US3743892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure means for unoccupied circuit breaker opening in a panel board
Assignee: Wadsworth Electric Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1972-05-15
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker enclosure is provided with a dead front panel having openings corresponding to possible circuit breaker positions. A segmented filler plate comprises a plurality of separable segments, each being of greater dimension than the openings in the dead front. Individual ones of the segments or any combination thereof are separated from the filler plate and are positively secured over respective dead front openings which are not occupied by a circuit breaker. The combination of the occupying breakers and the secured segments of the filler plate cooperate to effectively seal the dead front and thus the enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 E Fritz
- 👤 W Middendorf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:50
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/015; H02B1/06; H02B2001/0155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Circuit breaker enclosure apparatus comprising, means for enclosing a plurality of circuit breakers and having an open forward side, panel means for closing said forward side and having a plurality of openings for receiving circuit breakers positioned within said enclosure, each of said openings being defined by straps therebetween and being smaller than a circuit breaker, integral filler plate means for covering selected openings and comprising a plurality of separable segments removably joined edge to edge, each segment being slightly larger than an opening, and means on each of said segments for positively attaching each segment directly to said panel means in a selected position over one of said selected openings, said filler plate means covering selected openings at any position without separating the segments covering adjacent openings, thereby providing a tortuous path for hot gas or flame from one side of said panel means to another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Circuit breaker enclosure apparatus comprising, means for enclosing a plurality of circuit breakers and having an open forward side, panel means for closing said forward side and having a plurality of openings for receiving circuit breakers positioned within said enclosure, each of said openings being defined by straps therebetween and being smaller than a circuit breaker, integral filler plate means for covering selected openings and comprising a plurality of separable segments removably joined edge to edge, each segment being slightly larger than an opening, and means on each of said segments for positively attaching each segment directly to said panel means in a selected position over one of said selected openings, said filler plate means covering selected openings at any position without separating the segments covering adjacent openings, thereby providing a tortuous path for hot gas or flame from one side of said panel means to another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including a plurality of circuit breakers extending through selected openings in said panel means, and unoccupied openings through which no circuit breakers extend, and wherein said integral filler plate means includes a plurality of filler plates, some of which comprise varying numbers of said segments, covering each of said unoccupied openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said straps are scored to facilitate removal thereof in order to accommodate multi-pole circuit breakers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including tab openings at each end of each of said openings of said plurality of openings and wherein said securing means includes tabs on respective ends of each of said segments for cooperating with said tab openings to secure said segments to said panel means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said segments are separable in selected numbers from said integral filler plate means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including at least one circuit breaker having a first body portion structured to extend through at least one of said openings, and a second body portion of greater dimension than the opening and positioned adjacent said dead front in order to provide a tortuous path from one side of said panel means to another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including at least one circuit breaker positioned in at least one opening, said circuit breaker having a body, and wherein said straps defining said opening overlaps one portion of said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said panel means overlaps other portions of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said integral filler plate means and said tabs cover and fill respectively said breaker-receiving openings and said tab openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said integral filler plate means comprises at least three segments and wherein said filler plate is attached over at least three adjacent openings in said panel by the securing means on only the end segments of the filler plate means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a circuit breaker enclosure apparatus of the type having a housing with means for mounting a full complement of circuit breakers, a panel means positioned over a normally open portion of said housing and having a like full complement of corresponding breaker receiving openings defined by removably mounted straps, a plurality of circuit breakers partially extending through corresponding openings, said plurality being less than a full complement, unoccupied openings through which no circuit breakers extend, integral filler plate means for covering said unoccupied openings and comprising a plurality of separable segments, removably joined edge to edge, each segment being of slightly greater dimension than one of said openings, and means on each of said segments for positively attaching each segment to said panel means in a selected position over one of said unoccupied openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a circuit breaker enclosure apparatus of the type having a housing with means for mounting a full complement of circuit breakers, a panel means positioned over a normally open portion of said housing and having a like full complement of corresponding breaker receiving openings defined by removably mounted straps, a plurality of circuit breakers partially extending through corresponding openings, said plurality being less than a full complement, unoccupied openings through which no circuit breakers extend, integral filler plate means for covering said unoccupied openings and comprising a plurality of separable segments, removably joined edge to edge, each segment being of slightly greater dimension than one of said openings, and means on each of said segments for positively attaching each segment to said panel means in a selected position over one of said unoccupied openings.
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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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |