Mechanical transfer switch

Abstract

A mechanical transfer switch for use primarily in making rapid change of circuits in high energy coaxial transmission lines of the type employed in transmitting energy to a radio or television antenna. The switch is preferably manually actuated and includes structure in which a pivoted conductive bar is compelled to make simultaneous connection with or separation from the spaced terminals of the inner power conductors of a coaxial transmission line. The conductive bar includes two identical connectors which simultaneously engage two spaced terminals on the separated ends of the inner coaxial power line. The connectors on the conductive bar cannot be moved into connecting position with the two terminals until they are in exact axial alignment. In one form, the switch can connect a common terminal with anyone of a plurality of other terminals. In another form, the switch can be arranged to shift the connection between one pair of terminals to a connection between a second pair of terminals. In a third form, two connectors may be simultaneously employed to shift connections between a first common terminal and two alternative terminals and between a second common terminal and two alternative terminals.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.