Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – With housing or support means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-06-19
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Electromagnetically actuated switches
With housing or support means
C439S814000, C200S293000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249197
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circuit interrupters generally and, more specifically, to those kinds of circuit interrupters having a base and a cover with an electrical terminal disposed in the base.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Molded case circuit breakers and interrupters are well known in the art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,408 issued Mar. 5, 1985, to Mrenna et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,760 issued Jun. 8, 1999 to Malingowski, et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference.
A continuing industry objective with respect to many types of circuit interrupters is to be able to reduce the size and/or footprint of the interrupter housing while at the same time providing the same or improved performance capabilities. A major advantage of creating such a “smaller package” is that it provides increased flexibility in installation. However, a consequence of this objective is that the internal space constraints of such interrupters have become much more limiting, posing certain design obstacles that need to be overcome.
In circuit interrupters, it is necessary to ensure that the electrical terminals thereof, such as the line and load terminals, are properly secured within the interrupter housing. While the prior art provides for terminal securement, the prior art does not teach securement that can also be effectively employed within circuit interrupters having the aforementioned space constraints. In addition, the prior art does not provide for securement that takes advantage of the positioning of the housing cover on top of the housing base, that provides an effective and convenient way of creating a frictional engagement between the terminal and the base, or that provides for a more form-fitting and snug positioning of the terminal within the base by accommodating the desired molded manufacturing parameters of the base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a circuit interrupter that meets all of the above-identified needs.
In accordance with the present invention, a circuit interrupter is provided which includes a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. The housing has a cover securable to a base, the cover including a downwardly-facing abutment portion. There is also provided an electrical terminal that is releasably disposed within the base and having a tab that abuttingly engages the abutment portion of the cover when the cover is secured to the base. In one embodiment, the abutment portion of the cover includes a compressible contact member for contacting the tab of the terminal.
A circuit interrupter is also provided which includes a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. The housing has a cover securable to a base, with channels formed in the sides of the base. An electrical terminal is provided having sides that insert into the channels of the base, the terminal sides including rib portions that frictionally engage the channels upon insertion.
A circuit interrupter is also provided which includes a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts. The housing includes a cover securable to a base, with the base having tapered sides. An electrical terminal is provided that has sides which are inserted into the base, the terminal sides being tapered in order to follow or mirror the tapered sides of the base.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5576677 (1996-11-01), Malingowski et al.
patent: 5934949 (1999-08-01), Richter
Funyak David C.
Helms Roger W.
Hood Teresa I.
Little David E.
Peifer Jonathan M.
Donovan Lincoln
Eaton Corporation
Kosinski Charles E.
Nguyen Tayen T.
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