Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a base housing comprising a contact cavity therein, first and second terminals at least partially located within said contact cavity, and a thermal trigger element fixedly coupled to said first terminal and in electrical contact with said second terminal in normal operation is provided. The thermal element is configured to activate and break electrical contact with said second terminal upon a predetermined current condition.

Abstract: A pushbutton resettable circuit breaker is shown having features to prevent manual opening by simply pulling outwardly on the pushbutton. In one embodiment, the pushbutton (16) is formed with slots (16b) which are configured to provide a reaction surface essentially inaccessible without a special purpose contact opening tool (30). The tool is provided with portions that are insertable into the slots and into engagement with the reaction surfaces for pulling the pushbutton out and manually opening the contacts. In a second embodiment, a small aperture 16k is formed through the rating tab and top and wall of the button and in alignment with a movable plunger (28). A special purpose contact opening tool (32, 34) can be inserted through the aperture to apply a force to the plunger and mechanically trip the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a base housing comprising a contact cavity therein, first and second terminals at least partially located within said contact cavity, and a thermal trigger element fixedly coupled to said first terminal and in electrical contact with said second terminal in normal operation is provided. The thermal element is configured to activate and break electrical contact with said second terminal upon a predetermined current condition.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a housing having a cavity formed therein, a temperature responsive bimetallic disc located in the housing, a stationary contact member which is electrically interconnected to a first terminal external to the housing, and a movable contact member which is electrically interconnected to a second terminal external to the housing. The movable contact member movable between a switch-closed position and a switch-open position. An actuating member is located in the housing and is responsive to flexing movement of the disc for moving the movable contact member from the switch-closed position to the switch-open position. A reset assembly is provided for resetting the disc, and includes a reset element which is movable between a first position in which it is spaced from the actuating member and a second position in which it is axially moved to engage the actuating member for moving the disc back to its pre-flexed position.

Abstract: A thermally actuated switch located within a housing is disclosed, the switch having a bi-metallic element coupled thereto for the opening or closing of an electrical circuit. The switch is particularly characterized by a one-piece housing having a recess which provides a surface against which the bi-metallic heat responsive element engages and a surface against which a fixed electrical contact is held. Since there is a fixed relation of the element and the contact being a definite distance apart, and by the utilization of conductive contact members that self align within the housing, protrusions on the contact members egaging corresponding recesses in the housing, the actuating pin between the bi-metallic element and the contact may be of a uniform length thereby facilitating assembly of the switch.

Abstract: A current activated actuator formed from a flat sheet of metal has diverging legs mounted in a base, the legs extending from an upper portion of the actuator. A snap action element is mounted on the upper portion and is located between spaced apart contacts. Overload current through one of the legs via a connection on the leg bottom causes the actuator to become vertically offset, moving the snap action element from contact with one of the spaced apart contacts to the other. Reset current through the other leg causes the snap action element to return to its original position.

Abstract: An improved electrical circuit breaker which is so arranged that, by the deflection of a bimetal plate of approximately rectangular configuration having, at its opposite ends, electrical contacts contacting corresponding portions of terminal plates under a predetermined contact pressure, the engagement of the central portion of the bimetal plate and an engaging member is released so as to cause the bimetal plate to move in the direction normal to the direction of application of the contact pressure by spring force of a spring member through a holder member for cutting off electrical connection between the terminal plates.

Abstract: A thermostat comprises a mechanism for opening and closing contacts by a self-resetting bimetal and the mechanism also includes a reset arm for holding a contact arm in open-circuit position with the contacts kept apart. The thermostat in this holding condition can be reset by hand.

Abstract: A trip free miniature thermostatic switch having a bimetallic disc located therein is responsive to temperature for localized control of an electrical circuit. A reset mechanism in said switch provides for closing of the circuit therein, but only after the temperature has returned the bimetallic disc to the switch closed position. For example, a bimetallic member may move a switch component to the open position where it is releasably retained until the temperature change has reversed and the release mechanism is positively operated.