Improvement in Electric Switches.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1892
COMTEIN FUIFICATION.
Improvement in Electric Switches.
We, WILLIAM HENRY WESTON and GEORGE WASHINGTON WESTONx, both
of 830, Filbert Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, United States of America 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 consists of an electric switch constructed of two pairs of metal
clips, each pair forming a circuit-terminal, and an inverted U-shaped blade, whose
ends are adapted to enter between said clips, respectively, completing the circuit
through a fusible connection on the end of one of the terminals, said blade being
carried by a spring which is attached at one end to an operating-lever, and adapted
to be engaged at the opposite end by a lip or projection on said lever, whereby the
circuit may be broken, as will be hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure
invention.
represents a perspective view of an electric switch embodying this
Figure 2 represents a side elevation thereof.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.
A designates a base, to which are secured the plates B, C, D, the plates B being
formed with eyes E for attachment of the circuit-wires, and the plates C, D being
connected by a fusible wire F. Rising from each of the plates B, D, is a pair of
clips G, forining the circuit-terminals, and with the same is adapted to engage the
inverted U-shaped blade H, each of whose limbs enter, respectively, the members
of a pair of the clips G, as most clearly shown in Figure 1.
J designates a spring, formed of a flat plate of steel or other suitable material,
one end of which carries the blade H, and the other end is secured to the lever K
near the pivotal end thereof, said lever being mounted on the standard L which
rises from the base A.
Depending from the lever K, and formed or otherwise secured thereto at the end
opposite to the axis thereof, is a shoulder, lip, or projection M, which is so disposed
as to occupy a position beneath the free end of the spring J, or end which carries
the blade. Interposed between the top of the blade and the underside of the lever
is a cushion N, which receives the impact of the blade when thrown up, thus
preventing noise and battering of parts.
The operation is as follows:-
When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1, the circuit is closed or
complete, owing to the projection of the limbs of the blade H into the elips G and
contact therewith. When it is desired to break the circuit, the handle of the lever K
is raised, whereby the lip M is advanced toward the end of the spring J, thus
raising the latter and imparting tension thereto, as the blade, owing to its friction
with the clips, resists the rising motion. The resistance of the blade is, however,
overcome as power on the lever continues to be exerted, whereby as the tension of
the spring increases, the blade quickly or suddenly leaves the clips, and thus the
circuit is broken, the ascent of the lever having been finally assisted by the action
of the spring. It is evident that the lever may be lowered, whereby the limbs of
the blade enter between the clips thus again closing or completing the circuit.
Owing to the fusible connection F, should the current become excessive, said
connection will be destroyed or "blown out" thus breaking the circuit.

page_text: 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 :-
First. In an electric switch, the combination of two pairs of metal clips, each
pair forming a circuit-terminal and an inverted U-shaped blade whose ends are
adapted to enter said clips, respectively completing an electric circuit through a
fusible connection on the supporting-plate of one terminal, and the holder of one
of the circuit wires, said blade being connected with a spring which is secured at
one end to an operating-lever, and adapted at the other end to be engaged by a
shoulder on said lever, substantially as described.
Second. In an electric switch, a flat spring or spring-plate carrying a blade of
inverted U-shape and secured at one end to a lever, the latter being provided with
a depending lip which is adapted to engage with the free end of said spring, thus
creating tension on the spring and raising the same from clips with which the blade
contacts, thus breaking the circuit substantially as described.
Third. In an electric switch, a lever mounted at one end on a suitable base,
a flat spring connected with said lever near the axis thereof, and carrying at the
other end an inverted U-shaped blade, and clips on the base with which said blade
engages, thus closing the electric circuit, said lever having a depending lip which is
adapted to engage with the free end of the spring after being partially raised, thus
creating tension on the spring and causing the elevation of the blade, and
consequently the quick breaking of the circuit, substantially as described.
Fourth. An electric switch having a spring, one end of which is connected with
a lever, and the other end carries a blade and is adapted to be engaged by a lip or
projection on said lever, in combination with a cushion interposed between said.
blade and lever, substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of March 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.