US3725834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric switches
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A switch for controlling energization of a signal device, such as an electric light, the switch having an actuator arm which is movable to any one of three positions. In one position of the actuator, current flow to the signal device is interrupted; in a second position of the actuator, uninterrupted current flows to the signal device so that the latter is energized in a steady manner; and in a third position of the actuator, current flows intermittently to the signal device so that the latter may act as an emergency indicator.
Inventors
- 👤 R Dorsey
- 👤 J Gross
- 👤 H Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H61/00; H01H61/06; H01H61/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
A switch for use in an electrical circuit including a signal device, comprising: a switch housing, an actuator movably carried by said housing for movement to any one of three positions, a first set of electrical terminals carried by said housing in spaced relation, one terminal (A) being adapted for connection to one line of power source and the other terminal (B) being adapted to be connected to one side of said signal device and the other side of the latter adapted to be connected to the other line of the power source, a first switch arm having one end fixed to terminal (A) and its other end movable toward and away from electrical engagement with terminal (B), a second set of terminals carried by said housing in spaced relation, one terminal (C) being adapted for connection to said one side of said signal device and the other terminal (D) being adapted to receive current from said one line of said power source, a bi-metallic switch arm having one end fixed to terminal (D) and its other end movable toward and away from electrical engagement with terminal (C), a resistance wire wound about said bi-metallic switch arm and having its ends respectively connected to terminals (C) and (D), said actuator in one position holding said first switch arm one end out of engagement with terminal (B) so that no current flows to said signal device, said actuator in another position providing for engagement of said first switch arm end with terminal (B) so that said signal device is energized in a steady manner, said actuator in the third position providing for engagement of said first switch arm end with a further terminal which is electrically connected with terminal (D) and thus providing for energization of said resistance wire to heat the same and cause said bi-metallic switch arm to bend from its unheated shape to cause its end to engage terminal (C) so that said signal device is energized, engagement of the end of said bi-metallic switch arm with terminal (C) shorting out said resistance wire so that said bi-metallic switch arm cools and tends to bend back tO break electrical engagement with terminal (C), this action continuing so that said signal device is intermittently energized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
A switch for use in an electrical circuit including a signal device, comprising: a switch housing, an actuator movably carried by said housing for movement to any one of three positions, a first set of electrical terminals carried by said housing in spaced relation, one terminal (A) being adapted for connection to one line of power source and the other terminal (B) being adapted to be connected to one side of said signal device and the other side of the latter adapted to be connected to the other line of the power source, a first switch arm having one end fixed to terminal (A) and its other end movable toward and away from electrical engagement with terminal (B), a second set of terminals carried by said housing in spaced relation, one terminal (C) being adapted for connection to said one side of said signal device and the other terminal (D) being adapted to receive current from said one line of said power source, a bi-metallic switch arm having one end fixed to terminal (D) and its other end movable toward and away from electrical engagement with terminal (C), a resistance wire wound about said bi-metallic switch arm and having its ends respectively connected to terminals (C) and (D), said actuator in one position holding said first switch arm one end out of engagement with terminal (B) so that no current flows to said signal device, said actuator in another position providing for engagement of said first switch arm end with terminal (B) so that said signal device is energized in a steady manner, said actuator in the third position providing for engagement of said first switch arm end with a further terminal which is electrically connected with terminal (D) and thus providing for energization of said resistance wire to heat the same and cause said bi-metallic switch arm to bend from its unheated shape to cause its end to engage terminal (C) so that said signal device is energized, engagement of the end of said bi-metallic switch arm with terminal (C) shorting out said resistance wire so that said bi-metallic switch arm cools and tends to bend back tO break electrical engagement with terminal (C), this action continuing so that said signal device is intermittently energized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said first switch arm electrically connects terminal D with terminal A when said actuator is in its third position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The construction according to claim 2 wherein said first switch arm one end has a pair of electrical contacts extending from opposite faces, one contact being engageable with terminal B and the opposite contact being engageable with a third contact which is electrically connected to terminal D.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The construction according to claim 3 wherein in said one position of said actuator, the switch arm contacts are out of engagement with terminal B and said third contact, and in said another position of said actuator a switch arm contact is in engagement with terminal B but the opposed contact is out of engagement with said third contact, and in said third position of said actuator a switch arm contact is in engagement with said third contact but the opposed contact is out of engagement with terminal B.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is pivotally carried by said housing and has a cam surface engageable with said first switch arm to move the latter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said actuator has a spring-pressed dent releasably engageable within any one of three recesses in said housing for yieldably holding said actuator in a selected position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a box-like back portion and a cover therefore, said sets of terminals being supported in matching recesses formed in said back and cover, and said back having spaced electrically connected contacts, one engaging terminal D and the other being engageable with said first switch arm free end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
346 words
A switch for use in an electrical circuit including a signal device, comprising: a housing, a pair of terminals carried by said housing in spaced relation, one adapted to be connected to one side of said signal device and the other side of the latter being adapted to be connected to one line of a power source, a switch blade carried by said housing for movement to any one of three positions, said switch blade being adapted to be connected to the other line of said power source, in one position said switch blade being out of engagement with either one of said terminals so that there is no current flow to said signal device, in a second position said switch blade being in electrical engagement with said one terminal to establish an uninterrupted flow of current to said signal device, and in the third position said switch blade being in electrical engagement with the other terminal, a pair of normally separated electrical contacts, one being fixed and electrically connected to said other terminal, a bi-metallic arm having one end fixed and electrically connected to said other terminal and its free end supporting the other contact, a resistance wire in close relationship with said bi-metallic arm and having its opposite ends respectively connected to said other terminal and said other contact, said other contact being adapted to be electrically connected to said one side of said signal device, whereby when said switch blade is in electrical engagement with said other terminal current flows through said resistance wire to generate heat which affects said bi-metallic arm to cause it to bend in a direction whereby its free end moves toward said fixed contact to close said normally spaced contacts and thereby provide for conduction of current to said signal device, closing of said contacts shorting out said resistance wire whereby the latter cools and absence of heat affects said bi-metallic arm to unbend and open said contacts to interrupt flow of current to said signal device, this action continuing so that said signal device is intermittently energized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
346 words
A switch for use in an electrical circuit including a signal device, comprising: a housing, a pair of terminals carried by said housing in spaced relation, one adapted to be connected to one side of said signal device and the other side of the latter being adapted to be connected to one line of a power source, a switch blade carried by said housing for movement to any one of three positions, said switch blade being adapted to be connected to the other line of said power source, in one position said switch blade being out of engagement with either one of said terminals so that there is no current flow to said signal device, in a second position said switch blade being in electrical engagement with said one terminal to establish an uninterrupted flow of current to said signal device, and in the third position said switch blade being in electrical engagement with the other terminal, a pair of normally separated electrical contacts, one being fixed and electrically connected to said other terminal, a bi-metallic arm having one end fixed and electrically connected to said other terminal and its free end supporting the other contact, a resistance wire in close relationship with said bi-metallic arm and having its opposite ends respectively connected to said other terminal and said other contact, said other contact being adapted to be electrically connected to said one side of said signal device, whereby when said switch blade is in electrical engagement with said other terminal current flows through said resistance wire to generate heat which affects said bi-metallic arm to cause it to bend in a direction whereby its free end moves toward said fixed contact to close said normally spaced contacts and thereby provide for conduction of current to said signal device, closing of said contacts shorting out said resistance wire whereby the latter cools and absence of heat affects said bi-metallic arm to unbend and open said contacts to interrupt flow of current to said signal device, this action continuing so that said signal device is intermittently energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
352 words
A switch for use in an electrical circuit including a signal device, comprising: a switch blade having one end pivotally mounted so that its free end may be swung to electrical engagement with one or the other of two terminals, or to a position between and out of engagement with either terminal, said switch blade one end being adapted for connection to one side of an electrical power source, a conductor electrically connecting said one terminal to one side of said signal device, the other side of the latter being adapted for connection to the other side of said power source, whereby when said switch blade one end is in engagement with said one terminal, current is adapted to flow in uninterrupted manner through said signal device and actuate the same, said other terminal being electrically connected to a fixed first contact, a bimetallic switch arm having one end anchored to said other terminal and its free end carrying a second contact movable to and away from electrical engagement with said first contact, a resistance wire coiled about said bimetallic switch arm and having one end electrically connected to said other terminal and its other end electrically connected to the free end of said bimetallic switch arm, the latter being so biased that in cool condition it maintains said first and second contacts out of electrical engagement, a conductor electrically connecting the free end of said bimetallic switch arm to said one side of said signal device, whereby when said switch blade free end is moved to electrical engagement with said other terminal, current will flow through said resistance wire to heat the same and consequently heat said bimetallic switch arm and cause the latter to deform to a position wherein said first and second contacts are engaged, thereby establishing current flow through said signal device, engagement of said first and second contacts shorting out said resistor wire to cause it and said bimetallic switch arm to cool, whereby the latter assumes its cool condition and breaks engagement of said first and second contacts and interrupts current flow through said signal device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
352 words
A switch for use in an electrical circuit including a signal device, comprising: a switch blade having one end pivotally mounted so that its free end may be swung to electrical engagement with one or the other of two terminals, or to a position between and out of engagement with either terminal, said switch blade one end being adapted for connection to one side of an electrical power source, a conductor electrically connecting said one terminal to one side of said signal device, the other side of the latter being adapted for connection to the other side of said power source, whereby when said switch blade one end is in engagement with said one terminal, current is adapted to flow in uninterrupted manner through said signal device and actuate the same, said other terminal being electrically connected to a fixed first contact, a bimetallic switch arm having one end anchored to said other terminal and its free end carrying a second contact movable to and away from electrical engagement with said first contact, a resistance wire coiled about said bimetallic switch arm and having one end electrically connected to said other terminal and its other end electrically connected to the free end of said bimetallic switch arm, the latter being so biased that in cool condition it maintains said first and second contacts out of electrical engagement, a conductor electrically connecting the free end of said bimetallic switch arm to said one side of said signal device, whereby when said switch blade free end is moved to electrical engagement with said other terminal, current will flow through said resistance wire to heat the same and consequently heat said bimetallic switch arm and cause the latter to deform to a position wherein said first and second contacts are engaged, thereby establishing current flow through said signal device, engagement of said first and second contacts shorting out said resistor wire to cause it and said bimetallic switch arm to cool, whereby the latter assumes its cool condition and breaks engagement of said first and second contacts and interrupts current flow through said signal device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2911637A
Cited
US3486151A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |