Overload circuit breaker

Claim 2

An overload circuit breaker comprising: an insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member comprises a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from said first leg wherein said first leg and said second leg are electrically insulated from each other at a first end and are electrically connected at a second end and wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means; a first resilient conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is electrically connected to said first leg of said first bimetallic member; a stationary conducting planar member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said resilient conducting member; a second resilient member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic member and said second end of said first resilient conducting member and electrically insulated therefrom wherein said second resilient member maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; electrical terminal means connected to said second leg of said first bimetallic resilient member and connected to said stationary conducting member whereby when said first and second contact elements are closed against each other an electrical circuit is provided through said first resilient bimetallic conducting member, said first resilient conducting member, said first and second contact elements, and said stationary conducting member and whereby said first resilient bimetallic member moves with a snap action to said second stable position upon a flow of a predetermined electrical current through said electrical circuit thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 3

The overload circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said second resilient member comprises a bimetallic conducting member and acts as an ambient temperature compensating means.

Claim 4

The overload circuit breaker means of claim 2 wherein said second resilient member comprises a C-spring and wherein said C-spring is compressed when said first bimetallic member goes from said first stable position to said second stable position.

Claim 5

The overload circuit of claim 3 wherein said reset means comprises: a reset means which is actuable from said first position to said second position whereby said reset means in said second position causes said first bimetallic member to move from said second stable position to said first stable position thereby compressing said second resilient member and wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 6

The circuit breaker of claim 4 further comprising a base means operably associated with said first bimetallic member and a limit means located on said base means to prevent excessive downward travel of said first resilient conducting member when said reset means is actuated from said first position to said second position and said limit means also providing reset button restraint to eliminate impact damage.

Claim 7

The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said second contact element comprises a sacrificial contact.

Claim 8

An overload circuit breaker comprising: an insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic toggle member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member is planar and comprises a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means; a stationary conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient bimetallic member; a first resilient conducting planar member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said stationary conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said first resilient conducting member; a second resilient conducting member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic toggle member and said second end of said first resilient conducting member wherein said second resilient conducting member maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and said second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; electrical terminal means connected to said first bimetallic resilient member and connected to said stationary conducting member whereby when said first and second contact elements are closed against each other, an electrical circuit is provided through said first resilient bimetallic member, said second resilient member, second end of first resilient member, said first and second contact elements, and said stationary conducting member and whereby said first resilient bimetallic member moves with a snap action to said second stable position upon a flow of a predetermined electrical current through said electrical circuit thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said first resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 9

An overload circuit breaker comprising: an insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic toggle member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member is planar and comprises a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means; a stationary conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient bimetallic member; a first resilient conducting planar member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said stationary conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said first resilient conducting member; a second resilient conducting member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic toggle member and said second end of said first resilient conducting member wherein said second resilient conducting member maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and said second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; electrical terminal means connected to said first bimetallic resilient member and connected to said stationary conducting member whereby when said first and second contact elements are closed against each other, an electrical circuit is provided through said first resilient bimetallic member, said second resilient member, second end of first resilient member, said first and second contact elements, and said stationary conducting member and whereby said first resilient bimetallic member moves with a snap action to said second stable position upon a flow of a predetermined electrical current through said electrical circuit thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said first resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 10

The overload circuit means of claim 7 wherein said second resilient member comprises a C-spring and wherein said C-spring is compressed when said first bimetallic member goes from said first stable position to said second stable position.

Claim 11

The overload circuit of claim 8 wherein said reset means comprises: a reset means which is actuable from said first position to said second position whereby said reset means in said second position causes said first bimetallic member to move from said second stable position to said first stable position thereby compressing said second resilient member and wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from clOsing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 12

An overload circuit breaker comprising: an insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic toggle member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member is planar and comprises a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means; a stationary conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient bimetallic member; a resilient conducting planar member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said stationary conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said resilient conducting member; a second resilient bimetallic conducting member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic toggle member and said second end of said resilient conducting member and electrically insulated therefrom wherein said second resilient bimetallic conducting member acts as an ambient temperature compensating means and maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and said second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; flexible conductor means for electrically connecting said first resilient bimetallic member to said resilient conducting planar member; electrical terminal means connected to said first bimetallic resilient member and connected to said stationary conducting member whereby when said first and second contact elements are closed against each other an electrical circuit is provided through said first resilient bimetallic member, said flexible conductor means, second end of first resilient member, said first and second contact elements, and said stationary conducting member and whereby said first resilient bimetallic member moves with a snap action to said second stable position upon a flow of a predetermined electrical current through said electrical circuit thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 13

An overload circuit breaker comprising: an insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic toggle member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member is planar and comprises a first end and a second end and wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means; a stationary conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient bimetallic member; a resilient conducting planar member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said insulating means and is spaced apart from said stationary conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said resilient conducting member; a second resilient bimetallic conducting member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic toggle member and said second end of said resilient conducting member and electrically insulated therefrom wherein said second resilient bimetallic conducting member acts as an ambient temperature compensating means and maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and said second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; flexible conductor means for electrically connecting said first resilient bimetallic member to said resilient conducting planar member; electrical terminal means connected to said first bimetallic resilient member and connected to said stationary conducting member whereby when said first and second contact elements are closed against each other an electrical circuit is provided through said first resilient bimetallic member, said flexible conductor means, second end of first resilient member, said first and second contact elements, and said stationary conducting member and whereby said first resilient bimetallic member moves with a snap action to said second stable position upon a flow of a predetermined electrical current through said electrical circuit thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 14

A relay control for an electrical circuit comprising: a first, second and third insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member comprises a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from said first leg wherein said first leg and said second leg are electrically insulated from each other at a first end and are electrically connected at a second end; a first resilient conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is electrically insulated from said first bimetallic member by said first insulating means; a stationary conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said second insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said resilient conducting member wherein said first and second contact elements are electrically connected to said electrical circuit; a second resilient member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic member and said second end of said first resilient conducting member and electricallY insulated therefrom wherein said second resilient member maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; first electrical terminal means connected to said first leg of said first bimetallic resilient member and insulated from said stationary conducting member by said first insulating means; second electrical terminal means connected to said second leg of said first bimetallic resilient member and insulated from said first leg by said third insulating means; a source of control current connected to said first and second electrical terminal means wherein said control current causes heat in said first resilient bimetallic member and wherein said heat causes said first resilient bimetallic member to move to said second stable position thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said first resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.

Claim 15

A relay control for an electrical circuit comprising: a first, second and third insulating means; a first snap action resilient bimetallic member operable between a first stable position and a second stable position wherein said resilient bimetallic member comprises a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from said first leg wherein said first leg and said second leg are electrically insulated from each other at a first end and are electrically connected at a second end; a first resilient conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is electrically insulated from said first bimetallic member by said first insulating means; a stationary conducting member comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end is secured to said second insulating means and is spaced apart from said first resilient conducting member; a first contact element located on the surface of said stationary conducting member; a second contact element located on the surface of said resilient conducting member wherein said first and second contact elements are electrically connected to said electrical circuit; a second resilient member connected between said second end of said first bimetallic member and said second end of said first resilient conducting member and electricallY insulated therefrom wherein said second resilient member maintains said first resilient bimetallic member in said first stable position whereby said first and second contact elements are electrically closed against each other; first electrical terminal means connected to said first leg of said first bimetallic resilient member and insulated from said stationary conducting member by said first insulating means; second electrical terminal means connected to said second leg of said first bimetallic resilient member and insulated from said first leg by said third insulating means; a source of control current connected to said first and second electrical terminal means wherein said control current causes heat in said first resilient bimetallic member and wherein said heat causes said first resilient bimetallic member to move to said second stable position thereby opening said first and second contact elements and breaking said electrical circuit; and reset means actuable from a first position to a second position to move said first resilient bimetallic member from said second stable position to said first stable position wherein said reset means prevents said first and second contact elements from closing until said reset means returns to said first position.