US920614A - Perforated block for electric conductors. - Google Patents

Description

P. R. MUBERTY- PERFORATBD BLOCK FOR ELECTRIC GONDUGTOBS.

APPLICATION IILBD FEB. 27, 1908.

920,6 1 4. Patented May 4, 1909 Blocks for Electric Conductors.

'ho'le separately-or drilling a large n iunber tide of producing round holes, and even where UNITED PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK R. MoBEltTY, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNUR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A (ORPORA'PION OF ILIELNDIS L PERFORATED BLOdK FOB, ELECTRIC QONDUOTORS.

To all wlwiri "it may concern:

Be it known that 'I, FnAxn R. MoBEn'rr, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Rochelle, in the: county of Westchester and State of New York, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Perforated My invention relates to a block having a plurality of perforations therein. in which perforations electric conductors are adapted to pass through and he supported by or mounted upon the block. the invention being )ecially designed to attract the mounting of electric conductors in the form of pieces of metal intended to serve as terminals of an electrical switch, or other electrical device.

l-leretofore in producing a plurality of holes in a block of insulating material for re eeiving electrica terminals it has beeircustoniary to drill the holes, either drillin' each at the. same time by'means of a ring of drills. 'lhis inethod is, of course, on y capa .the holes are spaced snfiiciently far apart to "permit. gangs of drills to be used, is slow and expensive. By means of my invention it he- 1 comes possible not only to produce perforations of a square or other non-circular form in a. block of material, but it is possible to .produce a very great number of such holes with the minimum amount of labor and at a i minimum ex ense.

\Vhen ap uralit'y ot' perforationsis to be formed in'a block of insulating or other material in accordance with my invention, the block is provided with a series of grooves in .one of its faces, and \vitha series oi grooves in its opposite face extending at an angle to the first. mentioned series, and sufliciently deep to intersect the inner extremities of the series on the other face. In this way a hole having a shape determined by the angle of intersection of the grooves and by the contour ofthe walls of the grooves is formed at each point of intersection, and as many holes are formed asthere are intersections. Thus by cutting, or otherwise forming, fifty grooves in one face of the block of material and thirty intersectin grooves on the opposit-e face, fifteen hunt red holes.,will be pro. dnced. In this way the fifteen hundred holes are formed in a very small fraction of the time that would be required to produce them Specification of Letters Patent.

by drilling, even if a gang of drills were em- Patented May 4, 1909.

Application filed February 27, 1908. Serial No. 418,125.

ployed; and the holes may he 01' any form best adapted to lit the perforated block to the use to which it is to be put.

If the grooves are rectangular and extend at right angles to each other on the opposite fat-e oi the block the holes prodneed will be square hole By varying the angle oi intersection of the grooves and the contour oi the groove walls. holes of any form desired may he produrcd at the points of intersection.

I will describe my invention more particularly by reference to the accompanying drawings in which--- Figure 1 is a. view of one face of a block of material having a number of perforations formed in it. in accordance with my invention, and provided with a few of the number of electrical terminals with which it is adapted to be equipped; Fig. 2 is a view of the other face 01' the block; Fig. 3 is a view of the u per end of the block illustrated in Fig.1; 1g. 4 is a view of the ri ht hand end of the block shown in Fig. 1; Big. 5 is a sectional view of the block taken on line 5"? of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one corner of the block; Fi 7 is a view looking at the top of a curved lock in which perforations are formed in accordance with my invention, for the accommodation of a large DHITlbEI' of metal punchings formingthe stationary terminals of an electrical switch.

The use or application of my invention which I have particularly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and which 1 shall now describe, is that involved in the production of supporting or inountiin blocks for electrical conductors, especially electrical terminals such as are employed in electrical switches, and in other electrical apparatus where it is desired to locate a large number of terminal pieces within a small space. The form of terminal block illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. inclusive, of the drawing, eonsists of a block 1 of insulating material such as hard rubber or insulating fiber-4n which a large number of holes 2 is formed by providing the block with a. series f grooves or slotsin one of its faces, and another series 4 of grooves or slots in its opposite face, the two series extending transversely with respect to each other and being made of adepth suflicient to cause their; in her extremities to intersect each otheia' As shown, the grooves of each series lie parallel is the relation which 1 l to each other, and the two series of grooves with the curved surfaces of the block) inon the opposite faces of the block are arranged at right angles to each other. With this relation between the grooves, the per have a rectangular relation to each other.

It is obvious that by fori'uiug the series of parallel grooves on one face of the block so that it intersects the series on the other [are of the block obliquely, instead of at right angles, perforations can be formed of any shape and saving any straight line relation to each other desired. The arrangeuicnt and shape of the holes can also .be further modified, if desired, by altering the contour of the walls of the grooves, and by employing other than the parallel relation illustrated between the grooves of the same series. As shown in the drawings, each groove is so formed as to cause its inner walls to lie ,parallel to each other, and this refer to employ. In the particular termina block illustrated in Figs. 1 to (S, inclusive, there are twelve grooves in one face of the block and eighteen intersecting grooves in the other face, a square hole being formed at each point of intersection of one of the rooves .with another. The number of holes is, of course, equal to the product of the number of grooves on one side of the block into the number of grooves on the other side, so that in the particular block illustrated the total number of perforations is twelve times ei hteen or two hundred and sixteen.

n Fig. 7 I have illustrated another form of terminal block provided with perforations, in accordance with my invention, for the accommodation of the terminal )ieces to be mounted in it. The terminal lock illustrated in Fig. 7 is of the same character as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to (l, inclusive,

excepting that its surfaces are curved to lie in concentric arcs of a circle, in order to bring the inner ends of the terminal pieces that itsup orts into position to be traversed by a movalile terminal carried upon an arm pivoted at the center of the are in which the inner surface of the block lies. The terminal block of Fig. 7 consists of a block 5 of insulating material-such as hard rubber or the like-having its surface curved into the form of a segment of a cylinder, and providcd'with a series (I of grooves in the inner or concave surface of the block, extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cyllnder, and a series 7 of parallel rooves on the opposite or convex surface 0 the block extending at right angles to the series of. grooves in the inner or concave surface of the block. As illustrated in the drawing, the inner extremities of the grooves in the outer or convex surface of the terminal block '5 (represented by the dotted line concentric tel-sect, the inner extremities of the series of grooves formed in the concave surface of the block, and at each point of intersection a square perforation of the terminal block is a formed. The other dimension of the terminal block illustrated in Fig. 7 is not shown, but it wilt be understood that the block may be made of any convenient width, and may be provided with any desired numher of grooves in its outer or convex surfac'" As illustrated, there are thirty-seven parallel grooves in the inner surface of the block, and if it. be assumed that the outer surface is provided with, say, thirty grooves, the 1 total number of perforations formed will be eleven hundred and ten.

Perforated blocks of the character (lo-- scribed are intended and adapted to support electrical conductors, or electrical conducting elements passed through perforations in the blocks. The particular forms of terminal block illustrated in the drawings are to be provided with a full equipment of conductors or conducting elements in the form of terminal pieces; but for the sake of simplicity in illustration only a few terminals are shown mounted in each block. One form of terminal piece which I have found it eon venient to employ is'that illustrated in the drawing, consisting of a tlat metal punching t 8 provided with shoulders 9 and a narrow portion or tongue 10 at each end. One of these terminal pieces is placed with its tongue 10 projecting through the terminal block at each of the perforations 2, the end of the ton ue protruding slightly beyond the front surfiice of the terminal block, in order that it may be engaged .by the movable terminal of a switch, or may be connected with in any other manner desired. The shoulders S) in the forward end of each terminal piece 8 rest against the bottom of the groove in which the terminal is mounted, and thus serve to limit the extent to which the forward end can be caused to )rotrude beyond the face of the terminal lock. The terminals may be held in place in the terminal block by means of insulating rods 11, which are thrust through transverse series of holes in the webs into which the rear surface of the terminal block is divided by the parallel grooves, and through re istering perforations in the forward ends 0 the ter- 'minal pieces. On account of the transverse relation of the grooves .on one surface of the terminal block to the grooves on the other surface, and the correspondingly transverse relation to each other of the series of Webs 12 and 13 on the opposite'surface of the against lateral dis aeclnent, the webs on eachsurfaee of the )loelt sup orting the terminal pieces a ainst lateral is lacement in the direction of the grooves on t ie other sur block, the terminal pieces B are supported grooves, and being) prevented from length- -minal blocksmay be of any form desired, and may be held in place in any convenient manner.

They may grooves in the flat surfaces of the terminal moclate the stationary which the terminal bloekol Fi 7 forms a tube is put on a milling machine and a series '10 of terminals transverse passing a gang of pro erly s 5.6 enough to intersect lilbek for electrical terminals by insulatin .9, ail face oftlibfodkri The'terminal pieces are thus held securely 'ii "'"li'sition, bein su ported against lateral istplacement. gy tie transversely extending we s or walls of the (vise displacement y theshoulders 9 and the rods or pins 11. It w ill, of course, be under stood that the [terminals mounted in the ter- The grooves, the intersections of which )roduce the perforations of the terminal lock, may be formed in a number of we s.

be formed, for instance, by mol ch ing them in the opposite surfacesof the block of insulating material when it is in a plastic condition. The method, however,

which I prefer to employ is to cut the locks by subjecting the blocks to the action of cutters in a mi ling' machine. In reducing the terminal block illustrated in ig. 7-whieh is particularly adapted to accomterminals of the automatic switch1 have found it convenient to proceed as follows: A hard rubber tube having dimensions, approximately correspond ing to the dimensions of-the cylinder of segment is at on a lathe and bored out to the proper msidediameterfi The outer surface of the tube is then turned off to the proper outside diameter, after which the of circumferential slots cut on the outer surface to the proper depth by meansof a gang. of properly s acedv cutters, as many slots being cut ast ere are circumferential rows to be accommodated. The inside axial slots are then cut, preferably one at a time, b means of an internal gear cutfar, these s ots being out just deep enou h to intersect the lower extremities df t e slots on the outside ofthe tube. lhe tube is then slit axially 1 to se ments of the 'form illustrated in Fig. 7 T e ter-- minal blocks shown in Fi s. 1 to 6, inglusive, of the drawing are me e, prefera 1y; by

aced cutters firstover one cc of t is bloc or plate of' insulating material, and thin over the opposite face of. the-block. or plate in a transverse direction, the grooves being cut deep at their inner extreim ties. It is obvious that this method is apto the production of a plurality of late of metal, as'a mounting ,plicable ,perforations. in a block or which may then be employs the terminals front the hlock by means- 0 interposed insulating material.

\Vhile mynventionis posits face,

to form openings,

the block.

of insulating material having and, a series of v g ooves "angles. thereto in ts opposi e' itaeaaaiflptwo' lug, blocks for the terminals of electrical switches, and I have illustrated such a terminal block in my application Serial. No. (18,126 filed Feb. 27, 1908, and in this other ppplication have claimed the terminal ock in combination with other elements of an autol'natic switch.

I claim i l. The ,combinationof a block havinga series of grooves in one of its faces, and one or a series of intersecting groovesv in an opthe intersection of said grooves forming perforations through the block, and electric conductors mounted in said perforations.

2. The combination of a block of insulating material having a series of parallel grooves in one of its faces, and a series of parallel grooves in an opposite face, the in tersection of said grooves forming perforations through the block, and electric conductors supported in and passing through said perforations.

3. A terminal-block, consisting of a block of material having a series of grooves form in one of its faces, and a series of interseoting rooves formed in its opposite face, and a p uralit-y of electrical terminal pieces extending throu h the block at the perforations produced y the intersections of the two series of grooves.

4. A terminal block having a series of grooves in opposite faces, said opposite grooves intersecting to form openings, a plurality of terminal pieces situated in the openings, and means for determinin the position of the terminals longitudina y of the 0 enings.

5. terminal block consisting of a body of insulating material having a series 0 parallel grooves in one of its faces and a second series of parallel grooves in its opposite face, said opposite grooves i tersectmg and a plurality of terminal pieces situated in the openings and bein rovided with shoulders cooperating witfi 6. A terminal block, consisting of a block of insulatingmat'erial having a seriesof parallel grooves formed in one of its faces and a series of arallel grooves at right angles-thereto in its opposite face, said two series of grooves intersectin to form a plurality of square holes, an a plurality of rectangular terminal pieces thrust through the square holes in said block, said terminal pieces' being provided with shoulders to fix their position in the block Wlth respect to movement in one direction.

7. A. terminal block, consisting of-a block a series of formed in one'of its faces parallel grooves parallel it; tigh series of: grooves; i'ntersc tmg'toform a pluto form a plurality of. perforations, "end I forations, the webs constituting the m1 right angles thereto in'its q'ppoei-te'faoe; said i.

series of grooves on the opposite Jfli'qeaof-thei block intersecting at their innefextremitiee a, plurality 8f terminal pieeeswextendlng through the lock by thewaypf said er;

n tli groo res on one side servingtohold said terminals against movement in one lane and the webs eonstitut the wafis of grooves on the other side 0 the bl'oelr serving to hold the terminals against movement in the other plane. l

9. A terminalblock, consisting of a block or insulating material having a series of parallel grooves formed in one ofi ts feces and a. transverse series of parellefgrodve formed; in its opposite face said two-series of grooves interslectin 'to arm a plurali of' perforations, a p urelity of terrain grpieoes extendin through'the erforetionein said block, an means for niinal ;pieces' in position with lengthwise movement thereof. i FRAN'K R. MoBERTY.

King said terrespect Witnesses; hNlonoLnq E. lmmun,

WILLIA G. MoKmeucr.

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