Remote control switching apparatus

Claim 2

Electrical apparatus operably receiving power from an electric power source comprising a first electrically powered member adjacent the power source, a second electrically powered member movable from adjacent the first member to a location remote therefrom, electric line means for connecting the source of power to each of the first and second members, said line means including first, second and third lines connected at one end to said power source and at their other end to said second member, said first and secoNd lines constituting ground lines, and switching means at least in part forming a part of said line means including a first switch connected between the third line and said first member for selectively energizing said first member from said power source and deenergizing said first member therefrom, said first member also being connected to said first line, said switching means further including a second switch connected between said first and second lines adjacent said second member and movable therewith to the remote location for controlling said first switch and thus the energizing and deenergizing of the first member.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said switching means includes a coil adjacent the power source that forms a part of the second line, and said first switch operating through the energization of said coil to establish an electrical connection between the third line and the first line and alternately breaking the last-mentioned electrical connection upon the deenergization of the coil.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that said coil is of relatively heavy gauge low-resistance wire.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that said first member comprises an electrically operated signal device.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 including a second power source adjacent the second member and in series with said second switch, closure of said second switch supplying control power for said first switch to close said first switch to establish the electrical connection between the third and first lines.

Claim 7

Apparatus for connecting a first source of electrical power to a first electrically operated member operable at a location remote from the source of power and a second electrically operated member adjacent the source of power, and controlling the energization of the second member from said first power source, comprising first, second and third lines for connecting the first source of power to the first member, a fourth line electrically connected o said first line adjacent the first source of power and to said second member, a fifth line electrically connected to said second line and said second member adjacent said first power source, said third line having operable cooperating means for establishing an electrical connection between the third line and said first line through said second member adjacent the power source and alternately breaking the last-mentioned electrical connection through said second member, and operable second means between said first and second lines and adjacent the first member for selectively operating the cooperating means between an electrical connection condition and a condition that the last-mentioned electrical connection is broken.

Claim 8

Apparatus for connecting a first source of electrical power to a first electrically operated member operable at a location remote from the source of power and a second electrically operated member adjacent the source of power, and controlling the energization of the second member from said first power source, comprising first, second and third lines for connecting the first source of power to the first member, a fourth line electrically connected o said first line adjacent the first source of power and to said second member, a fifth line electrically connected to said second line and said second member adjacent said first power source, said third line having operable cooperating means for establishing an electrical connection between the third line and said first line through said second member adjacent the power source and alternately breaking the last-mentioned electrical connection through said second member, and operable second means between said first and second lines and adjacent the first member for selectively operating the cooperating means between an electrical connection condition and a condition that the last-mentioned electrical connection is broken.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said cooperating means for establishing an electrical connection between the third line and said first line includes a pair of switch contacts connected between said third line and said second member operable between a first position providing an open connection to said second member and a second position establishing a closed electrical connection to said second member.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the cooperating means for establishing an electrical connection between the third and first lines includes coil means in the second line for operating the pair of switch contacts from their said second position .

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that said second means for selectively operating means includes an on-off switch and a second power source connected in series with the switch of said second means for selectively operating the cooperating means between the first and second lines.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that there is provided a sixth line electrically connected to said second line and to said second member adjacent said first power source, a second pair of switch contacts connected between said third line and said second member operable between a first position providing an open connection to said second member and a second position establishing a closed electrical connection to said second member, and that the coil means include a first coil for operating the first pair of switching contacts to their said second position when D C current is passed therethrough in one direction and a second coil connected in series with the first coil for operating said second pair of contacts from their first position to their said second position when D C current is passed therethrough in a second direction that is opposite said one direction, said second pair of contacts providing an open connection to said second member when in their said first position and establishing a closed electrical connection to said second member when in their said second position, and that the second means includes a D C power source and a manually operable reversing switch for selectively connecting the D C power source across the first and second lines for passage of current through the first and second lines in one direction to cause D C current to be passed through said first coil in said one direction and alternately in an opposite direction to cause D C current to be passed through said second coil in said second direction.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that the cooperating means includes a permanent magnet between said coils that aids the field of one coil and partially cancels the effect of the other coil when current is passed through the coils in one direction, said coils being oppositely wound.

