Improvements in Electric Switches.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 11th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
I VITTORIO GIOVANNI LIRONI of Walnut Tree House, Leytonstone, Essex,
Electrician do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Upon a suitable base, are mounted one or more segments of brass, or other
suitable metal of a curved wedge-like section, so that they will have a slightly
inclined surface. A brass arm is provided for connecting the segment or segments,
and is mounted on a pivot in the centre of the base. The arm is held down by
means of a suitable spring fixed to or contained within the base, and when leaving
any of the segments will be drawn down and break the circuit instantaneously.
Dated this 11th day of November 1891.
VITTORIO GIOVANNI LIKONI.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
I VITTORIO GIOVANNI LIRONI of Walnut Tree House Leytonstone, Essex
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:―
My invention has reference to improvements in electric switches. For the better
explanation of my invention, I refer to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a front view of my electric switch.
Figure 2 is a front view of a modification of the same.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of the central ring or piece i Figs. 2 & 3.
Like letters designate like parts throughout the several views.
I carry my invention into operation as follows. Upon a suitable base a Figs. 1, 2, 3,
are mounted one or more segments of brass or other suitable metal b, & Figures 1, 2, 3
which segments may be of wedge like section as shown in Figure 1, or of the section
shown in Figures 2 & 3. An arm or brush c Figs. 1, 2, 3 of brass or other suitable
metal is provided for connecting the segments b, b, and through said arm, a pin d
Figs. 1, 2, 3 passes, and also through the centre of the base a Figs. 1, 2, 3.
The arm or brush c is held down by means of a suitable spring e Figure 3 fixed to
or contained within the base a. The pin, d, is actuated by means of a lever handle
or other suitable appliance f, Figures 1, 2, 3 which actuates the arm or brush, c.
When said arm or brush leaves either of the segments it is forced down by means
of the spring, e, Fig. 3 and breaks the circuit instantaneously. To make the
contact the lever handle f is operated until the brush rests on the segments b b.
In Figure 2 the segments b, & are not of wedgelike section, and the arm or
brush c which is fixed rigidly to the pin, is furnished with pins 9, g, to which small
rollers or wheels h, h may, or may not be attached. These rollers travel on the
central ring or piece i Fig. 2 which is circular in form, and modelled as shown.
When the lever handle is turned the rollers or wheels roll on the inclined parts jj
of the central ring or piece, i, and after passing these parts, are suddenly brought
down by means of the spring, e, Fig. 3, and bring with them the arm or brush c
down upon the segments b, b so making instantaneous contact.
To break the contact the arm or brush c is further revolved (by means of the
pin, d,) until it leaves the segments b, b, whereupon the pins g, g and rollers or
wheels hh attached thereto are pulled down by the spring, e, and the wheels roll

page_text: into the notches k, k in the central ring or piece i, instantaneously breaking the
contact.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1--In electric switches, the combination and arrangement of parts herein
particularly specified, whereby the vertical movement herein before mentioned is
caused, as and for the purpose of making and breaking the electrical contact.
2-In electric switches, the central ring or piece modelled as herein described,
and illustrated in the drawing as and for the purposes herein mentioned.
3-In electric switches the use and application of pins and rollers connected with
the arm or brush substantially, as and for the purposes herein specified.
Dated this 11th day of August 1892.
VITTORIO GIOVANNI LIRONI.