Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electrical power distribution systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-21
2002-07-16
Thompson, Gregory (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electrical power distribution systems and devices
C361S641000, C361S659000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06421229
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject matter of this invention relates generally to electrical distribution combination circuit breaker meter system panels or enclosures for outdoor use having a rain gutter and an isolation barrier.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. In particular, the prior art includes a meter/breaker enclosure
10
having an enclosure backplate
14
and an enclosure right side wall
18
, for example. There is also provided a top wall
22
. The enclosure system
10
is divided into a meter side
24
on the left and a breaker side
26
on the right as depicted in FIG.
1
. On the meter side is disposed a meter side cover
25
having a meter opening
30
therein. There is provided against the back plate
14
on the meter side
24
a meter socket
34
. There is provided on the back plate
14
on the breaker side
26
a breaker
36
.
Referring also to
FIG. 2
, it is desirous to separate the breaker
36
from the meter socket region
34
. In order to do this, in the prior art, the combination isolator and gutter assembly
38
is provided which includes a crowning gutter portion
46
on top of an elongated isolator gutter support wall
42
which is secured by way of a gutter support mounting flange
44
to the back plate or back wall
14
of the enclosure
10
.
The prior art construction has a disadvantage. That disadvantage lies in the fact that the combination isolator and gutter assembly
38
is a separately manufactured piece requiring separate manufacturing process step and a separate attachment process step. Furthermore, the aforementioned arrangement does not lend itself to cover and isolator support security in a manner thought to be necessary.
It would be advantageous if a circuit breaker meter enclosure system could be uncovered which includes an easily manufactured cover gutter and isolator arrangement with enhanced security between the breaker section and the meter section.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention an electrical center is taught which includes an enclosure and a first cover for the enclosure and a second cover for the enclosure. Both the first and second covers are mounted on the enclosure. The first cover and the second cover abut at an abutting region and the first cover has an integral gutter, which is disposed at the abutting region. A first locking arrangement is provided between the first cover and the second region. In an embodiment of the invention the first cover communicates with the meter region and the second cover communicates with the breaker region. The second cover has a flange, which is disposed axially, overlappingly into the integral gutter. The first cover and second cover are:locked together by the convenient first locking arrangement such that the second cover can be removed independently first from the enclosure of the first cover. The first cover has a separate second locking arrangement such that the first cover cannot be removed from the enclosure without opening the second key lock arrangement. However, by unlocking the second key lock arrangement the first cover and the second cover can both be removed simultaneously while the first locking arrangement remains in place.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3675085 (1972-07-01), Stanback
patent: 3707653 (1972-12-01), Coffey et al.
patent: 4289361 (1981-09-01), Riedel
patent: 5310075 (1994-05-01), Wyler
patent: 5638256 (1997-06-01), Leach et al.
patent: 6046904 (2000-04-01), Kubat
Campbell James M.
Johnson Jeffrey J.
Karim Syed M.
Eaton Corporation
Moran Martin J.
Thompson Gregory
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