US4371859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coil spring biased current limiter
Assignee: Hosiden Electronics Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1981-07-08
•
Granted: 1983-02-01
•
Expires: 2001-07-08
Abstract
Abstract First and second fixed terminals are mounted in a casing and have one ends projecting out of the casing. Inside the casing, a bimetal extends between the first and second fixed terminals, the bimetal having one end secured to the first fixed terminal. The other end of the bimetal is held in engagement with one end of a coil spring disposed around a pivotable lever pivotably supported on the casing, the other end of the coil spring engaging the pivotable lever. When a current flowing through the bimetal exceeds a predetermined amount, the bimetal is bent to cause a contact supported on a distal end thereof to move rapidly out of contact with a contact supported on the second fixed terminal under the resiliency of the coil spring acting on the bimetal.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuo Sorimachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H77/00; H01H77/02; H01H77/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A current limiter comprising: (a) a casing made of an insulating material; (b) a first fixed terminal mounted in said casing and having one end projecting out of the casing; (c) a plate-like bimetal housed in said casing and having one end secured to said first fixed terminal, said bimetal supporting a movable contact; (d) a coil spring having one end held in engagement with the distal end of said bimetal and positioned substantially in alignment with the bimetal, said distal end of the bimetal having an engagement tongue of a reduced width with shoulders on each side thereof, said engagement tongue being inserted in said coil spring with said shoulders held against said one end of the coil spring; (e) a pivotable lever pivotably supported in said casing and disposed in said coil spring in engagement with the other end of the coil spring, said pivotable lever being fitted substantially in said coil spring to prevent the axis of the coil spring from becoming deflected, said coil spring urging said bimetal toward said one end thereof and said pivotable lever against said casing; and (f) a second fixed terminal mounted in said casing and having one end projecting out of the casing, said second fixed terminal supporting a fixed contact, said movable contact on the bimetal being normally held against said fixed contact on the second fixed terminal under the bias of said coil spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A current limiter comprising: (a) a casing made of an insulating material; (b) a first fixed terminal mounted in said casing and having one end projecting out of the casing; (c) a plate-like bimetal housed in said casing and having one end secured to said first fixed terminal, said bimetal supporting a movable contact; (d) a coil spring having one end held in engagement with the distal end of said bimetal and positioned substantially in alignment with the bimetal, said distal end of the bimetal having an engagement tongue of a reduced width with shoulders on each side thereof, said engagement tongue being inserted in said coil spring with said shoulders held against said one end of the coil spring; (e) a pivotable lever pivotably supported in said casing and disposed in said coil spring in engagement with the other end of the coil spring, said pivotable lever being fitted substantially in said coil spring to prevent the axis of the coil spring from becoming deflected, said coil spring urging said bimetal toward said one end thereof and said pivotable lever against said casing; and (f) a second fixed terminal mounted in said casing and having one end projecting out of the casing, said second fixed terminal supporting a fixed contact, said movable contact on the bimetal being normally held against said fixed contact on the second fixed terminal under the bias of said coil spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A current limiter according to claim 1, wherein said one end of the coil spring lies substantially flush with the end of said pivotable lever which is adjacent to said bimetal, said end of the pivotable lever having a recess receiving therein the distal end of said bimetal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A current limiter according to claim 1, wherein said engagement tongue of the bimetal is press-fitted into said coil spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A current limiter according to claim 1, wherein said pivotable lever has at its end remote from said bimetal a ridge of a triangular cross section, said casing having in its inner wall a groove of a triangular cross section extending substantially in parallel to the plane of said bimetal and receiving therein said ridge of the pivotable lever, said pivotable lever being pivotably supported in said casing by engagement of said ridge in said groove and by engagement of said coil spring with said bimetal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A current limiter according to claim 1, wherein said pivotable lever is pivotably supported in said casing by a pivot pin extending substantially parallel to a widthwise direction of said bimetal substantially in alignment with the bimetal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A current limiter according to claim 5, including a knob attached to said pivot pin and extending out of said casing away from said pivotable lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A current limiter according to claim 6, wherein said casing has in a wall thereof a bearing hole in which said pivot pin is disposed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A current limiter according to claim 1, wherein said second fixed terminal has a thin portion adjacent to said fixed contact to facilitate positional adjustment of said fixed contact with respect to said movable contact on the bimetal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A current limiter according to claim 1 wherein said casing is molded and has means for holding said first and second fixed terminals in 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) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |