Improvements in Electrical Tumbler and other Switches.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 4th May, 1899-Accepted, 10th June, 1899
Improvements in Electrical Tumbler and other Switches.'
I, ROBERT FREDERICK HALL, of Ferndale, Church Road, Moseley, near the City of
Birmingham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:--
This invention has relation to electrical switches, and principally to those of the
tumbler type, although the same is applicable to other switches for dealing with
heavy currents in which the operating handles are attached directly to the contact
makers.
The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of such switches,
which are frequently faulty through bad contacts and insufficient air break, and
especially with the high voltage currents now in general use, which are liable to set
up arcing between the terminals or poles.
According to my improvements, I propose to obtain a perfect insulation between
the poles when the switch is in its break position and consequently prevent arcing
by the employment of a special form of rotating carrier for the contact piece.
In one form of my invention, the contact piece which is arranged to come between
the pole pieces or terminal of the switch is carried by a circular disc or between a
pair of circular discs separated by an air space and made of insulating material.. Said
disc or discs are mounted so as to be capable of rotation or part rotation within a
gap or sinking in the base of the switch, or between a pair of walls made of china or
the like carried by the said base and preferably having at opposite parts, and coming
within the path of the contact piece, a pair of holes or clearances, through which the
contact ends of the pole pieces extend, but are constantly insulated from one another,
except when the switch is in its "make" position by the intervening disc or discs,
which constitute a non-conducting partition or diaphragm for effectually preventing
arcing between the poles.
The
This construction permits of very substantial parts being used and owing to the
perfectly insulated break, the switch can be used for very high voltages.
arrangement may also be used as a double pole switch by providing the discs with
two contact pieces adapted to respectively make connection between the pairs of pole
pieces.
Suitable springs may be arranged in connection with the rotating discs for giving
a fly action and the movement may be imparted to the said discs either directly from
an outside lever, or from a tumbler lever by means of a link.
In switches when very heavy currents are carried and where double pole switches
are used. I preferably when self contained construct them of an oblong shape with
the circular disc partly rotating at right angles with the two sets of pole pieces, I may
use the tumbler type of handle but prefer to use a handle using as its axis the centre
or axis of the circular discs and having a spring at its end so as to keep it locked in
either position and to facilitate a quick break, another way of actuating these contact
breaking discs I device by fitting a third disc between the two outside ones and
allowing it to move on the same axis but fit radial slots through it through which
pass connecting pegs from the two outside ones inside this slot I fit, a small spiral

page_text: spring and on the periphery of this middle disc I cut or form teeth and fitting into
this a small pinion with a handle projecting through the case (where one is used) by
moving this handle which is centred on the axis of the said small pinion it moves in
turn the middle disc which is partially loose between the two outside discs, this
movement compresses the spring or springs in the aforesaid radial slót or slots and
put a tension on the outside discs by a still further pressure the middle disc having
now moved and compressed the springs to their limit cannot move further without
carrying with it the two outside discs, this I now proceed to do and immediately the
contacts are broken' and the friction thereby released the compressed springs instantly
expand and make the outside discs fly round until checked by the radial slot and thus
effect what is known as a quick break and so minimise arcing.
Dated this 0th day of March 1800
Improvements in Electrical Tumbler and other Switches.
I, ROBERT FREDERICK HALL, of Ferndale, Church Road, Moseley, near the City of
Birmingham, 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:-
This invention has relation to electrical switches, and principally to those of the
tumbler type, although the same is applicable to other, switches for dealing with
heavy currents in which the operating handles are attached directly to the contact
makers. The said invention is an amplification or a developement of that described
in the Specification of my application for Letters Patent No. 5255 of 1899.
The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of such
switches, which are frequently faulty through bad contacts and insufficient air
break, and especially with the high voltage currents now in general use, which
are liable to set up arcing between the terminals or poles.
According to my improvements, I propose to obtain a perfect insulation between
the poles when the switch is in its break position and also consequently to prevent
arcing by the employment of a special form of rotating carrier for the contact piece.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a transverse vertical section
of one form of switch embodying my improvements and showing the parts in
their "break" positions.
Figure 2 is a like view as Figure 1, but with the parts in their "make" positions,
in which the contact piece which is mounted in a rotating and insulating carrier,
bridges the pole pieces or terminals.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of Figure 1 upon the dotted line x.
Figure 4 is a plan of the switch; with the cover removed and the parts in the same
positions as represented in Figures 1 and 3.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of Figure 2, upon the dotted line x¹, showing how the
opposite ends of the contact piece are in electrical connection with the separated
terminals when the switch is in its inake position for completing the circuit.
Figure 6 is a separate view of the spring lever by which the rotating carrier of the
contact piece is actuated and also held in either of its two positions.
Figure 7 represents the two opposite sides of the contact carrier separately and in
section.

page_text: Figure 8 is an elevation of one of them.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in Figures 1 to 8 of the
drawings.
In this form of my invention, the contact pièce a, which is arranged to come
between the pole pieces or terminal b, of the switch is carried between a pair of cir-
cular discs c, separated by an air space c¹, and made of insulating material. Said
disc or discs are mounted upon a centre or spindle c², so as to be capable of rotation
or partial rotation within a gap or sinking ; in the insulating base d, of the switch
or between a pair of walls made of china or the like carried by the said base and
preferably having at opposite parts, and coming within the path of the contact piece,
a pair of opposite clearances d², through which the contact ends 61, of the pole
pieces b, extend, but are constantly insulated from one another, except when the
switch is in its "make" position by the intervening carrier discs which constitute a
non-conducting partition or diaphragm for effectually preventing arcing between the
poles.
The pole pieces or terminals b, are preferably of lamina form, i.e. made up from a
series of superimposed metal plates of suitable shape, although any other type of
terminal may be used and whilst their contact ends 61, are cranked inwards to pass, as
aforesaid, through the gaps or clearances in the insulating walls or sides d³, of the
sinking or well d', within which the contact carrier rotates, their other and after
ends 62, are secured to the base by hollow screws e, up which the lead wires pass from
the underside and are there secured by binding screws e¹.
The ends of the carrier centre c², have their bearing in the side walls d³, of the
well and the contact piece a, is directed between the carrier discs c, preferably with
its opposite ends a', extending slightly beyond the outer faces of the said dises so as
to make perfect contact with the presented ends of the poles or terminals, whilst the
middle part crossing the air space between the said discs is insulated for the metallic
operating lever located therein by a non-conducting sleeve or bush a².
The operating lever f, is mounted on the centre c², in common with the carrier
discs and is located in the space between them, with its outer end f¹, (which may
work in a guide slot g¹, in the cover g) fitted with a thumb piece g², whilst the inner
end is slotted at f³, and fitted with a rollered slide f, between which and the
opposite end of the said slot f³ a spring fo, is located. The said lever, which is
capable of movement independent of the carrier discs around the centre c², is further
gapped at f, with one or other of the ends of the gap adapted to bear against a stop
or cross piece cº, disposed between and connecting the carrier discs, and to com-
municate motion in one direction or the other thereto when the lever is turned.
For acting in conjunction with this spring-locked lever, the bottom of the wall d¹,
in the base is formed with two oppositely sloping inclines , d, upon which the
roller of the lever runs when the latter is actuated. By this means a fly action with
rapid make and break movement is obtained.
This construction permits of very substantial parts being used and owing to the
perfectly insulated break, the switch can be used for very high voltages. The
arrangement may also be used as a double pole switch by providing the discs with two
contact pieces adapted to respectively make connection between two pairs of pole
pieces.
Figure 9 represents a transverse vertical section of another form of switch
embodying my improvements, with the parts in their break position. This switch is
substantially the same in principle and operation as that represented in Figures 1
to 8 but is provided with a modified form of operating lever and spring for giving the
fly break action.
Figure 10 is a similar sectional view as Figure 9, but with the parts of the "make"
positions i.e. with the contact piece mounted in the rotating carrier bridging the two
separated pole pieces.
Figure 11 is another sectional view, taken upon the dotted lines x², Figure 9, and
with the parts in the same positions as in the said Figure 9.

page_text: Figure 12 represents a plan, partly in section, of the said switch, with the cover
removed and showing the contact piece in electrical connection with the separated
pole pieces.
Figure 13 is an elevation of one of the carrier dises in which the contact piece is
mounted.
Figure 14 represents the pair of them in section.
Figure 15 represents two separate views of the operating lever or tumbler, and
Figure 16 shows a side elevation and edge view of the link by which the tumbler
is connected to the partially rotating carrier.
Figure 17 represents the spring which is used in this form of switch.
Figure 18 represents an end view and a front view of one of the pole pieces or
terminals, and
Figure 19 represents the pair of terminals in plan.
In the said Figures 9 to 19, a is the metal contact piece, b, b, the separated pole
pieces or terminals, the contact parts b', of which are of a spring or yielding character
as represented in Figures 18 and 19, c are the partially-rotating carrier discs, separated
by the air space c¹, and mounted upon the centre c", in such a manner as to have their
movement within the well or sinking d, of the base d, upon the outsides of the
walls d², of which the pole pieces b, are fitted with their ends b¹, passing inwardly
through gaps d³, in the said walls so as to respectively come within the path of the
opposite projecting or extending ends a¹, of the contact piece a, which is supported
by and taking into and out of its "make" position by the said carrier discs, which are
made of suitable insulating material, and, (when the switch is in its break position)
provide a double wall of insulation intervening between the separated terminals and
thus effectually prevent arcing.
f is the operating lever or tumbler, which is pivoted to turn upon a cross pin f',
mounted in an elevation seating el, supported by branches e, from the base, and f, is
a link jointed at one end to the inner end f³, of the tumbler and at the other end f',
to the carrier discs, within the space between which, both the inner end of the tumbler
and the connecting link, are disposed. Also in connection with the carrier dises, is a
fly action volute spring g, arranged within the space c¹, and around the centre c², with
its inner end connected to the said discs at g¹, whilst its outer end 2, is secured to
the base or other suitable part of the switch in any convenient way.
By this arrangement, assuming the switch to be in the make position represented in
Figure 10, when the tumbler is rocked, the spring (which was rendered active by the
closing of its coils on the rotation of the carriers to bring the contact piece in line
with the separated pole terminals) then expends its energy upon the said carriers
and a quick break action is obtained which brings the parts into the positions shown
in Figure 9.
Figure 20 is a plan, partly in section, of a double-pole switch, constructed accord-
ing to another modification of my invention. In this view the cover is shown
removed.
Figure 21 is a longitudinal section of Figure 20 upon the dotted line x³ and
Figure 22 is a cross section of Figure 20 upon the dotted line a', with the parts in
their "make" position, whilst Figure 23 is a like section showing the positions the
parts assume when contact is broken.
Figures 24 and 25 represent different views of certain detail parts of this switch.
In such switches as represented in the said Figures 22 to 25 when very heavy
currents are carried and where double-pole switches are used, I preferably (when
self-contained) construct them of an oblong shape with the circular carrier discs c,
which carry a pair of contact pieces a, a, partly rotating at right angles with the
two sets of pole pieces b, b, mounted in the base d, may use the tumbler type of
handle or I may employ a handle having as its axis, the centre of the circular discs
and provided a spring at its end so as to keep it locked in either position and to
facilitate a quick break such as used in the form shown in Figures 1 to 9. In the
form shown in Figures 22 to 25, however, these contact breaking discs are actuated
by fitting a third disc h, between the two outside ones and allowing it to move on

page_text: the same axis c². Radial slots h¹ are made through this intermediate disc, through
which pass contact pieces from the two outside ones. Inside this slot I fit small
spiral springs h², and on the periphery of the middle disc I cut or form teeth h³,
which gear with a small pinion ¹, carried by a handle f, projecting through the
cover or case (where one is used). By moving this handle, which is centred on the
axis f2, of the said small pinion; it moves in turn the middle disc which is partially
loose between the two outside discs. This movement compresses the springs in the
aforesaid radial slots and puts a tension on the outside discs when by a still further
pressure the middle disc having now moved and compressed the springs to their
limit cannot move further without carrying with it the two outside discs, which is
then done, and immediately the contacts are broken and the friction thereby released
the compressed springs instantly expand and make the outside discs fly round until
checked by the radial slot and thus effect what is known as a quick break and so
minimise arcing.
This form may also be applied to single pole switches by fitting the carrier discs
with only one contact piece and providing only a single pair of poles or terminals in
the base.
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
First In electrical switches, the employment of a rotating or partially-rotating
carrier for the contact piece or contact inaker, said carrier being made of insulating
material and adapted to work between the separated poles or terminals of the switch,
substantially as described and set forth.
:-
Secondly In electrical switches, the employment of a rotating or partially
rotating disc or discs, made of insulating material and carrying one or more contact
pieces, with the said carrier working between separated poles or terminals and within
a well or sinking in an insulating base, the sides or walls of which well are gapped
or provided with clearances through which the contact ends of the said terminals
inwardly pass, substantially as and for the purpose described and set forth.
Thirdly-In electrical switches, the combination with the rotating and insulating
carrier of the contact maker or contact piece, of an operating lever provided
at the inner end with a rollered slide or equivalent forced outwards by a spring
and acting in conjunction with a double inclined race in the bottom of the
well in the base, substantially as and for the purpose described and set forth in
Figures 1 to 6.
Fourthly-In electrical switches, the combination with the insulating and
rotating carrier of the contact piece, of an operating tumbler-lever, connected with
the said carrier by a link, and a fly-action volute or equivalent spring acting in
conjunction with the said tumbler, substantially as and for the purpose described
and set forth in Figures 9 to 19.
Fifthly In electrical switches, the combination with the rotating insulating
carrier the contact piece or pieces of an intermediate and loosely mounted disc,
provided with slots to contain springs interposed between them and the contact
pieces and toothed on its periphery with the teeth engaging the teeth of a pinion
connected with an operating lever or tumbler, substantially as described and set
forth in Figures 20 to 25.
Sixthly The construction, arrangement and combination of the parts of the
several forms of electrical switches, herein described and set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of May 1900.
ROBERT FREDERICK HALL,
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.