Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – With housing or support means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-02-06
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Electromagnetically actuated switches
With housing or support means
C335S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184763
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 screws for fastening the entire interrupter to a surface and for attaching a secondary cover to a primary cover.
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.
When in use, circuit interrupters are often mounted to a wall, or into a DIN rail back panel or load center or the like. For mounting purposes, holes typically extend through the housing of the interrupter and into which mounting screws are inserted for attachment with the mounting surface.
It is desirable to be able to ship a circuit interrupter to a customer in the most assembled state possible so that implementation can be effected quickly and conveniently. Thus, prior art interrupters have provided retainment methods whereby the mounting screws can be positioned within their appropriate holes during shipment without the fear of the screws falling out and becoming lost. Unfortunately, these retainment methods typically require more complicated molding processes, and do not have the flexibility to be easily implemented within or easily removed from the interrupter at will.
In addition, circuit interrupters sometimes include a cover that is positioned on top of the interrupter's housing and which is removable in order to conveniently add accessories. Such a secondary cover is typically attached to the housing by way of screws. Unfortunately, such screws can become lost when the cover is removed from the housing of prior art interrupters.
In view of the above, it would be advantageous if a circuit interrupter existed that could effectively and conveniently retain the mounting screws therein during shipment without requiring complicated molding processes. It would also be advantageous if the retainment feature had the flexibility to be easily implemented within or easily removed from an interrupter. It would further be advantageous if a circuit interrupter existed that could effectively and conveniently prevent loss of screws used to attach a secondary cover.
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 separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the separable main contacts, and a housing in which the separable main contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a cover positioned atop a base. The cover includes a recessed region in which are formed a first hole and a second hole. The first hole and the second hole extend through the cover and into the base, and the second hole extends through the base. A retainment device is positioned within the recessed region, and includes a first opening positioned above the first hole and a second opening positioned above the second hole. The second opening has an opening diameter. A first screw is inserted into the first opening and the first hole and secures the retainment device to the recessed region and secures the cover to the base. A second screw is for inserting into the second opening and the second hole. The second screw includes a threaded portion having a first diameter and a non-threaded portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is greater than the opening diameter, and the second diameter is smaller than the opening diameter.
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: 3632939 (1972-01-01), Yorgin et al.
patent: 3986155 (1976-10-01), Kosup
patent: 4536046 (1985-08-01), Erickson
patent: 5994116 (1999-04-01), Da Dalt
Chontas Trent A.
DeGrazia Dean B.
Malingowski Richard P.
Rodgers Craig A.
Donovan Lincoln
Eaton Corporation
Kosinski Charles E.
Nguyen Tuyen T.
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