GB624508A - Improvements in or relating to electric switches of the tumbler or key type - Google Patents

Abstract

624,508. Tumbler switches; indicators. O'SHEI, W. E. July 15, 1946, Nos. 21198, 26683, 26684, 28347 and 33216. [Class 38(v)] A bulb 23 mounted in the translucent handle of a vehicle traffic indicator switch is illuminated when the handle is moved to either of its two operative positions. The bulb is mounted in an insulating sleeve 24 of polythene inserted in a metal tube 30 screwed to a conducting lever arm 4 pivoted at 3. An insulated conductor 21 situated in a bore of the lever arm, contacts at one end an eyelet 26 to which is soldered a lead-in wire 28 of the bulb; the other end of the conductor contacts a conducting washer 20 pressed by a ball 9 and spring 10 located in an insulated recess 7 of the lever arm. The other lead-in wire 27 of the bulb is pinched between the sleeve 24 and the tube 30 with which it makes contact so as to be earthed to a die-cast cover 1 riveted to the insulating base 11. Contacts 14, 14<SP>1</SP> are riveted to the base, together with a terminal 17 held by a rivet which also secures a. leaf-spring 16 and a recessed insulating member 19 partly surrounded by a metal member 18. An open metal tube 31 having a slidable cap 32 of translucent plastic material is attached to the tube 30 by spinning over the edge of the latter, thereby completing enclosure of the bulb. When the lever arm is moved from its neutral position, the ball 9 bends the leaf-spring into contact with one of the contacts 14, 14<SP>1</SP>, and also closes a circuit through the bulb via the metal member 18 and the ball. If the bulb burns out, the complete handle is unscrewed and replaced, the translucent cap being used again. In Fig. 4 (not shown), a single metal tube encloses the bulb and is flanged over a metal end piece screwed on the lever arm 4. In Fig. 5 (not shown), the bulb has a cap screwing into a metal socket which 'is screwed to the lever arm, and an insulating knob which may be of translucent material, has an internal thread which screws over the socket and encloses the bulb.