Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-06-12
Gellner, Michael L. (Department: 2832)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C200S050210, C200S050010, C361S606000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244891
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a circuit breaker draw-withdraw apparatus for use with a circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker so as to be connected to or be disconnected from a plug-in base.
Conventionally, a plug-in base for a circuit breaker is mounted on a panel board or other base structure and is wired to circuitry on the base structure. A circuit breaker is installed in the plug-in base by inserting stabs protruding from the circuit breaker into jaws fixed to the plug-in base. The jaw/stab connection provides the primary electrical connection between the circuit breaker and the plug-in base. This connection may also mechanically retain the circuit breaker in the plug-in base.
Withdraw mechanisms have been developed for mechanically drawing a circuit breaker into a plug-in base and withdrawing the circuit breaker from the plug-in base. An example of such a withdraw mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,949 to Green et al. The withdraw mechanism described in Green et al. is operated by rotating a screw linkage using a drive tool inserted into the front of the withdraw mechanism which draws the circuit breaker into or withdraws the circuit breaker from the plug-in base. This type of mechanism is advantageous since a circuit breaker unit having a high amperage rating is heavy and thus is difficult for a technician to position properly in the plug-in base by hand. In addition, the jaws in a high amp plug-in base may require a high insertion force, making it difficult or impossible for a technician to apply sufficient force to fully insert the stabs into the jaws.
A circuit breaker withdraw mechanism typically includes a component attached to the plug-in base and a component attached to the circuit breaker. Installation of the withdraw mechanism may take place in the field, in a supplier warehouse or at the circuit breaker production plant. Accordingly, there is a need to ensure that attachment of the withdraw mechanism be simple and fool-proof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is achieved by providing a circuit breaker movement structure for use with a circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker to be connected with or be disconnected from a circuit breaker connecting apparatus. The circuit breaker connection apparatus has slot structure in a rear surface thereof. The movement structure comprises bracket assembly constructed and arranged to engage with a circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker with respect to the connecting apparatus. The bracket assembly has a pair of draw brackets disposed in spaced relation. Each draw bracket includes hook structure constructed and arranged to engage with associated slot structure of the connecting apparatus, and a detent constructed and arranged to engage a surface of the connecting apparatus in an interference fit when the hook structure is engaged in the slot structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of coupling a draw bracket assembly to a circuit breaker connecting apparatus is provided. The method provides a circuit breaker connecting apparatus having a slot in a surface thereof. A bracket assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to engage with a circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker with respect to the connecting apparatus. The bracket assembly includes a draw bracket having hook structure, a detent, and a stand-off tab. The method includes engaging the hook structure with the slot in the connecting apparatus, rotating the draw bracket about the hook structure until the detent engages a surface of the connecting apparatus in an interference fit, and continuing rotation of the draw bracket until the stand-off tab abuts the connecting apparatus.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3681545 (1972-08-01), Cellerini et al.
patent: 4112269 (1978-09-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 4565908 (1986-01-01), Bould
patent: 4761521 (1988-08-01), Beck et al.
patent: 4839477 (1989-06-01), Orosz et al.
patent: 4914549 (1990-04-01), Leone et al.
patent: 5486663 (1996-01-01), Fritsch et al.
patent: 5486978 (1996-01-01), Fishovitz
patent: 5837949 (1998-11-01), Green et al.
Lichman Pavel N.
Robbins W. Dale
Gellner Michael L.
Lee Kyung S.
Siemens Energy & Automation Inc.
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