US3895205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Push-to-trip button structure for a molded case circuit breaker
Assignee: Schneider Electric USA Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract The structure comprises a push button having a cylindrical body portion provided with a head portion at one end and a flattened end portion at the other end and a mounting receptacle formed in a cover of a circuit breaker. An opening through the mounting receptacle has a larger outer portion and a smaller inner portion which define an outwardly facing shoulder. The smaller inner portion has a pair of diametrically opposed slots. A longer one of the slots extends along the entire longitudinal length of the wall of the inner portion, and a shorter one of the slots extends partially along the wall of the inner portion commencing at the innermost end of the receptacle portion. In one turned position, the push button fits slidably within the opening with a laterally extending part of the flattened end portion fitting within the longer slot. When the button is pushed inwardly and rotated 180*, the laterally extending part is aligned with the shorter slot. Upon release of the button, the outer biasing action of a helical spring positioned around the body portion results in the entry of the extending part into the shorter slot thereby securing the button within the opening of the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Tharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A circuit breaker and push-to-trip button combination comprising a molded case for the circuit breaker having a wall provided with an opening, an elongated push-to-trip button insertable into the opening from the outer side of the wall and rotatable and reciprocative in the opening, resilient means urging the button outwardly of the opening, and interlocking means on the button and the wall rendered operative upon rotation of the button for retaining the button in the opening against the bias of the resilient means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A circuit breaker and push-to-trip button combination comprising a molded case for the circuit breaker having a wall provided with an opening, an elongated push-to-trip button insertable into the opening from the outer side of the wall and rotatable and reciprocative in the opening, resilient means urging the button outwardly of the opening, and interlocking means on the button and the wall rendered operative upon rotation of the button for retaining the button in the opening against the bias of the resilient means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
277 words
A push-to-trip push button structure for a molded case circuit breaker comprising a push button having a body with a spring stop at one end portion and an extending portion projecting laterally beyond a peripheral surface of the body at the other end portion, a helical spring disposed around the body and having one end abutting the spring stop, a cover for the circuit breaker, a mounting receptacle portion extending inwardly of the cover and having an opening therethrough, the opening being of two different diameters defining an outwaRdly directed annular shoulder and having a pair of slots extending laterally from the smaller portion of the opening, a longer one of the slots being exposed at the outer portion of the opening and at an inner end of the mounting receptacle portion, a shorter one of the slots being exposed at the inner end of the mounting receptacle portion but terminating inwardly of the annular shoulder, the body fitting slidably within the opening with the inner end of the spring abutting the annular shoulder and opposing inward movement of the push button, and the extending portion of the body being receivable within the longer slot when the button is inserted into the opening from the outer end thereof, whereby depression of the body to a position wherein the extending portion is positioned inwardly of the inner end of the mounting receptacle portion permits rotation of the body within the opening to a position wherein the extending portion is aligned with the shorter slot and whereby release of the push button permits the spring to move the body outwardly with the extending portion received in the shorter slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
277 words
A push-to-trip push button structure for a molded case circuit breaker comprising a push button having a body with a spring stop at one end portion and an extending portion projecting laterally beyond a peripheral surface of the body at the other end portion, a helical spring disposed around the body and having one end abutting the spring stop, a cover for the circuit breaker, a mounting receptacle portion extending inwardly of the cover and having an opening therethrough, the opening being of two different diameters defining an outwaRdly directed annular shoulder and having a pair of slots extending laterally from the smaller portion of the opening, a longer one of the slots being exposed at the outer portion of the opening and at an inner end of the mounting receptacle portion, a shorter one of the slots being exposed at the inner end of the mounting receptacle portion but terminating inwardly of the annular shoulder, the body fitting slidably within the opening with the inner end of the spring abutting the annular shoulder and opposing inward movement of the push button, and the extending portion of the body being receivable within the longer slot when the button is inserted into the opening from the outer end thereof, whereby depression of the body to a position wherein the extending portion is positioned inwardly of the inner end of the mounting receptacle portion permits rotation of the body within the opening to a position wherein the extending portion is aligned with the shorter slot and whereby release of the push button permits the spring to move the body outwardly with the extending portion received in the shorter slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A push-to-trip button structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the major portion of the body has a generally cylindrical shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A push-to-trip button structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said other end portion of the body has a generally rectangular parallelpiped shape and the extending portion extends therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A push-to-trip button structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spring stop is a disc shaped head, said one end of the spring abuts an inner side of the head.
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) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |