US4053724A — Panel and plural module assembly having mechanica…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 278 words

A modular switching and control system comprising; a. a master structure; b. a plurality of independent switching and control units; c. said independent switching and control units being of at least first and second different types; d. said master structure containing mechanical means cooperative with means on said switching and control units for mounting said switching and control units in and removing them from said master structure; e. said mechanical means being of at least first and second types and having means for preventing mounting of at least said second type of switching and control unit in said first type of mechanical means; f. a plurality of first electrical connector plates in said master structure; g. a second electrical connector plate on the rear of each switching and control unit, said second electrical connector plate being adapted to electrical and mechanical mating with at least one of said first electrical connector plates in said master structure; h. means in each said first electrical connectors which is associated with an external load carrying circuit for maintaining power to the external load carrying circuit when its associated second electrical connector is withdrawn; i. means in each said second electrical connector which is associated with an external load carrying circuit for interrupting said means for maintaining when said second and first connectors are mated; j. a test connector on at least one switching and control unit said test connector being accessible from external to said unit; k. a test plug having terminals adapted to mating with said test connector; and l. means on said test connector and test plug for making electrical connections with circuits within said switching and control unit.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 278 words

A modular switching and control system comprising; a. a master structure; b. a plurality of independent switching and control units; c. said independent switching and control units being of at least first and second different types; d. said master structure containing mechanical means cooperative with means on said switching and control units for mounting said switching and control units in and removing them from said master structure; e. said mechanical means being of at least first and second types and having means for preventing mounting of at least said second type of switching and control unit in said first type of mechanical means; f. a plurality of first electrical connector plates in said master structure; g. a second electrical connector plate on the rear of each switching and control unit, said second electrical connector plate being adapted to electrical and mechanical mating with at least one of said first electrical connector plates in said master structure; h. means in each said first electrical connectors which is associated with an external load carrying circuit for maintaining power to the external load carrying circuit when its associated second electrical connector is withdrawn; i. means in each said second electrical connector which is associated with an external load carrying circuit for interrupting said means for maintaining when said second and first connectors are mated; j. a test connector on at least one switching and control unit said test connector being accessible from external to said unit; k. a test plug having terminals adapted to mating with said test connector; and l. means on said test connector and test plug for making electrical connections with circuits within said switching and control unit.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 147 words

The system recited in claim 1 further comprising: a. said first connectors each contains first and second male plugs; b. said first and second male plugs having first and second arms respectively; c. said first and second arms being resiliently urged toward electrical contact with each other, whereby a shorting clamp across said first and second male plugs is formed; d. said second connectors each containing first and second female terminals adapted to mating with said first and second male plugs respectively when said unit is mounted in said master structure; e. a male dielectric plug on said second electrical connector adapted to insertion between said first and second arms when said unit is inserted in said master structure, whereby said arms are separated; and f. said first and second male plugs making electrical contact with said first and second female terminals before said arms are separated.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 121 words

The system recited in claim 1 further comprising: a. at least one test connector in the face of at least one of said relay or control units; b. said test connector having a plurality of female terminals; c. a test plug having a plurality of male terminals thereon adapted to mating with the female terminals of said test connector; d. at least one pair of blades within said test connector forming a connected clamp; e. means in said test connector and test plug for bridging the supply circuit of said unit; and f. means in said test connector and said test plug for test connection to the electrical elements within said unit without requiring the withdrawal of said unit from service.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 143 words

The system recited in claim 3 further comprising: a. said test connector having at least one group of three holes; b. first and second blades coupled back to back in the center hole forming a connector clamp therein; c. third and fourth independent blades respectively in the outer two holes; d. the male terminals on said test plug forming at least one group of three projections adapted to insertion into said at least one group of three holes; e. the center male terminal on said test plug being of dielectric material; f. said center male terminal being adapted to separating said connector clamp when inserted into the center hole in said test connector; g. at least two of said outer male terminals being permanently connected together; and h. at least one electrical connection on said test connector being accessible to external test instruments.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 77 words

The system recited in claim 1 wherein each unit which contains a transformer requiring output adjustment further comprises: a. taps on said transformer terminating in a plurality of sleeves; b. said sleeves being accessible external to said unit; c. a connector plate containing apertures aligned with said plurality of sleeves; and d. at least one plug adapted to fitting through any one of said holes and into its aligned sleeve whereby electrical connection between them is achieved.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 108 words

The system recited in claim 1 said mechanical means comprises: a. at least one first peg attached to said master structure; b. at least one second peg attached to the rear of at least said second type of switching and control unit; c. said first and second pegs having axes substantially coincident when said unit is installed in said master structure; d. said first and second pegs being shaped to pass adjacent to each other when in correct rotational alignment and to interfere with each other when in any other angular alignment; and e. interference between sad first pegs preventing mating of said first and second electrical connectors.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-10-10	1981-04-11	1981-10-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-10-10	1985-04-11	1985-10-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-10-10	1989-04-11	1989-10-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Panel and plural module assembly having mechanical keying and modular plug structure to activate/deactivate automatically bridged load carrying circuits

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