Front-mounted, clamp-to-hold electrical cartridge with swing-aside, push-to-test cap thereon

Claim 2

In combination, an open ended tube-like cartridge having an electrical device associated therewith, a shuttle reciprocably guided in the cartridge, and having a cap thereon which is conjointly reciprocable therewith adjacent the open end of the cartridge, and which is disposed about a fixed axis of the shuttle transverse the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, to rotate in response to forces applied thereon about the axis of the shuttle, means operable to detain the cap against rotation in one angular direction thereof when the component of the forces tangential to the rotational course of the cap, at the point of application of the forces, is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, means on the shuttle for operating the device when the cap is in the detained position thereof and the shuttle is reciprocated in one reciprocable direction thereof, and means operable to bias the shuttle in the other reciprocable direction thereof when the device is operated by the shuttle.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein the rotational axis of the cap is disposed eccentrically thereof and is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 2 wherein the cap detention means are disposed on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the cartridge from the rotational axis of the cap.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 2 wherein the cap registers with the open end of the cartridge in the detained position thereof, and is reciprocable into and out of the open end of the cartridge with the shuttle.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 4 wherein the rotational axis of the cap is disposed adjacent one of the sides thereof which extends generally longitudinally of the cartridge when the cap is in registry with the open end thereof.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 5 wherein the cap detention means are disposed adjacent the other side of the cap which extends generally longitudinally of the cartridge when the cap is in registry with the open end thereof.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 1 wherein the biasing means is interposed between the cartridge and the cap when the cap is in the detained position thereof.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 7 wherein the shuttle is reciprocably guided on a mandrel secured within the cartridge, transversely thereof, and the biasing means are interposed between the mandrel and the cap in the detained position thereof.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 8 wherein the shuttle takes the form of a yoke-like carriage which is slidably guided on the mandrel, to reciprocate longitudinally of the cartridge, and which has the cap trunnioned between the arms thereof, to register with the open end of the cartridge at a point opposite a spring-loaded biasing element on the mandrel.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 9 wherein the cap detention means includes detent means on the cap and the arms of the carriage which are cooperatively engageable with one another when the cap reaches the aforesaid point of registry.

Claim 12

The combination a cording to claim 8 wherein the cap has electrically operated means therein, and the guide mandrel has electrical contacts thereon through which the electrical means in the cap are operated.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 11 wherein the electrical contacts include the biasing means.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 1 wherein the electrical device is mounted on the cartridge.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 11 wherein the electrical devIce is fastened to the mandrel on the opposite side thereof from the cap.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 14 wherein the electrical contacts on the mandrel include the means for fastening the device thereto.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge has means thereon defining a pair of fixed stops which are transversely offset from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, at locations that are removed relatively lesser and greater distances from the axis of the cartridge, so that the stops pass within and abut the rim of an opening in a panel, respectively, when the cartridge is inserted in the opening, and which moreover, are offset from one another in the axial directions of the cartridge, adjacent the open end thereof, and a third stop which is reciprocably mounted in the cartridge adjacent the axis thereof, on the opposite side of the lesser offset stop from the greater offset stop, and yieldably biased in the direction of the open end of the cartridge, along a course parallel to the axis thereof, and which moreover, has means thereon that are rotatable against the bias thereof, about an axis transverse the course thereof, and operatively retractable to a point adjacent the lesser offset stop, to be rotated between the opposing sides of the lesser offset stop, to and from an abutting condition therewith, on the side thereof adjacent the greater offset stop, for purposes of clamping the cartridge to the rim of the opening.

Claim 18

In combination, an open-ended tube-like cartridge having a shuttle reciprocably guided therein, which in turn has a cap thereon that is conjointly reciprocal with the shuttle, adjacent the open end of the cartridge, and disposed about a fixed axis of the shuttle offset from and transverse the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, to rotate in response to forces applied thereon about the axis of the shuttle, means operable to detain the cap against rotation in one angular direction thereof when the component of the forces tangential to the rotational course of the cap, at the point of application of the forces, is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap, and means operable to bias the shuttle in the direction relatively outward of the cartridge at the open end thereof, when the cap is in the detained position thereof and the shuttle is reciprocated in the direction relatively inward of the cartridge at the open end thereof.

