Improvements in Apparatus for Connecting and Disconnecting Electrical Circuits.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 19th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Connecting and Disconnecting
Electrical Circuits.
We ANDREAS PETER LUNDBERG GUSTAF CHARLES LUNDBERG and GEORGE
PEGG all of Bradbury Electrical Works Bradbury Street Kingsland, London, N.
Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The improvements have for their object, the production of a switch for controlling
electrical circuits, which may be turned either to the right or left, for "ON" and
"OFF" positions; or all round in either direction, "ON" and "OFF" positions
being obtained by alternate quarter of a circle movements; and at the same time
the additional advantage of a spring-actuated independent "make" and "break
(which is assisted in its action by the contact springs or spring-controlled contact
plates used in the switch, when the "dead point" is passed) when passing from
"OFF" to "ON" or "ON" to "OFF" respectively.
"
"
There are at the present time, many types of switches in use, the two principal
methods adopted for operating which, are. (1) Those in which the "make" and
"break
of the circuit is obtained by alternate quarter of a circle movements, the
key travelling in one direction continuously, (2) Those in which the "make and
"break" of the circuit is obtained by quarter of a circle movements, first to the
right and then to the left, the key-piece returning to its original position.
"
These different methods of operating electrical switches naturally would confuse
an operator who may have been used to one or the other of the methods referred
to, and we think that by introducing a switch which can be actuated in either
direction, this confusion will be removed, and a more uniform state of things
obtained; or, in cases of addition or replacement in existing installations using
either kind, these switches may be employed to take their place successfully.
In carrying out our invention in order to effect these objects, the switch is
constructed in the following manner :-
A. base of the usual insulating and incombustible material such as porcelain,
slate etc., is obtained. On this base we mount four terminal plates, on each of
which we fit a spring of any suitable shape and flexibility (these springs are
preferably made of metal ribbon and may be laminated, that is built up of two or
more thin strips in order to give greater flexibility and larger capacity for carrying
the current), or metal plates impressed toward the centre of the base by separate
springs, may be used.
These springs, or spring-controlled plates, form the necessary spring contacts for
the conduction of the current, and also control the quarter-circle movements of the
switch-key, and assist, in conjunction with the spring-actuated independent
"make
and "break" device, in obtaining quick "make" and "break" of the
circuit.
وو
the
One or more of these may be used as electrical contacts, depending upon
purposes for which the switch is required. Between these four springs, or
spring-controlled plates, we mount a revolving piece working on a centre-axis in
the base.
This revolving piece may be (1) oval shaped (2) triangular (3) four-sided
(preferably rhomboidal) or (4) with parallel sides and curved ends.
This revolving piece is suitably provided with contact surfaces for the conduction

page_text: of the current across from one terminal of the switch to the other, and the contact
springs, or spring-controlled contact plates, make proper connection with them.
When this revolving piece is turned a quarter of a circle either to the right or
left, it makes or "breaks" the continuity of the circuit (depending on the
initial position it had) and so controls the current flowing between the terminals of
the switch.
"
This motion may be continued in either direction, producing "make" and
"break" of the circuit alternately, or the circuit may be "made" by a quarter-
circle turn in one direction, and "broken" by turning the key back to its original
position.
The independent spring "make" and "break" of the circuit, we obtain by
means of a spring of suitable bend and shape, enclosed in the key-piece of the
switch, and this spring is so constructed and arranged, that when in operation,
independent spring "make" or
"break of the circuit, uncontrolled by the
operator, is the result, no matter whether the key-piece be turned to the right or
left, "sparking" in this way being reduced to a minimum.
Dated this 6th day of March 1894.
"
ANDREAS PETER LUNDBERG.
GUSTAF CHARLES LUNDBERG.
GEORGE PEGG.
improvements in Apparatus for Connecting and Disconnecting
Electrical Circuits.
We, ANDREAS PETER LUNDBERG, GUSTAF CHARLES LUNDBERG and GEORGE
PEGG, all of The Bradbury Electrical Works, Bradbury Street, Kingsland,
London, N., Electrical Engineers, 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 :-
The improvements have for their object, the production of a switch for
controlling electrical circuits, which may be turned either to the right or left, for
"ON" and "OFF" positions; or all round in either direction, "ON" and
"OFF" positions being obtained by alternate quarter of a circle movements; and
at the same time the additional advantage of a spring actuated independent
"make" and "break" (which is assisted in its action, by the contact springs or
spring-controlled contact plates used in the switch, when the "dead point
"
is passed) when passing from "OFF" to "ON" or "ON" to "OFF"
respectively.
"
There are at the present time many types of switches in use, the two principal
methods adopted for operating which, are-Firstly-Those in which the "make
and "break of the circuit is obtained by alternate quarter of a circle movements,
the key travelling in one direction continuously. Secondly-Those in which the
"make" and "break" of the circuit is obtained by quarter of a circle
movements, first to the right and then to the left, the key piece returning to its
original position.
These different methods of operating electrical switches naturally would
confuse an operator who may have been used to one or the other of the methods
referred to, and we think that by introducing a switch which can be actuated in
either direction, this confusion will be removed and a more uniform state of things
obtained; or, in cases of addition or replacement in existing installations using
either kind, these switches may be employed to take their place.
And in order that our invention may be thoroughly understood, we now proceed

page_text: figures marked thereon.
Fig. 1, is a plan of a single pole switch with a diamond-shaped key in section
with single springs.
Fig. 2, is a plan of a single pole switch with a square-shaped key on line I J of
Fig. 5.
Fig. 3, is a plan of the spring-key on line E F of Fig. 6.
Fig. 4, is a vertical section of Fig. 1, showing the rose screwed onto the plate.
Fig. 5, is partly in section and partly in elevation of Figs. 2, and 8, on lines A B
and K L.
Fig. 6, is partly in section and partly in elevation of Fig. 3, on line C D.
Fig. 7, is a sectional view of a spiral spring and set screw of an alternate pattern
for a spring-key or movable thumb-piece.
Fig. 8, is a plan on line G H of Fig. 5.
Fig. 9, is a plan of a more powerful or double pole switch with double springs
and a square key.
In carrying out our invention in order to effect these objects, the switch is
constructed in the following manner :—
1
A base a of the usual insulating and incombustible material such as porcelain,
slate etc., is obtained. On this base a we mount four terminal plates b, on each of
which we fit a spring c of any suitable shape and flexibility (these springs care
preferably made of metal ribbon and may be laminated, that is built up of two or
more thin strips as in Fig. 9, in order to give greater flexibility and a larger
capacity for carrying the current, or metal plates impressed toward the centre of
the base by separate springs, may be used.
These springs c, or spring-controlled plates, form the necessary spring contacts
for the conduction of the current, and also control the quarter-circle movements of
the switch-key d and assist, in conjunction with the spring-actuated independent
and "break" device, in obtaining quick "make" and "break" of the
"make
circuit.
One or more of these springs c may be used as electrical contacts, depending
upon the purposes for which the switch is required. Between the four springs c,
or spring-controlled plates we mount a revolving piece e working on a centre-axis f
in the base a. This revolving piece e may be oval-shaped, triangular, square,
diamond-shaped, or rhomboid in shape, or with parallel sides and curved ends.
This revolving piece e is suitably provided with contact surfaces g for the conduction
of the current across from one terminal h of the switch to the other, and the
contact springs c, or spring-controlled contact plates 6 make proper connection with
them; preferably diamond or rhomboidal in shape because only two of the springs c
are lifted through their full path at a time rendering much easier working of the
switch. When this revolving piece e is turned a quarter of a circle either to the
right or left, it "makes or "breaks the continuity of the circuit (depending
on the initial position it had) and so controls the current flowing between the
terminals of the switch. This motion may be continued in either direction,
producing "make" and "break" of the circuit alternately, or the circuit may be
"made" by a quarter circle turn in one direction, and "broken" by turning the
key back to its original position.
"
"
-
"
"
The independent spring "make" and "break" of the circuit, we obtain by
means of a spring i of suitable bend and shape as in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7,
enclosed in the key-piece 6 of the switch, and this spring is so constructed and
arranged, that when in operation, independent spring "make" "break of the
circuit uncontrolled by the operator, is the result, no matter whether the key-
piece be turned to the right or left, "sparking" in this way being reduced to a
minimum.
or
Wall sockets or plugs may be attached or fixed in any suitable to either of the
single or double pole switches.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a switch (single or double pole) the combination of a revolving piece of
insulating material of the various shapes and the four surrounding actuating and
current carrying springs and the spring-controlled contact and base plate,
substantially as herein described and according to the accompanying drawing.
and
2. In a switch, the combination of a spring or springs and the key or plug as
illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, whereby independent spring "make
"break" of the circuit is obtained uncontrolled by the operator in either direction
(right or left) with equal results, substantially as described.
3. In a single or double pole switch, the combination of the springs c switch-
key d revolving piece e plates g axis fand terminal plates 6 with terminals h and
base a, substantially as herein described and illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, and 9, of the
accompanying drawing.
Dated this 19th day of November 1894.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicants.