Improvements in Electrical Switches.
Year: 1896

page_text: We, ROBERT BRYMER, of West Elms, Urmston, in the County of Lancaster,
Electrical Engineer, and JOHN TODD, of 30 Hampstead Road, London, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to the tumbler
type of wall switch. Its chief objects are to ensure a rapid break, and to increase
the efficiency, simplify the construction, and to decrease the cost of such switches.
A switch constructed to embody these improvements consists essentially of a
porcelain or other suitable base, a movable contact arm or brush, two fixed
contacts or plates with which the movable arm comes into contact to close the
circuit, and the usual terminals and the like.
The base of the switch is formed or is otherwise provided with a central projec-
tion or the like within which the movable contact arm is mounted. It is preferred to
arrange this arm to move downwards to break the circuit instead of upwards as
has heretofore been usual, as by the downward movement the arm can be moved
to a greater distance from the fixed contact plates. The arm is provided with a
suitable thumb piece or handle.
The upward circuit closing movement of the arm may be limited by a projection
from or returned part of one of the fixed contact plates between which or against
which the arm comes to rest.
A central spring is arranged in combination with the arm to accelerate its
circuit breaking movement.
If desired the thumb piece or handle of the switch may, instead of being integral
with the arm, be separate therefrom but in contact with it or otherwise engage
therewith, so that movement of the handle causes the arm to move.
Dated this 21st day of November 1896.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Electrical Switches.
We, ROBERT BRYMER of West Elms, Urmston, in the County of Lancaster,
Electrical Engineer, and JOHN TODD of 30 Hampstead Road, London, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
[Price 8d 1

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in an
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to the tumble
type of wall switch. Its chief objects are to ensure a rapid break, and to increas
the efficiency, simplify the construction, and to decrease the cost of such switches
The improved switch may be of the usual circular or other desired shape in pla
and may consist of a base and cover. It is provided with a movable contact arm
or brush, two fixed contacts or plates with which the movable arm comes int
contact to close the circuit, and the usual terminals and the like.
A central boss, projection or the like is formed or placed upon the base of the
switch and carries the movable contact arm. It is preferred to arrange this arm
to move downwards to break the circuit instead of upwards as has heretofore
been usual, as by the downward movement the arm can be moved to a greate
distance from the fixed contact plates. The arm is provided with a suitable
thumb piece or handle.
One or both of the fixed contact plates may be formed with' a returned or
projecting part which limits the upward circuit closing movement of the arm.
and a suitable spring may be arranged in combination with the arm to accelerate
its circuit breaking movement.
In order that this invention may be more readily understood we have hereto
appended a sheet of drawings which illustrate one form of switch constructed to
embody these improvements.
Figure 1 represents the switch in sectional elevation with the circuit open.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the switch with the movable arm in its circuit
closing position.
Figure 3 shews the switch in plan.
The base A of the switch may be of porcelain or the like and is provided with
a central boss or projection to carry the movable contact arm B. This boss or
projection may be slotted or divided to receive the arm or it may be formed of
two separate parts C and D between which the arm is free to move. The boss or
its constituent parts is or are preferably formed as shewn to carry the fixed contact
plates E, F, the inner ends of which are upturned as shewn and slit if desired.
The movable arm is carried by the bridge niece G, which extends across and is
secured to the parts C and D, or the narts C and D mav he extended to form the
bridge piece G which carries the movable arm, and this bridge piece may be
externally screwed to carry the switch cover. H is the pin or pivot upon which
the arm B rotates.
The arm B consists of two parts band b1 the former of which is adapted to engage
with and close the circuit hetween the fixed contact plates, and the latter of which
engages with or is engaged by a suitable spring J by means of which the circuit
breaking movement of the arm is accelerated. Different forms of springs and
different shapes of contact arms to those illustrated may be emploved if desired.
One of the contact plates P is preferably provided with a projection by means
of which the upward movement of the arm is limited.
In the form of switch shewn an integral thumb piece is combined with the
movable arm, but the desired movement of the arm may be effected by other well
known and suitable means if desired.
It will be seen on referring to the drawings that, owing to the downward move-
ment of the arm being the breaking movement, a considerable distance is left
hetween the fixed plates and the arm when the eirenit is broken thus obviating
the danger of short circuiting.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In an electrical switch, the combination of a base, a central projection or
central projections, 'a movable arm which moves downward to break the circuit, a

page_text: spring engaging with the arm, and two fixed contact plates, all constructed and
arranged substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
2. An electrical switch, constructed arranged and operated substantially as
herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of August. A.D. 1897.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.