Circuit breaker rocker actuator switch
AssigneePotter & Brumfield, Inc.
InventorsPaul Cambreleng, Karl R. Kropp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rocker actuator switch having a frame which has a first projection extending therefrom which passes through a yoke portion of a rocker actuator that moves between on and off positions. The rocker actuator is pivotally connected to the frame by a snapping arrangement whereby a second frame projection is guided and slides along a flexible cantilevered beam, which is disposed in a sidewall of the rocker actuator, until the second projection enters a partial circular cutout in the sidewall of the rocker actuator. Upon entering the cutout, the flexible beam retains the second projection in the cutout where it is free to pivot.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a frame having a first projection extending therefrom;
- a rocker actuator having a yoke portion extending therefrom;
- and
- means for pivotally connecting said rocker actuator to said frame;
- such that said rocker actuator is movable between a first position and a second position and such that said first projection passes through said yoke portion and guides and centers said rocker actuator on said frame during movement between said first and second positions.
A device comprising:
- a frame having a pair of cylindrical projections extending therefrom and;
- a rocker actuator having a pair of partial circular cutouts in a sidewall thereof and a pair of cantilevered flexible beams each having a free end which extends toward a respective one of said partial circular cutouts such that as said rocker actuator is pushed onto said frame, said flexible cantilevered beams flex and a respective one of said cylindrical projections enters into a respective one of said partial circular cutouts, whereby upon entering said respective one of said partial circular cutouts said cylindrical projections are retained therein by a respective one of said flexible cantilevered beams allowing said rocker actuator to pivot freely around said cylindrical projections.
A method for assembling a device comprising the steps of:
- a. inserting a cylindrical projection which extends from a common trip into a partial circular cutout in a frame;
- b. snappingly engaging a first projection which extends from a rocker link into a corresponding hole in a rocker actuator to pivotally engage said rocker link to said rocker actuator;
- c. snappingly engaging a second projection which extends from said rocker link into a corresponding opening in a cam;
- d. sliding said rocker actuator onto a projection extending from said frame;
- e. flexing a flexible cantilevered beam disposed in a sidewall of said rocker actuator;
- f. guiding said frame projection along said flexible cantilevered beam;
- and
- g. snapping said frame projection into a partial circular cutout in a sidewall of said rocker actuator.
A switch comprising:
- a frame having a first projection extending therefrom;
- a rocker actuator having a yoke portion extending therefrom;
- means for pivotally connecting said rocker actuator to said frame such that said rocker actuator is movable between a first position and a second position and such that said first projection passes through said yoke portion and guides and centers said rocker actuator on said frame during movement between said first and second positions;
- first and second contact members, wherein at least one of said first and second contact members are operatively connected to said rocker actuator such that when said rocker actuator is in said first position said first and second contact members engage with each other and when said rocker actuator is in said second position said first and second contact members are separated from each other;
- and
- means for tripping said rocker actuator from said first position into said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.