US2985729A - Electric lamp socket with ring switch sleeve - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1961 Filed Oct. '7, 1958 R. B. LAMBERT ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET WITH RING SWITCH SLEEVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 T A26 M8 INVENTOR. RE UBEN B. LFIMBERT FITTORNEY May 23, 1961 R. B. LAMBERT 2,985,729

ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET WITH RING SWITCH SLEEVE Filed Oct. 7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR. m/T REUBEN 5, LF/MBERT HTTORNEY May 23, 1961 R. B. LAMBERT ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET WITH RING SWITCH SLEEVE Filed Oct. 7, 1958 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. REUBEN 5. LHMBE/PT Eff y HTTORNEY y 1961 R. B. LAMBERT 2,985,729

ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET WITH RING SWITCH SLEEVE INVENTOR. REUBEN B. LHMBERT FITTORNEY United States Pate ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET WITH RING SWITCH SLEEVE Reuben B. Lambert, 56 Main St., Terryville, Conn.

Filed Oct. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 765,834

16 Claims. (Cl. 200-51.)

This invention relates to electrical switches and is directed particularly to switches of the type combined with lamp sockets.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a control mechanism for electrical lamp switches of the above nature, whereby on and off switch control is cyclically and repeatedly elfected merely by successively sliding downwardly a cylindrical switch sleeve member surrounding the body of the lamp socket.

A more particular object of this invention is to pro vide a control mechanism for an electrical lamp switch of the above nature, including a rotary ratchet type switching mechanism whereby the switching is accomplished by manually sliding the sleeve-like ring resiliently supported upon the switch body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch of the character described, which can readily be actuated in the dark without fumbling for turning on a lamp or other appliance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch of the character described consisting of a minimum number of parts, which will not require skilled labor to assemble, and will be long wearing and foolproof in use. Another object of this invention is to provide a switch of the above nature whereby the spring controlling the rotary ratchet mechanism and its operating cylindrical switch sleeve member can be adjusted without the use of tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lamp socket switch of the above nature having a three-way electrical circuit.

A further object is to provide a switch of the character described, whereby most of the assembly operations may be completed without the use of tools. Still another object is to provide switches having one and three-way electrical circuits whereby the housing for the switching mechanisms is so constructed and divided that one common half is used for each of the two types, and whereby the two housing halves are securely held positively in operative alignment by a thin metallic shell without the aid of screws.

.Still another object of this invention is to provide a combination lamp socket and switch of the above nature,

which is smooth in operation and attractive in appearance.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, which illustrate two forms in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice:

Fig. 1 represents an elevational view of one form of a switch socket embodying the invention employing a single circuit and showing the switch operating sleeve in its upper position.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the same, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the same, looking upwardly from the line 33 of Fig. 1. r

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the same similar to that of Fig. 1, but showing the switch operating sleeve in its lowermost position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of the switch socket shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line 55 thereof in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a similar vertical cross-section, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-section on a still larger scale of the first form of switch socket, taken along the broken lines 77 of Figs. 1 and 5 looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-section on an enlarged scale, of the switch socket shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line 8-8 thereof looking upwardly in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the first form of the lamp switch socket, illustrating the details of its component parts.

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the first form of switch socket, on an enlarged scale, illustrating how the parts of the rotary switch mechanism are assembled.

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the second form of switch for use with a lamp socket having a three-way electric circuit.

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of one half of the casing of the second form of the switch socket, containing the rotary switching mechanism.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the second form of switch socket, illustrating the method of assembly and operation of the rotary switch mechanism.

Fig. 16 is an exploded view of the rotary switching mechanism of the second form of the invention, illustrating details of the component parts, and

Fig. 17 is a side view partly in section, of an assembled switch embodying either form of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and considering first the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 through 11, the first form of switch socket for a standard single circuit on and off lamp comprises a complementary pair of casing halves 115, 119, preferably molded of a hard insulating material such as Bakelite, which halves when interfltted form a cylindrical housing for the switching mechanism, as hereinbelow described.

Each of the assembled casing halves 115, 119 is recessed at one end and internally threaded at 119a to receive the screw base of an electric light bulb L, and is also provided with an external screw thread 119b, for receiving a lamp shade, not shown. The casing halves 115, 119 are held in assembled relation by means of an outer casing shell 125 (Fig. 9) which is slid on from the lower end of the socket. The outer surface of the casing shell 125 is formed with longitudinal ribs 125a and the upper end of said shell is provided with diametrically opposed indentations 125a which fit into respective recesses a in the casing halves 115, 119 to prevent relative rotary motion after the socket has been assembled (see Figs. 2 and 6).

A flanged convex lower cap 126 seats over the lower end of the assembled casing halves 115, 119, said cap being provided on its flange portion with an opposed pair of bumps or projections 1260' (Fig. 5) which seat in recesses 1151: provided in the lower end of the casing halves 115, 119 (see Fig. 6), to prevent relative rotary motion.

A knurled, internally-threaded flanged ring 127 sur- 3 rounds the flanged lower cap 126 and screws upon an external thread 126d provided at the lower end of the assembled casing halves 115, 119. The ring 127 is provided at its lower end with an annular, inwardly-directed shoulder 1271) which bears against the underside of the flange portionof the lower cap 126,. thereby clamping it in place against the lower end of the assembled socket. The. upper edge of. the ring. 127 abuts. the lower end of the casing shell 125, to hold the latter in assembled relation.

The lower cap 126 is also providedwith a pair of opposed, outwardly-directed round bumps 126a (Figs. 1 and 8), which serve to lock the ring 127 on said lower cap, but which allow relative rotary motion between the two parts for the screwing on or oif of said ring- 127 during the assembly or disassembly of the socket.

The lower cap 126 is further formed with a plurality of circumferentially-arrangedribs 126]) to facilitate gripping of said cap during assembly, and the lower end of said cap hasv an internally-threaded neck 128 having a set screw 128a, bymeans of which the socket may be secured in place in a lamp, for example. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the threaded neck 128 is secured in place on' the lower cap 126- by swedging an upper rim 128a of said neck over an internally serrated steel washer 130 disposed within said cap. The usual annular cupped insulating paper disc 129 is fitted within the lower cap 126.

Slidably disposed about the ribbed portion of the socket casing shell 125, is a sleeve-like switch operating ring 124, formed of metal, plastic or other suitable material, and which is formed near its lower end with an external circumferential gripping rib 124a to facilitate actuation of the socket switch, in the manner hereinbelow described. The switch ring 124 is also provided at its upper end with an internal annular groove 127a (see Figs. 5, 6, and 7) which provides connecting means between said switch ring and the switching mechanism contained by the casing halves 115, 119.

Considering now the electrical switching mechanism contained in the casing halves 115, 119, and referring first to Figs. 6 and 9, it will be seen that electrical contact with the metallic screw sleeve of the lamp bulb is made by means of a resilient upstanding metal tongue 121 which is disposed in and extends through a vertical slot 121b formed in the casing half 119 and into aside recess formed in the upper bulb-receiving threaded portion of said casing half. The lower end of the contact tongue 121 is riveted at 121a (Fig. 6) to the upper end of a metallic connector member 120, which also fits into the slot 121b in the casing half 119, and is bent over at its lower end and fitted with a binding screw 120a (Fig. 8) for connecting one of the leads of an electrical supply cord C.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, it will be seen that the casing half 115 is formed with a central boss 1150 having opposed pairs of beveled quadrants 115d. The upper one of the beveled quadrants is engaged by the arcuate vertical lower end section of a resilient bulb center-contact member 117. The upper portion of the contact member 117 is formed with a U-shaped portion which fits over a central horizontal wall provided in the casing half 115 to hold said contact member in place.

The lower one of the beveled quadrants 115d of the central boss 1150 formed in the casing half 115 is engaged by the arcuate upper end portion of an electrical conductor 118 which extends over the lower end of the casing half 115 at a position opposite the connector member 120, and which is likewise provided with a binding screw 118a for connection to the second lead of the two wire insulated electrical. supply cord C.

Press-fitted into a central axial opening in the central boss 115c formed'in the casing half 115, is a stud pin 101 (Fig. 10) formed at its inner end with a spiral tip 101b. Rotatably mounted on the stud pin 101 is a circuit breaker 116 formed with a pair of opposed, arcuate contact ears a 116a, and four equidistantly-spaced outwardly-extending lugs 116b. I

Means is provided for rotating the circuit breaker 116 degrees at a time in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 9, each time the switch operating ring 124 is moved downwardly, whereby the contact memher 117 and the electrical conductor 118 will alternately be shorted and open-circuited by said circuit breaker for turning the lamp bulb L on and 011. To this end, the stud pin 101 is also fitted with a steel ratchet pawl having two opposed inwardly-extending resilient teeth 11% adapted to engage successively the opposed pairs of the outwardly-extending lugs 11612 of the circuit breaker 116, as said pawl is repeatedly moved through its counterclockwise cycle of operation.

The ratchet pawl 110 is secured by means of opposed clamping lugs 110a to an upper fiber insulating disk 111 (Fig. 9), and said disk 111 is provided with a small, 011 center opening within which is hooked one ofthe arcuate ends of a connector link 132 interconnecting the ratchet switching mechanism and the switch actuating slide ring 124. The connector link 132 is preferably made of spring steel such as music wire.

Also fitted on the stud pin 101 is a helical spring 113 the inner end 113a of which is in the form of a. hook to: anchor on a lug 110a struck outwardly from the ratchet pawl 110. The fiber washer 111 is provided with a central opening which allows the lower end of thespring 113 to seat against the upper surface of the pawl 110 (see Fig. 10).

The stud pinv 101 is formed at its outer end with a head 101a beneath which is a square shoulder 101c.. Moreover, a rectangular catch plate 112 having a square central opening is mounted under the head 101a of the stud pin 101 and is adapted to be seated upon the square. shoulder 1010 thereof. A square washer 131 having a square central opening 131a is also arranged on the stud pin 101 below the catch plate 112, and is adapted to. fit on the square shoulder 1010 of the stud pin 101 along with the catch plate 112;

As best illustrated in Figs. 7 and 10, the catch plate 112 is formed with end portions which extend down over opposed ends of the square washer 131 and is formed with curled corners adapted to catch the outwardly extending upper end of the spring 113.

As illustrated in Figs. 5, 7 and 9, the casing halves 115 and 119 are provided at their abutting sides with complementary grooves forming a vertical guide for an in.- sulating rectangular nylon or Bakelite slide member 123 provided at its lower end with a hook 123s adapted to engage the outer end of the connector link 132,v and a lug 123b, adapted to fit into an elongated rectangular opening in the outer wall of the cylinder structure formed by the interfitting casing members 115 and-119'. The slide member 123 is also formedon its outside, above the lug 123b, with a rectangular projection or lug 123a seated upon which is a U-shaped springsteel driver memher 122 having a resilient arm extending upwardly and outwardly of the rectangular opening in the casing and extending through a slot 125b provided in the casing; shell 125. The upper end of the driver 122 is engaged in the groove 127a of the switch ring 124, as illustrated in'Figs. 5 and 7.

To facilitate disassembly of the socket, a small. hole is provided in the switch ring 124 in register with the driver 122 (see Figs. 1, 5) to. allow the insertion of a pin or other suitable tool for releasing the upper end of said driver 122 from the groove 127a, and thereby allowing removal of said switch ring. The connector 120 has a lug 12% which is adapted to fit in a slot. 119s whereby the tongue 121 will be held securely in position.

OPERATION To actuate the switch, the switch operating ring. 124 will be pushed downward from the-position shown inzFig.

l to that illustrated in 'Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that this downward movement of the ring 124 will cause the steel driver 122 to push the slide 123 downwardly because of the upper end of said driver being resiliently engaged in the annular groove 127a of said ring 124. This downward movement of the slide 123 pulls the connector link 132 down with it, causing counterclockwise rotary motion to be imparted to the fiber disk 111 and the pawl 110 fixed thereto. The movement of the slide 123 is just enough to rotate the pawl 110 90 degrees.

The outwardly-extending teeth 11% of the pawl 110 engage two of the opposed lugs 116b of the circuit breaker 116, thereby rotating said circuit breaker through 90 degrees and causing its two contact ears 116a to ride upward and off the two horizontal non-contact beveled quadrants 115d at the end of the central boss 1150 of the casing half 115 (see Figs. 7 and 9). At the end of the 90 degree rotary motion, the contact ears 116a will snap down upon the two vertical beveled quadrants 115d of the boss 115c making contact between the arcuate and portions of the center contact member 117 and the conductor 118 which face said vertical quadrants (see Figs. 9 and 10) to close-circuit the switch and energize the light bulb L fitted in the socket. The beveled quadrants 115d of the central hub 115c of the casing half 115 also act as a ratchet to retain the contact breaker in its rotated position, as is hereinafter more fully described. The snap-on action of the contact ears 116a is effected by means of the helical spring 113 acting both in torsion and compression. To cause the spring 113 to have torsional pull, pressure will be applied against the catch plate 112 in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 10, to compress the spring and allow the square holes 112a and 131a of the catch plate 112 and the washer 131 respectively to become disengaged from the square shoulder 101c under the head of the stud pin 101. When in this position, the catch plate 112 can be rotated in a clockwise direction to build up the torsion in the spring to the desired amount. Thereafter, the square holes in the catch plate 112 and the washer 131 will be lined up with the square shoulder 1010 of the stud pin 101 and allowed to seat thereon under the head 101a of said stud pin in their original holding positions under the compressional force of the spring 113. This operation will be performed only after the driver 122 and the slide 123 are located in their respective grooves in the casing half 115 and connected to the fiber disk 111 by the connector link 132.

The torsional force of the spring 113 serves to hold the slide 123 in its uppermost position against an abutment, as shown in Figs. and 13. When in this position, the teeth 11% of the pawl 110 engage the rear of a pair of opposed lugs 116b of the circuit breaker 116, as described above, to turn said circuit breaker through 90 degrees. During the turning of the circuit breaker 116 against the beveled surface of the quadrants 115d on the central boss 1150 of the casing half 115, axial pressure will be exerted against the pawl 110 which further compresses the spring 113, thereby insuring a positive turning contact between the pawl teeth 11% and the circuit breaker lugs 116b, and guaranteeing perfect rotary action of the circuit breaker 116 with every downward movement of the slide 123.

The rotary action of the circuit breaker 116 is completed when the driver member 122 contacts the bottom of the slot 125b in the casing shell 125. Upon manual release of the switch ring 124, it will automatically be moved upward to its original position (shown in Fig. l) by the torsional force of the spring 113. In returning to this original position, the interjoined pawl 110 and fiber disk 111 will have been rotated 90 degrees in a clockwise direction. This causes the teeth 11017 of the pawl 110 to slide over the lugs 116b of the circuit breaker 116 by reason of their inclined surfaces. This again compresses the spring 113 slightly, and snaps the pawl teeth behind the next pair of diametrically opposed teeth 116b of the circuit breaker 116, said circuit breaker itself being held in position against clockwise motion by theshoulders of the ratchet formation of the beveled quadrants 115d on the end of the boss 115a of the casing half 115.

The parts in the rotated position as herein described and illustrated, are in their closed circuit position and thus will efiect energization of an electric light bulb L through the center contact member 117 and the resilient tongue contact member 121, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The next downward movement of the switch ring 124 will duplicate the action described above with the exception that the circuit breaker shoes 116a of the circuit breaker will be returned to the non-conductive beveled quadrants 115d of the housing boss to create an open circuit.

Ease of operation and motion between the vertical sliding action of the slide 123 and the rotary and axial motion on the stud pin 101 of the combined pawl and fiber disk 111 is due principally to the semi-circular form of the ends of the connector link 132 which serve as universal joints where they connect, respectively, with the opening of the fiber disk 111 and the hook portion 1230 of the slide member @123.

MODIFIED FORM The modified form of switch socket for a 3 filament lamp having a 3-way circuit is illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16, and difiers principally from the single circuit switch socket for a single filament lamp bulb described above in the rotary timing circuit breaking mechanism. In this form instead of the circuit breaker 116 of the first form, a four-segment fiber circuit breaker cam 108 having a partial metallic cover therefor 109 (see Fig. 16), is provided. It will be noted that the casing half 100 is a counterpart of the casing half of the first form of the invention with minor changes, the principal one of which is the provision of a groove in the central horizontal wall for holding a third resilient contact member 106 in position. In addition, the casing half 100 is formed with a slightly shorter unbeveled central hub 1 152 for receiving the stud pin 101. The stud pin 101 in this form has assembled on it the same catch plate 112, washer 131, spring 113 and interjoined fiber washer 111 and pawl 110, used in the construction of the singleoperation switch, but employs a modified form of rotary circuit breaker comprising the fiber circuit breaker cam 108, the cover 109 and a modified steel driver 114.

The modified form of rotary circuit breaker is formed by fitting the cover 109 over the breaker earn 108 with holes 109a in alignment with holes 108a in said breaker cam, and then locating the driver 114 thereon with its two lugs 114a passing into the aligned holes 108a and 109a. Shoulders formed on the lugs 11 4a provide spac ing between the front surface of the driver 114 and the front of the cover 109, as shown in Fig. 15.

As further illustrated in Fig. 15, all of the above-dc scribed circuit breaker mechanism parts are assembled on the stud pin 101; and then the self-threading end 101b of said stud pin will be pressed into the central hub 115a of the casing half 100. This construction and the method of creating torsional pull on the spring 113 is the same as that described above for the single circuit switch. Also, the same parts and method are used to rotate the circuit breaker during switching operations as in the first form of the invention, and as is illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. To complete the housing for the switch mechanism of the three-way circuit switch, the same casing half 119 with its flexible lamp bulb contact 121 as shown in Figs. 6, 9, and'13 may be utilized.

OPERATION of 3-WAY SWITCH SOCKET As shown in Fig. 13, the circuit breaker cam 108 and its cover 109 are in open-circuit position, due to the aaearao same manner as already described above in. connectionwith the description of the single-operation switch. This action will bring one of the metallic segments of the cam; cover -5 into contact with the spring contact 104, the uncovered quadrant ofthe breaker cam taking a position under the spring contact 102 forming; part of aresilient bulb base center contact 103. Thus, the: circuit will be closed through said cam cover, the spring contacts 106, 107 to the base of the electric bulb, through the low-wattage filament to the screw base ferrule of the bulb to the flexible contact 121.

A second downward movement of the slide member 123 will rotate the circuit breaker cam 108 together with its cover 109 another 90 degrees to bring the uncovered quadrant of said breaker cam under the spring contact 106 and two of the metal segments of its. cover 109 under the spring contacts 102 and 104 respectively. The closed circuit thus efifected is through the spring contact 104, breaker cam cover 109, spring contact 102,. the bulb base center contact 103, through a filament in a lamp (not shown) of twice, for example, the wattage of the first filament to the screw base ferrule of the lamp and the flexible contact 121.

The third 90 degree rotation of the. breaker cam 108 will. bring the three metallic segments of the cam cover 109 under the three spring contacts 102., 104' and 106, thereby closing the two previously described circuits to energize both lamp filaments and thus use their combined wattage.

The fourth .90 degree rotation of the breaker cam 108 will return it to its original open-circuit position to turn off the lamp again, as illustrated in Fig. 13.

While there have been described in this specification two forms in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that these forms are presented by way of example only and that the invention is not limited to the specific disclosures, but may be modified and embodied in various other equivalent forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent is:

1. An electrical socket switch comprising, in combination, a cylindrical housing, means in said housing for attachment to an electrical appliance to be operated, rotary switch means in said housing for controlling the energization of said appliance, an annular switchring surrounding said housing and arranged for slidable: motion in an axial direction thereon, and mechanism extending through said housing and interconnecting said switch ring and said rotary switch means for rotating said rotary switch means upon successive sliding actuations of said switch ring on said housing, said interconnecting mechanism including a slide member arranged in an axial groove in said housing, a spring member secured to said slide member, said switch ring having an annular interior groove, an end portion of said spring member extending into said annular groove, and a link member interconnecting said slide member and said rotary switch means, said link member being formed at each end with semi-circular hook portions, one of which engages with an opening in said slide member, and the other of which engages with an opening in said rotary switch. means. 2. An electrical socket switch as defined in claim. 1, wherein said cylindrical housing comprises a pair of longitudinally divided casing halves molded of dielectric material, and a housing shell fitted over said casing halves and adapted to hold them together;

' 3. An electrical socketswitch as defined in claim 2, in

8 which said housing is externally threaded on its lower end, and an internally threaded end cap screwed thereon and adapted to hold said housing shell in place.

4. An electrical socket switch as defined in claim 3,,ineluding locating means for holding said housing shell against rotary motion with respect to said housing.

5. An electrical lamp switch comprising, in combinat-ion, a housing having means at one end for supportinga lamp bui'b, rotary switch means in said housing for controlling the energization of said lamp bulb, a sleeve switch ring surrounding said housing and arranged for sl-idable motion in an axial direction thereon, mechanism extending through said housing for interconnecting said switch ring and said rotary switch means for step-by-step rotation of saidrotary switch means, upon successive sliding actuations of said switch ring on said housing, to turn said bulb on and off, and wherein said interconnecting mechanism comprises a slide member arranged in an axial groove in said housing, a spring member secured to said slide member, said switch ring having an annular interior groove, and a link member interconnecting said slide member and said rotary switch means, said link member being formed at each end with semi-circular hook portions, one of which engages with an opening in said slide member, and the other of which engages with an openingin said rotary switch means.

6. An electrical lamp switch comprising, in combination, a housing having means at one end for supporting a lamp bulb, rotary switch. means in said housing, for controlling the energization of said lamp bulb comprising a pair of longitudinally divided casing halves molded of a dielectric material, a housing shellfitted over said casing halves and adapted to hold them together, said rotary switch means comprising a lateral hub portion molded in the interior of one of said casing halves, a symmetrical four segment circular ratchet formed on the end of said hub portio'n, an opposed pair of said segments beingfaced with conductor elements for the energization circuit of a light bulb, a pin axially arranged with respect to and secured at one end in said hub portion, a metal circuit breaker rotatably mounted on said pinand having a pair of opposed contact shoes adapted to fit against opposed pairs of said ratchet segments as said circuit breaker is turned in degree increments, apawl on said pin and having means to engage with said circuit breaker member when rotated in one direction for step-by-step rotation of said circuit breaker, spring .meaus for normally holding said pawl in a ro'tative position of rest, an annular switch ring surrounding said housing and arranged for slidable motion in axial direction thereon, and mechanism extending through said housing and interconnecting said switch ring and said pawl for step-by-step rotating said pawl and said circuit breaker upon successive sliding actuations of said switch ring on said housing structure for actuating said switch means. I

7. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6,. wherein said interconnecting mechanism comprisesa slide member arranged in an axial groove in said housing, a spring member secured to said slide member, said switch ring having an annular interior groove, the end, portion of said spring member extending into said interior groove, and a link member interconnecting said slide member and said pawl.

8. An electrical switch as defined in'claim 7, wherein said link member is formed at each end with a semicircular book, one of which hooks engages with'an opening in said slide member, and the other of which engages with an opening in said pawl.

9. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6, wherein said spring means comprises a helical spring surrounding said pin and having one end secured to said pawl, a head on the other end of said pin, and adjustable means, for securing the other end of said helical spring. 2

10. An electrical switch structure as defined in claim 9,

9 wherein said adjustable securing means comprises a square shoulder formed under the head of said pin, and a catch plate on said pin having a square opening for seating on said shoulder under said head, said catch plate having means for engaging with said other end of said helical spring.

11. An electrical switch as defined in claim 9, wherein said pawl comprises a fiber disk having an eccentricallydisposed, axially-directed opening, wherein said interconnecting mechanism comprises a slide member slidably arranged in an axial groove in said housing, said switch ring having an annular interior groove, and an end portion of said spring extending into said interior groove, and a link member interconnecting said slide member and said link member and being formed at each end with a semi-circular hook, one of which hooks engages with an opening in said slide member, and the other of which engages said opening in said disk.

12. An electrical lamp switch comprising, in combination, a housing having means at one end for supporting a lamp bulb, rotary switch means in said housing for controlling the energization of said lamp, said housing comprising a pair of longitudinally-divided casing halves molded of a dielectric material, and a housing shell fitted over said casing halves and adapted to hold them together, said rotary switch means comprising a lateral hub portion molded in the interior of one of said casing halves, a pin secured laterally in said hub portion, a dielectric circular ratchet member having four equal arcuate ratchet segments centrally journalled on said pin, a metallic ratchet member cover fitted on said ratchet member and having arcuate contact surface portions overlying three of said ratchet segments, a driver member fitted on said pin and connected for simultaneous rotation with said ratchet member and ratchet member cover, a pawl on said pin and having means to engage with said driven member for step-by-step rotating said ratchet member and ratchet member cover, spring means for normally holding said pawl structure in a rotative position of rest, an annular switch ring surrounding said housing and arranged for slidable motion in the axial direction thereon, and mechanism extending through said housing and interconnecting said switch ring and said pawl for step-by-step rotating said pawl and said ratchet member and its cover upon successive sliding actuations of said switch ring on said housing, and resilient con- 10 tact shoe members supported by said casing and arranged to be contacted by successive segments of said ratchet member and its cover as said ratchet member and cover are step-by-step rotated during switching operations, said contact shoe members being in circuit with the energization circuit for a lamp bulb.

13. An electrical switch as defined in claim 12, wherein said link member is formed at each end with a semicircular hook portion, one of which engages with an opening in said slide member, and the other of which engages with an opening in said pawl.

14. An electrical switch as defined in claim 13, wherein said spring means comprises a helical spring surrounding said pin and having one end secured to said pawl, a head on the other end of said pin, and adjustable means for securing the other end of said helical spring against rotary motion with respect thereto in the direction 'of rotation of said pawl.

15. An electrical switch as defined in claim 14, wherein said adjustable securing means comprises a square shoulder formed under the head of said pin, and a catch plate on said pin, having a square opening for seating on said shoulder against the underside of said head, said catch plate having means for engaging with said other end of said helical spring.

16. The electrical switch as defined in claim 15, wherein said pawl comprises a fiber disk having an eccentrically-disposed, axially-directed opening, wherein said interconnecting mechanism comprises a slide member slidably arranged in an axial groove in said housing, a spring member secured to said slide member, said switch ring having an annular interior groove, the end portion of said spring member extending into said interior groove, and a link member interconnecting said slide member and said pawl, said link member being formed at each end with a semi-circular hook, one of which hooks engages with an opening in said slide member, and the other of which engages said opening in said pawl.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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