Threaded rod-and-spacer switch handle tie
AssigneeReliance Controls Corporation
InventorNeil A. Czarnecki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch coupling assembly is configured for coupling switch handles to provide simultaneous actuation and deactivation of an electrical device. The switch handles are arranged in a side by side configuration and have passages are aligned. A coupling rod is inserted through the passages in the handles. A spacer is positioned between the switch handles and receives the coupling rod therethrough. An outside surface of the coupling rod is threaded to interact with either or both of the inner surface of the spacer or the inner surface of the handles in order to prevent inadvertent axial motion of the rod relative to the spacer or the switch handles.
Claims15
A switch coupling assembly comprising:
- a coupling rod defining a length and including an externally threaded portion that extends along at least a portion of its length;
- at least two switches for use in at least one electrical circuit arranged in a side by side orientation and each having a switch handle movable to an on and off position and having passages that are aligned with each other when the at least two switch handles are in the on position and when the at least two switch handles are in the off position;
- wherein the coupling rod extends into each of the switch handle passages for coupling the switch handles in a common orientation;
- and
- a spacer positioned between the switch handles and having a passage aligned with the passages of the switch handles and which receives the coupling rod therethrough for coupling the switch handles to the spacer;
- wherein a threaded inner surface is provided on one of 1) the spacer passage and 2) at least one of the switch handle passages, wherein the external threads on the threaded portion of the coupling rod are threadedly engaged with the threaded inner surface, to prevent inadvertent axial motion of the coupling rod relative to the spacer and the switch handles.
A method of connecting switch handles of a pair of switches together, wherein each switch handle is movable between an on position and an off position, and wherein the switch handles have passages that are aligned with each other when the switch handles are in the on position and when the switch handles are in the off position, comprising the steps of:
- providing a switch coupling assembly comprising:
- a rod having a threaded portion;
- and
- a spacer configured to fit between the switch handles and having a passage;
- wherein a threaded inner surface is provided on at least one of 1) the spacer passage and 2) one of the switch handle passages;
- placing the spacer between the switch handles such that the spacer passage is aligned with the switch handle passages;
- and
- inserting the rod into the switch handle passages and through the spacer passage and threadedly engaging the threaded portion of the rod with the threaded inner surface to fixedly align the switch handles and provide simultaneous movement of the switch handles between the on and off positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.