US3935376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ceramic insulator for supporting a ribbon-type heating element
Assignee: DU CO CERAMICS Co
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Filing: 1974-12-18
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1994-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A ceramic insulator having sidewalls, a front wall and a back wall with an outwardly extending mounting shoulder at the upper end of the front and back walls; a passageway extending between the sidewalls of the insulator to form an open interior portion within the insulator which receives a ribbon heating element and a slot in the front wall connecting with the open interior portion of the insulator for insertion of a ribbon heating element into the open interior portion; a bearing surface within the open interior portion to support a ribbon heating element; and an elongated radiused rib extending outwardly from each sidewall below the bearing surface to provide curved contact surfaces for a ribbon heating element.
Inventors
- 👤 Leland L. Cooper
- 👤 Darl L. Beer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:16
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/62; H05B3/66; H01; H01B; H01B17/00; H01B17/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
325 words
A ceramic insulator for supporting a ribbon heating element within an electric resistance heater; said insulator having spaced sidewalls, a front wall and a back wall; a pair of mounting shoulders located at the upper end of said insulator for supporting said insulator in a heater, one of said mounting shoulders extending outwardly from the front wall of said insulator and the other of said mounting shoulders extending outwardly from the back wall of said insulator; a passageway extending through said insulator between said spaced sidewalls to form an open interior portion within said insulator adapted to receive a ribbon heating element; said front wall of said insulator having a substantially horizontally extending slot formed therein connecting with said open interior portion of said insulator to provide access to said open interior portion for insertion of a ribbon heating element into said open interior portion; a flat bearing surface located between said spaced sidewalls and forming the bottom of said passageway, said bearing surface located in a plane below a plane including the bottom of said slot, said bearing surface adapted to support a ribbon heating element extending through said open interior portion of said insulator; each of said spaced sidewalls having an elongated radiused rib extending outwardly therefrom, the longitudinal axis of each of said ribs being parallel to and located below said plane including said bearing surface, each of said ribs extending along one of said spaced sidewalls from said front wall to said back wall of said insulator, the curved surface of each of said ribs providing a rounded contact surface located below said plane including said bearing surface, whereby a ribbon heating element extending through said open interior portion of said insulator and supported by said bearing surface contacts a portion of said rounded surface of each of said ribs to minimize abrasive wear between said insulator and the ribbon heating element during expansion and contraction of the ribbon heating element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
325 words
A ceramic insulator for supporting a ribbon heating element within an electric resistance heater; said insulator having spaced sidewalls, a front wall and a back wall; a pair of mounting shoulders located at the upper end of said insulator for supporting said insulator in a heater, one of said mounting shoulders extending outwardly from the front wall of said insulator and the other of said mounting shoulders extending outwardly from the back wall of said insulator; a passageway extending through said insulator between said spaced sidewalls to form an open interior portion within said insulator adapted to receive a ribbon heating element; said front wall of said insulator having a substantially horizontally extending slot formed therein connecting with said open interior portion of said insulator to provide access to said open interior portion for insertion of a ribbon heating element into said open interior portion; a flat bearing surface located between said spaced sidewalls and forming the bottom of said passageway, said bearing surface located in a plane below a plane including the bottom of said slot, said bearing surface adapted to support a ribbon heating element extending through said open interior portion of said insulator; each of said spaced sidewalls having an elongated radiused rib extending outwardly therefrom, the longitudinal axis of each of said ribs being parallel to and located below said plane including said bearing surface, each of said ribs extending along one of said spaced sidewalls from said front wall to said back wall of said insulator, the curved surface of each of said ribs providing a rounded contact surface located below said plane including said bearing surface, whereby a ribbon heating element extending through said open interior portion of said insulator and supported by said bearing surface contacts a portion of said rounded surface of each of said ribs to minimize abrasive wear between said insulator and the ribbon heating element during expansion and contraction of the ribbon heating element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An insulator as set forth in claim 1 including a beveled surface extending downwardly and outwardly from each side edge of said flat bearing surface to the adjacent sidewall at the upper edge of the rib extending along said sidewall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
An insulator as set forth in claim 1 including outwardly flaring tapered portions at the horizontal edges of said slot located at said front wall, whereby said slot is larger at said front wall of said insulator than at the junction with said open interior portion of said insulator to facilitate insertion of a ribbon heating element into said open interior portion of said insulator.
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) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |