US1912109A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

May 30, 1933;

H. L. VAN VALKENBURGV E'r AL SWITCH Filed March 3, 193,2

' :s sheets-sheet 1 MY 30, 1933. H. L. VANLVALKFTNBURG ErAL l #1, 912,109i

SWITCH Filed March 5, 1932 5 sheets-sneu 2 i su go/V06' @am I cittrmg` May 3o, 1933;

H. I.. VAN vVALKENBURG Er 'AL 1,912,109

4swITcH 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 md March 5; 1932 :Snnentons S (Ittorneg Patented May 1933 UNITED '-.sTATEs .PATENT OFFICE miroir L. vAN VALKENBURG, or wAUwA'iosA, AND GEoEGE w.v norma, or MIL- wAUxEE, WISCONSIN, AssIGNoEs 'ro soUAEE n COMPANY, or nmnorr, MICHIGAN swncn Application ma luren a, ma. 'semi m. 596,542.

lease or opening button which releases theA switch mechanism and allows 4the switch mechanism to open althou h the closing buttonmay beheld down, an to provide ajplue rality of overload devices either or both of which will trip the switch mechanism and, allow Ithe switch to fopen, such action .taking lace whether or not the closing or starter Vutton is held down at the time either or both of the Overload devices o erates, thereby adapting the switch to po yphase systems,

" such forexample as supply motors or other under predetermined conditions,"such for expolyphase loads. j

Fufther objects of this invention are to provide'a switchin which there is a trip-free mechanism provided which normally operatively connects the switch closing or starter y button and the switch mechanism,lbut which nevertheless trips free of the starter button.'

and allows the switch mechanism tov open ample as under overload, and alsofeven if both the starter button and the stopor opening button were both inadvertently held depressed, so that even in an emergenc if both1 uttons were operated, neverthe ess the switch would open. A.

Further objects are to provide an electric switch in which stationary contacts are engaged by movable contacts carried by'a movable yoke detachably operatively coupled to a start-er button, and in which an independent latch mechanism is provided for retaining the yoke in switch closed position, and to provide means which may be actuated either by ai closing button to release the latch ,mechanisms, or which may be operated by overload 'devices to release the latch mechanisms, to thereby insure the rising or opening m0- tion of the yoke independently of the starter buttonor switch closing button@v g Further objects are to provid'le ane switch whichv in specific detail -may be of the to a push button type lectric l manual starter type for small polyphase motors in which the starter button is depressed to \close the switch and remains depressed under normal conditions, 'thereby giving an indication that the switch is closed, and to assoclate with this type of mechanism a tripfree switch mechanism which though normally interlocking ith the starter button, nevertheless is detayhed either by overload conditions or by the operation of a stop button, from the starter utton, preferably two independent latch mechanisms bein provided one of which retains the yoke 1n switch closed position, and the other of which securesI the operative connection between thel starter button and the switch mechanism, so that one of the latches may operate independentlyof the other, as for instance during the closin motion of the switch, and in which the latch mechanism is so made that both latches may Ibe simultaneously released# Furtherfobjects are to provide a ush button switch in which the switch mec anism is closed by means of the switch closing or starter button, in which the switch mechanism is opened either 4by overload devices or by a stop button,'a`nd in which the stop button itself operates as a reset means for resetting the overload devices, whereby it is impossible tov close the switch through the agency 'of the starter button without first resetting the over- ,load devices by depressing the stop orl reset button.

Further objectsare to provide an electric switch of the push button type which is very compact, which is easy to construct,

which is relatively small although accom'- plishing all of the above enumerated results,

fastening devices of this type.

f Further objects are to generally improve the construction of electric switches of the above defined type and to provide a construction which may be easily made, which is cheap to manufacture, and which islwhollyreliable in operation. Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. y

An embodiment of the invention is shown 1n the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the switchil such v iew ,correspond-l ing to a section on t e line 1-.-1 of Figure 2. Figure 2 is a plan View of the switch with the cover removed and with parts in section.

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view ap-` i, that the switch comprises a body portion 1 of insulation which is carried within a metal casing 2, preferably an insulating, sheet 3 being interposed between the rear of the metal casing and the body portion. The metalrcasing is providedv with a metal cover 4 which may be locked in position by sliding j the tongue 5 of the cover beneath the tongue 6 of they casing, see Figure 1,and by snapping the other end of the casinginto position so that the spring tongue 7 lockshthe free end of the cover in place, the cover being preferably provided with. overhanging flanges 8. Q The cover is provided with a pair of apertures through which the starting or switch closing button 9 and the opening'or stop button 10 pass. If desired, an outwardly projecting flange 13 may surround both buttons.

The body portion is provided with pillows orpguide posts 14, see Figure 4, upon which an insulating yoke 15 is slidably carried, springs 16 being provided for lifting the yoke to switch open position.y

y The yoke carries the movable contactsand is provided with a plurality of rectangular slots 17 see Figures 2 and 5, -which receive the shanks 18 ofV the movable contacts, which will hereinafter be described. The slots 17 have opposed grooves 17 in the side walls ofsuch/-slots The shanks 18 arerevtained in place by means o/ffretaining clips 19 which slide downwardly into theV grooves 17', see

Figures 2'and 5, and thereby prevent the' ,the upper ends of the shanks 18, as indicated by the dotted lines transversely' of the Shanks in Figure 2, and as may be additionally understood from reference to Figure 5. This the inadvertent removal of the Shanks.

prevents the inadvertent detachment of the clips from the Shanks, andthe clips themselves sliding within the opposed grooves formed in the walls of the slots 17 prevent Each of the Shanks 18 is provided with a contact bridgin member or movable contact 21 which bridges the corresponding pair of stationary contacts, the stationary conytacts being secured within recessed portions -3such tongue being urged upwardly and into latching position with respect to the wheel 24 by means of the spring 26. Preferably, the lower ends of the latching tongues 25 are pivoted to insulating cylindrical members 27, see Figures 1, 2 and 3. These insulating members 27 are -pivotally joined to the tongues 25 by meansof the pivot pins 28, as shownmost clearly in Figure 3, and such pivot pins ride within slots formed in the guides 29. As indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 and as shown for one of the insulating members 27 in Figure 3, it will be seen that each insulating member 27 is rovided with an oiset portion 30, such o set portion 30 being located on opposite sides of the reduced portion 31 of the stem ofthe opening or sto button 10, see Figure 1.

Thestem o the switch opening or stop butt'on 10 is provided with a slide 32 spring pressed upwardly by means of the spring 33 and guided upon the stem or post 34. This post 34 and the guiding posts 14, as shown in Figure 4, are each riveted or yotherwise se cured to a top plate 35 through which the stems from both/ buttons 9 and 10 pass and by means of whichf such stems are guided adjacent'theirupper ends.

-Referring now'to the switch closing or starter button 9, it will be seen that the lower end'of the shank is provided with a reduced portion 36 around which the spring 37 for biasing the starter button-towardsopen po' sition is placed.

This starter button shank is provided with a notched portion 38, against the lower shoul` der of which a pivot pin 39 carried by the yoke normall bears, and against the upper portion of wllielrthe upper end yof a latch member 40 normally bears, to thereby operatively connect the starter button to the yoke 15, as shown most clearly in Figure l.

This latch 4() is provided with an integral outwardly projecting .portion which is preferably formed of two 4substantially parallel lever arms 41, each provided'with an upstanding approximately centrally located tongue which carries a transverse pin 42. j This pin normally rides on the flat face of a cam member 43 pivotallyv carried, as indicated-at44, by the top plate 35. The camv member is provided with a cam surface 45 cooperating with a cam surface 46 formed in the sha-nk of the stop button or switch openingbutton 10, so that when such latter button is depressed, the cam member 43 is rocked in a clockwise direction, engages the pin 42 and trips the latch 40, therebykdisconnecting thestarter button from the yoke and permitting the yoke to/ rise so far as the starter button is concerned, although such starter button may be retained inadvertently in depressed position.

An additional latch 47 is loosely lpivotally mounted upon the latch by inserting a tongue 48- formed on the latch 47 within a corresponding aperture formed in the latch 40, as shown in Figure 1.

This latch 47 is provided with a bearing portion 48 which is adapted to lock beneath an overhanging member 49 turned downwardly from the top plate 35. It is unseated or detached whenever the latch4O isvdisengaged from the shank of the starter or switch closing button 9, as such latch 40 is provided with a tongue 50 which engages the latch 47 and rocks the latch 47 out of engagement with the member 49, thereby permitting the yoke to rise, or in other words, to move to switch open position. l

The latches may be tripped by other means than by the stop or switch openingbutton A 10. For example, they. are tripped whenever either of the overload devices, such as the thermal overload 4devices previously described, operate when overload condition obtains. This result isaccomplished by the engagement of either or both of the projecting members 30. see Figures 1, 2-and 3,-with-the lever 41, which latter member is integral 'with the latch 40. Obviously, therefore, when either member 30 rises due to the operation of the overload device, the lever 41 will be rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, and the latch is tripped, thereby allowing the yoke 15 to rise or move outwardly to switch openl position;

The switch opening or stop button performs an additional function of resetting either or both ofthe overload devices. is accomplished by providing shoulderedportions 51 on the shank of the stop button 10 in a position to overhang the projecting members 30` so that such stop button may be depressed to reset the overload devices by press- This ing down one or both of the members 30, depending upon whether one or both of the overload devices has operated, thereby carrying down with such member the corresponding latch 25, see Figure 3, which then engages the ratchet wheel 24, of the thermal overload the rocking of the outer latch 47 ,as the starter button is .depressed independently of any .rocking motion of the latch 40, so that the latch 47 may freely move outwardly and then snap between the overhanging member 49 without rocking the latch 40 and thus without interrupting the operative connection between the starter button and the yoke.

Itis, of course, within the province of thisl invention to provide some interlocking mechanism between the cover and the switch parts. For instance, the yoke may loe provided with a projecting portion 52, see Figures 2 and 3, which engages a locking bell crank 53 pivotaly carried by the casing 2 and adapt= ed to interlock with a hook member 54 carried by the cover 4, as shown in Figure 3.

This bell crank lever is urged towards unlocked position ,by means ,of the spring 55 and is moved into locking position whenever the switch is closed, to thereby prevent the opening of the cover until the switch is opened.

It will be seen that an electric switch has# been provided which is equipped with a starter button or switch closing button and 'a stop button or switch opening button, and

' ditions.

It is to be also noted that the stop button or switch opening button has the additional function of resetting the overload devices in the event either or both has operated.'

It will be seen further that the device is simple, is easy to construct, and is eminently practical in operation.

Although this invention` has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood mechanism biased towards open position, a

push button for closing said switch, locking means for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, a second push button for releasing said locking means, an overload device for tripping said locking means, and

v means controlled from said second push button for resetting said overload device, whereby when said second push button is depressed said overload device is reset.

2. A push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, a

push button for closing said switch and nor-v mally operatively connected to said switch, locking means for locking said switch in closed position, a second push button for releasing said locking means, an overload device for tripping said locking means, and means controlled from said second push button for resetting said overload device, said overload device interrupting the' operative connection between said first mentioned push button and said switch mechanism'andysaid second push button ie-establishing said operative connection when said second push button is depressed.

3. A push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, locking mechanism for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, a first push button for moving said switch mechanism to closed position, means holding said first push button depressed while said switch mechan ism is in closed position, an overload device for releasing said locking mechanism, and a second push button for releasing said locking mechanism.

4. A push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, locking mechanism for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, a first push button for moving said switch mechanism to closed position, means holding said irst push button depressed while said switch mechanism is in closed position, an overload device for releasing said locking mechanism,fand a second push button for releasing said locking mechanism, said second push button and said overload device acting independently of each other to release said locking mechanism.

5. A push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, locking mechanism for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, a first push button for moving said switch mechanism to closed position, means holding said first push button depressed while said switch mechanism is in closed position, an overload dev overload device actin independently of each other to release said ocking mechanism, and means controlled from said second push .button for resetting said overload device.

6. A polyphase push button switch com- 'I prising switch mechanism biased towards open position, latch means for lookin said switch mechanism in closed ityV of overload devices for independently tripping said latch means, a release button for releasing said latch means, and means controlled from said release button for resetting either` or both said overload devices.

7. polyphase push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, latch means for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, closing means-for closing said switch, releasable operative connecting means between said closing means and said switch mechanism, a plurality of overload devices for independently tripping said latch means, a release button for releasing said latch means, and means controlled from said release button for resetting either or both said overload devices, the operativeconnection between said closing means and said switch mechanism being interrupted by the operation of either of said overload devices.

8. A polypha'se push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, latch 4means for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, closing means for closing said switch, releasable operative connecting means between said closing means and said switch mechanism, a plurality of overload devices for independently tripping said latch means, a release button for releasing said latch means, rand means conition, c osing vmeans for closing said switc and a pluraltrolled from said release button for resetting l Vwhereby said yoke may be depressed by said closing button, a spring for lifting said closing button, a second latch adapted to lock said yoke in switch closed position, an opening button for releasing said second mentioned latch, and an overload device for releasing both said latches.

10. A push button switch comprising stationary contacts, a yoke, movable contacts carried by said yoke, a spring tending to move said yoke into switch open position, a closing button, latch mechanism detachably connectingsaid closing button and said yoke,

- whereby said yoke may/be depressed by said closing button, a spring for lifting said closing button, a second latch adapted to-lock said yoke in switch closed position, an 'opening button for releasing said second mentioned latch, and an overload device for releasing both said latches, said overload device being reset by said opening button. 11. A push button switch comprising stationary contacts, a yoke, movable contacts carried by said yoke, a spring tending to move said yoke into switch open osition, a closingbutton, latch mechanism etachably connecting said closing button and said yoke, whereby said yoke mayjbe depressed by said closing button, a second latch adapted to lock said yoke in switch closed position, an opening button for releasing said second mentioned latch, and a plurality of overload devices each independently operative to detach at least one of said latches.

12. A push button switch :comprising sta-l tionary contacts, a yoke, movable contacts carried b said yoke, a spring tendmg to move sai yoke into switch open position, a'

80 closing. button, latch mechanism detachably connecting said closing button and said yoke,

whereby saidyoke may be depressed b said.

closing button, a sring for lifting saiI closin button, a secon latch adapted to lock said o e in switch closed position, an opening 13. push button switchcomprising a yoke carrying contacts, stationary `contacts cooperatingwith said first mentloned con' .45 tacts when said yoke is depressed, a spring urging said yoke to switch open positlon, a

latch restraining said yoke in closed position,

a closing button spring urged upwardl and adapted to force said yoke downwar l a second latch mechanism detachably operatively coupling said button and said yoke, and a stop button for releasing both said latches, whereby said oke may rise independentlyv of said closing utton. i

1 4. A push button switch comprising stationary contacts, a yoke provided with movable contacts cooperating with said stationary contacts when said yoke is depressed, a spring urging said yoke upwardly a closing button in ependent y spring urged upward mechanism for operatively coupling said closing button and said yoke, latch mechanism for locking said yoke Iin, switch closed position, 'a stop button, cam mechanism o erated v by said stop button fordetaching both atches, A

. slot extending through said yoke and opening latch1 and a pair of overload devices for detaching both said latches, each operable either jointl with or independently ofthe other, and eac overload device operating to detach both said latches independently of said cam mechanism.

15. A push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open position, latch means for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, closing means for closing said switch, an overload device 75. for tripping said latch mechanism, a release button .for releasing said latch, and means' controlled from saidpush button for resetting said overload device, the operative connection between said closing means and said switch mechanism being interrupted by the operation of said overload device.

16. A push button switch comprising switch mechanism biased towards open posi- Y tion, latch means for locking said switch mechanism in closed position, closing means for closing-said switch, an overload device for tripping said latch mechanism, a release button for releasing'said latch, landmeans controlled from said push button for resetting said overload device, theoperative connection between said closing means and said switch mechanism being interrupted -by the operation of said overload device and remaining interrupted until said releaseA Abutton is operated.

17. A switch having stationary contacts, a movable yoke provided with a rectangular laterally thereof, a stem slidably carried 100 'within said slot and having movable contacts adjacent one end jfor cooperation with said stationary contacts and having notches adjacent the other end, said yoke having opposed grooves formedinthe walls of saidslot, and a fastening clip slidable into said grooves and having ears engaging the notches in said stem, said clip holding said stem in said slot.

In testimony whereof, the signatures ofthe inventors are aiiixed hereto. no

HERMON' L. VAN VALKENBURG.

i GEORGE w. HoiEM.

' ias

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