Heating means for bimetal trip element

Claim 1

A MULTIPHASE CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING COOPERATING CONTACT MEANS FOR EACH PHASE; A MECHANISM CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACT MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT; A HEAT RESPONSIVE NON-CURRENT CARRYING AUTOMATIC TRIP ELEMENT FOR EACH PHASE ARRANGED TO CAUSE SAID MECHANISM TO OPERATE SAID COOPERATING CONTACT MEANS OF ALL PHASES OUT OF ENGAGEMENT UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF PREDETERMINED CIRCUIT CONDITIONS; A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CONDUCTING STRIP FOR EACH OF SAID PHASES CONNECTED IN ELECTRICAL SERIES WITH THE COOPERATING CONTACT MEANS THEREOF; A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED HEATER INDIVIDUAL TO EACH OF SAID TRIP ELEMENTS WITH THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID HEATERS BEING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO ITS ASSOCIATED CONDUCTIVE STRIP TO SHUNT A PORTION OF THE CONDUCTING STRIP OF ITS RESPECTIVE PHASE; SAID PORTION OF THE CONDUCTING STRIP HAVING A CROSS SECTIONAL AREA SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE REMAINING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SAID CONDUCTING STRIP; SAID HEATER BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE A HIGH RESISTANCE BOTH FOR ADEQUATE HEATING OF THE BIMETAL AND MINIMUM SHUNTING OF CURRENT FROM SAID CONDUCTING STRIP.