Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – Tripping means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-11-27
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Electromagnetically actuated switches
Tripping means
C335S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323748
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 multi-component handle structure.
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.
Circuit interrupters usually include a handle that is movable by an operator to manually open and close the contacts of the interrupter and to reset it after a tripping operation has occurred. For this purpose, the handle protrudes through an opening in the interrupter housing. Within the housing, the handle is normally connected to a handle structure or assembly that, in turn, is connected to the other components of the operating mechanism.
In the prior art, the connection between the handle and the handle assembly is relatively complicated and thus inconvenient, and requires additional parts. In view thereof, it would be advantageous if an effective and less complicated way of connecting existed that was convenient to implement and did not require additional parts.
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 separable main contacts. The operating mechanism includes a handle having a base into which is formed a channel. The base includes a compressible protrusion that is disposed within the channel. The operating mechanism further includes a handle assembly having a platform that inserts into the channel of the base. The platform includes an indent that mates with the protrusion for helping to secure the platform within the channel.
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: 3134881 (1964-05-01), Powell
patent: 4843359 (1989-06-01), Morris et al.
patent: 5021819 (1991-06-01), Candelora et al.
patent: 5847339 (1998-12-01), Kurono et al.
Chontas Trent A.
Gula Lance
Hood Teresa I.
Malingowski Richard P.
Munsch William D.
Donovan Lincoln
Eaton Corporation
Kosinski Charles E.
Nguyen Tuen T.
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