Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Electrical switchgear comprising a chamber; input contacts, output contacts and earth contacts located within the chamber; switch means within the chamber for connecting the input and output contacts or for connecting the output and earth contacts; a conductor electrically connected to the output contacts and extending through a wall of the chamber; a connector unit located externally of the chamber and providing first contact means for connection to the conductor, second contact means for connection to an output conductor and third contact means for connection to a test unit; a housing surrounding the connector unit; a cover on the housing, the cover being openable to allow direct access to the third contact means of the connector unit; and interlock means coupled between the switch means and the cover to prevent opening of the cover unless the switch means connects the output and earth contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Electrical switchgear comprising a chamber; input contacts, output contacts and earth contacts located within the chamber; switch means within the chamber for connecting the input and output contacts or for connecting the output and earth contacts; a conductor electrically connected to the output contacts and extending through a wall of the chamber; a connector unit located externally of the chamber and providing first contact means for connection to the conductor, second contact means for connection to an output conductor and third contact means for connection to a test unit; a housing surrounding the connector unit; a cover on the housing, the cover being openable to allow direct access to the third contact means of the connector unit; and interlock means coupled between the switch means and the cover to prevent opening of the cover unless the switch means connects the output and earth contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 1 in which the connector unit comprises a housing moulded from electrically insulating material and defining a body section and a stem projecting from the body section, an inwardly tapering socket opening into the body section from one end thereof, an auxiliary socket opening into the body section, and a conductive terminal moulded in situ in the housing, the terminal having a part lying at an inner end of the socket and exposed to the socket and forming the first contact means and a part exposed within the auxiliary socket and forming the third contact means, the terminal passing through the stem of the housing to terminate in a conductor connection section lying externally of the housing and forming the second contact means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 2 in which the conductor extending through a wall of the chamber is surrounded by a tapered plug engageable with the inwardly tapering socket of the connector unit with the conductor in electrical engagement with the terminal where this is exposed to the socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 3 in which the chamber is moulded from a suitable plastics material, the conductor from the chamber is cast in situ in the chamber and the tapered plug surrounding the conductor in an integral part of the moulded chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 1 in which the cover is pivotally mounted on the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 2 in which the cover is pivotally mounted on the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Electrical switchgear according to claim 6 in which the cover carries a cap that is inserted into the auxiliary socket when the cover is in the closed position.