Nov. 2,1, 1944.
J. L. COTTER
CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER
Filed Dec. 26, 1942
Fígl
ngz
2,363,295
Petenied Nov. 21, 1944
2,363,295
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,363,295
CIRCUIT INTERRUPTEB
James L. Cotter, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assigner to
Westinghouse Electric «a Manufacturing Com
pany, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of
Pennsylvania
Application December 26, 1942, Serial No. 470,183
13 Claims. (Cl. 20o-163)
This invention relates generally to electric'cir
in a group of vthree for gang operation on a three
cuit interrupters, and more specifically to indoor
disconnect switches. Switches of this type are
phase circuit. The switches may be supported
from a pair of metal supporting panel plates,
usually mounted on panels or in enclosures where
:such as an upper panel supporting plate 2 and a
lower panel supporting plate 4. Each switch in
cludes a pair of tubes 6, preferably of'a molded
Accordingly, one object of this invention is to
insulating material to house each of the contacts
provide a novel type of disconnect switch which
of the switch, and each tube is provided with an
requires a minimum of space in operation, yet is
integral outwardly extending flange 8 at one end
capable of introducing a safe air gap in the cir 10 thereof, to be secured, as by 'bolts I2, to support
cuit.
ing panels 2 and 4, and to an intermediate spacer
Another object of this invention is-to provide
plate 9, also of insulating material. Securing
space and safety considerations are importantv
factors.
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“ a novel form of disconnect switch wherein al1 the
live parts thereof are enclosed and inaccessible
bolts I2 may also serve to secure a cover I0 to the
adjacent end of each insulating ytube 6.
Each insulating tube 6 is provided with a par
at least in the open circuit position of the switch. 15
Still another object of this invention is to pro
tition I4 intermediate Íthe ends thereof which
vide a novel form of disconnect switch wherein at
maybe molded integral with the tube as shown,
least the contacting parts of the switch are en
to form a contact chamber I5, and a terminal
closed and inaccessible at al1 positions of the
chamber Il within the tube. A male contact
switch.
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20 member I6 is positioned within the contact cham
A further object-of this invention is to provide
a novel switch of the type described having safety
' enclosure means for the live parts of the switch
ber I5, and is formed integral with a threaded
stud I8 threadedly mounted in a threadedaper
ture provided in partition wall I4. A lock nut 20
and capable of providing a readily visible air gap
is provided on stud I8 to secure contact I6 in ad
in the circuit when the switch is at open circuit 25 justed position, and a securing nut 24 is pro
position.
,
vided on stud I8 in terminal chamber I1 for
Another object of this invention is to provide in
clamping a conductor 22 against a washer 23, to
a gang operated switch, novel means for confining.
electrically connect the conductor and stud. Con..
arcs drawn by each `switch .to prevent arcing be
ductor 22 may extend out .the open end of ter
tween switches.
_
30 minal cham-ber Il, or as shown, laterally out
» through a side opening in tube 6.
Another object of this invention is to provide a
Each tube 6 is provided with a longitudinally
gang operated switch construction having novel
extending slot 26 in the wall of contact chamber
Imeans insulating each switch to permit the
switches to =be assembled in closely spaced rela
I5, which slot terminates at a point spaced from
tion.
35 partition I4. A contact bridging member 28 is
Another object of this invention is to provide
adapted to extend across the space between tubes
6 of each switch with its opposite ends extending
a novel gang operated switch construction with
each switch arranged so as to require but a rela
through slots 26 into contact chambers I5, re
spectively. Bridging member 28 may or may not
tively small space for operation, and further ar
ranged so that it may be safely assembled closely 40 be provided with a jacket 30 of insulating ma
adjacent another switch.
These and other objects >of this invention will
terial, preferably an insulating material which
is molded directly thereon, in order to completely
enclose all live parts, at all positionsy of the
switch. Each bridging member 28 is provided
become apparent upon consideration of the fol
lowing detailed description of a preferred em
bodiment thereoiwhen taken in connection with 45 with a plurality of insulating pins 32 and 32' ex
the attached drawing, in which:
tending therethrough, with the intermediate pin
32’ provided for securing an operating rod 33 to
the bridging member. The operating rod 33 is
slidably mounted through an aperture provided
this invention; and
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Fig. 2 is a rear elevation’ of an- assembly of 50 in insulating spacer plate 9, and has the inner
three switches like the switch of Fig. 1, with the
end forked for snugly receiving bridging member
central switch shown in transverse section taken
28 so .that the operating rod and bridging mem
substantially o_n the line II-II of Fig. l.
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ber are rigidly connected when intermediate pin
The disconnectingswitch constituting this in- » l 32’ is in place. Upper and lower insulating guide
vention is illustrated on the drawing, arranged 55 pins 32 on each bridging member are located ad
Figure 1 is a substantially central sectional
view through a disconnecting switch embodying
2
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jacent tubes 6 respectively, of each switch, and
may, if desired, be provided with rollers or other
means 34 on opposite ends thereof for engage
ment with tubes 6 at opposite sides of slots 26.
The rollers 34 will, in conjunctionwith the slid
able mounting of operating rod 33, act to guide
bridging member 28 for rectilinear reciprocating
ing member 28 is arrested by engagement with
spacer plate 9. This is the open circuit position
of the switches, and indicator projections 44 will
extend through cover openings 45 so as to furnish
an indication at the front of the supporting
panels. Also as described above, the air gap be
tween contact members 36 and I6 may be ob
The OP
served through sight slots 46. In the open posi
erating rod 33 of each switch is adapted to» be
tion Aof the switches, bridging members 28 are
actuated by an actuating crank arm 50 having a 10 electrically dead, and consequently, all live parts
slot 54 in the outer end thereof for receiving a
of the circuit will be enclosed within insulating
pin 35, in the outer end of each rod 33. Each
tubes 6, whether insulating jacket 30 is employed
actuating crank arm 50 is mounted at the other
. or not.' When insulating jacket 30 is employed.
end thereof on a square portion of a common ac
all live parts of the switches will then be en
tuating shaft 48 which extends transversely across
closed in insulation when the switches are moved
the front of all the switches. Actuating shaft 48
to the closed circuit position shown in Fig. 1. It
may be rotatably mounted in spaced bearing
should be- noted that the connections to the
brackets 56 (only one of which is shown), sup
switches are made in chambers which are sepa
ported from lower supporting plate 4. The bear
rated from the switch contacts by an insulating
ing portions of the shaft 48 may be rounded as
partition I4. Another feature of the invention is
shown at 58 for reception in bearings 68, of bear
the inherent stability of the reciprocating bridg
ing brackets 56.
ing member due to guide rollers 34 and the guides
A female contact member 36 generally tubular
for operating rod 33 formed by spacer plate 9.
in form, is adapted to be mounted on each end of
Because the switch described herein is of the
each bridging member 28 within contact chambers
double break type, it will obviously require less
I 5. Contact members 36 are slotted at one end to
space in the direction of movement of the blade
fit over the ends of bridging member 28 to be se
than switches of the single break type. More
cured thereto in any desired manner, such for
over, because of the novel insulating enclosures
example, as by welding, brazing or the like. The
for the live parts of each switch, it is possible to
projecting end of each contact member 36 is pro 30 assemble the switches much closer together than
vided with a plurality of closely spaced, longitudi
would otherwise be possible. It will be noted that
nally extending slots 38 to provide a plurality of
the tubes of insulation enclosing the switch con
radially movable contact fingers 48, for telescop
tacts will act to laterally confine any arcs drawn
ing engagement; with each contact member I6.
when the switches are open, to prevent arcing
Preferably, a pair of annular coil springs 42 are ' between the switches. Consequently, switches of
provided about contact fingers 48, suitably seated
the type described, when assembled for gang oper
in peripheral grooves therein to resiliently press
ation will require less space in two different di
the contact‘ñngers into engagement with contact
rections than conventional types of switches.
members I6.
Having described a preferred embodiment of
Each bridging member 28 is provided within 40 the invention in vaccordance with the patent
contact chambers I5 on the side thereof opposite
statutes, it is desired that the invention be not
contact members 36, with indicator projections
limited to this particular embodiment, because iL
44 of insulating material, which may be secured
will be obvious to the persons skilled in the art
to the bridging member in any desired manner,
that many modifications and changes may be
such for example, as by riveting or the like. Indi- ‘ made therein without departing from the broad
cator members 44 are in alignment with apertures
spirit and scope of this invention and deñned in
45 provided in tube covers I 8, so that upon move
the following claims.
ment of the bridging member out of engagement
I claim as my invention:
with contact members I6 to an open circuit posi
1. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
tion, indicator projections 44 will be projected 50 of insulating material telescoped over each con
through apertures 45 to give an indication at the
tact and extending outwardly thereof, confront
front of the supporting' panels, of the open circuit
ing slots in said tubularmeans extending longi
, movement longitudinally of tubes 6.
conditionof the switch.
In order to provide a .
view of the air gap between bridging member 28
tudinally thereof, bridging means having opposite
ends extending into said slots for movement
and contact members I6,when the switch is in 55 therealong into and out of bridging engagement
open position, insulating tubes 6 may be provided
with said contacts, and the extent of movement
with sight slots 4'6. By virtue of sight slots 46,
of said bridging means being limited so that the
the air gap between bridging member 28 and con
ends thereof are retained in said tubular means
~ tact member I6 may be seen by an observer at the
at all positions of said bridging means.
rear of the supporting panels~ Slots 26 and 46, 60
2. In a' switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
as Well as aperture 45, should be made small
of insulating material telescoped over each con
enough that it is impossible for a person to insert
tact and extending outwardly thereof, confront
a finger to the interior of tubes 6, to thereby pre-ing slots in said tubular means extending longi
Vent accidental engagement with any live parts
tudinally thereof, bridging means having opposite
of Ithe switch.
_ 65 ends extending into said slots for movement there
The disconnecting switches described above are
along into and out of bridging engagement with
shown on the drawing in the closed circuit posi
said contacts, at least the portion of said bridg
tion. When it is desired to open the switch, oper
ing means in the space between said tubular
ating shaft 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction
means having a covering of insulating material,
as viewed in Fig. 1 carrying operating crank arm
and the extent of movement of said bridging
58 with it, so that operating rod 33 is moved to
means being limited so that the ends thereof are
the right, to thereby move bridging members 28 in
retained in said tubular means at all positions
This causes disengagement
of said bridging means.
of contact members 36 and I6, and provision of
3. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
an air gap therebetween until movement of bridg 75 of insulating material telescoped over each con
the same direction.
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tact and extending- outwardly thereof, confront
ing slots in said tubular means extending longi
3
ysaid tubular means into and out of engagement
with said contact means, and the movement of
tudinally thereof, bridging means having opposite
said switch blade being limited to not more than
ends extending into said slots for movement
therealong into and out of bridging engagement
with said contacts, and the outer ends of said
the extent of said tubular means.
9. In Va switch, contact means, tubular means
tubularmeans having stop means secured thereto
' of insulating material telescoped over said con
tact means and extending outwardly thereof, a
for limiting movement of said bridging means
longitudinally extending slot in said tubular
away from said contacts.
means, a switch blade having an end projecting
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4. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over` each con
into said slot, said blade mounted for movement
of said end thereof substantially longitudinally of
tact. and extending outwardly thereof, confront
ing slots in said tubular means extending longi
tudinally thereof, bridging means having oppo
said tubular means into and out of engagement
with said contact means, and means limiting
site ends extending into said slots for movement
therealong into and out of bridging engagement
with said contacts, and the outer ends of sai
tubular means being closed.
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. movement of said end of said blade in a direction
away from said contact means an amount less
than the extent of said tubular means.
.
10. In a switch, contact means, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over said con
tact means and extending outwardly thereof, a
5. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over each con 20 longitudinally extending slot in said tubular
tact and extending outwardly thereof, confront
means, a switch blade having an end projecting
ing slots in said tubular means extending longi
into said slot, said blade mounted for movement
tudinally thereof, bridging means having opposite
of said end thereof longitudinally of said tubular
ends extending into said slots for movement there
means into and out of engagement with said con
along into and out of bridging engagement with
tact means, and the outer end of said tubular
said contacts, means limiting movement of said
means being closed for limiting movement of said
bridging means away from said contacts an
end of said blade in a direction away from said
amount less than the extent of said tubular means,
contact means an amount less than the extent
and indicating means adapted to be projected
of said tubular means.
from the outer end of at least one of said tubular 30
11. In a switch, contact means, blade means '
means in response to movement of said bridging
mounted for movement into and out of engage
means to open circuit position.
, .
ment with said contact means, a tubular member
of insulating material receiving said contact
6. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over each con
means and a portion of said blade means, said
tact and extending outwardly thereof, confront 35 tubular member extending in the path of move
ing slots in said tubular means extending longi
tudinally thereof, bridging means having opposite
ment of said portion of said blade member. said
tubular member secured to one ofsaid means and
ends extending into said slots for movement
having a slot for permitting relative movement or
therealong into and out of bridging engagement
the other, and the movement of said switch blade
with said contacts, the extent of movement of 40 means being limited to not more than the extent
said bridging means being limited so that the ' of said tubular means.
ends thereof are retained in said tubular means
12. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
at all positions of said bridging means and a side , vof insulating material telescoped over each con
tact and extending outwardly thereof, a slot in
slot in at least one of said tubular means' so that
at the open circuit position the air gap between 45 each of said tubular means extending longitudi
said contacts and bridging means is readily visible.
nally thereof, bridging means having opposite
_ ends extending into said slots for movement there
7. In a switch, spaced contacts, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over each con
along into and out of bridging engagement with
tact and extending outwardly thereof, confront
said contacts, and the extent of movement of said
ing slots in said tubular means extending longi
bridging means being limited so that the ends
tudinally thereof, bridging means having opposite
thereof are retained in said tubular means at‘all
ends extending into said slots for movement there
positions of said bridging means.
along into and out of bridging engagement with
13. In a switch, contact means, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over said contact
said contacts', and ~guide means on said bridging
means adjacent opposite ends thereof for en 55 means and extending outwardly thereof, a longi
gagement with said tubular means adjacent said
tudinally extending slot in said tubular means, a
switch blade having an end projecting into said
slots, to guide said bridging means in its move
slot, said blade mounted for movement of said end
ment.
.
thereof substantially longitudinally o! said tubu
8. In afswitch, contact means, tubular means
of insulating material telescoped over said con 60 lar meansninto and out of engagement with. said
tact means and extending outwardly'thereof, a
contact means, and guide means on said blade
adjacent said one end thereof for engagement
longitudinally extending slot in said tubular
with said tubular means adjacent said slot to
means, a switch blade having an end projecting
guide said blade in its movement.
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into said slot, said blade mounted for movement
JAMES L. CO'I'I'ER.
or said end thereof substantially longitudinally or “Y