US3772483A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switch
Assignee: Hampden Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-28
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1992-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrical switch for selectively connecting a plurality of power supplies with a circuit, and comprising a series of pairs of blade-like contacts for power supply inputs and a pair of elongated bus bars for circuit output. A slotted face plate carries a slide which in turn supports a rotary contact assembly comprising wipers in a U-shaped configuration. The wipers engage the blade-like contacts and the bus bar to connect a selected power supply to the circuit on rotation of the contact assembly. A positive turning action on a control knob is required to overcome a tension spring and effect a snap-action closing operation of the rotary and fixed contacts. Further, the knob serves to lock the slide at each of the several switching stations, a positive linear knob movement being required for release of the locking action and movement between the stations, the knob being inoperable to close between stations.
Inventors
- 👤 D Flynn
- 👤 W Lunden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H21/00; H01H21/02; H01H21/18; H01H21/36; H01H21/40; H01H21/42; H01H25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An electrical switch comprising a frame, a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in series on said frame to provide at least two switching stations, at least one movable contact having first and second rotary positions respectively in and out of engagement with an adjacent one of said fixed contacts, a carrier mounted on said frame and slidably movable between said switching stations, said carrier supporting said movable contact for selective contact movement between said first and second rotary positions adjacent a fixed contact at each of said stations, exposed manually operable rotatable means on said carrier for selectively moving said movable contact between its said first and second rotary positions, means on said carrier biasing said movable contact toward its said second rotary position and requiring positive overriding pressure on said manually operable means to move said contact To its said first rotary position, and releasable locking means connected with said manually operable means and between said frame and carrier and operable automatically to lock said carrier against sliding at each of said switching stations, said manually operable means also being movable axially and said locking means being releasable for movement of said carrier between said switching stations only on positive overriding axial manipulation of said manually operable means with said contact in its said second rotary position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An electrical switch comprising a frame, a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in series on said frame to provide at least two switching stations, at least one movable contact having first and second rotary positions respectively in and out of engagement with an adjacent one of said fixed contacts, a carrier mounted on said frame and slidably movable between said switching stations, said carrier supporting said movable contact for selective contact movement between said first and second rotary positions adjacent a fixed contact at each of said stations, exposed manually operable rotatable means on said carrier for selectively moving said movable contact between its said first and second rotary positions, means on said carrier biasing said movable contact toward its said second rotary position and requiring positive overriding pressure on said manually operable means to move said contact To its said first rotary position, and releasable locking means connected with said manually operable means and between said frame and carrier and operable automatically to lock said carrier against sliding at each of said switching stations, said manually operable means also being movable axially and said locking means being releasable for movement of said carrier between said switching stations only on positive overriding axial manipulation of said manually operable means with said contact in its said second rotary position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means is further operable between said switching stations to maintain said movable contact in its said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 2 wherein a snap-action device is included between said movable contact and said manually operable means, said device serving to effect engagement and disengagement of said movable and fixed contacts in a snap action on movement of said manually operable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fixed contacts are arranged in spaced pairs and comprise a series of contact pairs with at least one spaced pair of contacts at each of said switching stations, and wherein said movable contact is of a rotary type with opposite end portions engageable respectively in said first position with the contacts of a spaced pair.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said fixed contacts comprises a blade having an exposed edge portion, the contacts of each pair having said exposed edge portions facing in generally opposite directions, and wherein said rotary contact comprises at least one wiper blade engageable at opposite end portions in frictional sliding motion respectively with said exposed edge portions of a pair of fixed contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 5 wherein said rotary contact comprises at least two wiper arms having end portions spaced to engage resiliently in a sliding motion and to wipe opposite sides of a fixed contact at its said exposed edge portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 6 wherein a wiper arm block is provided on said carrier and supports a pair of generally U-shaped wiper arms on opposite sides thereof, one leg of each of said U-shaped wiper arms being positioned for engagement with a fixed contact as aforesaid, and wherein at least two additional contacts are provided and positioned for engagement respectively with the other legs of said U-shaped wiper arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 7 wherein said snap-action device comprises a tension spring and an associated over-center arm angularly movable in opposite directions by said manually operable means to effect the aforesaid rotary contact movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 8 wherein said manually operable means comprises a control knob adapted for rotary and limited linear movement, wherein a slotted switch face plate is provided with slot enlargements aligned respectively with said switching stations, and wherein said carrier comprises a slide movable along said face plate and supporting said rotary contact and control knob, said control knob having an adjacent first and second cross-sectional configurations, the former of which permits rotary knob movement as aforesaid only at said slot enlargements, linear knob movement as aforesaid serving selectively to register said first and second cross-sectional configurations with said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical switch as set forth in claim 9 wherein a biasing spring is provided for restraining said control knob with its said first cross-sectional configuration in registry with said slot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |