Improvements in Electric Lighting and Switches therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1893-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Lighting and Switches therefor.
I, FREDERICK ADOLF THUM, of 99 Passaic Avenue, Newark, County of
Essex and State of New Jersey, U.S.A., Electrician, 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 relates to certain new and useful improvements in switches for
electric light systems, and also to the method of connecting said switches with said
lights and with the source of electricity.
The object of the present invention is to interpose in the circuits of two or more
series of electric lights, a switch, whereby the lights of one series may be connected
or disconnected with the source of electricity, while the other remains in circuit;
or the lights of the different series may be so connected, that they burn with full or
diminished candle power without the use of resistance coils or apparatus.
The invention consists in the improved switch, its connection with the source of
electricity and with the lights, and also in the arrangement and combination of the
various parts, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully described and finally
embodied in the clauses of the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in each of the several figures.
Fig. 1 is a diagramatic view, illustrating the switch connected with two series
of lights; the switch being in a position in which all the lights are burning;
Fig. 2 is a similar diagramatic view, illustrating the switch in a position, in
which only one series of lights is burning, whilst the other series is switched off;
Fig. 3 illustrates in a diagramatic view the switch connected to four series of
lights, three of said series burning whilst the fourth series is disconnected;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the switch, the switch block being
removed and turned over;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the switch, the switch block being in position, and
Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line - of Fig. 4.
In said drawings (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) A represents the switch, consisting of a base
plate o provided at each end with an upwardly extending portion p, adapted to serve
as bearings for the shaft or axle q. On the latter are fulcrumed the end pieces s of
the switch block, which preferably is made semi-circular. The base plate and its
upwardly extending projections and also the switch block are made out of rubber,
porcelain or any suitable insulating material. On the base plate o are secured
parallel metal strips a, b, c and d, the two adjoining corners of each set being bent
upwards (alternately), and are adapted to form contact surfaces as clearly shown
at e, cand e in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.
At the under side of the switch block rare secured pointed or conical shaped
contact plates e, h and i, adapted to be thrown into engagement with the contact
surfaces c², c¹ and e³ respectively, as will be hereinafter more fully described.
On the inner side of one of the extensions p is arranged a spring plate v, provided
with three corrugations, adapted to receive alternately the projecting knob w
secured to the outside of the plates of switch block r.
Between the projecting portion p and the side plates at the opposite end of the
switch is interposed a spring u, adapted to press the switch block over and thus
keep the knob w in one of the corrugations of the spring plate v.
A knob t or any other suitable handle is secured to about the center of the
switch block.
In Fiøs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. I have shown my improved switch connected

page_text: with two series of lights. One series of lights, fis arranged on the wires b' and bª,
which latter are connected with the metal plates c and a respectively.
The other series, 9, is arranged on the wires 6 and 64, connected with the metal
plates d and respectively.
The position of the switch in Fig. 1. is such, that the contact plate e rests between
the contact surfaces (c²) of the plates b and c.
The current passes through both series of lights fand 9, which are connected,
according to the position of the switch indicated in Fig. 1-in series multiple, and
are therefore burning with diminished candle power.
When the switch is turned over, that is to say, to a position, like the one shown
in Fig. 3, the two series of lights f and g (Fig. 1) are connected in multiple arc,
and all lights are burning with full candle power.
In the diagram, shown in Fig. 2, one series of lights is switched off, (the contact
plate h rests between the contact surfaces of the plates a and b), whilst the other
series is connected in multiple arc and is burning with full candle power.
In the diagramatic view, illustrated in Fig. 3, the switch A is connected with
four series of lights f¹, g', m, and n through wires a³, a', a³, a and m¹, m², n', n², in
the following manner:
The lights, are connected by wires a² and a¹ to the metal strips a and C ; the
lights g through wires a³ and at to the metal strips d and b; the lights m
through m', m with the strips b and d, and the lights n through wires n¹ n² with
the strips e and a.
On the lines m¹ and n² are arranged switches M and N respectively. When the
switches M and N are closed and the contact plates and in engagement with
their respective contact surfaces, formed by the plates a and b, and c and d, the
four series of lights are connected in multiple arc, and the lights will burn with
full candle power.
When the switch A is turned, so as to make connection with the plates b and c
(a position corresponding to the one shown in Fig. 1), the four series of lights are
connected in multiple series, and the power of all the lights is equal to the square
root of the total candle power.
When one of the series m or n is switched off (by means of the switches M
and N), the power of all the lights is equal to V* C³.
From the foregoing description, it can be seen, that by simply changing the
contacts between the plates a, b, c and d, the candle power in the various series
can be increased or decreased, without the interposing of resistance coils or
apparatus.
The switch block r, when moved to its respective position is held there by the
knob w, engaging one of the corrugations of the spring plate v, and is controlled in
its lateral motion by the spring u, as will be manifest.
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. The combination with two or more series of lights, of a switch consisting of
a base plate, four substantially parallel metal strips on said base plate and provided
at opposite ends with upwardly extending contact surfaces, a segmental shaped switch
block pivotally arranged above and at right angles to the said metal strips and
provided with three contact points adapted to alternately engage the contact
surfaces of the metal strips, and connections between said metal strips and the
series of lights, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In a switch, the combination with the base plate, of four substantially parallel
metal strips arranged on said base plate and provided at opposite ends with
upwardly extending portions adapted to form contact surfaces, a segmental shaped
switch block pivotally arranged above and at right angles to the said metal strips
provided with three contact points, adapted to alternately engage the contact

page_text: surfaces of the metal strips, and means for controlling said switch block in its
various positions, substantially as described.
3. In a switch, the combination for applying the same to two separate circuits or
two sets of lamps, to send an electric current serieslike from one circuit into the
other, and to send the same current directly either through one or through both
circuits, or to interrupt the current altogether, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of June 1893.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicant.