Improvements in or in connection with Electric Switch Apparatus and Electric Wire Binding Posts.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 29th Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Electric Switch Apparatus
and Electric Wire Binding Posts.
I, FREDERICK AUGUSTUS GILBERT, of 51, Harvard Avenue, Brookline, Norfolk
County, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, President
of the Boston Electric Light Company, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object the production of improvements in or in con-
nection with a novel electric switch of great power and simple construction, the
parts of which are completely enclosed in insulating material, the operation of
the switch being readily effected.
In the use of switches employed to cut out a light circuit, it is difficult to
provide compact and simple mechanism of sufficient power to control any large
number of lights without great danger of burning out the mechanism, but with
the apparatus embodying my invention, I am enabled to control a large number of
lights with perfect safety.
The apparatus is so arranged that the working parts are completely enclosed in a
casing of insulating material, the means for operating the switch being so constructed
as to move quickly, and with no possibility of derangement from careless or ignorant
handling.
The circuit controller, or movable member of the switch is so arranged that
electrical connection is established in one circuit before it is broken in the other
circuit, the movement of the circuit controller to cut out one circuit being instan-
taneous and always following the establishment of complete electrical connection with
the other circuit, thus avoiding sparking even with powerful currents.
Various other fentures of my invention will be hereinafter described in the
specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of an electric switch or cut out embodying my
invention, the cover of the insulating casing being omitted.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof on the line x-x, Fig. 1, looking to the right,
with the cover shown in section.
Fig. 3, in side elevation, represents the working parts of the switch in operative
position with one circuit cut out.
Fig. 4, is a similar view, the parts however, being shown in intermediate position,
just about to cut out one of the circuits.
Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of the actuator in mid position, detached.
Fig. 6 is a detail of the device for imparting initial movement to the actuator.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the bearing for said operating device.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the members of the circuit controller.
detached.
Fig. 9, in end elevation, shows the support for the circuit controller, the members
of the latter being shown one in section and one in end elevation.

page_text: Fig. 10 is an end elevation of one of the line terminals and its attached binding
post.
Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view thereof, and
Fig. 12 is a left hand side elevation of the indicator and its support, showing the
stops for limiting the movement of said indicator in either direction.
The apparatus is herein shown as mounted on and enclosed in a casing of insulating
material, preferably porcelain, consisting of a base A, a cylindrical wall A', and a
removable dome-like cover A2, the latter having an opening A³ therein, preferably
closed with a sheet of glass A* or other suitable transparent material, the wall A¹
having hollow bosses or hubs 1, 2, 3, 4, for the admission of the line terminals.
As herein shown the main line terminals M, M¹, enter the bosses 1, 4, while the
terminals L, L', of the light or other circuit enter the bosses 2, 3, respectively.
Within the casing and suitably secured thereto are located the fixed line terminal
members M*, M¹*; and L*, L* the two latter adjacent the bosses 2, 3, and as all
of said terminals are of like construction only one will be described in detail.
A bent spring / has secured to the upturned ends thereof metallic contact plates
outwardly bent at their upper ends, see Fig. 10, and at their lower ends loosely
entering notches in a separating plate 12, provided with holes 5 by which it may be
screwed to the base A, said separator resting on the bottom of the spring b, holding it
in position.
A second similarly bent spring 1x bears at 13 against the upper ends of the spring 1,
aiding the latter in yieldingly pressing the upper ends of the contact plates 11 towards
each other, as shown in Fig. 10.
I have shown the terminal members L*, LI*, as attached directly to their binding
posts, the latter consisting of metal blocks 14 having a hole 15 extended therethrough,
Fig. 11, for the bared end of the wire, and two binding screws 16 and 17 are provided.
The screw is adapted to enter and bear squarely upon the wire when inserted in
the hole 15, as is usual, but the screw is offset from the longitudinal axis of said
hole, so that it will cut more or less into the side of the wire, clamping it thus
between the side of the screw and the opposite side of the hole.
I prefer to use the offset screw whenever the size of the line wire will permit, but
if the latter is too small the centre binding screw is used, bearing directly upon
the wire and holding it in place.
The block has a lateral foot on which the separator 12 of the terminal
member is supported, the screws attaching the latter to the casing holding the
binding post in place, the reduced end of the block entering its adjacent hub
in the casing.
The fixed terminals M*, M¹*, are in construction substantially as described, but in
this instance of my invention, they are electrically connected by a metal bar or
wire mx, Fig. 1, and located opposite to the terminals L*, L₁*, but not in alignment
therewith, the main line circuit being completed through the connection m* when
the auxiliary circuit is cut out.
The base A of the casing is elevated, as at As, Figs. 1 and 2, between the two pairs
of terminals, and at each side thereof are mounted the movable switch members or
circuit controllers, one for each oppositely located pair of fixed terminal members.
A casting b, Fig. 9, having a line wire receiving hole 6 see dotted lines, and binding
screws 66, 67, located relatively thereto as heretofore described is provided with a
lateral base b¹ having upturned ears 62, three in number, and the casting is secured
to the base of the casing, with the hole 6 preferably in line with the opening of one
or other of the bosses 1 or 2, to receive the line wire led therethrough.
On a pin or stud 6x passing through the ears 62 are pivotally mounted the two like,
but oppositely extended members or parts c and d of the circuit controller, one
of which is shewn separately in Fig. 8.
Said members are preferably made as flat blades, slightly bevelled at their under
edges near their outer ends, as at 12, to assist their entrance between the yielding
contact plates of the terminal members, said blades being fulcrumed near their
inner ends.

page_text: Each member is shaped at its upper edge to present a cam surface, having
depressions 14 and 16, separated by a high portion 15, all at one side of the fulcrum,
while at the opposite side thereof the blade is extended to form a toe 17, having
a shoulder 18 on its underside.
•
The centre ear 62 separates the two members c and d, and to prevent rattling and
also effect a thorough electrical connection between said members, I interpose
metal spring washers w between each member and the two ears at the sides
thereof.
As the two blade-like members of the circuit controller are thus out of
alignment the cooperating terminals are correspondingly placed, the path of
movement of each member passing between the contact plates of its fixed
terminal.
When the members are in engagement with their terminals M³ and M¹ the
current passes from line by binding post b to blade or member d, terminal M*,
connection m³ to terminal M, thence by its co-operating blade d, and its binding
post b to line.
When members care in engagement with their terminals L, L, the current
passes from line M to binding post b, blade c and terminal L to circuit at L, and
back from L¹ to terminal L, blade or member c, post b to main line at M³, it being
supposed, as will be described, that when the two members c are in engagement with
their terminals, the members & will be disengaged from their respective terminals,
and vice versa.
In the double pole switch herein illustrated, the two circuit controllers, each com-
prising two independently movable members c, d, are operated in unison by a suitable
actuator now to be described.
The partition As has secured thereto, resting on its top, a stand or support f,
attaching screws f*, see Fig. 2, passed up from the underside of the casing, entering
the stand, said screws being thus enclosed in the insulating material of the
casing.
Upturned ears at substantially the centre of and at each side of the support f
provide bearings for the journals h of the actuator, said journals being shown as screws
threaded into the sides of the casting forming the actuator, and pivotally supporting
it. I have herein shown the said casting as comprising parallel sides h¹, rigidly
connected by a cross piece h2, provided on opposite sides with pairs of lugs h³, in which
are mounted preferably auti-friction rolls h, in parallelism with but eccentric to the
axis or fulcrum of the actuator.
On their outer faces, and at or near the ends, the sides are enlarged to form
bosses, through which are extended headed studs hº, see Fig. 5, shouldered at 20 to
bear against the bosses, and held in place by nuts n on the threaded extremities of
the studs.
I have preferably rotatably mounted on each stud a roll or spool h* of suitable
insulating material, such as rubber, porcelain, etcetera, said rolls moving in circular
arcs having the fulcrum h of the actuator as their common centre, when said actuator
is rocked, the rolls hx extending beyond the partition As and the actuator support f.
The support is depressed between its ends to leave abutments and upright
lugs in which transverse pins f are held, and two oppositely bent controlling
springs 8 and 8 are held at their ends between the pins f, and the abutments f² as
clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
The spring 8 passes over the uppermost friction roll h of the actuator and the
spring beneath the other roll, the springs pressing in opposite directions upon
the rolls and tending to retain the actuator at one or the other side of its centre.
When the actuator is moved from the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to the
position shown in Fig. 4, the springs are expanded, and the instant the actuator has
passed dead centre, the springs act to throw or snap it quickly to the full limit of its
throw in the opposite direction, and vice versa, as will be readily understood.
The rolls h reduce friction and also reduce to a minimum the possibility of the
actuator stopping on center.

page_text: Referring now to Fig. 3, one of the insulating rolls or spools 6* is shown as within
the depression 14 of the circuit controller member c, and in engagement with the
latter, maintaining it locked in contact with the cooperating fixed terminal L*, while
said roll also engages the toe 17.of the member d at the same side of the common
fulcrum b✶ of said members.
The member d is thus maintained elevated and out of contact with its cooperating
terminal member M*, the shoulder 18 limiting movement of the parts, the shoulder
bearing against the fixed base b¹, while the second roll h* is in the depression 16 of
said member d.
By means of the insulating rolls or spools * the actuator is effectually insulated
from the circuit-controller as no other portion of the actuator is in contact with said
controller.
Supposing the actuator to be rocked in the direction of arrow 25, Fig. 3, the
uppermost or operating roll h* is depressed, carrying with it the member & the
other or follower roll * rising from the toe 17 of said member, and when
the actuator is on centre the operating roll will have moved over the high portion 15
of member d, depressing the latter until it has effected a complete electrical contact
with the terininal member M*.
At the same time the operating roll will be just about to enter the depression 14
of member and engage the toe 17 of member .c, the follower roll having assumed
a position above the path of movement of the high portion 15 of the latter member..
The springs 8, s¹, then act to snap. the actuator over, the operating roll h* delivers
a hammer-like blow upon the toe of member c instantly throwing that member, up
into inoperative position and effecting instantaneous disengagement from the
terminal member L*, so that the parts will be in a position just the reverse of that
shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
It will be remembered that the two rolls .* on the opposite side of the actuator
have been operating in a similar manner, so that the members c and d of the other
circuit controller have been moved relatively to their fixed terminal members M¹*
and L*, the described operation cutting out the light or auxiliary circuit, a reverse
movement of the actuator cutting it into the main circuit.
The bosses h³ on one of the side pieces h' of the actuator are oppositely bevelled,
as at 21, Figs. 2 and 5, to be engaged by one or other of the lateral extensions ki
on a crank arın k within the casing and secured to a rock shaft *, having bearings
at 2, 3, in a casting K, shown separately in Fig. embedded in the top of the
wall A¹, an operating arm. K² being secured to the rock shaft * outside of the
casing.
Said arın or handle K2 is preferably provided with an eye K³ at its free erd, to be
engaged by a pole having a suitable hook thereon, the switch or cut-out usually being
secured to the wall out of ordinary reach.
The distance between the ends of the lateral extensions is less than the distance
between the bevelled portions 21 of the bosses on the actuator, affording lost
inotion and permitting the springs to snap the actuator over when past dead centre,
the rock shaft * being in alignment with the fulcrum of the actuator,
To operate the switch the arm 2 is manually swung, rocking the shaft to bring
one of the extensions ¹ into engagement with the adjacent boss, continued
movement of the arm or handle rocking the actuator, the initial movement of which
is thus manually effected.
Such initial movement of the actuator effects complete engagement of one of the
members of each circuit-controller with its fixed terminal, unlocking the other
member, and when the actuator is past dead centre its movement is completed by the
springs, its final movement instantly disengaging the unlocked members from their
terminal members and locking the other members in operative position.
The operative member of the circuit-controller is always locked in position,
preventing accidental disconnection, and the inoperative member is positively held
inoperative, until the position of the actuator is positively reversed.
A sector t above the actuator is pivotally mounted at t' on a bracket t*, and has

page_text: secured to it a curved plate t2 with the words "On," "Off" delineated thereon, or
words of like import, the plate being located below the sight opening A³ of the
cover A².
