Improvements in Fuse-blocks for Electric Circuits.
Year: 1891

page_text: Onester ark, DOSLO, Massa
Improvements in Fuse-blocks for Electric Circuits.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 my invention is to combine with an electric circuit a fuse block of
such a nature that when one fuse burns out, another already in the box may, by a
slight movement of the box, be brought into the circuit, and that this substitution
of a new fuse for a burnt one may be repeated many times.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device showing a part cut away.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same.
Figure 3 is a section showing some of the parts in detail.
The fuse-block now in common use has but a single fuse whose replacement
requires considerable time and labour and is usually done at great inconvenience,
especially when the fuse is used on electric cars and in places that are difficult of
access.
My box is so constructed that it may contain a number of fuses, and that in case
a fuse is burnt out, a partial rotation of the movable section of the box will place
another fuse in the circuit. This replacement may be repeated until all of the
fuses are burnt out. When the fuses of a box are all burnt, the fuse section or
part B may be removed, and on being refilled, can readily be replaced, or another
filled fuse section (several of which may be kept at hand) may be substituted for it
with less difficulty than one ordinary fuse wire has heretofore been inserted.
The box shown in the drawings is adapted for six fuse wires, but the said boxes
may be made for a greater number, if desired.
In the drawings, A represents the upper or fixed portion of the fuse box, which
is made of some suitable insulating material, and is intended to be permanently
attached to the wall or floor of a building or car. This part of the box receives
the ends W and W' of the severed line wires, the end W being electrically con-
nected to the metallic centre part D, by the screw H, the other end W, being
attached to the metallic circumferential post K by the screw K. The circum-
ferential post Khas attached to its inner end, a contact plate L, said plate being
held in place and electrically connected to the post. K by the screw nut L'.
The rotating section B, of the box, is also made of some suitable insulating
material and is connected to the fixed part A. by the quill part D' of the metallic
post D, (see Figures 1 and 2).
The inner face of the rotating part 13 has recesses S
other by the radial partitions E.
'
E.
S divided from each
The
In each of the recesses S. SI have a contact block N, adapted to receive
one end of a fuse wire F, which is electrically connected to it by a screw P.
inner ends of the fuse wires F. . . F are all electrically connected to the centre
post D by means of the metallic clamping discs R, R', which are in contact with
the said post D.
It will be observed that each of the fuse wires F is in a recess by itself, so that in
the event of its melting, it cannot get out of its own recess and thus by coming in
contact with another fuse wire, make an accidental closure of the circuit.
The operation of my multiple fuse box is as follows: The ends Want W1, of
the line wire being inserted and connected as described, with the fixed part A of

page_text: the box, the rotating part B being fitted with the fuse wires F... F is attached
to the quill, and post D', D, by the screw pin H. Now by turning the rotating
part into such a position that the contact plate L will rest on one of the contact
blocks N, a circuit is established through the post W of the line wire, post D,
glamping plates R and R', fuse F, contact block N,, contact plate Land circum-
ferential post K to post W of the line wire.
"
To assist in manipulation and to indicate when the rotating part of the fuse box
is in such a position as to bring the contact plate L. in contact with a contact
Block N.I form on the plate L a cup-shaped recess adapted to slip over and outside
the rounded head of the contact block N and to cling thereto, requiring considerable
force to slide it off.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a fuse block, the combination of a fixed part, having a central pivotal
post, electrically connected with one end of the severed line wire, and a circum.
ferential post connected with the other end of the said line wire, and a contact plate
electrically connected to the said circumferential post: with a rotating block having
a series of contact blocks and fuses, electrically connected, severally, with the said
central pivotal post, the said contact blocks being adapted to be brought, as desired,
into electrical connection with the circumferential post of the fixed block, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In a fuse block, the combination of the fuse block A, line wire W, W¹,
connected as described to the pivotal post D, and the circumferential post K, said
post K having a contact plate L with the rotating block B, provided with fuse
wires F, recesses S, and contact blocks N, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Dated this 26th day of May 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.