US1636347A - Lighting-system switch - Google Patents

Description

July -19, 1927.

w. w. WOODROOF LIGHTING SYSTEM swxwcn Filed Nov. 1'9. 192s oll b Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM WQWOODROOF, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

LIGHTING-SYSTEM swrron.

Application filed November 19, 1925.' Serial No. 70,149.

This invention relates vto lighting and signaling systems for automobiles and other like vehicles and more especially the invention has relation to a multiple position switch for such a system together with the wiring connections. r

One important object of the invention is to improve the general construction of devices of this character. Y

A second object of the invention is to provide a novel rotary switch of improved construction and peculiarly adapted for the control of a multiplicity of lighting circuits.

With the above and other objects in view as will'be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a sectional View through a switch constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a movable contact plate used herewith.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of acertain fixed contact plate. I

Figure 4 is a top View of the last mentioned plate.

Figure 5 is a typical wiring diagram for use with this switch.

This switch is provided with a container shell 10 having a threaded neck 11 so that it may be screwed into position on a suitable support. Located within the shell is a circular plate 12 of insulating material and this plate is fixed within the shell by screws 13. There are eight contact points on this plate and these contact points are as follows. There is a central contact point 14: which is connected to the main lighting lead 15, concentric with this point is a pair of contacts 16 of arcuate form and these are the horn button contacts, being arcuate to maintain the horn circuit ready for closing no matter what the position of the switch is with reference to the lights. One of these contacts is connected by a wire 17 with horn 18 while the other is left blank for other connections if desired. Next there are a series of five arcuately disposed contacts arranged around on the plate 12 adjacent its I the automobile.

periphery. Central of these is contact number 20 which is connected by a wire '21 to the bright light circuit of the headlights H.

Oneach side of this is a contact 22 connected by a wire 23 to the dim headlight circuit. At the left end there is a contact 24.-

which pass contact studs 30 extending from a metal body 31 mounted in an insulating button 32 havinga flanged inner end 33 I fitting within the shell 10, a'collar 34 being screwed on the shell to hold the button in position. Thus by rotating the button the plate 28 can be rotated. On the plate 28 is a centrally disposed contact 35 connected by a bus 36 with a contact 37 so positioned as to sweep over the contacts 22, 24 and 26. This central contact 35 is in the form of a stud which seats in the hollow contact 14 and thus forms an axis on which the plate 28 revolves. At 38 are dummy stops which merely support the surface of plate 12 so as to give a three point support for the plate 28 and prevent tilting of the same. Centrally of the block 31 and the plate 28 are recesses to receive a spring 39 which normally holds the contact 30 out of engagen'ient with the contacts 16, but which can yield so that when the button 32 is pushed in the horn circuit is closed. This spring is kept from contact with the contact 35 by a washer 39' of insulating material. It will now be seen that with this switch a circuit such as is shown in Figure 5 can be readily operated because by rotating the switch in one direction or the other either bright, dim, right or left hand signals may be shown, while at the same time in any one of these positions pushing the button in will blow the horn. It is obvious that the contact 14 should be connected to the source of supply, whether generator or battery, such source being here shown at 40 as the battery but of course the usual and well known automatic switch may be used to throw from the battery to the generator when the engine is running, it not being thought necessary here to disclose such a well known feature.

- is clai-me,

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kind describedand for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown andzdescribed, but is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Havin -thus described the invention, what %i as-new, is:

1. In a switch, a fixedplatehaving-a central'contact, a-pair of arcuate contacts and an-outer series of contacts adjacent its periphery; a rotatableplate havinga central contact constantly engaging the central contact of-the first plate and a contact connected to'the central contact and positioned to and electrically connected prongs engaging in said openings to rotate the second plate and move into and out of engagement with the arcuate contacts; and spring means normally holding the operating member away from the second plate.

2. In combination, a shellhaving-a fixed contact plate therein and provided with a central contact and a, series of contacts arranged in spaced relation on an are adjacent theperipbery of said plate, a rotatable plate mounted in spaced relation to said fixed plate. and. having: a central contact engaging the central contact of the fixed plate and a second contact-- electricallyconnected to its central contact and positionedto sweep overthe arcuate series ofcontacts on the fixed plate, a button having a conductive' body a nd an operating portion insulated from the body, a pair of prongs on said body, said 1 second plate having openings in which said prongs slidably engage, a-pair ofarcuate contacts on opposite SI-(16S of the central contact of the first" plate and concentric therewith,- said last contacts being itioned' for engagementby said in t e various operative positionsoft eseccnd plate, and spring means -v normally holding said 4 button away from said second plateandthe prongs; out ofengagement with the arcuate contacts.

In testimony whereof Ilatfix m signature.

WILLIAM W; WOO ROOF.

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