Improvements in Electrical Switches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st Oct., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Switches.
GUSTAV BINSWANGER of 71 Queen Victoria Street London E.C. Electrical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of apparatus for quickly opening
and closing electric circuits. In order to make the nature of this invention clear
will describe several forms of construction, they being, however, only modifications of
the same invention.
In one form a lever moving on a centre is supported on a suitably shaped frame
(preferably of metal) the said frame being secured on to a base of suitable insulating
material. The lever has at or near its centre of motion on its upper side two teeth or
suitably shaped projections, which gear with one or more teeth forming part of
another lever, this lever being pivoted in such a manner as to allow of the teeth
gearing together loosely. The second lever being suitably shaped serves as an
actuating device or handle. On the lower part of the first (or contact) lever directly
under its centre of motion is a cam either formed out of the same piece as the lever,
or suitably attached to it, triangular in form. A strong flat spring suitably curved at
one end and fastened at the other either to the base or to a convenient part of the
frame presses against the cam in such a way as to tend to keep the cam on one side
or other of the centre of oscillation. On the base is also fixed one or more contact
pieces in connection with a suitable terminal or terminals. If one contact piece is
preferred then a terminal is attached to the frame. When preferred one tooth only
may be formed on the contact lever and two on the actuating lever. Instead of the
two levers moving in separate centres, if preferred they may both move in one, in
which case pins would take the place of the teeth or projections. Also the actuating
device or handle may be provided with two pushes, one for making, the other for
breaking the contact. In another form a triangular cam is fixed or formed upon the
upper part of the contact lever so that its apex is over the centre of motion,
constituting two inclined planes. An actuating bar is arranged to slide пр and down
above this centre and is also free to move sufficiently in a horizontal direction either
in front of, or behind the contact lever. A pin is suitably placed on the bar as to
slide on either one side or the other of the cam when the bar is depressed A spiral
or other spring is so placed as to serve to bring back the bar to its normal position.
Having described the construction of the improved forms of switch 1 will describe
its action.
When the actuating lever in the first form is moved in one direction, the tooth (or
teeth) gearing with the teeth (or tooth) of contact lever causes this lever to rock on
its centre, or when the levers turn on the same axis, the pins on actuating lever
communicate its motion to the contact lever, at the same time the cam on the lower
part of lever slides on the convex curve of the spring compressing it and after the
point of cam has passed the "dead centre" the force thus stored up in the spring is
exerted suddenly upon the lever (through the cam) throwing it firmly into contact
with the contact piece or pieces (sufficient "backlash" in the gearing allowing the
forward motion being continued by the force of the spring) and keeping it there
independently of the friction of the contart. The contact pieces being in connection
with the circuit by means of the terminals the circuit is of course closed. It will
readily be seen that by moving the actuating lever in the other direction the process
is repeated, but in the opposite direction the stored energy of the spring being
brought into action, causing the "break" to be sudden and so opening the circuit
with the minimum sparking. It will be understood also that the functions of the
actuating lever and teeth gearing can be performed by a lever with two pushes.
In the second case when the actuating bar is moved downwards the pin meeting

page_text: one of the inclined sides of the upper cam causes the bar and pin to slide sideways as
well as downwards until the pin is a suitable distance from the centre of the contact
lever and the downward motion of the bar being continued the lower cam and spring
throw the contact lever over in one direction. When the bar is again depressed the
pin slides on the other side of the upper cam and the action is repeated but in the
other direction.
DU 101L
1200
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Switches.
GUSTAV BINSWANGER of 71 Queen Victoria Street London E.C. 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 an improved construction of apparatus for quickly opening
and closing electrical circuits. In order to make the nature of this invention clear I
will describe several forms of construction, they being, however, only modifications of
the same invention.
Referring to the drawings one form is shown in Figures 1. 2. 3 being front
elevation, plan and side elevation respectively. In this form a lever A moves on a
centre and is supported on a suitably shaped frame B (preferably of metal) the said
frame being mounted on a base C of suitable insulating material; the lever has at or
near its centre of motion on its upper side two teeth or suitably shaped projections D
and D¹ which gear with a tooth E forming part of another lever F. this lever being
pivoted in such a manner as to allow of the teeth D. D' and E. gearing together
loosely. The other part of the lever F. being suitably shaped serves as an actuating
device or handle. On the lower part of the lever A. is a triangular shaped cam G.
A strong flat spring H. being suitably curved at one end and fastened at the other
end to the frame B. presses against the cam G. in such a manner as to tend to keep
the cam on one side or other of the centre of its oscillation. On the base C. are also
fixed contact pieces I. I' in connection with suitable terminals. When preferred one
tooth only may be formed on the lever A. in which case two would be formed on the
lever F. Instead of the levers A. and F. moving on separate centres they may hoth
move on one as shown in Fig. 4. in which the arms J. J' pressing on one side or the
other of the centre of lever A. serve to take the place of the teeth D. D¹ and E.
(Fig. 3). When the actuating lever F. (Figs. 1. 2. 3) is moved in one direction
tooth E. gearing with the teeth D and D' causes the lever A. to rock on its centre (or
when the lever F. in Fig. 4 turns on its axis the arms J or J¹ communicate motion to
lever A.) at the same time cam G. (Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4) slides on the convex curve of the
spring H. compressing it and after the point of the cam G. has passed the dead centre
the force stored up in the spring is exerted suddenly upon lever A. through the
cam G. throwing it firmly into contact with contact pieces I. 1'. Being in connection
with the current by means of the terminals the circuit is closed. It will be readily
seen that by moving the lever F. in the other direction the process is repeated but in
the opposite direction the stored energy of the spring being brought into action
causing the break to be sudden and so opening the circuit with the minimum
sparking.
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 :-
The construction of the electric lighting switch in its several forms substantially as
described and with reference to the drawings.
Dated this Tenth day of January 1891.