Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct., 1897
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We, WILLIAM ROBERT RAWLINGS and JONN JOSEPH RAWLINGS, both of 82 Gloucester
Road, South Kensington in the County of Middlesex, Electricians do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a new and improved switch for Electric Currents. One,
two, three or more spring plungers are attached by any suitable material to a lever
handle of the ordinary tumbler type or mounted on a spindle with a direct sliding
inovement but insulated from the said spindle or handle. The contact makers are
affixed to the insulating base of the switch at any suitable angle, either underneath
or at the sides, of the said plungers. The said plungers are so made as to exert a
constant pressure on the said contact makers, or insulating base on which the same
are mounted. The said base is so designed with one or more inclined planes upon
which the contact makers are mounted so as to permit of the spring plungers having
a variable pressure when moved over the surface of the inclined plane or planes.
The said contact makers are also so designed as to permit of a variety of connections
between different electric circuits being made, so that, whilst the plungers are in one
position some of the said plungers would rest against the non-conducting part of the
base, and be thus electrically disconnected, whilst others of the said plungers would
rest against the said contact makers and be electrically connected. The said plungers
are electrically connected or short circuited, as desired, so as also to give a selection
of combinations of electric currents.
12
.
1000
We WILLIAM ROBERT RAWLINGS and JOHN JOSEPH RAWLINGS both of 82 Gloucester
Road South Kensington in the County of Middlesex Electricians 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 new and improved switches for electric currents. One,
two, three or more spring plungers of the type hereinafter appearing are attached by
any suitable material to a lever handle of the ordinary tumbler type or mounted on
a spindle with a direct sliding movement or a twist movement may be used but
insulated from the said spindle or handle. The contact makers are fixed to the
insulating base of the switch at suitable angles either underneath or at the sides of

page_text: the said plungers. The said plungers are so made as to exert a constant pressure on
the said contact makers or insulating base on which the same are mounted. The
said base is so designed with one or more inclined planes upon which the contact
mukers are mounted so as to permit of the spring plungers having a variable
pressure when moved over the surface of the inclined plane or planes. The said
contact makers are also so designed as to permit of a variety of connections between
different electric circuits being made so that whilst the plungers are in one position
some of the said plungers would rest against the non-conducting part of the base and
be thus electrically disconnected, whilst others of the said plungers would rest against
the said contact makers and be electrically connected. The said plungers are
electrically connected or short-circuited as desired so as also to give a selection of
combinations of electric currents. The switch can be used either for light currents
for telephonic telegraphic or electric lights or for heavy currents. In the last case
the number of the plungers mounted on the said block can be increased or their size
made larger to suit the requirements of the currents.
The drawings annexed more particularly describe the mechanism of the switches
and their parts.
Sheet 1. Fig. 1 is a section of a switch of the ordinary tumbler type so far as the
lever handle and external appearance is concerned. A is the base of the switch made
of non-conducting material. B is the handle working on a pivot the opposite end of
which carried the plungers C. D is the bridge piece to which the lever handle is
pivotted and to which the cover is attached. The dotted lines indicate the metal
contact makers shown in Fig. 2 at F.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the base of the said switch showing four contact makers F to
which the wires are connected as desired.
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are designs of bases of three switches with the race in the said
base in which the plungers traverse. The angles G are so formed both on the
insulating block and the contact makers as to make a quick break and a positive
movement.
Fig. 3 is a plan of a base designed more particularly for a single way switch. In
one position the plungers C(shown in Fig. 1) would short-circuit the contact makers F
when pressing against the same and in the other position would rest upon the
insulating portion of the block and thus disconnect the circuit.
In the case of Fig. 2 when the said plungers C are pressing against the two
contact makers F at one end one electric circuit is complete and when pressing
ngainst the contact makers F at the other end another circuit is completed. By this
arrangement it is evident that the advantage of two single circuit switches are
obtained on one base, and also the advantage of what is known as the two way switch
is obtained by short circuiting two of the contact makers by means of wire or metal.
The angle of the base on which the plungers operate in this and following cases
(except Figs. 3 and 4) is such as shewn in the figures that there shall not be a
nentral insulating point on which the plungers can rest.
Fig. 4 shows a similar arrangement to Fig. 2 but with the neutral insulating point
which can be used for putting the currents on or off two separate circuits.
Fig. 6 is a section of a pear-shaped switch with a direct slide movement. B is the
sliding spindle. A is the non-conducting portion of the switch or base, F being the
contact makers. C are the plungers mounted in the insulating block. The plungers
are so mounted under or over the said spindle B as not to interfere electrically with
the said spindle. The said spindle passes through the said insulating block J. The
said block is free to run upon a portion of the said spindle to a stop or shoulder
formed on the said spindle so as to allow an automatic quick break if desired. In
the case of a tumbler switch the handle would be arranged with a loose knuckle
joint in order to give an automatic quick break if desired.
Fig. 7 is a plan of the base of the last mentioned type of switch. F are the
contact makers J the insulating block, B the spindle, C the plungers. The plan
shewn in this case is the same kind as shewn in Fig. 2 but it is evident that it can
be constructed as in Figs. 3 and 4 and in each case for the same purposes.

page_text: Sheet 2, Figures 1 and 3 are a plan and section for a switch with a twist movement
having four plungers mounted therein. In all the figures on both sheets the same
parts are lettered as in the preceding figures.
Figures 2 and 5 are a plan and section for a switch of the tumbler type with four
contact makers the description and references of Figs. 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) being
description of this also. The various shapes of the bases above described and
referred to in Sheet 1 Figures 2, 3, 4 and 7 and Sheet 2 Figures 3 and 5 can also be
multiplied for a number of plungers as desired by putting them parallel or in line so
that a number of plungers can be used for a large number of circuits by mechanically
connecting the levers or spindles so as to operate all as desired.
Fig. 4 shows the details of one type of plungers mounted on the lever attached to
the handle. The said lever is cored out in such a way as to carry a non-conducting
bush J which is suitably fixed by pins or other means to the said lever. B Figs.1 and 6
(Sheet 1) and Figs. 1 and 2 (Sheet 2). The said bush is constructed as to suitably
hold and insulate the said plungers. In this case two plungers are used and are
electrically connected. Inside each of the plungers C is a spiral spring exerting
pressure outwardly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
(1) A switch for electric currents made by means of a particular combination of
parts as hereinbefore described, having its contact makers mounted on an insulating
base such contact makers being connected by means of spring plungers mounted
upon a block as above described operating by means of a simple slide movement or
lever movement or twist movement.
(2) A switch for electric currents having movable spring plungers so mounted and
operated as herein before described in conjunction with contact makers so arranged as
above described that the plungers in passing from one point to another give a quick
break or positive movement.
TURNER & CO.,
Solicitors, 61 Carey Street, Lincolns Inn, W.C.
Agents for Applicants.
TURNER & CO.,
Solicitors, 61 Carey Street, Lincolns Inn, W.C.
Agents for Applicants.