US2766334A - Multiple switch with release mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 9, 1956 Fig.

o. GREESON 2,766,334

MULTIPLE SWITCH WITH RELEASE MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 20o 9,6 WFL O lll I lll l 9\ /82 /lo se 250 rsa so 2 a4 4 "6 Fig/3 242 0 256 254 Orion S. Grasso/7 244V INVENTOR.

' 93 260- L BY gauw WWWMW Oct. 9, 1956 o. s. GREEsoN MULTIPLE SWITCH WITH RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Nov. 16, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 m, R m mw M L. w w. .mq |L|..I- www H Fw! w i .m r O ql w w 2 l .b w m 4. 7 L m. M mi, F .sw L i. m, .mf M 4 14 n L Fm L 4 L 7 .8,9 /..4 m 2 9 2 8 8 I .l2 m vl 2 V .,0 rw.. m

nited States Patent O MULTIPLE SWITCH WITH RELEASE MECHANISM Orion S. Greeson, Elizabeth, N. J. Application November 16, 1953, Serial No. 392,267 Claims. (Cl. 200-5) This invention relates to a multiple switch with release mechanism and particularly to an improvement on the multiple switch covered in Patent No. 2,587,143, granted February 26, 1952, and Patent No. 2,587,144, granted February 26, 1952.

In the operation of sequentially operating multiple switches it is frequently desirable to be able to release all of the switch mechanisms at some point during the sequence operation or to release any one switch unit of the sequence without disturbing the other switch units. The construction according to the present invention provides a multiple sequential operating switch in which a driving mechanism causes an initial operation which sets up a predetermined arrangement whereby a second operation of driving mechanism performs a second switching operation and so on to a predetermined number of sequential operations. A throw-out arrangement is provided by which all of the sequential operating steps may be returned to the initial operating position and an individual throw-out device is provided so that any unit of the switch may be returned to its inoperative position.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved multiple sequence operating switch.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the multiple operating switch with means for restoring the switch to its original inactive position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a multiple sequence switch to which any unit of the switch may be returned to its inactive position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple operating switch in which any unit at any time may be returned to its inoperative position without disturbing the position of any other unit of the switch.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational end view of a two-unit switch according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the two-unit switch shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevation through the switch taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the switch mechanism taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the multiple switch taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational end View of a single switching unit;

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan View of a single switching unit according to the invention and shows one of the units in its normal or released position;

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are plan views similar to Figure 7 showing a driving mechanism of a unit of the switch in successive operating position;

2,766,334 Patented Oct. 9, 1956 Figure 11 is a plan view of the switch unit after being released by the common release mechanism with the preceding unit in its released position;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the switch unit after being released by the common release mechanism with the preceding unit in its operating position;

Figure 13 is a plan View of the individual release mechanism with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 14 is an isometric view of the driving head;

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the locking member; and

Figure 16 is a schematic wiring diagram of the switch and showing a typical circuit application.

For simplicity of illustration and description the switch is shown as a two-unit device although it will be apparent that any number of switching units may be connected in successive arrangement and also for simplicity of opera tion and description the switch units operated by the switch for the Contact devices are shown as a simple change over switch from one on to another off so that the operation changes one circuit from on to off and the other from off to on.

In the exemplary multiple switch according to the drawing the device is mounted on a base 20 which is an oblong rectangular plate. In the following description it will be assumed that the base 20 is mounted with the short axis vertical and the long axis horizontal, but it is of course to be understood that the base plate has no xed position and that it may be mounted in any position that may be selected.

The device is illustrated as having a primary unit A and a secondary unit B which have substantially identical driving mechanisms and may have any desired contactor arrangement that is selected. For simplicity of operation the first unit A is provided with a primary switch and a secondary switch actuating arm while the second unit B is provided with only a secondary switch operating mechamsm.

Attached to the base 20 is a primary sub-base 22 which is anged to provide a vertical post 24 and a laterally extending portion extending on opposite sides of the base 20. The laterally extending portion of the post 24 such as the portion 25 is adapted to secure a switch mounting means presently to be described.

