US641927A

US641927A - Quick-break electric switch.

Info

Publication number: US641927A
Application number: US70806799A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Bossert; George L Holton
Original assignee: BOSSERT ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION Co
Current assignee: BOSSERT ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION Co
Priority date: 1899-03-07
Filing date: 1899-03-07
Publication date: 1900-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1917-01-23

Description

No. 64mm. Patented 1an. 23, moo.

W. F. BOSSERT& G. L. HOLTN.

QUICK BREAK.A ELECTRIC SWITCH.

(Application le Mar. 7, 1899.)\ (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

WJTNES'SES INVENTORS No. 64:,927. -Patent@ 1an. 2s, |900. w. F. Bossi-:RT & L. HoLToN. QUICK BBE-AK ELECTRIC SWITCH.

(Application led Mar. 7, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WYT/VESSES NVENTOR' f5 v d 2;@

z Noams Prrrcns oo., Puoforno., wAsmNcToN. D. c.

MTE, STATES PATENT FFICE..

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT AND GEORGE L. I-IOLTON, OF UTICA, N EW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THE BOSSERT ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,

OF SAME PLACE.

QUICK-,BREAK ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,92*?, dated January 23, 1900.

Application filed March 7, 1899.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM F. BOS- sERT and GEORGE L. HoLToN, citizens of the United States, residing at Utica-,in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Quick-Break Electric Switches; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to switch apparatus of the class which operates by a quick action, reducing arcing to the smallest amount possible. In this type of electric switches the blades are operated by a spring action upon operating the device to break the circuit. The actuating-spring is compressed by the switch -lever, the switchblades being retarded by the frictional engagement between their contacts and the fixed contacts until the spring has been compressed. This construction results in a rapid wearing away of the engaging surfaces and requires constant attention to maintain the switch in prime condition. Moreover, the switch is difficult of operation and when large and multipolar considerable force is required to manipulate the lever.

This invention is intended to providea positive lock for the switch-blades, thereby enabling the spring to be compressed to a determinate degree prior to the release of the locking means,whereby the switch-blades will act instantly; to obviate the binding action between the contacts and switchblades; to provide an automatic release for the switch-blades to insure an engagement of the adjacent surfaces of the relativelymovable parts throughout their extent; to provide an adjustment for companion switchblades, and to improve the general construction, whereby the switch can be more easily operated and is certain in action.

The improvement will be described in detail hereinafter, pointed out more particu- Serial No. 708,067. (No model.)

larly inthe appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multipolar switch embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line w 5v of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a front View. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the throw-plate. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the auxiliary plate inverted. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing a spring interposed between the switch-blade and the base. Fig. 8 is a section on the line y y of Fig. 7, showing also the position of post 2. Fig. 9 is a section on the line z a' of Fig. l.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The base l is ofinsulating material, such as marble, slate, vulcanite, artificial stone, or the like. The hinge-posts 2 and terminal or

contact posts

3 and 4 aline and are secured at their lower ends to the base in any manner. These

several posts

2, 3, and 4 are composed of companion and corresponding parts, which enter the spaces formed between the blades of each pair of switchblades. The upper ends of the

posts

2 and 3 are cut square across, whereas the posts 4 have their ends inclined rearwardly to distribute the current throughout their extent at the instant of closing or interrupting the circuit. Notches 5 are provided in the front edges of the posts '4. near their upper ends to cooperate with dogs 6, applied to the guidearms 17.

The switch-blades 8 are disposed in pairs, and two pairs constitute agroup, each group comprising four blades coupled to move as a unit. The number of pairs in each group may be varied according to the required capacity of the switch. It is highlyimportant that the blades of a pair be arranged so as to come upon opposite sides of corresponding and alining posts. Adjusting bolts or screws 9 connect the blades of the several pairs at points in their length, so as to insure a firm connection being secured and maintained between them and the sides of the

terminal posts

3 and 4. The blades 8 when comparatively thin and wide, as shown, are connected by a plurality of adjusters 9, distributed throughout the width of the blades and arranged so as to come in the front and in the rear of the

respective posts

3 and 4, whereby the different parts of the blades can be adj listed so as to cause them to engage throughout the surface extent opposite the posts with the latter. The portions of the blades opposite the posts are longitudinally slotted, as shown at 10, rendering them more flexible, and the strips 11, formed by the said slots, are independently adjustable toward and from corresponding strips by means of the adjusters 9, located at the ends of the respective strips.

A bolt 12 pivotally connects the switchblades of a group to the members of the posts 2, and compensating washers 13 are mounted upon the ends of the bolt and are confined between the head and the nut thereof and the rear wings 14 of an auxiliary plate l5. The washers 13, being of the compensating variety, hold the wings 14 against the sides of the post 2, even though the securing-nut of the bolt should accidentally back. A spacing-washer 16 is mounted on the bolt between the two pairs of switch-blades and holds the inner blades against the inner sides of the members of the post 2.

A guide-arm 17 is rigidly attached to the outer or free end of the switch-blades, and its upper end is apertured to receive a pin 1S, having its ends projecting beyond the edges of the arm to form stops, which engage with portions of the spring 19, which exerts a downward pressure on the plate 20. Vertical slots 21 are formed in the arm and receive the dogs or catches 6, mountedA midway of their ends upon pins passing through the arm and across the slots 2l. Aspring 22, secured to the arm, bears upon the dogs and normally holds them in engagement with the post 4. The lower ends of the dogs are curved rearwardly and terminate in hooks, which interlock with the post by entering the notches 5. The upper ends of the dogs curve forwardly and normally project outwardly from the plane of the arm, so as to be engaged by the plate 2O at the proper time and permit of the quick action of the spring 19.

The throw-plate 20 is pivoted to the post 2 and switch-blades 8 by the bolt 12 through the wings 14 of the auxiliary plate 15, and its forward end has an opening 23,tl1rough which the arm 17 passes. Oppositely-disposed

notches

24 and 25 are formed in the edges of the plate to receive the bent-up

portions

26 and 27 of the auxiliary plate 15, whereby the two plates are mutually self-bracing. When the switch is multipolar, as shown, the several throw-plates are connected in series by the bar 2S, electrically insulated from each of the throw-plates and having the handles 29 applied thereto.

The auxiliary plate l5 is attached to the under side of the throw-plate, and its edge portions are bent to form the wings 14, the bent-up portions 2G and 27, and the contactwings 30 and 31. The contact-wings 30 and v3l are subdivided by vertical slits 32 to insure a better contact of the engaging surfaces. The lower ends ofthe wings 3l are inclined in a reverse direction to the inclined end of the post for a like purpose-. c., to secure a maximum amount of engaging surface at the instant of making or breaking the circuit.

The spring 19 is notched at its free end to receive the arm 17 and the separated portions embracing the edges of the arm engage with the projecting end portions of the pin 18. This spring 19 is rigidly attached at its rear end to the throw-plate by means of a bolt 33, the latter passing through them and the auX- iliary plate 15.

The switch when closed is locked by the dogs 6. Upon operating the throw-plate the spring 19 is compressed, and just prior to the throw-plate reaching the limit of movement relative to the spring 19 it will engage with the upper ends of the dogs G and move them in and effect a release of the dogs from the post 4. The switchblades being released will move quickly and interrupt the circuit by a snap action, due to the action of the spring 19 regaining itself. The switch-blades are not retarded in their action by the frictional contact between them and the terminal posts, as is the case with the switches of this type as heretofore generally constructed when operating the switch to break the circuit and which has been found objectionable.

