbetween a raised and depressed position and including a latching section engaging a respective aperture set When said latching element is in its raised position to lock the -corresponding bars in their retracted positions, and out of engagement with said aperture set when said latching element is in its depressed position to release said corresponding bars for movement toward their advanced positions, and switch means responsive to the movement of any of said bars to its advanced position.

3. The electrical switching device of claim 2 wherein each of said latching elements includes a shank section of reduced transverse cross-section directed upwardly from the respective latching section and joined thereto by a downwardly outwardly inclined shoulder.

4. The electrical switching device of claim 3 including a cover plate overlying said bars and having apertures formed therein registering with respective of said aperture sets and of smaller cross-section than said underlying apertures, said latching element Shanks slidably engaging said cover plate apertures.

5. An electrical switching device comprising a base plate having formed thereiny a plurality of longitudinally and transversely Valigned regularly spaced first apertures, a plurality of longitudinally extending first bars having trailing ends and superimposed side by side on said base plate and individually movable along their lengths between advanced and retracted positions, said bars having formed therein second apertures substantially coinciding with said rst apertures when said first bars are in retracted positions, a plurality of transversely extending second Ibars having trailing ends and superimposed side by side on said first bars and individually movable along the lengths thereof `between advanced and retracted positions, said second bars having formed therein third apertures substantially coinciding with said first and second apertures when said second bars are in retracted positions to define with said first and second apertures a plurality of sets of three registering apertures, means including forwardly sprung resilient fingers having upper sections bearing on corresponding trailing ends of said first and second bars and individually resiliently urging said bars toward their advanced positions, a latching element registering with each of said aperture sets and axially movable between a raised and depressed position and including a latching section engaging a respective aperture set when said latching element is in its raised position to lock the corresponding bars in their retracted positions, and out of engagement with said aperture set when said latching element is in its depressed position to release said corresponding bars for movement toward their advanced positions, and switch means responsive to the movement of lany of said bars to its advanced position and including conta-ct elements disposed in the paths of respective of said resilient fingers and in and out of engagement therewith when said corresponding bar engaged linger is in its advanced and retracted position respectively.

6. The electrical switching device of claim wherein said resilient fingers are formed of metal and including a metal strip extending between and connected to the bases of said fingers.

7. The electrical switching device of claim 5 wherein said base plate has openings formed therein adjacent to the trailing ends of said first and second bars, and the free ends of said resilient fingers project through said openings.

8. The electrical switching device of claim 2 wherein said apertures are circular and said latching sections are of cylindrical -configuration of substantially the same diameter as said apertures and said latching elements include axial rods of reduced cross-section directed upwardly from said latching sections and joined thereto by conically shaped shoulders.

9. An electrical switching device comprising a base plate having formed therein a plurality of longitudinally and transversely aligned regularly spaced first apertures, a plurality of longitudinally extending first bars superimposed side by side on s-aid base plate and individually movable along their lengths between advanced and retracted positions, said bars having formed therein second apertures substantially coinciding with said first .apertures when said first bars are in retracted positions, a plurality of transversely extending second bars superimposed side by side on said first bars and individually mova'ble along the lengths thereof between advanced and retracted positions, said second bars having formed therein third apertures substantially coinciding with said first and second apertures when said second bars are in retracted positions to define with said iirst and second apertures a plurality of sets of three registering apertures, means individu-ally resiliently urging said bars toward their advanced positions, a latching element registering with each of said aperture sets and axially movable between a raised and depressed position and including a latching section engaging a respective aperture set when said latching element is in its raised position to lock the corresponding bars in their retracted positions, ,and out of engagement with said aperture set when said latching element is in its depressed position to release said corresponding bars for movement toward their advanced positions, and switch means responsive to the movement of any of said bars to its advanced position and including a reset plate underlying said latching elements and upwardly movable into engagement with the bottoms thereof when in their raised position whereby to facilitate the raising of depressed latching elements.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,126,963 2/1915 Dyson 200-5 X 1,795,536 3/1931 Baker 200-5 X 2,591,869 4/1952 Quimby 273-135 3,192,327 6/1965 Holzer 200-5 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY,\Exam'z`ne1^.

M. GINSBURG, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE COMPRISING A BASE PLATE HAVING FORMED THEREIN A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY ALIGNED REGULARLY SPACED FIRST APERTURES PROVIDED WITH SLEEVES DEPENDING FROM THE PERIPHERAL EDGES OF SAID APERTURES AND INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID BASE PLATE, A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FIRST BARS, SUPERIMPOSED SIDE BY SIDE ON SAID BASE PLATE AND INDIVIDUALLY MOVABLE ALONG THEIR LENGTHS BETWEEN ADVANCED AND RETRACTED POSITIONS, SAID BARS HAVING FORMED THEREIN SECOND APERTURES SUBSTANTIALLY COINCIDING WITH SAID FIRST APERTURES WHEN SAID FIRST BARS ARE IN RETRACTED POSITIONS, A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING SECOND BARS SUPERIMPOSED SIDE BY SIDE ON SAID FIRST BARS AND INDIVIDUALLY MOVABLE ALONG THE LENGTHS THEREOF BETWEEN ADVANCED AND RETRACTED POSITIONS, SAID SECOND BARS HAVING FORMED THEREIN THIRD APERTURES SUBSTANTIALLY COINCIDING WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND APERTURES WHEN SAID SECOND BARS ARE IN RETRACTED POSITIONS TO DEFINE WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND APER-

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