US3823290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switchgear
Assignee: Yorkshire Switchgear and Engineering Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Electrical switchgear comprising a set of fixed contacts, a set of movable contacts mounted to close into engagement with the fixed contacts and to open out of engagement with the fixed contacts, a closing spring system having one or more springs, first movable restraining means restraining first ends of said springs, second movable restraining means restraining second ends of said springs, means connecting said second restraining means to move with the movable contacts; an opening spring system having one or more springs, third restraining means restraining first ends of said opening springs, and fourth restraining means restraining second ends of said opening springs; means connecting said third restraining means to said movable contacts; a first lever system for charging said closing spring system by moving said first restraining means independently of said movable contacts; a second lever system for charging said opening spring system by moving at least one of said third and fourth restraining means, such movement not being transmitted through said closing spring system; a first latch for releasably latching said closing spring system in its charged conditions, said first latch being operable when released to release said second restraining means and so allow said movable contacts to move to the closed position under the force in the charged closing spring system; and a second latch for releasably latching said opening spring system in its charged condition, said second latch being operable when released to release said third restraining means to allow said movable contacts to open under the force in the charged opening spring system.
Inventors
- 👤 G Caton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/22; H01H3/30; H01H3/3031
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
Electrical switchgear comprising a set of fixed contacts; a set of movable contacts; means mounting said movable contacts for movement into a closed position in engagement with said fixed contacts and to an open position out of engagement with said fixed contacts; a closing spring system comprising at least one closing spring, first restraining means restraining said closing spring at a first end, and second restraining means restraining said spring at a second end, said first and second restraining means being independently movable; connecting means connecting said second restraining means to move with said movable contacts; an opening spring system comprising at least one opening spring, third restraining means restraining said opening spring at a first end, and fourth restraining means restraining said opening spring at a second end; a lever system for charging said spring systems, said lever system including a bell crank lever having first and second arms, said first restraining means being pivotally connected to said first arm and said third restraining means being pivotally connected to said second arm, whereby movement of said lever systems drives said first and third restraining means in opposite directions simultaneously to charge the two spring systems in a single operation; and first and second latches for releasably latching said closing and opening spring systems in their charged conditions, said first latch being operable when released to release said second restraining means and allow said movable contacts to move to the closed poSition under the force in the charged closing spring system, and said second latch being operable when released to release said third restraining means which is connected to the movable contacts to move them to the opened position under the force in the charged opening spring system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
Electrical switchgear comprising a set of fixed contacts; a set of movable contacts; means mounting said movable contacts for movement into a closed position in engagement with said fixed contacts and to an open position out of engagement with said fixed contacts; a closing spring system comprising at least one closing spring, first restraining means restraining said closing spring at a first end, and second restraining means restraining said spring at a second end, said first and second restraining means being independently movable; connecting means connecting said second restraining means to move with said movable contacts; an opening spring system comprising at least one opening spring, third restraining means restraining said opening spring at a first end, and fourth restraining means restraining said opening spring at a second end; a lever system for charging said spring systems, said lever system including a bell crank lever having first and second arms, said first restraining means being pivotally connected to said first arm and said third restraining means being pivotally connected to said second arm, whereby movement of said lever systems drives said first and third restraining means in opposite directions simultaneously to charge the two spring systems in a single operation; and first and second latches for releasably latching said closing and opening spring systems in their charged conditions, said first latch being operable when released to release said second restraining means and allow said movable contacts to move to the closed poSition under the force in the charged closing spring system, and said second latch being operable when released to release said third restraining means which is connected to the movable contacts to move them to the opened position under the force in the charged opening spring system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 1 in which each said spring system comprises a number of parallel compression springs held between the respective ones of said restraining means, each spring having a rod running through its center, each said rod being secured to one of said respective restraining means and being movable relative to the other of said respective restraining means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 1 in which said first latch comprises a toggle lever system movable over center between a locking position and a release position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 19 in which said toggle lever system comprises a first toggle lever having first and second ends, a second toggle lever having first and second ends, means pivoting said first ends of said toggle levers together, means pivoting said second end of said first toggle lever at a fixed location, and means pivoting said second end of said second toggle lever to a lever forming part of said connecting means between said second restraining means and said movable contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 4 in which a common framework supports said movable contacts, spring systems, lever systems and latches, said framework is removably mounted in a housing to which said first contacts are secured, and said toggle lever system is movable over center to release said closing spring system by a release member extending to the outside of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 1 in which a nose is formed on said bell crank lever and said second latch is a roller engageable with said nose to prevent rotation of said bell crank lever in a direction allowing movement of said third restraining means to discharge said opening spring system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 6 and including a further bell crank lever having first and second arms, said roller being mounted on said first arm of said further bell crank lever; a striking pad formed on said second arm of said further bell crank lever, and a trip member engageable with said striking pad to move said roller and release said second latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 7 in which a common framework supports said movable contact, spring systems, lever systems and latches, said framework is removably mounted in a housing to which said fixed contacts are secured, and said trip member is mounted for reciprocal movement in said housing and projects to the outside of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 1 in which said means mounting said movable contacts are pivot mounting means mounting said movable contacts for movement about a pivot axis remote from said spring systems.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 9 in which a common framework supports said movable contacts, spring systems, lever systems and latches, and said framework is removably mounted in a housing to which said fixed contacts are secured.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 10 and including a first shaft pivotally journalled on said common framework and driving said common lever system, a second shaft rotatably supported on and projecting to the outside of said housing, and freely engaging elements on said first and second shafts, whereby said first shaft may be pivotally moved by appropriate pivotal movement of said second shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 10 and including tappets extending to the outside of said housing, the positions of said tappets being controlled in accordance with the position of said movable contacts.
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) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |