Improvements in Electrical Cut-outs.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 29th May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Cut-outs.
I, ARMAND FARKAS, of 17 Rue le Peletier, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of the well-known form of electrical
safety device, called a "cut-out," wherein a piece of metal, which offers a high
resistance and melts at a low temperature, is introduced into the circuit, so that a
current of greater quantity than the line and the apparatus connected therewith
can safely carry, will melt the said piece of metal and automatically break the
circuit.
The main objects of my invention are to effect such improvements in the
construction of cut-outs, as will render it possible for the fused parts to be replaced
without any risk of the operator receiving shocks or burns, an objection attending
most forms of cut-out as heretofore constructed; also to simplify the operation of
such replacement and to cheapen the cost of manufacture.
A cut-out made in accordance with my invention, is constructed substantially as
follows:-
Upon a stationary plate, or piece, formed of any suitable insulating material,
and hereinafter called "the base," the line terminals are fixed, each said terminal
forming, or being connected to, a suitable contact piece, fixed on the said base.
A lid, or removable piece is provided, partly, or entirely formed of suitable
insulating material, upon the underside of which are fixed contact pieces, adapted
to engage with the aforesaid contact pieces on the base.
A screw, or other convenient device is placed on each contact piece on the lid,.
for the attachment of the fusible material which forms the safety appliance.
These said contact pieces are not necessarily attached directly to the lid, but
may be attached to projections formed upon or affixed to it, and it is essential that
the said contact pieces be insulated from each other.
The contacts on the base are preferably surrounded by a wall of insulating
material, so that they cannot come into accidental contact with the fingers, and the
lid may be rendily removed by the hand without fear of touching the contacts on
its under side. To more effectually ensure this, it may be provided with a
projecting flange all round, or with projections, or with a more or less continuous
wall to fit over, or into the wall on the base.
It is obvious that when the lid is removed, the fusible material connecting the
contacts thereon, can be replaced without the possibility of any danger.
'
Either the contacts on the base, or those on the lid are of spring form, to engage
with the corresponding pieces which fit into or upon them, and the lid is held in
place by the spring engagement of the said contacts, the relative positions of the
base and lid being approximately defined by the above described walls, or other
insulating parts.
My invention is applicable to a single or multiple cut-out, in the latter case.
there may be a single base with more than one removable piece, or vice-versi.
Dated this 29th day of Jul 1806
.:
AMBROSE MYALL,
2 Lancaster Place, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, ARMAND FARKAS, of 17 Rue le Peletier, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Electrical Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to the construction of the well-known form of electrical
safety device, called a "cut-out," wherein a piece of metal, usually a lead wire,
which offers a high resistance and melts at a low temperature, is introduced into
the circuit, so that a current of greater quantity than the line and the lamps, or
other apparatus connected therewith can safely carry, will melt the said piece of
metal and thus automatically break the circuit.
In cut-outs, as usually constructed up to the present time, the fusible piece is
connected directly to the poles, or terminals of the wire, and therefore in
removing, or replacing the said fusible piece, there is a risk of the fingers of the
operator coming in contact with, or making a contact between the said terminals,
and if the current be not switched off, serious shocks, or burns may result.
The main objects of my invention are to effect such improvements in the
construction of cut-outs, as will render it possible for the apparatus to be opened,
or closed and for the fused part, or parts to be replaced without the possibility of
the fingers coming in contact with the said terminals, so that the above described
risks are entirely obviated, and will also simplify the operation of replacement.
A cut-out made in accordance with my invention, is constructed substantially as
follows: pon.a. stationary plate, or piece, formed of any suitable insulating
material, and hereinafter called the "base," the line terminals are fixed, each said
terminal forming, or being connected to, a suitable contact piece, fixed on the said
base.
A lid, or removable piece is provided, partly, or preferably entirely formed of
suitable insulating material, upon the under side of which are fixed contact pieces,
adapted to engage with the aforesaid contact pieces on the base.
A screw, or other convenient device is placed on each contact piece on the lid,
for the attachment of the fusible material, which forms the safety appliance.
These said contact pieces are not attached directly to the lid, but to projections,
formed in one piece with, or affixed to it, and it is essential that the said contact
pieces be thoroughly insulated from each other.
The contacts on the base are surrounded by a wall of insulating material, so that
they cannot come into accidental contact with the fingers, and the lid may be readily
removed by the hand, without fear of touching the contacts on its under side., To
more effectually ensure this, it may be provided with a projecting flange all round,
or with projections, or with a more or less continuous wall to fit over, or into the
wall on the base.
It, is obvious that when the lid is removed, the fusible material connecting the.
contacts thereon, can. be replaced without the possibility of danger.
Either the.contacts on the base, or those on the lid are of spring form to engage.
with the corresponding pieces which fit into or upon them, and the lid is held in
place by the said contacts, the relative positions of the base and, lid being,
approximately defined by the above described walls or other insulating parts.
My invention is applicable to a single, or multiple cut-out,, in. the. latter.:case
there may be a single base with more than one removable piece, or vice versa.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings, which forms part of, this specification

page_text: pore cut-out sted
accordance with my
invention;
Fig. 1.is a perspective view of the base, or lower part of the apparatus,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the under side of the lid, when removed, and
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation, through the contact pieces at X, X, shewing
the lid in place.
Referring first to Figs. 1 and 3, the base part consists of an open topped box, or
receptacle of porcelain, having a bottom, A, sides B B, ends C C, and a central
partition D.connected to the bottom A and ends C C, and all formed in one piece,.
so that the partition D divides the box into two parallel troughs, thoroughly
insulated from each other. Holes may be provided in the bottom of the box for
its attachment by screws to any required place, or it may be fixed in any other
suitable manner.
The pole terminals, or contacts consist of flat strips of brass E, or other
suitable metal, bent into the shape as most clearly shewn in Fig. 3. The two
vertical sides do not touch the sides, or partition of the box, but have a certain.
amount of spring motion, in order to grip, make good .contact with and securely
retain in position the hereinafter described contact pieces which are introduced
between them.
They are each secured within the box by a screw F tapped into their base, and
are provided with a terminal screw H, for the attachment of the line wire. The
line wires are introduced through the apertures J J, provided in each end of the
box, but such apertures may be made in the sides, or bottom if preferred.
U
The removable lid, Figs. 2 and 3, consists of a porcelain plate K, having two-
parallel bridge pieces, or bars L formed in one piece with it on its under side.
Upon each said bridge-piece, a metal contact piece M, of the form, most clearly
shewn in Fig. 3, is affixed by a screw N, and adapted to enter, with a rubbing
action between, and be gripped by the spring contact plates E. Each said
piece M is provided with a screw P for the attachment of the lead wire or, other
fusible material, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the bridges L are.
recessed, as shewn, between the pieces M, to avoid the said fusible material being
in contact with them. The ends of the said bridges are tapered, as shewn in Fig. 2:
to guide the lid correctly into place and to ensure its correct position when fully.
inserted in the box.
Assuming now that one or both of the cut-outs have acted, and that it is required
to replace the fusible material, the lid is pulled out and it will be seen that in doing
this there is practically no risk of a shock, or burn being received, because the
sides B B and ends C C of the box make it impossible for the fingers to touch any
of the contact pieces E, while the plate K extends a sufficient distance all round
beyond the bridges L to keep the fingers from touching the contact pieces M.
while the lid is being removed. When the said lid is out of the box, it is quite
obvious that it can be handled freely and the fusible material replaced without.
the possibility of risk, and it can then be replaced in the box without any
danger.
The plate K, when in place, fits closely down upon the edges of the sides ends and.
partition of the box, and so prevents the admission of dust, dirt, or moisture to the
interior.
As before mentioned, if additional protection be considered desirable, the plate K.
may be formed with a flange fitting all round the exterior, or interior of the sides.
and ends of the box.
In place of porcelain, any other suitable insulating material, or materials may be
employed to form the parts described as constructed in such material.
From the above description it will be clear how a single, or multiple pole.
cut-out may be constructed on the same principle, and I wish it to be understood
that I reserve to myself the right to make variations, or modifications in the shape,
dimensions and arrangement of the parts of the apparatus, provided that in all
cases the essential features of my invention be retained.

page_text: 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 electrical cut-out, a removable insulating plate having an insulating
bridge, or bridges carrying contact pieces for the attachment of the fusible
material, so constructed that the said plate with its attachments must be removed
from the apparatus to replace the fusible material, and that in its said removal
there is no possibility of the fingers touching any of the said contact pieces,
substantially as herein set forth.
2. In an electrical cut-out, in combination, an insulating base part of open box
form, consisting of a bottom and sides and containing within it the pole terminals,
or contacts, and a removable insulating lid, or plate having an insulating bridge, or
bridges carrying contact pieces for the attachment of the fusible material, so
constructed that the said lid, or plate with its attachments must be removed from
the base part to replace the fusible material, and that in its said removal there is
no possibility of the fingers touching any of the contact pieces, substantially as
herein set forth.
3. An electrical cut-out, constructed in the manner and for the purposes,
substantially as herein described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of April 1897.
AMBROSE MYALL,
2 Lancaster Place, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.