US2374435A - Snap-action mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Apri24,1945. f Y .R H JORDAN 2,374,435

SNAP-ACTION MEcHANlsM `Filed Sept'. 16, 1943 i [NIITOR. A www Figure 1:

dat spring used in my switch; and

invention vcomprises "inlligurea inten-medien under the channelledlrigid resilient strip vIl and the intermediate` support il vand the i,

Patented Apr. 24, 1945 Richard H. Jordan,

corporation o! Ohio Mansfield, Ohio, assigner to Dominion Electrical Manuiacturin g, Inc., a

Application September 16, 1943, Serial'No. 502,-607I 5 claims. y(ci. zoosvi My linvention relates in general to a quickaction movement and more particularly to a snap switch. An object of my invention is the provision of a snap switch which may be constructed or si1`nple parts and which is reliable in operation.

Another object or my invention is the provision of a channelled dat spring which is employed to give a quick-action movement.

Another object of my invention is to use the channelled flat spring as a bridging member to close an electrical circuit between two spaced contacts.

Another object of my invention is the provil sion of a snap-action arrangement for interrubting and making electrical circuits by flattening a'portion of a pre-formed channelled resilient strip which is anchored at its two ends and which is supported by an intermediate iulcrum or support, Athe ilattening reducing the rigidity of the channelled member between the fulcrum and vone of the ends of the strips. and thereby producing a quick-acting movement. ,y

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. in which:

Figure 1 isa side elevational view of a switch embodying the featuresof my invention .Figure 2 is an end view ci' the device shown in Figure a is s view similar to Fi ie 1, with the switch shown in the opposite posit on:

Figure 4 is a 'perspective view of a channelled Figure 5 is a side elevational view showing a modiiication of the method of operating my switch. Y

With reference tothe views of the drawing, my

generally a channelled rigid ilat resilient strip that the endwise con-l and Il which are bridged by the channelled rigidresilient strip i when the control push button I6 is depressed. When the control push button Il is depressed, the contacts Il and I are open as shown in Figure 3. i i

The operation of either one ofthe control push buttons I8 and I1 which when it engages the channelled rigid resilient strip III, causes the channelled rigid resilient strip i0 to become almost at or straight across which reduces the rigidity of same 4to give a quick-action movement. The reduction of rigidity of the, channelled resilient strip in the places where the control, push buttons vIl and l1 are located permits the spring Ito straighten out where it formerly .was reduced inrigidity and deformed. The

straightening out action is accompanied by a snap movement so that wheneither one of the control push buttons il and l1 are operatedv the snap action is instantaneous.

In Figure 5 I show a different method of weakeningthe channelled resilient strip in that I employ a switch lever 2| which is pivoted at a pivot point 22 and which has two spaced rocking arm engaging portions 2l and 24 for reducing the frigidity of the lchannelled rigiddlat spring i0.

' strip as bridging the contacts i III having its opposite ends mounted in notches i2 and i3' provided m the `upright portion of. the switch frame Il which straint upon the channelled resilient strip causes aretwo spaced electrical contacts il ,l ter portion.'and actuating `means disposedl to Y u contact the said intermediate portions of the The operation oi the switch y same as that described with reference to the foregoing views.

While I have shown the channelled resilientil and II directly. itis to be understood that the switching arrangement may comprise other designswhere the making and breaking of the controlled by the quick-action movement of the rigid resilient strip Il.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has' been made only by way oi' example and thatnumerous changes in the detailsl of construction and the combina-A tion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to'without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim as' my invention: l

1. A quick-acting switch comprising the com'- bination of a pair oi spaced switch contacts, a relatively thin rigid channelled member for bridging the contacts having two end portions.

a center portion and 'intermediate portions be- I tween the respective end portions andthecenhanneledmember to hatten same and thereby ffl-ecute the rigidity thereof. end support ineens in Figure 51s the circuit is remotely to support the ends of the channelled member and constrain same endwise, and center support means to support the center thereof, the said at` least one of the intermediate portions of the said channelled members under said endwise constraint giving a quick-acting movement with reference to the pair of spaced switch contacts uponattening of an intermediate portion and reducingv its rigidity by the actuating means.

2. A quick-acting device comprising the combination of a pair of spaced switch contacts, a relatively thin rigid channelled member for bridging the contacts. having two. end portions, a center portion and intermediate portions between the respective end portions and the center portion, and actuating means disposed to contact at least one of the said intermediate portions of the channelled member to iiatten same and thereby reduce the rigidity thereof, end support means to support the ends of the channelled member and constrain same endwise, and center support means to support the center thereof, the said at least one of intermediate portions of the said channelled members under said endwise constraint giving a quick--acting move ment with respect to its supported ends upon applying a force thereto by means of the actuating support means to support the center thereof,v

the said at least one of intermediate portions of the said channelled members undersaid endwise constraint giving a quick-acting movement with respect to its supported ends upon applying av force thereto by means of thev actuating means, and switch meansI actuated by the quick-acting movement.

4. Apparatus to give a quick-acting movement, comprising in combination, a relatively thin rigid channelled member having two end portions, a

- center portion and intermediate lportions between the respective end portions and the center portion, said channelled member being made of a resilient metallic strip, and actuating means disposed to contact at least one of the said intermediate portions of the channelled member to Hatten same and thereby reduce the rigidity thereof, end support means to support the ends of the channelled member and constrain same endwise, and center support means to support the center thereof, the said at least one of the said intermediate portions of the channelled member tening of said intermediate portion and reducing under endwise constraint giving a quick-acting movement upon flattening of said intermediate portion and reducing its rigidity by the actuating means.

5. Apparatus to give a quick-acting switch movement comprising, in combination, a relatively thin rigid channelled member having two end portions, a center portion and intermediate portions between the respective end portions and the center portion, said channelled member being made of a resilient metallic strip, andactuating means disposed to contact at least one of said intermediate portions of the channelled member to atten same and thereby reduce the rigidity thereof, end support means to support the ends of the channelled member and constrain same endwise, `and center support means to support the center thereof, the said at least one of the said intermediate portions of the channelled member under endwise constraint giving a quick-acting switch'movement upon fiatits rigidity by the'actuating means, and switch means actuated by the quick-acting movement. RICHARD H. JORDAN.

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