Claim 14

Electrical apparatus for conducting electrical power from a first power source, one side of which is grounded, to an electrically operated first member that is operable at a location remote from the first source of power and to a second electrically operated member adjacent the first source of power and controlling the energization of the second member from a position adjacent the second member, the electrical apparatus comprising a first and second power line having first ends adapted for connection to the first source of power and second ends adapted for connection to the first member, a ground line having a first end connected to the grounded side of said power source and a second end adapted for connection to the first member, a coil having a first end electrically connected to the grounded side of said first power source and a second end electrically connected to the first end of said ground line, a reed-type switch having a first contact connected to the second line adjacent the power source and a second contact, said reed-type switch being extended through the coil and having said contacts in an open condition when the coil is deenergized, said contacts being movable by the energization of the coil to a closed position, a line electrically connected to the second contact and to the second member and a line electrically connected to the first line adjacent the first power source and to the second member, a second power source, and second means for selectively electrically connecting the second power source to the ground line and first line adjacent the first member to energize said coil, and breaking the electrical connection between the ground line and the second power source, said second means including a switch having a closed position and an open position.

Claim 15

Electrical apparatus for conducting electrical power from a first power source, one side of which is grounded, to an electrically operated first member that is operable at a location remote from the first source of power and to a second electrically operated member adjacent the first source of power and controlling the energization of the second member from a position adjacent the second member, the electrical apparatus comprising a first and second power line having first ends adapted for connection to the first source of power and second ends adapted for connection to the first member, a ground line having a first end connected to the grounded side of said power source and a second end adapted for connection to the first member, a coil having a first end electrically connected to the grounded side of said first power source and a second end electrically connected to the first end of said ground line, a reed-type switch having a first contact connected to the second line adjacent the power source and a second contact, said reed-type switch being extended through the coil and having said contacts in an open condition when the coil is deenergized, said contacts being movable by the energization of the coil to a closed position, a line electrically connected to the second contact and to the second member and a line electrically connected to the first line adjacent the first power source and to the second member, a second power source, and second means for selectively electrically connecting the second power source to the ground line and first line adjacent the first member to energize said coil, and breaking the electrical connection between the ground line and the second power source, said second means including a switch having a closed position and an open position.

Claim 16

Apparatus for remotely controlling a first electrical device from a location adjacent the second electrical device comprising first, second and third conductors, a male connector component attached to one end of said conductors, said male connector component including a prong for each conductor for connection to a grounded primary source of power, a female connector component attached to the other ends of said conductors, said female connector component including a socket for each conductor for connection to the second electrical device, a manually opErable switch, an auxiliary source of power, means connecting said switch and auxiliary source of power in series between said first and second conductors adjacent said female connector component, a relay having a coil and a pair of normally open contacts actuatable to a closed position when said coil is energized, said coil being in series with said second conductor adjacent said male connector and one of said contacts being connected to said third conductor adjacent said male connector component, and means near said male connector components for connecting the other of said contacts and said first conductor to said first electrical device.

Claim 17

Apparatus for remotely controlling a first electrical device from a location adjacent the second electrical device comprising first, second and third conductors, a male connector component attached to one end of said conductors, said male connector component including a prong for each conductor for connection to a grounded primary source of power, a female connector component attached to the other ends of said conductors, said female connector component including a socket for each conductor for connection to the second electrical device, a manually opErable switch, an auxiliary source of power, means connecting said switch and auxiliary source of power in series between said first and second conductors adjacent said female connector component, a relay having a coil and a pair of normally open contacts actuatable to a closed position when said coil is energized, said coil being in series with said second conductor adjacent said male connector and one of said contacts being connected to said third conductor adjacent said male connector component, and means near said male connector components for connecting the other of said contacts and said first conductor to said first electrical device.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that said last-mentioned means also provides a connection from the second conductor to said first device.