US3621189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inkage contact operating mechanism for electric circuit breaker
Assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-26
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1990-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A pivotally mounted contact arm and releasable latch lever, retained by a current-responsive latch system, are interconnected by a toggle linkage, the knee of which is connected by tension springs to a manually movable handle operable to collapse and straighten the toggle to effect opening and closing movement, respectively, of the contact arm. A cam follower is pivotally suspended from the connection joining the toggle linkage and latch lever and has a free end interposed between a fixed cam and one link of the toggle, the follower being drawn along the cam by movement of the latch lever when released to break the knee overcenter of the linkage, accelerate the collapse of the toggle, and restrain the upper toggle link to prevent contact-arm rebound.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A Link
- 👤 Fred H Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/50; H01H71/504; H01H71/52; H01H71/522; H01H71/525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
An electric circuit breaker comprising, in combination: an insulating case; a stationarY contact in said case; movable contact means pivotally mounted in said case; operating means including mounting brackets therefor secured within said case and further comprising: a latch lever releasably restrained between said mounting brackets. an operating lever pivotally supported on said mounting brackets and having handle means projecting externally of said case; a collapsible toggle linkage having a first link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said latch lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said movable contact means, and a knee pin commonly joining the opposite ends of said first and second links of said toggle, said knee pin being connected to said operating lever by tension spring means to effect alternate straightening and collapsing of said toggle linkage in response to manual movement of said operating lever between extreme positions thereof; current responsive latch means operable to release said latch lever to also effect collapse of said toggle linkage; a cam surface on said mounting brackets; a cam follower pivotally mounted for movement with said latch lever and having a portion thereof disposed between and in engagement with said cam surface and said first link to serve as a fulcrum for said first link when said latch lever is released, said released latch lever moving said first link about said portion in one direction to move said knee pin in an opposite, toggle-collapsing direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
An electric circuit breaker comprising, in combination: an insulating case; a stationarY contact in said case; movable contact means pivotally mounted in said case; operating means including mounting brackets therefor secured within said case and further comprising: a latch lever releasably restrained between said mounting brackets. an operating lever pivotally supported on said mounting brackets and having handle means projecting externally of said case; a collapsible toggle linkage having a first link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said latch lever, a second link pivotally connected at one end thereof to said movable contact means, and a knee pin commonly joining the opposite ends of said first and second links of said toggle, said knee pin being connected to said operating lever by tension spring means to effect alternate straightening and collapsing of said toggle linkage in response to manual movement of said operating lever between extreme positions thereof; current responsive latch means operable to release said latch lever to also effect collapse of said toggle linkage; a cam surface on said mounting brackets; a cam follower pivotally mounted for movement with said latch lever and having a portion thereof disposed between and in engagement with said cam surface and said first link to serve as a fulcrum for said first link when said latch lever is released, said released latch lever moving said first link about said portion in one direction to move said knee pin in an opposite, toggle-collapsing direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said cam follower is pivotally supported from the pivotal connection joining said first link and said latch lever and depends therefrom along said first link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said portion on said cam follower engages the edge of said first link at a point near the pivotal connection of said first link and said latch lever to afford a mechanical advantage to said first link wherein movement of said knee pin in said opposite direction is amplified with respect to movement of the other end of said first link.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein movement of said latch lever draws said portion along said cam surface to effect an increasing ratio of movement between said knee pin and the pivotal connection joining said first link to said latch lever to accelerate movement of said knee pin in the toggle-collapsing direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein movement of said cam follower along said cam surface acts upon the edge of said first link to exert a prying action upon said toggle linkage in the direction of movement of said portion along said cam surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said cam follower is provided with a tab portion formed over and loosely received within an opening in said latch lever to limit the movement of said cam follower relative to said latch lever.
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) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |