US1342550A - Switch-locking safety-panel - Google Patents

Description

H. F. KRANTZ. SWITCH LOCKING SAFETY PIENEL, APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, l9l6. RENEWED OCT. 25,-19l9- 1,342,550. d une 8,1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- FIG. I.

H. F. KRANTZ.

WITCH LOCKING SAFETY PANE FILED FEB. 18, 1916. RENEWED o PatentedJ 8, 1920.

SHEET 3.

3 SHE UNITED STATES PATENT orrlce.

HUBER! F. KRANTZ, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T KRANTZ MANUFAC- TUBING- COMPANY, INC., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

SWITCH-LOCKING SAFETY-PANEL.

Patented June 8, 1920.

Application filed- February 18, 1916, Serial No. 79,085. Renewed October 25, 1919. .Serial No. 333,160.

I To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HUBERT F. KRANTZ,

a citizen of the United States, and residing at Brooklyn, in the county-of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Switch-Locking Safety- Panel, of which the following specification full to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the"same by is a full disclosure.

This invention deals with safety panel boxes and it proposes certain improvements in the arrangements broadly comprehended by my co-pending applications Nos. 42,956 and 79,094; especially with respect to preventing the switch mechanism from being thrown into closed circuit position after the door to the fuse compartment has been opened, thus preventing the hands from ac cidentally contacting with live parts.

Among other objects achieved by the herein illustrated embodiment of my invention are: (a) to keep the switch mechanism locked in its dea position wheneverand at all times when the inspection door or panel is in open position; (b) to retain the switch mechanism locked in its dead position whenever the inspection door is not locked in its closed position; (a) to unlock and permit the switch mechanism to be actuated in a normal manner whenever the inspection door is lockedin its closed position; and (d) to automatically throw the switch mechanism from its'live into its dead position whenever the door latch is moved 1 into its unlocked position.

[Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part indicated in connection therewith by the following analysis of this invention.

This invention,- accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of parts, and inthe unique relationsof the a members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof; all as more completely outlined herein. To enable others skilled in the art so the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by his invention,

drawings depicting a preferred form have been annexed as a part of this disclosure,

and in such drawings like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views of which Figure 1 is a plan of a panel box embodying this invention, showing one door open. Figs. 2 and 3 are details of the door locking and switch con-trolling elements in unlocked and locked positions respectively. Fig. 4: shows the mechanism in longitudinal section with the door locked and the switch closed, while Fig. 5 shows the same with the door unlocked and the switch open. Fig. 6 is a detailed cross section of the toggle mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, A designates generally a structure in the nature of a box or other suitable inclosure which may be constructed in various ways, as for example, by means of a base board 1 of insulating material to ether'with end walls 2 and side walls 4 an 5' of insulating material. One or more partitions 3 and 6 may, if desired, be arranged within the space inclosed by these walls so as to divide the same into a gutter B for receiving the leading-in wires; the switch containing compartment 0 and the fuse containing compartment D.

The gutter B may contain the bus bars 7 8, etc., having over-head terminals 9 ex tending into the compartment C, and providing contacts for the switch blades; These parts are in turn covered by the overlying slab 10 of insulating material which may be exteriorly sheathed by a metal plate 11.

floor, 'a contact piece 12, which extends through the partition 6 and terminates within the compartment D in a spring clip .90 13 adapted to receive one end of a fuse unit. A similar clip 14 is connected with the branch line terminal 15 and receives the other end of the fuse unit. These terminals 13 and 14 typify any type of fuseplug receptacle. f

The compartment C is covered by a plate or door 16 which .may be removed for purposes of inspection by detaching the screws or their fasteners 17 and this plate preferably is also utilized. to support or carry a switch unit E conforming to the teachings of my application No. 42,956 and illustrated in detail in Fig. 6. This switch unit comprises the blade S swinging about the axis 2i and actuated by the arm 0 through the handle 69 precisely as detailed in my said co-pending case.

The toggle mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6 is such as to cause the switch blade to be forced into and locked in its closed circuit position against the contacts 9 and 12, or to permit the switch blade to snap into open circuit position by spring action.

lVhile it will be understood that any suitable type of switch mechanism may be employed wherewith to swing the switch blade S in response to the movements of the operating handle, the mechanism illustrated in the drawings includes a pair of toggle links 30 and 31 pivotally connected together, as at 32. The link 30 is mounted upon the pivot 03, while the link 31 is pivotally connected, as at 33, to the blade-carrying plate R at one side of the pivot 12. When the toggle is made the pivot 33, is, of course, moved downwardly so that the blade is swung into the position shown in Fig. 1, while when the toggle is broken, the blade stands in the off position as in Figs. 5 and 6.

The link 30 is provided with extension parts 34 and 35 for engaging against surfaces 36 and 37 respectively to determine the two positions of the toggle.

A spring 38 normally retains the blade in off position.

The inner end of the lever O is provided with spaced opposing shoulders 39 and &0 so arranged as to engage the knee of the toggle for actuating the toggle and at the same time for providing ample lost motion to enable the toggle to snap off.

A closure member in the nature of a door F is arranged so as normally to obstruct access to the compartment D which contains the fuse units and this door may be arranged to be displaced in any convenient manner, as by being hinged at 17 to a frame element of the box, and to facilitate its being displaced or opened it may be provided with a handle G. This invention also contemplates an arrangement whereby this door will be kept looked under certain switchposition conditions and, conveniently, the lock or latch features may be actuated also by the handle G. Thus, the handle Gr is shown pivoted to the door F carrying on the rear side of the door a rotatable plate 18 providing a contact surface 19 (conveniently in the form of a pin) operative to actuate a switch lock.

The plate 18 is provided with an extension 20 in the nature of a latch or hook adapted to engage with a catch member 21 so that the door F may be locked in its closed position.

This invention proposes a switch lock indicated generally by H and detailed in Fi s. 2 and 3; its purpose being to enable t e switch mechanism to be locked in its open circuit position so that it may not be closed. It is further proposed to arrange this look so that it is in turn controlled by the door look, so that the switch lock is unlocked when the door lock is locked, and conversely.

The switch lock may conveniently be contained within a casing provided by the conformation of the member 21 and it comprises a pawl or dog 22 adapted to be shifted into different positions, preferably by a pivotal movement, as around the pin 23. This pawl provides a contact surface 24 which is adapted to determine the position of a switch actu ating projector T. The relation between the surface 2 1 and the pin 23 is such as to prevent turning of the pawl 22 under actuation of the projector T, Whenever the pawl 22 is in the position shown by Fig. 2, 2'. 0., its locking position. This may be regarded as its norma position inasmuch as the pawl is urged into this position by means of a compression spring 25. Over throw is prevented by impact of the point 26 of the pawl against a part of the casing 21. According to this construction, the projector T will normally be urged andmaintained in thrs retracted position by the action of the awl 22 except when the latter is rendere inoperative by the door lock as will now be described.

When the handle G is turned so as to lock the door, the latch 20 enters the locking recess 27 in the casing 21 and the pin 19 enters the bifurcated end of the pawl 22 and by pressing against the same at the point 28 swings it into the position shown by Fig. 3 with the result that the door is locked and the switch is unlocked.

' It is of course intended that the spring 25 shall not be of suflicient strength to move the latch 20 from its locked position when the projector T is moved away from the pawl by operation of the switch while the door is locked.

WVhen the door is unlocked the pin 19, by pressing against the pawl at the point 29, assists the spring 25 in turning the pawl into the position shown by Fig. 5 with the result that the switch mechanism is thrown into its open circuit position, the pressure imparted by the operator for rotating the pawl and pressing back the projector T having been effective for breaking the tog le and allowing the blade to snap off. The door now is unlocked and may be opened and should an attempt be made to throw the switch with the door open, the projector T will impact at the point 24, but can not turn the pawl 22 owing to the dead center relation between the point 24; and the axis 23.

As numerous changes could be made in the construction without departing from the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations of elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States 1. A switch mechanism comprising a housing having a removable wall part iving access to the interior thereof, a switc having a part movable into on and 01f posi tions, a lock for the removable wall part to retain said wall part against removal, said lock having a part movable into locked and IIIIIQCkGdPOSltlOIlS, and a separately formed and independently mounted member disposed in'the path of movement of the men.- tioned part of the lock adapted when said mentioned part of the lock moves to one of its positions to be engaged by said mentioned part of the lock and having a part arranged to be moved as the result of such engagement into a position to retain the mentioned part of the switch against movement into one of its positions.

2. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, an obstruction member, means urging the obstruction member normally into a position to obstruct on movement oi the switch blade, a displaceable closure-member for said opening, a lock for said closure member, and means whereby to displace said obstruction member when said closure member is closed and locked.

3. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening th'ereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, an obstruction member normally positioned to obstruct on. movement of the switch blade, a displaceable closure member for said opening, a latch device for the closure member having a part movable into position for latching the closure member against opening movement, and said obstruction member having a part dis osed in the path of movement of sa1d .mova le part 7 of the latch device whereby to displace'the obstruction member when the latchdevice is in latching position.

4. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, an obstruction member, a pivotal support ,for the obstruction member, resilient means urging the obstruction member into dead-center position relative to a moving part of the switch mechanism to thereb ob' struct on movement of the switch b ade,

9. displaceable closure member for said opening, a lock for said closure member, and means whereby to displace said obstruction member from its dead-center position when.

said closure member is closed and locked.

5. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, an obstruction member, a pivotal support for the obstruction member, resilient means urging the obstruction member into dead-center position relative to a'moving part of the switch mechanism to thereby obstruct on movement ofthe switch blade, a displaceable closure member for said opening, a lock for said closure member, means whereby to displace said obstruction member from its dead-center position when said closure member is closed and locked, and means whereby to insure return movement of the obstruction member to its dead-center position upon unlocking movement of thelock.

6. A switchmechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, a closure member for said opening, a latch device for said closure member, a housing having an opening thereinto, means within said housing operable to determine the operation of the switch mechanism, and said latch device having a part disposed to move into and out of said housing for operating the mechanism therein.

7. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, means for operating the switch blade, 1

a displaceable closure member for said opening, an obstruction member of a character to retain the switch blade oif when said closure member is displaced, and means operable independently of the switch operating means to dis lace said obstruction member only when sa1d closure member is in closing a blade, means for operating the switch blade,

a displaceable closure member for said opening, an obstruction member of a character to retain the switch blade oi? when said closure member is displaced, and a lock for the closure member operable independently of the switch operating means and being of a character to render said obstruction member non-obstructing while the closure member is locked.

10. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, means for operating the switch blade, a displaceable closure member for said opening, an obstruction member of a character to retain the switch blade off when said closure member is displaced, a lock for the closure member comprising a part adapted for operating said obstruction member, and said part being carried by and movable with the closure member and being arranged to be moved into position for operating upon the obstruction member by movement of the closure member into closing position.

11. A'switch mechanism combining a cas ing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, control means for the switch blade, a closure member for said opening, means operable to obstruct theoperation of the switch mechanism, and an independently formed lock device for said closure member having a part arranged for operating said last mentioned means.

12. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch .blade, a displaceable closure member for said opening, an element operable to displace the closure member, a part movable by said element to lock the closure member against displacement, connections between said part and said switch blade whereby to constitute an auxiliary control means for the switch blade, and said connections including means to retain the switch blade in open-circuit position while said closure member is unlocked.

13. A switch mechanism combining a cas ing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, a displaceable closure member for said opening, auxiliary control means for the switch blade, comprising a part of a character to retain the switch blade in opencircuit position when said closure member is in one of its positions, and means whereby the effectiveness of the auxiliary control means is determined by the position of the closure member.

14. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a displaceable closure member for said opening, a latch for said closure member, a switch blade, an operating element for the switch blade operable to move the switch blade into on and ofl' positions, said switch blade and said operating element being arranged 'within the casing and mounted independently of said closure member, a control memfor the operating element extendlng exteriorly of the casing, and means in com.- bination requiring first that the closure member be closed and latched whenever the switch blade is on, and second that the switch blade be off during the time while the closure member is displaced, and said means being of a character such that the closure member will remain closed and latched during on and 01f movement of the switch blade and when the switch blade is off.

15. In a switch mechanism comprising a casing having an opening thereinto, a displaceable closure for said opening, a switch movable into on and off positions, said switch being arranged within the easing and mounted independently of the closure member, and. a control. member for the switch extending exteriorly ot' the easing, the combination therewith of a latch device for the closure member comprising one part carried by the casing and a separate part connected with the closure member, the part carried by the casing having a tendency normally to retain the switch held off when the switch has been moved to off position, the part connected with the closure member being movable by the closure member into and out of a position separated from the part carried by the easing, and being adapted to engage the part carried by the casing to retain the same against its normal tendency so that the switch is left free to move into on and oil? positions when the closure member is closed, and said two parts being cooperative to require that the closure member be closed during all. on movements of the switch and to retain the closure member latched during on and oft movements of the switch, said latch device being also of a character to releasably retain the closure member closed when the switch is H. Off.

16. In a switch mechanism comprising a casing having an opening thereinto, a dis placeable closure member for said opening, a switch movable into on and ofi positions, said switch being arranged within the casing and mounted independently of the closure member, and a control member for the switch extending exteriorly ot' the easing, the combination therewith of a latch device for the closure member including means cooperative with the switch to require that the closure member be closed to latching position during all on move ments of the switch and whenever the switch is on and to retain the closure member latched during on and oil movements of the switch, said latch device being also of a character to releasably retain the closure member closed when the switch is (4 Off.

17. In a switch mechanism comprising a the switch to require that the closure mem-' ber be closed to latching position during all on movements of the switch and .whenever the switch is on, said latch device having as a part thereof an obstruction member operable to obstruct on movement of the switch, said latch device having as another part thereof a member adapted to interengage with the obstruction member for retaining the closure member closed when the switch is on, and a barrier within the casing opposing access to said obstruction member through said opening when said closure member is displaced.

18. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for theswitcli blade, an obstruction member, means urging the obstruction member normally into a position to obstruct on movement of the switch blade, a displaceable closure member for said opening, means dependent upon a closed position of said closure member adapted to displace the obstruction member, said last means being independent of said manual control means, and said obstruction member being at the same time of a character to interengage with said last means for retaining the closure member closed when the switch is on.

19. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, an obstruction member, a pivotal support for the obstruction member, resilient means to swing the obstruction member about its pivot so as to dispose a part'thereof for obstructing on movement of the switch, a displaceable closure memberfor said opening, and means dependent upon a closed position of said closure member adapted to swing said part of the obstruction member out of obstructing position, said last means being independent of said manual control means, and said obstruction member being at thesame time of a character to interengage with said last means for retaining the closure member closed when the switch is on.

20. A safety panel box having two compartments therein, a switch and switch contacts in one compartment and a fuse in the other compartment, the panel box having two openings thereinto one for each compartment and including two movable members mounted and movable independently of each other one for closing one of said openings and the other for closing the remaining opening, interlock mechanism cooperative between the switch and one of said movable members for preventing movement of the last mentioned movable member out of closed position while the switch is in engagement with its contacts, and means for operating the switch, the arrangement being I such that the switch is inoperable to engage its contacts while the movable member of either of said openings is out of closed position.

21. A safety switch box having two compartments therein, a switch in one compartment and a fuse in the other, each of said compartments having an opening thereinto, two separate closure members one for each opening, said closure members being mounted independently of each other, and means controlled by the switch for preventing opening of the movable member of the fuse compartment so long as the switch is closed, said switch being arranged to be precluded from closing so long as the movable member of the switch compartment is open.

22. A safety switchbox having two compartments therein, a switch in one compartment and a fuse in the other, each of said compartments having an opening thereinto, two separate closure members one for each opening, said closure members being mounted independently of each other, said switch being arranged to be precludedfrom closing so long as the movable closure member of the switch compartment is open.

23. In a safety switch device, a box havingan opening thereinto, a door movable into and out of position closing said opening, switch mechanism within the box, a manually operable operating handle for the switch mechanism projecting exteriorly of the box operable to move the switch into on and off positions, and means in combination' providing interengagement between the door and the switch mechanism and being operable upon the switch mechanism independently of manual operation of said operating handle requiring first that the door be in closed position prior to full on movement of the switch, second, that the door cannot be opened while the switch is in full on position, and third, that the operation of opening the door will move the switch to off position.

24:. In a safety switch device, a box having an opening thereinto, a door movable into and out ofposition closing said opening, switch mechanism within the box, a manually operable operating handle for the switch mechanism projecting exteriorly of the box operable to move the switch into on and off positions, and means in combination providing interengagement between the door and the switch mechanism and being operable upon the switch mechanism independently of manual operation of said operating handle requiring first that the door he in closed position prior to full on movement of the switch, second, that the door cannot be opened while the switch is in full on position, and third, that the.switch must be moved out of the on position prior to full open movement of the door.

25. A safety switch having two compartments therein, a switch in one compartment and a fuse in the other compartment, a cover capable of being opened for giving access into one of said compartments, a door movable independently of the cover for giving access to the other compartment, and interlock mechanism between said door and said switch operable when both said cover and said door are closed to enable on movement of the switch and being of a character to preclude the switch from being moved into circuit closing position while either said cover or said door is open.

26. A switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a switch blade, manual control means for the switch blade, means to obstruct on movement of the switch blade, a displaceable closure membeer for said opening, means depending upon a closed position of the closure member adapted to displace the switch obstructing member out of obstructing position, said last means being independent of said manual control means for the switch blade, and said switch obstructing member being at the same time of a character to interengage with said last means for retaining the closure member closed when the switch is on.

27. In a switch mechanism combining a casing having an opening thereinto, a displaceable closure member for said opening, a switch blade and operating means for the switch blade operable to move the switch blade into on and off positions, said switch blade and said operating means being arranged within the casing and mounted independently of the closure member, a control member for the operating means extending exteriorly of the casing, and means in combination requiring first that the closure member be closed and latched whenever the switch blade is on, and second, that the switch blade be cit during the time when the closure member is displaced, said means being of a character such that the closure member will remain closed and latched during on and off movements of the switch blade, and said means comprising a part movably supported by the casing and a second part carried by the closure member, the part carried by the closure member being adapted to engage the part carried by the casing for moving the part carried by the caslng.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name, as attested by the two subscribing witnesses.

HUBERT F. KRANTZ.

Witnesses:

LEON MINTZ, B. COOKE.

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