US3978304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enclosed circuit interrupter including externally operable handle mechanism
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1974-12-10
•
Granted: 1976-08-31
•
Expires: 1994-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A molded case circuit breaker enclosed in a metal cabinet with an openable cover. An operating mechanism has a mounting plate secured to the face of the circuit breaker and a sliding plate movably supported on rollers by the mounting plate at the side of the circuit breaker. A handle mechanism is secured to the sliding plate with a portion extending through an aperture in the cabinet cover. A gasket is disposed between the handle mechanism and the interior of the cabinet cover. The handle mechanism is spring-loaded against the gasket and interior of the cabinet cover to provide a dust-tight seal.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Salvati
- 👤 Lawrence B. St. Clair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/20588
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A control device comprising: an enclosure having an openable cover, said cover having a handle aperture; a circuit interrupter disposed within said enclosure and having four sides and a face perpendicular to said sides, said interrupter comprising an actuating lever extending from said face and being movable to actuate said circuit interrupter to "ON" and "OFF" positions; and an operating mechanism comprising a mounting plate affixed to said circuit interrupter and having a member substantially perpendicular to said face and adjacent one of said sides, a sliding plate movably attached to said perpendicular member and engaging said actuating lever, and a handle structure attached to said sliding plate and having a portion extending through said handle aperture, movement of said extending portion moving said sliding plate and said actuating lever to actuate said circuit interrupter to "ON" and "OFF" positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A control device comprising: an enclosure having an openable cover, said cover having a handle aperture; a circuit interrupter disposed within said enclosure and having four sides and a face perpendicular to said sides, said interrupter comprising an actuating lever extending from said face and being movable to actuate said circuit interrupter to "ON" and "OFF" positions; and an operating mechanism comprising a mounting plate affixed to said circuit interrupter and having a member substantially perpendicular to said face and adjacent one of said sides, a sliding plate movably attached to said perpendicular member and engaging said actuating lever, and a handle structure attached to said sliding plate and having a portion extending through said handle aperture, movement of said extending portion moving said sliding plate and said actuating lever to actuate said circuit interrupter to "ON" and "OFF" positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control device as described in claim 1 wherein said perpendicular member includes cylindrical rollers affixed thereto and movably supporting said sliding plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A control device as described in claim 1 wherein said handle structure comprises means biasing said handle structure against the inner surface of said enclosure cover, said handle structure comprising a gasket disposed between said handle structure and the interior surface of said enclosure cover, said biasing means and said gasket providing a sliding seal about said handle aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said sliding plate comprises an interlock tab extending therefrom and said enclosure cover comprises a latch member on the interior surface thereof, said latch member cooperating with said interlock member so that movement of said sliding plate to a position corresponding to the "ON" position of said circuit interrupter with said enclosure cover closed engages said interlock member with said latch member to prevent opening of said cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control device as described in claim 1 wherein said handle structure is connected to said sliding plate through a lost motion connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A handle-operating mechanism adapted for use in association with a circuit interrupter of the type having an actuating lever and being mounted within an enclosure having a cover, said mechanism comprising: a mounting plate adapted to be affixed to an associated circuit interrupter; a sliding plate movably secured to said mounting plate and adapted to engage the actuating lever of an associated circuit interrupter; and a handle structure comprising an actuating handle secured to said sliding plate by a lost motion connection and extending through an aperture in the enclosure cover, a gasket disposed between said handle structure and the enclosure cover, and means biasing said handle structure and said gasket against the interior surface of the enclosure cover to provide a dust-tight seal between said handle structure and the enclosure cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A handle-operating mechanism adapted for use in association with a circuit interrupter of the type having an actuating lever and being mounted within an enclosure having a cover, said mechanism comprising: a mounting plate adapted to be affixed to an associated circuit interrupter; a sliding plate movably secured to said mounting plate and adapted to engage the actuating lever of an associated circuit interrupter; and a handle structure comprising an actuating handle secured to said sliding plate by a lost motion connection and extending through an aperture in the enclosure cover, a gasket disposed between said handle structure and the enclosure cover, and means biasing said handle structure and said gasket against the interior surface of the enclosure cover to provide a dust-tight seal between said handle structure and the enclosure cover.
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) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |