US761003A - Controlling means for electric circuits. - Google Patents

Description

'No. 761,003. PATENTBD MAY 24, 1904.

' L K. LUX.

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, 1903. 1V0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

:r Ihlllllllllllfliiiliillll EIIIIIMQW No. 761,003. v PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

' J; K. LUX.

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2(5, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

dlllllllllllllh 3 UNITED STATES Patented May 24, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS K. LUX, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Original application filed June 3,1897, Serial No. 639,230. Divided and this application filed June 25, 1903. Serial No. 163,050.

REM-24M Li (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern:

- Be it known that I, JULIUs K. LUx, a'citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Means for Electric Circuits, of which the following is a specification.

This application is a division of my application, Serial No. 639,230, filed June 3, 1897.

The principles of my invention are embodied in the form of a double-pole snapswitch.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an electric switch embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a sectional view approximately on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view showing the blades of-the contacts in their open position. Fig. 1 is a sectional View of the porcelain parts approximately on line 4: 4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction ofthe arrows, other parts being shown in elevation and partly broken away to more clearly show the arrangement. Fig. 5 isa view of the operating mechanism, showing the energizing and spring conveying means turned to the right from the position shown in Fig. 1, the actuator M having turned the movable contact from position shown in Fig. 1. The actuating-spring is approximately at that dead-center which obtains in the closing movement. Fig. 6 shows the conveyer at its extreme right position. The movable contact has turned in a direction the reverse to that of the energizing means to that home position which is opposite to that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 shows the parts in the return movement from that position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and with the actuating-spring about at the dead-center which obtains in the opening movement. Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates the base, made of porcelain or other suitable material. The said base and the hereinafter-described bearing-piece D support the various elements of the device.

A indicates a bearing-piece for one of the journals of the hereinafter-described movable contact. The said bearing-piece is secured in position by the screws A A.

anlssn'su SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 761,003, dated May 24, 1904.

A A indicate posts extending upwardly from the base. The said posts are diametrically opposite each other and support the fixed contacts O C and the bearing-piece D. The said posts are undercut on the side circumferentially behind the contacting surfaces of the fixed contacts to allow the movable contact I to pass partially under the said posts A A to make a one-quarter revolution from its closed position, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 1.

A A indicate tongues of insulating material extending from the said posts A A The said tongues are substantially both parallel to the said base and concentric to the center thereof. They areadapted to interrupt the arc that may form between the upper and lower fixed contacts when a circuit is broken.

A A indicate webs of insulating material, and they connect the outer edges of the tongues A A to the base.

A A indicate walls-of insulating material extending upwardly from the p0sts'A A and from the tougues A A. The webs A and the walls A each contributeto prevent the formation of an arc between the fixed contacts and the metallic cover or case N when the circuit is being broken.

A indicates a disk of insulating material,

and it rests upon the walls A A 0 O indicate fixed contacts which are secured to the posts A A by means of bolts C C, which latter are inserted from the under side of the base, as is usual. Thesaid fixed contacts are provided with means .for receiving the conductors G which latter are held in position by the binding-screws (1 0 B B indicate fixed contacts which are'placed under the arc-interrupting tongues A A. The said fixed contacts extend through the base and then forwardly for a short distance, where they are secured to an under surface of the said base by means of the screws B B, as is shown in Fig.3.

The said fixed contacts are provided with means for receiving ing surfaces, while the fastenings of the contacts B B extend circumferentially forward or in the same direction as their respective contacting surfaces. This construction separates the fastenings of the contacts C from the fastenings of the contacts B and reduces the liability of av short circuit between the said fixed contacts or the conductors which may be secured thereto. If the contacts B B were fastened at the major upper surface of the base, an arc could jump from the fixed contact-brush to that part of the contact which extends circumferentially forward and follow the movable contact during part of its opening movement. To obviate this, I fasten the said contacts below the major upper surface of the said base and preferably to an under surfacethercof. The said contacts B B and C C cooperate with the hereinafter-described contacts G and I.

D indicates a bearing-piece for moving parts of the device. The said hearing-piece is superimposed over the movable contact, which feature permits of the improved arrangement of the moving parts and of their axes. The movable contact, the actuating-spring, and the spring energizing and conveying means are brought much closer together and made more compact, serviceable, and effective than has been usual. It also affords an outbearing or outer bearing for one of the herein-described operative connections of the yielding actuating means. It has been usual to support that connection with a pivot and shoulder bearingthat is, with a cylindrical journaland also with a flat surface hearing within the outer circle or circumference of the said cylindrical portion. A cramping or binding stress exists and inheres in such a bearing, which is analogous to that of the herein-described tilting stress on the movable contact. The operative connection of the yielding actuating with .the energizing means is supported in proximity or juxtaposition to that connection and at two sides of the radius or line of movement thereof. A running or sliding bearing is formed, which is preferably as remote from the said-pivot and shoulder bearing as is the said operative connection of the yielding actuatingmeans. The support D, the slotD, and the shiftable bearing of the spring connection F form a new means for shiftably bearing one of the operative connections of the yielding actuating means. This new bearing is an important improvement. It permits of a great increase in the springs power without cramping whatsoever. The said bearing-piece is mounted on top of the posts A? A and behind the contacts G C, where it is secured by means of the bolts D D. If the actuating-spring be disposed at one side of a journal, (for the movable contact,) a tiltingacramping, binding stress is developed at the said journal. If the saidspring be disposed at one side of the movable contact, a lateral or binding stress is developed at the contacting surfaces, due to the impulse of the spring and the opposing or retarding infience of the fixed contact.

H indicates a drum-shaped separator. It separates the journals and the upper from the lower movable contacts and allows the actuating-spring to exert its stress in a plane situated between the said journals and also between the said movable contacts, thereby eliminating all tilting or cramping stress. The said separator may be made of metal'as, for example, in a single-pole switch with the wires of opposite polarity at the same side of the axis, as hereinafter described. It may consist of one or more studs or posts; but when formed as'a continuous band or hollow drum it has greater stability, particularly when it insulates one contact from another. The said separator has ends or heads H and H which heads are sunk into the ends of the drum-shaped portion, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. G and I indicate the movable contacts. They have disk-shaped central portions, which are placed against the outer faces of the heads H and H The contacting surfaces of the said movable contacts extend through notches formed in the ends of the separator H, and the said contacting surfaces are in position to come into engagement with the fixed contacts C C and B B, respectively. The contacting surfaces of the rocking movable contact are disposed at both sides .of a plane in which the stress of the actuatingspring resides and moves. By this arrangement the retardation of the movable contact due to impact or friction with the fixed contacts is divided or balanced as required to reduce or eliminate that lateral cramping stress on the movable contact which would result were that retardation which is due to the fixed contact wholly at one side of the said plane of spring-stress. The contact G and the above-mentioned head H are each cut away or pierced to permit the passage of a suitable connection between the actuating spring and the energizing means. The arrangement of the energizing means over one movable contact with the actuating-spring under the same adds to that compactness of structure whereby better alinement of the parts is maintained and the effectiveness of the device is enhanced. The ends of the separator H are raised above the said central portions of the contacts G and I, and the said ends tend to interrupt the arc that may form when a circuit is being broken. They also cause the movable contacts and the separator to move together. The pivots G and I are alike in all essentials and extend in opposite directions outwardly from the movable contacts G and I, respectively. The pivot G is journaled at the center of the bearing-piece D. The pivot 1 is journaled in the bearing-piece A at the center of the base A, thus allowing the movable member to bear or carry the contacting surfaces to and from the fixed contacts. The guide-pinsH H are'in serted through the movable contactG and fixed in the separator H. The guide-pins H H* are analogous to the said pins H and ex-' I contacts and the separator to move together.

The spring Gr is placed upon the pivot G between the fixed support D and the movable contact. The said spring G holds the movable contact Gr against the separator and allows the said movable contact to adjust itself to the fixed contacts (J-(l' The spring I is placed on the pivot 1 between the bearingplate A and the movable contact I. The functions of the spring I are analogous to those of the above-mentioned spring G. The

pin G extends inwardly from the contact G and the head H at a point near the'periphery of the former. One end of the actuatingspring J is connected to the said pin G.

F indicates means for energizing and shifting the actuating-spring J It is fixed upon the shaft F, which shaft is journaled in the bearing-piece D. The pinion K is fixed upon the inner end of the said shaft F and is in 'mesh'with the pinion L. The pin F extends from the free end of thespring energizing and conveying means F through'the bearingpiece D by way of the concentric slot D and through the above-mentioned openings in the movable contact G and the head H. The remaining end of the actuating-spring J is connected to the inner end of the said pin F under the movable contact G and in the interior of themovable circuit-controlling member. The handle E is fixed to the outer end of the shaft F. v

N indicates a metallic casing or cover which fits over the base and incloses' the moving parts.

J indicates the yielding actuating means or spring. One end thereof is connected to the movable contact at G and the other end is connected to the energizing. and shifting means at F. The preferred form of actuating-spring is of the retractile coiled form shown, and it crosses or passes the line of axis of the movable contact and the line of axis of the energizing means at each operation of opening or closing the device. I desire it understood, however, that other forms of yielding actuating means may be used and that my improvements are applicable to all circuit-controlling devices wherein yielding actuating means urge cooperating electrical contacts together and apart, so as to effect quick snap actions. In some forms of switches it is essential that the spring do not cross the line of axis of the movable contact. It has been usual to supply the movable connals.

'I desire to call special attention to the arrangement, the movement, and the delivery of the said spring. If, as has been usual, but one journal is used, then when the actuatingspring or the stress thereof nears the line of dead-center it tends to tilt the-movable con- I tact sidewise out of its true plane of rotation, thus producing cramping or binding and 1ncreased journal friction, or the said tilting is productive of a sliding shoulder or bearing,

thus retarding the free movement of the movable contact about its axis. An increase in the power of the said actuating-spring, owing to the leverage, will cause a greater proportionate increase in the retardation. The arrangement of the journals on either side of the plane of stress of the actuating-spring eliminates the said undue friction at the jour- An'inc'rease in the number ,or power of the actuating-springs will not produce the increased retardation above referred to. In other words, the operative connection of the yielding actuating means with the movable contact has plural bearings arranged to cause the said yielding means to pass between them, so as to keep the said connection in its true line of movement without cramping. In the closing movement of the device the fixed contacts act as a cushion or buffer by reason of the sliding or rubbing contact; but in the opening movement the movable contact opens with a hammer-like blow on the stop or other parts that limit'the said movement, and that (increased) power which is desirable in the closing movement is objectionable and detrimental in the opening movement of the device. When the opening and closing powers are alike, each of the said twopowers and their mean or average are the same (given) quantity. My improved arrangement subtracts from the said given quantity in the opening movement and adds to the said given quantity inthe closing movement of the device. The said arrangement develops more power in the closing and less power in the opening of the device than the mean or average power of the combined opening and closing movements. The point of connection of the actuating-spring J withthe movable contact swings or travels back and forth about the axis of the movable contact. A plane in which the line of the said axis is and which plane bisects equally the path of the said travel is the plane of equal stressthat is,'if the axis F be located in the said plane the energizing means will develop equal spring power in both the opening and closing operations ofthe device. It has been usual to locate the axis of the energizing means in the said plane of equal stress, thus developing equal spring power on the movable contact in either direction. To increase the closing power, (without increasing the opening power,) I locate the axis of the energizing means at one side of the said plane of equal stress.

In my improved device the pin F and also the line of stress of the actuating-spring J are each delivered farther from the line of axis of the movable contact when the device is closed than would be the case if the axis of the energizing means were located in the said plane of equal stress. The said closed position of the pin F increases the stress of the said spring. The said closed position of the spring J improves the angle or position-of effectiveness of the spring stress, and thereby increases the effectiveness on the movable contact of a given spring stress or force. The course traveled by the pin F increases the power of the actuating-spring during the operation of closing the device. The saidincreased stress resulting from the delivery of the pin F, the said improved angle of stress, and the said course traveled by the pin F each contribute to the more eflectual engagement of the movable with the fixed contacts. The said increased closing power obtains with the same spring and moving parts and without increasing the dimensions of the device. It will also increase the carrying capacity of the device by improving or increasing the electrical contact. Conversely, the said pin F and also the line of stress of the actuatingspring are each delivered nearer the line of axis of the movable contact when the device is opened. This open position of the pin F decreases the stress of the said spring. This open position of the spring J impairs the angle of the effective spring stress, and thereby decreases the effectiveness on the movable contact of a given spring stress or force. The course traveled by the pin F decreases the power of the actuating-spring during the operation of opening the device. The decreased spring stress resulting from the said delivery of the pin F, the said impaired angle of stress, and the said course traveled by the pin F each contribute to reduce needless strain or shock to the parts in the operation of opening the device.

It is not essential that all of the herein-described means be jointly used to obtain the powers described. Whether expressed in terms of power, which as herein used may be synonymous with effectiveness and efiiciency, or in terms of stress and energy, which as herein used may be synonymous with quantity, and whether the departures from (the heretofore usual) equal powers be influenced by changing either the opening or closing powers, or both, or the opening or closing energies, or both, the essential which is claimed to be broadly new is that the circuit be closed with more yielding power than is used to open it. To these three factors for reducing thethe pin F be turned until the spring J is near,

the line of axis of the movable contact, the said spring is under needless and ineffective stress, which is not available or effective until the stress of the said spring is delivered past the said line of axis. This non-propulsive stress is greatest in the closing movement. In the closing movement the actuator M propels the spring connection G before the deadcenter is reached to prevent overstraining the actuating-spring. 1n the opening movement the actuator M propels the said spring connection before and after the dead-center is reached, so as to reduce the opening power of the actuating-spring. Increased power when closing occasions increased adhesion or retardation of the contacting surfaces. When opening the device,the reduced opening power of the actuating-spring adds to the difficulty. The actuator M assists the actuating-spring and makes positive the disengagement of-the contacts in the opening movement. The arrangement and direction of movement of the actuator M relatively to the energizing means enables the improved arrangement of the axis of the latter means With relation to the axis of the movable contact, whereby a movement of ninety degrees is given to both the energizing means and the movable contact with the desired spring stress and effectiveness thereof when the device is closed and with a separation or break of ninety degrees be tween the cooperating contacts when the device is opened. The said direction of movement of the actuator relatively to the energizing means, taken with the loose connection between those parts and the movable contact, enables the positive action of the actuator together with the snap action of the movable contact unretarded by the handle. The arrangement of the axis F increases the closing power; but it also increases the non-propulsive stress of the yielding actuating means before the dead-center is passed. Therefore the spring when developing its maximum power may not have its said power doubled by a requisite increase in the size of the wire and be operative. Such an increase in the size of the elasticity anddouble the power, it would be very much too large to be used in a switch of the same size. To add to the maximum closing power of the yielding means J and retain the given circumference, I supply another individual actuating means "This division or pluralizing of the yielding actuating means integrates with that -arrangement whereby the herein-described increased closing stress is obtained, 'so-as to supplement'or add to that power without increasing the radius of the yieldingly-connected*points, the increased stress in the closing movement notwithstanding. i

- In my applications, Serial No: 639,230, filed June 3, 1897, Serial No.-18,049, filed May 26, 1900, and Serial No.63,322,- filed June 5, 1901, I have shown and described constructions wherein a plurality of yielding actuating means is used to supplement the maximum power of one yielding actuating means substantially as and for the'purposes herein set forth. Y

- I desire-it understood that the several influences ormeans or arrangements thereof which help or contribute to the results herein described may be used severally or collectively. -VVhen the device is open, the movable parts are in the position shown in Fig. l, with the spring J under moderate stress. To close the device-the energizing means F is turned to the right, and the actuator M is brought into engagement with the movable contact at the pin M. As the free end of the energizing means F is turned in one direction the actuator M turns the movable contact in an opposite direction; Continued movement of the said parts carries the actuating-spring J past the line of axis of the movable contact, which having been passed the stress of the said spring causes the movable-contact 'totravel the balance of its stroke or movement under the impulse of the said spring, said impulse likewise causing the said energizing means to' complete its stroke in 'the absence of power applied to the handle E. When the device is closed, the energizing means is in its other home position, the spring J is at the reverse side of the said line of axis, and the movable contact has turned in a direction the reverse of clockwise to the position shown in Fig. 6, leaving the spring J again undermoderate stress. To open the device, the operation is reversed. The actuator engages the movable contact at the pin M and propels that end of the actuating-spring which is connected'with the movable contact first toward and then from the dead-center, therebydiminishing the'sprin'g stress. The movable contacts are wholly disengaged from the fixed contactsafter the actuating-spring is in position to effect While a a snapbpening of the device without undue jar or shock to the parts.

The devicefmay be'connccted in an electric circuit in several ways. The positive wire from the source of electricity may be secured to a lower fixed con'tact B, and the negative wire from the same source may-be secured to the upper fixed contact 0 on the same side of the base, the lamp or other contrivance that is to receive the current to be'similarly connected to the remaining contacts B and G. This method of connecting the device in the circuit discloses the importance of the spark-interrupting tongues, webs, and walls above described. The construction herein set forth prevents short-circuiting when a circuit is being broken if the device is connected as above described, either by inadvertence or design. The device may also be connected in circuit by securing the positive wire from the source of electricity to a lower fixed contact B and the negative wire from the same sourceto'the upper fixed contact 0 on the opposite side of the base, the lamp or other contrivance that is to receive the-current being similarly connected to theremaining contacts B and C.

1. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, amovble electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected',-all 'so'or-- ganized that the said cooperative contacts are urged together and apart with quick snapactions, so as to close the circuit with greater yielding power'tlian is used to open it; substantially as described.

2. In acireuitcontrolling device, asuitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical-contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating-means operatively connected with the said movable contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quicksnap actions, energizing means withw'hi'ch the said-yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all orv ganized so that more yielding energy'o'btains in the operation of closing the device than 1n the opening operation thereof; substantially as described.

3. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate" with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact, energizing means with which" the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all so organized that the said cooperativecontacts are urged together "and apart with quick snap actions so as to reduce the yielding power with IIO which the circuit is opened relatively to the yielding power with which the circuit is closed; substantially as described.

i. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said'movable contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and'apart with quick snap actions, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all organized so as to decrease the quantity of yielding energy which obtains when the circuit is opened relatively to the quantity of yielding energy which obtains when the circuit is closed; substantially as described.

5. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby,

a movable electrical contact adapted to coop- 6. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all organized so as to increase the quantity of yielding energy which obtains when the circuit is closed relatively to the quantity of yielding energy which obtains when the circuit is opened; substantially as described. i

7. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitabl support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means for the said rocking contact operatively connected therewith, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all forming a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-center than in the closed position of the device so that a snap opening and closing thereof is effected, the courses traveled by the said two yieldingly connected points being so situated with relation to the axis of the rocking contact that the line of stress of the said yielding means is farther from the line of the said axis when the device is closed than when it is opened; substantially as described. I

8. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said rocking contact, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected,all adapted to-shift the stress of the said yielding actuating means to and fro so as to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, the said energizing means turning about an axis located at one side of a plane in which the axis of the said rock-ing contact is and which plane bisects equally the line of movement of the point of connection of the said yielding means with the said rock- 'ing contact, so that the said yielding means exerts less opening power on the rocking contact than would obtain were the axis of the said energizing means located in the said plane; substantially as described.

9. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, arocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said rocking contact, energizing means with which the said yielding actuatingmeans is also operatively connected, all adapted to shift the stress of the said yielding actuating means to and fro so as to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, the said energizing means turning aboutan axis located at one side of a plane in which the axis of the said rocking contact is and which plane bisects equally the line ofmovement of the point of connection of the said yielding means with the said rocking contact, so as to relatively increase the power of the said yielding actuating means in the closing movement and. to relatively decrease the power thereof in the opening move:

ment of the device; substantially as described. 10. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby,

a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said rocking contact so that the said operative connection has a plurality of bearings between which bearings the stress of the said yielding means passes across their line of axis so as to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, and energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected; substantially as described.

11. Inacircuitcontrollingdevice,asuitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, and

having a plurality of bearings, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said rocking contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, and energizing-means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected so as to shift the stress of the said yielding actuating means across the lineof axis of and between the said bearings of the rocking contact; substantially as described. I

12. In acircuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with-the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively c'onnected,and means whereby the device may be operated turning about an axis located at one side of a plane in which the axis of the said movable contact is and which plane bisects equally the line'of movement of the point of connection of the said yieldingmeans with the said movable contacts; substantially as described.

13. In a circuit-controllingdevice,a suitable support, electrical contacts carried thereby, rocking electrical contacts electrically separated one from another and movable upon a plurality of bearings so as to cooperate with the first-mentioned contacts, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said rocking contacts and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, energizing .means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected so as to shift the stress of the'said yielding actuating means to and.fro across the line of axis of and between the said bearings of the rocking contacts; substantiallyas described.

14. In a circuit-controlling device,a suitable support comprising a base and a superimposed bearing-piece, an electrical contact carried thereby, a cooperative rocking electrical contact arranged between the base-and the bearing-piece, yielding actuating means arranged between the said rocking contact and the base andope-rati'vely connected with that contact, energizing means arranged on the said bearing-piece and operatively connected with the said yielding actuating means, all forming a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-center than in the closed position of the device so as to effect a snap opening and closing of the circuit; substantially as described. 15. In a circuit-controlling device, asuitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuatingmeans for the said rocking'con tact operatively connected therewith, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all forming a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-center than in the closed position of the device so that a snap openingv support, an electrical contact carried thereby,

a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means for the said rocking contact operatively connected therewith, energizing means with which the said yielding'actuating means is also operativelyconnectcd,-all

forming a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead ccnter than in the closed position of the device so that a snap opening and closing thereof is effected, the course traveled by the said point of connection of the yield ing actuating with the energizing means being so situated with relation to the axis of the movable contact that the said point of connection is respectively nearer the line of the said axis when the device is opened and farther from the line of the said axis when the device is closed; substantially as described.

17. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said rocking contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with-quick snap actions, energizing means with which the said yielding actuatihg means isalso operatively connected, all form ing a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-center than in the closed position of the device, actuating or shifting means moving independent of the movable contact and influencing the said, operative connection of the yielding actuating means with the movable contact, all so organized that both of'the said operative connections of the yielding 'ac-. tuating means are simultaneously shifted toward the dead-center of the said movement;

substantially'as described. 18. In a circuit-controlling device,a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact, energizing means with whicl the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, and means which in the opening movement of the device moves the said, operative connection of the yielding actuating means with the movable contact, after a predetermined movement of the said energizing means, all so organized that the said cooperative contacts are urged erate with the first-mentioned contact, yield ing actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact, energizing means w1th which the said yielding actuating -means is also operatively connected, and cooperative actuating means for urging the said contacts apart, all so organized that the said cooperative contacts are urged together and apart with quick snap actions so as to close the circuit with greater yielding power than is used to open it; substantially as described.

20. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means for the said movable contact operatively connected therewith, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all so organized that the latter means effects a snap opening and closing of the device, and means for initially propelling the movable contact in the operations of opening and closing the device when the said yielding means exerts respectively less energy in the open ing movement, and more energy in the closing movement of the device; substantially as described.

21. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means for the said movable contact operatively connected therewith, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, an operating-handle, all forming a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-cen ter than in the closed position of the device so that a snap opening and closing thereof is effected, and an actuator turning in a direction reverse to that of the said handle and propelling the said movable contact without retarding the same; substantially as described.

22. In a circuit-controlling device,a suitable support comprisinga base and a superimposed bearing-piece, an electrical contact carried thereby, a rocking electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means for the said rocking contact operatively connected therewith, energizing means with which the said yielding actuating means is also operatively connected, all forming a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-center than in the closed position of-the device sothat a snap opening and closing thereof is effected, and means on the said bearing-piece moving the said point, of connection of the yielding-actuating means with the movable contact, without retarding the latter; substantially as described.

23. Inacircuit-controllingdevice,asuitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said. movable contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, another operative connection of the said yielding actuating means having a shiftable running bearing on the said support so as to form a movement with greater yielding stress at the dead-center than in the closed position of the device; substantially as described.v

24. In acircuit-controllingdevice, asuitable support, an electrical contact carried thereby, a movable electrical contact adapted to cooperate with the firstmentioned contact, yielding actuating means operatively connected with the said movable contact and adapted to urge the said cooperative contacts together and apart with quick snap actions, suitablyjournaled means whereby another operative connection of the said yielding actuating means is shifted so as to form a movement with greater yielding stress atthe dead center than in the closed position of the device, and which shifting means has an extended portion with a running bearing on the said support, substantially as described.

25. Inacircuit-controlling device,a suitable support, a rocking electrical contact carried thereby, a cooperative electrical contact having a contacting surface arranged above the major upper surface of the said support and which latter contact is fastened to the said support circumferentially forward, in the direction taken by the rocking contact when the circuit is to be broken, of its said contacting surface and below the said major upper surface of the support, and means for effecting a snap opening and closing of the device; substantially as described.

26. In acircuit-controlling device, a suitable support, a rocking electrical contact having a plurality of contacting parts, a cooperative electricalcontact arranged above the major upper surface of the said support, a second cooperative electrical contact arranged above the major upper surface of the said support and in a plane below the first-mentioned cooperative contact, and which lower contact is secured to the said support below the major upper surface'of the latter and circumferentially forward, in the direction taken by the said rocking contact when the circuit is to be broken, of the respective contacting surface of the said lower contact, and means for effecting a snap opening and closing of the de- Vice; substantially as described.

27. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact arranged-above the major upper surface of the said support, another electrical contact arranged above the major upper surface of the said, support and in a plane below the first-mentioned contact, a fixed tongue of insulating material arranged between thesaid contacts, a web of insulating material between the said tongue and the said support as required to prevent theformation of an arc between the contact and the casing or cover of the device when a circuit is being broken, a rocking electrical contact, and means for effecting a snap opening and closing of the device; substantially as described.

28. In a circuit-controlling device, a suitable support, an electrical contact arranged above the major upper surface of the said support,

the device is effected; substantially as de- 3 scribed.

St. Louis, Missouri, June 22, 1903.

JULIUS K. LUX. Witnesses:

H. D. HEUER, G. A. WEAVER.

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