An Improved Electric Switch.
Year: 1899

page_text: An Improved Electric Switch.
REGINALD JAMES HOUGHTON, Sunnyside, Hough Green, near Widnes, Lan-
cashire, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved electrical switch which is par-
ticularly adapted for use with heavy currents such as those employed in electro-
lytical processes. In its essential form the improved switch consists of a divided
metallic base plate the two portions of which are arranged close together in the
One of these portions
same plane but which are insulated from each other."
is formed or provided with a stud or screwed projection upon which is placed a
When the nut is screwed down it comes
correspondingly screwed metallic nut.
into contact with both portions of the base and establishes contact between
them when it is unscrewed it leaves the base and breaks the circuit.
The accompanying drawings illustrate one form of the improved switch,
Figure 1 showing it in plan: Figure 2 representing it in elevation; and Figure 3
showing it in cross section along the line ab, Figure 1.
As illustrated, the switch provided with a metallic base divided into two
portions D and E separated and insulated from each other by the space G.
Positive cables or wires are attached to one part of the base by the sockets or
terminals, P, P, and negative cables are attached to the other portion by sockets
or terminals N, N. One portion of the base E is furnished with a stud or
screwed projection F, with which the metallic nut C is engaged. When the
nut is screwed down hard its face comes into contact with the faces of the two
portions of the base and connects them together. When the nut is unscrewed
it leaves the faces of the base and opens the circuit. Figure 3 shows the nut
in this latter position, K indicating the space between the nut and the faces
of the base when the circuit is broken. H is a handle fitted to the nut C and
by means of which rotary motion may be imparted.
JJ are the screws or bolts by means of which the two portions of the base
are secured to a switch board or the like.
Dated this 14th day of October 1899.
W. E. HEYS & SUN.
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 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 a new or improved electrical switch which is par-
ticularly adapted for use with heavy currents such as those employed in electro-
lytical processes. Its object is to produce a switch which shall be simple and
cheap in construction, efficient and durable in use, and in which sparking is
reduced to a minimum.
1,
A switch constructed according to these improvements consists of a metallic
base divided in two portions, the two portions being close together but insu-
lated from each other, and arranged with their upper faces in the same plane.
One part of the base is furnished or formed with a screwed projecting boss or
stud, upon which is placed a correspondingly screwed nut. The nut and the
stud upon which it is. placed are so disposed and arranged that when the nut
is screwed down its face comes into contact with the upper faces of both
portions of the base and connects them together. When the nut is unscrewed
the contact is broken.
The drawings filed with my Provisional Specification and to which I will
hereinafter refer illustrate, one form of switch constructed according to this
invention.
Figure 1 illustrates the switch in plan.
Figure 2 shows it in edge elevation.
Figure 3 is a representation of a cross section along the line a-b of Figure 1.
As will be seen the switch is provided with a metallic base divided into two
portions D and E, which are arranged close together in the same plane but
are insulated from each other. The insulation may be effected by means of
the air gap G alone, or the space between the two portions of the base may
be filled with any suitable insulating material. Positive cables or wires are
attached to one part as D by means of the sockets or terminals P, and negative
cables or wires to the other part by means of the terminals N.
One portion of the base E is formed with a screwed boss or stud F upon which
is placed the nut C, the axis of the stud F being perpendicular to the surface
of the base. It is evident, therefore, that when the nut C is screwed right down
it will come into contact with the faces of both parts D and E of the base and
will connect them together. When the nut is unscrewed it leaves the faces of
the base and thus opens the circuit. As the nut bears upon the base with
practically all its face, and as each point comes into or breaks contact with
the base simultaneously, it follows that there will be very little sparking. The
nut makes additional contact with the part E by means of the stud F.
In Figure 3 the nut is shown in its
66
open" position, K indicating the space
between the nut and the faces of the divided base.
His a handle, counterweighted if desired, by means of which the nut may
he rotated or partially rotated to close or open the circuit. In the form shown
the handle is moved a quarter turn from left to right to close the circuit.
stop may be provided to support the handle in its open position.
A
Instead of the handle shown, the nut may be formed with two or more
handles by means of which it may be rotated to any desired extent, or instead
of having a handle or handles, the nut may be hexagonally or similarly formed,
or may be furnished with "tommy" holes, or be otherwise adapted to engage
with a suitable key.
J, J, are screws or bolts by means of which the base is secured to a foundation
or switch board.
In a modified form of switch the stud F does not form part of one of the por-
tions of the base. It projects between them, insulated from both, so that when the
nut is in the "open" position, it is in contact with neither of the parts of the
base. In a still further modification the stud does not pass between the portions
of the base but is carried by some external part, as for example, by a bridge
piece extending over the switch, the stud projecting inwards towards the base.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. An electrical switch, consisting of a base divided into two parts, a stud
or screw, and a nut fitted upon the screw and adapted to be screwed down upon
and to come into contact with the faces of the parts of the base, all constructed
and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and, as illustrated by the
drawings
2. An electrical switch constructed and operating substantially as herein-
before described and as illustrated by the drawings.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.