Claim 19

In combination, an open-ended tube-like cartridge having a shuttle reciprocably guided therein, which in turn has a cap thereon that is conjointly reciprocal with the shuttle, adjacent the open end of the cartridge, and disposed about a fixed axis of the shuttle offset from and transverse the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, to rotate in response to forces applied thereon about the axis of the shuttle, means operable to detain the cap against rotation in one angular direction thereof when the component of the forces tangential to the rotational course of the cap, at the point of application of the forces, is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap, and means operable to bias the shuttle in the direction relatively outward of the cartridge at the open end thereof, when the cap is in the detained position thereof and the shuttle is reciprocated in the direction relatively inward of the cartridge at the open end thereof.

Claim 20

The combination according to claim 17, wherein the rotational axis of the cap is disposed eccentrically thereof, and the cap detention means are disposed on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis of the cartridge from the rotational axis of the cap.

Claim 21

The combination according to claim 17, wherein the cartridge has means thereon for clamping the same to the rim of an opening in a panel.

Claim 22

The combination according to claim 19, wherein the cartridge has an outturned flange on the open end portion thereof, and a slotted opening in the longitudinally extending side wall thereof, offset from the flange in the relatively rearward axial direction thereof, and the clamping means includes a thumb which is reciprocably mounted in the cartridge and yieldably biased in the direction of the open end thereof along a course parallel to the axis thereof, opposite the opening in the side wall thereof, and which moreover, has means thereon that are rotatable against the bias thereof, about an axis transverse the course thereof, at the opening, to be rotated to and fro through the opening, to and from an abutting condition with the side wall of the cartridge, on the outside thereof, opposite the flange, for purposes of clamping the cartridge to the rim of the opening.

Claim 23

An open-ended tube-like cartridge having means thereon defining a pair of fixed stops which are transversely offset from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, at locations that are removed relatively lesser and greater distances from the axis, so that the stops pass within and abut the rim of an opening in a panel, Respectively, when the cartridge is inserted in the opening, and which moreover, are offset from one another in the axial directions of the cartridge, adjacent the open end thereof, and a third stop which is reciprocably mounted in the cartridge adjacent the axis thereof, on the opposite side of the lesser offset stop from the greater offset stop, and yieldably biased in the direction of the open end of the cartridge, along a course parallel to the axis thereof, and which moreover has means thereon that are rotatable against the bias thereof, about an axis transverse the course thereof, and operatively retractable to a point adjacent the lesser offset stop, to be rotated between the opposing sides of the lesser offset stop, to and from an abutting condition therewith, on the side thereof adjacent the greater offset stop, for purposes of clamping the cartridge to the rim of the opening.

Claim 24

An open-ended tube-like cartridge having means thereon defining a pair of fixed stops which are transversely offset from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, at locations that are removed relatively lesser and greater distances from the axis, so that the stops pass within and abut the rim of an opening in a panel, Respectively, when the cartridge is inserted in the opening, and which moreover, are offset from one another in the axial directions of the cartridge, adjacent the open end thereof, and a third stop which is reciprocably mounted in the cartridge adjacent the axis thereof, on the opposite side of the lesser offset stop from the greater offset stop, and yieldably biased in the direction of the open end of the cartridge, along a course parallel to the axis thereof, and which moreover has means thereon that are rotatable against the bias thereof, about an axis transverse the course thereof, and operatively retractable to a point adjacent the lesser offset stop, to be rotated between the opposing sides of the lesser offset stop, to and from an abutting condition therewith, on the side thereof adjacent the greater offset stop, for purposes of clamping the cartridge to the rim of the opening.

Claim 25

The cartridge according to claim 21 wherein the travel of the third stop, in the direction of the bias thereon, is limited to a point disposed within the cartridge, between the point of rotation of the clamping means and the open end of the cartridge.

Claim 26

The cartridge according to claim 22 wherein the fixed stops are defined by the open end portion of the cartridge and an outturned flange thereon.

Claim 27

The cartridge according to claim 23 wherein the cartridge has a slotted opening in one longitudinally extending side wall thereof, at the point of rotation of the clamping means.

Claim 28

The cartridge according to claim 24 wherein the cartridge has a jamb wall therein spaced transversely apart from the one side wall thereof, and the third stop is disposed to reciprocate in the space between the walls of the cartridge, and adapted to abut the jamb wall at the limit point in the travel thereof.

Claim 29

The cartridge according to claim 25 wherein the body of the third stop is L-shaped in configuration.

Claim 30

The cartridge according to claim 26 wherein the clamping means on the third stop include an outturned finger on the forward end portion of the body thereof.

Claim 31

The cartridge according to claim 27 wherein the finger is L-shaped in configuration.

Claim 32

The cartridge according to claim 26 wherein the third stop has means thereon disposed transverse the body thereof, for engagement with a tool capable of retracting the stop against the bias thereon.

Claim 33

The cartridge according to claim 29 wherein the tool-engaging means includes an inturned finger on the third stop between the respective L-shaped configurations of the outturned finger and the body thereof.

Claim 34

The cartridge according to claim 21, having a cap thereon adjacent the open end thereof, which is rotatable about an axis transverse the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

Claim 35

The combination according to claim 31, wherein the rotational axis of the cap is disposed eccentrically thereof and is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

Claim 36

The combination according to claim 32, wherein the cap registers with the open end of the cartridge and is mounted to reciprocate into and out of the open end of the cartridge.

Claim 37

The cartridge according to claim 21 having an electrical device thereon.

Claim 38

The cartridge according to claim 34 wherein the device is defined within the bounds prescribed by the distance of the lesser offset stop, and is removably connected to the cartridge to be inserted and withdrawn therewith, through the opening in the panel.

Claim 39

The cartridge according to claim 35 wherein the device includes a pair of mounting members having an electrical subassembly sandwiched therebetween, the resulting laminar assembly of which is clamped together and connected to the cartridge by means of fasteners passed through the assembly and secured on the cartridge.

Claim 40

The cartridge according to claim 36 wherein a shuttle is slidably guided in the cartridge on a mandrel connected within the cartridge, transverse thereof, and the fasteners are secured to the mandrel.

Claim 41

The cartridge according To claim 36 wherein there is a cap on the open end thereof, which is equipped with electrically operated means that are electrically powered through the fasteners.

Claim 42

In combination, an open-ended tube-like cartridge having means thereon for clamping the cartridge to the rim of an opening in a panel when the cartridge is inserted therein, and an electrical device on the cartridge which is adapted to pass within the rim of the opening when the device is inserted therein, and which includes a pair of mounting members having an electrical subassembly sandwiched therebetween, the resulting laminar assembly of which is clamped together and connected to the cartridge by means of fasteners passed through the assembly and secured on the cartridge.

Claim 43

In combination, an open-ended tube-like cartridge having means thereon for clamping the cartridge to the rim of an opening in a panel when the cartridge is inserted therein, and an electrical device on the cartridge which is adapted to pass within the rim of the opening when the device is inserted therein, and which includes a pair of mounting members having an electrical subassembly sandwiched therebetween, the resulting laminar assembly of which is clamped together and connected to the cartridge by means of fasteners passed through the assembly and secured on the cartridge.

Claim 44

The combination according to claim 39 wherein a shuttle is slidably guided in the cartridge on a mandrel connected within the cartridge, transverse thereof, and the fasteners are secured to the mandrel.

Claim 45

The combination according to claim 39 wherein there is a cap on the open end of the cartridge, which is equipped with electrically operated means that are electrically powered through the fasteners.