Improvements in Electric Switches.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1802
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
I WILSON HENRY STURGE of 17 Frederick Road, Edgbaston, in the City of
Birmingham 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 :-
This invention relates to the construction and arrangement of electrical switches,
and its object is to provide in addition to the usual quick "break" of the electrical
circuit, means, whereby a sudden "make or completion of the circuit is effected,
thus making it impossible for the operator to form an arc.
As is well known, sudden "breaks have already been effected in various ways,
but in this my invention I not only effect a sudden "break" but also make a sudden
connection.
In order to more clearly explain this invention I have appended hereunto an
illustrative sheet of drawings upon which are figures and letters of reference,
similar letters referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part.
Fig. 1, is a general view in elevation of the switch, the removable cap being
shown in dotted lines.
Fig. 2, is a detached side view of the frame in which the operating spindle &c.
is carried.
Fig. 3, is a cross sectional view of the switch on line 1-1, (see Fig. 1).
Fig. 4, is a plau view of the base and the terminal or connection plates.
Figs. 5 & 6, are detailed (enlarged) views of the notched rings, showing their
relative position in "break" and "make" of the circuit.
Figs. 7, 8, 9 & 10, are further detailed views in elevation and plan of the said
notched rings.
Figs. 11 & 12, are detailed front and side views of the operating spindle.
Fig. 13, is a detailed plan view of the contact disc with its superimposed
insulating piece.
Fig. 14, is a cross sectional view on line 2-2, (see Fig. 13).
I employ a base A, which may be of porcelain or other suitable insulating
material, upon which are mounted the two connection plates, B, B, to which the
wires C, C, are attached by terminal screws D, D, in the ordinary fashion. These
connection plates B, B, are suitably shaped for contact with a metallic connecting
disc or plate E. This disc E, is supported upon a spring F, carried in the base,
which spring tends always to raise the said disc from off the connection
plates B, B.
Upon this base A, is mounted a brass frame G, suitably formed to receive the
various operating parts.
Upon the upper side of the contact plate E, is carried an insulating piece H.
Above this insulating piece is a cylindrical ring I, having in its upper edge two
opposite notches J, J, with one side K, sloping, and the other side K', vertical,
and further having a stop pin L, projecting from its side, which engages in a
notch M, provided in the frame G, or other suitable part, which said notch permits
of vertical, but no lateral freedom to the pin L.
A spindle N, passes concentrically through the frame G, which is capable of a
rotating motion, and at the outer end of which is formed a suitable handle or
knob O. At the inner end of this spindle is a cross pin F, projecting upon each
side. Upon this spindle N, and lying between the cross pin and the interior of the
frame, is a second cylindrical ring Q, upon whose lower edge are two opposite
notches R, R, similar to those aforesaid (J, J,) and also having a sloping side S,
and a vertical side S'. At the circumference of this second ring is a stop

page_text: pin T, which also engages with the notch M, in the frame G, (or other suitable
part).
Between the upper side of this second ring Q, and the frame G, is a spring U,
sufficiently strong to overpower the other spring F, and whose tendency is to force
the upper ring Q, on to the cross pin P.
The lower end of the pin N, is made keywise in shape at V, which fits into the
recess W, in the insulating piece H, so that when the spindle is rotated, the disc E,
is rotated therewith, in order to ensure the contact surfaces being always rubbed
bright and clean.
Its action is therefore as follows:-
By turning the handle O, the cross pin P, is made to travel alternately along the
sloping and vertical sides K, K', and S, S', of the notches in both of the rings I
& Q, which said rings are prevented from rotating by the engagement of the
stop pins L, & T, with the notch M, in the frame G.
Therefore it follows, (see Fig. 6) that immediately the cross pin P, arrives at
the commencement of the vertical side S', of the notch upon the upper ring Q, a
sudden downward movement of the said ring Q, (see also Fig. 3) is made by the
release of the upper spring U, and thus a sudden contact is formed; while on the
other hand, when continuing the turning of the handle or knob O, about another
quarter of a revolution, the cross pin P, arrives at the commencement of the
vertical side K₁, of the notch of the bottom ring I, when a similar sudden
upward movement of the said ring is made by the release of the lower spring F,
and thus a sudden break is effected, opening the circuit.
In this way the sudden action is brought about both in completing the circuit,
and also in opening the same.
.
No arcing can take place, and it is impossible to interfere with the instan-
taneous character of both "make" and "break," however slowly the operator
may turn the handle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In an electric switch, the employment of a notched upper ring by which a
sudden "make" is effected after the manner shown and described.
2. In an electric switch the combination of an upper and lower notched ring,
with an operating cross pin, by which a sudden "make" and a sudden "break"
may alternately be made, after the manner shown and described.
3. The general, combination and arrangement of parts constituting an electric
switch, as herein described and shown, that is, having a sudden "make" and a
sudden "break."
Dated this 2nd day of January 1892.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.