US3716683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plug unit for use with plug-in bus duct
Assignee: Arrow Hart Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-30
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A plug unit comprising an off-on switch and a stab carrier mounted inside of a housing, the housing being adapted for interconnection with a plug-in bus duct and the stab carrier being linearly movable into and out of engagement with the bus duct''s busbars after the housing has been mounted to the bus duct. The plug includes a first handle outside the housing that is manually operable for moving the stabs into and out of busbar contact after the housing has been mounted to the bus duct, and a second handle located outside the housing that is manually operable for opening and closing the off-on switch after the housing has been mounted to the bus duct. The first handle is interconnected with safety structure that requires use of both an operator''s hands simultaneously to manually extend or retract the stabs into and out of busbar contact, that prevents extending the stabs into busbar contact until the plug unit is fixed to the bus duct in the final operating attitude, that prevents retracting the stabs from busbar contact unless the plug unit is fixed to the bus duct in the final operating attitude, that prevents extending the stabs into busbar contact unless the off-on switch is open, and that prevents retracting the stabs from busbar contact unless the off-on switch is open. The second handle is interconnected with safety structure that prevents opening of the housing''s cover unless the off-on switch is open, that prevents closing of the off-on switch when the housing''s cover is open, that allows the plug unit to be ''locked out'' when desired so as to keep the off-on switch open, and that cooperates with the first handle as described.
Inventors
- 👤 P Hafer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:56
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/16; H01R25/165; H02; H02G; H02G5/00; H02G5/06; H02G5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, said plug unit comprising a stab carrier mounted in movable relation within said housing, said stab carrier including a series of stabs adapted to protrude outwardly beyond a wall of said housing, stab operating mechanism connected with said stab carrier, said mechanism being adapted to extend said stabs into and retract said stabs from electrical contact with busbars in said plug-in bus duct when said plug unit is seated on said bus duct, a first handle located outside of said housing and connected with said stab operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to extend and retract said stabs from outside of said housing, an off-on switch mounted in fixed position within said housing, off-on switch operating mechanism connected with said off-on switch, said mechanism being adapted to open and close said off-on switch, a second handle located outside of said housing and connected with said off-on switch operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to open and close said off-on switch from outside of said housing, and an interlock mechanism connected with said stab operating mechanism and said off-on switch operating mechanism that prevents extension or retraction of said stabs through manipulation of said first handle unless said off-on switch is open, said interlock mechanism including activation means that requires manual operation simultaneously with manual operation of said first handle in order to extend and retract said stabs when said off-on switch is not ''locked out''.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, said plug unit comprising a stab carrier mounted in movable relation within said housing, said stab carrier including a series of stabs adapted to protrude outwardly beyond a wall of said housing, stab operating mechanism connected with said stab carrier, said mechanism being adapted to extend said stabs into and retract said stabs from electrical contact with busbars in said plug-in bus duct when said plug unit is seated on said bus duct, a first handle located outside of said housing and connected with said stab operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to extend and retract said stabs from outside of said housing, an off-on switch mounted in fixed position within said housing, off-on switch operating mechanism connected with said off-on switch, said mechanism being adapted to open and close said off-on switch, a second handle located outside of said housing and connected with said off-on switch operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to open and close said off-on switch from outside of said housing, and an interlock mechanism connected with said stab operating mechanism and said off-on switch operating mechanism that prevents extension or retraction of said stabs through manipulation of said first handle unless said off-on switch is open, said interlock mechanism including activation means that requires manual operation simultaneously with manual operation of said first handle in order to extend and retract said stabs when said off-on switch is not ''locked out''.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
247 words
A plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, said plug unit comprising a stab carrier mounted in movable relation within said housing, said stab carrier including a series of stabs adapted to protrude outwardly beyond a wall of said housing, stab operating mechanism connected with said stab carrier, said mechanism being adapted to extend said stabs into and retract said stabs from electrical contact with busbars in said plug-in bus duct when said plug unit is seated on said bus duct, a first handle located outside of said housing and connected with said stab operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to extend and retract said stabs from outside of said housing, an off-on switch mounted in fixed position within said housing, off-on switch operating mechanism connected with said off-on switch, said mechanism being adapted to open and close said off-on switch, a second handle located outside of said housing and connected with said off-on switch operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to open and close said off-on switch from outside of said housing, and an interlock mechanism connected with said stab operating mechanism and said off-on switch operating mechanism that prevents extension or retraction of said stabs through manipulation of said first handle unless said off-on switch is open, said interlock mechanism including activation means that requires manual operation simultaneously with manual operation of said first handle in order to extend and retract said stabs when said off-on switch is not ''locked out''.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
247 words
A plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, said plug unit comprising a stab carrier mounted in movable relation within said housing, said stab carrier including a series of stabs adapted to protrude outwardly beyond a wall of said housing, stab operating mechanism connected with said stab carrier, said mechanism being adapted to extend said stabs into and retract said stabs from electrical contact with busbars in said plug-in bus duct when said plug unit is seated on said bus duct, a first handle located outside of said housing and connected with said stab operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to extend and retract said stabs from outside of said housing, an off-on switch mounted in fixed position within said housing, off-on switch operating mechanism connected with said off-on switch, said mechanism being adapted to open and close said off-on switch, a second handle located outside of said housing and connected with said off-on switch operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to open and close said off-on switch from outside of said housing, and an interlock mechanism connected with said stab operating mechanism and said off-on switch operating mechanism that prevents extension or retraction of said stabs through manipulation of said first handle unless said off-on switch is open, said interlock mechanism including activation means that requires manual operation simultaneously with manual operation of said first handle in order to extend and retract said stabs when said off-on switch is not ''locked out''.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said interlock mechanism also includes lockout means for cooperating with said off-on switch operating mechanism that enables said off-on switch to be ''locked out'' when desired by the operator, said carrier operating mechanism being operable to extend or retract said stabs while said off-on switch is so ''locked out'' without requiring operation of said activation means by one hand of an operator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stab carrier includes a pin protruding from at least one end thereof, and wherein said stab operating mechanism includes a carrier locater arm fixed to said first handle, said carrier locater arm extending into said housing, being pivotally connected to said stab carrier''s pin, and also being pivotally connected to a pin fixed to said housing, said stabs thereby being movable between the extended and retracted positions by pivoting said carrier locater arm about said fixed pin through manual operation of said first handle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein said carrier locater arm defines a lost motion slot within which said stab carrier''s pin and said fixed pin are captured, said locater arm being perpendicularly disposed relative to the reciprocation plane of said stabs and being moved in a plane transverse to the reciprocation plane of said stabs to effect reciprocation of those stabs, and including stab carrier guide structure adapted to guide said stab carrier in linear reciprocatory motion between said extended and retracted positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stab carrier guide structure includes an upper edge positioned to cooperate with said carrier locater arm so that when said arm is located thereon said stab carrier is maintained in the retracted position, and a lower edge adapted to cooperate with said carrier locater arm so that when said arm is biased thereagainst said stabs are in said extended position and are intimately contacted with busbars in said plug-in bus duct.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein said activation means includes a first interlock plate having at least one notch in an edge thereof, said plate being slidable between a position where said plate''s notch mates with a notch on said carrier locater arm, thereby allowing said carrier locater arm to be pivoted about said fixed pin so as to move said stabs between extended and retracted positions, and a position where said plate''s notch is out of registry with said carrier locater arm''s notch, thereby preventing said carrier locater arm from being pivoted about said fixed pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first interlock plate is continually biased toward that attitude where it prevents pivotal motion of said carrier locater arm, said plate including a third handle that extends therefrom to the outside of said housing so as to allow said plate to be slid to the mated notch position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 7 including a second interlock plate connected with said second handle, said second interlock plate allowing said first interlock plate to be slid to the mated notch position only when said second handle is in the attitude where said off-on switch is open.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first interlock plate is adapted to extend through a slot outside said housing in the mated notch position, and wherein said second interlock plate is adapted to overlie said slot through which first interlock plate extends when said off-on switch is closed, thereby allowing extension or retraction of said stabs when said off-on switch is opened and preventing extension or retraction of said stabs when said off-on switch is closed, and including lockout means on the exposed end of said first interlock plate when same is extended through said slot, thereby allowing said plug unit to be locked out when desired.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
200 words
A plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, said plug unit comprising a clamping mechanism connected with the plug unit''s housing by which said housing is fixed to a plug-in bus duct after being posItioned in seated relation on said bus duct, a stab carrier mounted in movable relation within said housing, said stab carrier including a series of stabs adapted to protrude outwardly beyond a wall of said housing, stab operating mechanism connected with said stab carrier, said mechanism being adapted to extend said stabs into and retract said stabs from electrical contact with busbars in said plug-in bus duct when said plug unit is seated on said bus duct, a first handle located outside of said housing and connected with said stab operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to extend and retract said stabs from outside of said housing, and first safety structure interconnected with said stab carrier and said clamping mechanism that prevents extension of said stabs unless said plug unit is fixedly mounted to said bus duct after same has been seated on that bus duct, and that prevents demounting said plug unit from said bus duct unless said stabs have been retracted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
200 words
A plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, said plug unit comprising a clamping mechanism connected with the plug unit''s housing by which said housing is fixed to a plug-in bus duct after being posItioned in seated relation on said bus duct, a stab carrier mounted in movable relation within said housing, said stab carrier including a series of stabs adapted to protrude outwardly beyond a wall of said housing, stab operating mechanism connected with said stab carrier, said mechanism being adapted to extend said stabs into and retract said stabs from electrical contact with busbars in said plug-in bus duct when said plug unit is seated on said bus duct, a first handle located outside of said housing and connected with said stab operating mechanism, said handle being manually controlled to extend and retract said stabs from outside of said housing, and first safety structure interconnected with said stab carrier and said clamping mechanism that prevents extension of said stabs unless said plug unit is fixedly mounted to said bus duct after same has been seated on that bus duct, and that prevents demounting said plug unit from said bus duct unless said stabs have been retracted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 10 wherein said clamping mechanism includes at least one movable clamp mounted adjacent one side wall of said housing, said movable clamp being movable between an outer position where said housing can be positioned in seated relation on said plug-in bus duct and an inner position where said housing is fixedly mounted to said bus duct housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first safety structure includes a safety leg interconnected with said movable clamp, said safety leg defining a thumb adapted to reciprocate into and out of the path of at least one pin fixed to said stab carrier, said thumb being positioned underneath said pin when said movable clamp is in the nonclamping attitude so as to prevent extension of said stabs when said plug unit is not mounted to said bus duct, and said thumb being positioned to abut said pin when said movable clamp is in the fully mounted attitude so as to prevent demounting of said plug unit before said stabs are retracted when said plug unit is mounted to said bus duct.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A plug unit as set forth in claim 12 including two movable clamps, each having a safety leg interconnected therewith that cooperates with a stab carrier''s pin at each end of said stab carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, an improvement in that plug unit''s off-on switch operating mechanism comprising toggle switch means movably connected with said off-on switch operating mechanism, between the off-on switch opened and closed attitudes through interconnection with an off-on switch handle located outside of the plug unit''s housing, a first safety catch associated with the plug unit''s cover, said first catch having a latch that is biased into locking engagement with said cover when said cover is closed in response to motion of said handle toward the off-on switch closed attitude, and that is biased out of locking engagement with said cover when said cover is closed in response to motion of said handle toward the off-on switch open attitude, and a second safety catch also associated with the plug unit''s cover, said second catch having a latch that is biased into locking engagement with said toggle switch means to prevent motion thereof toward the off-on switch closed attitude when said cover is open, and that is biased out of locking engagement with said toggle switch means to allow motion thereof toward the off-on switch open attitude when said cover is closed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a plug unit for use with a plug-in bus duct, an improvement in that plug unit''s off-on switch operating mechanism comprising toggle switch means movably connected with said off-on switch operating mechanism, between the off-on switch opened and closed attitudes through interconnection with an off-on switch handle located outside of the plug unit''s housing, a first safety catch associated with the plug unit''s cover, said first catch having a latch that is biased into locking engagement with said cover when said cover is closed in response to motion of said handle toward the off-on switch closed attitude, and that is biased out of locking engagement with said cover when said cover is closed in response to motion of said handle toward the off-on switch open attitude, and a second safety catch also associated with the plug unit''s cover, said second catch having a latch that is biased into locking engagement with said toggle switch means to prevent motion thereof toward the off-on switch closed attitude when said cover is open, and that is biased out of locking engagement with said toggle switch means to allow motion thereof toward the off-on switch open attitude when said cover is closed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |