US1564818A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

R. B. BENJAMIN SWITCH Filed Nov. 1, 1923 fl) a INVENTOR W 2M a7 Q m KW PATEN 1,564,818 T. OFFICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC IANUII'ACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COIBAEOBA'IJION OI ILLINOIS.

SWITCH.

Application filed November 1, 1823. Serial No. 612,060,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BEN- JAMIN, a citizen of the United States, re sidin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact descriptionI reference beinghad to the accompany ng a art of this specification.

' 's invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to a switch for controlling vehicle signalling circuits.

An object of the present invention is to rovide a compact, simple and inexpensive orm of switch, which can be particularly adapted for the above mentioned purpose and be mounted preferably upon the spark (orgasoline) lever of-a motor vewing, forming c e. Another object is to provide astructure that may be cheaply manufactured, of few parts and capable of being quickly assembled. I preferabl design this structure so that it is simp e and compact, of a rmanent character and not easily destroyed y rough usage.

Briefly, he invention resides in a combination comprising a tiltable switch operating member for controlling the circuit contacts, one of which is mounted on the switch operating member, and known as the movable contact, for engagement with a second contact, which is preferably grounded through a socket member serving as the switch mounting. The circuit contacts are included in a sub-assembly removable from the socket as a unit, so that this sub-assembly may be of a self-containing character. The socket is grounded on one side of the circuit, while the other side is brought through the socket by means of a spring contact inelectrical connection with the movable contact. This connection is in the form of-an insulated post to which the switch operating member and movable 'contact are connected.

I In order to apprise those skilled the art how to construct and practice my invention, I shall now describe alternate embodiments thereof, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

- In the drawings- Figure 1 is a'vertical axial section, taken and breaking the signallin .circuit.

socket 1.

3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is an embodiment of a modified form of my invention, being partly in elevation and partly in section to illustrate a modified form of retaining the selfcontained switch within the outer end of a vehicle spark lever control.

A vehicle signalling switch my invention comprises essentially a grounded metallic socket, a sub-assembly adapted to be inserted therein and furnishing a stationary contact, and a tiltable push button carried by this sub-assembly having a cooperating movable contact for making In the present instance, the soc et is formed at the outer end of a spark lever control of a motor vehicle. This outer end is enlarged and provided with a diametrical split at one side, so that the enlargement may constitute a clamp to securely retain at its lower end a horn lead forming part of the signailing circuit. The clamp also functions to securely retain the aforesaid subassembly at its upper end. Itwill be noted at the outset that the switch button is tiltembodying able, in any direction, so that contact of the switch terminals is assured whenever the buttoii is operated inany; direction.

As before mentioned,socket 1 is an enlargement at, the end oflever 2, which is axially cored for a limited distance at its upper end.. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,socket 1 is provided with a diametric split, designated 3, and withears 4 for recelving a clampingbolt 5 wherebysheath 6 of horn lead 7 is securely clamped in position. This clampingarrangement will also securely hold sub assembly 8-in position at the upper end of Sheath 6 terminates flush with the base or floor ofsocket 1, while lead 7 continues upwardly a short distance to pass throughacentral aperture 9 in aninsulation collar 10. Collar 10 is normally assembled at the base ofsocket 1 and lead 7 is flared outwardl to engage the upser face of this collar. 'Ihus the end of lea. 7 may be held withinsocket 1, and, by spreading it, a contact 11 may be furnished for engagement with acooperatin spring contact 12. Contact 12 is carrie by thesubassembly 8.

This sub-assembl is of a self-containing character in that e parts thereof may be. assembled before being inserted insocket 1.Sub-assembly 8 comprises a metallicsleeve contact member 14 of an external diameter a proximately equal to the internal diameter 0?socket 1, so that it may be tightly seated in the socket.

An insulating base comprising thecollars 15 is mounted upon themetallic sleeve 14,

having ahead 30 formed thereon and lying in a groove in the upper collar to'prevent relative rotation.Collars 15, together withsleeve 14, are provided with a central aperture through which ascrew 16 is adapted to pass. At the lower end,screw 16 holdsspring contact 12 in place, which spring contact is provided with anupstanding projection 17 passing through said insulating base, thereby preventing relative rotation with respect to the same. A metallic st 18 is internally'threaded for the receptlon of the upper end ofscrew 16. Acoil spring 19 surroimds the post 18, being confined between acollar 20 adjacent to the insulating base and amovable contact 21, fixed to thetiltable push button 22 surmounting the entire switch structure.Coil spring 19, being of the expansion type, tends to maintain the circuit in open condition by normally holdingmovable contact 21 out of engagement with astationary contact 23.

Stationary contact 23 is formed by the upper end of themetallic sleeve 14 terminatlng in an annular flange. Annular flange orcontact 23 firmly engages the upper edge of socket'l, so that a good contact is made therebetween.Socket 1 is grounded on one of the sides of the signalling circuit, and therefore,contact 23 should preferably be insulated from the rest of the sub-assembly, this being accomplished as before explained, by the insulatingbase comprising collars 15.Tiltable push button 22 is preferably molded of insulation material. In the molding process,rivets 24 are anchored'on the under side of Ipush button 22. Theserivets 24 are adapted to holdmovable contact 21 securely in position. A central aperture 25 is furnished inmovable contact 21. Post 18 is adapted to pass through this aperture 25 and be held from downward displacement by anannular flange 26. Whenpush button 22 is operated, it will be pushed against the tension ofcoil spring 19 untilmovable contact 21 engages thestationary contact 23 whereupon the circuit is completed. One of theadvantages accruing from the arrangement shown herein is that thepush button 22 need not be centrally engaged 1n order to close the circuit. Good prevent relative rotation between thepush button 22 and the insulating fibre washers 25, or rather between the post 18 and these washers, the post is provided withoutflaring ears 28 which lie withinadiametric groove 29 in theupper washer 15.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, I preferably do not split thesocket 1 to form a clamp in order to hold the sub-assembly in the socket. Instead, a tap is provided in one side ofsocket 1 for the reception of aset screw 31, which is adapted to engage the metallicsleeve contact member 14 for the purpose of holding it in place. However, either form of socket may be conveniently used with equal advantage.

The above described embodiments serve to illustrate the method of mounting a push button at the tip of a spark lever for controlling a signalling circuit of a vehicle, which at the present time usually includes a horn, claxon, or the like, for emitting the signal. Both embodiments also illustrate how the self-containing character of the switch permits its use at a point of convenience to the operator, which point does not afford much space for the switch, thereby necessitating a. compact and simple arrangement of the switch parts. And again, this self-containing feature of the switch assembly rendersthe construction practical and inexpensive to manufacture,

and obtains many advantages from a comine'cial standpoint which are not otherwise Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the gist of my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adopt the same for use under varying conditions of service, without eliminating certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim 1. In a switch, a socket having a contact at the base thereof, a sub-assembly designed to be removably inserted in said socket, a

connecting mem rs, a post for supporting said push button, and a contact at itsinner end for eng 'ement with said contact at the base of said socket.

2. In a switch, a grounded metallic socket having an insulated contact at the base thereof, a sub-assembly contained in a metallic sleeve contact member designed to be rem'ovably inserted into said metallic socket,

a cap shaped tiltable ush button sur'mount ing said assembly, an a contactat the inner end of said assembly for engagement with said contact at the base of said socket.

3. A switch. construction comprising a 'socket, an electrical terminal in said socket,

and a self-contained sub-assembly comprising" a fixed contact member, a manually operable'button tiltable in any direction and carrying a movable contact engageablev with said fixed contact, and a spring contact electrically connected with said movable contact and insertable 'into said socket for engaging said electrical terminal.

4. A switch construction comprising a socket, an electrical terminal in said socket,

and a self-contained sub-assembly com rising an insulating base, a post mounte on said base, a fixed contact carried by said base, a manually operable button tiltable in any direction on said post, and carrying a movable contact engageable with said fixed contact, and a spring contact electrically connected with said movable contact and engageable with said electrical terminal,

said lnsulating base, post and spring contact being insertable in said socket.

5.'A switch construction comprising a socket, an electrical terminal in said socket, P and a self-contained sub-assembly com prising a sleeve insertable into said socket, an insulating base mounted on said sleeve, a post mounted on said insulating base, a fixed contact, a'rmanually operable button mounted on said post and tiltable in any direction and carrying a movable contact engageable with said fixed contact, and a spring contact electrically connected with said movable contact andmountedon said insulating base, and engaging said electrical terminal. Y

6. A. switch. construction com risin a socket, an electrical terminal in said soc et, and a self-contained sub-'assembl comprising a sleeve insertable into. sai socket, and having'an inwardly extending flange at its inner end, an insulating base mounted on said sleeve, comprisin a pair of buttons clamped on op osite si es of. said flange, a'post mounte on said insulating base, a fixed contact, a manually operable button tiltable in any direction, and carrying a movable contact for engagement with said fixed contact, and a spring contact mounted on said base end engageable with said electri'cal' terminal.

7. A switch construction comprising a socket, an electrical'terminal in said socket, and a self-contained sub-assembly comprising an insulating base, a spring contact fixe contact, and means for securing said post and spring contact on sald insulatmg base, and electrically connecting said post and sprim contacts comprising a screw ex-- tending through said spring contact and threaded into said post.

8. A switch construction comprisin a socket, an insulating base insertable into said socket, a post mounted on said insulating base, a button swiveled and tiltable on said post, a contact mounted on said button, a screw extending through said base and threaded into said post for holding it on said base, and means for preventing relative rotation between said post and base, whereby said post' may be held from turning in assembly as the screw is threaded into the post. 9. A switch construction comprising a socket, an insulating base insertable mto said socket, a post mounted on said insulating base, a button swiveled and tiltable on said post, a contact mounted on said button, a' screw extending throu h said base and threaded into said post or holding it on said base, said post having 'ear extending laterally therefrom and enga ing said base whereby said post may be hel from turning in assembly as the screw is threadedinto the 0st.

10. A switch construction comprisin socket, an electrical terminal in said and a self-contained sub-assembly comprising a metallic sleeve insertable into said socket, an insulating base including a pair of collars for clamping the lower portion of said sleeve, a post carried b said msulating base, a button swiveled an tiltable on said post, a contact on said button adapted for en agement with said sleeve to close the circult, a contact also on said post for engaging said electrical terminal in said socket, said.

grounded socket, an insulated terminal member at the base of said socket, a sub-assembly including a post in electrical connection with said terminal. member, a button swiveled and tiltable on said post, a contact a socket,

11. A switch construction comprising a carried by said button, said contact adapted to engage upon operation of said button, a contact member forming part of said subassembly, said contact member being in elec-' trical connection with said grounded socket.

12. A switch for controlling a vehicle signalling circuit or the like comprising a lever control shaped to form a socket, said socket being grounded to serve as ones'ide of the circuit, an insulated electrical terminal carried by said socket and connected to the other side of the circuit, a sub-assembly in electrical connection with said terminal removably inserted in said socket, an operating member having a movable contact carried by said sub-assembly, a cup shaped member forming part of said subassembly insulated from said movable contact, said cup shaped member being in confor engagement with said movable contact for closing said circuit.

13. A switch for controlling a vehicle signalling circuit or the like com rising a lever control in the shape of a soci: her at one end adapted to receive a sub-assembly having stationary and movable contacts thereon, said sub-assembly comprising means for carrying an operating member insulated from said stationary contact, said means being in electrical connection with said movable contact and in one side of said circuit, said stationary contact being grounded in the otherside of said circuit through said socket member.

. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

et mem-

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