Improvements in Cut-outs, applicable both in the Case of Fuses and of Switches.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 6th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cut-outs, applicable both in the Case of Fuses and
of Switches.
I, JOHN WILLIAM MANLEY, of 181, Wightman Road, Harringay, in the County
of Middlesex, 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 that type of cut-out in which the metallic strip is
affixed to a part detachable from the base, and constituting a handle of insulating
material. Such metallic strip is generally attached at its two ends to tongues
or pins of brass or other suitable conducting material adapted to fit into clips or
sockets in the base of the cut-out.
In such cut-outs the insulating material of which the handle is formed sur-
rounds or covers the metallic strip so that it is not easy to ascertain the .con-
Thus for instance it
dition of the said metallic strip when acting as a fuse.
cannot be ascertained whether or not the fuse has blown owing to excess of
current without removing it or the handle from its normal position. This is a
disadvantage which is obviated in my invention. There is also a danger in such
cut-outs of the hand touching the terminal contacts and so receiving a shock.
In order that my invention may be readily understood I shall now proceed to
describe, by way of types or examples, certain ways in which it is to be or may
be carried into effect and for that purpose I shall refer to the accompanying
sheet of drawings in which,
Figure I is a side elevation of the movable part of a cut-out (in this case a fuse)
the handle being shown in longitudinal section.
Figure II is a front view of the same.
Figure III is an end elevation of the same.
Figure IV is a front view of the base or fixed part of a cut-out adapted to
receive the parts shown in Figures I, II and III.
Figure Vis a longitudinal section on the line V-V of Figure IV.
Figure VI is a side elevation of the movable part of a cut-out (in this case a
switch) the handle being shown in longitudinal section.
Figure VII is a view of a modified form of movable part designed to be pivot-
ally attached to a base piece.
Referring now to Figures I, II and III, 1 is the handle made of porcelain or
other suitable non-conducting material and perforated in a direction normal to
the plane of the base (when the fixed and movable parts are in their normal
position) by an aperture 2 by which means the metallic strip 3 (in this case a
fuse wire) is readily visible, and its condition ascertained at a glance. This fuse
wire is placed in a recess 4 in the handle 1. 5, 5 are metallic tongues or contact
pins firmly fixed to the handle by means of screws 6, 6 which serve also to hold
the fuse wire 3 in place, the said tongues being alapted to fit into the spring
contact clips, shown in Figures IV and V. These clips 7, 7 are fixed in
The
recesses 8. 8 in the base-plate 9 of the base or fixed part of the cut-out.
said clips instead of projecting above or being flush with the base-plate are sunk

page_text: below the surface thereof as shown in Figure V in order to diminish the risk of
touching the said clips during manipulation. On this account also the
tongues 5, 5 are made of what would otherwise be considered an abnormal length
so as to enable them to fit into the aforesaid clips. The said clips 7, 7 are
fastened at the back of the base-plate to terminals or binding screws 10, 10.
These terminals are securely fixed to the back of the base-plate and are adapted
to receive the circuit wires to which the cut-out is attached, such wires being
placed in the holes 11, 11 and held by screws 12, 12 in the well known manner.
When in normal position ready for use the handle is fitted with a fuse wire 3
and the tongues 5, 5 are held in the clips 7, 7. It is then easy to ascertain at a
glance the condition of the fuse wire and should it have blown owing to excess
of current the fact will be at once apparent.
In Figure VI is shown in section the movable part of a cut-out which differs
from that shown in Figure I merely in that it is adapted for use as a switch and
not as a fuse. In this case the metallic strip, instead of being of lead or other
fusible metal is of copper or other material suitable for carrying the necessary
current. This form of my invention is used with a base exactly as in the fuse
herein before described. To close a circuit the movable, piece is thrust into the
base so that the tongues 5, 5 engage in the clips 7,7 whilst to break the circuit
the handle is simply withdrawn.
12 is
If Figure VII is shown a modified form of the movable part of the cut-out.
The handle is extended at its lower extremity and placed on to a pivot 14, the
said pivot being securely fixed on to the corresponding base of the cut-out.
a spring bearing on one side against the base of the cut-out and on the other
against the handle so that when the said handle is pulled away from the base
the spring 12 forces the handle forward and keeps it at a distance from the base.
It will be seen that in my invention all the parts except the strip may be
used in common either for fuses or switches. When the strip is of readily fusible
metal the device may be used both as a fuse and as a switch. It will also be
seen that my invention is specially applicable in cases where a large number of
circuits are brought to a common board. Apart from the economy obtained in
such cases, should a fuse be blown the precise circuit affected can be ascertained
at a glance.
I desire it to be understood that in this specification I use the term cut-out in
its generic sense.
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
1. A new or improved cut-out substantially as set forth.
2. In a cut-out of the type specified, a handle perforated in a direction normal
to the plane of the base substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a cut-out of the type specified the combination of abnormally long tongues
and sunken contact springs substantially as set forth.
4. The specific form of cut-out set forth with reference to Figures I to V
inclusive.
5. The modified form of movable part set forth with reference to Figure VII.
Dated this 7th day of February 1899.
4
J. G. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Agent.