Importance

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Abstract

A bar providing a switching member is pivotally connected to a terminal supported within an insulating housing. In normal operating position the knife switch is closed to two switch contacts which allow connection of power from one of the contacts to two types of circuits, such as propulsion and the auxiliary circuits of a railway car. The insulating housing may be provided with a cover which is closed when the switch is in normal closed circuit operating position. To change the position of the switch, the cover must be opened. The bar may be pivoted somewhat less than 180.degree. to engage a single contact which connects the power to one of the circuits, but not the other, for example, only to the auxiliary circuit of a railway car. The knife switch is prevented from moving 180.degree. by an end wall of the housing. But in that position it closes to one contact so that it may be viewed as being closed to power the auxiliary circuit. When in other positions, the switch is also viewed as in non-operating open position. However, the bar is provided with a bug stud extending transverse to the direction of movement of the knife switch in operation. The bug stud may be engaged by a shop power connector enabling the auxiliary circuit to be energized without using the normal power source. The connector interferes with the edge of the box so that the knife switch is not capable of being closed in either direction when the shop power connector is engaged.

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First Claim