US3919512A

US3919512A - Spring actuated electric switch with particular latching dog arrangement

Info

Publication number: US3919512A
Application number: US302019A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dick Ray; Gene R Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-10-30
Filing date: 1972-10-30
Publication date: 1975-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-11

Abstract

An oil switch having a switch blade operating assembly with springs threin in which energy is stored as a switch handle is moved to open or close the switch, the assembly being restrained from rotation by a latching means until the handle means released the latching means at which time the assembly, under the influence of the stored spring energy, will rapidly move or rotate the switch blade means into a closed or open position relative to the stationary contacts.

Description

United States Patent Ray, deceased et a1.

[45] Nov. 11, 1975 SPRING ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH PARTICULAR LATCHING DOG ARRANGEMENT Inventors: Dick Ray, deceased, late of Tulsa.

Okla; Gene R. Stevens, Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 Appl. No.: 302,019

US. Cl 200/153 SC; 74/97; 200/70 Int. Cl. H0111 21/42; H0lh 3/30 Field of Search 200/153 SC, 67 B, 63 R,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1930 Fisher l 200/70 5/1960 Starr 200/153 SC X 10/1965 Lusk et a1. 200/153 SC 3,403,565 10/1968 Kovats 200/63 R X 3.590.183 6/1971 Leonard 200/70 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 931,400 2/1948 France 200/70 Primary Emminer-Robert K. Schaeff Assistant Eraminer-Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney. Agent, or Firm-D. Verner Smythe et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An oil switch having a switch blade operating assembly with springs therein in which energy is stored as a switch handle is moved to open or close the switch, the assembly being restrained from rotation by a latching means until the handle means released the latching means at which time the assembly, under the influence of the stored spring energy, will rapidly move or rotate the switch blade means into a closed or open position relative to the stationary contacts.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 4 3,919,512

U.S. Patant Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 014 3,919,512

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,919,512

US. Patent Nc w. 11, 1975 Sheet4 of4 3,919,512

SPRING ACTUATED ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH PARTICULAR LATCHING DOG ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to electric switches and particularly to switches requiring fast operation to prevent or inhibit arcing.

Numerous forms of switch mechanisms are known for attempting to obtain sudden and abrupt engagement or disengagement of contacts under load. It is especially desirable to be able to open the contacts when under electrical load without an objectionable or excessive arcing. A switch which is operated directly by a handle by an operator is especially susceptible to areing because of a slowing or reversing movement by the operator when the blade is in close proximity to the stationary contacts.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved operating structure for fast operation of an electric switch arrangement.

In one aspect of the invention. a switch blade means is operable by a stored energy operating means. the operating means having a latching arrangement for preventing movement of the operating means and blade means until an operating handle has been moved sufficiently for energizing springs in the stored energy operating means. Then, further movement of the handle will unlatch the latching means to permit the switch blades abruptly to engage or disengage with stationary switch contacts.

These and other objects. advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a four switch assembly with a portion of the casing broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the switch operating mechanism looking along the line 2-2 of FIG. 3;'

FIG. 3 is a view partially in section looking in the direction 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the switch in an off position;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 except that the operating handle has been moved toward the on position;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except that the switch blade has been moved to the "on" position;

FIG. 7 is similar to the form shown in FIG. 2 except that it has a double arm; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of the arm mechanism of the form shown in FIG. 2.

In the various views and where appropriate. the same parts will be indicated by like reference numerals.

A switch assembly with four switches therein is shown in FIG. 1. One of more switches could be used. Switch enclosure is arranged to contain the operating mechanisms and can be filled with insulating oil as is known in the art. Switch blades 21 are operated by the stored energy operating assembly indicated generally as 22, as will be described hereafter. As an example, switch blade 21 can be connected through suitable pivots 23 to the electrical bushing connections 24. Contact members 25 can be connected in the usual manner to 26. The right-hand switch A is shown in open position, and switch mechanism B is shown in closed position.

The stored energy operating assembly is shown in open position in FIG. 2. In the form shown. switch blade assembly 21 can take various configurations. In

the illustrated blade assembly. spaced

blades

28, 29 are pivotally connected to posts 30 by means of a pivot pin or bolt 31. Pivot bolt or means 31 has nuts 32, 33 and a spring 34 for maintaining the

blades

28, 29 in an assembled relationship to each other and to posts 30. The upper or contact-making ends are flared outwardly at 35, 36 and are held in related position by a bolt assembly 37 which has a spring means 38. The spring will permit the blades to separate as they move onto stationary contact 25 so as to grip firmly the contact and also to provide for any misalignment. The spacing of

blades

35, 36 is made such so that the blades will properly straddle fixed contacts 25 as the blade is moved to closed position.

Describing one of the switches. front wall 39 of enclosure 20 has hub 40 thereon which provides journal 41 for receiving the bored or apertured shaft 42 which is connected to spring arm 43. Received within the bore of shaft 42 is the stored energy operating assembly shaft 44.

The stored energy operating assembly includes

plates

45 and 46 which are held in spaced relation by spacer means 47. Mounted on plate 45 are latching

dogs

48, 49 which are pivotally mounted to the plate on

pivot pins

50, 51. The dogs have rearwardly extending pins 52., 53 (FIG. 2) which are arranged in apertures 54, 55 so that the dogs can be pivoted about the

pivot pins

50, 51.

Dog springs 56, 57 normally hold the dogs in a latching position relative to

lugs

58, 59.

Lugs

58, 59 are stationary or can be carried on front cover plate 39 of enclo-sure 20. Stored energy springs 60, 61, 62 and 63 are carried between the

plates

45 and 46. Mating ends of

springs

62, 63 are carried on pins 64 mounted on each end of spring arm 43. The outer ends of the springs are mounted on pins 65 which are slidably carried in slots 66 in

plates

45, 46, such being arranged so that the pins can slide in slots 66 as the springs are compressed by movement of arm 43.

Switch operating lever or handle 67 is fastened to the spring arm shaft 42. The handle can be operated manually or by a suitable operating motor. A pointer 44A can be mounted on shaft 44 so as to indicate position of the assembly and the switch blades.

The switch blades are fastened to transverse blade arm which in turn is connected to bracket 76 on end plate 46. The center of rotation of the switch blades about their pivots 31 is related to the center of rotation of the stored energy spring assembly so that rotation of the assembly will cause movement of the blades relative to the fixed contacts 25.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the switch is shown in its open" position. As operating arm or handle 67 is moved counterclockwise. spring arm 43 will be moved so that springs 61 and 63 are stretched, the

plates

45 and 46 being held by the latching dogs and lug from rotation. The other ends of

springs

60 and 62 will slide in the slots 66 as the springs tend to be compressed or not stretched as shown. Thus. energy will commence to be stored in the stored energy spring mechanism. As mentioned. the assembly 22 is prevented from rotating by lug 58 contacting latching dog 49.

Continued rotation of switch operating arm 67, as seen in FIG. 5, will further stretch the springs until the cam surface 68 of spring arm 43 contacts pin 53 of dog 49. As a result. the stored energy assembly 22 is now released from being held by lug 58 so that it will snap counterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 6. Dog 49 will be returned to its normal position and will be moved into contact with lag 59 so as to stop further rotation of the spring assembly at a predetermined position. As a result. the energized springs will rapidly rotate the stored energy operating assembly so that switch blade 27 will be snapped into closed position on switch contacts 25.

Similarly, when it is desired to open the switch. operating handle 67 will be moved clockwise (FIG. 6) which will store energy in

springs

60, 62 until the cam surface 69 on the opposite end of arm 43 contacts pin 52 of dog 48 and releases the mechanism from lug 59. This will then permit the stored energy of the stretched springs to snap the switch blade rapidly and break electrical contact between blade 2] and its fixed contact 25. The movement is rapid so that any are that might start is rapidly extinguished.

The form of operating arm 43 is shown in more detail in FIG. 8. The cam surfaces 68 and 69 thereof are shown together with pins 64 for receiving the ends of the springs.

HO. 7 illustrates another form of the invention in which there is a duplicate set of dogs and a double spring arm 70. The purpose of this arrangement is to further ensure the operation in the event one set of dogs or lugs might not function properly. Spring arm 70 has a lower set of cam surfaces 71. 72 for cooperating with the lower latching dogs 73, 74 in the same manner as previously described for the upper cam surfaces of arm 43.

When the spring arm 70 is rotated counterclockwise. it will release both the dog 49 and dog 74 so that the stored energy in two of the stretched springs will rapidly rotate or snap the switch blade to closed position. Similarly. movement in the opposite direction will open the switch.

It should be apparent that variations can be made in details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric switch mechanism. the combination including frame means. switch blade means including 4 spaced blades pivotally mounted on said frame, stationary switch contact means engageable with said switch blade means. stored energy operating means in said frame means including a pair of spaced plates and a shaft extending therebetween and projecting outwardly therefrom, stationary lug means on said frame. a pair of latching dogs pivoted at their opposite ends to one of said plates on either side of and engagcable with said latching dogs for holding said operating means from movement until said latching dogs are released and for controlling movement in either direction. switch handle means arranged on said shaft. a spring arm mounted on and rotatable by said shaft, a series of spring means connected to opposing ends of said spring arm. the outer ends of said spring means being connected to pin means slidably arranged in slot means in one of said plates, said switch handle means being rotated to move said switch blade means relative to said switch contact means and to rotate said plates, spring arm and latching dogs therewith to release said latching dogs from said stationary lug means, whereby at a predetermined position of said handle means said spring arm will be released from said lug means and said spring means will abruptly move said switch blade means relative to said contact means.

2. ln a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm means has cam surfaces thereon contactable with said latching dogs for unlatching the same.

3. ln a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are at least two latching means and said spring arm means has cam surfaces for releasing both latching means.

4. ln a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring arm means is connected to four springs connecting said arm means to said operating means.

5. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein each blade means comprises two blades with flared ends and the blades are resiliently held relative to each other.

6. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of switch blade means carried on a bar attached to said operating means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION November 11, 1975 a Patent No. 5,919,512 Dated Dick Ray, deceased, late of Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Inventofls) Juel O. Rav. Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Mac Ray, Brookings,

South Dakota, Sole Heirs It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Patent Front Page, [76], Dick Ray, deceased, late of Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Juel 0. Ray, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Mac Ray, Brookings, South Dakota, Sole Heirs.

q Signed and Sealed this sixth Day of April1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH- C. MRSON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner nflatz'nrs and Trademarks FORM Po-1050 (10-69) uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 U.S. GOVKRNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 869- 930

Claims

1. In an electric switch mechanism, the combination including frame means, switch blade means including spaced blades pivotally mounted on said frame, stationary switch contact means engageable with said switch blade means, stored energy operating means in said frame means including a pair of spaced plates and a shaft extending therebetween and projecting outwardly therefrom, stationary lug means on said frame, a pair of latching dogs pivoted at their opposite ends to one of said plates on either side of and engageable with said latching dogs for holding said operating means from movement until said latching dogs are released and for controlling movement in either direction, switch handle means arranged on said shaft, a spring arm mounted on and rotatable by said shaft, a series of spring means connected to opposing ends of said spring arm, the outer ends of said spring means being connected to pin means slidably arranged in slot means in one of said plates, said switch handle means being rotated to move said switch blade means relative to said switch contact means and to rotate said plates, spring arm and latching dogs therewith to release said latching dogs from said stationary lug means, whereby at a predetermined position of said handle means said spring arm will be released from said lug means and said spring means will abruptly move said switch blade means relative to said contact means.

2. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm means has cam surfaces thereon contactable with said latching dogs for unlatching the same.

3. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are at least two latching means and said spring arm means has cam surfaces for releasing both latching means.

4. In a switch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring arm means is connected to four springs connecting said arm means to said operating means.