US4796154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case circuit breaker with contact status indicating handle
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1987-06-11
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2007-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An integrated electronic trip molded case circuit breaker includes a trip unit circuit arranged on a printed wire board contained within the breaker enclosure along with at least one circuit breaker auxiliary accessory. The condition of the integrated circuit breaker contacts is visually ascertained by a color-coded operating handle skirt subjacent indicating windows on the cover of the circuit breaker enclosure. To deter the egress of ionized gas during overload current conditions through the circuit breaker, the handle skirt seals the operating handle opening from the external environment. A groove formed within the external portion of the operating handle cooperates with an edge surface of the enclosure cover to allow the operating handle to rotate between its fully "OFF" and "ON" positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Morris
- 👤 Irenaeus S. Panus
- 👤 Roger N. Castonguay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/50; H01H71/52; H01H71/521; H01H71/04; H01H2071/046; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/2063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A molded case circuit breaker comprising: a plastic case and a plastic cover; a pair of contacts within said case; a trip unit and operating mechanism within said case responding to overcurrent conditions through an electric circuit to separate said contacts and interrupt said electric circuit; and an operating handle comprising a post extending through a slot in said cover and joined to a central flange member contained within said case, said post including a transverse groove formed therein and aligned with one edge of said slot, to thereby allow travel of said central flange member within said case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A molded case circuit breaker comprising: a plastic case and a plastic cover; a pair of contacts within said case; a trip unit and operating mechanism within said case responding to overcurrent conditions through an electric circuit to separate said contacts and interrupt said electric circuit; and an operating handle comprising a post extending through a slot in said cover and joined to a central flange member contained within said case, said post including a transverse groove formed therein and aligned with one edge of said slot, to thereby allow travel of said central flange member within said case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The molded case circuit breaker of claim 1 including a pair of outer flanges, one on either side of said central flange, said outer flanges having color-coded indicia indicating the operating condition of said contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The molded case circuit breaker of claim 2 including an indicating window on each side of said slot arranged over said outer flanges on said cover to provide visual access to said color-coded indicia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The molded case circuit breaker of claim 2 including an elongated recess formed within each of said outer flanges, said color-indicating indicia being located within said recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The molded case circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said trip unit comprises an integrated circuit chip mounted on a printed wire board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The molded case circuit breaker of claim 5 including a wall integrally-formed within said case intermediate said printed wire board and said operating mechanism to thereby segregate said printed wire board from said operating mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
An operating handle for a molded case circuit breaker comprising: a one piece integrally-formed plastic handle operator including a post upwardly extending from a central flange; a pair of outer flanges integrally-formed on either side of said central flange and an elongated recess formed within a top surface of each of said outer flanges; and color-coded indicia applied within said elongated recess for providing indication of the operating condition of a pair of circuit breaker contacts arranged within a molded case circuit breaker having a circuit breaker handle access slot formed through a circuit breaker cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An operating handle for a molded case circuit breaker comprising: a one piece integrally-formed plastic handle operator including a post upwardly extending from a central flange; a pair of outer flanges integrally-formed on either side of said central flange and an elongated recess formed within a top surface of each of said outer flanges; and color-coded indicia applied within said elongated recess for providing indication of the operating condition of a pair of circuit breaker contacts arranged within a molded case circuit breaker having a circuit breaker handle access slot formed through a circuit breaker cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The operating handle of claim 7 including a transverse groove formed within said post and arranged for receiving an edge of said circuit breaker handle access slot.
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) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |