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US4531174A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Draw-out circuit breaker with improved external connectors

Assignee: Schneider Electric USA Inc
•
Filing: 1984-05-24
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Granted: 1985-07-23
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Expires: 2004-05-24
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Abstract

Abstract An improved draw-out circuit breaker assembly for use in a switchboard with means for automatically tripping the breaker upon removal of the breaker from a fully engaged position within the switchboard and maintaining the breaker in the "TRIP" position until the terminal connectors of the breaker are separated by a predetermined distance from respectively associated connectors of the switchboard. A cam operated pivotable arm is connected to a push-to-trip button of the breaker and is biased to a first position. A cam link having an edge portion engaged with the arm and also including a cam surface is biased in a first position by the arm. A barrier surface is mounted within the switchboard to deflect the cam surface and move the link to a second position which in turn moves the pivotable arm against the bias to a second position, moving the push-to-trip button to its tripping position, which effects tripping of the circuit breaker. Each terminal connector of the breaker includes a top surface and a bottom surface which have a recessed channel area in which is secured a retaining clip having a leg extending along the longitudinal axis of a helical coil. Each channel includes a ridge portion extending perpendicular to the leg at opposite ends of the leg, with a portion of each ridge being crimped to retain the clip within the channel.

Inventors

  • 👤 Bernard C. Rickmann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 22:19
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B11/00; H02B11/02; H02B11/04; H02B11/12; H02B11/127; H02B11/133

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 190 words
An improved draw-out circuit breaker having a plurality of line terminals and load terminals, a respective male connector extending from each said line terminal and from each said load terminal, each connector adapted to be received in a respective female connector of a switchboard which includes an interior rear wall, said male connectors comprising; a generally rectangular shaped conductive block, said block having a base portion at one longitudinal end and an engaging portion at its opposite longitudinal end, said base portion and said engaging portion each including a top and bottom surface, said block being electrically connected to a respective terminal at said base portion, said engaging portion including a pair of channels in back-to-back relationship on said top and bottom surfaces respectively, each channel including a ridge at opposite ends thereof; a clip member retained in each said channel, each clip member having a leg extending longitudinally within said respective channel intermediate said opposite ridges, a helical coil provided in each said channel in encircling relationship to said leg; and a crimp provided in a portion of each ridge securely engaging said clip member within each said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 190 words
An improved draw-out circuit breaker having a plurality of line terminals and load terminals, a respective male connector extending from each said line terminal and from each said load terminal, each connector adapted to be received in a respective female connector of a switchboard which includes an interior rear wall, said male connectors comprising; a generally rectangular shaped conductive block, said block having a base portion at one longitudinal end and an engaging portion at its opposite longitudinal end, said base portion and said engaging portion each including a top and bottom surface, said block being electrically connected to a respective terminal at said base portion, said engaging portion including a pair of channels in back-to-back relationship on said top and bottom surfaces respectively, each channel including a ridge at opposite ends thereof; a clip member retained in each said channel, each clip member having a leg extending longitudinally within said respective channel intermediate said opposite ridges, a helical coil provided in each said channel in encircling relationship to said leg; and a crimp provided in a portion of each ridge securely engaging said clip member within each said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
An improved draw-out circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channel is of a predetermined depth and said helical coil encircling said leg comprises an outer diameter greater than said predetermined depth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
An improved draw-out circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein said helical coil is formed of a conductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 33 words
An improved draw-out circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg of said clip member includes a hole and each helical coil is provided with end protions retained within said hole.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB1542102A Cited
CA1094659A Cited
US4462657A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-07-22 1989-01-21 1989-07-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-07-22 1993-01-21 1993-07-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-07-22 1997-01-21 1997-07-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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