2
Radial ribs 3 on the sector are in the path of movement of a pin h¹0 on one of the
side pieces h of the actuator, so that when the latter is rocked the pin will engage
one or other of said ribs and correspondingly throw the sector, moving the plate or
indicator 2 to indicate the condition of the switch and circuits controlled thereby.
If desired stops on the sector may cooperate with a lug to on the bracket t*, to
retain the indicator in position until thrown by the actuator.
Though I have herein shown a double pole switch, my invention is not restricted
thereto, as it will be obvious that it is equally adapted to a single pole switch, nor is
my invention restricted to the precise construction and arrangement herein shown
and described, as various changes in construction and arrangement may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.
By the construction herein before set forth it will be obvious that the switch can
be operated even should the spring break which snaps the actuator, for the full
movement of the latter manually will actuate the members of the circuit controller
precisely as has been described, but without the sudden snap or jump imparted by
the spring.
This is an important feature of my invention, for with snap switches, as commonly
constructed, the spring is an absolute necessity to operation, and if the spring
breaks the switch becomes absolutely worthless.
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. The use, in or in connection with an electric switch apparatus provided with
fixed terminal members, of a cooperating two. part member, the mechanically
unconnected parts of which are electrically connected and independently movable,
and an actuator for said two-part member, substantially as set forth.
2. The use, in or in connection with an electric switch apparatus provided with fixed
terminal members, of a cooperating circuit controller comprising two independently
movable members in electrical connection, and an actuator to engage said members
successively and positively move one after the other to effect complete engagement of
one with its terminal before disengagement of the other member from its terminal
substantially as set forth.
3. The use in or in connection with an electric switch having fixed terminal
members, of a cooperating circuit controller comprising two independently movable
members, an actuator therefor, adapted to have a rolling contact with and to move
one after another of said members, to effect complete engagement of one with its
terminal before disengagement of the other member with its terminal, and a spring
to effect rapid final movement of both the actuator and circuit-controller substantially
as set forth.
4. The use in or in connection with an electric switch having fixed terminal
members, of a normally locked cooperating circuit controller comprising two
independently movable members, an actuator manually operated to effect its initial
movement, to unlock said members and effect complete engagement of one with its
terminal by such initial movement, and a spring to complete the movement of the
actuator, to lock said first member and cause the actuator to engage and move and
thereby effect quick disengagement of the other member from its terminal,
substantially as set forth.
5. The use, in or in connection with an electric switch having fixed terminal
members, of a cooperating two-part circuit controller the parts of which are
mechanically disconnected and independently movable, and means to move said parts
positively at different speeds, to effect complete engagement of one with its terminal
before effecting disengagement of the other with its terminal, substantially as set
forth.

page_text: 6. The use,
in or in connection with an electric switch, of fixed terminal members,
a cooperating circuit closer comprising two independently movable members having
a common fulcrum and provided each with a cam surface, and an independently
mounted actuator provided with insulated rolls, to engage said cam surfaces succes-
sively and effect the movement of one of said members into engagement with its
terminal and to thereafter disengage the other member from its terminal,
substantially as set forth.
7. The use, in or in connection with an electric switch, of a circuit controller
comprising two pivotally mounted, independently movable members, each having a
cam surface at one side of its fulcrum and a toe at the other side, and a rocking
actuator for said controller, having two insulated rolls, movement of said actuator in
either direction causing engagement of a roll with the cam surface of one member,
to move it gradually into operative position, and to thereafter engage the toe of the
other member and move it into inoperative position, substantially as set forth.
8. The use, in or in connection with an electric switch, of a two part circuit con-
troller, the independently movable parts thereof having a common fulcrum and being
electrically connected, a stop to limit the movement of each member in one direction,
and an actuator to operate said circuit controller, each member thereof having a
locking recess, to cooperate with and be held in operative position by the actuator,
substantially as set forth.
9. A binding post for electric wires, having an opening therein for the wire, an
offset binding screw to act upon one side of the wire, and a second binder to bear
directly upon the top of the wire.
Dated the on day of December
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.