GB388509A - Improvements in electrical contacts for switches, circuit breakers, connectors and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

388,509. Electric switch contacts. WHITEHEAD, G. E. and WHITEHEAD'S ELECTRICAL INVENTIONS, Ltd., 38, Rhiwbina Hill, Rhiwbina, near Cardiff. Dec. 1, 1931, No. 33328. [Class 38 (v).] A plug-and-socket contact which may be used in electric switches, circuit-breakers, connectors, &c. of the type in which the socket member is split or divided longitudinally to form a resilient and self-aligning member has a plurality of rigid fingers 1 arranged in longitudinal alignment and in circular distribution around a carrier stem 2, the upper ends of the fingers 1 being provided with spherical projections 4 each engaging in a corresponding seating 5 in the carrier stem and the lower ends carry contact tips 9. The fingers are pressed inwardly at intermediate points by springs 8 surrounding studs 7 passing through the fingers 1 into the supporting stem 12 and the contact tips 9 at the lower ends of the fingers 1 engage resiliently the sides of the plug contact if as shown, a plug contact 12 of hexagonal form is used, or, if a round plug member is employed, the contact tips 9 may be of concave formation. Certain of the fingers may as shown, be mounted so as to engage the plug member in advance of and disengage it after, the other fingers, these fingers thus acting as arcing contacts. The fingers 1 may be bevelled at each side at 11, Fig. 2, the bevelled surfaces being arranged so that the six fingers can be concentrated to form an almost completely closed socket.