Improvements in Electric Switches.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1883
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
I, WILLIAM BINGHAM CLEVELAND, Manufacturer, of No. 667 Prospect Street City
of Cleveland, County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction of spring
movement for operating the contact bar, respectively in its making or breaking
circuit.
The invention consists, broadly speaking, in combining together a primary actuating
device, a movable contact bar, and a spring connected respectively with said two
parts; said primary actuating device having a range of movement wherein the line of
said two spring connected points may pass respectively to opposite sides of the dead
center line of the spring movement; the spring being under compression or tension
between the primary actuating device and the contact bar, thereby throwing the latter
in a quick movement either to open or closed position, accordingly as the line of spring
power may be shifted to one side or the other of said dead center line.
In the drawings; Fig. 1. is a side elevation of one form of switch, shown closed;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same switch shown
open; Fig. 4. is a side elevation of a second form of switch; Fig. 5 is a plan
view of the latter; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a third form of switch; Fig. 7 is a
side elevation of a fourth form of switch; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the latter;
Fig. 9 is a detail view of the spring movement shown in said fourth form.
In the first form of switch, the primary actuating device A is pivoted concentric
with a contact bar B; said two parts thus having their pivotal axes in line with
each other. A spring C is connected respectively to said primary actuating
device and contact bar; said actuating device having a range of pivotal movement
whereby it may be shifted to such different positions as to cause the line of said two
spring connecting points to pass respectively to either one of the opposite sitles of the
pivotal axis of said contact bar, as the case may be, at will of the operator. The
spring operating to throw the contact bar in a quick movement either to open or
closed position, accordingly as said primary actuating devico is moved to position
wherein its spring carrying point may shift the line of spring power as above stated to
effect the desired result; said spring also operating to hold the contact bar in such
changed position. The primary actuating device is provided with a suitable handle a
and also with an arm to the free extremity of which one extremity of the spiral
spring C is connected by shifting bearing, the opposite extremity of the spring being
likewise connected by shifting bearing to a lateral projection d of the contact bar; the
detail construction of the spring movement being substantially the same as the
spring movement of Fig. 9. In this form of switch, and also respectively in the other
forms of switch herein shown, the primary actuating device and the contact bar are
suitably mounted on a base D; said base being further provided with suitable circuit
terininals f, and with suitable stops g. Said stops being for limiting the throw of the
contact bar and also of the primary actuating device as said two parts are respectively
thrown in the opposite directions by the spring movement, as the line of spring power
is shifted to either side of the dead center line; said stops thas maintaining the
primary actuating device and the contact bar in normal position.
In the second form of switch shown, the primary actuating device A is a lever of
the first order centrally pivoted to the central portion of the reverse face of a base D,
and provided at its working extremity with a right angular arm i to which one end of
a spiral spring C is directly connected in loose or shifting engagement; the opposite
end of the spring being likewise directly connected in loose or shifting engagement

page_text: to a similar arm projecting at right angles from one extremity of the contact bar B.
The contact bar in this latter form being pivoted to the base at its extremity opposite
to its spring connecting extremity; and the parts being relatively located so that the
spring itself crosses the line of the pivotal axis of the contact bar, in the shifting of the
line of spring power respectively to opposite sides of the line of said pivotal axis.
In the third form of switch shown, the primary actuating device A is a lever of the
second order pivoted at one extremity to the center of one marginal portion of the
reverse face of a base D; the contact bar 13 being centrally pivoted to the center of
the face of the opposite marginal portion of the base; the spring C being connected
with said lever and contact bar; the specific form of spring movement shown being
the same as that of Fig. 9.
The fourth form of switch shown, represents the invention as applied to a double
pole switch; two contact bars B being respectively pivoted to a base D and having
their extremities opposite to their contact extremities connected together by a link n
of insulating material pivoted to each.
The contact extremity o of one of the contact bars connects with the contact point p
of the closed circuit q, or with the contact point of the lamp circuit s. The contact
extremity of the companion contact bar connects with either the contact point v of
the closed circuit q or with the contact point w of the lamp circuit s.
The primary actuating device A in this instance is a lever of the second order
pivoted at one extremity to the reverse face of the base D; the spring C being
connected to said lever and link n in the specific form shown by the spring movement
of Fig. 9. Said lever being provided with a stud a pivoted thereon and rigidly
connected to one extremity of rod ; the opposite extremity of said rod having free
longitudinal movement in a slot c¹ formed in stud d', which latter is pivoted to the
middle portion of the link n; fitted on rod and between the two studs a' d' being
the spiral spring C, having end bearings respectively against said two studs.
The operation of the invention is substantially the same in each of the different
forms of switch shown; in each instance the range of pivotal movement of the primary
actuating device is such as to permit it to carry its spring connecting point to such
different locations as to shift the line of spring power (the line of points respectively
of the primary actuating device and the contact bar which connect with the spring) to
either the one side or the other side of the pivotal axis of the contact bar, as the case
may be: The spring being under compression or tension between the primary
actuating device and the contact bar, and throwing the contact bar in a quick move-
ment either to open or closed position as the case may be; such movement of the
contact bar being effected solely by the shifting of the line of said spring power, from
the one side to the other side of the line of the pivotal axis of the contact bar. That
is, the primary actuating device has a range of pivotal movement which permits the
line of spring power to be shifted respectively to opposite sides of the dead center line
of the spring movement; said dead center line being the line of the two spring
connected points when passing transversely through the line of the pivotal axis of the
contact bar, when the primary actuating device is operated so as to cause said line of
spring power to pass to either side of said dead center line, then the power of spring
is operative upon the movement of the contact bar, and throws the latter either into
open or closed position as the case may be. The power of the spring is also operative,
to hold the contact bar in its changed position.
The operating force of the spring may be either that of compression or tension ;
examples of compression are shown in the first form of my invention illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, in the third form illustrated in Fig. 6 and in the
fourth form illustrated in Fig. 7, 8 and 9; and an example of tension is shown in the
second form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. In each of the forms
represented the spring connecting the primary actuating device and the movable
contact bar is a two-throw spring; that is, it operates the contact bar both in
making and breaking the circuit by a positive spring movement, which movement in
making contact is precisely opposite to the movement in breaking the contact. This
positive spring movement of the contact bar, both in its making and breaking circuit,

page_text: is due to and is the result of the combination with the two members, the primary
actuating device and the movable contact bar, of the third member, the two-throw
springs. In each of the forms shown, the maximum of spring force exists when the
parts are in position such that the spring movement is in dead center line; and the
minimum of spring force exists when the primary actuating device is at either one of
the termini of its rango of movement.
I have represented in the foregoing description and drawings, certain exact forms
of detail construction in embodiment of my invention, for the purpose of fully
explaining the principle of construction and operation of the latter; but other forms
could be made, all employing the same principle as herein set forth and differing only
in mechanical expressions of the same." Hence it will be understood, that changes
may be made as regards mechanical forms, provided the principles of construction are
employed; and it will be further understood that the term electric switch is therein
used in its broadest sense, signifying any form of device wherein an electric current is
cut out or switched, or wherein an electric current is broken or controlled, and the like.
Dated this 30th day of October 1888.
HERBERT & CO.,
Agents to Applicant.
•
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
I, WILLIAM BINGHAM CLEVELAND of No. 667 Prospect Street, City of Cleveland,
County of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to he
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of spring move-
ment for operating the contact bar respectively in its making or breaking circuit.
The invention consists, broadly speaking, in combining together a primary actuating
device, a movable contact bar, and a spring connected respectively with said two
parts said primary actuating device having a range of movement, wherein the line
of said two spring connected points may pass respectively to opposite sides of the dead
centre line of the spring movement; the spring being under compression or tension
between the primary actuating device and the contact bar, thereby throwing the latter
in a quick movement, either to open or closed position accordingly as the line of spring
power may be shifted to one side or the other of said dead center line.
Referring to the drawings filed with my provisional specification.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of switch shown closed.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same switch shown open.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a second form of switch.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the latter.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of a third form of switch.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a fourth form of switch.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the latter.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of the spring movement shown in said fourth form.
In the first form of switch, the primary actuating device A is pivoted concentric
with a contact bar B; said two parts thus having their pivotal axes in line with each
other. A spring C is connected respectively to said primary actuating device and
contact bar, said primary actuating device having a range of pivotal movement,
whereby it may be shifted to such different positions as to cause the line of said two
spring connecting points to pass respectively to either one of the opposite sides of
the pivotal axis of said contact bar, as the case may be, at will of the operator.
The spring operating to throw the contact bar in a quick movement either to open
or closed position accordingly as said primary actuating device is moved to position

page_text: wherein its spring carrying point may shift the line of spring power as above stated
to effect the desired result, said spring also operating to hold the contact bar in such
changed position. The primary actuating device is provided with a suitable handle a
and also with an arm to the free extremity of which, one extremity of the spiral
spring Cis connected by shifting bearing, the opposito extremity of the spring being
likewise connected by shifting bearing to a lateral projection d of the contact bar;
the detail construction of the spring movement being substantially the same as the
spring movement of Fig. 9. In this form of switch and also respectively in other
forms of switch herein shown, the primary actuating device and the contact bar are
suitably mounted on a baso D, said base being further provided with suitable
circuit terminals and with suitable stops y, said stops being for limiting the
throw of the contact bar and also of the primary actuating device as said two parts
are respectively thrown in opposite directions by the spring movement, as the line
of spring power is shifted to either side of the dead centre line; said stops thus
maintaining the primary actuating device and the contact bar in normal position.
In the second form of switch shown, the primary actuating device A is a lever of
the first order centrally pivoted to the central portion of the reverse face of a base D
and provided at its working extremity with a right angular arm i to which one end of
a spiral spring C is directly connected in loose or shifting engagement; the opposite
end of the spring being likewise directly connected in loose or shifting engagement to
a similar arm projecting at right angles from one extremity of the contact bar B, the
contact bar in this latter form being pivoted to the base at its extremity opposite to
its spring connecting extremity; and the parts being relatively located so that the
spring itself crosses the line of the pivotal axis of the contact bar in the shifting of the
line of spring power respectively to opposite sides of the line of said pivotal axis.
In the third form of switch shown, the primary actuating device A is a lover of the
second order pivoted at one extremity to the centre of one marginal portion of the
reverse face of a base D the contact bar B being centrally pivoted to the centre of
the face of the opposite marginal portion of the base, the spring C being connected
with said lever and contact bar, the specific form of spring movement shown being
the same as that of Fig. 9.
The fourth form of switch shown represents the invention as applied to a double
pole switch two contact bars B being respectively pivoted to a base D and having their
extremities opposite to their contact extremities connected together by a link n of
insulating material pivoted to each. The contact extremity o of one of the contact
bars connects with the contact with the contact point p of the closed circuit q or with
the contact point of the lamp circuit s. The contact extremity of the companion
contact bar connects with either the contact point of the closed circuit q or with the
contact point of the lamp circuit s. The primary actuating device A in this instance
is a lever of the second order pivoted at one extremity to the reverse face of the base D,
the spring C being connected to said lever and link n in the specific form shown by
the spring movement of Fig. 9, said lever being provided with a stud a pivoted
thereon and rigidly connected to one extremity of the rod 6, the opposite extremity of
said rod having free longitudinal movement in a slot e formed in stud d' which latter
is pivoted to the middle portion of the link n fitted on rod and between the two
studs ad being the spiral spring C having end bearings respectively against said
two studs.
The operation of the invention is substantially the same in each of the different
forms of switch shown; in each instance the range of pivotal movement of the primary
actuating device is such as to permit it to carry its spring connecting point to such
different locations as to shift the line of spring power (the line of points respectively
of the primary actuating device and the contact bar which connect with the spring).
to either the one side or the other side of the pivotal axis of the contact bar as the case
may be.
The spring being under compression or tension between the primary actuating
device and the contact bar and throwing the contact bar in a quick movement either
to open or closed position as the case may he; such movement of the contact bar

page_text: being effected solely by the shifting of the line of said spring power, from the one side
to the other side of the line of the pivotal axis of the contact bar.
That is the primary actuating device has a range of pivotal movement which permits
the line of spring power to be shifted respectively to opposite sides of the dead centre
line of the spring movement; said dead centre line being the line of the two spring
connected points when passing transversely through the line of the pivotal axis of the
contact bar. When the primary actuating device is operated so as to cause said line
of spring power to pass to either side of said dead centre line, then the power of the
spring is operative upon the movement of the contact bar and throws the latter either
into open or closed position as the case may be. The power of the spring is also
operative to hold the contact bar in its changed position.
The operating force of the spring may be either that of compression or tension,
examples of compression are shown; in the first form of my invention illustrated in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, in the third form illustrated in Fig. 6 and in the
fourth form illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 and an example of tension is shown in the
second form of my invention illustrated in Figs. and 5. In each of the forms
represented the spring connecting the primary actuating device and the movable
contact bar is a two throw spring that is it operates the contact bar, both in making
and breaking the circuit by a positive spring movement, which movement in making
contact is precisely opposite to the movement in breaking the contact.
This positive spring movement of the contact bar both in its making and breaking
circuit is due to and is the result of the combination with the two members, the primary
actuating device and the movable contact bar, of the third member, the two throw
spring and in the claim the term two throw spring is employed in this sense.
In each
of the forms shown the maximum of spring force exists when the parts are in position
such that the spring movement is in dead centre line, and the minimum of spring force
exists when the primary actuating device is at either one of the two termini of its
range of movement.
I have represented in the foregoing description and drawings, certain exact forms
of detail construction in embodyment of my invention for the purpose of fully
explaining the principle of construction and operation of the latter; but other forms
could be made, all employing the same principle as hereinset forth and differing only
in mechanical expressions of the same. Hence it will be understood that changes
may be made as regards mechanical forms provided the principles of construction
respectively set forth in the following claims are employed, and it will be further
understood, that the term electric switch is therein used in its broadest sense signifying
any form of device wherein an electric current is cut out or switched or wherein an
electric current is broken or controlled and the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In an electric switch, the combination of a primary actuating device, a movable
contact bar and a spring connected respectively with said two members, said primary
actuating device having a range of movement wherein the line of said two spring
connected points may pass respectively to opposite sides of the dead centro line of
the spring movement substantially as set forth.
2. In an electric switch, the combination of a movable contact bar, a two throw
spring, the opposite ends of which are permanently connected to the contact bar and
to a spring actuating device respectively and said spring actuating device which shifts
the position of the spring and thereby causes it to exert its power upon the contact
bar in either of two opposite directions and also hold it in its changed position
substantially as set forth."
3. In an electric switch, the combination of a pivotal primary actuating device, a
pivotal contact bar and a spring having its opposite extremities respectively connected
to said first two members eccentrically said primary actuating device having a range
of pivotal movement wherein the line of said two spring connected points may pass

page_text: respectively to opposite sides of the line of the pivotal axis of the contact bar
substantially as set forth.
4. In an electric switch the combination with a pivotal primary actuating device
and a pivotal contact bar having their pivotal axes in line with each other, of a spring
connected respectively, with said two first members, said primary actuating device
having a range of pivotal movement wherein the line of said two spring connected
points may pass respectively to opposite sides of the line of said pivotal axes
substantially as set forth.
5. In an electric switch, the combination of a pivotal primary actuating device, a
pivotal contact bar and a spring connecting said two members said primary actuating
device having a range of rotary movement wherein at different times the line of said
two spring connected points may pass respectively through and to one side of the line
of the rotary axis of the contact bar substantially as set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1889.
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.