Improvements in Snap Electric Switches.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1899
Improvements in Snap Electric Switches.
I, MONROE GUETT, of 55, Walnut Street, Hartford, Hartford County, Con-
necticut, U.S.A., Electrician, 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:―
This invention relates to improvement in snap switches for use in electrical
service, the main objects being, simplicity and economy of construction, effec-
tiveness and durability.
In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the switch mechanism the casing
therefore being in section.
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are similar views, the parts of the switch mechanism being
in different positions.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the switch mechanism.
Figs. 6 and 7 are views of details.
A is a base of any suitable material, preferably insulating material. B is a
standard or frame mounted on the base A. B¹ is a shoulder carried thereby to
act as a back-stop for the contact carrier, as hereinafter described. C 18 a
contact carrier suitably hinged or pivoted toward one end. D, D are contact
blades suitably mounted on the carrier. E, E, are the opposite terminals of a
circuit which may be given any desired lead not necessary herein to refer to in
detail, since the mechanism described is equally applicable to a single or double
pole switch, or it may be employed merely as a contact breaker. F is a spring,
the two ends of which may be arranged to engage the opposite sides of a shoulder C
on the contact carrier U. G is an operating part which may best be seen in
detail in Fig. 7. Said operating part G is pivotally mounted and carries an offset
shoulder G formed in an arc of a circle taking the pivotal axis of movement
of the operating part as the center of the circle of the said arc. Gs is an offset
shoulder on the operating part G, which shoulder projects between the two ends
of the aforesaid spring F. C is a lip formed on the carrier C and in an arc
concentric with the axis of movement of the said contact carrier.
OPERATION.
Starting with the part as shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the shoulder G+
of the operating part stands over the lip of the carrier. By grasping the
handle Gs of the operating part and swinging it into the opposite angle of inclina-
tion, the engagement of the shoulder G with the lip will hold the carrier
stationary as shown in Fig. 2 while the spring F is being put under tension.
When the operating part has been moved sufficiently far to free shoulder G¹
from lip C the carrier C will be quickly thrown upwards into position shown in
Fig. 3. As soon as the handle G is released, the operating part will, under
influence of the spring, be turned in a reverse direction a sufficient amount to
cause the inner surface of the shoulder G¹ to engage the lower edge of the
lip Cthus locking the operating part in the position shown in Fig. 3. By
moving the operating part from position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4,
[Price 8d. I

page_text: tension of the spring F will again be increased so as to throw the carrier C as
soon as the shoulder G¹ has been moved out of engagement with the lip C, at
which instant the carrier is snapped down bringing the contact members and their
respective terminals into electrical connection. Upon releasing the operating
part the spring F will move the same backwards so that the parts will again
assume the position of Fig. 1.
It will be observed that the construction of the switch is such that the single
part G is the operating part, the tension frame and the locking device; thus
reducing the actual number of moving parts to three, including the spring.
In the particular form of switch shown in the drawing, the blade portion D, D,
is bifurcated; the shank portion being insulated from the carrier as at H, H.
It should be understood that we contemplate changes of construction, and,
that many changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a snap switch, a base, a hinged contact carrier, a hinged operating part,
a spring engaging said contact carrier and said operating part, a latterly pro-
jecting shoulder on the latter, a latterly projecting lip on the former to engage
with said shoulder.
2. In a snap switch, a base, a hinged contact carrier, a hinged operating part,
shouldered off sets carried by said carrier and operating part, a spring engaging
both of said off sets, a lip on said contact carrier, and means carried by the
operating part to alternately engage opposite ends of said lip.
3. In a snap switch, a base, a hinged contact carrier, a hinged operating part,
a spring engaging both of said parts, a lip on the contact carrier, and means
carried by the operating parts to alternately engage opposite ends of said lip.
4. In a snap switch, a hinged contact carrier, a hinged operating part, a
tension device extended from said operating part on one side thereof, a focking
device extended from the other side of said operating part, and the shoulder
carried by said contact carrier, a spring embracing the same, a lip carried by said
contact carrier and adapted to be engaged by said locking device.
Dated this 28th day of August 1899.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.