US1224880A - Electric switch and fuse box. - Google Patents

Description

-fL. Ff KRIES.

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND FUSE Box.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. l2. 1910.

Patented May 1, 1917. 3 SHEETS-SHEET l L. F. KRIES. ELECTRIC SWITCH AND FUSE BOX. APPLICATION FILED MAR.12. 1910.

11,224,880., Patented 111315711917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l Y* 1 w Q@ l Aww L. F. KRIES. ELECTRIC SWITCH AND FUSE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. I2. 1910. 1,224,880.

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vriiTEp sTATEs PATENT oEiEicE.l

LAWRENCE F. KRIES, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES MORGAN MARSHALL, TRUSTEE. F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND FUSE BOX.

l To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, LAWRENCE F. Kaine, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city, in the State of Maryland, haveinvented certain' new and useful liuprovements in Electric Switch and Fuse Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to boxes or holders for electrical apparatus, and is designed to permit the opening thereof whenever necessary for inspection or renewal of the. apparatus, but to preclude the passage of the current to the apparatus while the box or holder is open, and to prevent the possible taking of current at such time from within the chamber. Though susceptible of use in various other relations or with other apparatus, the invention is primarily intended for, and is illustrated in connection with, a switch and fuse box for the introduction of current from a service main into a room or building Where the current is to be used.

Briey stated, the invention' consists in a novel construction and arrangement of parts,i prominent among which is a closure for the fuse box or apparatus-containing chamber, which closure is so connected with or related to a line switch inaccessibly mounted in a separate compartment that the switch must be opened before, and remain open during, the opening of the containing chamber.

' and combinations will lbe pointed out.

' of fuse boxes and the like.

.is capable of being freely opened to give i access to the fuse 0r fuses, with the conse-l Under prior constructions two plans have commonly been adopted for the construction lha one, the box quence that there is considerable danger of inexperienced persons receiving a severe shock through the handling of live contacts, y

and there is. the possibility of robbing the supply company of its current by carrying Aoff branches from the fuse holders or contacts.

To obviate'these objections it is now quite common to adopt the 'second plan, which consists in providing the cover or closure of the box or containing'chamber with av lock,

the key of which is retained by an agent of the compa-ny supply current. This latter plan is objectionable, in that in case a fuse blows out or`is destroyed, or other apparatus is yput out of order, delay is occasioned Specification of ,Letters Patent.

Various other features, details,v

distance from the base 2.

Patented May 1, 191'?.

in making repairs, owing to the necessity of sending for and awaiting the arrival of the keeper of the key.

By my invention I avoid these several difficulties, give free and prompt access tothe interior of the box or containing chamber, preclude a-ll chance of accidental contact with live wires or conductors, and render impossible the vtaking of current from within the box or chamber while .said box is open. rllie details of construction may vary widely within the limits ,of my invention, convenient forms of the structure, when designed as -a fuse box.l being represented iii the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a longitudinal section of the complete device on the line l-l of Fig. 3, showing the switch closed;

Fig. Q is similar to Fig. l but shows theI positions assumed by the various parts when the switch is open;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 1 -'4- of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the locking` slide and switch;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of the device adapted to operation from the front;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the locking segment and switch of the structure shown in Fig. 6; and

"Fig, 8 is a longitudinal section of a moditication in which the movements of a door actuate the switch.

Referring by numerals to the structure shown in Figs. l to 5 of the drawings, l represents the casing or box that incloses the tlevice. rlhis may be of cast iron, pressed steel or any 'other suitable material, the principal requisites being that the box be tight and strong. So far as possible the use of screws and other removable fastenings is avoided throughout the construction of the box to prevent any tampering with its mechanism. Y

.A slate or other non-conducting base 2 such as is commonlyused for switches and fuses is attached to the back of the box, to support and insulate the electrical mechanism. A strongpartition 3 extends clear across the box and down -to within a short This partition divides the box into two chambers 4e and 5 which I shall call the fuse chamber and switch chamber respectively, though it will be understood that other apparatus than fuses might be inclosed therein. The partition 3 is insulated from the connections carried by the base 2, by insulating strips Gextending beyond its edge and attached by screws 7 insulated from. the switch chamber side.

lVhere the switch box is used to control the circuit entering a buildin-g, the connev tions from the street main will enter the box at S. ln such service a lead sheathed cable 9 is commonly used and a convenient mode oil attaching such cables is to provide a conical nipple 10 on the box, force the lead sheath 11 of the cable over this nipple and clamp it in place with a ring 12 held by bolts 13.=^ Any other suitable method may of course be employed, the idea being merely to Secure a tight joint between the sheath and the box.

'llhe line or supply wires 141-, leading from the source of current supply, through cable il, enter the casing and their ends are connected to the supply wire terminals 15, to which are secured Athe live switch contacts 15 of a switch S. These terminals and u, switch contacts are suitably secured to the base 2. lin the drawings, the invention is shown in connection with a three-wire system, :for illustration; but obviously it is adapted for any number of wires by simply varyingl the number of switch blades, contacts, tuses, etc.

llhe switch S is adapted, when closed, to electrically connect the supply wires in the part 5 of the casing with the fuse terminals in the part et, and when the switch is open, the electrical connection between the supply wires and said fuse terminals is broken. The switch S is preferably a knife switch having blades 16, pivoted to switch terminals 17, and movable into and out oi engagement with the live switch contacts 15. The switch terminals 17 are connec i," by conductors 13 to the fuse terminals 2u. llVhen the switch S is closed, the circuits are completed from the supply wires through the switch to thel conductors 13 and fuse terminals 20, thence through fuses 19 to the fuse terminals 20, connected to condimtors 21, which latter are suitably incloscd, as by a metallic conduit 22, and lead to the meter and house connections. The conduit 22 may be connected to the box by a nipple 23 and sleeve 24, as shown.

rlhe ends oir the supply wires, the supply wire terminals, and the switch contacts 15, all oi which parts are constantly alive, are in the part 5 of the casing` and inaccessible ,from the part 4 thereof, by reason of the partition or barrier 3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the switch blades are alsov wholly within the part 5 and inaccessible from the part 4l. Access to the chamber or part 5.

switch chamber is available only to authorized employees of the electric power company. Y

The switch, however, may be operated by anyone through the following mechanism. The switch blades 16 are connected to move in unison by an insulating bar 29 which is mounted at its ends on the arms 30 of bell crank levers 31. The levers 31 turn on pivots 32 on the box 1, the pivots 32 being alined with the pivots 17n in the switch blades 1G.

The other arms 33 of the `bel/l crank levers 31 are slotted at 34 to engage the pins 35 which are carried by the slides 3G guided in slots 37, in the partition 3 and an end wall ot case 1. The slides 36 are connected by a handle 38 carried on a bolt 39, the slides, bolt and handle constituting a bail'. Thus the switch is closed by the inward movement oi the slides and opened by the outward movement thereof. The inward motion of the slides is limited by the cngagement of the lugs 40 with the partition 3 (see lfig. l). The switch may be sealed open by removing handle 33 and attaching it in the position indicated in dotted lines in ligs. 2 and 3 by passing bolt 39 through the holes 41 in slides 36 and sealing it in `place with the lead seal 42 (Fig. 3), a hole 43 being provided in bolt 39 for that purpose.

lt is often desirable, both on behalf of the power company and the customer, when a building is vacated, to be able to lock the switch iu open position, so that no one but an authorized person can close it, and this is accomplished in a simple manner by the means j ust described.

access to the fuse chamber 4i can be had only through the aperture closed by door 4 1. This door is pivoted at 45 the pivots being some distance from the edge oit' the doorso that as it is opened a heel portion 41.6 et the door swings into the chamber. W hen the slides 36 are in any position but their outermost one the heel 4:6 is prevented from inward motion by the slides 36 so that the door cannot be opened.. When however the slides are in their outermost position a cam recess 47 in the slides comes immediately behind the heel 46 and permits the opening or' the door. of the slides will close the door, and the parts are so proportioned that the door will be completely closed and held closed prior to the initial closing ot the switch. While the fuse terminals are thus accessible when A ver sliofht inward motion the door is open, for the purpose of removing or replacing fuses, the switch is also open and the accessible conducting parts are dead, while the live parts of the apparatus,

which include the supply wires, supply terminals and live switch contacts, are inaccessible through said opening by reason of the barrier 3.

The modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is identical inl principle, but is arranged for use where a box set flush in a wall is desired. Parts identical with those already described are similarly numbered in these figures and further explanation is needless. ln the modified structure the bell cranks 31 are of slightly different form, and the slides 36 are guided in guides 4S and pass through the front of the box.

The switch blades 1G are shown pivoted in line with the barrier 3f, and their hinged ends are thus partly accessible when the door 44 is open; but as the switch is always open when the door is open, and the door is always closed before` the switch is closed, it is impossible to either receive a shock or steal current from the .switch blades.

Cam segments 49 are carried by the bell cranks 31 and serve to engage the heel 46 on the door 44 so that no c-am recesses appear in the slides 36. The case 1 is provided with rearwardly projecting chambers 50 to give the necessary clearangy' f ln either of the struct/ure described above access may be had to the fuse chamber only after opening the switch, and before the circuit can be again closed the door 44 must tightly close. lt is impossible tosteal current from the fuse terminals without actually breaking the boX as the current can bev turned on only while the door is closed, and it closes too tightly tov permit wires to be led around the edges.

As such fuses are customarily mounted between the street mains and the meter, this point is of the greatest importance.

Y ln the modification shown in Fig. 8 parts already described bear corresponding numbers. rlhe bell crank lever 31 is similar .to thatL shown in Figs. -1 to 5, but the slot 34, slides 36 and parts carried thereby, and the heel 46 on the door are omitted. y instead, the armsSB are connected by links 51 to inwardlyprojecting arms 52 on the door, the parts being so proportioned that a slight opening movement of the door effects the complete opening of' the switch. A flange 53 conforming to the path of the edge of the door and projecting from the front of the box prevents access thereto, until the switch is fully opened. This embodiment is not, however, as desirable as the others since it is diflicult to secure a satisfactory opening of the switch on a sufiiciently small movement of the door and also because the door must remain open so long as the switch is open, whether access to the chamber is desired or not.

The construction shown in Fig. 8 is not specifically claimed in the present application, visional application, Serial No. 7 87 ,438, filed August 30, 1913, in which it is described and claimed.

lf for any reason desired, a glass window 54 may be placed in door 25 to permit a clear view of the switch, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and ,8.

llt is obvious that-other forms of electrical apparatus in addition to or in place of the fuses shown, might be inclosed in chamber 4, the essential idea of the invention being the combination of an apparatus-containing chamber and a switch in such a manner that the opening of the apparatus containing chamber becomes possible only when the `switch is open.. Additional features are the isolation or inaccessibility of all parts that Aremain alive when the switch is open and various structural details above set forth.

Obviously, various changes and modifica:

tions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For

instance, instead of having the wires enter or leave the box at o-pposite ends, they may all be arranged at one end, or they may enter and leave at the sides, or in fact at any desired points, but should be led through the switch and fuses in the ordery or arrangement here set forth. lf the supply wires enter through the fuse chamber in passing to the supply wire terminals in the switch chamber, they should of course, be protected against access in the fuse chamber, as otherwise current could be taken from them. l

Having thus described my invention, what l claim is l. rFhe combination with a casing having an opening, and ay door on the casing for closing said opening, of fuse terminals in one part of the casing, accessible through said opening when the door is open, supplywire terminals and live Switch contacts in another part of the casing, a barrier within the casing preventing access through said Opening to said live terminals and switch contacts, a movable switch-member within the casing for connecting said switch contacts with said fuse terminals, and means" operatively related to the door and switch open and inaccessible when the door is-v closed, supply terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, a barrier switch members and for within the casing preventing access to said supply terminals and switch contacts when the door is open, movable switch members within the casing for connecting said switch contacts with said fuse terminals, and an accessible mechanism for actuating said simultaneously controlling the door, said mechanism comprising means for preventing the door from being opened while said switch members are in closed position, and for permitting the door to be opened after said members have been moved to open position.

` 3. The combination with a casing having a door thereon, of fuse terminals in one part of the casing accessible when the door is open and inaccessible Whenthe door is closed, supply terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, inaccessible through said opening, movable switch members for connectingsaid switch contacts with the fuse terminalaand means operable from without the casing for actuating said members and door, said means acting to close and lock the door when said members are moved toward closed position and to release the door when said members are moved to open position.

..The combination with a casing having a door thereon, of 'fuse terminals in one part of the casing accessible when the door is open and inaccessible when the door is closed, supply terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, a barrier within the casing preventing' access to said supply terminals and switch contactswhen the door is open, pivoted switch arms for connecting said switch contacts with the fuse terminals, and means operable from; without the casing for rocking the switch arms and acting to close and loch the door when said arms are moved toward'closed position and to release the door when said arms are moved from. closed position.

5. rlhe combination with a casing having a door hinged thereto, of fuse terminals in one part of the casing accessible when the door is open and inaccessible when the door is closed, supply terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, a barrier within the casinoq reventin access to said supply terminals and switch contacts when the door is open, pivotally mounted switch armswithin the casing for connectmg said switch contacts with the fuse terminals, and means operable from without 'the casing for rocking the switch arms and' controlling the door, said means acting to lock the door when said arms are moved toward closed position to release the door when said arms are moved from closed positionn 6. The combination with a terminals in one part of said casing, supplywire terminals and a switch in another part switch contacts in contacts with said fuse terminals,

casing, of fuse ating mechanism for the switch nect the latter terminals with the fuse terminals, a door, hinged to the`casing, for permitting access to the fuse terminals, said i door having a projecting part adjacent its pivotal axis, a barrier within lsaid casing for preventing access to said supply-wire terminals and switch, and mechanism for actuating the switch and simultaneously controlling the door, said mechanism being operable from without the casing and comprising-means acting to engage said pro,- jecting part on the door and lock the door when the switch is closed.

7. The combination with a casing having an opening, and a door, hinged to the casing, for nals within said casing accessible through said opening when the door is open, supply wire terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, inaccessible through said opening, movable switch memybers within lthe casing for connectinof' said fuse terminals with said switch contacts, and actuating mechanism for the switch operable from without the casing, said mechanism and door having' interlocking .parts acting to automatically loci: the door in closed position when said mechanism is moved to close theswitch, the interlocking part on the door being located adjacent its pivotal axis.

8, rlhe combination with an opening, and a door on the casing for closing said opening, of fuse terminals in one part of the casing accessible when the door is open and inaccessible when the door is closed, supply-wire terminals and live another part of the casmg, inaccessible through said opening in all positions of the door, rocking switch arms within the casing' for connecting said switch contacts with said fuse terminals, and mechanism` for operating said switch and simultaneously controlling the door, said mechanism comprising a sliding member projecting through one wall of the casing and having means for closing and locking they door prior to the closure of the switch and unlocking the d oor subsequent to the lopening of the switch. l The combination with an opening, and a door on the casing lor closingsaid opening, of fuse terminals in one part of the casing accessible, when the door is open and inaccessible when the door is closed, supplywire terminals and live switch contacts in another part o'f the casing, inaccessible through said opening in all positions of the door, rocking switch arms within the casing for connecting said switch and operand door comprising a pair of rods projecting through one wall ot the casing and a handle piece closing lsaid opening, fuse termi-- a casing havingv connecting said rods outside the casing, said mechanism having means for closing and locking the door prior to the closure of the switch and unlocking.. the door subsequent tothe opening of the switch.

10. The combination with a casing having an opening and a door on the casing for closing said opening, of fuse terminals in one part' of the casing accessible when the door is open and inaccessible when the door is closed, supply-wire terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, a barrier within the casing preventing access to said supply terminals and switch contacts through said opening, movable switch members within the casing adapted to ,connect said fuse terminals and switch contacts, mechanism for operating said switch members and for simultaneously controlling the door, said mechanism projecting -outside the casing and comprising means for locking the door when the switch members are in closed position and releasing the door when -the switch members have been moved to open position, and means for locking the said operating mechanism so as to hold said switch members in open position.

11. The combination with a casing having an opening and a door on the casing for closing said opening, of fuse terminals in one Apart of the casing accessible when the door is open and inaccessible when the door is closed, supply-wire terminals and live switch contacts in another part of the casing, a lbarrier within the casing preventing access to said supply terminals and switch contacts through said opening, movable switch members within the casing adapted to conneet said fuse terminals and switch contaets, mechanism for operating said switch members and for simultaneously controlling the door, said mechanism comprising a bail having its arms projecting through the casing, said arms having perforations adapted to receive a locking rod, outside the casing, when the switch members are in open posi-` tion, and said mechanism vhaving means for locking thel door when the switch members are in closed position and releasing the door after said switch members have been moved to open position.

12. rEhe combination with a casing having an opening, and a door hinged to the casing for closing said opening, of fuse terminals in one part of the basing, accessible when the door is open and inaccessible when the doei' is closed, supply-wire terminals and Alive switch contacts in another part of the casing, inaccessible through said opening,

' pivoted switch memberswithin the casing adapted to connect said fuse terminals and switch contacts, mechanism for operating said switch members and simultaneously controlling the door, said mechanism projecting outside the casing and comprising means for locking the door when the switch members are in closed position and releasing the door when the switch members have been movedA to open position, and means for locking the said operating mechanism so as to hold said switch members in open position.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

`lUAWltENCE F. KRIES. `Witnessesz WM. Gr. SPEED, HARRY B. Ross.

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