US1399498A - Safety-switch mechanism - Google Patents

Description

H. FfKRANIZ. SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-5, IBIS.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG.5. l9l8.

H. F. KRANTZ. SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM.

Patented D06. 6, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

H. F. KRANTZ. SAFETY SWITCH MECHANISM.

l l l APPLICATION FILED AUG-5. 1918. 1,399,498. Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

6 SHEETSQSHEET 5.

' vwenIoz i my? v C1 fof/Mug' '-H. F. KRANTZ. SAFETY SWIICHMECHANISM.

` APPLICATION FILED AUG|5| I9l8. 1,399,498.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUBERT-F. KBANTZ, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KRANTZ MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, INC., 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application Ifiled August 5, 1918. Serial No. 248,330.

o all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, HUBERT F. KRANTZ, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to a safety switch mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide a safety switch mechanism having an overload control associated therewith.

A further object is to so arrange the parts of the device that an element of the over-load control constitutes a spark blowout for the switch.

A further object is to provide an improved switch mechanism in which the switch blade will be automatically moved oi upon the occurrence of an over-load in thecircuit and in which the switch blade will not remain in on position if moved to such position while an over-load or short circuit condition exists.

A further object is to provide a switch mechanism in which the over-load control elements are relieved of all strain while the switch is 011.

A further object is to provide manual control means for the switch adapted to move the switch on in which position the switch is held irrespective'of the presence of the over-load controlling elements until moved of? either by manual means or by action of the over-load control.

A further object is to provide the switch with an operating handle and to so arrange the connections between the switch and the over-load control as not to require off movement of the operating handle when the switch blade moves off in response to the operation of the over-load control.

A further object is to provide means for vpositively indicating whenever the switch blade has been moved oit by operation of the over-load control.

A further object is to provide means for causing the operating handle to move more or less out of its on position, that is, into an intermediate position to thus constitute a definite indication whenever the switch blade moves foff in response to the operation of the over-load control.

A further object is to rovide, in the structure, auxiliary means or indicating when- Specication of Letters Patent.

SAFETY-SWITCH MECHANISM.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

ever the over-load control operates to move the switch of.

A further object is to provide a toggle operated switch, the toggle of which is adapted to move into made and broken ositions for operating the switch blade, an to provide an over-load control which is entirely free of all strain when the toggle is made, but which is adapted to break the toggle upon the occurrence of an over-load.

A further object is to provide, in the above combination, an over-load coil operable to attract a pivotally mounted armature for supplying the power to break the toggle, and to so arrange the parts as to make the coil operative upon the armature at a point adjacent to the application of power by the armature.

A further object is to provide a casing for-the mechanism, to provide a door for giving access into the casing, and to provide the switch with a part which may be operated either by the door or the over-load control for moving the switch into the off position.

Other objects and aims of the invention more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course ofthe following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention, and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this speciication, and in which I have shown merely a preferred form of embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a top plan view of a device constructed in accordance with, this invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of line rr of Fig. 1.

therein, the reference character L indicates a casing for containing the current-carrying and moving parts of the device. This casing maybe made up in any suitable manner and of any appropriate material, but it is preferably made of sheet metal shaped to form a back wall 1, top wall 2, bottom wall 3, opposite side walls 4, and a front wall, or

- cover plate 5. These walls, wherever necesand has material, as 21,

. project laterally from or rivets 7 engage.

in the casing. The two rier and lthe ing bracket or frame 29 may be connected together by suitable sary,

6, into which screws,

angles, or the like, as

Within the casing is arranged .a base plate 8 of suitable insulating material such as slate, or the like, and between the front face of this base plate and the-rear Surface of the cover plate extends a pair of wall mem-- bers 9, said wall members being rigidly connected in position by means of bolts, or screws 10 which engage flanges 11 formed upon the wall members 9.

The wall members 9 are arranged parallel with Vthe side wall members 4 and are spaced from each other and from saidside wall members so that they serve as partitions deining a central space 12 between them and a pair of channels selves andi the side walls 4. The switch device is arranged within th central space 12 and comprises a carrier 15 which extends `transversely across sai'd space pivot extensions 16 engaging within the bearing apertures 17 formed in said wall members 9.

The carrier 15 is of the same general construction as is shown and described in Pattent No. 1,248,415, granted Vto me Nov. 27, 1917. That is, it pilates, as 18, between whichv the switch blades 19 and 20 are rigidly held in insulated spaced relation, sections of-insulating being interposed between the blades and the clamp plates for insulating the blades from the clamp plates.,y

The blades are held by theirv mid portions andI opposite ends of each of the blades the carrier in to cooperative relation with iixed contacts withcoperate with xed contacts 22 and 23,

while the two ends of the blade. 2O-coperateA with the fixed contacts 24 and 25. One, or more springs, as 26, engage between the carwall members 9 to normally urge the carrier into position with the switch blades both held ofJ l operating handle 27 is manually moving the switch blades 'at will. This handle is pivotally ymounted upon a pivot pin 28 which is carried by a support-A within the casing,

13 and 14 between them' includes a pair of clamp ends of the blade 19 provided for the outer end of `the handle projecting -pivotally mountedupon the pivot pin 28 and is connectedpto the link 32 by a pivot pin 33 forming the knee of the toggle. The opposite end of the link 32 is pivotally con# nected, as at 34, to an extension 35 which projects laterally from the carrier 15.

Whenever. the toggle is made, the blades stand on the spring 26 drives the blades off position.

The link'31 is provided with an extension 36 which is arranged to engage against a set screw 37 carried by the cover plate 5 for limitingmovement of the toggle in the made direction. The link 31 is also provided with an extension 38 for' engaging against the under surface of the cover plate 5 to vlimit movement of the 4toggle in the broken direction. 4

ed upon the pin 28 and areadapted to engage between the operatinghandle and the frame 29 for normally retaining the operating handle in its elevated position, as shown in Fig.V 2. The handle 27 is provided with a shoulder 40 which is adapted to engage against a surface, portion 41 of the link@ 31 when the handle is drawn downwardly 'to break ,the toggle, said shoulder being poquickly into One, or more light springs 39 are mount- I sitioned to when the handleis 1n a position near'itslowest extreme of movement, the engagement being maintained only suiiiciently long to cause the piv'ot 33 to pass center.- The spring 26 will then complete the toggle movement to full oii' position.

As soon as the toggle is brokenI press against the'surface 41 only The set screw 37 is. adjustable so as to alter the degree of movement of -the pivot 33 beyond center when the thus taking care of any inaccuracies of manufacture which might occur. Since, of course, the' farther the pivot 33 mov beyond center when the toggle is made, then the more power is required to break the toggle, the movement of the screw 37 will accomplish an adjustment amount of power required to break the to gle.

Vthin .the casing is arranged suitable fuses, or the like, 5 is therefore provided with a door 43 which is pivotally connected, as at 44, for giving access into the casing at will. Y

In orderthat'the door may not be opened while the fuses, or other parts accessible toggle is made,

as 42, and the cover plate of the through the door opening, are live, the door is provided with a heel piece 45jprojecting beyond the pivot 44 and adapted to move through an opening 46 in the adjacent portion of the cover plate for engaging against the extension 36 of the toggle link 31 to break the toggle upon opening movement of the door. A slight opening movement of the door will move the pivot 33 of the toggle backwardly past center and the spring 26 will complete the off movement and place the switch blades free of the contacts so that the fuses become dead.

Between the contact 23 and the adjacent fuse 42 is arranged a coil Gr through which current must travel between said contact and fuse. Within the coil is a core 47, and above the ycore is a movable armature H which is pivotally mounted, as at `48, in a suitable Supporting frame 49 carried by the base plate 8. The armature is weighted, as at 50, so as normally to stand away from the end of the core. A stop 51 is provided upon the frame 49 for limiting movement of the armature away from the core. The stop 51 is preferably arranged to move in a slot 52 provided in the arm 49 so that the extent of movement of the armature away from the core maybe adjusted at will. AIf desired, a set of graduations 53 may be provided adjacent the slot for determining the position at which the stop should be set in order that a given amount of current in the coil G may be required to attract the armature.

A bell-crank lever 54 is pivotally mounted at its midpoint upon the extension 36 ofv the toggle link 31. One leg of the bellcrank, as 55, is disposed in the path of movement of the free end of the armature H and the other end, as 56, of the bell-crank is disposed to coperate with a pawl 57l which is,

also pivotally mounted upon the extension 36 and which, in turn, engages vthe operating handle 27.

With the parts in the position as shown in Fig. 2, the end 56 of the bell-crank lever engages a shoulder 58 of thepawl and holds the end 59 of the pawl against a surface portion 60 of the operating handle 27, which surface 60 is substantially concentric with the pivot pin 28. In this position also the end 59 of the pawl stands in position beneath a 'shoulder 61 formed upon the operating handle.

A light compression spring 62 is provided for urging the bell-crank lever and the pawl into the 'position indicated, and a stop 63 is provided for limiting movement of the pawl out of this position relative to the eX- tension 36.

The vend of the armature H is fitted with an anti-friction roller 64, and the end 55 of the bell-crank lever provides a surface along which the roller 64 may travel in itsv initial movements toward the core 47. The surface 65 is arranged at such an. angle relative to the pivot 48, and the posltion of the roller, that movement of the roller along said surface will cause the bell-crank lever to swing slightly about itsipivotal support 66 and disengage from the shoulder 58 of the pawl 57. The pawl will thereupon fall away from the surface 60 and stand free of the shoulder 61. (Fig. 5.) l

Beyond the surface 65 of the bell-crank is a curved shoulder 67 over which the roller 64 must pass before movement of the armature is arrested by striking the core 47 As the roller passes on to the shoulder 67, the movement of the bell-crank around the pivot 66 will be arrested by engagement of the bell-crank with the .stop pin 63, and thereafter, as the roller travels over the shoulder 67 and on to the surface 68 beyond said shoulder, any movementimparted to the bell-crank by the roller, will be accompanied by a corresponding movement of the link 31 as if said bell-crank and link were an integral member.

The operating handle 27 may meanwhile stand stationary and the end 59 of the pawl will ride idly over the surface 69 of vsaid handle.

If desired, the armature H may be provided with an adjustable set screw 70 for engaging an extension 71 of the arm 55 of the bellcrank for improvkg the operation of the device. The provision of this adjustable set screw becomes important when, for any reason it becomes desirable to cause movement of the link 31 before the roller 64 reaches the shoulder 67. A' very accurate adjustment yof operation of the parts may thus b'e obtained.

In the structure as illustrated the position of the coil G, with its core 47, is between thel pivot 48 and the roller 64 being somewhat nearer to the roller-than to the pivot. By this means a very powerful pull is felt by the armature for applying the necessary force to break the toggle.

lt is believed that the operation of the over-load device may now be fully understood, especially when taken in connection with the diagrammatic illustration Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Supposng the parts to be in the position as shown in Fig. 2: If an over-load occur in the circuit sov that the armature H is drawn suddenly against the core 47, the initial movement of the roller 64 will be along the surface 65 approximately to the shoulder 67, thus bringing the bell-crank lever against the stop 63 and allowing the pawl 57 to fall away from the shoulder 61, all as shown in Fig. 5.

The final movement of the armature ll will press down on the shoulder 67 and-cause the linkl to rotate .about the pivot 28 so that the knee joint 33 of the toggle will pass center. as shown by the full lines in Fig. 6. and the toggle thereupon immediately snap into the full off position, A als shown by the I dotted lines in said figure.

made position, the

-control disengages the switch As soon as the bell-crank' lever passes out of engagement with the roller 64, the spring 62 urges the bell-crank away from the stop 63 and causesvthe end 56 of the bell-crank to press upon therelatively inclined surface 72 of the pawl and thereupon urges the end. 59 of the pawl against the surface 69 of the operating handle. l

In order now to return the toggle to operating handle is swung downwardly into the position as shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the spring 62, acting through the bell-crank lever, will cause the pawl to snapbeneath the shoulder 61 of the operating handle. An' upward movement of the operating handle, now, will bring the shoulder 61 against the pawl and return the toggle to its made position.

It should-be particularly' noted that, if when the toggle is being made, as just described, the conditions which caused the over-load, current in the coil G still exist, then said coil will become live again as soon as the switch blade reaches the contacts, that is, even befo-re the toggle reaches its nal straightened position, and the armal j ture H will be held against the core so that approaches its final position of the bell-crank will engage the and be pressed back thereby so that 57 will disengage from the handle,

as the/toggle the arm roller 64 the pawl whereupon the spring'26 'will immediately snap the blades off in exactly the same manner as has already been fully described.

It willbe seen therefore that in order for the over-load control to its function of moving the switch-blades ofi'f it is not necessary for the handle 27 to move from its off position. The operators handmay still be'on the handle holding it up, or the handle may be tied, or otherwise'j 'held against movement, as by some foreign object resting against it. The over-load blades from the handle and then proceeds to release the blades.

As illustrated, the blades are preferably made up in laminated form, as shown and -described in-my pending application Serial y No. 175,192, filed June 16, 1917, and, as fully that the lblades set forth invsaid copending application, are toggle is made. It will be seen,'therefore,'

themselves coperate with the springs 26 tohold the toggle in.made position and` to cause the blades to snap off the instant the toggle is broken The extensions 90 also act as auxiliaries in this connection.

If desired the spring, or springs 39 may be of just sulcient strength to counteract \thevforce of gravity in the handle 27 and `serve thereby for maintaining the handle 27 v successfully perform motor,

77 and 78 may lead move downwardly and to maintain an inter-v whenever .the switch moves operation of the over-load control. In order to produce this result the frictional engagement .of the link `31with the .operating handle need be only very mediate position oif under the position only a small portion of the movement of said link will be transmitted to the handle.

1t follows, therefore, that the operating handle in an intermediate position consti- Vtutes an indication that the over-load control has operated.

Whilev it has been above stated that the roller 64 is adapted to engage the surface 65 for producing the initial movements of the bell-crank 54, nevertheless it will be understood that satisfactory results may be at.- tained by bringing the roller rst into engagement with the surface 67. The initial movements of the bell-crank would then be produced by movement of the roller for a given distance over the surface 67 toward the surface 68, and further movement of the bell-crank would be produced as the roller moves on to the surface 68. In this instance the adjusting screw 70 may, if necessary, be employed for engaging the extension 7l to cause the inal movement of the bell-crank prior to the breaking of the toggle and just before the armature H strikes the core Gr.

The main line, or power wires, as 73 and 74, lead into the casing preferably from cover plate to which the contacts 22 and 24 which, in turn, the in.-

are connected, and .to coming wires 73 and vmeansof suitable bolts 76.

The circuit wires fon connection with/ a or other device, are indicated at 77 and 78. These are connected with the contacts 23 and 25 respectively through fuses, and the connection with the contact 23 being are .connected by l slight so that as the link 31 rotates into off through the intervening coil GL The wires out of the casing, at any desired point, but preferably extend directly through the bottom wall 3 thereof.,

The casing is fitted with a partition 79 at its upper end dening'a space above it withy i 1n the casing `which is divided by a partition 80 providing two\compartments 81 and 82 105 opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 1, and are i above the switch.

separated from each other and from the main portion of the casing. Within the compartment 81 is arranged a lamp 83 which is connected by wires 84 with the main line contacts 22 and 24. The front wall of the casing over the lamp 83 is formed with an openingA closed by a piece of glass, as 85, upon which is inscribed the word Powen vWithin the compartment 82 is arranged a lamp 86 which is connected by wires 87 with the contacts 88 of the circuit wires 77 and 78. The front wallof the casing over the lamp 86 is formed with an opening closed by a piece of glass, as 89, upon which is inscribed the word Circuit The position of the wires within the passageways 13 and 14 avoids possibility of injury to the wires or of interference with the operation of the mechanism between the walls 9. It should be noted, of course, that any other wires, as for instance the wires 73-74 or 77-78, might traverse the passageways13 and 14, if the point of entrance of said wires into the casing require, and that the walls 9 will protect these wires also and prevent them from interfering with the operation of the switch mechanism between the walls 9.

It will be seen, by this' arrangement, that the lamp 83 beneath the word Power will be maintained illuminated at all times while current is present in the wires 73 and 74, whether the switch be on or off Any breaking of the circuit which would extinguish the lamp 83 would necessarily be The lamp 86 beneath the word Circuit would only be illuminated while the switch is on and'then only while the connection through 'the fuses 42 is maintained. Failure of the lamp 86 to maintain its light, except while the switch handle is in its lowered or oft position will indicate either a blown fuse or the existence of an over-load condition which has thrown the switch olf through the; action of the armature H, or both.

The wires 84, being attached to the contacts 22 and 24, are, like the wires 74, held away from the rear portion of the casing. The Wires 87, -which are attached to the contacts 88 at the rear lower portion of the casing, extend through the pass'ageways 13 and 14 and pass spaced between the wires 73, 74 and 84. By this arrangement wires of opposite polarity are easily kept spaced apart sufficiently so likelihood of short circuit is reduced. y

The` position of the coil G constitutes it as a blow out means for the spark which might occur whenever the switch blades move away from the contacts 23 and 25.

In order to, localize the spark -at lthe .con-

tacts 23 and 25, the switch blades are preferably provided with extension pieces 90 at 24. These extension pieces are flexible and are bent so as normally to extend beyond the plane of the contact surfaces of the blades, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7. They are' thus adapted to maintain engagement with the contacts 22 and 24 until after the circuit has been first broken at the contacts 23 and 25.

1t will be understood that-the extension pieces 90 might be provided at both ends of the blade if desired, and that they are here shown at only one end of the blade as a simple expedient for illustrating means to maintain contact at said end after theother end has moved off As a convenient means for providing the bearings for the extensions 16 of the switch blade carrier 15, said bearings comprise apertures formed through the walls 9 and are fixed to the walls 9 to receive end thrust from the extension 16 and to thereby retain` the extensions 16 against displacement. Whenever it is desired to remove the carrier 15, one of the .plates 91 may be detached, by the simple expedient of removing its retainlng screws 92, whereupon the carrier may be shifted endwise, detached from the opposite bearing, and then shifted in the opposite direction to detach from the first bearm The 'extensions 16 are formed with s ots 93 longitudinally therein into which one end, as 94, 'of the springs 62 engage, the opposite ends of the springs engagin against pins, as 95, fixed to the walls 9. his provides an eiicient and easily assembled means of retaining the springs in operative position.

The frame, or bracket 29 for supporting the pivot pin 28 is preferably made of such size as to extend into connection with the base plate 8. It is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent into U-shape. The connecting part of the U lies fiat against the base plate 8 and is connected thereto by suitable screws, or bolts 96. Flanges 97, formed at the ends of the legs of the U, are fixed to the inner surface of the cover plate 5, as by means of screws, or rivets 98. This frame, therefore, serves not only as a means to support the pivot pin 28 from the cover plate, but it also constitutes a rigid brace, or reinforcing element for the cover plate at the point where strain is applied from the operating handle 27 and from the blades.

The inner end portion ofthe operating handle is preferably bifurcated, providing two halves, or legs 99 and 100 spaced apart to receive the link 31 between them. The provision of the two legs 99 and 100 each with a bearin aperture engaging the pivot pin 28, provi es a broad pivot bearing for the operating the legs, avoi s any undue lateral movement Vswitch blade,

anoperating handle for of the operating handle. l Engagement of the opposite surfaces of the link 31 with the opposing surfacesof the legs also provides all necessary friction for producing an intermediate positioningl of the handle as above described In the modification Fig. 8, a 3-wire s 'stem is illustrated. In this instance the two outside wires areprovided with coils Gr.- In other respectsl the vmechanism is substantially the'same as has already been described, each coil G, of course, being provided with Lan armature connected for operating upon the bell-crank 5 As many changes couldv be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting s ense.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire ters Patent is l. A switch mechanism comprising a movable contact member, a stationary contact member therefor, a toggle mechanism for actuating the movable contact member,` a handle for operating the toggle mechanism and movable independently thereof,` a latch mounted on the toggle mechanism for. connecting the operating handle to the toggle mechanism and an overload mechanism for controlling the latch and the toggle mechamsm. f

2. yA switch mechanism comprising a movable contact member, a stationary contact member therefor, a freely movable rotatable operating handle, la toggle mechanism for the movable contact member-pivoted for rotation about the axis of rotation ofthe operating handle, and a latch for operatively connecting the operating handle to the toggle mechanism.

v3. A switch mechanism comprising a a stationary contact member, a

toggle mechanlsm, al1-overload device, connecting means between the toggle mechanism and the overload device, and an operating handle having frictional engagement with the toggle mechanism whereby vmovement ofthe toggle mechanism in one directionV causes movement of the handle, said connecting means being adapted to positively connect the handle to the toggle mechanlsmunder predetermined conditions.

4. A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and off positions, a contact for the switch! blade, the switch blade also movable into on and off positions, connections between the operating handle 'and the switch blade whereby on and off movements of the handle will produce to secure by Ilet-v movements respectively of the switch blade, and an over-load control for the switch blade, including means to move the operating handle into an intermediate position upon operation of said over-load control.

safety switch mechanism movable into on`and olf positions, ahcontact for theswitch blade, a said switch blade and contact, the casing having a door providing entrance thereinto, releasable retaining means to hold the switch blade on, an over-load control, and means whereby said retainingl means may be released either by said over-load control or by an opening movement of the door.

6. A` safety switch mechanism comprising a casing, a pair of switch blades therein movable into on\ and off positions, contacts for said switch blades, an operating handle for the switch blades extending exteriorly of the cas-ing, connections between the operating handle and the switch blades to operate the switch blades from said handle, partitions within the casing defining a pair of independent compartments, a lamp in each of said compartments, main line conductors extending into the casing adapted to be connected with the switch blades, connections from said main line conductors to one of said lamps, branch line conductors eX- tending into the casing being connected to said contacts, connections from said branch line conductors to the other lamp, one wall of the casing having a pair of openings, therethrough adjacent said lamps, and means in said openings through which the light of the lamps may penetrate.

7. A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and off casing for containing positions, a contact for the switch blade, an

operating handle for the switch blade, 'connections between the operating handle and the switch blade whereby to move the switch blade in response to the movements of the handle, and an over-load control for the switch blade, saidV over-load control comprising means operable to disconnect the switch blade from the handle and to thereafter actuate theconnections to effect movement of the switch `blade without corresponding movement of the handle.

8. A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on7 and off positions,` a contact forl the switch blade, an operating handle for the switch blade, connections between the operating handleand the switch blade wherebyto move the switch blade in response to the movements ofthe handleV and which permit independentv movement of the handle with respect to the connections, said connections including a pawl adapted to produce movement of said connections by movement of the handle in one for engaging th'e operating handle direction, and an over-load control for the switch blade comprising means operable first to disengage the pawl from the handle,

and then to operate said connections. 9. A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and off positions, a contact for the switch blade, an operating handle for the switch blade, connections between the operating handle and the switch blade whereby to move the switch blade in response to the movements of the handle and which permit independent movement of the handle with respect to the connections, said connections including a pawl for engaging the operating handle adapted to produce movement of said connections by movement of the handle in one direction, a movable member movable through a first stage to disengage the pawl from the handle, and through a second stage to operate said connections, and means to move said movable member.

l0. A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and' off positions, a Contact for the switch blade, an operating handle for the switch blade, connections between the operating handle and the switch blade whereby to movethe switch blade in response to the movements of the handle and which permit independent movement of the handle with -respect to the connections, said connections including a pawl for engaging the operating handle adapted to produce movement of said connections by movement of the handle in one direction, a movable member movable through a irst stage to disengage the pawl from the handle, and through a` second stage to operate said connections, an over-load coil, and means associated therewith for moving said movable member. v

11. A safety ,switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and off positions, a contact for the switch blade, an operating handle for the switch blade, connections between the operating handle and the switch blade whereby to move the switch blade in response to the movements of the handle and which permit independent movement of the handle with respect to the connections, said connections including a pawl for engaging the operating handle adapted to produce movement of said connections by movement of the handle inv one direction, said connections also including a toggle, a

member pivotallyconnected to one link of said toggle, and means to move said member about its pivot for disengaging said pawl from said handle, and said last mentioned means being adapted also to thereafter move said member with said link to operate the toggle. l I

12. Asafety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into fon and off positions, a contact for the switch blade, an

operating handle for the switch blade, connections between theoperating handle and the switch blade whereby to move the switch blade in response to the movements of the handle and which permit independent movement of the handle with respect to the connections, said connections including a pawl for engaging the operating handle adapted ,to produce movement of said connections by movement of the handle in one direction, said connections also including a toggle, a member movable relatively to one link of said toggle for disengaging said pawl from said handle,means for so moving said member and for also moving said link to operate the toggle.

l 13.' A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and off positions, a vcontact for the switch blade, an operating handle, toggle links between the operating handle and the switch blade which permit of independent movement of the handle with respect to the toggle links, a pawl engaging between the operating handle and one of said toggle links in a manner to prevent movement of the toggle in one direction except by corresponding movement of the operating handle, and means to disengage the pawl and to move the toggle in said direction. A

14. A switch mechanism comprising a switch blade, a toggle mechanism, an operating handle having means to break the toggle, a pawl for connecting the handle to the toggle mechanism, and'other means to break 100 the toggle irrespective of the movement of the handle, said handle being so disposed in frictional engagementwith the toggle mechanism that the operating handle is moved into an intermediate position upon the 10.5

breaking of the toggle.

l5. A safety switch mechanism comprising a switch blade movable into on and olf positions, a contact for the switch blade, an operating handle movable into on and off positions for producing on and off movements respectively of the switch blade, other means for producing oP movement of the switch blade, and means coperative to move the operating handle to anintermediate position upon operation of said mentioned other means.

16. A switch mechanism comprising a base board, a face plate spaced from the base board, a switch .blade in' the space between 120 the base board and the face plate, an operating handle for the switch blade projecting through the face plate, connections between the operating handle and the switch blade, and a support for the operating hanboard, a face plate yspaced from the base board, a switch bladen the space lbetween the base board andthe face-plate, an operating handle for the switch blade proyecting through the face plate, connections between the operating handle and the switch blade, supporting means for the switch blade extending between the base board and the face plate to also support the face pla-te,

and a support for the operating handle comprising a supporting brace yextending be-V tween and attached tothe base board and the face plate.

18. A switch mechanism comprising a base board, a face plate spaced from the base board, a switch blade in the space between the base board and the face plate, an operating handle for the switch blade projecting through the face plate, connections between the operating handle and the switch blade,.wall members defining an inclosurc for the ,switch blade between the! base board and the face plate, a pair of wall mem-- Abers extending between the face plate and the base ,board spaced apart and serving to support theV switch blade in the space between them, and said last mentioned wall members being spaced vfrom the first mentioned wall members so as to deiine passageways separated from said switch blade for the purpose set forth.

19. A. switch mechanism .comprising a movable contact member,

an operating handle, a toggle mechanism operatively con- 'nectedto the contact member and in fric- J. A. NEWTON, L. E. SCHUMACHER.

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