Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
Y The Infectrical Specialty
Company, (Incorporated), of St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America), 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 improvements in circuit switches specially designed for
use in electric light circuits, and consists of the features, arrangements and
combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully under-
stood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an
embodiment thereof.
In this drawing,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the switch mechanism, the top of the box or receptacle
being removed.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, the casing being open to show the mechanism
within.
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuit necessary for controlling
one or more lamps from two different points. In this case two switches are
required.
Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a single switch in circuit.
Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the two parts of the rotating disk in
detail.
Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts or elements of the
mechanism in the several views, let the numeral 5 designate a casing or box
preferably composed of insulating material. In one side, 5º, of this casing, which I
will term the base, is pivoted a two part toothed disk 6. This disk is composed of
insulating material 6ª and an outer portion 6° of metal or other suitable conductor of
the electric current. This outer metallic portion is of such construction that the inner
insulating portion is partly exposed and partly covered on the edge of the disk. These
exposed parts of the disk alternate regularly with the metallic covered parts. One face
of the disk is also covered with the metallic part, this face plate being formed integral
with the contact parts overlapping the disk's edge. A metal brush 7 is secured to the
base of the casing, its free extremity being continually in contact with the face
plate of the disk. Two other brushes 8, 8, are also secured to the casing at one
extremity, while their opposite extremities engage the edge of the disk, whereby as
the disk is rotated, they alternately engage the exposed insulating parts and the
metallic contact parts comprising the edge of the disk as explained above.
The circuit wire terminals are respectively connected with the brushes 8 and 7. If
it is desired to control the light from but one point, only a single switch having
one brush 8 is necessary, while if it is desired to control the same light from
two separate points, two switches each provided with two brushes 8 are necessary.
The toothed edge of disk 6 is engaged by a dog 9 pivoted on the movable bar 10.
one extremity of which passes through the casing, which forms a support therefor.
This outer extremity terminates in a push button, while the opposite extremity is
supported and guided by a strap 12.
The dog 9 is held in engagement with the edge of the disk by a small leaf-
spring 13 having one extremity made fast to the push bar. This bar 10 carries a
projection 10 which engages a leaf-spring 14 made fast to the casing at one
extremity. The function of this spring is to return bar 10 to its normal position

page_text: after it has been thrust forward to its limit of movement, or sufficiently to turn the
disk the length of one tooth or notch on its edge.
If but one switch is employed, assuming that the brush 8 engages a contact part
of the disk's edge, the current will pass from the feed wire or conductor 15 through
the branch wire 16, binding post 17, brush 7 to the face plate of the disk, and
thence through one of the overlapping contacts of this plate to the brush 8, binding
post 18, wire 19 to the lamp 20, and thence through wire 21 to the other feed
wire 22, the circuit being closed and the lamp lighted. To put out the lamp it is
only necessary to give the disk another partial rotation by actuating the push
bar 10, when the brush 8 will engage one of the exposed insulating parts of the
disk, breaking the circuit.
When two switches are employed and the light controlled from two points, the
path of the current, assuming that the two brushes at the right in Fig. 3 are in
engagement with the contact parts of the disk's edges, will be as follows: From
feed wire 15 through branch wire 16, binding post 17, brush 7, the face plate of
the disk and brush 8, binding post 18 of one switch, then through wire 24
to binding post 18 of the other switch, and thence through brush 8, the face plate
of the disk, brush 7, post 17, wire 19, lamp 20 and wire 21 to the feed wire 22.
Now if either switch disk be given a partial rotation resulting from a single push
of the bar 10, the circuit will be broken and the lamp extinguished, since in this
case, the corresponding brushes 8 of the two switches will engage opposite parts of
the disk's edges, that is, contact and insulating parts respectively.
Now when these brushes are in these positions, if either disk of either switch be
given a partial rotation, the circuit will be again established, the current passing in
one case through wire 24 and one pair of brushes 8, while in the other case through
wire 23 and the other pair of brushes 8.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. In a circuit switch the combination of the make and break mechanism
consisting of a two-part rotating disk composed of conducting and insulating
material, and two contact brushes engaging the disk, the parts of which are so
arranged that one brush is continually in contact with the conducting material
while the other brush is alternately in contact with the conducting and insulating
parts, and a single push button or bar for operating the same, substantially as
described.
2. In a circuit switch the combination of a rotating ratchet disk composed of
insulating and conducting material, the latter consisting of a plate attached to the
insulating material in such a manner that the conducting and insulating material
are alternately exposed on that part of the disk engaged by one of the contact
brushes, two brushes, one of which alternately engages the contact plate while the
other is continuously in contact therewith, and a single push button carrying a dog
for operating said disk, substantially as described.
3. In a circuit switch the combination of a two-part rotating contact disk
composed of conducting and insulating material, three contact brushes engaging
said disk, the construction of which is such that one of the brushes is continuously
in contact with the conducting material, while the other two are alternately in
contact with the conducting and insulating parts, and a single push button or bar for
operating the disk, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th f M
1000
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.