US2571623A - Toggle mechanism and switch incorporating same - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16, 1951 A. R. SCHOLIN TOGGLE MECHANISM AND SWITCH INCORPORATING SAME 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 A. R. SCHOLIN TOGGLE MECHANISM AND SWITCH INCORPORATING SAME 2 'SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 Patented Oct. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Axel R. S'cholin, Chicago, 111.

Application February 18, 1948, Serial No. 9,085

1 Claim.

The present invention relates in general to an electric switch, and has more particular reference to a manually operable switch. means for opening and closing electrical circuits and for maintaining opened or closed position, the invention in its broader aspects relating to an improved toggle-type mechanism particularly Well suited for incorporating in electrical switches.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved toggle mechanism whereby a movable element to be shifted in response to a movement of a manually operable member, may be cocked during initial movement of the operating member, and thereby conditioned for snap action movement when the operating member reaches a predetermined element trip-ping and throwing position; a further object being to provide a toggle mechanism having the foregoing preliminary cocking and final element throwing action in either direction.

Another important object is to provide toggle mechanism of the character mentioned which is particularly well suited for incorporation. in electric switches, wherein the movable element may comprise the pole or poles of an electric switch, and the operating member may comprise a manually operable switch actuating lever.

Another important object is to provide an improved toggle mechanism including a movable element and manually operable lever for shifting said element, wherein the element and lever may be pivotally interconnected and assembled together with a cooking element and a toggle spring to form an assembly unit adapted for assembly as such in operating position as on a switch mounting base providing support for the assembly unit, and spaced apart switch contacts adapted to cooperate with the movable element to form a make-and-break electric switch.

Another important object resides in providing an improved toggle mechanism comprising a movable element and an operating lever, particularly suited for use in electric switches and including a cooking element whereby the movable element and cooperating toggle switch I toggle spring.

Another important object resides in providing toggle mechanism, particularly well suited for use in electric switches, including a movable element adapted to form a switch blade, wherein said element is of especially rugged construction, and adapted to afford extensive trouble-free service; a further object being to provide said element with an inexpensive rib configuration forming shoulders facing in diverging directions, and affording seats for one end of a cooperating toggle spring; a still further object being to form the movable element as a generally U-shaped sheetmetal stamping having arms formed for pivotal connections with a, cooperating, manually operable, lever member, with said member extending between the arms of themovable element; yet another object being to provide a spring mounting and cocking element pivotally connected at one end on the operating lever and having a spring-carrying stem extending slidably in an opening formed in the medial portions of the movable element, whereby a spring encircling said stem may be mounted in position bearing at its opposite ends on a seat at the pivoted end of the cooking element, and on a two-way seat formed in the medial portions of the movable element.

Among the other numerous important objects of the invention is to provide an exceedingly rugged toggle unit having a single mounting pivot, and hence adapted for assembly as a unit on a toggle mounting frame; to provide a dc: layed action toggle mechanism adapted to accentuate the snap operation when the operating leveris actuated to throw the toggle in either of its operating directions; to provide a toggle switch. structure that is relatively inexpensive yet of rugged, durable construction, and adapted for extensive, trouble-free service life.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects and. advantages of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figs. l-6 inclusive are sectional views through a toggle switch structure embodying the present invention; Fig. 1 showing the mechanism at rest after completing movement in one direction; Fig. 2 showing the mechanism in cocked position ready for throwing movement in the opposite direction; Fig. 3 showing the parts in position immediately after throwing action in said opposite direction; Fig. 4 showing the mechanism at rest after completing movement in said opposite direction; Fig. showing the mechanism in cocked position ready for throwing movement in the return direction, toward the rest position in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 showing the parts in position immediately after throwing action in said return direction;

Fig. 6a is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6a-6a in Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an exploded assembly view showing in perspective the parts of the device illustrated in Figs. 145, including toggle mechanism forming an assembly unit;

Fig. 8 is an exploded view showing in perspective the parts of the assembly unit; and

Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 are sectional views, respectively taken substantially along the lines 9--9 and Ill-40 in Fig. 8, and lines II--II and I2-I2 in Fig. 4.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show a toggle switch |3 comprising a mounting frame I4 providing support for stationary switch blades I5, and a toggle mechanism I6 embodying a movable element I1 adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement with the elements l5, and a manually operable lever I8 for shifting the movable element.

The mounting frame I4 may have any suitable or preferred configuration. As shown, however, the mounting frame comprises a casing I9 formed with a cavity 20 opening at one side of the casing, said side being preferably provided with flanges 2| and 22. At one end of the casing, adjacent the open side of the cavity 20, the cavity communicates with a pair of cavity extensions 23 formed in the casing and separated by an interfitting stub partition 24.

While the casing I8 may comprise any suitable material, the same preferably may be formed of a moldable material preferably comprising an electric insulator.

The opposite side walls of the casing adjacent the flange 22 are provided with notches 25 respectively communicating with the cavity extension 23 in position to receive intermediate portions 26 of metallic strip members 21. These strips may generally comprise U-shaped elements, each having an arm 28 adapted to extend within the cavity to form the switch contact elements I5 at th ends of said arms. Each element 21 may also comprise terminal plates 29 respectively adapted to extend at the opposite faces of the casing. These plates 29 are each formed with a pair of perforations 38 and 3| adapted respectively to receive screw threaded elements 32 and 33. The elements 32 and 33 are adapted to extend through said openings 38 and 3| and through openings 34 and 35 formed in opposite side walls of the casing at the cavity extensions 23, and to threadedly engage in openings in clamp plates 33 in the cavity extensions 23. The stub partition 24 is adapted to extend between, and electrically isolate the facing ends of the fastening elements 32 and 33 mountin in the opposite side walls of the casing in coaxial alinement. One of the fastening screws of each element 21, such as the member 33, is adapted to electrically connect th corresponding element in an external electrical circuit.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the members 21 are anchored on the housin with the blades I5 extending within the cavity 20, in spaced apart relation on the opposite sides of the cavity. The medial portions 26 of the mem- 4 bars 21, when so mounted, may extend in the notches 25.

The toggle means I6 preferably forms an assembly unit comprising the operating lever 8, the shiftable element I1, a toggle spring 36 and a spring mounting member 31.

The operating lever I8 preferably comprises an element molded or otherwise formed of suitable preferably non-conducting material provided with a channel 38 adapted to receive a pivot pin 39 which may comprise a rod of steel. The member I8 also preferably includes a projecting finger portion extending radially of the channel on one side thereof, and said member also at the side of the opening 38 remote from the projecting finger portion preferably provides a pair of spaced ears 40 formed with alined perforations 4| adapted to receive and support an anchor pin 42 of steel or other suitable material, the alined axes of the openings 4| extending in spaced parallel relationship with respect to th axis of the pin channel 38.

The movable element I1 is preferably formed of metal and is shaped to provide a pair of spaced arms 43 and a medial portion 44 interconnected with an between the arms 43 at one end of the element, the arms 43 being provided with coaxially alined openings 45 at the ends thereof remote from the medial portions 44. The arms 43 are spaced sufficiently to receive the body of the actuating member I8 therebetween, and the openings 45 are arranged for alinement with the pin channel 38 of the member I8; and said openings 45 are sized to snugly receiv the pin 39 whereby said pin may serve to tiltably mount the elements I1 and I8 for relative rocking movement on the pin 38.

The medial portion 44 of the element I1 is formed to provide an inwardly curved rib 46, between the arms, said rib being formed with a slot 41 extending in a plane at right angles with respect to the axis of the openings 45.

The spring mounting member 31 preferably comprises a metal stamping forming a center finger 48 sized at one end for sliding engagement in the slot 41, the opposite end of said spring mounting element being formed with a perforation 49 sized to tiltably receive the pin 42. The element 31, accordingly, may b tiltably mounted on the member I8 in position extending between the spaced ears 48 of said actuating member I8. The member 31 also has a pair of lateral fingers 58 preferably integrally formed thereon at the end thereof containing the perforation 49, said fingers extending outwardly of said center finger, on opposite sides thereof, and forming notches 5| for seatingly receiving one end of the spring 36 in said notches.

The sprin 36, accordingly, may be assembled in position encircling the finger 48, with one end of the spring seated in the notches 5| and its other end bearing upon the curved rib 46 of the element I1.

The assembly unit I8 thus may be assembled by first mounting the element 31 on the member inserting the pin 38 through the alined opening 45 and the channel 38 the parts may be anchored together as an assembly unit. The opposite ends of the pin 39, if desired, may be swaged to prevent removal thereof after the assembly operation has been completed; and the pin preferably is long enough so that its opposite ends project outwardly of the arms 43 of the element I! to form stub pivots whereby the toggle unit may be pivotally supported in operating position.

The opposite walls of the casing l9 are preferably spaced apart so that the assembly unit may fit therebetween within the cavity and said walls may be formed with alined sockets 52 adapted to seatingly receive the opposite projecting ends of the pin 39. The assembly unit, accordingly, may be mounted in operating position in the casing l9 merely by inserting the same in the casing with the handle projection of the operating member I8 extending outwardly of the open end of the cavity, and the shiftable element ll extending within the cavity in posi tion to tilt on the pin 39, either into position extending between the spaced blades l5 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, or into the relative position shown in Fig. 1.

To retain the assembly unit 16 in mounted position in the casing a suitable cover 56 comprising a plate adapted to extend across the open end of the cavity 20 may be provided. This plate may have a center opening 51 through which the operating handle of the member It may extend, and fastening screws 58, or other suitable fastening means may be employed for detachably anchoring the cover on the casing. The cover, of course, may have opposite edge portions in position overriding the sockets 53 to retain the opposite ends of the pin 39 in anchored position on the casing.

The arms of the element I1 adjacent the medial portion 44 may be formed to provide outwardly facing contact surfaces 53 spaced apart sufilciently to extend between, engage and electrically interconnect the spaced blades l5 of the contact elements 2! to thereby complete an electrical circuit between said elements.

It should be noticed that the walls of the casing at the opposite ends of the cavity 20 form bearing surfaces 54 and 54' in position to engage the opposite ends of the medial portion 44 of the element IT in order thus to limit the operating movement of said element in either direction. The outwardly facing edges of the lateral arms 50 of the spring mounting element 31 are curved as at 55 to form normally inactive cams when the mechanism is at rest at the limit of its operating movement in either direction.

The toggle mechanism may be operated to throw the element I! from one rest position to the other and vice versa by moving the projecting handle of the member l8. As said handle is moved from a position of rest, as for instance the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, its initial movement on the pin 39 will draw the pin-mounted end of the element 31 in a direction to bring the axis of the pin 42 into the medial plane of the element l1. During such movement the edge 55 of one of the arms 50 will be brought into engagement with the bearing surfaces 54 of the housing, and will tilt the element I! on the pivot 39 in a direction to disengage the element from said bearing surface and thus, in a sense, cock it for rapid shift movement. Eventually, as the result of movement of the member [8, the parts of the toggle mechanism will assume a relative position as shown in Fig. 2. Further movement of the member 18 will result in passing the axis of the pin 42 through and beyond the medial plane of. the element l1, and will result in the application of the thrust of the spring 36 upon the shoulder 46 in a direction to swing the element 1'! suddenly and sharply upon the pivot 39 towards its other limit of movement. The toggle mechanism thus has a snap action to which the cooking action of the cams 55, and the curved spring shoulder 43 contribute. This snap action in one direction is accomplished while the actuating member I8 is in an intermediate position substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the completed movement being shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 5 and 6, respectively, illustrate the preliminary cooking of the shiftable element I1, and the conclusion of the snap action of said element while the operating member I8 is in an intermediate position, in throwing the toggle mechanism from the rest position shown in Fig. 4 to the rest position shown in Fig. 1.

While the drawings show the toggle mechanism as applied in a single-throw switch, that is to say a switch in which a circuit is made when the switch mechanism is in one rest position, and is broken when the switch is in its other rest position, it will be obvious that a double-throw switch mechanism may be provided merely by duplicating the stationary contacts l5, and associated contact mounting structure at both ends of the casing rather than only at one end as shown. By thus applying a pair of contacts at each end of the cavity 20, the element may be made to close and open a pair of switches alternately when in its rest positions. It will be obvious also that the novel features of the toggle mechanism are not necessarily limited to incorporation thereof in electric switches, but that the toggle mechanism may be employed to advantage wherever the need arises. The toggle mechanism of the present invention is particularly suitable for application in electric switches, the mechanism being of unusually rugged construction, yet, withal, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is adapted to give trouble-free service throu hout an extended service life of the switch.

When constituted as a switch the cover mounting screws 58 may be utilized to screw a mounting bracket 59 upon the casing by means of which to attach the switch structure in any desired service position; and said bracket may be formed with screw-threaded openings 60 adapted to receive fastening screws 6| therein by means of which to secure an escutcheon plate 62 of any usual or preferred configuration.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

In a device of the class described, a mounting base and movable toggle switch means supported on the base, and comprising an operating member mounted for reversely pivotal movement on a tilting axis on said base, a switch blade member mounted for tilting movement about said tilting axis, between angularly spaced rest positions on opposite sides of a medial plane through said 7 tilting axis and defined by engagement of axis remote portions of the blade member with stop shoulders formed on said base, a toggle member comprising a trident element having a mounting end and three fingers integrally united at the mounting end of said element and extending toward its other end, including an elongated central finger and a pair of lateral fingers in spaced relation with and on opposite sides of said central finger, and forming a deep notch between the central finger and each of said lateral fingers,

said-notches having bottoms forming seats at the mounting end of the trident element, said central finger having a sliding pivot connection with saidswitch blade member remote from said tilting axis, said trident element being pivotally connected at its mounting end on said operating member on a pivot axis adjacent said tilting axis, and a toggle spring encircling said central finger and seating at its opposite ends respectively on the bottoms of said notches and on said blade member adjacent said sliding pivot connection, to afford snap toggle action of the blade member, between its rest positions, as said pivot axis is moved by the operating member from one side to the other of said medial plane, said base forming a cam surface adjacent said stop shoulders,

8 and said lateral fingers being formed with curved cam means in position to bear upon said cam surface remote from said pivot axis during initial movement of said operating member, whereby initially to shift said blade member from a said rest position as said pivot axis approaches said medial plane.

AXEL R. SCHOLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 945,969 Marshall Jan. 11, 1910 1,257,925 Peterson Feb, 26, 1918 1 ,470,868 Newton 1 Oct. 16, 1923 1,474,013 Benjamin Nov. 13, 1923 1,946,192 Crabtree Feb. 6, 1934 2,148,408 Schellenger Feb. 21, 1939 2,313,291 Schellenger Mar. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 452,151 Great Britain Aug. 14, 1936

Images