Improvements in Switches used for Electrical Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st N.v., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches used for Electrical Purposes.
I, CHARLES LAURENCE BAKER of Cadby Hall Works Hammersmith Road, W.
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a switch in connection with electric
lighting and similar purposes, which shall be simple in construction of low cost,
small liability to derangement, yet reliable in action, and further specially applicable
for attachment to gas barrel or the like, where such may be used to supplement
electric lighting or other purposes, and casily fitted to wood casing or the like, when
required.
In carrying out my said invention, I use a base piece of porcelain, vulcanized-fibre
or other convenient material, preferably rectangular in plan, and having a circular
recess at or near the centre with a channel cut away towards one end. This channel
of rectangular or other convenient section is fitted with two copper, brass, phosphor-
bronze or other suitable metal contact pieces preferably of a hard "springy
nature.
"
The contact pieces are blanked out or otherwise formed of "L" or other convenient
shape, and lie one on either side of the channel, one leg of a contact piece lying
along a side of the channel, and the other leg of the contact piece (if "L" shape be
used) standing up at right angles, and having its extremity turned over to lie upon
the top of the base piece aforesaid, this portion or other convenient part is pierced
and fitted with a screw or similar attachment capable of holding it in its place, and
admitting of the attachment of the "lead," or admitting of the use of supplementary
terminals, screws or the like for this or similar purposes.
Now these contact pieces, being held firmly at the one extremity are quite free at the
other, having the enlarged space, produced by the circular recess, to work in; they
are set slightly towards each other and embrace the square or otherwise conveniently
shaped foot of the switch handle, which is fitted with metal cheeks, studs, pins, or the
like in such manner, that, when the handle is in one position metallic contact between
the two contact pieces is established, and in another, this connection is broken and
the circuit remains open; the "springy" contact pieces holding the handle always in
definite "off" or "on" positions.
The foot is, by preference, extended in a cylindrical form below the level of the
bottom of the circular recess; and works in a circular hole made in the base piece to
receive it, a shoulder is turned in the circular recess, so that a corresponding flange on
the handle portion revolves thereon, and when the cover is attached, prevents the
handle from being withdrawn.
The underside of the base piece is grooved or otherwise formed to readily admit
of attachment by a saddle or other convenient means to the gas barrel, or its
equivalent.
The base piece being square ended requires no troublesome fitting where
butting against a square surface, and may be easily mounted or
otherwise
attached to casing or the like, the whole forming an exceedingly handy and
satisfactory article.
1
T _ 1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches used for Electrical Purposes.
I, CHARLES LAURENCE BAKER of Cadby Hall Works, Hammersmith Road W.
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 :-
The object of this invention is to produce a switch for use in connection with
electric lighting and similar purposes, which shall be simple in construction, of low
cost, small liability to derangement, yet reliable in action; and further, specially
applicable for attachment to gas barrel or the like, where such may be used to
supplement electric lighting or other purposes and easily fitted to wood casing or the
like, when required.
The better to illustrate my meaning, reference is made to the drawings annexed,
in which
Fig. 1 is a plan.
Fig 2 an end elevation.
Fig. 3 plan (cover and handle removed).
Fig. 4. a contact piece.
Fig. 5. handle with cover.
Fig. 6. inverted plan of switch.
Fig. 7. inverted plan of handle.
In carrying out my said invention, I use a base piece, A in Figs. 1-2-3-6, of
porcelain, vulcanized fibre, or other convenient material, preferably, rectangular in
plan, and having a circular recess, B in Fig. 3, at or near the centre with a channel, C
in Fig. 3, cut away towards one end. This channel of rectangular, or other con-
venient section, Fig. 2, is fitted with two copper, brass, phosphor-bronze, or other
suitable metal contact pieces, preferably, of a hard "springy" nature, shown at
Fig. 3.
22
The contact pieces, D in Fig. 3 are "blanked out," or otherwise formed of "L
or other convenient shape, see Fig. 4, the dotted line showing where bent over, and
they lie one on either side of the channel, C in Fig. 3, one leg of a contact piece
lying along a side of the channel, and the other leg of a contact piece, (if the
L" shape be used,) standing up at right angles, and having its extremity turned
over to lie upon the top of the base piece aforesaid, see O Fig. 2, this portion or other
convenient part is pierced and fitted with a screw, E in Figs. 1. 2. 3. or similar
attachment capable of holding it in place, and admitting of the attachment of the
"lead," or admitting of the use of supplementary terminals, screws or the like, for
this or similar purposes.
"2
Now these contact pieces, being firmly held at the one extremity, are quite free at
the other, having the enlarged space produced by the circular recess, B in Fig. 3, to
work in, they are set slightly towards each other, and embrace the square, F in Fig. 5,
or otherwise conveniently shaped foot of the switch handle which is fitted with metal
cheeks, G, studs, pins, or the like, in such manner that; when the handle is in one
position, metallic contact between the two contact pieces is established, and in another,
this connection is broken, and the circuit remains open; the "springy
" contact
pieces holding the handle always in definite " on or "off" positions. The foot is by
preference extended in a cylindrical form, H, below the level of the bottom of the
circular recess, and works in a circular hole, I in Fig. 3, made in the base piece to
receive it; a shoulder, J in Fig. 3, is turned in the circular recess so that a corre-
sponding flange, K in Fig. 5, on the handle portion revolves thereon, and when the
cover attached, prevents the handle being withdrawn. The underside of the base
piece, A in Fig. 2, is grooved or otherwise formed to readily admit of attachment by
a saddle, L in Fig. 6, or other convenient means to the gas barrel, M in Fig. 6, or
its equivalent as shown in the inverted plan Fig. 6. The base piece being square-
ended requires no troublesome fitting where butting against a straight surface, and

page_text: may be easily mounted upon, or, otherwise attached to casing and the like :—
The whole forming an exceedingly handy and satisfactory article.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The construction or combination of the parts of a switch, as, and for the
purpose indicated, substantially as described and illustrated.
Second. The construction or combination of the parts of a switch, whereby the
fastenings and attachments of the integral parts are mainly effected from the face,
and not the underside, and removal or examination thereby facilitated substantially
as shown.
Third. The construction or combination of the parts of a switch whereby the cover
holds down the handle and forms one bearing for it, whilst a cylindrical projection
thereon, working in a corresponding opening in the base piece, forms another: the
necessity for a special spindle and other attachments being thereby obviated sub-
stantially as shown.
Dated this 24th day of Contamban 1000
CHAS. L. BAKER.