US4939490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case circuit breaker bell alarm unit
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1989-02-17
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Granted: 1990-07-03
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Expires: 2009-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An integrated protection unit is an electronic trip 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 integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components. Additionally, a bell alarm signal unit can be incorporated within the trip actuator and multiple accessory unit enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Bernier
- 👤 Joseph G. Nagy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/02; H01H71/0207; H01H71/0228; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/46; H01H71/465; H01H71/08; H01H2071/086; H01H71/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An electric circuit interrupter comprising in combination: a circuit interrupter case and cover; a pair of separable contacts and an operating mechanism supported within said circuit interrupter case; an electronic trip unit within said circuit interrupter cover for controlling operation of said operating mechanism to separate said contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition through said contacts; an actuator unit connecting with said trip unit and interacting with said operating mechanism in response to overcurrent signals generated by said trip unit; a bell alarm within said circuit interrupter cover and interacting with said operating mechanism to provide remote indication of the condition of said contacts; said bell alarm comprising: a molded plastic body member; an electric switch partially embedded within said body member and having a button extending beyond said body member for ON-OFF operation of said switch; a double-ended spring interfacing with said button at one end and having an opposite end embedded within said body member; and at least one wire conductor having one end connecting with said electric switch and at least part of said wire conductor being partly embedded within said body member to provide strain relief to said end connecting with said switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
An electric circuit interrupter comprising in combination: a circuit interrupter case and cover; a pair of separable contacts and an operating mechanism supported within said circuit interrupter case; an electronic trip unit within said circuit interrupter cover for controlling operation of said operating mechanism to separate said contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition through said contacts; an actuator unit connecting with said trip unit and interacting with said operating mechanism in response to overcurrent signals generated by said trip unit; a bell alarm within said circuit interrupter cover and interacting with said operating mechanism to provide remote indication of the condition of said contacts; said bell alarm comprising: a molded plastic body member; an electric switch partially embedded within said body member and having a button extending beyond said body member for ON-OFF operation of said switch; a double-ended spring interfacing with said button at one end and having an opposite end embedded within said body member; and at least one wire conductor having one end connecting with said electric switch and at least part of said wire conductor being partly embedded within said body member to provide strain relief to said end connecting with said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said body member includes attachment means integrally-formed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said bell alarm is attached to said actuator unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 3 wherein said actuator unit includes means for receiving said bell alarm attachment means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said body member attachment means comprises a pair of thru-holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 5 wherein said actuator means comprises a corresponding pair of posts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 6 wherein said posts are integrally-formed within said actuator unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 7 wherein said actuator unit includes a plastic top unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electric circuit interrupter of claim 8 wherein said posts are formed within said top unit.
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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) | 1993-07-02 | 1994-01-01 | 1994-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-02 | 1998-01-01 | 1998-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-02 | 2002-01-01 | 2002-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |