US2193268A - Lighting switch - Google Patents

Description

March 12,1940. H CATRQN ET AL 2,193,268

LIGHTING SWITCH Filed May 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 12, `1940. H. cATRoN ET AL LIGHTING SWITCH Filed May 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 12, 1%40 LIGHTING SWITCH Harold Catron and Delbert J. Chapman, Logansport, Ind.. assignors to R-B-M Manufacturing Company, Logansport, Ind., a corporation of Indiana application May 1 5', 1.937, serial No. 142,799

11 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to lighting switches of the type in which the switch unit is mounted on the back side of a panel and is controlled by a member extending on the forward side thereof and in which the operating member is detachable from the switch mechanism, and in which the latter is capable of being disposed in a plurality of positions.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of switch mechanism of this character in which a positiveindication is afforded when the switch mechanism is in one of its positions and in which the operating rod or other member is conveniently detachable from the switch mechanism so as to facilitate mounting of the switch unit in position and the subsequent insertion and connection of the operating means with the movable part or parts of the switch unit.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of simple and convenient means for illuminating a portion of the operating knob, by which the switch unit is controlled, for indicating the position of some part, such as the usual foot dimming switch. Another object of the present invention in this connection is the mounting of the lamp on the bracket that holds the switch unit in position on the back side of a panel or the like and in such a position that light from the lamp passes through a hollow or axially bored operating member so as to furnish an indication `on the forward side of the panel.

"A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved means for interconnecting the inner end of the operating rod with the movable part or parts of the switch unit after the latter has been installed in position, and it is a further object of the present invention in this connection to provide means whereby the connection between the operating rod and the switch unit may be disconnected easily and conveniently.

'I'hese and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred structural embodiment of our invention.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of a switch assembly embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the movable switch contact (Cl. 20o-16) and associated parts in vone of their "on positions; y

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the movable contact in 'an intermediate position;

Figure 4 is a side view with parts broken away to show the switch parts in their oi position;

Figure 5 is a side view with parts broken away to illustrate the manner in which the knob may be illuminated;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the relative positions of the shftable contact carrier and the operating rod when thelatter is to be .attached to the carrier;

Figure 'I is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operating rod inserted in the opening in the outer end of the contact carrier but before it has been rotated into its interlocked position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure-'7 but showing the operating rod interlocked with the carrier; and

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and`9, the reference numeral I0 indicates the switch case as a whole, which is generally of rectangular formation having a bottom wall II, side walls I2, and end walls I3 and Il. The side walls are extended forwardly, as at 12a, and at their forward ends have inwardly bent lugs I6. A mounting or attaching bracket I8 of generally channel section is riveted, as at I9 and 20, to the side Wall lugs I6 andhas its forward end formed with a downwardly bent attaching lug 2| provided with a laterally elongated opening 22 in which a threaded collar 23 is disposed. The collar 23 has a head 25 formed thereon, and a downwardly projected portion 26 is formed in the forward end of the bracket I8 l after the attaching collar or bushing 23 is in -place, the projection 26 cooperating with the head 25, as best shown in Figure 3, to hold the collar 23 in position. The member 23 is flattened as indicated at 28 in Figure 1, so as to fit in the laterally elongated opening 22 and to be held against rotation therein. A nut 29 is screwed onto the threaded portion of the collar or bushing 23 and securely attaches the bracket I8 to a supporting panel 30 (Figure l?) or other part.

A bottom wall I I of the switch case Illis formed with la plurality of depressions 33, and 35, one of which, 34, is larger than the otherslas will be referred to later, and the upper portion of the switch case III is closed by an insulator terminal block 30 the corners of which are notched, as at 39 (Figure 1) to receive ears 40 which are formed on the side walls I2 of the switch case I0 and are bent over to effectivelysecure the terminal block 33 to the switch case I0. 'I'he forward wall I4 of the casing l0 carries an upwardly extending lug 42 which is adapted to be received in a notch 43 formed in the forward central portion of the terminal block 38 for the purpose of insuring that the block will be mounted in the right position on the switch case I0. The terminal block 3B carries a number of stationary contacts of any suitable or desiredv type, and for purposes of illustration we have shown a pair of contacts 45 and three individual contacts 46a, 46h and 46c, each in the form of headed rivets mounted on the terminal block 38 and serving to fix the associated terminals 41 and 48 in place on the outer side o1' the terminal block 38. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable or desirable arrangement and number of contacts and terminals may be provided as required.

A shiltable contact unit, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 50, is disposed and shiftable in a switch case I0, and comprises a contact carrier 5| having its inner end formed with an opening 52 therein with fianges 53 and 54 extending upwardly on opposite sides thereof; The sides of the inner end of the contact carrier 5| are formed with upwardly extending generally parallel arms 56 between which a cage or saddle 51 is disposed. The saddle 51 is movable vertically between the arms 36and has a pair of notched downwardly extending lugs 60 at opposite ends embracing and receiving a roller 6|, the latter having reduced ends 62 disposed in the notched lugs 60. The cage or saddle 51 also has side sections 65 and 66 which are extended, as at 65a and 66a, so as to lie on opposite sides of the carrier arms 56 to thereby serve as guides for the vertical movement of the roller cage or saddle 51. The cage 51 carries a spring locating pin 10 which receives the lower end of a spring 1|. The upper end of the spring 1I bears against a contact support block 12, the ends of `which are notched, as at 13 (Figure 4), to embrace the upper reduced vportions of the arms 56. A contact plate 14 is carried by the insulator block 12 and has ears 15 and 16 (Figure 2) embracing the block 12 and disposed in notches cut in the side thereof. Since the roller 6| is carried at the lower portion of the cage 51 and the spring 41| bears against the cage at its lower end and against the contact block 12 at its upper end, the spring 1l serves the dual purpose of urging the roller 6| downwardly into one of the notches 33, 34 or 35 and also forcing a contact plate 14 up into firm engagement with one or more of the contacts 45, 46, according to the position of the shiftable contact unit 50.

When the roller 6| seats in one of the depressions 33, 34 or 35 the shiftable switch unit 50 is yieldingly held in that position under the bias exertedA by the spring 1|. The intermediate depression 34 is purposely made somewhat larger than the other depressions in order to afford the user an'indication as to the position in which the switch mechanism is disposed and also serves as additional resistance against the accidental displacement of the switch mechanism out of position. By having the first depression more shallow than the deeper intermediate one, it is easier' to operate the switch, and also each position is distinct from the other. As is obvious, however, more than three depressions may be provided and any one or more of the depressions may be made larger than the others, ac-

cording to the arrangement of contacts and function of the switch unit. For example, in a four position switch there may be two or more of the larger depressions. v

The forward end of the bottom wall |I and the lower portion of the front end wall |4 is formed with an opening out of which extends the forward end 9| of the contact carrier 5|. An upwardly bent arm or lug 92 is formed on the forward portion 9| of the contact carrier and has a laterallyy elongated opening 93 in line with the opening in the threaded attaching collar 23, A spring is riveted, as at 96, to the forward end of the contact carrier section 9| and is biased to take a position at an angle to the lug 92. The end of the spring 95 is provided with a vertically elongated opening 91 (Figure 6) appreciablly larger than the opening 93 but similarly in line with the axis of the co1- lar 23.

The means for shifting the contact carrier unit from one position to another comprises an operating rod |00 having an axially extending bore |0| extending therethrough. The outer end of the operating rod or shaft |00 carries a knob |02 having a translucent section |03 (Figure 5) in line with the bore IOI in the rod |00. The outer end of the latter and the knob |02 carried thereby is disposed on the front side of the panel 30. 'Ihe inner end of the operating rod or shaft |00 is iiattened as at |05 and includes a portion |06 of reduced diameter, and the intermediate portion of the reduced portion |06 has slots |01 and |08 formed therein, as best shown in Figure 6. The flattened section |05 extends axially outwardly a short distance beyond the portion |06 of reduced diameter, which leaves axially projecting shoulders I|0 and ||I.

After the switch unit has been attached on the back side of the panel 30 and the fastening nut 29 tightened, the operating shaft or rod |00 is inserted from the front of the-panel by passing the rod-through the openingA in the collar 23 and towards the forward end of the contact carrier 50. ward the forward end 92 of the contact carrier in the position shown in Figure 6, that is, with the flattened sections |06 at theV inner end of the rod |00 held in a. horizontal position. The diameter of the central portion of the opening 91 in the spring 95 is large enough to admit the reduced end |06, and likewise the longer dimension of the opening 93 in the lug 92 is sufficient to admit the inner portion ofthe flattened forward end of the rod |00. In moving to this position, however, the shoulders ||0 and II| 'come up against the spring 95, but continued inward motion of the rod |00 bends the spring 95 backwardly until it lies against the front f'ace of the lug 92, as best shown in Figure 7. This movement of the rod |00 forces the rear end of the contact carrier 50 up against the rear wall I3 of the switch case if the switch contact carrier 50 is not already in that position. As soon as the spring 95 has been brought substantially to the position shown in Figure 7, the slots |01 and |03 are in the same plane as the lug 92. This permits the rod |00 to be turned through 90 and causes the slotted sections I01 and |08 to engage the opposite sides of the opening 93 in the lug 92, which inter- Initially, the rod |00 is brought tolocks the operating rod with the forward portion Si of the contact carrier 5|. At the same time, the elongated opening 91 in the spring 95 snaps over the shoulders and Iii and serves to prevent any accidental rotation of the operating rod |00 about its own axis, thereby locking the rod |00 in interengaged relation with the movable switch unit 50.

It will be noted that the connection between the operating rod on the forward side of the panel 30 and the movable switch unit 50 on the back side thereof is established simply by a forward and rotational movement of the member |00. Longitudinal movement of the rod- |00 then serves to shift the movable switch unit 50 from one position to another, the unit being held in any selected position by the action of the spring 1| forcing the roller saddle or cage 51 and the roller 6| downwardly so as to cause the roller to seat in the associated depression in the bottom wall Il of the switch case |0.

In order to indicate when the movable switch f unit v50 is in one of its positions, one of the associated depressions is made somewhat larger than the others so as to require the exertion of slight additional force in moving the switch out of position.

It may also be desirable to afford a. visual indication of the condition, that is, whether or not it is on, or whether it is disposed in some particular position of the several positions available, of a switch, such as thetusual foot dimming switch or any other switch including theabove described switch, and to this end the present invention contemplates the disposition of a lamp |20 carried in a socket |2| supported in any suitable manner in an opening |22 in the rear portion of the mounting bracket I8, between the inner end of the tubular operating rod |00 and the front wall I4 of the switch case in the innermost position of the shiftable contact unit. The present invention is not particularly concerned with the construction of the lamp socket, but as best shown in Figure 5, the socket |2| consists of a sleeve-like member having an opening at one end surrounding a conductor |25 and receiving a washer |26 against which a spring y21 bears, the other end of the spring seating against an insulating washer |20 through which the conductor |25 extends. The conductor |25 terminates in a contact head |20. The center contact of the lamp |20 is adapted to engage the contact head |28, and `Athe sleeve member i2| is provided with bayonet lgrooves |32 and `333 accommodating the conventionaifastening studs carried on the base |34 of the lamp |20. The outer end of the socket |2| is formed with a shouldered section |31 and a plurality of spring arms |38 which serves to releasably hold the socket |2| in position. Preferably, although not necessarily, the spring arms |33 are formed in a flange |40 on the lower or outer end of the socket |2|. If desired, a collar 4| may be provided to insure that the filament of the lamp |20 shall be in proper position with respect to the axial opening |0| extending through the operating rod |00 so that light therefrom will pass through the bore |0| and illuminate the knob section |03.l

In operation, the shiftable switch unit 50 is moved from one position to another by pushing or pulling on the knob |02. In the innermost position of the latter, as shown in Figures'4 and 5, the unit 50 is in its oii" position, and the corresponding position of the contact plate 14 is shown 'at a in dotted lines in Figure 1. It will be noted that the contact plate I4 engages only the contact dta and does not engage either of theother contacts 45. The roller 5I seats in the groove 33 and serves to hold the switch in this position but yields to permit the knob to be pulled out so as to provide for the movement of the switch unit 50 into an "on" position, such as the one shown in Figure 3. In this position the roller El seats in the largest depression 34 and connects 'the contacts 46a and 4Gb with the terminal M through one of the contacts 45.`

Since the depression 34 is larger than the others, it takes a somewhat stronger pull on the knob to shift the switch unit into its third position, shown in Figure 2, in which the contact plate 14 connects the contacts 4Gb and 46c with the terminal fil through the other contact 45. The

spring 1| biases the roller 5| to engage the notch or groove 35 so as to yieldingly hold thev switch unit in this position. The position of the contact plate i4 corresponding to this position of the switch is indicated at b. The connector |25 may be so connected as to cause the lamp |20 to be illuminated when the switch unit is in one of its on positions, as desired. In Figure 3, the lamp |20 and associated parts have been eliminat'ed for purposes of clarity.

When it is desired to remove the switch from the panel 30, it is necessary only to disconnect the knob at its operating shaft |00 from the switch unit and then remove the nut 29. In order to disconnect the operating rod |00, the attaching bracket i8 is provided with an opening- |50 (Figures 5 and 7) adjacent the end of the spring 95 when the contact carrier 5| is in its innermost position, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. A tool, such as a small screw-driver, indicated in dotted lines by the reference numeral |5|, is then inserted so as to engage the end of the spring 95 Ato pry the spring backwardly until it is in a position (Figure 7) to permit the operating rod |00 to be turned from this position shown in Figure 8 back to `the position shown in Figure '7 with the fiat portions |05 horizontal, and when the rod |00 is in this position it may be withdrawn from the contact carrier 5| and removed from the panel without interference. The nut 29 is then unscrewed from the threaded bushing 23 and then the switch can be detached from the panel.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structural embodiment illustrating the principles of our invention,` it is to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described above,

but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed `ln the practice of the broader aspects of our invention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to s'ecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch comprising a unit adapted to be mounted on the back side of a panel or the like and including a movable element and a bracket adapted to be mounted over an opening in the panel, an operating rod adapted to be inserted through said opening into said unit from the front of said panel, cooperating means on said movable element and the inner end of said rod for interconnecting said element and rod, and spring means carried by and movable with said element and engaging said rodfor yieldingly holding the latter engaged with said element.

2. A switch comprising a unit adapted to be mounted on the back side of a panel or the like and including a movable element and a bracket adapted to be mounted over an opening in the panel, an operating rod adapted to be inserted through said openinginto said unit from the front of said panel, the inner end of said rod being flattened and having a slot, a lug carried by said n. ivable element and having a non-circular opening shaped to accommodate the insertion and rotation of the inner end of said rod so as to interlock the slot of the latter with said movable element, and means carried by said element for yieldinglyl holding said rod against rotation relative thereto so as to retain said rod and element in interlocked relation.

3. A lighting switch'having a switch case, a longitudinally shiftable contact carrier having an apertured section, an operating rod having its inner end reduced, flattened and formed with a slot, the aperture of said carrier section and the end of said rod being'formed so that when the end is inserted into said' aperture and turned, the slot in said rod engages the edge of said Aapertured section to provide for operating vsaid carrier by shifting said rod, and a spring member carried by said carrier and having an elongated opening receiving, and accommodating rotation of, the reduced end of said rod and adapted to engage the flattened portion of said rod and prevent further rotation thereof after the rod has been rotated to cause said slot to interlock with said apertured carrier section. 4. A switch comprising a switch case having a plurality of elongated depressions in the bottom wall thereof, an insulating block carried by the switch case opposite the bottom wall, fixed contacts on said block, a carrier shiftably mounted in said switch case, a roller cage shiftably mounted in said carrier, a movable contact also shiftably mounted in said carrier, a roller having vswitch case and movable over said depressions,

said carrier having spaced arms thereon, a roller cage movably mounted on said arms and carrying a roller engageable in said'depressions, a shiftable contact also mounted on said carrier arms and adapted to engage said fixed contacts, and spring means acting between said movable contact and said'iroller cage for maintaining said contacts in engagement and biasing said roller to enter each of the depressions in the bottom wall of the switch case for yieldingly holding s'aid carrier in each of its positions.

6. A switch comprising a switch case, an attaching bracket secured to said case, a longitudinally shiftable contact carrier, means limiting the movement of said carrier in one position, an operating rod for actuating said carrier, and means for releasably connecting the inner end of said rod to said carrier, including a spring member fixed to said' carrier and engageable with said rod to hold the latter in interengagement with said carrier, said bracket having an opening therein disposed adjacent said spring in said one position of the carrier and providing for the insertion of a tool to move said spring away from said biased position while said carrier'is held by motion limiting means in said one position to release said operating rod from the carrier.

7. A lighting switch comprising an attaching bracket, a switch case fastened to said bracket, a longitudinally shiftable contact carrier having an apertured section, an operating rod having its inner end reduced, flattened and formed with a slot, the aperture of said carrier section and the end of said rod being formed so that when the end is inserted into said aperture and turned, the slot in said rod engages the edge of said apertured section to provide for operating said carrier by shifting said rod, and a spring member carried by said carrier and having an elongated opening receiving and accommodating rotation of the reduced end of said rod and adapted to engage the-flattened portion of said rod and prevent further rotation thereof after the rod has been rotated to cause said slot to interlock with said apertured carrier section, said bracket having an opening formed therein adjacent said spring member when the carrier is in its innermost position, providing for the insertion of a tool to bend said spring member out of engagement with the flattened portion of the rod so as to provide for rotation of the latter to release the slotted portion of the rod from. the aperture in said carrier section.

8. Aswitch comprising an attaching bracket, a switch case fastened to the inner portionof said bracket at one side thereof, switch mechanism carried by said switch case and including an outer movable section extending outwardly from said case in spaced relation with respect to said bracket and having an arm, a hollow operating l over the axial opening therein and in a position to receive light passing through said opening from. said lamp.

9. A switch comprising a supporting bracket having an attaching lug at one end, a switch case at the other end and including shiftable contact means, a movable carrier spaced from the bracket and extending at one end into the switch case and having a lug at the other end extend-A ing toward the bracket, a hollow operating shaft extending through said attaching lug and connected at its inner end to the lug on said carrier,

a lamp socket detachably carried by said bracket inwardly of said operating shaft, a lamp' in said socket disposed generally in line with said shaft in the space between the movable carrier and the bracket, and a knob on the outer end of said shaft adapted to be illuminated by light rays from said lamp passing throughsid hollow shaft.

10. A switch according to claim 9 wherein said lug is provided with an elongated aperture therein and said operating shaft is provided with an axial opening extending therethrough and a flattened slotted section adapted to enter said elongated opening in the outer end of said shiftable element and to be interengaged therewith, and a spring extending inthe same general direction as said lug and cooperating with the flattened portion of said operating rod for maintaining the latter in interlocked relation with said shiftable element.

11. A switch comprising a switch case having spacedvside wall extensions, a mounting bracket xed at one end `to said extensions and having its other end turned atsubstantially right angles to the main body of the mounting bracket and provided with an aperture therein, a reciprocable switch contact means movably mounted i'n said" switch case and having a section extending exteriorly thereof generally parallel to but spaced from the body portion of said mounting bracket and an end turned at substantially right angles and extending toward the mounting bracket adjacent the apertured end of the latter, a hollow operating rod for reciprocating said switch contact means movably disposed in the aperture of the end of said mounting bracket and detachably connected to the said end of the switch contact ,means, the axis of said rod lying between the body portion of said mounting bracket and the body portion of the extended section of the switch contact means, means on said end for holding the operating rod in engagement therewith and preventing the latter from being pulled out of the aperture in said mounting bracket, and a lamp carried by the mounting bracket in a pos.tion between said side wall extensions and also between the extended section of said switch contact means and the body portion of the mounting bracket and in line with the axis of said rod.

HAROLD CATRON. DELBERT J. CHAPMAN.

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