Improved Apparatus for Showing whether an Electrical Switch or Contact Maker is On or Off.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Showing whether an Electrical Switch or
Contact Maker is On or Off.
I, FRANK GEERE HOWARD of 36 Cleveland Street Fitzroy Square London W..
Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I affix to the tap or handle that actuates the cross-bar of the switch or contact
maker a piece of card, ivory or other snitable material with the words "On" and
"Off" or other signs painted or marked thereon and 1 attach it to such part of
the tap or handle that one of such words or signs shall show immediately under
an aperture which I cut in the cap of the switch or contact maker when the switch.
or contact maker is respectively either on or off.
Dated this 30th day of Mauch 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Showing whether an Electrical Switch or
Contact Maker is On or Off.
1, FRANK GEERE HOWARD of 36 Cleveland Street, Fitzroy Square, London, 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 :—
My invention, which has for object the more readily showing whother an electrical
switch or contact maker is either on or off, whilst the mechanism of the switch
is protected alike from dust and dirt and from being tampered with, is applicable to.
such switches or contact makers as are actuated by a handle or tap working through a
cover or cap over the mechanism of the switch or contact maker.
I affix to the tap or handle (A, in the drawings) that actuates the cross bar (B).
of the switch a piece of card ivory or other suitable material with the words "On"
and "Off" or other suitable signs painted or otherwise distinctively marked thereon.
In cases where the tap or handle is made of a material which can be cast moulded or
carved (e.g. metal, earthenware or wood) the tap or handle may preferably (as this
avoids the chances of a detachable index-part moving out of its place) be cast.
moulded or carved so that a portion of the same material as that of which it is made
(and rigidly connected with it) shall form a thin plato (C) round part of the tap or
handle (A). In or near the angles formed by the sides and the outside edge of
this plate furtliest from the handle or tap 1 paint or otherwise distinctively mark
the words "On" and "Off" (or other appropriate signs) respectively.
The tap or handle must then be so adjusted with regard to the cross bar (B) of
the switch or contact maker that either the word "On" or the word "Off," as the
case may be, shall show immediately under an aperture or perforation (D), which I
cut in the cap or cover (E) of the switch, when the switch or contact maker is in
fact respectively either
"off."
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Alternatively (though this is not a desirable form) the cover may be made to
screw over the switch or contact maker so that, when in its place, the aperture cut
in it as above mentioned shall expose the word "On" or the word "Off," as the case
may be, when the switch or contact maker is in fact respectively oither turned ".
or off."
on
"
For more effectually excluding dust or dirt from the mechanism of the switch, the
aperture which I cut in the cover of the switch may be filled with glass or other
suitable transparent material.

page_text: In the forms of sudden break switches now commonly used, the method (applicable
to ordinary, as distinguished from sudden break, switches) of connecting an index
plate to the tap or handle as above described is sometimes inconvenient, if not
impossible. In such cases I affix a bent piece (a in Fig. IV) to the cross bar. This
piece is bent in order to move freely over the screws connecting the various parts of
tho switch. This bent piece carries an index plato (¹), of the shape shown in the
drawings (Fig. V.), on which the words "On" and "Off" are marked as shown. The
object of affixing the index plate to the cross bar in the case of sudden break switches
is to prevent the index being moved except when the switch is altered.
In the drawings like letters represent like parts. Fig. I is a plan of an ordinary
switch (shown at "Off"). Fig. II is a side elevation of the same. Fig. III
represents the switch looked at from abovo, with the cap on, and the index showing
(through the aperture in the cap) the switch to be 'on.' Fig. IV. is a side elevation
of a sudden break switch with the index plate on the cross bar, and Fig. V shows the
form of index plate applicable in the latter case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The construction and use of an index affixed to the tap or handle of an electrical
switch or contact maker in manner substantially as above described.
2. The construction and use in combination of an index attached to the tap or
handle of an electrical switch or contact maker and a cover having an aperture cut
therein for the purpose and in the manner substantially as above described.
3. The use with an electrical switch of a cover having an aperture cut therein for
the purpose and in the manner above described in combination with an index for the
purpose above described affixed to any suitable part of the switch.
Dated the 14th day of December 1889.
T. GEERE HOWARD.