US718775A - Quick-break electrical switch. - Google Patents

Description

No. 718,775. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

E. A. LA ROCHE. QUICK BREAK ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION IILED DBO. 14, 1901.

No MODEL.

UNITED TATES PATENT vOFFICE.

FREDRICK A. LA ROCHE, NEW YORK, N. Y.

QUICK-BREAK ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,775, dated January 20, 1903.

I Application filed December 14, 190].. Serial No. 85,883. (No model.)

.To @ZZ whom t may concerns' Beit known that I, FREDRICK A. LAROCHE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Quick-Break Electrical Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention in quick break electrical switches relates toimprovementsin the means for eecting a rapid or instantaneous break, whereby a minimum of arcing at the contactpoints is permitted when the switch is being thrown into an open position, while the circuit which the switch is adapted to control is energized; and the object of my invention is to provide a means whereby any ordinary bridged type of electrical switch maybe readily equipped With a quick-break device arranged in accordance with my invention and to provide for such device a controller, whereby the same may be actuated kby the operator in a manner more convenient than by any of the older devices adapted to accomplish a similar purpose of which I am at present aware; and a further object of my invention is to render the said device capable of being attached with facility to the same support as that of the elements which enter into the switch structure. The different features of my invention by which I attain these objects are illustrated in the drawing hereto attached, which forms part of this specification, wherein- A is the switch-base, which is usually composed of marble or slate, upon which the switch B is mounted in the usual manner. Upon the switch-base A, I mount a motor or projector C in the manner shown in the drawing, in which I have illustrated the saine by a cross-sectional view taken through the center of the motor or projector, so as to show the different operating parts. The head D of the projector is secured to a plunger E, and a thrust-spring E, contained within the tube G, is arranged in a manner so as to bear and thrust against the plunger E, so as to exert an outward pressure against the latch or releasing-hook H, which when thrown into the position of the dotted line by the lever I will release the head D, allowing the compressionspring E to act directly upon the cross-bar of the switch B, so as to force it toward that position indicated by the dotted lines or into that position in which the switch will be opened with sufficient force to throw the latter open rapidly.

To energize the motor or projector C, the switch is thrown into a closed position, or that shown by the full lines in the drawing, until the cross-bar of the switch has forced the head D into engagement with the hook of the latch II.

It is obvious that the switch B may be manipulated by hand without disturbing the projector. It is also obvious that my projector or motor may be attached to the base of a large variety of switches of a type similar toY that shown in the drawing, thereby converting the usual type of switch referred to into a quick-break switch. v

I am aware that quick-break switches have been in vogue previous to my invention, wherein a spring-actuated plunger was unlatched by thermostatic provision to automatically effect the quick opening of the switch and that it has also been proposed to provide a switch turning in bearings and adapted to break at two points, with a handle designed to be held in an open position by contractile springs attached to a turning part ofthe switch and to the base, respectively, the handle when turned to the closed position being retained therein by a springengaged latch having a iinger-piece for effecting the release of the lever. My invention will be readily distinguished from such constructions in that I combine with a knifeswitch having engaging clips a spring-actuated motor or projector in a position to be energized when the switch is engaged with the clips, said motor including a head against which the switch bears when so engaged, a latch independently movable of but restraining said head when pressed back, and a stem connected with said latch carrying a fingerrest and extending in such convenient position contiguous to the several parts that a slight finger-presen re will disengage the latch from the head, release the motor or projector, and permit it to quickly throw the switch from the clips. The location of the tube G in the base not only conduces to compactness, but affords ample range for the thrustsprin g and plunger-rod. It also serves for the convenient application of the securing-nuts both at the front and back of the base.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is- 1. In a manually-operated electrical switch, the combination with a switch and its contacts, of a motor adapted to be energized by the pressure contact of the switch when moved to the closed position, a latch for restraining said motor independent of said switch, and a finger-operated lever for moving said latch to release the motor and permit it to outwardly force the switch.

2. In a man ually-operated electrical switch, the combination with a switch and its contacts, of a motor including a tube located in the switch-base and containing a thrustspring acting;r upon a plunger rod and head, said head being adapted to be moved back by the pressure contact of the switch, to energize the spring, a latch movable independently of the head but adapted to restrain the same when pressed back and a finger device for moving said latch to release lthe head and permit it to outwardly force the switch.

3. In a manually-operated electrical switch, the combination with a switch and its contacts, of a motor including a tube located and secured in the switch-base and containing a thrust-spring acting upon a plunger rod and head, the latter being adapted to be moved back by the pressure contact of the switch to energize the spring, a latch mov'- able independently of but vibrated by the head upon its rearward movement to restrain the same, and a lever at the rear of the switch connected to the latch, extending beyond the switch and carryingr a finger-rest to permit it to be operated to release the latch and allow the motor to outwardly force the switch.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDRICK A. LA ROCHE.

Witnesses:

CHAS. WAHLERS, M. BLUMER.

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