Improvements in Switches for Use in Electric Circuits.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1889-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches for Use in Electric Circuits.
I, ARTHUR CECIL COOKBURN, of 32 Gaisford Street, Kentish Town Road, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in Switches, or apparatus used to control an
Electric Circuit, and consists of a method of arranging a compound Switch or similar
apparatus in such a manner that by its use the current in any number of circuits can
be established or interrupted simultaneously by one movement of the hand. Or the
current in the two leads of one circuit be established or interrupted, or broken in each
lead, in one, two, or more places simultaneously. The switch or switches can be
arranged so that, though only one central locking or actuating mechanism is
employed a locked contact is maintained on all the contact arms, when the current
is flowing. It also allows of a very rapid break of circuit being made or obtained
independant of the speed at which the handle is turned. In this compound Switch
the movable contact arms for making and breaking circuit are each mounted on their
own spindle, upon which they turn. These arms are each connected with a central
actuating mechanism, by means of suitable rods, bars, links, or eccentrics. So that
upon turning the one handle, each movable contact arm is set in motion, thus
establishing a completion of the circuit or circuits. These movable contact arms can
bo fitted with a spring arranged so that their normal position is that of being held
firmly in the off. When the motion is therefore communicated to them (through the
said connecting rods, bars, links, eccentrics, or other suitable arrangement) from the
main turning handle the spring or springs would be put under strain, but when they
have been moved through sufficient distance for the circuit or circuits to be completed,
the locking mechanism comes into play, and firmly locks by one action all the arms
in the required position. To break circuit the lock is released, the arms then being
free to move, all simultaneously fly to the off position. This compound form of
Switch is especially adapted for use upon the Secondary Generator, or Transformer
system of Electric lighting, or where accumulators are used, or electricity at a high
potential, as the break in the circuit can be made either single or double and of any
required length. By duplicating the contact parts any number of circuits can be
controlled, and yet by only using one locking and unlocking mechanism.
Dated this 24th day of December 1888.
ARTHUR CECIL COCKBURN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches for Use in Electric Circuits.
I, ARTHUR CECIL COCKBURN, of 32 Gaisford Street, Kentish Town Road London.
in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described.
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in Switches, or apparatus, used to control an
Electric Circuit, or Circuits, & consists of an improvement upon Patent No. 6267
of 1887; and is a method of arranging a compound Switch, or similar apparatus, in
such a manner,
that by its use, a current in any number of circuits can be established
or interrupted simultaneously, by one movement of the hand. Or the current in
both the positive & negative leads of a circuit, be established, or interrupted, or
broken, in each lead, in one, two, or more places, simultaneously. The Switch or
Switches can be arranged so that though only one. locking or actuating mechanism
Price 81

page_text: It also
is employed, a locked contact can be maintained in all the contact_arms.
allows of a very rapid break of circuit or circuits being made or obtained
independent of the speed at which the handle is turned. The invention will be more
readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which represent some
methods using the invention & in which :-
Fig. I shows a plan of a switch in the off position.
Fig. I is a lengthwise sectional elevation and shows Switch also in the off
position:
Fig. III is a sectional elevation across the switch showing position of locking
mechanism when Switch is in the ' On or locked position.
"
Fig. IV illustrates a method of better insulating some of the parts of Switch from
each other.
Fig. V shows an arrangement of bars etc. for connecting a four way Switch.
Fig. VI shows an arrangement of connecting bars etc. for a six way Switch.
Like letters indicating like parts in each Fig.
A is a base of slate or other suitable insulating material B, B' being supports for
contact arms C, a spring or springs D, D' is arranged so as to tend to keep the
contact arms C, C in the off position (as shown) E, E are stops to prevent the
arms CC moving too far. F, F, F, F are the contact plates for the entrance &
exit of the Electric current from & to the leads or mains. To effect the proper
working of these arms (, C₁ they are attached by means of the connecting rods bars
plates or straps G, G₁ to an arrangement shown in the centre in which a plate or
pillar B supports a plate H this plate having a flange or its equivalent I so arranged
that a portion of the flange can be made to engage upon a pliable catch or spring J.
Attached to the handle K is another plate L this also has a flange M fixed to it. The
action of the parts referred to is that upon the handle K being turned (say to the on
position) the plate L also turns & the flange M pushes against a portion of the loose
plate (at say P) causing this also to rotate. The bars G, G¹ being attached to this
plate (H) as shown at N, N have motion imparted to them & they in turn (being
attached to arm G, G¹ at 0 0¹) cause these arms to move drawing them round to a
required distance or position. When this position has been attained the flange I on
plate H (which has meanwhile been moving over the surface of spring J) passes
the end of said spring. The spring then flies up & impedes the way or prevents the
return of flange I back over the spring G which it would do by reason of the
arms C, C acting upon springs D, D' and storing energy therein (the springs tending
to resist the turning on motion) if the handle were set free but for this preventing
action of catch spring J. The contact arm C, C therefore becomes (being connected
by bars G, G to catch spring) locked in the new position & can only be set free by
the flange I being released from the detention of catch spring J. The release can be
accomplished by the handle being turned in the reverse direction which causes first
flange M to depress the catch spring J & so release flange I which by reason of its
now having no impediment to free motion allows through the medium of bars G, G¹
& under the energy of springs D. D' a most rapid & complete break of circuit to take
place. The rapidity of which is also independent of the speed at which the handle is or
was turned. The above description illustrates my general principal of working.
The invention is in the combination of the connecting bars with the locking &
unlocking mechanism & is particularly adapted to improving double pole & compound
Switches. The main point being the method of keeping the actuating part of tlfo
Switch distinct & apart from the contact arms or parts conveying current by
means of the bars or levers G, G₁. Thereby allowing better insulation (for example
between +&sections) long. break of circuit & general safety especially for high
tension working, also where accumulators are used. By suitably arranging the
bars or levers almost any number of contacts can be made or broken from one
turning handle (for example a form of connecting a four way Switch is shown in
Fig. 5 & a six way in Fig. 6.) all sections being insulated one from the other yet
under control (simultaneously) of central turning arrangement. To obtain still
Detter insulation I may divide the base A Fig. IV into sections (say 3) indicated by

page_text: letters A', A", A, so that each set consisting of contacts or contact arm is mounted
upon its own separate base as is also the turning arrangement. The various parts or
bases being thus suitably insulated one from the other by insersion of a nonconductor
between them or by an air gap. The whole being then mounted in a frame W. This
permits of very high insulation being obtained. By duplicating the contact parts (of
which the bases may also be insulated one from another after the manner above
described) any number of circuits can be controlled and yet with using only one
locking and unlocking mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
I claim is :-
I. The principal of connecting of double and multiple pole Switches as a whole such
as described and illustrated.
II. In Electric Switches the combination of bars or levers such as G, G¹ with a
locking and unlocking device as illustrated and described and as and for the purpose
set forth.
111. In Electric Switches the subdividing of the insulating base of a double or
multiple pole switch such as described and illustrated and as and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this Twenty-first day of September 1889.
ARTHUR C. COCKBURN.