Improvements in Switches for Electric Currents.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 24th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches for Electric Currents.
We ANTHONY GEORGE NEW and ARTHUR JAMES MAYNE, Electrical and
General Engineers of Palace Chambers Westminster in the County of London
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention consists of a means for making and breaking electrical
contact or connection between two points presenting special advantages when applied
to high tension circuits, and constitutes an improved form of high tension switch
specially designed for use in high-pressure central electric supply stations and for
all circumstances in which electrical circuits carrying currents at high tensions have
to be made and broken.
»
The principal features of this novel high tension switch are that it enables a
perfect and reliable break to be made in the circuit with a much greater economy
of space than has hitherto been found possible, prevents the possibility of an "arc
being formed when the switch is broken, and gives a high degree of insulation
between the points with which the switch establishes and severs connection.
The construction of the switch is in its main features as follows:-
Two lever arms of brass copper or other suitable material are pivoted on pins or
spindles situated at some distance apart and forming the terminals of the switch.
The lever arms are so shaped and of such length that when turned towards each
other they interlock at some convenient angle. Between the arms a plate of
vulcanite or other good insulatory material slides up and down in a slot or groove in
such a manner as in one position to interpose between the ends of the lever arms.
This plate of vulcanite carries a cross piece connected to it but leaving a slot
between them. This cross piece serves, in one position of the appliance, to press
the ends of the lever arms together.
The action is as follows:-
A lever handle push or similar appliance is connected rigidly to the vulcanite
plate or to the cross piece; pushing this handle in one direction forces the cross
piece against the ends of the lever arms pressing them together and also exercising
pressure on the pins on which they are pivoted and "makes" the switch; moving
this handle in the opposite direction causes the vulcanite plate to advance between
the lever arms separating them and introducing the plate of insulating material
between them; this "breaks" the switch.
Instead of the lever arms being pivoted contact springs may be employed for
connecting their ends electrically with the terminals at the switch.
Signed this 25th day of April 1893.
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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches for Electric Currents.
We, ANTHONY GEORGE NEW and ARTHUR JAMES MAYNE, Electrical and
General Engineers, of Palace Chambers, Westminster, in the County of London,
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 present invention consists of a means for making and breaking electrical

page_text: contact or connection between two points presenting special advantages when applied
to high tension circuits and constitute an improved form of high tension switch
specially designed for use in high pressure central electric supply stations and for
all circumstances in which electrical circuits carrying currents at high tension have
to he made and broken.
The principal features of this novel high-tension switch are that it enables a
perfect and reliable break to be made in the circuit with a much greater economy
of space than has hitherto been found possible, prevents the possibility of an "arc"
being formed when the switch is broken, and gives a high degree of insulation
between the points with which the switch establishes and severs connection.
To clearly explain our invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings
in which :-
Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of one form of our improved switch showing the
position of the parts with the circuit broken.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts with the circuit made..
Fig. 3 is a section on line x-x, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation, and
Fig. 5 is a section of one of the posts supporting the parts..
The switch in the form shown consists of a block or crosspiece 1 to which are
secured strips 2, 2, of insulating material, said strips being secured to a block 3 of
..insulating material at their upper ends to space them apart, the block 1 performing
this function at the lower end of same. To the frame thus formed are secured
plates of vulcanite or the like 3, 3, the plates being stiffened by blocks 2ª placed
between them and cemented or secured thereto or forming part of the strips 2.
. All these parts are adapted to move up and down in a slot or groove formed by the
opening left between four plates 4 of vulcanite or the like, ear pieces 3* forming part
of the block 3 running between the plates 4 and serving to keep the sliding frame
in position. The plates 4 are spaced apart by rings 5, the plates and rings being
carried by posts 6 preferably of wood or insulating material which are secured to a
supporting plate 7 of slate or the like. A washer 8 held by a screw holds the outer
edge of the plates 4 in position.
Between the plates 4 are secured the terminals 9 for the wires carrying the
current. These terminals connect with metal strips 10 to which are pivoted two
lever arms 11, 12, of brass, copper, or other suitable material, one arm 11 being
reduced in thickness at its end so that it may interlock with the arm 12 which for
this purpose is slotted at its end, the reduced portion of the arm 11 entering the slot
in arm 12 when the two are engaged.
In the position shown in Fig. 1 the plates 3, 3, and connected parts forming what
is termed the shutter keep the arms 11, 12, apart, but upon the shutter being moved
up the arms 11, 12, will come into contact through the opening left between the
frame formed of the strips 2, 2, the block or crosspiece 1 pushing them up (as it
moves with the sbutter) into engagement with each other. The arms 11, 12, are
prevented from falling down into. a vertical position by the rings 5ª of insulating
material of two of the parts 6 against which they rest as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
The parts may be held in their on or off" position by friction, by catches, or by
other convenient means, and may be operated by a handle or automatically when
such switch is employed in a transformer switch.
Instead of the lever arms 11, 12, spring contact plates might be employed for
making the connection, the shutter separating these spring plates in one position
and allowing them to come into contact with each other when in the other position.
It will be evident that the form shown only illustrates one manner of carrying
out our invention, as the details of same may be modified in various ways.
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. A switch comprising a sliding shutter of insulating material adapted to

page_text: separate contact arms to break the circuit and to bring same into contact with each
other to make the circuit, substantially as described.
2. A switch comprising a sliding frame of insulating material carrying plates of
vulcanite or the like, a block or crosspiece carried by the frame, plates between
which the frame and vulcanite plates may slide, and contact arms adapted to be
separated by the sliding plates and to be brought into engagement by the block or
crosspiece substantially as described.
3. The improved switch constructed substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated the 24th day of January 1901
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent Agent, 55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London
For the Applicants.