Split Housing Patents (Class 200/303)
  • Patent number: 10998156
    Abstract: An auxiliary/control switches kit box for a Medium Voltage switching device including one or more movable contacts operated between a contact open position and a contact closed position by a kinematic chain connected to a contact actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Delpozzo, Emanuele Morelli, Gabriele Gasparini, Osvaldo Prestini
  • Patent number: 10876781
    Abstract: A switch mechanism may include a lever holding part which is provided in a case, a turnable lever provided with a shaft part turnably supported by the lever holding part and a first arm part and a second arm part protruded from the shaft part, an urging member structured to urge the turnable lever, and a switch whose state is switched by displacement of the turnable lever. The turnable lever is attached to the lever holding part in a state that the urging member is engaged between the first arm part and the second arm part, and the urging member is movable between an engaging position, where the urging member is engaged between the first arm part and the second arm part, and an engaging release position, where the urging member is engaged with the second arm part and is disengaged from the first arm part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiko Yazawa, Satoru Yokoe, Akihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 10583962
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a coupling mechanism for detachably attaching two or more utility modules to one another, utility assembles, mobile carriers and other attachable modules and articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Keter Plastic Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaron Brunner, Grant T. Squiers, Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 10566147
    Abstract: A physical barrier breach sensor is disclosed that contains a frangible material that, upon displacement, opens a microswitch that de-energizes power or stops the flow of electricity to an electrical device. Displacement of the frangible material causes activation of the sensor, such as due to a vehicle colliding with a streetlight pole containing the sensor. The device is omnidirectional, operating regardless of direction of impact from the vehicle or activation, and has the ability to disconnect power when, for example, a streetlight pole or other structure (e.g., a parking gate) falls or breaks due to a shearing impact (such as a vehicle collision) or due to tension created by wind or weight failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Karl A. Burkett
  • Patent number: 10390449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical device for rail mounting. Such electrical devices are mounted in use in a side-by-side relationship on a carrier rail. An electrical device for rail mounting comprises a housing having a rail receiving recess therein, at least one edge of said recess being defined by an end region of a latch member that is movable relative to the housing in a direction transverse to the recess, and resilient means biasing the latch member to move in a direction to reduce the width of said recess. Said resilient means comprise a torsion spring having a first leg and a second leg deflectable around a hinge region, said first leg resting against a protrusion of the housing, and said second leg resting against the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FRIWO Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventor: Weihua Jiang
  • Patent number: 10186388
    Abstract: An example visual indicator includes a base defining a light chamber and a first cover removably coupled to the base to cover the light chamber. A light assembly is positioned in the light chamber of the base. The light assembly has a first connector projecting from the base and the first connector is to pass through an access opening formed in an outer surface of a control panel when the visual indicator is coupled to the control panel. The base is to engage the outer surface of the control panel when the visual indicator is coupled to the control panel. The visual indicator is to enable an ingress protection rating of the control panel to be maintained when at least one of the visual indicator is removed from the control panel or the first cover of the visual indicator is replaced with a second cover different than the first cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Stanley Felix Amirthasamy, Pei Li, Marwan Brama
  • Patent number: 9786447
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a circuit breaker mechanism includes a base and a mid-cover disposed adjacent the base. Also included is a first pair of mounting posts comprising a first mounting post and a second mounting post extending from the base, the first pair of mounting posts each protruding through the mid-cover. Further included is a first mount hole defined by the first mounting post and a second mount hole defined by the second mounting post. Yet further included is a first pin extending through the first mount hole, the second mount hole and a circuit breaker mechanism frame to retain the circuit breaker mechanism to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ansel Omar Reid, Christie Marie Barbera, Katherine Marjorie Coughlin, Wolfgang Meyer-Haack
  • Patent number: 9765966
    Abstract: An ignition switch assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a gas valve. The ignition switch assembly may include a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact. The first and second ignition contacts may be sized and shaped the same. A hub may be configured to be rotated within the ignition switch assembly. A rotation of the hub in a first direction causes a portion of the first ignition contact to engage the second ignition contact. Further rotation of the hub in the first direction or rotation of the hub in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the portion of the first ignition contact to disengage from the second ignition contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Herzog, Michael W. Hartley
  • Patent number: 9685093
    Abstract: A wireless computer-aided occupational therapy and education tool for young children or children with developmental delays. The tool comprises a wireless input device and preferably a covering. The wireless input device of the tool comprises a switch, a transmitter, and identification code. The covering can be made in various shapes, sizes, and colors. The wireless input device is removably attachable to the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Yandi Ongkojoyo
  • Patent number: 9589741
    Abstract: A security switch has a switch head with an actuator and having a button top. The security switch is mounted in a housing wall. The actuator is designed so as to actuate contact elements of a switch module upon actuation into the switch position. The switch module is extended by a signaling switch block with contact elements located in the signaling flow path, wherein, in the assembly state of the security switch, the signaling switch block is subjected to an actuation pin that is rigidly arranged thereon. if the assembly state is undone or changed, the actuation pin disengages from the signaling switch block and signaling flow path opens. The actuation pin and signaling switch block are located outside the actuation region of the actuator of the security switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: EATON ELECTRICAL IP GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Artur Wiese, Frank Bruchschmidt
  • Patent number: 9524842
    Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) have an MCCB body with at least one switch printed circuit board (PCB) holding between 1-4 recessed switches. The switch PCB has a bottom primary surface and an opposing top primary surface and a cover residing over the switch PCB and attached to the MCCB case body so that an outer end portion of the 1-4 switches held by the switch PCB extends through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James Patrick Sisley, James Leo Lagree, Richard Paul Malingowski, Theodore James Miller, David Richard Olenak
  • Patent number: 9508498
    Abstract: An electronic power apparatus includes a housing, a pair of input power pins, a pair of output power pins, power components arranged to modulate a supply of power from the input power pins to the output power pins, and a user-actuated input unit providing an analog signal indicative of a desired power output level of the output power pins. A control unit of the electronic power apparatus receives the analog signal from the user-actuated input unit. The control unit includes a controller to control a switching operation of the power components based on the analog signal, and an input detection unit to generate an ON/OFF signal to turn on the controller based detection of a prescribed change in the analog signal indicative of an initial actuation of the user-actuation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Forster, Matthew Velderman
  • Patent number: 8941021
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wiring device having a color change kit. The color change kit includes a removable skirt and switch cover. The skirt and switch cover, which are disposed on the wiring device and accessible by an end-user, are easily detachable from the wiring device. Thus, the skirt and the switch cover are replaced without replacing the entire wiring device. Further, the skirt and switch cover is replaced without removing the wiring device from a wall box or further disassembling the entire wiring device. In certain exemplary embodiments, the skirt is disposed within a housing of the wiring device, and the switch cover is disposed within the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Erik Gouhl, Yogesh Vitthal Borkar, Robin Lu, Rohit Sumerchand Dodal, Oscar Neundorfer, Jerry Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150008109
    Abstract: An electronic housing is disclosed for switching devices, including a housing lower part and a housing upper part. In an embodiment, a guide is formed in the interface region between the housing upper part and the housing lower part such that the housing upper part can be slid onto the housing lower part in the X direction via the guide in a fully automatic process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Paul Fröhlich, Manuel Geitner, Wolfgang Holmer, Markus Meier, Bernhard Richter
  • Patent number: 8853575
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for fastening to carrier rails in switching systems or the like, has a housing in which a switching unit and a device, which is formed on the underside of the housing, for attaching and locking onto a carrier rail. The device comprises a cut-out adapted to the profile of the carrier rail and is provided with an element which can be displaced with respect to the cut-out and is disposed in an aperture of the housing. The displaceable element is a tongue integrally formed on the underside of the housing by means of at least two ribs. The ribs extend in parallel with one another and are integrally formed at one end on the housing, whereas the tongue is integrally formed at the other end of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Wohner GmbH & Co. KG Elektrotechnische Systeme
    Inventor: Alex Buttner
  • Patent number: 8759697
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a molded case containing a circuit breaker trip unit, and multiple line connector lugs attached to an end portion of the molded case for connecting the trip unit to power cables from a power source. Rigid support brackets attached to a rigid supporting surface extend along a pair of opposite outer side walls of the molded case adjacent the lugs to resist outward movement of the side walls in the event of a short circuit condition that exerts distorting forces on the lugs and the portions of the molded case adjacent the lugs. The rigid support brackets may be attached to a supporting pan attached to the portion of the molded case adjacent the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Polston, Ivan D. Chavez
  • Publication number: 20140151203
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wiring device having a color change kit. The color change kit includes a removable skirt and switch cover. The skirt and switch cover, which are disposed on the wiring device and accessible by an end-user, are easily detachable from the wiring device. Thus, the skirt and the switch cover are replaced without replacing the entire wiring device. Further, the skirt and switch cover is replaced without removing the wiring device from a wall box or further disassembling the entire wiring device. In certain exemplary embodiments, the skirt is disposed within a housing of the wiring device, and the switch cover is disposed within the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Erik Gouhl, Yogesh Vitthal Borkar, Robin Lu, Rohit Sumerchand Dodal, Oscar Neundorfer, Jerry Zhang
  • Patent number: 8735752
    Abstract: A multipole electrical switching device is disclosed with an outer housing in which at least two separate switching pole housings are accommodated. In at least one embodiment, the at least two separate switching pole housings on walls facing towards one another, each have a least one mounting which form a mounting pair assigned to one another. In at least one embodiment, for mechanical connection of the at least two separate switching pole housings, the mounting pair is assigned at least one connection device which engages into the two mountings forming the mounting pair. The two mountings forming the mounting pair, in relation to a dividing joint formed between the two facing walls, each form an undercut, whereby the at least one connecting device engages behind the undercuts and the at least one connecting device is formed in a primary process in one piece on the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Ahlert, Joerg-Uwe Dahl, Ludvik Godesa, Marc Liebetruth, Milos Petracek
  • Patent number: 8698023
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical switch having a basic enclosure with an enclosure top side, an enclosure underside and at least one lateral connection side at which at least one connection contact disposed inside the enclosure of the switch is accessible for the purpose of effecting an electrical connection from outside, and a terminal cover which closes off the connection side laterally at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jan Grünwald
  • Patent number: 8471162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device for low voltage systems comprising one or more accessory devices. The switching device according to the invention comprises a case containing at least one pair of contacts that can be reciprocally coupled/decoupled. The device furthermore comprises a containment structure to contain at least one accessory device of the switching device. Said structure is provided with means for interfacing with the accessory device which comprises a body that can be inserted in the containment structure. The accessory device also comprises coupling means to couple it to the containment structure and operating means which interact with the switching device via the interface means of the containment structure. The accessory device is also provided with disengagement means operatively connected to the coupling means. Said disengagement means, once activated, free the coupling means to permit extraction of the accessory device from the containment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Edoardo Scola, Luigi Arturo Degli Innocenti
  • Publication number: 20130092515
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a molded case containing a circuit breaker trip unit, and multiple line connector lugs attached to an end portion of the molded case for connecting the trip unit to power cables from a power source. Rigid support brackets attached to a rigid supporting surface extend along a pair of opposite outer side walls of the molded case adjacent the lugs to resist outward movement of the side walls in the event of a short circuit condition that exerts distorting forces on the lugs and the portions of the molded case adjacent the lugs. The rigid support brackets may be attached to a supporting pan attached to the portion of the molded case adjacent the lugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Polston, Ivan D. Chavez
  • Patent number: 8378243
    Abstract: An arrangement including at least two separate switch pole housings and a joining facility for joining the switch pole housings. Each of the switch pole housings forms an insulating enclosure of a switching space for receiving a single switch pole of an electric switching device. A side wall of a first switch pole housing, facing a second one of the switch pole housings, includes at least one recess for receiving at least one joining device of the joining facility. The at least one recess forms a first undercut with respect to a side wall and a first locating surface in parallel with a front wall of the housing. The at least one joining device engages behind the first undercut and is braced against a first locating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Ahlert, Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Ludvik Godesa, Marc Liebetruth
  • Patent number: 8354603
    Abstract: A switching device includes a switching appliance, a cap, at least one connecting device for firm connection of the switching appliance to the cap, and a monitoring device. In at least one embodiment, the monitoring device includes a sensor and a tripping element, whose position is variable after connection and which, when the switching appliance is ready to operate, is located in a position in which the tripping element can be detected by the sensor, the monitoring device further including a signal unit which is connected to the sensor and is used to signal operational readiness once the sensor has detected this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ladislav Dostal, Lukas Jerabek, Libor Krivanek, Christian Rohrwild
  • Patent number: 8330062
    Abstract: An apparatus including an electrical switching device to control current to a load and a second case arranged to substantially encapsulate the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device includes a first case; a plurality of contacts disposed in the first case; and an opening in the first case disposed to expose the contacts. The second case is arranged to duct a blast from the opening of the first case of the electrical switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Elliott, John B. Engel, Rhonda L. Wilson, Pieter Agnar Paulson
  • Publication number: 20120298490
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for fastening to carrier rails in switching systems or the like, has a housing in which a switching unit and a device, which is formed on the underside of the housing, for attaching and locking onto a carrier rail. The device comprises a cut-out adapted to the profile of the carrier rail and is provided with an element which can be displaced with respect to the cut-out and is disposed in an aperture of the housing. The displaceable element is a tongue integrally formed on the underside of the housing by means of at least two ribs. The ribs extend in parallel with one another and are integrally formed at one end on the housing, whereas the tongue is integrally formed at the other end of the ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Alex Buttner
  • Publication number: 20120186957
    Abstract: An electric switch is disclosed including an at least two-part housing including a first housing part, a second housing part connected to the first housing part and including at least one pole cartridge which is enclosed by the two-part housing and is preassembled in the second housing part. In at least one embodiment, the first housing part is connected to the pole cartridge with the aid of at least one fastening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Torsten Ahlert, Marc Liebetruth, Katja Manthey
  • Patent number: 8203090
    Abstract: A switch assembly having a housing with a lower housing portion removably securable to an upper housing portion is provided. A switch subassembly including a printed circuit board (PCB) is removably secured within the lower housing portion. A mechanical switch assembly and a sensor are electrically connected to the PCB, and the PCB includes circuitry to place each of the mechanical switch assembly and the sensor into electrical communication with an external source. The switch assembly further includes a plunger engageable with the mechanical switch assembly. An attachment assembly for securing the upper housing portion to a mounting structure includes a mounting plate securable to the mounting structure, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one threaded opening. At least one opening is formed in the upper housing portion that is alignable with the threaded opening in the mounting plate that is sized and configured to receive a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: King Enterprises
    Inventor: Corey T. King
  • Patent number: 8183483
    Abstract: A shaft assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing and a pivotal shaft. The shaft assembly includes a paddle assembly comprising an elongated body including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end. A number of paddles extend radially outwardly from the elongated body. A support bracket is coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the pivotal shaft, and the second end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the support bracket. The support bracket is preferably an accessory mounting bracket. The paddle assembly preferably further includes a separate molded member. When the separate molded member moves, the elongated body moves. However, the elongated body is pivotable independently from the separate molded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian, Thomas Alan Whitaker
  • Patent number: 8106321
    Abstract: A circuit breaker device has a first electrode piece and a second electrode piece. In order to ensure protection from weather, the circuit breaker device is equipped with an electrically isolating housing. The electrically isolating housing has a first shell and a second shell. The first shell serves as a volatile casing for the second shell during production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Göhler, Bernd Kruska, Kai Steinfeld, Gernot Swiatkowski
  • Patent number: 8058574
    Abstract: An auxiliary contact block is disclosed for expanding a switching device and to a switching device having at least one auxiliary contact block. A compact auxiliary contact block, i.e. a block requiring little wiring and space, for a switching device is disclosed, and a switching device having at least one auxiliary contact block. In at least one embodiment of the auxiliary contact block, the auxiliary contact block includes auxiliary contacts disposed in a plane, the contacts having contact bridges and associated fixed contact pieces, and at least one contact slider, which can be equipped with at least one auxiliary contact pair. The configuration of the auxiliary contacts in a plane as described herein allows a very small installation size and very little wiring complexity of the auxiliary contacts in a simple manner. The actuating unit can, for example, be configured as a slider that couples the contact slider and the switching device with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Ludwig Niebler, Johannes Voit
  • Patent number: 7929318
    Abstract: A switch body is mounted on a sub-board, the sub-board is held, by fastening it with screws together with a protective plate that protects a surface of the sub-board on the opposite side of a mounting surface of the sub-board, in a holding wall formed integrally with a jack holder such that the mounting surface of the sub-board is disposed facing a mounting surface of a main board, and an operation portion of a push button is allowed to project to the outside of a casing from a square hole disposed in the jack holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Matsutani
  • Publication number: 20110073448
    Abstract: An arrangement includes at least two separate switch pole housings and a joining facility for joining the switch pole housings. In at least one embodiment, each of the switch pole housings forms an insulating enclosure of a switching space for receiving a single switch pole of an electric switching device which has a lower wall, an upper wall, two side walls, a rear wall and a front wall and in which at least a first one of the two switch pole housings has on a first one of the side walls, facing the second one of the switch pole housings, at least one recess for receiving at least one joining device of the joining facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Torsten Ahlert, Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Ludvik Godesa, Marc Liebetruth
  • Publication number: 20100326802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device for low voltage systems comprising one or more accessory devices. The switching device according to the invention comprises a case containing at least one pair of contacts that can be reciprocally coupled/decoupled. The device furthermore comprises a containment structure to contain at least one accessory device of the switching device. Said structure is provided with means for interfacing with the accessory device which comprises a body that can be inserted in the containment structure. The accessory device also comprises coupling means to couple it to the containment structure and operating means which interact with the switching device via the interface means of the containment structure. The accessory device is also provided with disengagement means operatively connected to the coupling means. Said disengagement means, once activated, free the coupling means to permit extraction of the accessory device from the containment structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Edoardo Scola, Luigi Arturo Degli Innocenti
  • Patent number: 7829809
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a service switching device with an insulating housing, which has a front-panel side and an opposite fastening side as well as narrow and broad sides connecting the front-panel and the fastening sides, including at least one first housing shell and at least one covering part, which are connected by a first connector, which act on the broad sides of the housing shell and the covering part and hold them together whilst forming a peripheral joining line, the insulating housing including accommodating areas for connection terminals in the region of the narrow sides. A second connector is provided in the region of a terminal accommodating area and in the region of the narrow side associated therewith, which second connector holds the housing shell and the covering part together there at the joining line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Matthias Bitz, Joachim Körner
  • Publication number: 20100276267
    Abstract: A switch assembly having a housing with a lower housing portion removably securable to an upper housing portion is provided. A switch subassembly including a printed circuit board (PCB) is removably secured within the lower housing portion. A mechanical switch assembly and a sensor are electrically connected to the PCB, and the PCB includes circuitry to place each of the mechanical switch assembly and the sensor into electrical communication with an external source. The switch assembly further includes a plunger engageable with the mechanical switch assembly. An attachment assembly for securing the upper housing portion to a mounting structure includes a mounting plate securable to the mounting structure, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one threaded opening. At least one opening is formed in the upper housing portion that is alignable with the threaded opening in the mounting plate that is sized and configured to receive a fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: KING ENTERPRISES
    Inventor: Corey T. King
  • Publication number: 20100264000
    Abstract: A single pole module of a circuit breaker is disclosed. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion, and an interior wall separating the first portion from the second portion. The first portion includes a first section receiving a circuit board and a second section receiving a lever mechanism. The second portion includes a first section receiving an electromagnetic protection device, a second section receiving an arc extinguishing device, a third section receiving a thermal protection device, and a fourth section receiving an operating mechanism. The first and second sections of the first portion occupy substantially half of the housing and the first, second, third and fourth sections of the second portion occupy substantially half of the housing and the second section of the first portion and the third section of the second portion are opposite each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prashant Sudhakar Zende, Javier Gomez Martin, Jorge Juan Bonilla, Ranjit Manohar Deshmukh, Manuel Meana Alcon, Pedro Luis Perez
