Improvements in and relating to Electrical Switches.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.,
Improvements in and relating to Electrical Switches.
We, FREDRICK WILLIAM ABBOTT, of 342, Green Lanes, Small Heath, near
Birmingham, Electrical Engineer, and ROBERT WILLIAM BILL, of 162, Rolfe
Street, Smethwick, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this in-
vention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the break action and also the arrange-
ment or design of electrical switches more especially for high voltage and it consists
of the usual saddle piece pivotally attached to which is an arm piece of suitable
length at the end of which is a crosshead at right angles thereto commonly called
a brush, the said arm piece and brush combined work upon an axle or rocker pin
supported from the axle. A lever handle is also carried from the saddle by
means of a rocker which works from the same axle or rocker pin as the arm of
the brush but independently of same as the rocker has a sleeve through which the
axle passes. The arm or lever of the handle is suitably notched or cut out at its
heel or back end so that when pulled back it presses against and engages the end
of the brush lever thereby bringing the brush out of contact and thus keeping it
in an
"off" position. A suitable buffer is arranged between the lever handle
and the brush to prevent any jarring.
We employ a suitable spring in connection with the rocker of the saddle piece
and the arm of the brush, this spring governs the brush and the handle bar and
holds up same in an off" position so that it cannot stop in a mid-on or mid-off
position.
The extremities of the cross head or brush are turned down at right angles a
certain distance these ends when in contact are engaged by contact pieces which
are situated at a suitable distance apart parallel with each other to correspond with
the width of the brush.
The distance apart of these contact pieces is determined relative to the capacity
of the switch and the voltage which is required to be passing through.
By our improvements a greater area for contact is provided when the switch is
on than others at present in use.

page_text: Street, Smethwick, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement reference being had
to the drawings accompanying this specification and to the figures and letters
shewn thereon:-
+6
Figure represents in side elevation the electrical switch. Figure 2 a side
elevation shewing another view of same. Figure 3 is an end elevation. Figure 4
is a back end elevation. Figures 5 and 6 are respectively front and side views to
a larger scale of the contact piece for use in connection with electrical switches.
Our invention relates firstly to improvements in the break action and also the
arrangement or design of electrical switches--more especially for high voltage-
and it consists of the usual or other suitable construction of saddle piece A which
supports the arm piece of suitable length B at the end of which is a cross head C
at right angles thereto commonly known as the brush, the said arm B is made
integral with a sleeve working upon an axle or rocker pin D passing laterally
through same and the supporting sides of the saddle piece A. A lever and handle
E is also carried by and supported from the saddle by means of a rocker I formed
integral with the lever E and which works from the same axle or rocker pin 1) as
the arm B does, but at the same time is free to operate independently of same.
The lever arm E is suitably notched or cut out at its heel or rear end as at El so that
when pulled back to the position seen in dotted lines Figure 1 it presses against
the end of the brush lever B thereby bringing the sides of the brush C out of
contact with the contact pieces G and thus keeping the brush in an
eff" position.
A suitable buffer H of rubber or other material is situated between the lever
handle and the brush to prevent any jarring of the brush against the lever handle.
The brush is entirely insulated from the mechanism of the switch by the said
rubber buffer H which is situated beneath the handle E between it & the brush
or cross head C and by suitable insulating material I, consisting of fibre ebonite
or other insulating material one strip or washer of which is placed between the
brush and brush arm & other strips or washers which are placed underneath the
brush arm & the screw heads I¹ the screws being bushed to insulate them from
the brush arm. In connection with the operation of the lever arm E and arm B
of the brush we employ a suitable spring J which is coiled round the sleeve of the
axle and rocker pin D, this spring passes beneath and bears upon the arm Bas
shewn so that a double spring action is provided namely it governs the lever
arm E and keeps the same against the brush when in its normal position, and it
also governs the action of the arm B when the arm E is in the position of the
dotted lines, a further pull brings back the arm B and brush C Figure 2 thus
tightening the spring and dis-engaging the brush from the contacts G and thus
holding up the two levers in an off" position so that they cannot stop in a
mid-on" or "mid-off position, the lever arm E acting as a stop for the
brush C when it is out of contact. The contact pieces G are situated at a suitable
distance apart and parallel with each other to correspond with the width of the
brush. The distance apart of the contact pieces is determined relative to the
capacity of the switch and the voltage which is required to be passing through.
The contact pieces are slotted vertically in the sides as in the ordinary way
when made of sheet metal. By our improved arrangement of switch a greater area
for contact is provided when the switch is on than others at present in use.
Modifications may be made to the above without departing from the essential
features of our invention but
33
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:-
:-
Firstly. In electrical switches the general construction and arrangement of
parts consisting of the lever arm and handle, the brush or cross head and arm
piece, formed integral with the sleeve, through which the axle or rocker pin

page_text: passes, supporting the said lever arm, and the brush with its arm, from a saddle
piece, the contact pieces in connection with said brush, the coiled spring situated
around the sleeve and in connection with same, said spring governing the action
of the handle lever arm, and the brush, all operating in combination and for the
purpose described and illustrated.
Secondly. In combination the several improvements in and relating to
electrical switches-especially for high voltage-viz.:-The arrangement of lever
arm and handle and insulating buffer, the brush or cross head and its arm piece
and insulating washers, the sleeve integral with said arm piece, the supporting pin
and saddle piece, the coiled spring in connection with said sleeve and lever arms
all constructed and operating in connection with the contact pieces substantially as.
described & illustrated.
0
2000
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
Patent Agents for the Applicants.