US1383781A - Center stop and outside lock off for electrical switches - Google Patents

Description

I A. 'P."BALLa CENTER STOP AND OUTSIDE LOCK OFF FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCHES.

APPLICAHUNWILEVD mat is, 1913.

Y Patentbd July 5, 1921.

2\SHEETSSHEET 1.

$2M WJZZ W1 I Z A. P BALL. Y CENTER STOP AND OUTSIDE LOCK OFF FOR ELECTRICAL SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILE D J UNE IE), I918.

Patented July 5, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 5y Zwz A Y W UNITED STATES P TEX! FFIC'E.

ALBERT P. BALL, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN, ASSIG'NOR T6 SQUARE 1D CEBMPANY, 0F

' DETROIT, MICHIGAN", A CORLOIEi-ATION OF CENTER SE01 AND OUTSIDE LlZlCE OFF ELfEAlI'RICAL SWITCHFB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. July a, 1922.

Application filed June 13, 1918. Serial No. 2393M.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT P. BALL a citizen of the United States, residing at Royal-Dark, in the county of Oakland and State {of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Center mstops and Outside LocleOlis for Electrical Switches, oi which the following is a full, clear. and concise description thereof.

This invention relates to center stop and outside lock ofi' mechanism adapted to c0- operate with an electrical switch particnlarly o the double throw type.

One of the objects'ot the invention is to design this center stop and outsidelock oil so that it may be readily attached to the outside of the casing of an inclosed electrical switch and cooperate with one of the moving parts of said switch.

A "further object of this invention is to so design the apparatus that the switch may be temporarily held in neutral position and may thereafter be readily released.

ll. further object of this invention is to rovide'a. device .on the exterior of the c'asmg whereby the switch may be locked in off position. I

A further object 'of this invention is to so design the device that various sizes of locks may be employed in connection there with.

A further objectof this invention is to so design this device that it is equally effective in its operation when the switch is moved from either limit of its stroke.

A further'object of this invention is to produce a device which permits only a rapid continuous motion from one extreme limit to the other extreme limit of the switch.

A further object of this device is to incorporate in one structure cooperating elements which perform all of the functions noted above.

One out the many possible forms that this invention may take is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the double, throw inclosed switch with the device applied to the exterior thereof and showing the switch locked in oil position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the center stop and outside lock off; and

movable member 6.

Fig. 3 is a detailed side elevation of the device.

Referring to Fig; 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that the double throw switch is inclosed in a housing" 1 of the usual type for armor clad switches. The switch mechanisms is not shown in detail, but is of the double throw quick break type and may be similar to that shown in my application Serial Number 240,376, filed June 17. 1918.

This switch mechanism adapted to be operated by an external element 2 which comprises a. horizontal portion passing through'the "casing, an upright portion and terminates in the operating handle.

The outside lock of? and center stopis indicated generally in Fig. i by the reference numeral 8, and upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that it consists of a fixed plate 4.- having a. flange 5 by means of which it may be securely fastened to the casing 1. Upon this fixed plate is pivotally mounted a movable plate which is pivoted. at 7 and is spring-pressed outwardly by means of the spring 8. This spring 8 bears at one end against the flange 5 and at the other end against :1 lug 9 formed from the At the other end of the movable member a guiding: or retain ing lug: 10 is tormed which passes over the curved end of the plate and loosely holds the fixed and movable plates together. The fixed plate has lug 11 formed thereon against which the lug 10 adapted to contact when at the extreme outward limit of its stroke.

It will be seen upon reference to Fig. 2 that the movable plate has two inclined faces 15 and a. centrally arranged notch or member is moved toward the other extreme limit of motion the operatingamember 2 will then ride upon the inclined edges 15 force the movable member rear- Ill) - motor starting, for instance, it is desirable that the switch be thrown from one extreme limit of its stroke to the other extreme limit of its stroke with a very rapid motion. This device is adapted to prevent any but such rapid change from one position to the other. \Vhen the operating member 2 is rapidly passed along the inclined edge 15 in either direction, the movable plate 6 is shot rear- Wardly by this rapid motion and the momentum acquired carries the notch 13 clear of the operating member 2 for the brief interval of its passage by said notch 13 and allows the switch to be freely thrown from one extreme limit to the other extreme limit when moved with a very rapid motion. If by any chance the operator fails to make this rapid motion, the device automatically engages the operating member in neutral po sition and stops further movement of the switch.

It will be further noted upon reference to Figs. 2 and 3 that the movable plate 6 and fixed plate 4 are provided with alining openings 12 adapted to receive the bail or book portion of a padlock or other locking means. A second series of openings 16 are provided in the fixed plate 1 which are also adapted to receive a bail portion of a. similar lock or similar means. By having these openings of difierent sizes, as shown, any of a plurality of sizes of locks may be employed.

In Fig. 1 the device is shown operating as a lock oil with a padlock 14 interlocking the plates 4 and 6, and retaining the switch in a locked off position.'

It will be seen from the above detailed de scription that applicant has provided a very simple and rugged device which accomplishes a great number of objects. For example, it is adapted to operate as a center stop to catch a double throw switch in neutral position and stop it in such position and temporarily retain it. It is also adapted to operate as a lock off to look a switch in off position. It is further capable and designed to operate as a device for allowing none but a quick change of position from one extreme limit to the other extreme limit in any continuous motion.

The above detailed description and drawings are intended to be interpreted as illustrative of the inventive idea and not in a limiting sense, as the invention is intended to be limited only as defined by the followin claims claim:

1. A center stop for double throw switches comprising a fixed plate and an outwardly projected movable plate pivotally mounted on said'fixed plate and provided with means for engaging a portion of said double throw switch.

2. An attachment for double throw switches comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate mounted thereon rovided with a notch, and an inclined e ge, and a spring for pressing said movable plate outwardly.

3. An attachment for double throw switches comprising a fixed plate, a movable plate mounted thereon provided with a central notch, and inclined edges on each side of said notch, and a spring for pressing said movable plate outwardly.

4. A center stop for double throw switches comprising a fixed member and a springpressed' movable. member pivoted to said fixed member and provided with a notch and inclined edges on each side of the notch.

An outside lock off for double throw switches comprising a fixed member, a mov able member provided withmeans for engaging a portion of said}- double throw switch, and one or more of said members comprising means for interlocking said fixed and movable members.

6. An outside lock off for double throw switches comprising a fixed member and a movable notched member, said members being provided with means whereby they may be locked together.

7. An outside lock oil for double throw switches comprising a fixed member and a movable notched member,- said members being pivotally related-and provided with means whereby they may be locked together. 8. A center stop and outside lock off for double throw switches comprising a fixed member and a notched outwardly projected movable member, and one or more of said members comprising means for interlocking said members.

9. A center stop and outside lock oil for double throw switches comprising a fixed member and a notched spring pressed movable member, said members being pivotally related and provided with means whereby the mpvable member may be locked to such stationary member.

10. A center stop double throw switches comprising a stationary plate and a notched movable plate pivotally carried thereby, a spring for pressing said movable plate outwardly, and one or more of said plates comprising means for interlocking said plates.

and outside lock off for ass-a flanged plate, a movable notched plate pivoted tlieieoii and provided with a depend" ing log, a spring'interposed between said flange ending, and one or more of said plates comprising means for interlocking said plates.

A center stop and outside looli oil for double throw switclies, comprising a plate and a, movable spring messed notched. plate, said plates being provided. with aliming openings whereby sliey may be looked together.

13. A. cents? stop andoiii side locli: for

double throw switches comprising a fixed plate and a movable spring psessed notched plate, said plates being; provided with aliiiing opeioings, and said plate being i'ui'tlien provided with relatively large? openings whereby the plates may beinterlocked by either of two sizes of? locks.

14; A center stop and outside lock of? for double throw switches comprising a fixed flanged plate, movable pivoted there on and provided. with a depending lug, a spring interposed between flange and log, said plates being proidde with aliiiiiig openings and said movable pie c being provided with a notch, said olate being further provided with ope: of tively larger size than tbs iicst maentioned openings.

comprising fixed and movable meiiibe 15. A center stop and outside lock on double throw switches commisiii flanged plate, a movable no ed late pivoted thereon and provided with depending lug, a spring interposed between said flange and lug, said movable and flanged plates being provided respectively with guiding; and stopping of said plates comoirising means for interlocking; said plates.

16. A censor stop and outside loci; o l double throw switches comprising flanged plate, a movable pivotec. acreon and provided with a depending log, a spring interposed between said flange and. log, said movable plate being provided. with a central notch and inclined edges on eac r.

side of said notch, said movable and fixed plates being provided pectively with guiding and stopping lugs, d one or more of said plates comprising a l11tGilocking said plates.

17. The combination with a double t switch" of a center stop and outside lOf said movable member being provided W o4, means for engaging said switch, and one GP more of said members comprising means for interlocking said fixed and movable members.

18. The combination with a double throw lugs, and one or whereby the swiii of a center and outside lock oii.

comprising fixed and movable members, said movable member being provided with a central notch and inclined edges, and one or more of saidmembeis comprising means for interlocking said fixed and movable mem boss.

19. ii lock oil and center stop for double tin-ow switches comprising a fixed member, and an attached movable notched member provided with inclined edges, said members having aliniiig opening 530. A. lock off and center. stop for double throw switches, comprising a fixed member and an attached movable nol ched member, said membeis bovine alinina' openings.

21. loci... -ecti'ic swioclies, coinpi'ising a fixed mimber, a movable notched member attached tliereio, said members being providediivit aiming openings.

22. An outside loo ioclosed swiftclies, co using a fixed inemlies, a movable lifliifili d member attached thereto, and a between said members, said members having iliiiing openings adapted to i'eceive tliebail of a lock.

23. A. loci: oii 'foii elecirical switches comprising a movable in'eiiibei', a second membei' adapted to be locked said. first men iioned membez, said members arranged io ifillfiklil fi p0. tics of the electrical switch, to thereby lock said switch against movement.

A look off for electrical switches comprising a member adapted to receive a poo tion of said electrical switch, and saidmembei' comprising means whereby said mom: bei' mail be locked in its engaged position.

25. .11 outside lock for iiicased electrical switches comprising an external member adapted to receive portion of said electrical switch, and said member comprising means whereby remember may be locked god jimfllilifl'il.

Ill outside locli off 'for iiiclosed electrip;- statiotoary and. moving: an 'eiiternal member portion of the moving and auxiliary means ortion may be member.

adapted to rec past of said. switch, said locked izo said ext" 2?. ii center for double tl row switolies havi i'iaiy and moving 1e motion, in both diof a poetics the movable part is position;

A center stop for inoased double throw having stationary and movable 4 comprising a fixed plate adapted to be. actaclied to the casing of said switch, a member movably connected to said fixed move in a plane intersecting the plate to inommenii of said movable switch plane of oil for double throw" a .tcb said noa'icli, when in neiitiral n, movable iioeclied memparts of an outside lock off comprising a member fixed to said casing, a spring pressed member movably mounted thereon, and means whereby said spring pressed member may be locked in engagement with a por 'a tion of the movable part of said switch.

31. The combination with a double throw quick break incased electrical switch of an outside lock offend center stop therefor, comprising a fixed member, a movable member mounted thereon and provided with means adapted to temporarily retain said switch in neutral position, means for actuating said movable member, and one or -more of said memberscomprising means whereby said movable member may be permanently locked said switch in neutral position.

32. The combination with a quick break double throw switch having stationary and movable parts, of a spring pressed member provided with a notch adapted to engage a portion of the movable part of said switch when slowly moved and to become ineffective when said switch is quickly moved from one extreme position'to the other, and one or more of said members comprising means whereby said notched member may be locked in engaged position.

33. The combination with a double throw switch, of means for permitting only a rapid throw of said switch from one position to the other, comprising a stationary member, a spring pressed movable notched member slidably mounted thereon, and an oscillatory member operating with said switch and cooperating" with said movable notched member.

34L; The combination with an inclosed switch, of an outside lock ofi, comprisin a stationary member and a movable note ed member slidably mounted thereon, said members having alining openings.

35. The combination with an inclosed switch, of an outside lockofi', com rising a stationary member and a movab e sprin pressed notched member slidably mounted thereon, said movable member having inclined edges 36. The combination with a double throw switch, of means permitting only a rapid continuous motion from either extreme position to the other, comprising a fixed member, a movable notched member adapted to engage a portion of said switch when slowly operated, and means for actuating said movable member.

3Z4 A center stop for incased double throw switches having stationary and movable parts, comprising a fixed plate adapted to be attached to the casing of said swltch, a member movably connected to said fixed plate to move in a plane intersecting the plane of movement of said movable switch parts and having means to arrest the mo tion, in both directions, of a portion of the movable part of said switch when iii-neutral position, and a spring for operating said movable members.

38. A. center stop for incased doubl throw switches having stationary and movable parts, comprising a fixed plate adapted to be attached to the casing of said switch, a notched plate hingedly connectedto said fixed )late to move in a plane intersecting the plane of movement I i said movable switch parts, a spring ttached to said notched other, said notch being engageable with a portion of the movable part of said switch to arrest the motion, in both directions, of the movable part when in neutral position.

ALBERT-P. BALL.

plate at one end and fixed at the

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