  • Patent number: 7800468
    Abstract: A strain relief mechanism is provided for an accessory for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The accessory includes an enclosure having a first end with an aperture, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a number of electrical conductors, such as wires, extending through the aperture and outwardly from the first end of the accessory enclosure. The strain relief mechanism includes a support extending outwardly from the first end of the enclosure, and being proximate the aperture and the number of electrical conductors extending therethrough. A fastening mechanism, such as a wire tie, wraps around the electrical conductors and the support in order to secure the number of electrical conductors to the support and resist undesired movement thereof. First and second portions of the enclosure are fastened together without a plurality of separate fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Erik R. Bogdon, Thomas A. Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20100044199
    Abstract: A circuit breaker device has a first electrode piece and a second electrode piece. In order to ensure protection from weather, the circuit breaker device is equipped with an electrically isolating housing. The electrically isolating housing has a first shell and a second shell. The first shell serves as a volatile casing for the second shell during production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Reinhard Göhler, Bernd Kruska, Kai Steinfeld, Gernot Swiatkowski
  • Publication number: 20090200145
    Abstract: A control unit including a monitoring apparatus is disclosed, with the monitoring apparatus having an operating element and an attachment element. In at least one embodiment, the control unit is in two parts and includes an operating unit and switching elements. The required spatial association between the operating unit and the switching element is intended to be monitored in a cost-effective and reliable manner. For this purpose, when the monitoring apparatus is installed correctly, at least one second switching element can be operated by way of an operating member, and a first switching element is operated at the same time by way of the operating element of the monitoring apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Josef Scherl, Rudolf Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20090014298
    Abstract: Disclosed is a frame for a circuit breaker, including: a plurality of unit frames having a plurality of inner spaces, and a connection unit coupled between two adjacent unit frames among the unit frames and connecting the two unit frames to each other, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost as well as facilitating its manufacture and reducing the manufacturing time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LS INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung-Pil YANG
  • Publication number: 20090014299
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a service switching device with an insulating housing, which has a front-panel side and an opposite fastening side as well as narrow and broad sides connecting the front-panel and the fastening sides, comprising at least one first housing shell and at least one covering part, which are connected by first connecting means, which act on the broad sides of the housing shell and the covering part and hold them together whilst forming a peripheral joining line, the insulating housing comprising accommodating areas for connection terminals in the region of the narrow sides. A second connecting means is provided in the region of a terminal accommodating area and in the region of the narrow side associated therewith, which second connecting means holds the housing shell and the covering part together there at the joining line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Matthias Bitz, Joachim Korner
  • Publication number: 20080230359
    Abstract: An electrically insulated conductor connection assembly and a method for providing the same are provided. The electrically insulated conductor connection assembly includes first and second electrical conductors each comprising a body portion and an end portion. A fastening mechanism electrically and mechanically connects the end portions of the first electrical conductor to the end portion of the second electrical conductor, and an insulator overlays and electrically insulates the fastening mechanism. The end portions of the first and second electrical conductors and the fastening mechanism form a joint, which is structured to be fastenable and unfastenable. When the joint is fastened and the insulator is overlaying the fastening mechanism, the joint is electrically insulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Brad R. Leccia, Adri Lammers, Francois Marchand, Paul Schoten, Marcel Van Dijk, Gerard Schoonenberg, Johannes Josephus Gerardus Van Thiel
  • Patent number: 7385153
    Abstract: A trip bar is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, an operating mechanism, and a number of accessories installable within the housing. At least one of the accessories has an actuator, such as a stem. The trip bar includes an elongated pivot member having a first end pivotably coupled to the operating mechanism, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the elongated pivot member between the first and second ends. Such protrusion is actuatable by the stem to pivot the elongated pivot member. A deflecting mechanism, such as a cam surface, is disposed at or about the second end of the elongated pivot member. When such one of the accessories is being installed within the housing, the stem deflects the cam surface to facilitate insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Erik R. Bogdon, Thomas A. Whitaker, Joseph B. Humbert, Ronald W. Brand
  • Publication number: 20080087535
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having at least one parting line and an exterior side, a stationary contact assembly disposed on one side of the parting line, a movable contact assembly, and an operating mechanism with a pole shaft for moving the movable contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with the stationary contact assembly. The bearing assembly includes a number of primary bearings pivotably supporting the pole shaft on the same side of the parting line as the stationary contact assembly. An integral bearing section including secondary bearings pivotably couples the pole shaft to the housing at least one bearing cover member having a fastening portion. The pole shaft is pivotably disposed at or about the integral bearing section on the exterior side of the housing. A housing and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: PAUL R. RAKUS, DAVID M. OLSZEWSKI, NATHAN J. WEISTER
  • Patent number: 7358837
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, a molded enclosure comprising a first molded portion and a second molded portion, a plurality of thread cutting screws fastening the first molded portion to the second molded portion, and a plurality of machine screws. The first molded portion and the second molded portion cooperate to form a plurality of exterior walls. The exterior walls define an interior volume, which encloses the separable contacts and at least a portion of the operating mechanism. The machine screws extend within and reinforce the exterior walls and restrict expansion of the exterior walls away from the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Puskar, William E. Beatty, Jr., Robert W. Mueller, Arthur D. Carothers, William M. Randal
  • Patent number: 7280018
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a molded base and cover, with at least one of the base and cover being a molded member including a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, and an opening between the side walls. A strengthening member engages the base and cover between the side walls at the opening, engages at least one of the side walls and is an interior wall of the molded member. The base and cover are made of a first material, such as glass polyester or a suitably high strength plastic, and the strengthening member is made of a second dissimilar material, such as aluminum or steel, which has greater strength than the first material. An operating mechanism coupled to separable contacts is structured to move the contacts between open and closed positions. A trip mechanism coupled to the operating mechanism is structured to actuate the operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7268651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a electromechanical switching device having two movable contact elements interacting with a fixed contact. Said switching device has a housing. When viewing a fixing side from the top, said housing is divided into two areas bordering with a longitudinal side of the housing, one of the movable contact elements and the corresponding fixed contact being located in said areas, wherein each of the housing areas has a narrow partial area and a broad partial area bordering therewith. The broad partial area of the first housing area is adjacent to the narrow partial area of the second housing area and the narrow partial area of the first housing area is adjacent to the broad partial area of the second housing area. The actuation directions of the movable contact elements are directed opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Eckert, Wolfgang Leitl
  • Patent number: 7116194
    Abstract: An electric pole for a low-voltage power circuit breaker, comprising an insulating enclosure (20, 30) that has a lower wall, an upper wall, two side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, at least one arc chute, at least one fixed contact (8) and at least one moving contact (9) that can be mutually coupled/uncoupled, and a first electric terminal (10) and a second electric terminal (11) that are functionally associated with the fixed contact and the moving contact and allow electrical connection of the pole in input and in output, its particularity consisting of the fact that the insulating enclosure comprises a first half-shell (20) and a second half-shell (30) which are mutually coupled along corresponding coupling surfaces and form a self-supporting structure, the first and second half-shells being shaped so as to form at least one compartment (12) that is suitable to accommodate the fixed contact and the moving contact and the arc chute, and second (13) and third containment volumes (14), which are arranged
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.L.
    Inventors: Lucio Azzola, Eligio Zanchi
  • Patent number: 7009126
    Abstract: A terminal cover for use on molded case circuit breakers. The terminal cover limits access to circuit breaker electrical terminals and uninsulated portions of electrical conductors entering the terminals. The terminal cover also provides selective access to the terminal binding screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Etscheidt, Douglas P. VanWaart
  • Patent number: 6870115
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case having an opening, separable contacts housed within the case, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pivot and a pair of extension springs for moving the operating mechanism to close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism also includes an operating handle for operating the operating mechanism. The operating handle includes a first handle portion extending through the opening of the case and a second portion having a pair of elongated arms within the case. The extension springs extend between the elongated arms and the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Slepian