US3786394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single-bolt joint for feeder and plug-in bus ducts
Assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-22
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A projection on one side of each splice plate of the stacked joint assembly cooperates with an open-ended, L-shaped slot in the end of the corresponding bus bar to retain the joint assembly in place during assembly of a bus duct run and also secure the bus bars from sliding within the bus duct housing. An insulated sleeve, surrounding the bolt which extends through the stacked assembly, has an oval cross section and fits into a similarly shaped central aperture in each insulator plate. Each insulator plate has at least one raised rib portion wich is concentric with its central aperture. The outer insulator plates are keyed to respective end plates, positioned on the opposite ends of the stacked assembly, by a projection fitting into an indentation in the end plate. The raised rib portion of the insulator plates cooperates with an oval aperture in the splice plates to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween, thereby insuring tbe insulator and splice plates are properly oriented for installation of the joint assembly onto a duct section.
Inventors
- 👤 M Koenig
- 👤 G Dempsey
- 👤 M Issa
- 👤 P Sheedy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:18
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G5/00; H02G5/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In combination, a first and a second bus duct, each including a plurality of bus bars, and a joint assembly interposed said ducts and electrically connecting individual bus bars of said first duct to corresponding individual bus bars of said second duct, said joint assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent pairs of generally flat, elongated splice plate means having a first central opening and arranged in stacked relationship, the end portions of individual corresponding bus bars of said first and second ducts being interposed respective pairs of said splice plate means; a plurality of generally flat, elongated insulator plate means having a second central opening and arranged in stacked relationship with individual ones being positioned adjacent the opposite outer sides of each pair of said splice plate means, said insulator plate means having a raised rib portion, concentric with and adjacent to said second opening, closely fitting inside said first opening; a bolt means extending through said second opening; said bolt means when tightened urging said pair of splice plate means into contact pressure with the corrsponding bus bars to establish electrical connection therebetween; and an insulator sleeve means closely fitting inside said second opening and interposed said bolt means, said sleeve means, said rib portion and said first opening having complementary, noncircular shapes for cooperatively interlocking said splice plate means and said insulator plate means so as to prevent substantial relative rotational movement therebetween when said bolt means is sufficiently loosened to permit longitudinal movement of said bus bars relative to said splice plate means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In combination, a first and a second bus duct, each including a plurality of bus bars, and a joint assembly interposed said ducts and electrically connecting individual bus bars of said first duct to corresponding individual bus bars of said second duct, said joint assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent pairs of generally flat, elongated splice plate means having a first central opening and arranged in stacked relationship, the end portions of individual corresponding bus bars of said first and second ducts being interposed respective pairs of said splice plate means; a plurality of generally flat, elongated insulator plate means having a second central opening and arranged in stacked relationship with individual ones being positioned adjacent the opposite outer sides of each pair of said splice plate means, said insulator plate means having a raised rib portion, concentric with and adjacent to said second opening, closely fitting inside said first opening; a bolt means extending through said second opening; said bolt means when tightened urging said pair of splice plate means into contact pressure with the corrsponding bus bars to establish electrical connection therebetween; and an insulator sleeve means closely fitting inside said second opening and interposed said bolt means, said sleeve means, said rib portion and said first opening having complementary, noncircular shapes for cooperatively interlocking said splice plate means and said insulator plate means so as to prevent substantial relative rotational movement therebetween when said bolt means is sufficiently loosened to permit longitudinal movement of said bus bars relative to said splice plate means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination according to claim 1 including a pair of end plate means positioned adjacent the opposite outer flat sides of the stack of splice plate means and insulator plate means with said bolt means extending through said end plate means; and means locking said each of end plate means to the adjacent insulator plate means so as to prevent substantial relative rotational movement therebetween when said bolt is sufficiently loosened to permit longitudinal movement of said bus bars relative to said splice plate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises an outwardly extending projection on each of the insulator plate means adjacent to said end plate means, said projections being located in opposite transverse directions from the longitudinal axis of said bolt means and an indentation in each of said end plate means for accommodating the corresponding projection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said first and second openings, the outer portion of said sleeve means and said rib portions are all oval-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein each of said bus bars include an open-ended, L-shaped slot in the outer end portion; and at least one of each pair of said splice plate means includes a nib located transversely from the longitudinal axis of said bolt means which cooperates with said slot, when said joint assembly is installed to one end of one of said ducts, to restrain longitudinal movement of said joint assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein at least one of said pair of splice plate means includes at least two projections transversely offset in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis of said bolt means for limiting the inward longitudinal movement of said bus bars.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
The combination according to claim 5 including a pair of end plate means positioned adjacent the opposite outer flat sides of the stack of splice plate means and insulator plate means with said bolt extending through said end plate means; each of said bus ducts having a housing in which said bus bars are disposed; and means for fastening the opposite ends of said end plates to respective duct housings, said nibs, slots and fastening means cooperating so that, when said joint assembly is installed to said one end of said duct, the bus bars are secured against substantial longitudinal movement with respect to said housing, even though said bolt means is sufficiently loosened to permit the insertion of bus bars between respective pairs of said spliced plate means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
267 words
In combination, a first and a second bus duct, each including a plurality of bus bars, and a joint assembly interposed said ducts and electrically connecting individual bus bars of said first duct to corresponding individual bus bars of said second duct, said joint assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent pairs of generally flat, elongated splice plate means having a first central opening and arranged in stacked relationship, the end portions of individual corresponding bus bars of said first and second ducts being interposed respective pairs of said splice plate means; a plurality of generally flat, elongated insulator plate means having a second central opening and arranged in stacked relationship with individual ones being positioned adjacent the opposite outer sides of each pair of said splice plate means, said insulator plate means also having a raised rib portion, concentric with and adjacent to said second opening, closely fitting inside said first opening; a bolt means extending through said second opening; said bolt means when tightened urging said pair of splice plate means into contact pressure with the corresponding bus bars to establish electrical connection therebetween; and an insulator sleeve means closely fitting inside said second opening and interposed said bolt means, each of said bus bars including an open-ended, L-shaped slot in the outer end portion; and at least one of each pair of said splice plate means including a nib located transversely from the longitudinal axis of said bolt which cooperates with said slot, when said joint assembly is installed to one end of one of said ducts, to restrain longitudinal movement of said joint assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
267 words
In combination, a first and a second bus duct, each including a plurality of bus bars, and a joint assembly interposed said ducts and electrically connecting individual bus bars of said first duct to corresponding individual bus bars of said second duct, said joint assembly comprising a plurality of adjacent pairs of generally flat, elongated splice plate means having a first central opening and arranged in stacked relationship, the end portions of individual corresponding bus bars of said first and second ducts being interposed respective pairs of said splice plate means; a plurality of generally flat, elongated insulator plate means having a second central opening and arranged in stacked relationship with individual ones being positioned adjacent the opposite outer sides of each pair of said splice plate means, said insulator plate means also having a raised rib portion, concentric with and adjacent to said second opening, closely fitting inside said first opening; a bolt means extending through said second opening; said bolt means when tightened urging said pair of splice plate means into contact pressure with the corresponding bus bars to establish electrical connection therebetween; and an insulator sleeve means closely fitting inside said second opening and interposed said bolt means, each of said bus bars including an open-ended, L-shaped slot in the outer end portion; and at least one of each pair of said splice plate means including a nib located transversely from the longitudinal axis of said bolt which cooperates with said slot, when said joint assembly is installed to one end of one of said ducts, to restrain longitudinal movement of said joint assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said pair of splice plate means includes at least two projections transversely offset in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis of said bolt means for limiting the inward longitudinal movement of said bus bars.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |