US3611235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermostat with built-in circuit breaker
Assignee: ATCO CONTROLS Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-01
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A thermostat assembly which normally opens and closes an electrical circuit over a predetermined temperature range, and which provides a circuit breaking member to break the circuit in the event the circuit remains closed even though the upper temperature limit has been exceeded. Fixed and movable contact arms, alternately opened and closed by the action of a temperature sensitive bimetal member, are mounted on a stack which is suspended from a plate. A safety means in the form of a fusible element is mounted on the plate in the path of movement of the movable arm. In the event the contacts do not separate when the upper temperature limit is exceeded, the movable arm continues to move in the same direction and engages the fusible element, producing a short circuit and causing the fusible element to burn out, thereby to open the circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin J Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A thermostat assembly comprising a support, circuit means on said support adapted to be connected to an external circuit and effective to open and close said circuit, temperature sensitive means on said support movable in a given direction upon increase in temperature and active on said circuit means to move it in said given direction and to open said circuit when said meaNs has been moved to a given position, and safety means on said support located beyond said given position in the path of movement in said given direction of said circuit, said safety means being adapted to be operatively connected to said electrical circuit and effective when engaged by said circuit means to open said circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A thermostat assembly comprising a support, circuit means on said support adapted to be connected to an external circuit and effective to open and close said circuit, temperature sensitive means on said support movable in a given direction upon increase in temperature and active on said circuit means to move it in said given direction and to open said circuit when said meaNs has been moved to a given position, and safety means on said support located beyond said given position in the path of movement in said given direction of said circuit, said safety means being adapted to be operatively connected to said electrical circuit and effective when engaged by said circuit means to open said circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 1, said circuit means comprising a fixed contact and a movable conductive arm adapted to be electrically connected in said electrical circuit, said temperature sensitive means being active on said arm to move the latter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 2, in which said safety means comprises an electrically conductive fusible element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 3, said support comprising a plate and a stack assembly attached thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 4, in which said fixed contact and movable arm are mounted on said stack assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 4, in which said fixed contact is resilient and biased toward said movable arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 4, in which said movable arm is interposed between said fixed contact and said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 4, in which said fusible element is attached to said plate and is exposed to said movable arm as the latter moves in said given direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 4, said temperature sensitive means comprising a bimetal member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 9, in which said bimetal member is mounted on said stack assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the thermostat assembly of claim 1, adjustment means operatively connected to said safety means and active to adjustably position it toward and away from said circuit means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 11, in which said safety means comprises a fusible element and said circuit means makes electrical connection thereto when it engages therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 12, in which said fusible element comprises a bendable part exposed to said circuit means, said adjustment means comprising means movably mounted on said support, engageable with said bendable part, and effective when moved relative to said support to cause said part to bend toward or away from said circuit means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
The thermostat assembly of claim 1, said support comprising a plate on the undersurface of which said safety means is mounted, said circuit means comprising fixed and movable contacts mounted on a stack assembly depending from said plate, and means resiliently urging said movable contact against said fixed contact, said temperature sensitive means comprising a bimetal strip mounted on said stack assembly and engageable with said movable contact as said strip moves in said given direction, said given direction being toward said plate, said movable contact having a part which, as said movable contact is moved in said given direction, engages said safety means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The thermostat of claim 14, in which said safety means comprises a strip of conductive fusible material, said movable contact making electrical connection thereto when making physical engagement therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
In the thermostat of claim 15, means carried by said plate, operatively connected to said strip, and effective to adjust the position of said strip toward and away from said movable contact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the thermostat of claim 14, means carried by said plate, operatively connected to said safety means, and effective to adjust the position of said safety means toward and away from said movable member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |