US2489426A - High-potential electric switch - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1949 L. J. LINDE HIGH-POTENTIAL ELEQTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed sept. 1o, 1947 .mmv/2me. eo/zam? d. Linde /zs dife/'migA Nov. 29, 1949 l.. J. LINDE HIGH-POTENTIAL ELECTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. l0, u1.94"/

NVZE'NZZ'QZR. ard J [inde [ebiz @Y his' Cziiorney Patented Nov. 29, 1949 HIGH-POTENTIAL ELECTRIC SWITCH Leonard J. Linde, Centralia, Mo., assignor to A. B. Chance Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 10, 1947, Serial No. 773,145

4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to electric switches, and is particularly concerned with pole type gang operated switches of the type covered by Patent No. 1,907,141, issued to A. J. Bowie May 2, 1933.

The present invention relates to improvements in the Bowie switch, and is particularly7 concerned with the simplification of the structure and reduction of the cost of manufacture of such switches.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved switch of the rocker shaft type, in which the square operating shaft need not be concentric with the main bearing of the toggle so that the bearing itself need not surround the shaft, and so that it is not necessary to use costly and elaborate anti-friction bearings and grease seals.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved design of rocker shaft switch which is simpler in structure and capable of being manufactured at a lower cost, and which maintains all of the advantages of the on center toggle arrangement, but in which the square operating shaft is shifted from a concentric position to an 01T center position, permitting the use of relatively small and inexpensive self-lubricated bearings.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved rocker shaft switch in which the shaft is clamped rigidly to the toggle lever and in which it is loaded in torsion and made more rigid by the fact that the shaft is also loaded in bending strain.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved gang switch of the rocker shaft type, which is particularly constructed to insure correct contact between the blades and clips, to operate without damage, slammingj or hammer blows in closing, and to provide ample power to operate the movable switch parts after the contacts have become corroded and tend to stick from long periods of disuse, without requiring too great effort by the operator.

Another object is to provide an improved switch of the rocker shaft type which provides for misalignment of the poles and also provides for deviations of the rocker shaft from a straight line.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets,

I nism, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig.

1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line 3--3 of Fig. 1, showing the universal connection between separate operating shafts in the mechanism, on a slightly larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational View, showing the operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view, showing the engaging contacts of the switch.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a modified form of connecting linkage between the switch blades and the actuating shaft.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, Ill indicates in its entirety the rocker shaft switch assembly, which may be mounted upon any suitable base II, such as a channelled metal member. The principal parts of the switch comprise the xed contact I2 suitably supported by means of an insulator I3 and the movable contact Il! movably supported by means of an insulator I5, and the operating mechanism indicated in its entirety by the numeral I6.

The xed contact insulator I3 is preferably supported upon a sub-base member I'I, which is secured by means of bolts I8 to the base II and bolts I9 to the insulator supporting member 2U.

Various types of porcelain insulators I3 may be employed, and that illustrated is merely by way of example. This insulator supports a metal connector plate 2I, which carries the Xed contact I2, a fixed arcing horn 22, and bolts 2 3 for connection to the line.

Referring to Fig. 5, the xed contact carried by plate ZI is preferably substantially rectangular in elevation, and comprises a member made of suitable conducting metal, such as copper, having its end beveled on both sides, as indicated at24, and also beveled at each end, as indicated at 25.

These beveled surfaces 2li, 25 serve to insure the guiding of the movable contact member I4 over and into contacting engagement with the fixed contact I2.

One example of the movable contact structure is shown also in Fig. 5; and this structure is supported by means of a suitable bracket 26 on the movable insulator I5. The bracket 26 has a diagonally and upwardly projecting arm 2`I, which is provided with a slot 28 separating a pair of channelled legs 29, 3i). rIhe channelled legs 29, 30 have their channels inwardly open toward each other, and they are adapted to receive the two legs of a U-shaped metal member 3l, which is secured in the channels by means of bolts 32.

The U-shaped metal member 3l is provided with aligned apertures for the parallel bolts 33, 34, which extend from one leg to the other leg of the U-shaped member 3| and provide support for the contacts 35, which actually engage the fixed contact l2.

Each contact 35 comprises an elongated strip of highly conductive metal having pairs 'of ape'r tures for slidable mounting on the bolts 33', 34. The contacts 35 are resilient metal-strips and extend inwardly beyond the bolts 34 to be secured by means of rivets 35 to the twin conductive cables 3l, preferably of the braided type.

The contacts 35 are spaced from each other at their ends by spacers 38 on the bolts 33, 34,

the spacers being only slightly shorter than the thickness of the fixed contact l2. Each Contact 35 is also preferably provided with a pair of partially spherical headed rivets V39 on its outer side for engaging a slidable metal plate 40 that is also slidably mounted on the bolts 33, 34.

The plates 48 are urged inward by the leaf springs 4l, which are bowed to engage plate 40 at each end of the spring and to engage U-shaped member 3| intermediate the ends of the spring. Thus the contacts 35 are spring urged against the 'fixed contact l2, and are self-aligning by virtue of their mounting upon the bolts 33, 34 with enlarged apertures so that full contact is secured between the full engaging areasof the contact 35 and xed contact I2.

The movable insulator i is carried by a metal supporting members '42, which has its lower ange 43 secured by bolts 44 to the flange 45 of a pivot bracket 46. The pivot bracket 46 has a depending arm 4i' with an aperture for receiving the shaft 48 close to the ange 45 and another aperture for receiving the shaft 49 by means of which it is actuated.

The shafts 48, 49 may be secured in place by cotter pins at each end. The shaft 48 issup- ,ported in an aperture in the upstanding column '58 of a fixed pivot bracket 5I, which is carried by the base ll. Thus the movable insulator l5 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 48 and adapted to be actuated by a mechanism applied to the shaft 49.

A bumper bracket 52 is secured between the base of the fixed pivot bracket 5I and the base Il by means of bolts 53. This bumper bracket comprises a strip of metal having an upwardly turned end portion 54 with an enlarged or oval .aperture for passing the connecting rod 55.

The aperture 56 permits lateral as well as axial movement of the connecting rod 55. The connecting rod 55 is provided with an enlarged end l5l having an aperture providing a bearing for the shaft 49. It is also provided with a pair of apertures at the right of the bumper bracket 52 for receiving the xed pins 58, 59 which provide stops for the washers Ell for engaging a helical compression spring 6I.

The pin 58 is adapted to pass through the aperture 56 in the bumper bracket 52 so that when the switch is opened, washer 6U on the left end of the spring '6I engages the bumper bracket 52, so that the spring 6l is compressed and the shock of opening the switch is absorbed before the movable insulator I5 is brought to a stop at the dotted line position of Fig. 1. At its left end the connecting rod 55 is threaded-into 9. The shafts 81 and' 54 are at right angles to each other so that the yoke 85 provides a universal connection between the connecting rod and the toggle link or -crank 69. All of the shafts employed may be provided with apertures and cotter pins at their ends to hold them in place. The toggle link 59 comprises a metal member having its end portion 98 provided with an aperture for the shaft assembly B1 and having at its opposite end another aperture for receiving the shaft assembly 78.

Intermediate its ends the toggle link 69 ris provided with an enlargement having a noncircular or square aperture H, the square being bordered by'iianges which terminate in a pair of diagonally extending clamping flanges 12,

The clamping flanges 'i2 have the aligned apertures "I3 for receiving the clamping bolt 14 by means of which the toggle link 69 is clamped upon the square shaft '15. The shaft assemblies 61 and 18, which receive the maximum amount of use, preferably include self-lubricating bearing sleeves surrounding the shafts inside the apertures of the members that are pivotally mounted on the shafts.

The same is true o-f the shafts 48 and 49; and thecotter pins, which are used for thrust members at the ends of the shafts, :are preferably located in grooves 'la provided in a tubular projection 'l1 at the end of each shaft. Thus the cotter pins not only prevent the shaft from moving axially, but they prevent the shaft from turning so that the bearing bushing may turn on the shaft, which is preferably made of suitable steel to provide a better bearing surface.

The operating shaft 'l5 may in some embodiments of the invention comprise a single length extending through three such toggle links-69 and actuating simultaneously all of the three toggle links with a similar mechanism in each-case.

'In such lease a single toggle link bearing bracket 18 is employed for each mechanism. Such .a bearing bracket comprises a U-shaped `upper member T9 with a pair of apertures for-receiving the shaft 1B. The U-shaped upper portion 19 has its base 88 provided with a depending securing bolt 8l having a threaded end portion for receiving the nut 82 and a suitable lock nut.

Thus the toggle link bearing bracket T8 may be xedly secured on the base if in substantial alignment with similar toggle link bearingbrackets on -the other bases Ha and IIb. .The shaft `may project beyond the operating mechanism at either end, such as the top, in Fig. 2, where it is provided with a through aperture for xedly receiving an operating handle comprisinga'rod 83 bymeans of which the shaft may be turned.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. v2 and 3, special provision is made for taking care -of misalignment of the toggle link bearing brackets "t0 Afljflat, and 18h. In such case the shaft 15 may ,consist `of a pair of sections 15a, and 15b; and the vtogglelink bearing bracket 18a, may be of greater width so as to provide room for a universal connecting mechanism `84 between the shaftisections 15a and 15b.

In addition to the toggle link 69a, which is employed upon the central mechanism, and which is clamped on the upper end in Fig. 2 of shaft section 15b, there is another similar clamping member 59e having no connection to the operating mechanism, but clamping the lower end of shaft section 15a and providing for its pivotal support upon the shaft 85 carried by toggle link supporting bracket 18a.

The universal connecting mechanism 84 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 3. It comprises two members 69a and 69e, similar in construction to the toggle link 69 previously described in that each has a square aperture for the shaft 15a and 75h. Each has the diagonally projecting anges 'ld or 12e which are clamped together on the square shaft by a bolt 14a or 14e. Each has the downwardly projecting portion 85a or 86o provided with an aperture Bla and 81e for receiving the shaft a.

A spacer 88 keeps the portions 86a and 86e in properly spaced position on the shaft 19a. rlihus the members 69a and 69e are pivotally mounted on the shaft 10a, and each is clamped to its shaft section b or 15a.

The diagonally extending flanges which receive the bolts Ma and 14o are in this case modified to provide a universal connection between the two shaft sections 15a and i511. For example, the anges `l2a and 12e. may have laterally extending portions 39 spaced by a slot or groove 90 for receiving a laterally projecting portion 9| carried by one of the flanges 12e.

The laterally projecting portion 9| has an offset to bring the flange into central position in the groove or slot 99. When the upper shaft section 72a (Fig. 2) is turned, the ange 9i engaging between flanges 89 turns the lower shaft section i519 of Fig. 2; but due to this universal connection assembly B4 the misalignment of the two shaft portions l5a and 15b is permitted.

Referring to Fig. 6, this is a fragmentary side elevational view of the actuating mechanism, in which the toggle link or crank 69 is of a different form. Instead of the toggle link 69a being slotted and separated at one side only, it comprises two pieces 59h and 89e secured ,together by two clamping bolts 'Ma and 14h. The bolt 'l4 passes through a pair of clamping flanges 12a, while bolt 'Mb passes through a clamping fiange 12b and is threaded into a bore in the part 69h.

The operation of the switch is as follows: When the parts are in the position of Fig. 1, with the handle 83 extending toward the right, the line of centers of the shaft 61 and shaft 49 is such that the axis of the shaft 61 is below this line of centers or substantially in alignment with the line of centers.

In this position a pull on the lever 83 toward the left is adapted to exert a maximum force on the connecting rod 55 because of the relatively small radius at which the pull is exerted by lever 83 on the shafts 'l5 and on connecting rod 55.

Sufficient power is provided to break the engagement between corroded contacts l2 and i4 after long periods of disuse. As the lever 83 progresses toward the left, however, shaft 61 rises, and the radius of operation between shafts 61 and 'i9 becomes longer so that less power and more movement is provided for movement of the switch arm i4, which is quickly lifted from the full line position of Fig. l to the dotted line position.

The movable switch arm assembly, comprising the insulator I5 and switch arm I4, passes over a central vertical position to the dotted line position in Fig. 1, where gravity urges it downward to the open position and holds it in the open position.

When the switch arm is moved to the open position, the connecting rod 55 moves to the left in Fig. 1 until the left washer 60 engages bumper bracket 52 and spring 6I is compressed to absorb the shock of the opening of the switch. With the present structure it is no longer necessary to use complicated anti-friction bearings of size large enough to embrace the square rocker shaft l5. Instead, the smaller shafts 19, 61, 49, and 48 may be provided with bearing bushings of the self-lubricating type, which are relatively small and inexpensive.

In addition to the shaft 15 or its sections being subjected to torsion, they are also subjected to bending strains; and these combined stresses increase the rigidity of the assembly The present switch is also preferably provided with a cable connection 92 between the bases 20 and i2 of the insulators; and it is also preferably provided with a pair of links 93, 94 pivotally connected to each other at 95 for supporting the twin cables 3l, which lead to the movable contact I4.

The link 93 is pivotally connected to the vInovable contact bracket 26 at 96; and link 94 is pivotally connected to a fixed support 91 for a connector, by means of shaft or pin 98. The connector 99 is connected to the line on the right hand side of the switch.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved gang switch assembly in which the heavy noncircular actuating shaft need not be supported by bearings which embrace it; but the shaft is supported by means of toggle links which themselves are pivotally mounted upon brackets so that the shaft is eccentric.

The present switch structure is simpler and may be manufactured more economically than the devices of the prior art; but it retains all of the advantages of the gang switch shown in the above-mentioned patent to Bowie, upon which it is an improvement.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination of a supporting base with a pivot bracket carried by said base and having upwardly projecting spaced pivot flanges, an insulator carried by a depending metal insulator support, said support being pivotally mounted between said flanges and having an actuating arm depending between said flanges, a connecting rod pivotally connected to said actuating arm and having a threaded end, a universal joint assembly having a bore for said threaded end, said assembly being pivotally connected to a shaft supporting member, a movable contact arm fixedly secured to said first-mentioned insulator, a fixed Contact carried by a second insulator xediy mounted on said base, a second pivot bracket carried by said base between said insulators, said shaft supporting member being pivotally mounted on said second pivot bracket and having an arm extending radially for pivotal connection to said universal joint assembly, said latter pivotal connection passing dead-center fbetweenfsaidconnecting rod-andthe pivot-of said shaft'supporting member Lwhen-said contacts are closed, said shaft supporting member having-a noncircular through bore bounded von one side by spaced flanges, an independent -shaft in said bore, ithreaded Ameans for drawing said spaced flanges together to secure -said shaft in said shaft supporting member, and manual means for rotating saidshafteccentrically with respect tothe pivot ofsaid shaft supportingmember to exert-aimaximum forcein the'initia'lopening of the contacts and to produce maximum movement thereafter inthe opening of said contacts.

2. In a switch operating mechanism, thecombinationofa supporting base with a-pivotbracket carried by-said base and `having upwardly projecting spaced p'ivot flanges, an insulator 4carried by a depending metal insulator supportysaid support being pivotally mounted between said flanges and having an actuating arm'depending between -said flanges, a connecting rod pivotaily connected to said actuating arm and having a threaded fend, a :universal joint assembly having a bore'for -said threaded end, said assembly bef.

ing pivotally connected to a 'shaft supporting member, a movable contact arm fixedly secured to said first-mentioned insulator, a fixed-contact carried by -a second insulator xedly mounted on said base, a second pivot Abracket carriedby said base between said insulators, said-shaftsupporting member being -pivotally mounted-on said second pivot bracketvand having anarm extending radially foi-1pivotal fconnection to said universal joint assembly, said latter pivotal connection passing dead-center between said Aconnectingrod andthe pivotof said shaft supporting member when said contacts vare closed, said shaft supporting ymember 'having a noncircular through 'bore bounded on one side '-by spaced flanges, an independent .shaft in said lbore, `threaded means'for drawing said spaced flanges together to secure vsaid shaft ,in said shaft supporting member, and manual means 'forzrotating said shaft eccentrically-with respect to the pivot offsaid shaft supporting member toexerta maximum force in the initialopeningof'the contacts and to 'produce maximum movement thereafter inthe openingof saidcontacts, vand-*a plurality `of similar .insulators and contacts .and similar switch operating mechanism connected to the same shaft to be actuated simultaneously thereby.

3. In a switch operating mechanism, Athefcornbination of a supporting base with a pivot bracket ing pivotally connected to a -shaft supporting i member, a movable Contact yarm xedly secured to said first-mentioned insulator, a fixed contact carried by a second insulator xedly mounted on said base, a second pivot bracket carried fby said basebetween said insulators, said shaft supporting member being pivotally mounted on said second pivot bracket and having an arm extending radially for pivotal connection'to said universal -joint assembly, said latter pivotal connection passing dead-center between said connecting -rcd and the pivotfoi said shaft supporting member when said contacts are closed, said shaft supporting member vhaving a noncircular through bore vbounded on o-ne side by spaced lflanges, Ian independent shaft in said bore, threaded means for drawing said spaced flanges together to secure -said shaft in said shaft supporting inember, and manual means for rotating said shaft eccentrically with respect to the pivot of said shaft supporting member to exert a maximum force in the initial opening of the contacts and to'produce maximum movement thereafter in the openingfof said contacts, said contacts including a 'rigid tapered member and resilient spreadable plates for engaging said rigid member upon the opposite sides thereof, and auxiliary resilient means for'holding said plates in full contact with said'rigidmember.

A4.`-In a switch operating mechanism, the combination of a supporting base with a pivot bracket carried -by said baseand having upwardly projecting spaced pivot flanges, an .insulator carriedby a depending metal insulator support, said support being pivotally mounted between said flanges and having an actuating -arm depending between Vsaid flanges, a'connecting rod pivotally connected to said actuating arm and having a threaded-end, a universal joint assembly having a 1bore `for `said threaded end, -said assembly being -pivotally `connected .to a shaft supporting member, a movable contact arm iixedlysecured tosaid rst-mentioned-in-sulatoiya, xed contact carried by a second insulator fixedly mounted on -said base, a second pivot `bracket carried by lsaid -ba-se'between -said insulators, said shaft supporting member being pivotally mountedfon said second pivotbr-acket and-havingan arm-extend ing radially for pivotal connection to said universal joint assembly, `said latter pivotal -connection `passing dead-center between said -connecting rod andthe pivot-of said yshaft supporting member when saidcontacts-are closed, said shaft vsupporting member having a noncircular through Y'bore bounded on one side by spaced flanges, lan `independent shaft -in -said bore, threadedm-eans for drawing said spaced Vflanges together to secure 4said shaft in -said Vshaft-supporting member, and'manual means forrota'ting said-Shaft eccentrically with'respect to the-pivot of said shaft supporting member to-exert a'maximum force inthe initialfopenin-g of the contacts and -to produce maximum movement thereafter in the opening of said contacts, and a stop bracket "carried by said base, 'said tstop ibraczket having an aperture for j-passing said -connecting rod, and -a "resilient compression spring lcarried by'the'connecting rod and `located-to engage said stop bracket to absorb the shock andreduce the opening Ymovement of the contacts at Ethe end jof themotionfofthe pivotally mountedinsulator.

LEONARD '-J. LINDE.

:REFERENCES 4,CITED 'The 'following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED :STATES PATENTS 'Number Name Date 11907,141 .'Bowie "May 2, 1933 119325,59? Koppitz Nov. 14, 1933 1;949,`164 -Koppitz Feb. 27, 1934 2,0113503 Rudd Aug. 13, 1935 2,303,119 Froland Nov. 24, 1942 2,354,991 Gussow Aug. l, 1944

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