Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Interlocking
Patent
1994-12-20
1997-03-11
Scott, J. R.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Interlocking
200 4311, 200308, H01H 900
Patent
active
056103751
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a circuit breaker comprising a box containing a triggering and resetting mechanism susceptible of acting on separable contacts for opening and closing at least one electric current path. Openings are provided on the front side of the box for the passage of an "ON" control button and an "OFF" control button accessible to an operator.
Such a circuit breaker is described notably in French document No. 2,448,216. The control buttons are push buttons mounted in the box so as to slide in alternate manner between two operational positions, and having a front pressing side for the operator's finger. When the operator wants to close the contacts, he presses the ON push button which remains pressed in, whereas the OFF push button is automatically put into an outward position in relation to the box. Conversely, to open the contacts, the operator presses the OFF push button which remains pressed in, whereas the ON push button is automatically returned to the outward position. The alternating position of the push buttons thus gives the operator a clear idea of the status of the circuit breaker.
Though such a manual control device is satisfactory, it would be desirable, to provide a more ergonomic device having an accentuated visualization of its "ON" or "OFF" status.
French document No. 1,558,448 discloses the control of an electric switch by means of a pivoting button fitted with a transparent window; this window enables visualization of inscriptions representative of two operational positions of said switch. The control of a circuit breaker is also known by means of a pivoting control button called a "tumbler" with which a triggering visualization means is associated. However, the known pivoting control buttons do not fully provide the desirable working safety and clearness of visualization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the invention is to combine, in a circuit breaker of the above-mentioned type, an ergonomic manual control separating the ON and OFF control functions in combination with good visualization of the ON operating status, and, preferably, of the ON and OFF operating statuses of the circuit breaker.
It is further an object of the invention to facilitate the locking of the manual control device in its OFF position.
According to the invention: the box, low-displacement end near which is situated a pivot gudgeon and by a second high-displacement end, least in the ON position, a difference in height in front projection of the second end of the OFF button in relation to that of the ON button.
The control buttons, preferably placed side by side to pivot about a common axis substantially situated at the level of a side of the box perpendicular to its front side, thus not only providing a distinctive projection but also a difference in frontal height of their second end and therefore a satisfactory visual indication of status. This indication is preferably corroborated by the presence of indications carried by the box near the first end of the pressing side, preferably by the gudgeons of the buttons, to be alternately revealed and masked by the first end, and/or opposite transparent windows provided in the pressing sides.
At the second end and on the opposite side of the pressing side, it is interesting to provide a stop surface applicable against the front side of the box, and, an arm for operating the mechanism and having a lateral opening for the passage of a lock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter, by way of a non-limiting example, in reference to the appended drawings.
FIG. 1 represents in perspective a circuit breaker embodying the invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show an elevation of a front part of the box of the circuit breaker illustrating the pivoting ON button respectively in the outward and inward positions.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below the ON button.
FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the front part of the box, with the buttons removed.
FIGS. 6 and 7 represent
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Drucker William A.
Schneider Electric
Scott J. R.
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