It is proposed in some instances to interpose a spring between aswitch-blade and the base. Fig. 7 illustrates such a construction, two

springs

34 and 35 being shown. The springs are substantially of U form, the members of the spring 35 being straight and parallel and the members cr legs of the spring 34 being defiected outwardly between their ends and bearingl against the inner sides of the members of the spring 35.v The members or legs ot' the springs are slotted and slipped upon the post 2 and the springs are oppositely disposed and arranged the one within the other. The object of the spring 35 is to press with its extremities upwardly against the blade pivoted to post 2 and throw saidblade upwardly when it is withdrawn from the latch. The spring 34 reinforces spring 35.

The invention can be applied to a single, double, or multipolar switch whether comprising a single or a series of switch-blades. Therefore it is to be understood that changes in form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention when adapting it to any particular kind, make, or Variety of switch.

IOS)

IIO

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An electric switch comprising fixed contacts, a switch-blade, a throw-plate, a spring arranged above the throw-plate and a locking device carried by the switch-blade adapted to engage one of said contacts, and having a portion extending within the path of the throwplate.

2. An electric switch comprising fixed contacts, a switch-blade, a throw-plate, a spring arranged above the throw-plate, a guide-arm projecting from the switch-plate, and a locking device pivotally secured to said guide-arm adapted to engage one of said contacts, and

having a projection extending within the path of the throw-plate.

3. In electric-switch apparatus comprising fixed contacts, a switch-blade, a throw-plate, and an actuating-spring, a locking device applied to the switch-blade and interlocking with one of the contacts and having a portion extending within the path of the throw-plate to be engaged thereby and effect a release of the switch-blade.

4. In electric-switch apparatus comprising fixed contacts, a switch-blade, a throw-plate, and an actuating-spring, a guide-arm projecting from the switch-blade, and a dog pivoted to the guide-arm and adapted to interlock with one of the said contacts and having a portion extending within the path of the throw-lever to be struck thereby and automatically release the switch-blade.

5. In electric-switch apparatus comprising fixed contacts, a switch-blade, a throw-plate, and an actuating-spring a guide-arm projecting from the switch-blade and having a vertical slot, a dog pivoted midway of its ends within the said slot and interlocking at its lower end with one of the said terminals, and having its upper end extending within the path of the throw-plate to be engaged thereby, and a spring for holding the dog in a normal position.

6. In electric-switch apparatus, front and rear contacts provided in pairs, coperating pairs of switch-blades, a guide-arm applied to the outer or front ends of the switch-blades and having parallel slots, an actuatin g-spring,

a throw-plate, dogs pivoted medially within the slots of the guide-arm and engaging with the front contacts and automaticaly released by the throw-plate, and a spring for the dogs to hold them in normal position.

7 In electrical-switch apparatus, fixed terminals, in combination with a pair of switchblades adapted to embrace the sides of the said terminals and having longitudinal slots in transverse alinement and in position to come opposite the terminals, and means adj ust-ably connecting the separated portions of the switch-blades at their ends.

S. In electrical-switch apparatus, fixed termina-ls, in combination with apair of switchblades having portions longitudinally slotted and adapted to embrace the sides of the said terminals, means adjustably connecting the parts separated by the slots, and a throwplate having pairs of slotted contacts embracing the slotted portions of the switch-blades.

9. An electric switch comprising fixed contacts, and a throw plate having contacts adapted to overlap said fixed contacts; a switch-blade; a lock-spring bearing upon said throw-plate; a guide-arm carried by the switch-blade; a pivoted locking device for engaging one of the fixed contacts and projecting in the path of the throw-plate to be released thereby.

lO. In electrical-switch apparatus, the combination with fixed terminals, and a throwplate having opposite notches in its edges, of an auxiliary plate having bent-up portions entering the said notches of the throw-plate, and having pairs of integral wings.

11. In electrical-switch apparatus, the combination with a hingepost, and a switchblade, of an approximately U-shaped spring having its members slotted and slipped upon the hinge-post and an oppositely-disposed auxiliary spring engaging the inner faces thereof.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT. GEORGE L. HOLTON.

Witnesses:

FRED T. FoxENBERGER, LORIMER D. MILLER..