Improvements in Electric Switches.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
Improvements in Electric Switches.
We, THE EDISON AND SWAN UNITED ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY LIMITED,
of 100 Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, and PHILIP
HENRY BELL, Electrician, of 1 Normanton Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 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 the construction of an electric switch (which may be in
the form of a switch to be fixed against a wall or of a pendant switch) in such a
manner that one push of the button or stud makes and the next push breaks contact
and so on alternately.
Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings are sections on planes at right angles
to each other and
Fig. 3 is a plan with cap removed of a wall switch according to this invention in
the condition when contact is broken;
Fig. 4 is a section corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing the condition of the parts
when contact is made.
Fig. 5 is a section and Fig. 6 a plan of the switch made in pendant form.
In all the figures similar letters are employed to denote like parts.
The push button B of ivory or other insulating material is attached to a tube T
to which is fixed a cross head H having tubular parts K arranged to slide along
bolts L, the crosshead being urged upwards by springs surrounding K and L.
Within the tube T is fitted to slide an inner tube N which has a collar bearing
against the end of T and terminates in a conoid C, and is urged into T by a light
tension spring S. The electric wires W W' are connected respectively to blade
springs D D on the inner faces of which are fixed segmental pieces E E' adapted
to embrace the conoid C when it is pushed down. On the sides of the crosshead H
are fixed two spring blades A A¹. All the parts are enclosed within a casing and
cap preferably of insulating material, or in cases where conducting material is
employed, the internal parts are suitably insulated from the casing and cap.
The switch operates in the following manner.
When the parts are in the condition shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, there being an
open space between the segmental pieces E E', there is no electrical communication
between W and W₁. On pushing in the button B and tube T in opposition to the
springs, the conoid C is forced in between the segmental pieces E E' making
contact with them and thus electrically connecting W and W₁, during this
movement the blades A A¹ pass outside the blades D D¹. On releasing the
button B, it along with the tube T, the crosshead H and the blades A A' is urged
outwards by the springs, but the conoid C being grasped between the segmental
pieces E E remains in the position shewn in Fig. 4 retaining the electrical
connection.
When the button B is again pushed in, the blades A A¹ pass along the internal
slopes of D D' forcing them outwards and with them the segmental pieces E E¹;
and, thereupon, the conoid C, being released, is drawn back by the spring S
breaking the electrical connection. The button B being now released, the parts
resume the condition shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the electrical connection of the
wires W W¹ remaining broken until the button is again pushed in,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
An electric switch having a spring button by pushing in which contact is
alternately made and broken, substantially as herein described.
Dated this 26th day of September 1893.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.