US3657606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bus duct plug-in unit with improved interlock
Assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-25
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1991-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A plug-in unit is hooked into notches in the upper flange of a bus duct, plugged into the duct by swinging it down against the side of the duct wherein stab connectors enter a duct opening to engage the bus bars therein, and latched to the side of the duct by spring biased latches which engage the bottom flange of the duct. An interlock between the unit operator and one of the latches blocks movement of that latch wherein it interferes with the bottom flange to prevent plugging in or removal of the unit with the enclosed switch thereof in the ''''ON'''' condition. Indicators are provided on the sides of the bus duct to assist in positioning the unit into the notches when the upper flange is not visible.
Inventors
- 👤 George Greger
- 👤 James J Rusenko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:24
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G5/00; H02G5/06; H02G5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
In a plug-in unit for an elongated electrical bus duct having a plurality of longitudinally extending transversely spaced bus bars therein, the combination comprising: a housing having electrical switch means mounted therein and including a plurality of electrical connector means projecting exteriorly of one side of said housing, said connector means being electrically connected to the contacts of said switch means; operating means for said switch means including an external operator member pivotally mounted on said housing and movable between first and second positions to operate said switch means between ON and OFF positions, respectively; hook means on said one side of said housing engaging said bus duct along an edge thereof to pivotally attach said housing to said bus duct for pivotal movement against the side of said bus duct, said electrical connector means entering an opening in the side of said duct and establishing plug-in electrical engagement with the bus bars when said housing is positioned against the side of said bus duct; latch means pivotally mounted on said housing and spring biased to a first position to abut the side of said bus duct and prevent said housing from being pivoted against the side of said bus duct to thereby prevent said connector means from engaging said bus bars, said latch means being movable against said spring bias to a second position clear of said bus duct to permit said connector means to electrically engage said bus bars, and said latch means being returnable to said first position when said housing is against the side of said bus duct to engage said bus duct along an edge thereof to latch said housing thereto; interlock means operatively associated with said latch means and movable in response to movement of said latch means; and means on said operating means for blocking movement of said interlock means when said operator member is in said first position to prevent said latch means from being moved to said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
In a plug-in unit for an elongated electrical bus duct having a plurality of longitudinally extending transversely spaced bus bars therein, the combination comprising: a housing having electrical switch means mounted therein and including a plurality of electrical connector means projecting exteriorly of one side of said housing, said connector means being electrically connected to the contacts of said switch means; operating means for said switch means including an external operator member pivotally mounted on said housing and movable between first and second positions to operate said switch means between ON and OFF positions, respectively; hook means on said one side of said housing engaging said bus duct along an edge thereof to pivotally attach said housing to said bus duct for pivotal movement against the side of said bus duct, said electrical connector means entering an opening in the side of said duct and establishing plug-in electrical engagement with the bus bars when said housing is positioned against the side of said bus duct; latch means pivotally mounted on said housing and spring biased to a first position to abut the side of said bus duct and prevent said housing from being pivoted against the side of said bus duct to thereby prevent said connector means from engaging said bus bars, said latch means being movable against said spring bias to a second position clear of said bus duct to permit said connector means to electrically engage said bus bars, and said latch means being returnable to said first position when said housing is against the side of said bus duct to engage said bus duct along an edge thereof to latch said housing thereto; interlock means operatively associated with said latch means and movable in response to movement of said latch means; and means on said operating means for blocking movement of said interlock means when said operator member is in said first position to prevent said latch means from being moved to said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said interlock means comprises and elongated member pivotally connected connected to said latch means at one end and guided for substantially longitudinal movement toward and away from said operating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said operating means includes a crank arm disposed inside said housing and connected for direct rotational movement with said operator member and said means for blocking movement of said interlock means comprises a flange segment on said crank arm substantially concentric with the rotatiOnal axis thereof, the free end of said interlock member being disposed in close proximity to said flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination according to claim 3 together with a recessed portion formed in said flange, said portion being in alinement with the free end of said interlock member when said operator member is in said second position to permit said interlock member to move into said recessed portion, thereby permitting movement of said latch means to said position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said latch means is mounted to said housing at one end thereof and a second, substantially similar spring biased latch means is pivotally mounted to said housing at an opposite end thereof, said second latch means being independent of said interlock means and having an angularly formed leading surface engaging with said bus duct upon pivotal movement of said housing thereagainst to cam said second latch means to the second position thereof clear of said bus duct, said second latch means being returnable to the first position thereof when said housing is against the side of said bus duct to engage the bus duct along a lower edge thereof to latch said housing to said bus duct.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 1 together with indicator means on the side of said bus duct wherein one end of said housing is alined with said indicator means to establish correct engagement of said hook means with said bus duct.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |