US3882291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical interlock mechanism for an electrical cabinet
Assignee: Park Ohio Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-14
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-02-14
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a mechanical interlock mechanism for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of the internal component and a second position preventing energization of the component. The cabinet has at least one door movable between a closed position and an opened position and a door latch element movable between a position latching the door to the cabinet when the door is closed and a position unlatching the door from the cabinet, thus, allowing movement of the door with respect to the cabinet. The mechanical interlock comprises an actuation element, means for connecting the actuation element to the switch control member for movement between a first position when the switch control is in its first position and a second position when the switch control member is in its second position. The interlock includes a latch means for securing the latch element in its latching position when the actuation element is in its first position simultaneously with the latch element being in its latching position. This latch means includes means for allowing the latch element to shift from the unlatching position to the latching position while the actuation element is in the first position. In this way, the door may be closed and held in the closed. latched position after the switch control member has been moved to the position allowing energization of the component within the cabinet.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph W Chiboroski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/20; H01H9/22; H01H9/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
364 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least one door movable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element movable between a first position latching said door to said cabinet when said door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching said door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of said door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control member is in its second position; a latch member on said cabinet, said latch member being mounted on said cabinet for movement between a first position and a second position and having a first locking abutment facing one direction; means connecting said latch member with said actuation element for urging said latch member toward its first position when said actuation element is in its first position and for moving said latch member into its second position when said actuation element is in its second position; spring means between said actuation element and said latch member for biasing said latch member toward its first position and allowing forced movement of said latch member toward its second position while said actuation element is in its first position; a keeper element with a second locking abutment mounted onto said door and movable into a first position by movement of said door latch element into its first latching position and movable into a second position by movement of said door latch element into its unlatching position; means for aligning said keeper element with said latch member so that said locking abutments coact to lock said door latch member in said first position when said door is in said first closed position, said latch member is in its said first position and said keeper element is in its first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
364 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least one door movable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element movable between a first position latching said door to said cabinet when said door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching said door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of said door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control member is in its second position; a latch member on said cabinet, said latch member being mounted on said cabinet for movement between a first position and a second position and having a first locking abutment facing one direction; means connecting said latch member with said actuation element for urging said latch member toward its first position when said actuation element is in its first position and for moving said latch member into its second position when said actuation element is in its second position; spring means between said actuation element and said latch member for biasing said latch member toward its first position and allowing forced movement of said latch member toward its second position while said actuation element is in its first position; a keeper element with a second locking abutment mounted onto said door and movable into a first position by movement of said door latch element into its first latching position and movable into a second position by movement of said door latch element into its unlatching position; means for aligning said keeper element with said latch member so that said locking abutments coact to lock said door latch member in said first position when said door is in said first closed position, said latch member is in its said first position and said keeper element is in its first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 1 wherein said latch member includes a cam means for camming said latch member toward its second position upon movement of said keeper element into said first position when said door is in said first closed position and said latch member is in said first position and means for allowing return of said latch member by said spring means when said abutments are aligned to lock said latch element into its first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 2 wherein said cam means includes a cam element on said keeper element can a cam surface on said latch member whereby said cam member enages said cam surface and forces said latch member from its first position as said keeper is moved from its second to its first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 3 including a stop means mounted on said cabinet for defining said first position of said latch member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 1 including a stop means mounted on said cabinet for defining said first position of said latch member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 5 wherein said switch control member is movable lever supported on said cabinet and said means for connecting said actuator element to said switch control member includes a lever system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch control member is a movable lever supported on said cabinet and said means for connecting said actuator element to said switch control member includes a lever system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 1 wherein sasid latch member includes means for pivotally mounting said latch member on said cabinet for oscillation between said first and second positions of said latch member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 8 including a stop means mounted on said cabinet for defining said first position of said latch member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 9 wherein said actuation element is a movable rod, and said means connecting said latch member with said actuation element includes an opening in said latch member and means for securing said rod through said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 10 wherein said spring means includes a coil spring surrounding said rod, first means for securing said coil spring with respect to said rod and second means on said latch member for compressing said spring and creating said biasing force.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuation element is a movable rod, and said means connecting said latch member with said actuation element includes an opening in said latch member and means for securing said rod through said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanical interlock as defined in claim 12 wherein said spring means includes a coil spring surrounding said rod, first means for securing said coil spring with respect to said rod and second means on said latch member for compressing said spring and creating said biasing force.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
209 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least one door movable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element movable between a first position latching said door to said cabinet when said door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching said door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of said door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control membeer is in its second position; latch means for securing said latch element in said first latching position whhen said actuation element is in said first position simultaneously with said latch element being in said first latching position; and said latch means including means for allowing said latch element to shift from said second unlatching position to said first latching position while said actuation element is in said first position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
209 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least one door movable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element movable between a first position latching said door to said cabinet when said door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching said door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of said door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control membeer is in its second position; latch means for securing said latch element in said first latching position whhen said actuation element is in said first position simultaneously with said latch element being in said first latching position; and said latch means including means for allowing said latch element to shift from said second unlatching position to said first latching position while said actuation element is in said first position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
229 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least two doors each movable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element for each of said doors, said latch elements each being movable between a first position latching its door to said cabinet when its door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching its door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of its door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for Movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control member is in its second position; a separate latch means for securing each of said latch elements in the first latching position when said actuation element is in said first position simultaneously with said latch elements of said doors being in the first latching position; and said separate latch means each including means for allowing said latch elements to shift from their second unlatching positions to their first latching positions while said actuation element is in said first position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
229 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least two doors each movable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element for each of said doors, said latch elements each being movable between a first position latching its door to said cabinet when its door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching its door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of its door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for Movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control member is in its second position; a separate latch means for securing each of said latch elements in the first latching position when said actuation element is in said first position simultaneously with said latch elements of said doors being in the first latching position; and said separate latch means each including means for allowing said latch elements to shift from their second unlatching positions to their first latching positions while said actuation element is in said first position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
278 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least two doors each moavable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element for each of said doors, said latch elements each being movable between a first position latching its door to said cabinet when its door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching its door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of its door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control member is in its second position; a separate latch means for securing each of said latch elements in the first latching position when said actuation element is in the first position simultaneously with said latch element of said doors being in the first latching position; each of said separate latch means including a latch element on said cabinet and movable between a first position for securing said latch elements when said actuation element is in said first position and a second position for releasing said latch elements when said actuation element is in said second position; and each of said latch means including means for allowing said latch elements to shift from said released position to said latched position while said actuation element is in said first position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
278 words
A mechanical interlock for a cabinet surrounding an electrical component and having a switch control member movable between a first position allowing energization of said component and a second position preventing energization of said component, at least two doors each moavable between a first closed position and a second opened position, and a door latch element for each of said doors, said latch elements each being movable between a first position latching its door to said cabinet when its door is in said closed first position and a second position unlatching its door from said cabinet and, thus, allowing movement of its door with respect to said cabinet, said mechanical interlock comprising: an actuation element; means for connecting said actuation element to said switch control member for movement between a first position when said switch control member is in its first position and a second position when said switch control member is in its second position; a separate latch means for securing each of said latch elements in the first latching position when said actuation element is in the first position simultaneously with said latch element of said doors being in the first latching position; each of said separate latch means including a latch element on said cabinet and movable between a first position for securing said latch elements when said actuation element is in said first position and a second position for releasing said latch elements when said actuation element is in said second position; and each of said latch means including means for allowing said latch elements to shift from said released position to said latched position while said actuation element is in said first position.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |