US2703348A - Remote control switch - Google Patents

Description

March 1955 o. E. KNAPP ET AL 2,703,348

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REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH Oswald E. Knapp and Eric 0. Larson, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 24, 1950, Serial No. 170,091 1 Claim. c1. z-s7 This invention relates to devices for effecting remotely :device is energized, but also operative to retain said movable member in the final position assumed at the end of each displacement.

- A more specific object of this invention is to provide a solenoid operated primary switch subject to remote control by a secondary switch, the solenoid being energized by a low intensity current so as to eliminate the need for heavy insulated wire or conduit in the solenoid circuit.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a solenoid operated actuating device subject to remote control by a switch and so constructed that each time the switch is closed, no matter whether for a short time or'for a long time, the actuating device will be displaced from one to the other of two predetermined positions and retained in its final position after the actuating movement has been completed and the solenoid circuit has been opened.

Other and further objects and features of this invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claim, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings showing, by way of examples, a number of devices according to the present invention. More particularly:

Figure 1 is a wiring diagram showing a normal voltage circuit controlled by a primary switch actuated by a solenoid energized by a low intensity circuit constructed according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken away and with the solenoid coil and casing shown in central longitudinal cross section, of a first solenoid operated switch according to the present invention in open position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 2 but showing the switch in closed position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the switch of Figures 2 and 3, with parts broken away to show the interior construction of the switch;

Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged view of the surface of the solenoid core of the switch of Figure 2 as unfolded in a single plane and showing a labyrinth track in the sole noid core;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken away and with the solenoid coil and easing shown in central longitudinal cross section, of a second solenoid operated switch according to this invention in closed position;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the switch in open position;

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of the switch of Figures 6 and 7, with parts broken away to show the interior construction of the switch;

Figure 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross section view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 6 and showing part of the switch of United States Paten-t 0 Lil 2,703,348 li t ned Met-. .1955

Figure 11 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross ;sectional view taken along the line 13t11 of Figure 6;

Figure 12 is an enlarged cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line 1212 of Figure 13 and showing a third solenoid operated switch according to this invention in closed position;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along theline 13.13 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line 14-14 of Figure 13 and showing the switch in closed position;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the switch in open position;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the switch in a position intermediate the positions shown in Figures 14 and 15;

Figure .17 is an enlarged cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, of a fourth solenoid operated switch according to this invention-in closed position;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary viewsimilar to Figure 17 but showing the switch in open position;

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 17 but showing the switch in a position intermediate between the two positions shown in Figures 17 and 18;

Figure 20 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line Zil-Ztl of Figure 23, of a fifth solenoid operated switch according to this invention in open position;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20 but showing the switch in a position intermediate between the two positions shown in Figures 20 and 22;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 20 but showing the switch in closed position;

Figure 23 is a cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line 2323 of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken along the line 24--24 of Figure 26, of a sixth solenoid operated switch according to this invention in closed position;

Figure 25 is a side elevational view of the switch of Figure 24, with parts shown in cross section along the line 25-25 of Figure 26;

Figure 26 is another side elevational view of a switch of Figure 24, with parts shown in cross section along the line 2626 of Figure 24; and

Figure 27 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 25 but showing the switch in a position intermediate between fully closed and fully open positions.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of Figure 1, a solenoid operated switch generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 (shown in greater detail in Figures 2 through 5), is interposed, as atterminals a, a, in a normal voltage circuit including a wire 11 and a grounded wire -12 both connected to a load 13 (indicated in the drawing by a light bulb). This normal voltage circuit may be connected to a suitable source of power, for instance, volts, at a pair of terminals b, b. A high resistance solenoid coil made up of two windings 14a and 14b is connected in parallel across the power source, through a low resistance wire 15 connected to the grounded wire 12 and another low resistance wire 16 including a fuse 16a connected to the wire 11, the solenoid coil being connected to the wires 15 and It? at terminals 0, c. A- push button switch for making and breakingthe solenoid circuit is indicated generally at 17 and is connected to the solenoid windings at terminal (I, d. A resilient contact arm-1,8 forming part of the switch It isoperative to make and break the normal voltage circuit. Solenoid operated means for actuating the contactarm 18 are described in detail hereinbelow.

In the system illustrated by the wiring diagram of Figure 1, the high resistance of the solenoid coil windings 14a and 14b serves to reduce substantially theamperage in the solenoid circuit when the .latter is closed, for instance, to less than about one ampere, thus rendering unnecessary the use of a transformer to step down the voltage for this purpose. The fuse 16;: will function to interrupt the flow of any excessivecurrent;aswherr the wiring may accidentally be grounded. .Further, at: the low voltage indicated, there is no need for having the wires and 16 of heavy wire, heavy insulated wire or wire enclosed in a conduit. The push button switch 17 may be made very small eliminating the large wall plates and switch boxes conventionally employed.

The solenoid operated switch 10 diagrammatically shown in Figure l is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 2 to 5. As there shown, an annular solenoid coil 24 mounted in a casing 21 may be energized through leads 22 connected to a pair of terminals 23 mounted on the lower end of the casing 21. The terminals 23 correspond to the terminals :1, a' indicated in Figure 1.

At the upper end of the casing 21, a generally U-shaped strip 24 is mounted across the casing 21 (to close this end of the casing), with its legs 25 extending upwardly and having their ends 26 deflected outwardly at a right angle. A plate 27 of insulating material extends across the strip 24, having its ends affixed to the outwardly bent ends 26 of the strip 27, as by means of screws 23.

A pair of terminals 29 and 30 mounted on the upper side of the plate 27 are interposed in the normal voltage circuit and correspond to the terminals (1, a indicated in Figure l. A lead 31 extending through a suitable aperture in the plate 27 from the terminal 29 is connected to a contact arm 32 extending below the plate 27 in general parallelism therewith. A lead 33 extends through another suitable aperture in the plate 27 from the terminal 30 to one end of a resilient contact arm 34 having one end anchored to the underside of the plate 27 below the terminal 30 and having its other end extending below and in parallelism with the contact arm 32. The contact arm 34 corresponds to the contact arm 18 shown in Figure l. The resiliency of the contact arm 34 biases the latter into Contact with the arm 32, as shown in Figure 3.

Solenoid operated actuating means for operating the switch made up of the contact arms 32 and 34 include a toggle member having two spaced aligned plate portions 35 curved to define an arc of a circle, and adapted to rock over the inside of one of the legs 25 of the U-shaped strip 24. The ends 36 of the plates 35 are bent outwardly and inserted in aligned spaced slots formed in the right leg 25 of the strip 24 so that the bent ends 36 will secure the plates 35 against displacement over the legs 25 of the strip 24 as the plates are rocked over the inside of the legs 25. One or both of the toggle member plates 35 may be bent inwardly at about the right angle to form a deflecting arm 37. The two rocking plates 35 are rigidly interconnected by an intermediate web plate 33 from which a central actuating arm 39 projects inwardly below the deflecting arms 37 to a point above the center of the solenoid 20. Coil springs each have one end attached serve to retain the ends 36 of the plates 35 in the slots formed in the strip legs 25, thus securing the whole toggle member in position.

An insulating strip 41 extends along the underside of the contact arm 34 and projects therefrom to a point be low the free end of one of the deflecting arms 37. As shown in Figure 2, the contraction of the coil springs 40 exerts a force overcoming the resiliency of the contact arm 34, and the deflecting arms 37 extend at such an angle with respect to the contact arm 34 and strip 41 as to cause the latter to be normally biased into the position shown in Figure 2 where the switch formed by contact arms 32 and 34 is open.

Means for actuating the switch in question to close the same include a solenoid core or plunger 42 within the solenoid 20. When the solenoid 20 is energized, the solenoid core or plunger 42 is moved upwardly within the coil 20 and an actuating pin 43 extending from the core 42 contacts the free end of the actuating arm 39 and causes the latter to move upwardly. This upward movement of the free end of the actuating arm 39 takes place along a straight line, because the arcuate curvature of the rocking plates 35 is centered at that point of the actuation arm 39 contacted by the pin 43.

Means for controlling the actuating of the contact arm 34 by means of the members described include a pin 44 aflixed to the inner surface of the coil 20 and projecting into a channel track 45 formed on the outer surface of the plunger 42. As best shown in Figure 5, the track 45 is made up of four portions each of generally V- shaped configuration and having their vertices turned upwardly. Two of these V-shaped portions extend upwardly for a greater distance than the other two V-shaped portions, and in the track 45 these higher V-shaped portions alternate with the other two portions. In Figure 5, the vertices of the high V-shaped portions are indicated by the reference letters a and d, while the vertices of the other two V-shaped portions are indicated at e and e. The vertices d, d, e and e are slightly indented on their right sides. The points of intersection of the V'-shaped track portions are indicated at f, g, f and g. At these points, the track 45 is likewise formed with indentations on the right side.

The action of the springs 40 transmitted through the actuating arm 39 and the pin 43 causes the solenoid core 42 to move downwardly. The core 42 is free to rotate and therefore, when moving downwardly, will rotate so that the pin 44 will lodge in one of the vertices d, e, d or e. Further downward core movement is thereby arrested, and the action of the springs 40 thereafter consists in holding the solenoid core 42 in the position assumed at the end of its downward stroke since then core rotation can be effected only against the resistance of the springs 46*. As shown in Figure 2, the deflecting arm 37 at this time holds the contact arm 41 away from the contact arm 32, so that then the switch is held in open position.

If it is assumed that the position of the solenoid core 42 (with respect to the fixed pin 44) shown in Figure 2 corresponds to having the pin 44 located at d as shown in Figure 5, the further actuation of the switch may be described as follows. When the coil 20 is energized and the core 42 thereby moved upwardly, the core will be rotated as the pin 44 follows the track 45 from d to g. At this point, further upward movement of the core 42 is arrested and no matter how long the coil 20 remains energized, the core remains in the indicated position. When the coil is thereafter deenergized, the action of the springs 40 depresses the core 42 and the latter will rotate to bring the pin 44 to the position e indicated in Figure 5 where further movement of the core is arrested. The points a and e are spaced apart vertically so as to then bring the switch into the position shown in Figure 3 where the actuating arm 41 holds the contact arm 34 against the contact arm 32 to keep the switch in closed position. When the coil 20 is again energized, the core 42 is pulled down and rotated to bring the pin 44 from the position e shown in Figure 5 to f, where the core is held until the core is deenergized. At this time the action of the springs 40 will again depress and rotate the core to bring the same into position d.

The right side indentations of the vertices in the track 45 serve to position the pin 44 so that on movement of the core 42, the pin 44 will move to the right in the track 45.

It will be noted that, in order to make this actuation possible, the action of the springs 40 must be sufiiciently strong to overcome the resiliency of the contact arm 34, and the force exerted jointly by the resilient arm 34 and the solenoid coil 20 (when energized) must be suficiently strong to overcome the force exerted by the springs 40.

It will also be noted that whenever the solenoid core 42 is moved by the coil 20 (which movement is always in the same direction), such movement serves to bring the core 42 to a position where the springs 40 will next move the core into either a switch closing or a switch opening position. Such switch closing and switch opening movements of the core are eifected alternately. Thus, displacement of the solenoid core effecting actuation of the switch may be subdivided into an initial step effected by energizing the solenoid coil and a second step effected by the springs 40 when the solenoid coil is deenergized. Finally, at the end of each two-step switch actuating movement, the springs 40 serve to hold the switch actuating means in the position assumed at the end of the switch actuating movement.

Another type of solenoid operated switch capable of being inserted in the wiring diagram of Figure l in place of switch 10 is illustrated in Figures 6 through 11 as including an annular solenoid coil 50 mounted in a tubular casing 51 and energized through leads 52 connected to a pair of terminals 53 at the bottom of the casing 51. The terminals 53 correspond to the terminals 0., d of Figure l. A solenoid plunger 54 is movable within the coil 50, being drawn down or retracted into the bore of the coil 50 when the latter is energized.

Agenerally U-shaped strip extends over the top of the casing 51. The legs56 of this strip have their ends 57 bent outwardly at a right angle to support an insulating strip 58 afiixed thereto as by means of screws 59. Terminals 60 and 61 are attached to the upper side of the strip 58. These terminals correspond to the terminals a, a in the wiring diagram of Figure 1.

A lead 62 connects the terminal 60 to a resilient con tact arm 63 extending below the plate 58 and biased into contact with a second contact arm 64 connected to the terminal 61 by a lead 65.

A mounting strip 66 has one end hinged on a pin 67 mounted on the left strip leg 56 and extends under the contact arm 63 past the center of the solenoid core 54. A short finger 68 is offset from the upper side of the strip 66 and is threaded through an insulating link 69 of generally T-shaped configuration extending through a suitable aperture in the contact arm 63, as best shown in Figure 10. A coil spring 70 is mounted on the under side of the strip 66 below the finger 68 and has a long finger 71 extending to the right through a wire loop 72 depending from the end of the strip 66 (as shown in Figure 11), extending therefrom into a labyrinth generally indicated at 73. The spring 70 is arranged to bias the finger 71 toward the right side or" the labyrinth shown in Figure 9. Another wire loop 74 attached to the end of the solenoid core 54 passes over the strip 66, as best shown in Figure 10.

When the solenoid coil 50 is energized, the solenoid core 54 is retracted into the coil and the resulting downward pull transmitted through the loop 74, the strip 66, the finger 68 and the link 69 causes the contact arm 63 to be displaced from the position shown in Figure 6 (where the switch is closed) to the position shown in Figure 7, where the switch is open. purpose, the force exerted by the solenoid coil when energized must be suificient to overcome the resiliency of the arm 63 biasing the latter into contact with the arm 64.

The above described switch actuation is controlled by the labyrinth 73 best illustrated in Figure 9. The labyrinth in question includes a plate 75 attached to the right strip leg 56 by means of a screw 76 and having a right inturned flange 77 overlying the corner portion of the strip 55. A metal strip 78 forms a continuation an edge extending downwardly at a steep inclination which intersects the strip 78 at the attached end of the book 79. An upstanding flange 80 formed within a triangular deflected portion 81 extends from the left edge of the plate 75 from an upper'point spaced from the hook 79 to a lower point spaced from the plate 55. The triangular deflected flange portion 81 terminates downwardly short of the flange 80 to form an angle 82 with the lowermost portion 80a of the flange 80. The lower lefthand corner of the flange portion 81 comes to a point 83. A generally L-shaped arm 84 also extends from the plate 75 at the left corner thereof past the flange 81 slightly to the right of the point 83.

The operation of the labyrinth '73 for controlling switch actuation is described as follows. The closed position'of the switch is shown in Figure 6 where the finger 71 rests against the arcuate hook 79, as shown in full lines in Figure 9. This position is maintained by the resiliency of the arm 71 and the biasing force exerted by thespring 70 which jointly serve to hold the endof the finger 71 in'the indicated position with respect to the hook portion 79. When the solenoid 50 is energized and the solenoid core 54 retracted into the solenoid coil, the finger 71 is pulled down and then slides over the inclined free edge of the deflected flange portion 81. Note that the upper end of the triangular deflected flange portion 81 is disposed slightly to the right of the position assumed by the finger 71 when the switch is closed. As the downward movement of the pin 71 is continued past the point 83, the pin jumps into the position indicated in Figure 9 in dotted lines where the end of the pin rests upon the plate 55 and is held against movement to the right by the end of the L-shaped arm 84. When next the solenoid is deenergized, the resiliency of the arm 71 and the biasing force exerted by the arm 63 cause upward movement of the pin past For this pin 101 whereby the switch is opened and closed.

the upper edge of the arm 84. The finger, .71 -then becomes lodged in the angle 82, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 9. The switch is ,then in the position shown in Figure 7. When next time the solenoid coil 50 is energized and the finger 71 retracted by the solenoid core 54, the finger 71 moves downwardly past. the lowermost part 8011 of the upstanding flange 80 into the angle formed by the strip 7 8 and the plate 55. When the coil is next deenergized, the resiliency of the arm 63 raises the finger 71 and causes the latter to slide along the strip 78 into the position shown in full lines in Figure 9 and also illustrated in Figure 6, the switch then being closed.

Thus it will be seen that in the operation of the switch of Figures 6 through 10, the same cyclical movement is effected as in the switch of Figures 2 through 5.

Figures 12 through 16 show a third solenoid switch according to the present invention in which the reciprocal movement of a solenoid core is translated into a rotary switch actuating movement. More particularly, the switch of Figures 12 through 16 includes a solenoid coil within a casing 91 energized by leads 92 connected to terminals 93 corresponding to the terminal (I, d of Figure 1. The upper end of the casing 91 is closed by a plate 94 having mounted thereon terminals 95 and 96 corresponding to the terminals a, a of Figure 1. Generally L-shaped flexible contact arms 97 and 98 depending from the bottom of the plate 94 are connected, respectively, .to the terminals 95 and 96. As shown in Figure 13, the terminals 95 and 96 and the contact arms 97 and 98 are set over to one side of the casing 91. A pair of arms 99 also depending from the plate 94 near the insides of the casing 91 afford journals for a shaft 100 extending transversely across the upper part of the casing 91 between the contact arms 97 and 98 and always contacted by the free ends of said contact arms. The shaft 100 is made of insulating material but contains a metallic insert 101 in a shape of a rod located between the contact arms 97 and 98 so that rotation of the shaft 100 will cause alternating contact of the rod 101 with the contact arms 97 and .98 and contact of the contact arms with the insulating portion of the shaft 100. The switch of Figures 12 to 16 is therefore opened and closed simply by rotation of the shaft 100. p

The switch actuating mechanism includes a solenoid core 102 retracted into the solenoid coil 90 when the latter is energized and having attached to its upper end an actuating plate 103 biased upwardly by springs 104 each having one end attached to the plate 94 and another end attached to the actuating plate 103 near the upper end of the solenoid core 102. The plate 103 extends between spaced discs 105 each mounted on the shaft 100 and interconnected by four pins 106 symmetrically distributed around the margins of the discs 105. The pins 106 serve as ratchet pins engaged by the plate 103 when the latter is reciprocated. For this purpose, the actuating plate 103 is formed, on its right side, with an upstanding arm 107 having an inwardly deflected end portion 108 capable, when the solenoid core 102 is retracted, of engaging the upper side of that one of the pins 106 located in the upper right quadrant to move this pin downwardly and thereby to rotate the discs 105 partially. The actuating member 103 is also formed with a left shoulder 109 and a right shoulder 110 coming to a point at the middle of the plate 103. The right shoulder 110 extends downwardly at a relativeiy steep angle while the left shoulder 109 extends downwardly from said point at a relatively gentle slope. When the actuating plate 103 has been retracted by energizing the solenoid, and when thereafter the solenoid is deenergized and the springs 1.04 move the plate upwardly, the shoulder 109 engages the pin 106 in the lower lefthand quadrant to move this pin upwardly and thereby to rotate the discs 105 further. Thus, the downward movement of the actuating discs 103 under the influence of the energized solenoid followed by subsequent upward movement under the infiuencejof the springs 104 (after the solenoid has been deenergized effects rotary movements of the discs 105' which may total 90.' Figures 14 to 16 illustrate the different positions assumed during such rotary movement by the It will also be noted that the projecting portions of the shoulders 109 and 110 serve to hold the two 'pins"10 6 in the lower two quadrants against movement when the switch is not being actuated. For this purpose the relatively steeply sloping shoulder 11!) forms an angle with a horizontally extending plate edge 111 extending be tween the lower end of the shoulder 110 and the arm 107. An arm 111a may extend upwardly on the lefthand side of the actuating plate 103. This arm 111a and the arm 107 may slide over the inside of the casing 91 and thereby serve to keep the plate 103 in proper vertical alignment within the casing 91.

It will be noted that, in the case of the switch of Figures 12 through 16, the same cyclical succession of two step movements is effected as in the previously described switches. In other words, energizing the solenoid causes movement of the switch actuating member followed (after the solenoid is deenergized) by further movement of the switch actuating member under the influence of resilient means. Each cycle (made up of two such movements) serves either to close or to open the switch.

Figures 17 through 19 show a switch generally similar to that of Figures 12 through 16 and having corresponding parts indicated by the same reference numerals. The principal difference between these two switches lies in the fact that the shaft 100 is made wholly of insulating material and includes a cam-shaped portion 120 serving to spread apart the contact arms 121 and 122 to open the switch, as illustrated in Figures 18. rotation of the shaft (effected exactly as in the switch of Figures 12 through 16) brings the switch into closed position, as shown in Figure 17. An intermediate stage is shown in Figure 19.

Figures 20 through 23 illustrate still another switch generally similar to that shown in Figures 12 through 16, the same numerals being used to indicate identical parts. In the case of the switch of Figures 20 through 23, discs are mounted upon a stub shaft rotatably journalled in a thick plate 131 attached to the upper Inside of the casing 91., as by means of screws 132. One of the discs 105 has embedded therein a diametrically extending strip 133 of metal. Resilient contact arms 134 and 135 connected, respectively, to the terminals 95 and 96, depend from the underside of the plate 94 and are biased into contact with the disc 105 carrying the metal strip 133. Thus, each 90 rotation of the discs 105 serves alternately to open and to close the switch of Figures 20 through 23 by moving the strip 133 into or out of a position wherein the strip is contacted by the free ends of the contact arms 134 and 135. As indicated hereinabove, the switch actuating mechanism of the device of Figures 20 through 23 functions similarly to that of Figures 12 through 16.

Still another form of switch according to the present invention is shown in Figures 24 through 27 as includ- 7 ing a solenoid coil disposed within a casing 141 and energized through leads 142 connected to terminals 143 corresponding to the terminals d, d of Figure l. The casing 141 is upwardly closed by a plate 144 carrying terminals 145 and 146 corresponding to the terminals a, a of Figure 1. Contact arms 147 and 148 connected, respectively, to the terminals 145 and 146, depend from the underside of the plate 144 and are resiliently biased against one of two discs 149 carried by a stub shaft 150 journalled in a thick plate 151 alfixed to the inside of the casing 141, as by screws 152. The disc 1.49 contacted by the arms 147 and 148 has embedded therein a diametrically extending metal strip 153. Thus, rotation of the disc 149 carrying the metal strip 153 serves alternately to close and to open the switch of Figures 24 through 27.

The switch actuating mechanism of Figures 24 through 27 includes a solenoid core 154 retracted when the solenoid coil 140 is energized. At its upper end, the solenoid core 154 carries horizontally extending arms 155 to the ends of which are attached springs 156 also attached to the plate 144 and serving to bias the solenoid core 154 upwardly. Further, a pair of star wheels 157 and 158 are carried by the shaft 150 between the discs 149. These wheels carry four arms indicated, respectively. at 15711 and at 158a. The arms 157a are adapted to be engaged from above on the left side by the down turned end of an erect arm 159 extending upwardly from the left solenoid core arm 155. The arms 158a are adapted to be engaged from below on the right side by the inturned end of another erect arm 160 extending upwardly from the right solenoid core arm 155.

When the switch is in the closed position shown in Figures 24 and 25, one of the star wheel arms 157a has its upper side contacted by the free end of the arm 159. When the solenoid coil 140 is next energized to retract the solenoid core 154, the arm 159 descends to cause partial rotation of the discs to the position shown in Figure 27. During this partial rotation, the other arm 160 slides over one arm 158a of the other star wheel. When next the coil 140 is deenergized, the solenoid core 154 is pulled upwardly and the arm 160 engages the underside of a star wheel arm 158a to further rotate the star wheels. During this second rotary movement, the arm 159 slides over another star wheel arm 157a, to return the arms 159 and 160 to the same relative position with respect to the star wheels as that shown in Figures 24 and 25. The two rotating movements may total 90 for moving the switch from a closed to an open position or vice versa. After each switch closing or switch opening movement, the arms 159 and 160, acting under the force exerted by the springs 156, serve to retain the switch in a position assumed at the end of each switch opening or switch closing movement.

