US4794356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case circuit breaker auxiliary switch unit
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1987-12-16
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Granted: 1988-12-27
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Expires: 2007-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the circuit breaker cover from the environment. An auxiliary switch unit is one such accessory component which can be field-installed without affecting the integrity of the circuit breaker overcurrent protection components.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuet-Ying Yu
- 👤 Robert A. Morris
- 👤 Paul T. Rajotte
- 👤 Lee A. Wambolt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/46; H01H71/465; H01H1/00; H01H2001/001; H01H71/02; H01H71/0207; H01H71/0228; H01H83/00; H01H83/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Molded case circuit breaker and accessory comprising: a molded plastic circuit breaker cover and case, said cover defining an enclosure space; a pair of separable contacts within said case having closed and open conditions; a circuit breaker operating mechanism within said case and associated with said contacts and opening said contacts upon the occurrence of a current through said contacts in excess of a predetermined current; electromagnetic actuator means within said circuit breaker cover enclosure space associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism and articulating said operating mechanism to open said contacts upon the occurrence of said excess current; and an accessory unit substantially within said circuit breaker cover enclosure space proximate said operating mechanism, an operating lever on said accessory unit interacting with means on said operating mechanism and having means providing remote indication of said closed and open conditions of said contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Molded case circuit breaker and accessory comprising: a molded plastic circuit breaker cover and case, said cover defining an enclosure space; a pair of separable contacts within said case having closed and open conditions; a circuit breaker operating mechanism within said case and associated with said contacts and opening said contacts upon the occurrence of a current through said contacts in excess of a predetermined current; electromagnetic actuator means within said circuit breaker cover enclosure space associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism and articulating said operating mechanism to open said contacts upon the occurrence of said excess current; and an accessory unit substantially within said circuit breaker cover enclosure space proximate said operating mechanism, an operating lever on said accessory unit interacting with means on said operating mechanism and having means providing remote indication of said closed and open conditions of said contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 1 wherein said means on said operating mechanism comprises a molded plastic crossbar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 1 including an accessory cover and case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 3 including an electric switch within said accessory case, said operating lever having one end interacting with said electric switch and an opposite end interacting with said circuit breaker crossbar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 4 wherein one end of said operating lever is biased into contact with said electric switch by means of a torsion spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 5 wherein an opposite end of said operating lever extends through an opening in a bottom of said accessory case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 6 wherein said torsion spring includes a first end and a second end, said first end abutting said bottom of said accessory case and said second end abutting a tab extending from said one end of said operating lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 7 wherein said electric switch includes a plunger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The molded case circuit breaker and accessory of claim 8 wherein said tab is in contact with said plunger when said contacts are closed and wherein said tab is out of contact with said plunger when said contacts are open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-27 | 1992-06-27 | 1992-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-27 | 1996-06-27 | 1996-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-06-27 | 2000-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |