US1551030A - Telephone switch - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 25, 1925.

J. F. HEARN TELEPHONE SWITCH Filed June 20. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. F. HEARN TELEPHONE SWITCH Filed June 20, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 25, 1925.

J. F. HEARN TELEPHONE SWITCH Filed June 20, 1923 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. HEARN, OF PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TELEPHONE SWITCH.

Application filed .Tune 20, 1923.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. HEARN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Passaic, in the county of Passaic, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to telephone switches and more particularly it refers to that class of switches adapted for establishing connection in an automatic or semi-automatic telephone exchange system.

The object of this invention is to provide a switch of the character above referred to, in which the number of operating parts is reduced to a minimum and so located that they are readily accessible for adjustment or repairs.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a switching structure wherein sets of conducting strips are brought into contacting engagement with selected sets of contact springs with a wiping action in a simple and positive manner.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of sets of operable contact springs arranged on stationary supports andmovable selectivel in contacting relation with sets of movab e conducting strips by means of individually associated camming members arranged on movable bars.

Another feature is the provision of electromagnetic means for operating the camming bars together with the provision of means carried by the bars for arresting the vibration of the cams when released by their associated conducting strips.

Other features of invention and advantages will appear from the following description and by the claims appended hereto, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a partial front assembly view of said switch; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction .of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing a camming bar in normal non-operated position; Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 but showing the camming bar in operated position; Fig. 5 is a detail view of a set of contacting strips showing its 0-perating electroma-gnet in normal non-operated position, and Fig. 6 is a detail view of Serial No. 646,505.

a modified form of operating mechanism for the contacting strips.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The switch structure shown in Fig. 1 generally consists of a plurality of sets of contact springs arranged in coordinate rows and disposed obliquely in the insulating supports 20 which are fixedly arranged in equally spaced relation on the cross bars 21 and 22 of the switch frame. Each set of contacts generally consists of a number of flat contact springs 23, 24 and 25, each of which is provided with a back support 26., 27 and 28 adapted to hold their respective springs in adjusted position.

The structure may be of any desired width and height to accommodate as many horizontal rows of contact sets and as many sets per row as may be required. 75

For each vertical row of sets of cont-act springs 23, 24 and there is provided a set of longitudinally movable conducting strips 29, 30 and 31, having their ends fixedly arranged on the insulating yokes 32 and 33 which are pivotally arranged on the connecting links 34 and 35 which in turn are p'ivotally arranged on brackets 36 and 37 respectively. Bracket 37 is held securely on a bar 88 which has its ends secured on the cross bars 21 and 22 by means of a number of screws, such as 18 and 19. Bracket 36 is held securely on a bar 39 which is secured on the opposite ends of cross bars 21 and 22 by means of a number of screws, such as 15 and 16, shown in Fig. 1. A pivoted link 40 and bracket 41, shown in Figure 5 together with the insulating guiding members 47, 48, 49, 50, etc., are provided toprevent the distortion of the conducting strips 29, 30 and 95 31 when brought in contacting engagement with their associated contact springs 23, 24 and 25 respectively. Each set of conducting strips 29, 80 and 31 is operatively connected to a link 42, which in turn is connected to a plunger 43 adapted to move the strips in engagement with their associated contacts 23-, 24 and 25 in response to each energization of an electromagnet 44. A retracting spring 45 attached to the yoke 32 and lug 46 of bracket 37 is adapted to hold the conducting strips 29, 30 and 31 in normal non-operated position.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modified form of op erating mechanism in which the set of conducting strips 29, 30 and 31 are operatively connected to the plungers 51, 52 and 53 of solenoids 71, 72 and 73 by means of links 74, 75 and 7 6, respectively. Plungers 51, 52 and 53 are adapted to move the strips in a direction at right angles relative to the longitudinal axis of supports 2-0 into operable relation with their associated sets of contact springs 28, 2. L and 25 against the re sistance of retracting springs 54L- and 55 which are adapted to hold the contacting strips and their associated operating plun gers in normal non-operated position.

For each horizontal row of sets of contact springs 23, 24 and 25 there is associated a longitudinally movable bar 56, each of which carries a plurality of flexible cams 5'7, 58 and 59 which are insulatedly arranged and disposed obliquely thereon in juxtaposition with the resilient contacts 23, 2 1 and 25 with which they are associated. For each set of cams 57, 58 and 59, there is provided a vibration damper 60 which generally consists of a pad of felt or similar material disposed between the cams and held securely on the insulating bar 56 by any suitable means. Each bar 56 is pivotally arranged on links such as 81 and 82 shown in Fig. 8 which in turn are pivotally arranged on brackets 83 and 8st secured on the cross bars 21 and 22 respectively. Link 82 is operatively connected to a link 67 which is loosely connected to the plunger 61 of an operating electromagnet 62 adapted to move the camming bar with which it is associated and the cams carried thereby in operable relation with their associated contact springs against the resistance of a retracting spring 63 hooked on the arm 6st of link 82 and an arm 65 integrally formed with the pole piece 66 of operating magnet 62.

lVhen the switch is in normal position,

the relative positions of the cam set, conducting strips and stationary contact spring set, adjacent to one another, are shown in the left group of Fig. 3, and the mode of operation may be described as follows: then the electromagnet 62 01"? any horizontal row of contacts is energized, its associ ated plunger 61 is attracted causing thereby a rod 56, connected therewith and carrying a plurality of cam sets, to move longitudinally and laterally at the same time. The movement of this rod causes the cam sets thereon to move into operable relation with their respectively associated contact spring sets, as shown in the outer left group of contacts in Fig. 1. A set of conductors, comprising strips 29, 80 and 31 is selected and the electro-magnet therefor, such a4, is energized and attracts its plunger 43 which causes the set of conducting strips to also move longitudinally and laterally at the same time, but in a direction coordinate to the movement of rod 56. The movement of the conducting strips effects a contact between the conducting strips and the adja cent set of cams on the operated rod 56, and the cam set being resilient, is flexed into contact with the adjacent contact spring set comprising springs 23, 52st and 25. The opcrated position of the conducting springs with relation to the operated positions of the adjacent cam set and contact spring set, is shown in the inner left group of Fig. 4-. The movement of the conducting strips is continued and the cam set, in engagement with the contact spring set, serves as a guide until the conducting strips pass beyond the cams which at this point are released and returned to normal as shown in the inner right group of Fig. 1. Connection is eil'ectcd with a wiping action and maintained by the operated set of conducting strips independently of the other parts of the switch. The rod 56 is arranged to return to normal so as to be in readiness for the establishment of other connections, and the position of the switch at this time, is shown in the middle group of Fig. 3. Should the bar 56 be again operated, and while it is in such position, the conducting strips which were employed in the establishment of the first mentioned connection, should be released through the deenergization of its associated electro-magnet at, the conducting strips would be returned to normal by the tensioned spring l5 and would flex in the opposite direction its adjacent cam set on the op erated rod as shown in the outer right group of Fig. 4. The relative position of an operated set of conducting strips with respect to its adjacent cam set and contact spring set in normal positions, is shown in the right group of Fig. 3.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switching structure, a plurality of contacts arranged in sets, stationary supports therefor, a plurality of conducting strips arranged in sets and disposed coordinately to said contacts, a plurality of re silient cams individual to said contacts and arranged in sets and corresponding to said sets of contacts, and means for moving a set of said cams and a set of said conducting strips to eiiect an engagement between said sets of conducting strips and contacts.

2. In a switching structure, a plurality of sets of contacts arranged in a row, a set of conducting strips common to said contacts, camming members for each of said strips and arranged in sets similar to said sets of contacts, means for positioning a set of camming members, and means for moving said strips into engagement with said positioned set of camming members to effect a subsequent connection between said strips and a set off said contacts.

3. In a switching structure a set of operable contacts, a set of operable conducting strips associated therewith, a cam for each of said contacts, means for moving said cams in the path of said strips, and means for moving said strips along said operated cams and in contactual relation therewith into engagement with said contacts.

4. In a switching structure, flexible contacts, operable conducting strips associated therewith, cams associated with said contacts and normally out of operable relation therewith, means for moving said cams interjacent said strips and said contacts, and means for moving said strips into engagement first with said cams in operated positions and second with said contacts toeffect a connection between said strips and said contacts.

5. In a coordinate switch structure, sets of operable contacts, insulating supports therefor, sets of contacting strips movable in a lateral direction relative to the length of said supports, a resilient cam for. each of said contacts, longitudinally movable bars arranged to support said cams, means for operating said bars, and means for operating said strips for interengaging said cams and said contacts with a wiping action,

6. In a switching structure, the combina tion of a plurality of obliquely disposed sets of operable contacts arranged in rows, insulating supports therefor, a set of movable conductors for each of said rows, a camming bar associated with each of said supports, and disposed parallel thereto, and means for selectively moving said conductors into contacting engagement with said contacts, said engagement being eifected by the conjoint operation of one of said bars and a set of conductors.

7. In a switching structure, the combination of sets of flexible contacts, sets of con ducting strips disposed at right angles thereto, sets of flexible cams associated with said contacts, means for moving said cams selectively in operating relation with said flexible contacts, means for operating said strips to flex said cams wherein the continued movement of said strips is eiiective to establish connection with said contacts with a wiping action, and means for preventing the vibration of said cams when released by said strips.

8. In a switching structure, sets of movable contacts, sets of contact springs associated therewith, insulating supports for said contact springs, a cam for each of said movable contacts, and electromagnetic means for moving said cams interj acent said movable contacts and said contact springs for efiecting connections.

9. In a switching structure, the combination of sets of flexible contacts, back supports for each of said contacts, movable bars, sets of cams disposed obliquely on said movable bars and normally lying in juxta-position with said contacts, sets of contacting strips associated with said contacts, electromagnetic means for moving said cams in engageable relation with said contacts, and electromagnetic means for moving said strips in engagement with said cams, said cams being adapted to guide said strips into engagement with said contacts.

10. In a switching structure, the combination of operable contacts movable in one direction, other contacts associated therewith and normally movable in a path wherein they are incapable of engaging the first mentioned contacts, resilient cams, movable bars for said cams, electromagnetic means for operating said bars for moving said cams in engageable relation with said contacts, and means for moving the second mentioned contacts for establishing connection through the medium of said cams.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 13th day of June A. D. 1923.

JOHN F. I-IEABN.

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