Armature-contact rod connection for current-limiting breaker

Claim 2

An electric circuit breaker comprising: a. a support; b. a pair of relatively movable contacts mounted on the support for movement between open and closed circuit positions; c. and a linearly movable contact-operating assembly comprising; d. an elongated operating shaft spaced from the contacts; e. a linearly extending contact rod operatively positioned intermediate the contacts and the operating shaft, said rod being fixedly connected to at least one of said contacts for movement therewith between open and closed circuit positions, said shaft being generally in axial alignment with the rod; f. an axially extending connector joining the operating shaft to the contact rod while permitting limited relative movement there between; g. said connector having an axially extending stepped configuration including a central shank portion positioned within the space between the contact rod and the operating shaft and a pair of terminal connecting portions on opposite ends of the shank portion for secure retention by the rod and shaft respectively.

Claim 3

The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the operating shaft is a tubular member provided with an inwardly extending projection at an end thereof, the connector is secured to the contact rod and has an enlarged head portion in interfering engagement with the projection for retention of the head portion within the shaft.

Claim 4

The circuit breaker of claim 1 including a current-responsive drive member operatively connected to the relatively movable contacts for movement thereof to an open circuit position upon the occurrence of predetermined current conditions through the contacts; the connector having a stem secured to the contact rod, an enlarged head portion spaced from the rod and movably connected to the operating shaft and a retaining shoulder spaced from the head portion for retaining the drive member in fixed spaced relationship to the head portion.

Claim 5

The circuit breaker of claim 1 including a high-speed drive mEmber fixedly secured to the contact rod for moving the contacts to an open circuit position upon the occurrence of predetermined current conditions through the contacts, the operating shaft having an abutment on the end thereof, said drive member having a shaft-driving face portion in spaced relationship with the operating shaft for movement into driving engagement with the abutment upon the occurrence of said predetermined current conditions.

Claim 6

The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the contact rod includes a shoulder abutment, the circuit breaker including a drive member mounted on the contact rod adjacent the shoulder abutment, the connector having a stem portion secured to the contact rod and an elongated shank portion including a retaining shoulder abutting the drive member and cooperating with the shoulder abutment on the contact rod for confinably retaining the drive member therebetween in fixed relationship to the contact rod.

Claim 7

The circuit breaker of claim 1 including a generally cylindrical solenoid armature in telescopically slidable relationship with the operating shaft, the armature having a radial shaft-driving flange normally biased into spaced relationship with the operating shaft for movement into driving engagement therewith upon the occurrence of predetermined current conditions.

Claim 8

The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the operating shaft is a tubular member provided with an inwardly projecting lip defining a communicating port of reduced cross section at the end of the shaft adjacent the contact rod; the connector is secured to the contact rod and has an enlarged head portion positioned within the tubular shaft in interfering engagement with the inwardly projecting lip for retention of the head portion within the shaft and an elongated shank portion freely extending through the communicating port and including a retaining shoulder spaced from the head portion, the circuit breaker including a solenoid armature confinably retained on the contact rod by the retaining shoulder and spring means adjustably mounted within the tubular shaft for acting against the head portion and urging it toward engagement with the inwardly projecting lip.

Claim 9

The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the contact rod includes an axially apertured hub portion of reduced cross section providing a shoulder abutment; the operating shaft is a tubular member provided with an inwardly projecting lip defining a communicating port of reduced cross section at the end of the shaft adjacent the contact rod; the connector includes a threaded stem portion threadably received within the axial aperture of the hub portion, an enlarged head portion positioned within the tubular shaft in interfering engagement with the inwardly projecting lip for retention of the head portion within the shaft and an elongated shank portion integrally joining the stem and head portions, said shank portion freely extending through the communicating port for axial movement relative to the shaft and including a retaining shoulder spaced from the head portion, the circuit breaker including a high-speed current-responsive drive member mounted on the hub portion, said retaining shoulder abutting the drive member and cooperating with the shoulder abutment on the contact rod for confinably retaining the drive member therebetween in fixed relationship to the contact rod.

Claim 10

The circuit breaker of claim 8 wherein the high-speed current-responsive drive member is a generally cylindrical solenoid armature mounted in telescopically slidable relationship with the operating shaft, the circuit breaker including a spring mounted within the tubular shaft for urging the armature away from the shaft, the armature including a radial flange normally spaced from the lip of the tubular shaft for movement into driving engagement therewith against the bias of the spring upon the occurrence of predetermined current conditions.