Improvements in connection with Electric Fuses and Switches.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Electric Fuses and Switches.
We, ALBERT ESSINGER, of 19 Clifton Hill St. John's Wood in the County of
Middlesex, Merchant, and THOMAS HARDEN, of 5 Rosslyn Villas Delamere Road,
Wimbledon in the County of Surrey, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to the fuses and switches employed in
high tension circuits the object of the present invention being to prevent or reduce
to a minimum the chance of sparking or forming an arc when the fuse is burnt or
the current switched off.
To this end it is according to the present invention proposed to cause the fuse
plug or the switch post to turn by spring action the moment the fuse is burnt or
switch moved to cut off the current.
It is judged that a convenient method of carrying out the invention will be to
enclose the fuse plugs or switch post in marble, vulcanite or other insulating boxes
provided with small openings for the wire fuse or switch to enter, such fuse plug
or switch post being held from turning under spring action by the fuse wire or
switch contact as the case may be.
If the fuse wire be burnt at any one point the part of the insulating box through
which the wire passed will be turned so as to present an insulated surface toward
the former line of circuit and sparking or the forming of an arc will be prevented
while if the switch be moved to cut off the current the switch post will in like
manner instantly turn withdrawing one contact point and presenting an insulated
surface toward the former line of circuit.
Dated this 0th day of March 1894
Improvements in connection with Electric Fuses and Switches.
We, ALBERT ESSINGER, of 19 Clifton Hill, St. John's Wood, in the County
of Middlesex, Merchant, and THOMAS HARDEN of 5 Rosslyn Villas, Delamere
Road, Wimbledon in the County of Surrey, 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 more particularly to the fuses and switches employed in
high tension circuits the object of the present invention being to prevent or reduce
to a minimum the chance of sparking or forming an arc when the fuse is burnt or
the current switched off.

page_text: To this end it is according to the present invention proposed to cause the fuse
plug or the switch post to turn by spring action the moment the fuse is burnt or
switch moved to cut off the current.
In order that the arrangement may be clearly understood reference is made
to the accompanying drawings which form part of this Specification and in
which
Fig. 1 represents in side sectional elevation a form of switch said switch being
shown in its open position.
Fig. 2 being a plan view of same on line -
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of fuse posts and
Fig. 4 is a plan view of same, on line x-x Fig. 3.
In the form of switch illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the base pieces a a and the
box containing the switch post c are made of marble, vulcanite or other insulating
material as is also the handle and other parts not intended for the transmission of
the current when the switch is closed.
The switch post c is shown as being provided with contact arms d d and when
box b is turned by hand or by cord f (secured thereto) against the action of spring g
until the opening in box 6 is opposite to switch arm e the latter may by handle h
be pushed between contact arms d d and will be there held by action of spring g
against the slight action of spring which is only intended to hold switch bar e
back when the switch is open. When bar e is withdrawn from contact arms d d to
cut off the current, box is instantly turned by action of spring g until stop j
comes in contact with post k so that all chance of an arc being established is
prevented and a surface of non-conducting material is presented toward the
former line of current. A cord and weight may be substituted for spring g if
desired.
Practically the same arrangement is applied to one or both of the fuse posts as
illustrated, in Figs. 3 and 4 except that the boxes are turned until openings d' d'
are opposite to each other and they may be then temporarily held by pawls 7 until
the fuse mi has been wound upon plugs o which fit into posts after which the
pawls are taken out of engagement.
If fuse.m be then burnt the boxes b will
instantly turn until stops come in contact with posts k and as with the switch all
chance of the formation of an arc will be avoided. In many cases a single box or
turret will be sufficient for all practical purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
1st. In electric fuses and switches a box or turret adapted to turn when the
switch is opened or the fuse burnt, substantially as set forth.
2nd. In an electric switch the combination with the switch bar of box or turret
of insulating material but provided with an opening on one side for the admission
of said bar, a switch post carried in said box or turret and means for causing
said box or turret to turn when the switch bar is withdrawn substantially as set
forth.
3rd. In electric fuses the combination with the fuse of one or more boxes or
turrets of insulating material but provided with openings for the fuse, means for
securing said fuse in the boxes or turrets and means for causing said boxes to turn
when the fuse is burnt or broken substantially as set forth.
Dated this 8th day of January 1895.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicants.