Tools – Fuse pullers
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-25
2001-02-06
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Fuse pullers
C081SDIG002, C074S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182535
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a semi-automatic fuse and cap insertion device that allows efficient installation of a fuse and fuse cap in a fuse block. The device allows straight-line hand movement to rotate the fuse and cap, thereby avoiding a repetitious twisting movement of the hand and wrist which is less efficient and causes fatigue.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Fuses necessary to protect sensitive electrical equipment from unexpected power surges caused by electrical shorts or power spikes require efficient installation by workers during assembly or later replacement. With the on-going efforts to reduce the size of equipment, the equipment interiors are becoming much more cramped and fuses are becoming harder to insert by hand. Also, with the proliferation of electrical equipment protected by fuses and the deteriorating supply of electrical energy causing increasing numbers of power failures that tend to blow fuses in large areas at the same time, there is an increasing need for efficient insertion, removal and replacement of fuses.
Currently, most fuses and caps are inserted into blocks by hand or with primitive screwdriver-like tools that require repetitious motion in the insertion, pushing and twisting of the small holders until proper seating is effected. This repetitious hand and wrist movement is inefficient and tiring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventions improve user efficiencies and avoid the fatigue problems by converting straight axial movement into rotary movement upon the release of a trigger.
This conversion of motion from linear to rotary is effected by a semi-automatic fuse and cap insertion tool that includes a fuse cap engaging socket mounted on a rotatable shaft, which shaft, in turn, is rotatably mounted in the barrel of a gun-like holder structure. A resilient biasing means in the barrel between the shaft and the holder keeps the shaft biased in a first position. With a fuse and cap in said socket and the gun shaft aimed for linear movement toward a fuse receiving opening in a fuse block, a linear pressure force applied in the first direction toward the fuse assembly and release of a trigger latch means from its first position blocking the shaft allows the shaft to move, in response to the pressure, into the barrel to a second position where it compresses the spring biasing means. During such movement, a cam follower fixed in the gun barrel interior rides in a helical grove in the shaft to cause the shaft as well as the fuse and cap in the socket to rotate relative to the gun-like structure and lock the fuse in the fuse block.
When the pressure in the first direction is released, the spring returns the shaft to its first position and the trigger returns to its first position.
The elimination of repetitious twisting hand and wrist motion in favor of simple linear motion avoids the problems associated with the prior art and improves worker efficiency, health, and morale. With the new tool, it is envisioned that fuse holders on caps may be greatly reduced in size since the holders or caps will not have to be designed large enough to be securely gripped and rotated by human fingers. This will allow further miniaturization of electrical devices and components which include fuses.
These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the following drawings and accompanying specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1401817 (1921-12-01), Roberts
patent: 1513212 (1924-10-01), Beale et al.
patent: 2301413 (1942-11-01), Kilcup
patent: 2648364 (1953-08-01), Cirekka
patent: 4306599 (1981-12-01), Kurahashi
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Sitrick & Sitrick
Smith James G.
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