US3801875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-metallic load center with improved bus bar construction
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-06-14
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1993-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A non-metallic load center comprises an insulative, molded plastic enclosure consisting of a housing having integrally formed back and sidewalls and a separable cover. An elongated bus bar having first and second strip portions interconnected by spaced L-shaped ribs is secured adjacent its ends to integrally formed mounting posts. Bus bar contacts extend into each gap between adjacent ribs to facilitate electrical contacting engagement with individual circuit breakers, while the ribs afford lateral stability to the individual circuit breaker installations. Integrally formed pedestals afford bus bar support intermediate its ends and also serve to support and locate a connector lug carried by the bus bar.
Inventors
- 👤 J Morby
- 👤 J Mcgann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:43
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/20; H02B1/21; H02B1/26; H02B1/40; H02B1/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A circuit breaker panelboard, comprising, in combination: A. a molded, electrically insulative housing including a backwall and integrally formed, upstanding sidewalls; B. a cover for said housing; C. a pair of spaced Mounting posts integrally formed with one of said walls; D. a bus bar including 1. a first elongated strip portion having means adjacent each end facilitating securing said first strip portion to said mounting posts in generally parallel, spaced relation to said backwall, 2. a second elongated strip portion, 3. a series of L-shaped ribs inter-connecting said first and second strip portions, and 4. an integral blade contact carried by said second strip portion and projecting into each gap between adjacent ribs, 5. the spacing between adjacent ribs corresponding to the width of a circuit breaker case, whereby said ribs act to laterally stabilize the individual circuit breakers when installed in electrically contacted engagement with respective ones of said blade contacts; and E. common circuit breaker retaining means integrally formed with said backwall in parallel spaced relation to said bus bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A circuit breaker panelboard, comprising, in combination: A. a molded, electrically insulative housing including a backwall and integrally formed, upstanding sidewalls; B. a cover for said housing; C. a pair of spaced Mounting posts integrally formed with one of said walls; D. a bus bar including 1. a first elongated strip portion having means adjacent each end facilitating securing said first strip portion to said mounting posts in generally parallel, spaced relation to said backwall, 2. a second elongated strip portion, 3. a series of L-shaped ribs inter-connecting said first and second strip portions, and 4. an integral blade contact carried by said second strip portion and projecting into each gap between adjacent ribs, 5. the spacing between adjacent ribs corresponding to the width of a circuit breaker case, whereby said ribs act to laterally stabilize the individual circuit breakers when installed in electrically contacted engagement with respective ones of said blade contacts; and E. common circuit breaker retaining means integrally formed with said backwall in parallel spaced relation to said bus bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
5 words
a second elongated strip portion,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
5 words
a second elongated strip portion,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
5 words
a second elongated strip portion,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
5 words
a second elongated strip portion,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The panelboard defined in claim 1, wherein an edge of said second strip portion rests on and is supported by said backwall during the installation of circuit breakers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A panelboard defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second strip portions are coextensive in length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
a series of L-shaped ribs inter-connecting said first and second strip portions, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
a series of L-shaped ribs inter-connecting said first and second strip portions, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
a series of L-shaped ribs inter-connecting said first and second strip portions, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
a series of L-shaped ribs inter-connecting said first and second strip portions, and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
an integral blade contact carried by said second strip portion and projecting into each gap between adjacent ribs,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
an integral blade contact carried by said second strip portion and projecting into each gap between adjacent ribs,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
an integral blade contact carried by said second strip portion and projecting into each gap between adjacent ribs,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
an integral blade contact carried by said second strip portion and projecting into each gap between adjacent ribs,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The panelboard defined in claim 1, which further includes a pedestal integrally formed with one of said walls and located to provide mid-length support to said first strip portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The panelboard defined in claim 1, wherein said second strip portion terminates short of one end of said first strip portion, said panelboard further including an electrical connector mounted by said first strip portion at a location beyond the termination of said first strip portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
the spacing between adjacent ribs corresponding to the width of a circuit breaker case, whereby said ribs act to laterally stabilize the individual circuit breakers when installed in electrically contacted engagement with respective ones of said blade contacts; and E. common circuit breaker retaining means integrally formed with said backwall in parallel spaced relation to said bus bar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
the spacing between adjacent ribs corresponding to the width of a circuit breaker case, whereby said ribs act to laterally stabilize the individual circuit breakers when installed in electrically contacted engagement with respective ones of said blade contacts; and E. common circuit breaker retaining means integrally formed with said backwall in parallel spaced relation to said bus bar.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
the spacing between adjacent ribs corresponding to the width of a circuit breaker case, whereby said ribs act to laterally stabilize the individual circuit breakers when installed in electrically contacted engagement with respective ones of said blade contacts; and E. common circuit breaker retaining means positioned in said housing in parallel spaced relation to said bus bar.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
the spacing between adjacent ribs corresponding to the width of a circuit breaker case, whereby said ribs act to laterally stabilize the individual circuit breakers when installed in electrically contacted engagement with respective ones of said blade contacts; and E. common circuit breaker retaining means positioned in said housing in parallel spaced relation to said bus bar.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The panelboard defined in claim 5, wherein said connector is formed having aligned slots accommodating the extension therethrough of the first strip portion, said panelboard further including a pedestal integrally formed with said backwall and located to provide support for said connector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The panelboard defined in claim 6, wherein said first strip portion carries an abutment for engagement with said connector to establish its approximate position on said first strip portion in one direction, and said pedestal is formed having means for engaging means carried by said connector to locate its approximate position on said first strip portion in the opposite direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A circuit breaker panelboard, comprising, in combination: A. a housing including a backwall and upstanding sidewalls; B. a cover for said housing; C. a pair of spaced mounting means supported in said housing; D. a bus bar including:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A circuit breaker panelboard, comprising, in combination: A. a housing including a backwall and upstanding sidewalls; B. a cover for said housing; C. a pair of spaced mounting means supported in said housing; D. a bus bar including:
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |