US1895398A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 24, 1933.

M. H. RHODES SWITCH Filed Feb. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 24, 1933. M. H. RHODES 1,395,393

I SWITCH Filed Feb. -l4, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 avg Qf/ZZ /4 27 lll II III/ Patented Jan. 24, 1933 UNITED sures PATIENT orrica IAROUB H. RHODES, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, .usmxon TO I. K. BHODI,

A CORPORATION OF nmwm swrrmr This invention relates to switches, and with regard to certain more specific features, to time-controlled, dela ed action switches.

\ Among the several ob ects of the invention may be noted the rovision of a switch of the class described w ich is adapted, automatically upon throwing of the switch to On position to cut ofi the flow of current after a predetermined interval; provision of a switchof the class described which includes means for automatically returning the switch to its normal, circuit broken position upon an actuation thereof; the provision of a switc of the class described wherein the period or interval of time during which the circuit is allowed to be made is predeterminable before the switch is installed; and the rovision of a switch of the class described w ich is simple and accurate in operation and which involves a minimum number of arts adapted to wear out and necessitate rep acement and the like. Other objects will be in art obvious and in part pointed out hereina ter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements andcombinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the switch of i Fig. 3is a plan view of a supporting plate;

substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section taken Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken along line .99 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 10 is an ideal line 10-10 of Fi a; a

Fig. 11 is a agmentary elevation illustrating the manner in which a main spring is mounted;

Fig. 12 is a fragmetary cross section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10 illustrating an escapement mechanism; and,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentar section taken on lines 13-13 of Figs. 10 an 12.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicates a flush face plate of the t e generally used for wall mount" of electrical switches. A central 0 ning permits a control handle 5 of a switch 7 to extend outwardly to an available manilpulating position. Screws 9 hold the face p ate 1 to the switch 7.

From the exterior the switch 7 will be seen section taken along to comprise a mounting plate 11 (which with the face plate screws 9 engage) and a switch housing 13 having exterior connecting terminals 15 and 17 mounted thereon. The housing 13 is preferably formed of an insulatin material, such as bakelite (a phenolic con ensation product) or the like. The housing 13 is held to the mounting plate 11 by screws 19 (see Figs. 4 and 5). i

The mounting plate 11 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3. It will be seen that it comprises a long, relatively narrow vertical portion 12 having sideward' portions 21 and 23 extending at right angles from the general plane of the plate. A central opening 14 permits passage of the switch handle 5. Openings 16 at the extremities of the plate 11 permit attachment of the switch as a whole to a permanently installed wall housing or the like. Threaded holes 18 are provided to receive the face plate mounting screws 9 and threaded holes 20 to receive the switch housing mountin screws 19.

The switc 7 per se as it fits within the housing 13 comprises generally a contactor bar which is actuated tomovement by mechanical means, and a timing system which in turn interce ts the operation of the mechanical actuatlng means. For purposes of description, the mechanical means (including the contactor bar) and the time control means will be described separately and then. correlated.

The mechanical actuating means will be seen in Figs. 4 and 5. A plate 25, which is shaped with substantially the same contour as the housing 13, is attached to the ortion 21 of the mounting plate by means rivets or spot welding or the like as indicated at numeral 27 in Fig. 5.

Supported at one side in the'plate 2 5, and

- at the other side in the sideward portion 23,

thin portion 35, in the region of the projection 37.

Mounted rigidly on the switch handle 5,

embracing the thin portion 35' thereof, and extending into the depression 41,-is a saddle member 43. This saddle 43 comprises a pair of legs 45, which fit snugly against the sides of the handle 5, and a cross-piece 47 at right angles to the legs 45. The pin 29 passes through the legs 45. The cross-piece 47 engages the nose 39 of the projection 37 of the switch 5, whereby the saddle 43 is, relative to rotation on the pin 29, fixed to the handle 5. That is to say, the saddle 43' is mounted on the handle 5 in a fixed, non-rotatable manner. The cross-piece 47 is provided with a nose 49 which engages one end of a compression spring 51 to be described more in detail hereinafter.

Associated with the saddle 43 is a movement limiting means for the handle 5 (see Fig. 7). The. movement limiting-means per se. comprises a flat h shaped piece 53, having parallel legs 55 and 57, and a single extending leg 59. The leg 55 passes loosely through a pair of holes 61 in the legs 45 of the saddle 43. The single extending leg 59 passes through a slot 63 in the plate 25 having a predetermined length. The portion of the leg 59 extending through-the plate 25 serves to wind up or actuate a main spring to be described hereinafter. Considering that the saddle 43 is fixed to the handle 5, and that the plate 25 is relatively a part of the stationary ground wherein the handle 5 rotates,

63 limits the rotation or movement of the handle 5.

Also mounted on the pin 29, in this instance rotatably mounted, is a second saddle 65 embracing the saddle 43. The saddle 65, hereinafter termed the hammer saddle, comprises a pair of relatively long legs 67, through which the pin 29 passes (loosely enough to permit of ready rotation), and a hammer portion 69 at right angles thereto. The hammer portion 69 has a nose 71 thereon which engages the other end of the compression spring 51. Movement of the hammer saddle 65 is limited by a pair of ears 73 struck from the plate 25.

It will be seen that the saddles 43 and 65 together with the compression spring 51 comprise an overcentering toggle. In Fig. 5, motion of the handle 5 in a leftward direction, through the saddle 43, compresses the spring 51 against the saddle 65', which is immovable because of its engagement with the righthand ear 73, until the saddles 43 and 65 pass the parallel position, at which time the compressed spring reacts to suddenly throw the hammer saddle 65 to the left against the left hand movement-limiting ear 73, as is shown in Fig. 8. A similar reaction and over-centering action causes the hammer saddle 65 to snap sharply from the left to the. right, when the handle 5 is moved back to its right hand position.

In this manner, the switch functions to.

make and break connections with a quick, positive, snap action, and arcing and sparking are thus avoided.

' The electrical connections in the switch will be seen particularly in Figs. 4, 5 and 8. The exterior terminals 15 and 17 comprise, respectively, metallic strips 75 and 77 which are held to the housing 13 by means of screws 79, and which receive in threaded engagement screws 81 (see Fig. 4). 'By means of the screws 81, exterior connections to the switch are made. The metallic strip 75 extends into the housing 13, spaced from the side wall thereof, and is provided with a slanting knife-edge contacting portion 83. The metallic strip 77 extends into the housing 13, also spaced from the side wall thereof, and is provided with a knife-edge contacting portion 85 similar to the contacting portion81, but facing in a different direction.

Formed in interior of the back of the housing 13 is a protruding ear 87. A pin or shaft 89 passes through the side of the housing 13 andthreadedly engages the ear 87 (see Figs. 4, 6 and 8). On the pin 89 is rotatably mounted a contactor bar-anvil assembly 91. The parts of the assembly 91 are non-rotatable or otherwise movable relative to each'other, but the assembly as a whole rotates freely on the pin 89.

a The assembly 91 comprises an anvil piece it will be seen that engagement of the single 93, and a contactor bar 95, together with suitextendmg leg 59 w1th the ends of the slot able spacing washers, all mounted on a sleeve i menses vil pieoe93 referably formed of insulating 4 5 65 (see Fig.

- and the s and 85 wi on the back to the right material, inc udes a notch 99 which engages the hammer portion 69 of the'hammer saddle 5). The contactor bar 95 comprises a pair of slpring-metal strips 101 shaped to engage an disengage, by rotat on in 89, the knife- edge contacting strips 83 and 85. The relative shape of the bar 95 acing of the contacting strips 83 be apparent from Fig. 5.

As thehammer saddle 65 snaps from Fig. 5 position to Fig. 8 position, as described hereinbefore, its engagement with the notch 99 in the anvilpiece 93 causes the assembly 91 to rotate, as a whole, on the,pin 89, and consequently causes the contactor bar 95 to rotate into and out of contact with the pieces 83 and '85. Thus making and breaking of an electrical connection from terminal 15 to terminal 17 is effected in a sudden, snap-acting manner by simple movement of the switch control handle 5.

The above description has been made without consideration of the latching effect of the timing control means. In operation of the switch together with the time'control means, a latch intercepts or prevents motion of the hammer saddle 65 when it tends to swing or Fig. 5 position from its Fig. 8 position, as will bedescribed hereinafter... The time controlling mechanism is illustrated generally in Figs. 4 and 10.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4, and 9 it will be seen that there is a second plate 111 which is substantially the same shape as plate 25 described hereinbefore in connection with the switch construction, and

which is held in place in said plate 25 in spaced relation by means of spacing collars 115 and screws 117 (see Fig. 5). A main shaft 109 is rotatably supported in the plates 111 and 25.

Mounted on the main shaft 109 in such a manner as to react against the relatively stationary plate 111 is a main spring 119. The manner of mounting the main spring 119 is illustrated more in detail in Fig. 11, where it will be seen that one end of said spring passes around and hooks upon an ear 121 struck from the plate 111, while the other end of said s ring 119 is hooked over a projection 123 ormed on the main shaft 109. pair of cars 125, likewise struck from the plate 111, serve to hold the main spring 119 in coiled form.

In order to prevent the. main sprin 119 from releasing sidewardly, and in or er to cover 127 is prevented from rotating on the main shaft 109 because it is formed so as to 119, thereby occasioning a reverse torque on said main shaft 109.

An escapement mechanism is provided to permit the torque so produced in the main spring 119 to expend itself by rotatin the main shaft 109 only at a predetermin rate of speed. This escapement is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. A large gear 131 is mounted loosely on the main shaft 109. The large ear 131 is provided with a number of space openings 132 therein.

Mounted in a non-rotatable manner on'the main shaft 109 in juxtaposition to the large gear 131 is a friction disc or pawl wheel 133. The gawl wheel 133 has fin ers134 thereon, whic are adapted to exten in line with the openings 132 in the main gear 131. The arrangement between. the fingers 134 and the openings 132 is such that the shaft 109 may turn when winding up the main sprin 119, without rotating the large gear 131, and also that the engagement of the fingers 134 and the openings 132 will not permit the main spring 1l9,'after it has been wound up, to unwind without turning the gear 131 which is itself connected to the regulating escapement single tooth 138 occasions the winding of the main spring 119'to a definite extent, determined by the angular rotation of the main shaft 109. After the main spring has been so wound, the pawl wheel engages the main gear 131 whereby the escapement mechanism is caused to operate and the device run down slowly. This will be described more particularly hereinafter. It is to be noted, however, that after the cam wheel 136 has been turned to one angular displacement by a motion of the main control handle 5, that the tooth 138 is held away from and is not again engaged by the extending leg 59. It is thus seen that the control handle may be manipulated a number of times, but only the first manipulation is effective to wind the main en permitted to run down in. the meantime. Engaging the teeth of the gear 131 is a gear train. In the present embodiment the gear train comprises a pinion 135, driven by the gear 131, and which is mounted on a shaft 137 supported between the plates 111 and rtion 129 on the I spring 119, unless of course, the device has provide additional protection against the be 25. Also mounted upon the shaft 137 in an immovable fashion is a large gear 139. The large gear 139 in turn drives a second pinion 141 on a shaft 143having a second large gear 145 mounted thereon. The pinion 141, shaft 143, and large gear 145 are, respectively, similar to the pinion 135, shaft 137, and large gear 139.

The large gear 145 in its turn drives a third pinion 147, similar to the pinions 135 and 141, which is mounted on a shaft 149, similar to the shafts 137 and 143. Tmmovably mounted on the shaft 149 is also a sprocket wheel 151, the shape of which will be more apparent by inspection of Fig. 12. The shafts 137, 143 and 149 are all supported by end bearings in the plates 111 and 25.

It will be seen that there is a large increase in angular motion from the gear 131 to the sprocket wheel 151, or considering it in the reverse manner, there is a large decrease in angular motion from the sprocket wheel 151 to the gear 131. This increase or decrease, considered either Way, is controlled by the relative sizes of the gears 131, 139, and 145,

- and the pinions 135, 141 and 147.

Engaging with the sprocket Wheel 151 is the escapement mechanism per se. This escapement mechanism (see also Figs. 12 and 13) comprises a balance wheel 153 mounted on a balance wheel shaft 155, which is pivoted between bearing plates 157 and 159 which are threaded into the plates 111 and 25, respectively. The bearing plate 157 is provided with a square head so'that adjustment of the pressure on the shaft 155 may be effected. In general, the bearing plates 157 and 159 are adjusted so that the shaft 155 turns loosely in them.

A hair spring 161 is secured at one end I to the shaft 155, as indicated at numeral 163 (Fig. 13), and at the other end to the rela tively stationary plate 111, as at numeral 165 (Figs. 9 and 10). This hair spring 161 is arranged to provide a small counter-clockwise torque on the shaft 155, as viewed from the side represented by the plate 111.

The shaft 155 is provided with a notch 167 out therein, at the region of its engagement with the sprocket wheel 151. The notch 167, when in a proper position, permits the sprocket wheel 151 to turn freely, as will be described hereinafter.

Extending at substantially a right angle from a spoke of the balance wheel 153 is a pin 169. The pin 169 engages teeth of the sprocket wheel 151 and cooperates with the notch 167 to form an intermittent escapement mechanism for the sprocket wheel 151. This escapement operation will be apparent by reference to Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, there is a clockwise torque on the sprocket wheel 151 provided by the main spring 119 acting through the gear train 131, 135, 139, 141, 145

and 147. 1

There is a smaller counterclockwise torque on the balance wheel 153 provided by the hair spring 161. The torque on the balance wheel 153 forces the pin 169 against the edge of a tooth 171 of the sprocket wheel 151. The greater torque on the tooth 171 causes it to advance, thereby forcing the pin 169, by a cam action, to rotate against the torque of the hair spring 161. Rotation of the pin 169 causes coextensive rotation of the balance wheel 153, and the balance wheel shaft 155. The shaft 155 is thus caused to rotate in such a manner that the notch 167 is turned away from a next-advancing tooth 17 3 of the sprocket wheel 151. Without the notch 167 in proper position, the tooth 173 cannot pass the balance wheel shaft 155, and is stopped thereby.

Returning to the action of the tooth 171 on the pin 169, the force on said pin exerted by the tooth 171 is sufiiciently great to occasion the rotation of said pin 169, against the torque of the hair spring 161, to an extent considerably greater than merely to pass over the crest of the tooth 171. In other words, the pin 169 is snapped away to roreverse the direction of rotation of the pin 169 y and thus force said pin back towards the sprocket wheel 1151. With the tooth 17 3 against the shaft 155, the pin 169 is rotated into the depression between the teeth 171 and 17 3. This rotation of the pin 169 by the hair spring 161 occasions coextensive rotation of i the shaft 155, with the result that as the pin 169 reaches a position of contact with the forward edge of the tooth 173, the notch 167 is brought into proper position to permit the forward rotation of the tooth 173, acting i under the torque of the main spring 119. So advancing, the leading edge of the tooth 173 engages and rotates the pin 169 against the torque of the hair spring 161, and the action of? the tooth 171 is thus repeated by the tooth 1 3. I

In such a'manner the balance wheel 153 and its attached parts serve to permit only timed, intermittent motion of the sprocket wheel 151, and, through the gear train 147, 145, 141, 139, 135, 131, the main shaft 109. By reason of the reduction effect of the gear train, as described hereinbefore, the main shaft 109 is accordingly permitted to rotate at only a very slow speed, and the main spring lever 175 and passes throu f. a f am" no, wound t this unwind: only w it numeral 175 in Fig. 4 is illustrated alatch lever (see also 5) which is rotat- 5 ably mounted at one on on a pin 177 which is in turn sup orted in holes suitably positioned in the p ates 25 and 111. The lever 17 5 1s immovably secured onthe in 177 so that rotation of said pin and said ever are co-extensivet gA sprin wire 179 passes through a hole in the pm 17 and rests at its other end a inst one of the collars 115. The spring 1 9 holds the lever 17 5 normally in its upper position (see Fig. 5). r

The lever 17 5, at its right hand, free moving end, (see Fig. 5) is provided with a sloping cam surface 181 which is adapted to engage with a lug or the like. 183 struck from pawl wheel 133. formed on the free movin end of the lever 175 is a lugrgr latch 185, w ch extends at right angles 111 said gh an opening 187 in the plate into a position adapted to intercept movement of the hammer saddle 65. Under influence of the spring. 17 9 the lug or latch 185 is normally in positlon to interce t the hammer saddle but when the lever 175 is depressed, as by the engagement of the lug 183 on the cam surface 181, the latch 185 is forced out of position and the hammer saddle 65 is permitted to swin freely. I A tension spring 189 is attached at one end to a lug 191 formed in the switch handle 5, and at the other end to the relatively stationary plate 25. The spring 189 is originally given sufiicient tension to cause the automatic return of the switch handle 5 to the right hand position regardless of whether it is manually returned to said position or not.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

Assuming the switch to be in its Fig. 5 or normal position, it will be seen'that the contactor bar 95 is disconnected from the terminals and 77. If now the control handle 5 is thrown to the left, by reason of the overcentering action of the spring 51 as described hereinbefore, the hammer saddle 65 is immediately thrown to the left'thereby engaging the anvil piece 93 and causing'the con- .tactor bar to snap into connection and electrically complete the circuit from the terminal piece 75 to the terminal piece 77. The latch 185 does not obstruct the leftward motion of the hammer saddle 65because of the resilient position in which it is held by the spring 179 and because of the sloping back surface 193 of said hammer saddle 65.

At the same time the handle 5 is moved to the right, itwill be seen that 'the h shaped piece 53 engaging the cam'wheel 136 winds the main spring a predetermined amount by rotating the main shaft 109. the same time the mainshaft is rotated, the pawl wheel I 131 is rotated and the lug 183 is brought out of contact with the sloping surface 181 the, lever 17 5, thereb permitting said lever to resume its no upward position with the latch 185 terce ti the motion of the ham-I."

mer saddle 65. position the hand of the operator .is removed from the control handle 5. The spring 189 immediately reacts on the control handle 5 and returns it to its righthand, Fig. 5 position. The return to righthand position of the control handle 5 places an overcentering to gle action and the ammer saddle 65 to tend to return to the righthand position. However the latch 185 is interposed in the path of the hammer saddle 65, so said hammer saddle is retained in its said lefthand position re ardless of the position of the handle 5. The ammer saddle 65 is accordingly held to the left and the positions of the various elements. is that shown 1n 1 By the original motion of the control handle 5, however, tension has been placed in the main spring 119, and the gear train and escapement mechanism commence to function, permitting the main spring 119 and the main shaft attached thereto to rotate slowly back to normal position; This action proceeds for a predetermined interval of time as controlled by the gear train and; the speed of the escapement mechanism per se, until finally the lug 183 on the pawl wheel 133 is brought against the sloping face 181 of the lever 17 5. As this action occurs, the lug 183 depresses the lever 17 5, and carries the latch 185 out of the path of the hammer saddle 65. WVith the latch 185 out of its path the hammer saddle 65 immediately snaps, under the action of the compression spring 61, to the right, thereby hitting the anvil piece 93 and rotating the contactor bar assembl 95 out of contact with the terminals 75 an 7 7, thus breaking the electrical contact action and allowing the switch to resume its Fig. 5 position.

It is accordingly seen that with the present invention a simple movement of the control handle 5 to On position, after which the hand of the operator is removed causes the switch to complete the electrical circuit for a predetermined time after which the circuit is automaticall broken. The present inven tion is particu arly'applicablein places or locations where electric lights or fiatirons and the like are but seldom used and there is a possibility that a person would leave the light or flatiron on and walk away, with the result that the light would remain on when there existed no need for it. For exam le, in the book stacks of libraries, it is desira le to have a switch which will cause the light to remain on only for a short time, after which time it will automatically turn off. The present invention achieves this end with a minimum of exposed or complicated parts.

It will be apparent that while the switch with a snap as a whole hasbeen described in an embodiment wherein the On operation is manual and the the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results ohtained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without dearting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accomanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

ll claim:

1. An electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a ,bontactor bar adapted to rotate in and out or contact with said terminals, a control handle, a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to a normal posi tion, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle and actuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle being adapted to rotate said contactor bar out of contact with said terminals when said control handle is returned to its normal position, a latch adapted to intercept said hammer saddle to prevent disconnecting of said contactor bar from said terminals, and a timing train adapted to remove said latch from operating position after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

. An electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a contactor bar adapted to rotate in and out of contact with said terminals, a control handle, a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to a normal position, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle and actuating said contactor bar,

said hammer saddle being adapted to rotate said contactor bar out of contact with said terminals when said control handle is returned to its normal position, a latch adapted to intercept said hammer saddle to prevent disconnecting of said contactor bar from said terminals, and a timing train adapted to remove said latch from operating position after a predetermined time interval has elapsed, said timing train being in turn actuated to operate when said control handle'is removed from normal position.

3. An electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a contactor bar adapted to rotate in and out of contact with said terminals, a control handle, a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to a normal posi-- tion, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle and actuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle being adapted to rotate said contactorbar out of contact with said terminals when. said control handle 'is returned to its normalposition, a latch adapted to intercept said hammer saddle to preneeasee main spring and said control handle whereby removal of said control handle from normal position efiects winding of said main sprm.

4. electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a contactor bar adapted to rotate in and. out of contact with said terminals, a control handle,-a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to a normal position, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle and actuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle bein adapted to rotate said contactor bar out 0 contact with said terminals when said control handle is returned to its normal position, a latch adapted to intercept said hammer saddle to prevent disconnecting of said contactor bar from said spring and release or said timing train for operation. i i

5. An electric switch comprising a plurality of terminals, a contactor bar adapted to move into a plurality of operative phases with respect to said terminals, including connecting and disconnecting phases, a control handle, means adapted to return. said control handle to a normal position, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle and actuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle being adapted to move said contactor bar from one operative phase to a second operative phase when said control handle is returned to its normal position, a latch adapted to intercept said hammer saddle to prevent said contactor bar from moving into said second operative phase, and a timing train adapted to remove said latch from operating position after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

6. An electric switch comprising a plurality of terminals, a contactor bar adapted to move into a plurality of operative phases with respect to said terminals, including connecting and disconnecting phases, a control handle, return means adapted instantaneously to return said control handle to a normal position whenever said control handle is actuated, means connecting said control handle and said contactor baradapted, when said control handle is moved from normal position, to move said contactor bar into one operative phase, and also adapted, when said

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