US3845433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch operator with tripping means
Assignee: Arrow Hart Inc
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Filing: 1973-09-28
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A switch operator has a trip spring charged and latched by a single closing motion, and a closing spring charged by release of the trip spring and released to close the switch by the closing motion. The switch is tripped open by either an electric solenoid or a trip button unlatching and releasing the trip spring.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kraulits
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/22; H01H3/30; H01H3/3005; H01H3/3026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An operator for a switch having, in combination, a shaft, a drive arm actuator pivotal on the shaft and having closing spring means tending to rotate the drive arm actuator in a first direction to a predetermined closed switch position, a tripping plate pivotal on the shaft, having trip spring means tending to rotate the tripping plate in the opposite direction, and having means abutting the drive arm actuator to cause a transfer of energy from the trip spring means to the closing spring means during said opposite rotation, means for applying energy to rotate the tripping plate in the first direction to a latching position, thereby storing energy in the trip spring means and causing the abutting means to disengage the drive arm actuator and allow its movement to the closed switch position, a latch operable to latch the tripping plate in said latching position, and means to release the latch to allow the tripping plate to rotate in said opposite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An operator for a switch having, in combination, a shaft, a drive arm actuator pivotal on the shaft and having closing spring means tending to rotate the drive arm actuator in a first direction to a predetermined closed switch position, a tripping plate pivotal on the shaft, having trip spring means tending to rotate the tripping plate in the opposite direction, and having means abutting the drive arm actuator to cause a transfer of energy from the trip spring means to the closing spring means during said opposite rotation, means for applying energy to rotate the tripping plate in the first direction to a latching position, thereby storing energy in the trip spring means and causing the abutting means to disengage the drive arm actuator and allow its movement to the closed switch position, a latch operable to latch the tripping plate in said latching position, and means to release the latch to allow the tripping plate to rotate in said opposite direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the tripping plate rotates in said opposite direction to displace the closing spring means to a position in which it delivers a minimum torque to the drive arm actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the trip spring means delivers a minimum torque to the tripping plate in said latching position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
An operator according to claim 2, with a frame member in fixed relation to the shaft, and in which the closing spring means comprise a guide rod having a pivotal connection to the drive arm actuator at one end and being slidable in the frame member, and a spring urging the guide rod from the frame member in the direction of said pivotal connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An operator according to claim 3, with a frame member in fixed relation to the shaft, and in which the trip spring means comprise a guide rod having a pivotal connection to the tripping plate at one end and being slidable in the frame member, and a spring urging the guide rod from the frame member in the direction of said pivotal connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
An operator according to claim 1, with a frame member in fixed relation to the shaft, and in which each of the drive arm actuator and tripping plate has a guide rod with a pivotal connection thereto at one end and being slidable in the frame member, and a spring for each guide rod urging it from the frame member in the direction of said pivotal connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An operator according to claim 6, in which the frame member is located near the line defined by the shaft axis and the guide rod pivotal connection to the drive arm actuator when the tripping plate reaches its limit of motion during said opposite rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An operator according to claim 6, in which the frame member is located near the line defined by the shaft axis and the guide rod pivotal connection to the tripping plate in the latching position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
An operator according to claim 6, in which the frame member is located near the line defined by the shaft axis and the pivotal connections to the drive arm actuator and tripping plate when the tripping plate is in the latching position and when the drive arm actuator is in its position corresponding to the limit of motion of the tripping plate during said opposite rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An operator according to claim 7, in which the means abutting the drive arm actuator include an abutment on the tripping plate in position to engage the drive arm actuator after the tripping plate has rotated through a substantial portion of its motion in said first direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
An operator according to claim 7, in which the means abutting the drive arm actuator include a pair of spaced abutments respectively located on the tripping plate to turn the drive arm actuator during substantially the entire tripping plate movement in said opposite direction, and to turn the drive arm actuator during only a final portion of the tripping plate movement in said first direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the latch comprises a latching arm pivotal to a position operative to restrain the tripping plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An operator according to claim 12, in which the latching arm is pivoted to said position restraining the tripping plate by movement of the tripping plate into the latching position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the means to release the latch comprise an electrical solenoid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the means for applying energy comprise a handle and a connection between the handle and the tripping plate adapted to engage the tripping plate during substantially the entire tripping plate movement in said first direction, to permit the handle to return after the tripping plate is latched, and to be disengaged from the tripping plate during substantially the entire tripping plate movement in said opposite rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the trip spring means have a higher constant than the closing spring means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An operator according to claim 1, including a drive arm attached to the drive arm actuator and adapted to extend a substantial distance laterally therefrom for attachment to a switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
An operator according to claim 1, in which the means for applying energy comprise a drive hub rotatable on the shaft and engageable with the tripping plate, and a handle having means for connection to the drive hub permitting changing of the handle positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the switch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
An operator according to claim 18, in combination with a cabinet therefor having a fuse door, in which the means for connection comprise an adaptor having a portion extending therefrom in position to interlock with the fuse door in the closed switch position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3582595A
Cited
US3689721A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |