Multiple Fuse Block and Switch.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 23rd Jan., 1897
Multiple Fuse Block and Switch.
EDWIN HEBER MONTGOMERY, Engineer and MATHIAS THOMMES, Engineer,
both of St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, U.S.A. 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 to improvements in fuse blocks and switches, its object
being to provide a combined multiple fuse block and switch adapted to be placed,
one in cach loop or local circuit so as to dispense with the necessity of other fuse
blocks in the system, and at the same time furnish an efficient switch.
To this end the invention consists in the improved features of construction
hereinafter particularly described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification;
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved fuse block and switch, partly broken
away to show the interior construction;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, the rotatable plug being partially broken
away;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base, showing the annular contact ring and spring
contact;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the rotatable plug showing the series of fuses;
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same, and;
Figs. 6 and 7 are details of the handle spindle.
In the drawings 2 represents the base, preferably circular in form, having a
central opening 3 to receive the spindle 4 which carries the handle 5. Arranged
in the center of the base and surrounding the hole 3 is the annular contact ring 6,
to which the line wire 7 is connected. Near the outer edge of the base is arranged
the upwardly inclined curved flat spring 8, connected similarly to the line wire 9.
10 is the fuse block having on its under face the annular ring 11 adapted to bear
upon the ring 6 when in normal position. This is secured upon the base as shown
in Fig. 1 by means of the spindle 4 and the spring 12, a centrally slotted
opening 13 being adapted to receive the flattened portion 14 of the spindle so as to
turn with the same.
The under side of the plug near the outer edge is cut away into a series of ratchet
steps or teeth 15. Upon the face of each alternate incline is arranged the contact
strip or plate 16, the inner end of which is carried up through a slit in the
block, the end 17 being bent over upon the top of the block. Each strip 16 is
connected with the annular ring 11 by means of the fuse 18, secured to it by means
of a screw 19, the other end being bound under the head of the screw 20 which
extends downward through the block into the ring 11, the body of the fuse lying
in a groove 21, upon the face of the block.
.In operation, the wires 7 and 9 running to the source of supply 22 and properly
attached to the contact ring 6 and the spring contact 8, with the block 10 in the
position shown in Fig. 1, in which the spring 8 bears upon one of the strips or
plates 16, the circuit is closed through the switch. If now it is desired to break
the circuit, the handle is turned to carry the block forward one step, breaking
the contact between the spring 8 and the contact strip 16, the spring engaging the
next step or notch in the block which is insulated by the material of the block

page_text: from the contact ring 11, and by turning the block one step further the circuit is
again closed but through another contact and fuse. It will thus be seen that in
the operation of the switch the circuit is broken at one point only; that is at the
spring 8, the annular rings being constantly in contact. If a fuse is blown out, in
order to close the circuit again it is necessary simply to turn the block two steps
forward and bring a second fuse into connection, thereby closing the circuit, it
being thus possible to close the circuit as many times as there are fuses without
supplying the place of those burned out.
One of the advantages in the use of my improved device is that there is but
one break made in the local circuit or branch line, where ordinarily there are two,
one for the switch and the other for the fuse block. Another advantage is that in
case a fuse is blown out so as to extinguish the lights in a loop or local circuit, it is
not necessary to have the fuse replaced by an electrician, but simply to turn the
-switch out and cut another fuse in.
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 :
1. In a multiple fuse block and switch, the combination of the base, the annular
ring at the center thereof connected to one terminal, the spring contact at one
edge connected to the other terminal, the rotary block fitted to said base, its
annular ring bearing upon the first named annular ring, the ratchet steps or
teeth adapted to be engaged by the spring contact, the series of contact strips upon
the inclines of alternate teeth, and the fuses severally connecting said strips with
the annular ring upon said block.
2. In a multiple fuse block and switch, the combination with the fixed and rotary
parts, of their constantly bearing contacts, the contact upon the fixed part being
connected to one of the line terminals, the contact spring also upon the fixed part
connected to the other line terminal, the circumferentially arranged notches or
sockets upon said rotary part, the series of contacts arranged in the alternate
notches or sockets, and adapted to be engaged by said contact spring, and the
fuses severally connecting said circumferentially arranged contacts with the
constantly bearing contacts.
3. In a multiple fuse block and switch, the combination with the base and the
rotary block fitted thereto, of the constantly bearing contacts arranged respectively
upon said base and block, the contact upon said base being connected to one of the
line terminals, the teeth arranged upon said rotary block, the series of contact
strips upon alternate teeth, the fuses connecting said strips with said constantly
bearing contact upon said block, and the contact arranged upon said base and
connected to the other line terminal, and adapted to successively engage said
contact strips in the rotation of the block.
D
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.