US3341801A

US3341801A - Multiple switch assembly

Info

Publication number: US3341801A
Application number: US482135A
Authority: US
Inventors: Brookman Ronald John; Friend Lindsay Carlton; Mummey Dale Brice; Smith Cletus Talvin
Original assignee: AMP Inc
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
Priority date: 1965-08-24
Filing date: 1965-08-24
Publication date: 1967-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-12
Also published as: GB1119619A; NL6611891A; SE317425B; DE1590027A1; ES330493A1

Description

P 12, 1967 R. J. BROCKMAN ETAL 3,341,801

MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTOR. RONALD JoHN BRQOKMAH LINC'S -f CARLTON FR\E!ND P LE BRlcE MUMMEY CLETOS TALVIN DMITH I 5 r 9 2 i I p 12, 1967 R. J. BROOKMAN ETAL 3,341,801

MUIQTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTOR.

OH H cLe'Tus TALVIN arm-n4 BY M,M+47%1 Sept. 12, 1967 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 R. .1; BROOKMAN ETAL MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 sheet-sheet V INVENTOR.

DALE B NALD JOHN BKKM DEA CARL-FUN FT! CF MUMMEY CLETUs y) SHIT Sept. 12, 19 67 RQJ. BROOKMAN ETAL MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTOR.

RON

LIN

:DALE 311m; Mun BY CLETUS TALVIN 5M United States Patent 3,341,801 MULTIPLE SWITCH ASSEMBLY Ronald John Brookman, Lancaster, Lindsay Carlton Friend, Camp Hill, Dale Brice Mummey, Enola, and Cletus Talvin Smith, I-Iighspire, Pa., assignors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Filed Aug. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 482,135 13 Claims. (Cl. 339-18) This invention relates to a multiple switch of the type adapted to accommodate large numbers of electrical paths for simultaneous make-break operation with a capability of switch path change for programming purposes. The invention is embodied in a switch assembly which provides a shielded path to, through and from the contacts and leads of the assembly.

The increasing problem of radio frequency interference (RFI) and the trend to lower signal currents has caused a problem with respect to existing switch devices which are not shielded. This problem manifests itself by RFI effectively modulating the signals carried by the switching device to change the intelligence content carried thereby with the result that equipment served thereby receives an erroneous command. In certain applications wherein the signals being handled by the assembly are in the radio frequency range there is a problem of cross-talk caused by densely concentrated switch paths. In still other applications wherein the frequency is in the higher radio range there comes a problem with loss due to the lack of a coaxial transmission path. A problem with existing non-coaxial multiple switch devices and with known existing coaxial devices relates to a closure of the contact portions of the assembly in instances wherein there is no intended path or inserted contactor for such path. Other shortcomings affecting present coaxial assemblies including a complexity of carriage, camming and locking mechanism, which is related to overall reliability and function of the assembly.

The present invention purports to solve the foregoing shortcomings of prior art devices and has as one object the provision of a shielded multiple switch assembly wherein the assembly contacts are shielded throughout the signal path to, through and from the assembly. It is another object of the invention to provide a high density coaxial plugboard device capable of operation with low crosstalk between signal paths and substantial shielding from RFI. It is still another object to provide a simple and inexpensive multiple switch carriage and locking device for use in coaxial and non-coaxial plugboard type units. It is a further object to provide a contact structure for shielded signal paths which facilitates insertion and removal of plug type contactors in an arrangement providing a wiping between the contact surfaces for inner and outer conductors of coaxial cable. It is still a further object to provide a contact structure for multiple switching devices wherein there is no contact between paths in the event a contactor plug is not utilized for a given contact position in such assembly.

The foregoing problems are overcome and the foregoing objectives are attained in the present invention through an assembly which features a receiver and front board each apertured to retain and hold in matrix array a conductive contact structure adapted to receive in the outboard end a contactor plug and to retain such plug against accidental displacement. The forward ends of each contactor structure of the receiver and front board are so shaped as to provide a fully shielded path for signals carried by the assembly. There is a feature to hold the receiver and board contactor shielding out of actual contact except when a plug is utilized in both the receiver and front board. The assembly of the invention features a carriage having positioning and locking mechanism on each side thereof independently operable with respect to a carnming mechanism which effects final closure and opening of the contactors of the assembly. The carriage is arranged to assure correct alignment in the front board with respect to the receiver and to cause the front board to be guided into engagement within the receiver without damaging the contacts and without closure until operation of the camming mechanism.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective showing the invention assembly fully open with the front board thereof removed and backed away from the receiver thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of the assembly of the invention in the fully closed position with the front board within the receiver and cammed upwardly to effect contact closure;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of parts of the camming mechanism of the assembly of the invention shown in a position responsible for full closure of the contact paths of the assembly;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation in partial section of the right-hand side of the carriage mechanism of the invention shown in the open position with a front board positioned therein;

FIGURE 5 is a view of the parts of FIGURE 4 shown in a closed position with a front board fitted within the receiver;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective with parts sectioned to show the contactor receptacle and plug of the front board and receiver portion of the invention assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal view of the contactors, receptacles and plugs of the front board and rear end receiver in the position resulting from closure of the front board within the receiver but prior to vertical camming movement of the parts;

FIGURE 8 is a view of the parts of FIGURE 7 in closure; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 8 with the plug contactor of the front board removed.

Briefly describing the invention assembly in terms of major parts and function, FIGURE 1 shows the assembly as 10, including a front board 12, backed away from front position relative to installation in a receiver 30. The front board contains a number of coaxial contactors 80400 patched therein which effectively extend a coaxial and shielded path including a center conductor and outer conductor to contactors 130 of the receiver. These contactors in turn connect to coaxial cable going to and coming from electronic equipment served by the assembly. Upon the front board being fitted within the receiver and closure being effected there is completed a shielded co axial electrical path from the equipment served to the rear bay and the contactor structure therein through the contactor structure of the front board, its coaxial lead and return through a similar structure and path.

The front board 12 is hooked on a top crossbar 70 of the receiver 30 and is swung into position to fit down within the receiver as shown in FIGURE 2. Thereafter operation of the receiver handle 70 effects an upward driving movement of the front board 12 for the closure as above described. Downward movement of the handle 70 breaks the circuits of the various coaxial paths. The carriage mechanism 68-72 of the receiver is so arranged as to be independent of the camming mechanism operated by the handle and includes features to guide the front board in a manner to avoid contact structure damage to lock the front board within the receiver once the camming motion has been started and to prevent its removal until proper operation of the receiver handle 70.

The invention assembly is thus described in an embodiment representative of a shielded plugboard which may be utilized for programming, ofiice equipment, navigational devices, computers and the like, or merely as a multiple switch to simultaneously connect and disconnect a large number of communication paths.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the invention and referring to FIGURES l and 2, the front board 12 is a rigid structure comprised of an insulating panel 14 having disposed across its major surface area a matrix of apertures 16 each carrying a contactor latching and shielding structure 100 each adapted to carry a coaxial contactor plug 80. The coaxial cables 82 connecting the plugs are disposed as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2 on the forward face of the panel 14 and the contacting shielding portion of the structures protrudes through to the opposite sides and cannot be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. A detailed description of the contactor structures will be given hereinafter.

A pair of

handles

18 and 19 are provided to facilitate transport of the front board. These handles are secured to an outer metallic frame comprised of upper and

lower channels

20 and 21 and

side channels

22 and 23. These channels are secured together as by screw, rivet or the like and are rigidly secured to the panels 14 in a suitable fashion as by bonding with epoxy cement. The channel 20 contains in the center facing the receiver a recess 27 adapted to cooperate with a complementary surface in the receiver. The bottom channel 21 contains two recess-projection surfaces spaced apart to cooperate with complementary surfaces in the receiver. These propections operate to center the front board within the receiver upon closure.

The side channel members such as 22 project above the upper channels 20 as at 22a and contain a hook 22b having an inner surface large enough to permit the board to be hooked over a crossbar 70 of the receiver 30. In this manner the front board is installed in the receiver with the hooks such as 22b being guided onto the receiver crossbar and the board thereafter hanging upon such bar in a vertical attitude. Projecting from the side of either channel is a pin member such as 24, shown projecting from channel 23, which operates when the board is first placed in the receiver to limit the inward travel by engagement with side members of the receiver carriage and thereafter to operate the carriage to lock the board in position.

The receiver 30 is comprised of an inwardly disposed panel member 32 having across its face a matrix of apertures 34 each adapted to accommodate a contactor shielding and latching structure 130 housing a contactor lead 110. The apertures and contactor structures of the receiver are positioned in relative alignment for engagement with corresponding shielding contactor structures of the front board when such is positioned in the receiver and closure is effected.

Surrounding panel 32 of the receiver is a metallic frame shown generally to be comprised of upper and

lower channels

36 and 37 and

side channels

38 and 39. These channels are rigidly secured together and rigidly secured to the .4 panel 32. The interior of the receiver is dimensioned so as to receive and accommodate the body of the front board 12. Located interiorly of the bottom channel are the complementary guide blocks 33, which have therein guide slots such as 33a, positioned to engage the recessprojections, not shown, in the forward part of the channel 21 of the front board. There is a similar guide block 37a positioned interiorly of the top channel member 36 of the receiver which contains a slot 37b to engage the projection 27b set down in a recess 27a in the upper frame channel 20 of the front board. These guide blocks serve to center the front board into exact alignment relative to the receiver. Vertical clearance is provided for these guide surfaces so as not to restrict the front board and to permit relative vertical movement within the receiver.

As thus defined then, the front board and receiver are two relatively rigid structures having outer metallic frames and an inner insulating panel containing contactors positioned in relative alignment to permit a controlled closure to provide a switching operation. That part of the receiver which initially supports and eventually drives, latches and locks the front board within the receiver is comprised of two separate mechanisms including a camming mechanism located in the bottom of the receiver on each side and operated by the handle 40 and a carriage which is located in the side channels of the receiver independently of any direct connection with the camming mechanism. FIGURE 3 shows in perspective the right-hand side of the camming mechanism and its linkage to the handle 40, which is adapted to be rotated upwardly to effect closure of the circuits of the assembly and downwardly to open the circuits of the assembly. The front board in FIGURE 2 is shown in the upward position of electrical closure. The front board is moved from a position as in FIGURE 1, into the receiver and in the position shown in FIGURE 2 before any move-ment of the handle 40. This is represented along with the resulting movement of the carriage proper in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The handle 40 shown in the open and downward position in FIGURE 1 includes an outward gripping portion 40a which enables the handle to be grasped and an end portion 40b having a surface 400 positioned relative to rotary movement to engage a stop 42 anchored in the channel 38. The handle is mounted upon a shaft 44 penetrating an aperture 40d in the handle material and is pinned .to the shaft 44 as indicated by numeral 41. Referring now to FIGURE 3, the shaft 44 extends fully across the bottom of the receiver to contain on each side a camming mechanism like that .shown in FIGURE 3. The camming mechanisms on each side are reversed in a sense so that the cam on the left side is outboard of its supporting bearing block. The shaft 44 extends from the handle straight through into a block 46, which is rigidly secured to the receiver frame and contains a bearing to support the shaft for rotary movement. Pinned to the shaft 44 outboard of the receiver block is a cam shown as 50, which has its surface oriented to result in a net vertical displacement as handle 40 is moved from the down position to the vertical position. Surrounding cam 50 is a structure 52 containing an eccentric 54 adapted to be driven by the surface of 50 upon rotation. The structure 52 is confined and held for limited vertical movement within the side channel of the receiver. In its upper portion 52 includes a slot shown as 52a opening out to the front of the receiver to admit pin 24 projecting from the front board side channel. When the front board is seated in the carriage and the carriage is closed operation of 40 will drive the cam 50 from the dotted position to the position of FIGURE 3 to in turn drive 52a, pin 24 and the front board.

This can best be seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 which show the upper portion of 52 in its disposition and movement as the carriage is closed and the camming mechanism of the assembly is operated. In FIGURE 4, A identifies the initial position of the pin 24 prior to closure of the transport carriage. In FIGURE 5, B represents the disposition of the pin 24 following closure of the transport mechanism, C represents the upward travel of pin 24 and D represents the final disposition of the pin 24 and thus the fully closed position of the front board following the cam in its movement over-center. As can be discerned, the force driving the front board upwardly is applied solely through the pins 24.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 the carriage thereshown is for the right-hand side of the receiver. This structure is in essence duplicated on the left-hand side, as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, with the parts being reversed rela tive to the outer channel members. As can be seen in FIGURE 4, the transport carriage is comprised of upper and

lower plate members

68 and 72, which are fitted within a hollowed-out portion of the ''channel 38 for pivoting and sliding movement. In the carriage open position shown in FIGURE 4 and in FIGURE 1, the ends of the

members

68 and 72 project outwardly from the receiver. In the closed position, shown in FIGURE 5 and in FIGURE 2, these members reside within the body of the channels. The upper member 68 is tied to the corresponding left-handed member by a crossbar 70 which is sized to accommodate the hooks of the front board. The lower member 72 includes a downward projection 72a defining a face against which the pin 24 rests when the front board is hung on 70 in its initial position before carriage closure. The forward face of projection 72a extends upwardly into a slot 72b which accommodates the pin 24 on the front board in its movement under force of the camming operation previously described. The member 72 further includes a slot 720 which extends at a slight angle across the length axis of the member and which has a slight recess 72d at each end operable to hold the carriage in against accidental displacement. The slot 720 and recesses 72d define surfaces for engagement with a pin 62 anchored to the Wall of channel 38. Pin 62 has a roller surface but is relatively fixed. Slightly above the slot 720 is a pin 72e which is fixed to the mem ber and projects outwardly to accommodate a spring 74 having its other end tied to a post 66 fixed to the channel 38. The post 66 projects through a slot 72e in member 72 which is made to engage the post on the sides but is relieved in a vertical sense to permit the member 72 to slide along 66 as it pivots relative to fixed pin 62.

Above the slot 720 is a further slot 72 through which is fitted a pin 68a extending from and fixed to member 68. The slot 72 is relieved in a vertical sense to permit sliding relative to pin 68a which ties 68 and 72 together. Slightly above 68a there is a slot 6811 which is in Width such as to engage the surfaces of a pin 64 fixed to channel 38 and in length such as to permit pivoting of the member 68 about 64. Above 68b is a still further slot 680 which opens to the rear of member 68 and extends at an angle across the length axis thereof to engage a fixed pin 60 which also includes a roller surface.

The two

members

68 and 72 are thus pivotally tied together by pin 68a and slot 72 at ends thereof. They are further tied for pivotal movement by fixed

pins

64 and 66 and by

pins

60 and 62, relative to slot surfaces in the members. The lower slot 720 is confined on either end and limits the movement of the two members to the outward position as shown in FIGURE 4 and to the inward position shown in FIGURE 5. The spring 74 being tied to channel 38 through the pin 66 exerts a pulling force upon 72e and thus on 72. This operates in a vertical sense to hold the transport carriage outwardly in FIGURE 4 and in FIGURE 5 it operates to hold the assembly inwardly by holding 72d in engagement with 62.

With the carriage open the front board 12 is first positioned as shown in FIGURE 4 and then pushed inwardly (to the left) at the bottom, thus causing 24 to push against 72a, which causes 72 to pivot about 66 with 62 sliding within slot 72c. This in turn operates through 727 to force 68a outwardly (to the right) which causes 68 to pivot about 64 inwardly with pin 60 engaging the surface of slot 68c. This movement continues until 62 bottoms in 72d as indicated in FIGURE 5 with the carriage in the closed position. Thereafter operation of the handle 40 drives the front board 12 from the position shown as B in FIGURE 5 to the position C and finally to the position D; the carriage being relatively unaffected thereby.

As one point, a force upon the top of the carriage in the position of FIGURE 4 will not operate to close the carriage. This is caused by 74 holding 72 upwardly. As another point, operation of the camming mechanism with the transport carriage in the position shown in FIGURE 4 will not result in any movement of the front board which is then not engaged in 52. These two features serve to prevent accidental contactor damage. With the carria'ge in the position of FIGURE 5 and with the camming mechanism operated and handle 40 in the vertical position, the front board cannot be removed from the carriage nor can the carriage be opened due to the interference of surface 72b with pin 24.

The separation of linkage between the transport carriage and the camming mechanism tends to alleviate tolerance problems with such, since the two are not directly connected together but rather linked through a series of parallel engagements with the front board.

The final alignment of the front board 12 is accomplished as heretofore described by the engagement of complementary surfaces which line up the front board as the carriage is forced closed. This centering is necessary in order to assure that the large number of contactors in the front board and receiver are at least in an approximate relative position for closure. The contactors are so designed as to provide a degree of self-centering of both inner and outer contact paths. Referring now to FIGURE '6 there is shown a segment of the panel 14 of the front board and of the panel 32 of the receiver with the shielding and latching

contactor structures

100 and 130 positioned therein and prepared to receive the respective plug contactors and 110. Further details of these structures are shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. The plug contactor 80 for the front board is shown terminated to a coaxial cable 82 comprised of a center conductor 82a, surrounded by an insulating and dielectric sheath 821;, an outer conductor or braid 82c and an outer protective sheath 82d. As indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the plug contactor 80 is duplicated on the other end of cable 82 to form a patchcord which may be changed with respect to the apertures 16 of the front board to effect a change in switching or programming function in the assembly.

The plug 80 includes a cylindrical center contact member 84 which has a forward contact portion 84a and a rear portion 84b adapted to receive the center conductor 82a of the cable and be terminated thereto by a crimp applied to 84 near the center of the enlarged portion as shown by the indentation therein. Surrounding 84 is a dielectric sleeve 86 which protrudes slightly at the forward end as at 86a, from an outer conductive sleeve 88 and extends rearwardly to cover over and isolate member 84. The outer sleeve 88 has a cylindrical forward portion 88a and a cylindrical rearward portion 88b separated by a cylindrical portion 88c of reduced diameter. The member 88 is indented as by dimpling in the region of 880 to lock the member to the insulating sheath 86. The rear part of 88 shown as 88d extends over and houses the insulating sheath 82b of the cable. The outer conductor 820 is carried over this portion and terminated thereto. by means of a ferrule shown as 90, which is crimped inwardly. The material of 88 is hard relative to the material of the ferrule which is preferably of a malleable material such as soft copper. Over the rear of 80 is provided a boot shown as 92, which extends forwardly over ferrule 90 and rearwardly over the cable to provide a grip for insertion and withdrawal of the contactor from the front board. As described then, the contactor 80 is a coaxial 7 and shielded plug which extends the inner and outer conductive paths of the coaxial cable into and through the front board.

In each of the apertures 16 of the front board there is provided a shielding and latching member shown as 100. The forward portion of 100 shown as 10011 is box-like with the upper portion relieved to form a channel substantially surrounding the contactor 80 and portions of the contactor member of the receiver. Member 100 tapers inwardly as at 1001; to a reduced diameter of a size to be plugged into an aperture 16 of the board 14. At this transition portion are two upstanding cars 1000, which project above the outer diameter of the contactor 80 when inserted within 100 in the manner shown in FIG-

URES

7, 8 and 9. To the rear of cars 100a is a barrel portion 10011 which extends through 16 and includes spaced tangs struck out as at 1002 and 100 to support and lock 100 within the board H. The member 100 is poked into the aperture from the right side until these tangs engage the opposing surfaces of the board. The upper portion of the barrel portion 100@ includes a single cantilevered spring 100g which has its interior end formed as at 10011 and positioned to engage the rear of portion 88a, to latch the contactor 80 within 100. The inner surface of 10011 is slightly rounded to permit contactor 80 to be withdrawn without requiring a tool. The inner diameter of 100 is sized to loosely support the body of 80 except for the portion wherein 10011 engages 88a to connect 100 to the cable outer conductor or shielding. As will be discerned from FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 6, the members 100 are all positioned with the channel portion in an upward sense.

The contactor assembly for the receiver is as shown in FIGURES 6, 7, 8 and 9 comprised of a contactor plug 110 terminated to a coaxial cable 82, similar in construction to the cable 82 heretofore described and a shielding and locking member 130. The other end of the cable terminated to 110 is connected through a coaxial fitting to or from the electrical and/or electronic equipment served by the invention assembly. Plug 110 includes a cylindrical conductive contact member 112 having a contact portion 112a projecting forwardly of the contactor body and a rear portion 1121) which is hollow to receive and be crimped to the center conductor of the coaxial cable. Surrounding 112 is a dielectric and insulating sleeve 114 which extends along most of the length of 112 except for the contact portion 112a. Surrounding all but the end portion of sleeve 114 is an outer metallic sleeve 116 apertured as at 11612 to permit the entry of crimping dies to crimp the center contact member 112 to the cable center conductor. A C-clip 118 is provided which snaps over the outside of 116. The clip includes indentations as at 118a, which fit into the recesses 116a to hold the clip in position and seal the apertures of 116 against RFI. The forward portion of 116 is rounded as at 116b to define a contact surface for engagement with 130 to extend the outer conductive path of the cable. To the rear of 116b, the member 116 is enlarged and rounded to provide support for the contactor in the shielding and contact structure 130 affixed in board 32. The rear portion of 116, shown as 1160, is adapted to be fitted beneath the cable braid such that an outer ferrule shown as 120 may be positioned thereover and crimped inwardly to terminate 116 to the cable outer conductor. The contactor 110 thus is a plug type contactor similar to 80 but adapted for plug-in engagement in the receiver. The receiver shielding structure 130 includes a center member 132 supported by an insulating insert 134 within an outer conductive brarel and shielding member 136. The center member 132 includes a pair of spring arms 132a extending forwardly and terminated in a pair of opposing ears 13212 which each include a forward and slanted surface tending to guide the center contact member of 80 inwardly for post patching; i.e. insertion of 80 while the front board is cammed upwardly for switch closure. This forward surface is shown as 1320 on the left-hand member in FIGURE 6. There is a further and downwardly directed surface 13211 which flares outwardly to guide the center contact portion 82a in between the cars. In each car there is a vertically disposed indentation as best shown in FIGURE 7 as 132e, which operates as the actual point of contact for engagement with the center conductive member of 80. At the opposite end of 132 are further spring members 132) which are disposed to receive and contact the center conductive member of 110. The ends 132 and 132g are flared out to guide the center contact portion 112a into engagement with 132. Toward the center of 132 is a downwardly projecting flange 1321' which engages the material of insert 134 to latch the member 132 against forward axial movement out of 136. A portion 132 engages the forward part of the insert material to latch 132 against inward axial movement. The

portions

132i and 132 are positioned relative to each other so that the member 132 can be axially inserted from left to right within the bore of 134. The insert 134 is itself staked to the outer portion by reason of an offset in the upper part thereof shown as 13411, which is engaged by an inwardly oriented flange shown as 136a and by an indentation in the wall of 136 forwardly thereof.

The member 136 includes a rear barrel portion shown as 13611 which contains an inner bore adapted to receive and engage the forward cylindrical portion of as shown in FIGURE 7. A pair of spring members 1360 are provided which snap into a slot or relief in the forward portion of 110 to latch the contactor into position. The spring members 1360 are rounded at the ends thereof to permit a forced withdrawal of the contactor from the shield structure but to prevent accidental displacement. A pair of outwardly disposed tabs 1361i and 136a are provided to hold within the aperture 34 of board 32. The cylindrical portion of 130 extends up to and slightly beyond the forward face of the board to terminate in a forwardly extending spring portion 136 which is flat and extends out over the contact arms 132. When the front board is positioned within the receiver the portion 136 overlies the member 100 to the extent shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. 0n the outer end of 1361 there is provided a pair of wings shown as 136g. In the center of the Wings 132;; is a downwardly projecting loop portion 13611, as best shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. Each of the wings 136g includes an insulating pad 136i, which is in depth as indicated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

When there is a patchcord fitted within the front board, as shown in FIGURE 7, and the camming operation is accomplished, the loop portion 13611 contacts the forward outside conductive portion 881: of the plug contactor 80 to terminate the outer coaxial path or shielding of the contactor of the receiver to that of the front board. This is shown in FIGURE 8. If there is no contactor in the front board, closure will result in disposition of the components as shown in FIGURE 9, wherein the insulating pads will rest on the upstanding cars 1000 and contact between the shield structures of the front board and receiver will be prevented. The loop portion 13611 is rounded in a sense to function during post-patching.

In closure then with or without contactors in the front board the outer contact shielding structure 130 of the receiver forms a defiectable member not readily overstressed by slight differences in tolerances of the parts or in the camming travel. It is made in widths with respect to the wings 136g sufficient to accommodate slight differences in tolerances on a center-to-center basis. The inner structures are so designed to permit deviations in exact placement of the contactor conductive portions to one side or the other, up, down, in or out with an adequate area of contact being maintained and with an adequate insulation against contact maintained where such is not desired.

Having now described our invention in a mode in tended to enable its practice we claim it through the appended claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In a contactor system, first and second coaxial contactor assemblies a plug and receptacle for each assembly, each plug having inner and outer conductive portions and each receptacle including means to receive and latch a plug therein, means for mounting said first and second assemblies axially parallel and in overlying relationship and means for driving said first and second assemblies together and apart to make or break contact, the receptacles of the plugs including oppositely oriented portions adapted to substantially surround and shield the inner conductive paths of the ends of both of the plugs when said assemblies are together, one of said receptacles including a portion flexible in the sense of movement of said assemblies together and apart and including an insulating insert carrying a spring contact member adapted to engage and common the inner conductive portions of the plugs during said movement of the assemblies together.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the said spring contact member includes at each end a pair of spring arms shaped at the ends thereof to receive and guide the inner conductive path of a plug inserted axially of said contact member.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the pair of arms includes projections flaring outwardly of said arms to receive and guide a plug conductive path inwardly of said arms when inserted substantially at right angles thereto and a pair of projections positioned to receive and guide a conductive path inserted axially of said contact member.

4. In a multiple switch assembly, a receiver carrying spring contactors adapted'to be connected to and from electrical circuits to be switched, a front board carrying patchcord contactors and means for supporting said front board in facing relationship to said receiver, further means for driving said front board in parallel movement relative to said receiver to effect closure of the receiver contactors and the patchcord contactors to switch said circuits, the said further means being comprised of a pair of hook members slidingly disposed one on each side of the receiver in engagement with pin members rigidly secured to the sides of the front board in conjunction with camming means disposed to engage and drive said hook members to effect said movement.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said first mentioned means is comprised of a first and second means disposed on the sides of said receiver secured for pivotal movement to extend outwardly from the top and bottom of the receiver, said first means extending out from the said mechanism at the top being adapted to be engaged by members on the top of the front board to support the front board in engagement with the second means at the bottom of the board, said means then being pivotable inward of said receiver to drive said front board therewithin in a position wherein said contactors are out of engagement but in overlying relationship and said pin members are fitted within the said pair of hook members.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the contactors of the receiver and of the front board are each comprised of inner and outer conductive paths insulated each from the other end and the said contactors are positioned in the receiver and front board whereby upon movement of closure the inner paths of a receiver contactor and a front board contactor are electrically commoned and the outer paths of the same contactors are electrically commoned.

7. In a multiple switch device a receiver carrying a plurality of coaxial contactor assemblies each including a pair of separate and isolated contact spring members adapted to be connected to the inner and outer paths of coaxial conductors leading to equipment served by the device, a front board carrying a plurality of coaxial contactor assemblies each including a shielding structure extending from the inner face thereof and means adapted to receive and retain a contactor plug positioned within said shielding structure, means to support and drive said front board in movement relative to said receiver to effect engagement of the receiver and front board contactor assemblies to provide a switching operation, a portion of the contact spring members of a given receiver contactor assembly and a portion of a corresponding front board contactor assembly cooperating upon movement to provide an electrical connection of the coaxial paths of said contactor assemblies and operating in the event that there is no contactor plug within a given front board contactor assembly to preclude the electrical connection between the given receiver and front board contactor assemblies.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the said portions of the receiver contact spring members include a spring section adapted to be deflected in the sense of movement for engagement of the contactors to preclude overstress of the contactor assemblies.

9. In a multiple switch device first and second sets of contactor assemblies and means for mounting said assemblies in facing relationship and moving said assemblies into and out of positions of contact engagement to provide a switching function, each said contactor assembly including a receptacle and a plug member, the receptacle of the first said assembly extending over the plug and receptacle of the second said assembly and including means thereon for holding the receptacles insulated from each other when the plug of the second contactor assembly is withdrawn from its receptacle and for causing said receptacles and portions of the contactor plugs to be electrically commoned when the second assembly plug is inserted in its receptacle and said assemblies are in a position of contact engagement.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the said means of the receptacle of the first assembly comprises a flexible conductive strip capable of being easily deflected in the sense of movement of said assemblies into and out of positions of engagement.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the said means of the receptacle of the first assembly is comprised of a flexible conductive strip having a tab extending downwardly in alignment to engage the plug of the second assembly for contact therewith and at least one ear having an insulating portion disposed to one side of said tab and of a lesser depth to engage the edge of the second assembly receptacle in the event the plug of the second assembly is withdrawn.

12. In a contact system for connecting coaxial signal paths, first and second sets of contactor assemblies, each assembly including a coaxial plug having inner and outer conductive portions insulated from each other and each assembly including a conductive receptacle adapted to receive the assembly plug and be latched thereto by latching means electrically connecting the outer conductive portion of a plug to the receptacle of a given assembly, means for mounting said sets of contactor assemblies in facing relationship with portions of the receptacles of one assembly overlying portions of the receptacle of the other assembly for a major portion of the receptacle length and means for driving said sets of contactor assemblies into and out of engagement, means affixed to one of said assemblies to common the center conductive portions of the plugs of each set and insulate such portions from the receptacles within the volume defined by the receptacles of a given set of contactor assemblies, the said portions of the receptacles of said one assembly being flexible in the sense of movement of said contactor assemblies into and out of engagement.

13. In a contact system for connecting coaxial signal paths first and second contactor assemblies each including a receptacle and a contactor plug with means to latch said plug in said receptacle, each said receptacle having a portion extending outwardly of the end of said plug and in spaced relationship thereto, each said plug including an outer conductive portion surrounding and insulated from an inner conductive portion which extends axially therefrom, a portion of the second assembly receptacle extending outwardly of its plug including a flat spring carrying a tab to contact the outer conductive portion of the plug of the first contactor assembly, an insulating insert in the receptacle of the second contactor assembly and a contact spring carried in said insert, one end of said contact spring having portions to receive the center conductive portion of the plug of the first contactor assembly and the other end including portions to receive the plug of the second contactor assembly and means for mounting said assemblies in overlying relationship and for driving said assemblies together and apart for connecting and disconnecting the inner and outer conductive portions of said plugs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1946 Lake 339-18 X 3/1960 Sitz 33918 X 5/1962 Noschese 339-177 X 10/1965 Mitchell et a1 33945 X 12/1965 Witherspoon et al. 339-45 X 2/1966 OKeefe et a1 339177 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/ 1947 France.

7/ 1934 Germany.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. D P. A. CLIFFORD, Assistant Examiner.