Trip-free limit switch and reset mechanism
OwnerJames Bullingtoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high temperature limit switch is disclosed. The switch includes a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position, a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position, a non-movable fixed contact, and a pivotable contact support member including a contact movable with respect to the non-movable fixed contact. The contact support member is configured to prevent the movable contact from engaging the fixed contact while the resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to force applied to the reset member until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest. A method of resetting a high temperature limit switch is also disclosed.
Claims15
A switch comprising:
- a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position;
- a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position;
- a non-movable fixed contact;
- and
- a pivotable contact support member including a contact movable with respect to the non-movable fixed contact, wherein the contact support member is configured to prevent the movable contact from engaging the fixed contact while the resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to force applied to the reset member until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest.
A high temperature limit switch comprising:
- a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position;
- a moveable actuator constructed and arranged to cooperate with the resettable temperature responsive mechanism;
- a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position;
- a fixed pivot point;
- a non-movable fixed contact;
- and
- a pivotable contact support member having a contact movable with respect to the non-movable fixed contact, wherein the contact support member is configured to cooperate with the fixed pivot point to prevent the movable contact from engaging the non-movable fixed contact while the resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to force applied to the reset member.
A method of resetting a high temperature limit switch, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a reset member from a position of rest toward a reset position to exert force on a contact support member having a contact movable with respect to a non-movable fixed contact;
- and
- depressing an actuator in response to the moving step to move a resettable temperature responsive mechanism from a tripped position to a non-tripped position without allowing the movable contact to engage the non-movable fixed contact until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest.
A method of resetting a high temperature limit switch, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving a reset member from a position of rest toward a reset position to exert force on a contact support member, the contact support member including a fixed end and a first contact remote from the fixed end;
- and
- pivoting the contact support member at a fixed pivot point disposed between the fixed end and the first contact in response to the moving step to prevent the first contact from engaging a second contact while a resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from a tripped position to a non-tripped position.
A high temperature limit switch comprising;
- a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position;
- a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position;
- a pivotable contact support member including a fixed end and a first contact remote from the fixed end;
- a fixed contact configured to receive the first contact;
- a pivot point disposed between the fixed end and the first contact;
- and
- a moveable actuator disposed between the pivot point and the first contact to urge the resettable temperature responsive mechanism from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to movement of the reset member in the direction of the reset position, the first contact being prevented from contacting the fixed contact by force applied at the pivot point until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.