The above described solenoid operated switches are given merely by way of examples of devices according to the present invention. It should be understood that, instead of electrically actuated solenoids, hydraulically actuated or pneumatically actuated pistons may be used.

The device of the present invention offers a number of advantages over conventional devices for remote control of switches and the like. Such conventional devices require three wires because the solenoid operating the switch has two separate windings, one being energized to close the switch and the other being energized to open the switch. The two solenoid circuits are controlled, respectively, by an on push button switch and by an off push button switch. Our solenoid operated switch, on the other hand, requires only two wires and a single push button switch.

Conventional devices for remote solenoid control of switches are ordinarily operated by using a separate 24 volt potential obtained from a transformer. Although our device can be so operated, our device can also be more conveniently and economically operated from the 110 volt power present in each ordinary outlet box by the use of our solenoid coil as a current limiting device coupled with a fuse limiting the amperage to a predetermined maximum value. For instance, the solenoid coil resistance can be predetermined to limit the amperage to 0.5 ampere, and the fuse can be made to operate at 0.7 ampere. Such an arrangement will conform to the National Electric Code requirements for remote control systems.

At the low current intensity required by our device, a paired conductor of No. 18 or 20 gauge solid or stranded wire with fairly rugged moisture proof insulation will ordinarily be satisfactory. Where considerable wear is anticipated, armored cable may be used. The solenoid and the switch controlled thereby may conveniently be provided as a complete unit with wires brought out as pigtails for easy connection to wiring within the outlet box where the switch is to be used. The push button switches or other finger control switches may be quite small, and may easily be provided in various numbers distributed over various locations. There is no particular fire hazard or danger of severe shock at the switches when using the low current intensities made possible by the devices disclosed hereinabove.

Many details of construction may be varied within a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention. It is, therefore, not our purpose to limit the patent granted on this invention otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

We claim:

A solenoid switch for an electrical circuit comprising a solenoid coil, a reciprocable solenoid plunger, said coil being operative for actuating the solenoid plunger in one direction, a pair of parallel and symmetrically disposed spring members for actuating the solenoid plunger in the opposite direction, said coil and said spring members cooperating successively to actuate the solenoid plunger through a reciprocating cycle, a pair of contactors interposed in one side of said circuit, and switching means actuated during one reciprocating cycle of said solenoid plunger whereby the pair of contactors are electrically connected during one reciprocating cycle of said solenoid plunger and electrically disconnected during the following reciprocating cycle, said switching means comprising a rotatably mounted disc formed with spaced axial projections distributed symmetrically around the margin of said disc, means rigidly secured to said plunger for engaging said disc projections and comprising a first actuating member for engaging a projection on one side of said disc to rotate said disc as said plunger is moved under the influence of said coil and a second actuating member for engaging another projection on the diametrically opposed side of said disc to continue the rotation of said disc as said plunger is moved in said opposite direction under the influence of said spring members, said second actuating member being shaped to engage, at the end of said movement of said plunger in said opposite direction, one projection on each of the two diametrically opposed sides of said disc whereby said disc is held against further rotation until said plunger is again moved under the influence of said coil, said switch further comprising means carried by said disc for estab lishing and disestablishing electrical contact between said contactors.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Plensler Feb. 20, 1940 Tin-ill June 19, 1900 Lacey Aug. 4, 1903 Clark June 7, 1904 Kitt May 8, 1906 Hart Nov. 30, 1909 Bramming Nov. 5, 1918 Crane Nov. 5, 1918 Bramming Sept. 9, 1919 Miller et al Mar. 22, 1927 Flanders et al Aug. 29, 1933 Deans July 10, 1934 Mott July 7, 1936 Kozel et al. Feb. 21, 1939 Hutt July 20, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 18, 1910 France July 10, 1903 France Oct. 29, 1921

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