The primary switch actuating arm 26 is hingedly mounted on the post 24 by means of a suitable hinge 28. Mounted on the base 20 in sequence to the sub-base 22 is a second sub-base 30 which is anged to provide a vertical post 32 having laterally extending anges 33 and 35. A secondary switch actuating arm 34 is hingedly mounted on the post 32 by means of a suitable hinge 36.

The primary switch actuating arm 26 is operated by an electromagnetic device generally indicated by the numeral 38 and both actuating arms 26 and 34 are coupled or connected by a motion transmitting or latching device Which is generally indicated at 40.

The initial position or rest position for the actuating arm 26 is determined by the device 38 and the push rod 42 described below, while the actuating arm 34 rests against a backstop 44 which is attached to a shelf 46 which projects outwardly from sub-base 30.

The post 24 carries an insulating block 4S on the outwardly extending portion 2S. Mounted on the block 48 is a plurality of spring- like members 52, 54 and 56 which are adapted to make contact and which are controlled by means of a post 58 mounted on the actuating arm 26. Also insulating blocks 50 and 51 hold similar contact springs and are mounted on the post 32. In the example shown, the contact springs are arranged in triples comprising the back spring 52, middle spring 54 and the front spring 56. The insulating rod 58 passes through an opening 59 in the back spring 52 and connects the avesa.

middle spring 54 to the actuating arm 26 so that when the actuating arm 26 is moved to its operating position, middle spring 54 will break contact with the back spring 52 and make contact with the front spring 56. Likewise the secondary contacts are provided with back spring 62` a middle 64 and a front spring 66 with an insulating rod 68 passing through an opening 69 in the back spring 6?. and connecting the middle spring 64 with the actuating arm 34. Extending ends of the contact springs 52, 54, 56, 62, 64 and 66 is provided with a terminal 60 for the connection of suitable conductors thereto.

Magnetic operating mechanism 38 for actuating arm 26 consists of an electromagnet 'l0 mounted on the subbase 22 and provided with a pole piece 72 carrying a movable armature 74. Terminals "76 and 78 mounted on an insulating block 8u are provided for connectingy an operating circuit to the coil of the magnet. The armature 74 when attracted by the core 82 upon energizaticn of the coil of the electromagnet 70, pushes the rod 42 outwardly and thereby moves the actuating arm 26 to operating position, thus opening contacts 52 and 54 and closing contacts S4 and 56 at the beginning of sequence of operation as will presently be described.

The distinctive feature of the invention consists of the switching rate changing, coupling or motion transmitting mechanism 40 arranged between the actuating arms 26 and 34. As seen in the drawings, this mechanism cornprises essentially a driving head 84 carried by the actuating arm 26, at the end removed from the hinge 28. A latching device indicated generally at 86 is carried by the secondary actuating arm 34, and a counterholding or locking segment 90 is fixed to the shelf 46.

The latch device S6 includes a control arm 92 which is fixed to a sleeve 94 Fig. 6, which is hingedly mounted on a pintle pin 96 which is mounted in a cradle member 98 attached to the secondary actuating arm The arm control 92 is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane and supports at its end a guide pin 100. The latch device S6 also includes a driving pawl 102 and a latching pawl '104. These are substantially rigid members and one end of each is attached to a sleeve designated 106 and 108, respectively as shown in Figure l. The pawls 102 and 104 are hinged on the pintle 96 through sleeves 1116 and 108. lins 110 and 112 project inwardly at essentially right angles to pawls 102 and 104, respectively, at the point where they are pivoted on the pintle 96. Attached to the actuating arm 34 through a spacer 114 are two flat springs 116 and 113 each with the free end tensioned against pins 110 and 112, respectively, so that they tend to urge the free end of the pawls 102 and 104 inwardly. The pawl 162 engages the driving head 84, while the pawl 194 engages the locking segment 50, thereby determining the angular position of the pawls 1&2 and 1114 relative to the secondary actuating arm 34.

Attached to the driving pawl 102 at the pivoted end is a curved spring 120. The free end of spring 20 is tensioned against a pin 122 which projects upward from the control arm 92. The spring 120 urges the control arm 92 outwardly relative to the angular position of the pawl 102. Attached to the driving pawl 102 and projecting downward through an elongated aperture 124 in the control arm 92 is a vertical pin 126. The outward movement of the arm 92 is limited by the vertical pin 126 resting against the inner end of the elongated aperture 124 in the arm 92.

The driving head 84 is shown more fully in Figure 14. rThe driving head 84 is rigidly attached to the primary actuating arm 26 and travels through the arc of a circle but the movement is so short (about four degrees) that it is substantially rectilinear.

The driving head 114 has a leg 130 rigidly attached thereto which projects at right angles to the primary actuating arm 26. The leg 1310 is provided with a step 132 joining the two surfaces 133 and 1,35. The end of the pawl 102 may be applied against the step 132 if the arm 92 is in a proper position to be described below.

The leg 134 projects at right angles to the leg 130 and the end is turned over to provide a projection 136 of rhomboidal cross section. The rhomboid is formed on one side by the inclined surface 138 and one the other side by the parallel surface 140, both surfaces being vertical. Between said inclined surfaces vertical surfaces 142 and 144 are disposed which are parallel to the leg 3?. The rhomboidal projection 136 cooperates with the vertical guiding pin on the horizontal arm 92.

The locking segment 90 is more adequately shown in Figure 15. There is a block mounted on the shelf 46 by any suitable means. The block is cut in the manner shown in Figure 15 to form a locking step 148. The step 148 faces the secondary actuating arm 34 and joins the two surfaces 147 and 149 which are both at right angles to the actuating arm 34 and serve as a guide for the pawl 104. The step 148 cooperates with the working end of the pawl 104. Obviously, the latch device may be locked in its position when the pawl 104 is engaged on the step 148 of lthe locking segment 90.

Unit B of the device is operated by means of driving head 84' which is mounted on the actuating arm 34 and is connected to the secondary actuating arm of the unit B by means of a latching mechanism substantially identical to the latching mechanism presently described. The unit B is mounted on a sub-base 150 having an upstanding portion 152 to which the secondary arm 162 is connected by means of a hinge 154. Mounted on the sub-base 150 is a shelf 156 substantially identical to the shelf 46 in unit A.

Insulated mounting blocks 158 are mounted on the standing arm 152 to carry a plurality of pairs of contact units as will presently be described.

A common release mechanism embodied in the improved switch is very simple and ecient as will be described hereinafter.

As shown in Figure l, a sub-base 17 6 is attached to the base 20. A bracket 178 projects outwardly from the subbase 176 as shown in Figure 5. Another bracket 180 projects out from `the sub-base 22 as shown in Figure 3. The release bar 182 of a bail-like construction has its ends bent at right angles to the main body of the device so that its bail-like member is pivoted on the outer end of the brackets 180 and 178 by means of rivets 184 and 185 or the like. The end of the release bar 182 that is pivoted on the bracket 178 is provided with an extension 186 which extends upwardly from the pivot point 185. The other end of the release bar 182 that is pivoted on the bracket 180 is provided With an extension 188 which extends inwardly from the pivot point 184. A ilat spring is attached to the bracket 180 and the free end of the spring 190 rests against the underside of the extension 188 so that the spring 190 acting against the extension 188 tends to urge the release bar 182 inward.

The operating mechanism for the release bar 182 cemprises an electromagnet 194 mounted on the sub-base 176 and provided with a pole piece 196 carrying a movable armature 198. Terminals 200 mounted on an insulating block 202 are also provided for connecting an operating circuit to the coil of the magnet 194. The armature 198 when attracted by the core 204 upon energization of the electromagnet 194, swings the armature extension rod 206 inwardly. The extension rod 206 acts against the release bar extension 186 and swings the release bar 182 outwardly against the tension of the spring 190. When the electromagnet 194 is released, the spring 190 swings the release bar 182 inwardly. The release bar 182 may, of course, be actuated by manual or mechanical means as well as the electromagnet described.

The tripping pin 126 in each of the actuating members extends under the pawl 104 so `that when the release bar 182 swings outwardly, it makes Contact with the tripping pin 126 and pushes the pawls 102 and 104 outwardly.

The horizontal arm 92 is also moved outwardly on account of its being coupled to the pawl 102 by the spring 120. This outward movement of the pawls 102 and 104 releases the secondary actuating arms that are in their operated position by lifting the pawl 104 from behind the step 148 in locking member 90.

The switching capabilities of this switch are greatly broadened by the individual release mechanism which is a part of this invention. This is an optional mechanism and may be applied to any or all of the units of the switch or switch series either alone or in conjunction with the common release mechanism above described.

This individual release mechanism is shown in Figure 13 which shows a side view of the mechanism with certain parts cut away to show the construction.

Since all of the individual release mechanisms are identical a single release mechanism will be described and it being understood that the same may be applied to any or all of the switch units.

A base 240 is mounted on the shelf 46 and a solenoid 242 is attached to the base 240. An iron plunger 244 lits loosely in the solenoid 242. A release blade 246 is attached to one end of the plunger 244 with the edge of the blade 246 facing the tripping pin 126. The blade 246 slides in a slot 248 provided in the spool head 250 which is attached to the solenoid 242. A compression spring 252 is provided for urging the plunger 244 to its retracted position and is mounted around Ithe plunger 244 and between the base 240 and a flange or collar 254 on the plunger 244. Terminals 256 and 257 are attached to the base 240 for applying energizing current to the winding 260 of the solenoid 242.

Figures 2 and 7 to 10 show the individual release mechanism in its retracted or inoperative position. Figure 13 shows the blade moved into contact with pin 126 to release the particular unit to which the blade is connected.

A typical application of the switch unit is shown in Figure 16 with the contact switch 220 for controlling the -solenoid 70 and a key 222 for controlling the individual release 242 and a key 224 for controlling the individual release 242' and a key 226 for controlling the solenoid 194 of the common release mechanism operation the release bar 182. As herein before indicated the switch group 164 comprises a back switch contact 52, a central switch contact 54 and a front contact 56 and the back contact 52 is connected to the middle contact 232 of a secondary switch group 168 actuated by the secondary actuating arm 34. The front contact 56 being connected to a central contact 64 of a switch group 166 including a back contact 62, a middle contact 64 and a front contact 66.

The switch group 168 comprises a back contact 230, a central contact 232 and a forward contact 234 with the central contact 232 being connected to the back contact 52 of the group 164.

The secondary units are carried by the actuating member 162 and each constitute two groups of switching elements with the group 170 having the back contacts 270 and 272, middle contacts 274 and 276. Middle contact 274 being connected to back contact 62 and middle contact 276 being connected to the forward contact 66 of the group 166. Likewise group 170 is provided with forward contacts 278 and 280. Contacts 270 and 272, 278 and 280 are connected, respectively, to the operating devices 282, 286, 284 and 288. The group 172 is comprised of back contacts 290 and 292 and middle contacts 294 and 296, central contact 294 being connected to the back contact 230 of the switch group 168 and the middle contact 296 being connected to forward contact 234 of the switch group 16S. Likewise the group 172 is provided with two forward contacts 298 and 300. Back contact 290 is connected to an operating device 302 while the forward contact 298 is connected to an operating device 304 while the back contact 292 is connected to an operating device 306 and the forward contact 300 is connected to an operating device 308.

In the operation of the device as shown at the start of the cycle the inoperative position is shown in Figures 2, 7 and 16 the devices will be deenergized by the switches 220, 222, 224, 226, which will all be open and all of the solenoids will be deenergized when the contact 54 energizes the back contact 52 which will energize contact 232 and thereby energize the contact 230 which will energize contact 294, 290 and energize the device 302.

When the switch unit is in its normal or initial position, the position of the various parts are best shown in Figures 2 and 7 of the drawings. Actuating arms 26,

- 34 are substantially parallel and are held in their position by the resilient contact springs 54 and 64, their position of rest being defined for the actuating arm 26 by the push rod 42 and for the actuating arm 34 by the backstop 44.

In this position of rest the pawl 102 rests against the step 132 of the driving head 84 and is somewhat under tension imparted by the spring 116. Also, the pawl 102' rests against the step 132' of the driving head 84 and is also tensioned by the spring 116'. The pawl 104 rests on the surface 149 of the locking segment 90 and is under a greater tension as indicated by the curved spring 118. Pawl 104 is likewise held on the locking segment 90' and the pin on arm 92 rests back of the rear inclined surface of the rhomboidal projection 136 of the driving head 84 and the secondary unit will be in the same position.

If the key 220 is closed the electromagnet 70 will now be energized, or if in any other way the push rod 42 transmits the first impulse, the rod 42 is pushed forward toward the actuating arm 26, moving the latter around the hinge 28. Therefore, the contacts 52, 54 are opened and the contacts 54, 56 are closed and the driving head 84 is moved toward the secondary actuating arm 34. With the pawl 102 resting against the step 132 of the driving head 84 the movement of the latter will move the cradle member 98 attached to the actuating arm 34 and the arm 34 therefore actuates its associated contacts. In the same manner the pawl 102 resting against the step 132 of the driving head 84' will move the actuating arm 162 to actuate its associated contacts. During this movement the pawl 104 is riding on the surface 149 of the locking segment 90 and the pawl 104 is likewise riding on the surface 149' of the locking segment 90. At the end of the forward stroke the pawls 104 and 104 drop to the surfaces 147 and 147 and are caught behind the steps 148 and 148 of the locking members 90 and 90. The springs 118 and 118', partially relaxed when urging the pawls 104 and 104 to the surfaces 147 and 147 now lightly tension the pawls 104 and 104' which are in close proximity to the vertical pins 126 and 126 which extend below arms 92 and 92'. The position of the parts will therefore be that illustrated in Figure 8.

In this position the contact 54 is in engagement with contact 56 so thatcontact 64 is energized which will likewise energize contact 66 so that contact 276 is energized and forward contact 280 energizes the device 288.

When the energization of the solenoid 70 ceases, push rod 42 and primary actuating arm 26 return to their normal position and the contact spring 54 associated with the arm 26 breaks contact with the contact spring 56 and makes contact with the contact spring 52. In this position the contact 54 engages back contact S2 to energize the contact which is then in engagement with contact 234 which is then in contact with the contact 296 to engage contact 300 and energizes the device 308.

When the driving head 84 moves back along with actuating arm 26 the secondary actuating arm 34 does not move back as the pawl 104 has been caught behind the step 148 of the locking member 90. Actuating arm 34 therefore remains locked in its operated position. However, as the driving head 84 moves back the relative position of the guide pin 100, the pawl 102 and the driving head 84 now changes.

When the driving head 84 is moved back, the guide pin 100 during such backwardly directed movement makes contact with the rear inclined surface 140 of the rhomboidal projection 136 of the driving head 84. The inclined surface 140 acting against the guide pin 100 pushes the free end of the arm 92 inward overcoming the tension spring 120 and causing the inward end of the elongated slot 124 in the arm 92 to move away from the vertical pin 126 which, since it is attached to the pawl 102 which is riding on the surface 135 of the moving driving head 84, remains substantially stationary. When the guide pin 100 passes the inclined surface 140 and the parallel surface 142 of the rhomboidal projection 135, it is thrown outward by the tensioned spring 120 so thatv it rests in front of the inclined surface 138 of the rhomboidal projection 136 without touching it. The inner end of the slot 124 in the arm 92 rests against the vertical pin 126 thus determining the position of the guide pin 100 relative to the rhomboidal projection 136 on the driving head 84. The position of the parts as they are at the end of the first backward stroke of actuating arm 26 is shown in Figure 9.

It will be noted that while actuating arm 26 is now at rest, secondary lactuating arm 34 is in its operated position closing contacts 64, 66 and opening contacts 62 and 64 and is locked in this position indefinitely, until the next movement of the actuating arm 26.

The electromagnet 70 is again energized moving the armature 74 of the device, the push rod 42 is again moved forward moving Iactuating arm 26 and 'opening contacts 52 and 54 and closing contacts 54 and 56 associated with arm 26. This movement of the actuating arm 26 also entails a movement of the driving head S4 toward the cradle member 98, pawls 102 and 104 and the guide pin 100. The guide pin 100 now rides on the front inclined surface 13S of the rhomboidal projection 136 upon the movement of the driving head 84 towards it and is moved outwardly. A further angular movement of the horizontal arm 92 is thus produced and the tripping pin 126 contacts pawl 104 lifting it out of the step 148 in locking segment 90. Likewise the pawl 102 is lifted and now slides and rests on the upper face 133 of step 132 of leg 139. The second impulse therefore releases the secondary actuating arm 34 which is no longer held by the locking member 90 and which therefore returns to its initial position, separating contact springs 64 and 66 and closing contact springs 62 and 64. This phase of the operation is shown in Figure which illustrates the moment when the driving head 84 has reached its forward position while the actuating arm 34 has been released.

When the actuating arm 26 now moves back the second time, the pawl 102 rides on the upper surface 133 until it comes to and falls into and behind the step 132 where it rests. Paw] 104 rests on the upper surface 149 of locking member 90. The position of the parts of unit A is therefore again that which corresponds to the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 7.

However, the pawl 104 still remains in the locking member 90' and the connection is as follows: The contact 54 is in engagement with the contact 52 which energizes contact 232 which is in engagement with contact 230 which energizes contact 294 which is in engagement with contact 298 so that device 304 is energized.

Reenergizing the solenoid 70 will again operate unit A but the unit B will be unlatched in the same manner as unit A was unlatched by the second operation of the driving head 84 so that the secondary unit will be unlatched and return to its normal position while actuating arm 34 will remain locked as arm 26 returns to its initial position.

It will thus be apparent that the arm 34 will operate at half of the rate of the arm 26, and that the arm 162 will operate at half the rateof the arm 34.

lf at any time during the operation it is desired to restore the entire equipment to its initial position the key 226 will be closed energizing the electromagnet 194 which moves the common trip bar 182 to engage the trip pins 126, 126 to remove the driving mechanism away from the steps and 90 so that the tension of the spring contact members 54 and 64 will restore the driving mechanism to its initial position. This position is illustrated in Figure ll where the armature is drawn down by the core 204 to swing the bar 182 by the lever 186 to release all of thc driving mechanisms by means of the tripping pins 126 and 126'.

Figure l2 shows the position of the parts when the secondary arms have been released while the driving head S4 is in its operated forward position when the release bar was swung into contact with the tripping pins 126 lifting the pawls 102 and 104.

The secondary arm then moves to its back position and the tripping pins 126 ride on the edge of the release bar 132. When the release bar 182 returns to its normal or inward position, pawl 102 will drop and rest on the upper surface 133 of the leg 130 of the driving head 84 and pawl 104 will drop and rest on the upper surface 149 of the locking block 90.

Another feature of the common release mechanism as covered by this invention is its ability to release certain units as predetermined by the particular circuit application and not to affect other units. This is accomplished by merely shortening the vertical trip pin 126 or 126' so that the release bar 182 will not contact when it is moved to its outer or operated position.

In the operation of the individual release mechanism the plungers 244 and 244 are held in their back position by the lightly tensioned springs 252 and 252 and the movement is limited by the shoulder on the blade 246. When the solenoid 242 is energized, the plunger 244 is drawn into the solenoid 242 and this drives the release blade 246 for contacting the tripping pin 126 thereby lifting the pawls 102 and 104. The secondary arm 34 then moves to its back position and the pin 126 rides on the edge of the release blade 246. Figure 13 shows a plan view of the individual release mechanism as operated in its forward position. It will thus be seen that the individual release mechanism releases an operating unit in the same manner that one or more operated units are released by the common release mechanism. One function is to restore the switch series to its normal position after the switching mission is completed without the switch units going through useless operations which would consume time and which would be disturbing to t'ne circuit of which the switch is part. Yet a function of equal importance, is to alter the pattern of the cycle of operation of the switch. As covered in the foregoing, a cycle of functioning comprises a number of operations that are a power of two, that is 4, 8, 16, 32 and so on. The common release mechanism enables the circuit arrangement to be provided so that the switch will go partly through a cycle, and then be released to normal and run through the same or any other point in the cycle. The pattern may be further altered by making the common mechanism ineffective on certain predetermined units of the switch by altering the tripping pins 126. The pattern may be still further altered by employing the individual release mechanism in any or all of the units of the switch, either alone or in conjunction with the common release mechanism.

When it is desired to restore the switch to its normal or released position, key 226 is closed. This energizes the electromagnetic device 194 which releases either the arm 34 or 162 or both and the switch will be returned to normal, assuming that the arm 26 is in its normal position.

If it is desired to switch from one appliance to another in irregular order, key 224 or 222 is closed as required.

This operates the individual release mechanism associated with the first or second unit of the switch as desired.

It will thus be seen that this switch, when equipped with common land individual release mechanism, has almost unlimited switching capabilities.

For simplicity of description and showing the switch has been shown as a simple two unit device although it will be apparent that any desired number of units may be operated as desired.

It will further be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications of the arrangement and construction of parts thereof may be readily resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primary and a secondary actuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, a contact group operated by said primary actuating arm a plurality of contact groups operated by said secondary actuating arm, a driving mechanism interconnecting said primary and secondary actuating arms, said driving mechanism including a driving head mounted on said primary actuating arm, a locking member fixed on said frame, a driving pawl hinged-l ly mounted on said secondary actuating arm, means yieldingly urging said driving pawl into contact with said driving head, a latching pawl hingedly mounted on said secondary actuating arm, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with said locking member, a control arm hingedly mounted on said secondary actuating arm, said :arm having a transverse elongated aperture therein, a tripping pin fixed on said driving pawl and extending through said aperture, an inclined guide surface fixed on said driving head, a guide pin fixed on said control arm for engagement with said guide surface, means mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said trip pin to release said driving mechamsm.

2. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primary actuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means for oscillating said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondary actuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame, a plurality of contacts actuated by each of said actuating arms, motion transmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms, each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a driving head secured on the `actuating arm, a hinge pin fixed in opposed position on the next succeeding actuating arm, a locking member fixed on the frame between said driving head and said hinge pin, said driving head including a pair of offset parallel bearing surfaces, said locking member including a pair of offset guide faces, a latch step between said guide faces, a driving pawl mounted on said hinge pin, means yieldingly urging said driving pawl against the bearing surfaces of said driving head, a latching pawl pivotally mounted on said hinge pin, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with the guide faces of said locking member, a control arm pivotally mounted on said hinge pin, a transverse aperture in said control arm, a trip pin ixed on said driving pawl and extending through said aperture and also extending under said latching pawl, a guide pin secured adjacent the free end of said control arm, means yieldingly urging said aperture :against said trip pin, means including front and back inclined surfaces xed on said driving head for engagement with said guide pin, a release blade movably mounted on said frame for movement into and out of engagement with said trip pin to release the associated driving head.

3. A sequentially actuating multiple switch comprising a frame, a primary actuating arm Ihingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means for oscillating said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondary actuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame, a

10 plurality of contacts actuated by each of said actuating arms, motion transmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms, each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a ydriving head mounted on the actuating arm, a hinge means fixed in opposed position on the next succeeding actuating arm, a locking member fixed on the frame between said driving head and said hinge means, said driving head including a pair of offset parallel bearing surfaces, said locking member including a pair of offset guide faces, a latch step between said guide faces, a ydriving pawl pivotally mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging said driving pawl against the bearing surfaces of said driving head, a latching pawl pivotally mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with the guide faces of said locking member, a control arm pivotally mounted on said hinge means, tripping means on said driving pawl, said tripping means being operatively engageable with said control arm and said latching pawl, a guide pin secured adjacent the free end of said control arm, means yieldingly urging the end of said aperture against said trip pin, a rhomboidal projection fixed on said driving head for engagement with said guide pin, a tripping bar pivoted on said frame adjacent to said motion transmitting mechanisms, magnetic means operable to swing said tripping bar into engagement with said tripping pins, an individual release device for each of said driving mechanisms including a blade mounted on said frame for movement into and out of engagement with said trip pin, means yieldingly urging said blade out of engagement with said trip pin, means for moving said bla-de into engagement with said trip pin.

4. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primary actuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means for oscillating said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondary actuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame, multiple contact groups actuated by each of said actuating arms, motion transmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms, each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a driving head secured on the actuating arm, hinge means secured in opposed position to said driving head on the next succeeding actuating arm, a lockingpmember mounted on the frame between said driving head and said next succeeding actuating arm, said driving head including a pair of offset parallel bearing surfaces, said locking member including a pair of offset guide faces, a latch step between said guide faces, a driving pawl mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging said driving pawl against the bearing surfaces of said driving head, a latching pawl mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with the guide faces of said stop block, a control arm pivotally mounted on said hinge means, a transverse aperture in said control arm, a trip pin fixed on said driving pawl and extending through said aperture and also extending under said latching pawl, means yieldingly urging said aperture against said trip pin, a guide pin secured adjacent the free end of said control arm, front and back inclined surfaces fixed on said driving head for engagement with said guide pin, an individual release device for each of said driving mechanisms including a blade mounted for reciprocating movement into and out of engagement with said trip pin, means yieldingly urging said blade out of engagement with said trip pin, magnetic means for driving said blade into engagement with said trip pin.

5. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primary actuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means operatively connected in oscillating relation with said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondary actuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame, multiple contact group actuated by each of said actuating arms, motion transmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms, each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a driving head fixed on the actuating arm hinge means secured in opposed position on the next succeeding actuating arm, a locking member secured on the frame between said driving head and said succeeding actuating arm, said driving head including a pair of offset parallel bearing surfaces, said locking member including a pair of offset guide faces, a latch step between said guide faces, a driving pawl hingedly mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging said driving pawl against the bearing surfaces of said driving head, a latching pawl hingedly mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with the guide faces of said stop block, a control arm hingedly mounted on said hinge means, a transverse aperture in said control arm, a trip pin fixed on said driving pawl and extending through said aperture and also extending under said latching pawl, a transverse guide pin secured adjacent the free end of said control arm, means yieldingly urging the end of said aperture against said trip pin, a rhomboidal projection fixed on said driving head and including front and back inclined surfaces for engagement with said guide pin, an individual release device for each of said driving mechanisms including a blade mounted for reciprocating movement into and out of engagement with said trip pin, means yieldingly urging said blade out of engagement with said trip pin, magnetic means for driving said blade into engagement with said trip pin, an elongated tripping bar, upturned ends on said tripping bar, said ends being pivoted on said frame, said bar being swingable into and out of engagement with said trip pins, means yieldingly urging said tripping bar out of contact with said trip pins, an operating lever on said tripping bar, magnetic means operably connected to said lever to propel said tripping bar into engagement with said trip pins whereby all contacts are returned to an original position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Images