US645984A

US645984A - Electrical switch.

Info

Publication number: US645984A
Application number: US73153799A
Authority: US
Inventors: Julius Ch Tournier
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1899-09-25
Filing date: 1899-09-25
Publication date: 1900-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1917-03-27

Description

No. 645,984. Patented Mar. 27, I900;

J. C. TOURNIEB.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Application filed Sept. 25, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Wiiiiiliiill R Witnesses. Jnventg duliuscflburnier fa: NORRIS PETERS ca. vHbTo-uma, WASHINGTON, u l

Nrrnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

JULIUS CH. TOURNIER, OF SCIIENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,984, dated March 27, 1900. Application filed September 25, 1899. Serial No. 731,537. (No model.)

improvement on the type of socket-switch.

having an oblong contact-maker, a loosely- I connected rotatable spindle therefor, and a spring-terminal for giving a snap action to the contact-maker.

It consists generallyin providing means for permitting the contact-maker of the switch in a-lamp-socket to move farther in the direction of the conductor which engages with the lamp-terminal after it has established electrical communication therewith. I have found also that the rubbing contact between a contact-maker and stationary conductor, both composed of thebrass commonly used in such lamps, is not'always satisfactory and that this fault canbe remedied by interposing a small piece of a different metal, such asphosphor-bronze, as by attaching it to one of the contacts. Either of the contacts could be made entirely of the different metal, but this would cost more. In order to obtain this continued movement of the contact-maker, I cause it'to make yielding contact with the conductor, and for this purpose I provide, for example, one construction consisting of a separate spring interposed between, as by securing it to, the conductors. Other equiva lent mechanical structures can readily be designed. The material of which I propose to make this spring is phosphor-bronze,although a portion of the beneficial results of the invention would follow from the use of a brass spring.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a socket embodying my invention; Fig. 2, an elevation with the supporting-cap and easing removed, and Fig. 3 a plan of Fig. 2.

A is a spring-conductor of a different metal from the brass lamp-retaining sleeve S or other conductor making contact with a lampterminal when the lamp is in the socket, and the best material of which to make the spring I have found to be phosphor-bronze. The, function of the spring A may be obtained by 1 various modes of construction; but it is shown here as a separate strip secured to the flange fof the sleeve S by a screw R in one end, which extends through the porcelain base 0 and is held by a nut N to secure the sleeve S to the base. The base 0 serves as a support for the switch-member frame F, which is secured to the base by the screw Q. The spring A is so arranged that it will not be killed by the other parts, but that the desired degree of its resilient quality is utilized. In the case shown the free end extends over the cavity in the base which contains the contactmaker 0 to normally leave a space between itself and the flange of the sleeve S. The socket-terminal B is connected to line at the binding-post P and engages with the other lamp-terminal when the lamp is in the socket.

Adapted to engage with the spring A is an oblong switch-piece or contact-maker O, which is mounted for a few degrees of lost motion upon the rotatable spindle D, the lat ter being provided with the insulating handle H and the retaining-lugs L. A second spring A, preferably also of phosphor-bronze, suitably secured to a frame F, bears against the contact-maker O on the side opposite to the spring A, and these two springs operate jointly. on the contact-maker. The spring A is connected to line at a suitable binding post, and when the spindle is rotated it will be depressed by the oblong contact-maker O, which will then make contact with the spring A, which spring will then share with A the resistance offered by the rotating oblong block, and the spring A will also afford a good rubbing contact.

When the spindle is turned to open the 5 switch, the lost motion of the block, with the force of the springs A and A, gives it a snap disconnecting movement.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. In a socket for an electric lamp, the combination with an insulating-support, of a,

yielding line-terminal mounted thereon, a conducting lampretainer secured to said support and adapted to conduct current to the lamp, a contact-maker mounted within the insulating-support and adapted to engage with said line-terminal, and means whereby said contact-maker can establish electrical communication with said lamp-retainer, and then move forward toward the latter.

2. Asocket, which comprises an insulatingsupport, a screw-threaded conducting-sleeve secured to said support, a contact maker and breaker, and a strip of difierent metal from that of the sleeve and contact-maker, which is secured between said sleeve and said support.

3. In an electric-lamp socket, the combination with a contact-maker, of a conductingspring adapted to be engaged by said con tactmaker, and an unyielding conductor adapted to engage with a lamp-terminal and with said spring-contact, and to serve as an abutment for the spring-contact when the latter is engaged by the contact-maker.

4. In a lamp-socket, the combination with a rigid conductor adapted to make contact with a lamp-terminal, of a conducting-spring, and a contact-maker adapted to cause the said spring to abut against said conductor.

5. In an electric-lamp socket, the combination with an insulating-support carrying a conductor adapted to support a lamp and engage a terminal thereof, of a contact-maker, and a conducting-piece composed of a matebination with an insulating-support, of a screw-threaded conducting-sleeve having a flange by which it is secured to said support, said sleeve being adapted to receive a screwthreaded lamp-base, a contact-maker mounted within said support, and means whereby said con tact maker can move toward the flange of said sleeve after it has established electrical communication with said sleeve.

7. In a socket for an electric lamp, the combination with an insulating-support, of a conducting lamp-retainer secured thereto, a contact-maker, and a yielding conductor secured between the said insulating-support and said lamp-retainer.

8. In a socket for an electric lamp, the combination with a rigid conductor adapted to engage with a lamp-terminal, of a separate conducting-spring secured to said conductor, and a contact-maker adapted to cause said spring to abut against said conductor, whereby said spring is compressed between the conductor and contact-maker.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of September, 1899.

JULIUS CH. 'IOURNIER.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN 13. HULL, GENEVIEVE HAYNES.