US3742403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit breaker with on off and trip indication
Assignee: Heinemann Electric Co
•
Filing: 1970-10-01
•
Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1990-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker including a case formed of two approximatehalf-cases, a pair of contacts enclosed by the case and a collapsible linkage mechanism to move one of the contacts between contacts ''''closed'''' and ''''open'''' positions, the mechanism including a pivotal ''''handle'''' link. The circuit breaker also includes electrical means for sensing predetermined electrical conditions and collapsing said mechanism to electrically trip ''''open'''' said contacts at such time. A unitary adapter is secured to the case and includes an actuator movable generally linearly into engagement with the pivotal ''''handle'''' link and automatically retracted back to a neutral position out of engagement with the pivotal ''''handle'''' link to operate the mechanism for moving one of the contacts to the contacts ''''closed'''' or ''''open'''' positions while permitting the pivotal ''''handle'''' link to freely move when the mechanism is collapsed on predetermined electrical conditions. The circuit breaker also includes an auxiliary switch means responsive to whether said contacts are ''''closed,'''' ''''open'''' or tripped ''''open'''' in response to a preselected condition. The auxiliary switch means includes a first unitary switch carried in an auxiliary cavity formed intermediate the half-cases and jointly supported by said halfcases. A second switch is carried by one of the half-cases and located on a margin of the circuit breaker case adjacent the collapsible linkage mechanism and responds to the distinct collapsing movement of the linkage mechanism. A push button module is secured to the unitary adapter and has a plunger engageable with the unitary adapter for actuating the latter. The push button module contains electrical lamps connected to the first and second auxiliary switches for illumination to indicate whether said contacts are ''''closed,'''' ''''open'''' or tripped ''''open.
Inventors
- 👤 R Nicol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/46; H01H71/465; H01H2071/467
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a stationary contact, a movable contact mounted on a movable arm, a collapsible linkage connected to said arm for moving said contacts between the contacts ''''open'''' and the contacts ''''closed'''' positions, tripped means for collapsing said linkage upon predetermined electrical overloads to move said contacts from said ''''closed'''' to said ''''open'''' position, control means connected to said linkage for moving the contacts between said ''''open'''' and ''''closed'''' positions, said linkage undergoing a first motion when moving from the contacts ''''closed'''' position to the contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said control means and a second motion when going from the contacts ''''closed'''' to the contacts ''''open'''' position due to an electrical overload, first switch means responsive to the movement of said movable arm for indicating whether said circuit breaker contacts are ''''open'''' or ''''closed'''', and second switch means located in part transversely to the path followed by said linkage during said second motion and operated by said linkage for indicating when said circuit breaker has been electrically tripped open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A circuit breaker comprising, a case, a stationary contact, a movable contact mounted on a movable arm, a collapsible linkage connected to said arm for moving said contacts between the contacts ''''open'''' and the contacts ''''closed'''' positions, tripped means for collapsing said linkage upon predetermined electrical overloads to move said contacts from said ''''closed'''' to said ''''open'''' position, control means connected to said linkage for moving the contacts between said ''''open'''' and ''''closed'''' positions, said linkage undergoing a first motion when moving from the contacts ''''closed'''' position to the contacts ''''open'''' position under the influence of said control means and a second motion when going from the contacts ''''closed'''' to the contacts ''''open'''' position due to an electrical overload, first switch means responsive to the movement of said movable arm for indicating whether said circuit breaker contacts are ''''open'''' or ''''closed'''', and second switch means located in part transversely to the path followed by said linkage during said second motion and operated by said linkage for indicating when said circuit breaker has been electrically tripped open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said first switch means is a unitary electrical switch having its own insulating case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said case comprises two approximate half-cases, and said first switch means is located intermediate portions of said half-cases and supported jointed by said half-cases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination recited in claim 3 wherein one side of said first switch means communicates with the interior of said case, and another side communicates to the exterior of said case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said linkage includes a collapsible toggle for actuating said second switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second switch means comprises three terminals, a first and second of said terminals having contact portions parallel to and spaced from each other, said third terminal having a support portion and being spaced from said first and second terminals, a movable contact blade pivotally supported from said support portion of said third terminal and having a contact carrying portion intermediate said contact portions, a spring biasing said blade towards one of two stable positions, a reset position in which said blade abuts said first terminal, and a trip position in which said blade abuts said second terminal, said spring being connected at one end to said blade and at the other end to said third terminal, said blade including operating means disposed for engagement with a portion of said linkage during the collapsing of said linkage in response to the occurrence of an preselected electrical overload, said engagement resulting in the movement of said contact blade against the bias of said spring out of abutment with said first terminal and into abutment with said second terminal, said contact blade being held in abutment with said second terminal by the bias of said spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said second switch means further includes reset means for moving said contact blade from its trip position to its reset position in response to the movement of said contacts from their tripped ''''open'''' position to their contacts ''''closed'''' position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
The combination recited in claim 7 wherein said reset means comprises a reset arm connected to said movable contact blade and extending on one side of said movable arm, and a reset cap carried by said movable arm and extending in a direction traverse to the plane occupied by said reset arm, whereby when said contacts are ''''closed'''' at a time when said movable contact blade is in its trip position, said cap moves downward into abutment with said reset arm and pivots it and said contact blade to the reset position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination recited in claim 1 further including mounting means coupled to said circuit breaker for supporting said circuit breaker within a hole in a panel, said mounting means containing indicating lamps electrically connected to said switch means for illumination in response to the state of said switch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a pivotal link, and unitary adapter means connected to said circuit breaker case for rotating said pivotal link to ''''open'''' and ''''close'''' said contacts in response to successive push type motions applied to said adapter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
The combination recited in claim 10 further including a unitary module connected to said adapter and containing a slidable means rEsponsive to successive push type motions applied thereto for actuating said adapter to ''''open'''' and ''''close'''' said contacts, said module means further including holding means for supporting said circuit breaker case and adapter within a hole in a panel, said module including indicating lamps connected to said switch means and a voltage source for illumination in response to the condition of said switch means to indicate whether said contacts are ''''open,'''' ''''closed'''' or tripped ''''open.''''
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
A circuit breaker comprising a case, a pair of circuit breaker contacts enclosed by the case including a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable contact mounted on a movable arm, control means for moving said movable arm to ''''open'''' and ''''close'''' said contacts, said control means including a collapsible linkage mechanism, a device for collapsing said collapsible linkage mechanism on the occurrence of a preselected electrical condition to open said circuit breaker contacts, said collapsible linkage mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving said contacts between the contacts ''''open'''' and ''''closed'''' positions in response to said control means and undergoing a second motion along a second path different from said first path when collapsed in response to said preselected condition, switch means responsive to said second motion of said linkage mechanism but not responsive to said first motion to indicate when said circuit breaker contacts are tripped ''''open,'''' and means for automatically resetting the collapsed linkage mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
163 words
A circuit breaker comprising a case, a pair of circuit breaker contacts enclosed by the case including a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable contact mounted on a movable arm, control means for moving said movable arm to ''''open'''' and ''''close'''' said contacts, said control means including a collapsible linkage mechanism, a device for collapsing said collapsible linkage mechanism on the occurrence of a preselected electrical condition to open said circuit breaker contacts, said collapsible linkage mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving said contacts between the contacts ''''open'''' and ''''closed'''' positions in response to said control means and undergoing a second motion along a second path different from said first path when collapsed in response to said preselected condition, switch means responsive to said second motion of said linkage mechanism but not responsive to said first motion to indicate when said circuit breaker contacts are tripped ''''open,'''' and means for automatically resetting the collapsed linkage mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
The combination recited in claim 12 wherein said switch means includes a movable contact blade mounted for movement between two stable positions, an initial position in which it is in contact with a first terminal and a trip position in which it is in contact with a second terminal, said initial position indicating that said circuit breaker contacts have not been tripped ''''open'''' and said tripped position indicating that said contacts have been tripped ''''open'''' in response to the occurrence of said preselected condition, said movable contact blade responsive to said second motion of said linkage mechanism to move from said initial to said trip position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination recited in claim 13 wherein said switch means is carried on a margin of said case adjacent said linkage mechanism, and further includes a driving arm extending from said contact blade in the direction of said linkage mechanism at least in part traverse to said second path followed by said mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination recited in claim 13 wherein said linkage mechanism includes a collapsible toggle assembly and said device includes trip means for collapsing said toggle assembly when said contacts are ''''closed'''' upon the occurrence of said condition, a portion of said toggle assembly momentarily engaging said driving arm to move said movable contact blade to its trip position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination recited in claim 14 wherein said switch means further includes reset means for moving said contact blade from its trip position to its reset position in response to the movement of said contacts from the tripped ''''open'''' position to the contacts ''''closed'''' position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination recited in claim 16 wherein said reset means comprises a reset arm connected to said movable contact blade and extending on one side of said movable arm, a reset cap carried by said movable arm and extending in a direction traverse the plane occupied by said reset arm whereby when said contacts are ''''closed'''' with said movable contact blade in its trip position, said cap moves downward, into abutment with said reset arm, and pivots it and said contact blade from the trip position to the reset position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
192 words
A circuit breaker comprising a case, a pair of circuit breaker contacts enclosed by the case including a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable cOntact mounted on a movable arm, operating means extending through an opening in said case for moving said movable arm to open and close said contacts, a collapsible linkage mechanism connected intermediate said operating means and said movable arm, a device for collapsing said linkage mechanism on the occurrence of a preselected electrical condition to open said circuit breaker contacts, said collapsible linkage mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving said contacts between the contacts open and closed positions in response to the movement of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path, different from said first path, when collapsing in response to said preselected condition, and first indicator means located in part traverse to said second path and responsive to said second motion of said collapsible mechanism but not responsive to said first motion for providing a signal when said circuit breaker contacts are tripped open, said signal being independent of the position of said operating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
192 words
A circuit breaker comprising a case, a pair of circuit breaker contacts enclosed by the case including a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable cOntact mounted on a movable arm, operating means extending through an opening in said case for moving said movable arm to open and close said contacts, a collapsible linkage mechanism connected intermediate said operating means and said movable arm, a device for collapsing said linkage mechanism on the occurrence of a preselected electrical condition to open said circuit breaker contacts, said collapsible linkage mechanism undergoing a first motion along a first path when moving said contacts between the contacts open and closed positions in response to the movement of said operating means and undergoing a second motion along a second path, different from said first path, when collapsing in response to said preselected condition, and first indicator means located in part traverse to said second path and responsive to said second motion of said collapsible mechanism but not responsive to said first motion for providing a signal when said circuit breaker contacts are tripped open, said signal being independent of the position of said operating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination recited in claim 18 further including means for automatically resetting said collapsible mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination recited in claim 19 wherein said indicator means comprises a movable member and biasing means for maintaining said member in one of two stable alternate positions, said member being movable from one of said positions to the other in response to said second motion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination recited in claim 20 further including reset means for moving said member from said other stable position to said one stable position in response to the movement of said contacts to the contacts closed position subsequent to the occurrence of said preselected condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination recited in claim 20 wherein said collapsible linkage mechanism comprises a collapsible toggle and wherein said toggle momentarily engages said member when collapsing in response to said preselected condition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination recited in claim 18 wherein said first indicator means comprises a first auxiliary switch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination recited in claim 18 further including a second indicator means responsive to the movement of said movable arm for indicating when said contacts are open or closed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination recited in claim 23 further including a second indicator means comprising a second auxiliary switch responsive to the movement of said movable arm to indicate when said contacts are open or closed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination recited in claim 25 wherein said second auxiliary switch comprises a unitary switch including its own insulating casing, and said case comprises approximate half-cases which jointly support said second switch intermediate therebetween.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
198 words
A circuit breaker comprising a case, a pair of circuit breaker contacts enclosed by the case including a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable contact being mounted on a movable arm, a circuit breaker assembly for moving said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contact, said assembly including an operating means extending at least in part through said case for moving said movable arm, a collapsible linkage mechanism connected intermediate said operating means and said movable arm, and means for automatically resetting said collapsible linkage mechanism, a device for collapsing said linkage mechanism on the occurrence of a preselected electrical condition to open the contacts, said collapsible linkage mechanism undergoing a first motion when moving the contacts between the contacts open and closed positions in response to the movement of said operating means and undergoing a second motion, different from said first motion, when collapsing in response to said preselected condition, and indicator means carried by said case, independent of said operating means and responsive in part to said second motion of said linkage for indicating whether said contacts are open, closed or open due to the occurrenCe of said electrical condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
198 words
A circuit breaker comprising a case, a pair of circuit breaker contacts enclosed by the case including a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable contact being mounted on a movable arm, a circuit breaker assembly for moving said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contact, said assembly including an operating means extending at least in part through said case for moving said movable arm, a collapsible linkage mechanism connected intermediate said operating means and said movable arm, and means for automatically resetting said collapsible linkage mechanism, a device for collapsing said linkage mechanism on the occurrence of a preselected electrical condition to open the contacts, said collapsible linkage mechanism undergoing a first motion when moving the contacts between the contacts open and closed positions in response to the movement of said operating means and undergoing a second motion, different from said first motion, when collapsing in response to said preselected condition, and indicator means carried by said case, independent of said operating means and responsive in part to said second motion of said linkage for indicating whether said contacts are open, closed or open due to the occurrenCe of said electrical condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination recited in claim 27 wherein said indicator means comprises two electrical switches.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination recited in claim 28 wherein at least one of said switches comprises a unitary electrical switch including its own insulating casing and supported by said circuit breaker case.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination recited in claim 29 wherein said case comprises two approximate half-cases, and said unitary electrical switch is located intermediate portions of said half-cases and supported jointly thereby.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination recited in claim 30 wherein said case includes a main cavity in which is located said assembly and an auxiliary cavity which communicates with the exterior of the case and the main cavity, said unitary electrical switch being located within said auxiliary cavity.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination recited in claim 28 wherein a first of said switches indicates whether said circuit breaker contacts are open or closed and wherein a second of said switches indicates whether said contacts are open due to the occurrence of said condition.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination recited in claim 32 wherein said first switch includes two spaced terminals, a switch blade movable between said terminals and continuously biased into engagement with one of said terminals, means responsive to the movement of said movable arm for moving said blade out of engagement with said one terminal and into engagement with the other of said terminals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination recited in claim 27 wherein said collapsible mechanism comprises a toggle and said indicator means includes a device having a movable member and biasing means for maintaining said member in one of two stable alternate positions, said member being movable from one of said positions to the other in response to said second motion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination recited in claim 34 further including reset means for moving said member from said other stable position to said one stable position in response to the movement of said contacts to the contacts closed position subsequent to the occurrence of said preselected condition.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination recited in claim 35 wherein said device comprises an electrical switch.
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |