Circuit breaker operating handle interlock
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJoseph B. Kelaita, Jr., Roger N. Castonguay, Edwin J. Collin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molded case circuit breaker handle interlock unit is arranged on the top surface of the circuit breaker to lockingly prevent intentional displacement of the circuit breaker operating handle from either the ON or OFF positions. The movable clip on the unit is attached to the circuit breaker handle to prevent tampering.
Claims19
A handle locking unit for a molded case circuit breaker comprising:
- a base plate adapted for positioning on a top surface of a circuit breaker cover;
- an elongated rectangular slot formed in said base for receiving a circuit breaker operating handle;
- an arcuate ramp upstanding from said base and having a top surface configured to conform to a radial path traversed by a circuit breaker operating handle;
- and
- fastening means on said arcuate ramp arranged for attachment to a circuit breaker operating handle, said fastening means moving along said arcuate ramp when a circuit breaker operating handle is moved from ON and OFF positions.
A molded case circuit breaker having a locked operating handle comprising:
- a molded plastic cover fastened to a molded plastic case including internal circuit breaker operating components;
- an operating handle extending upward from said cover providing means for turning said operating components between ON and OFF conditions;
- a locking unit on said cover arranged for locking said operating handle in an OFF position, said locking unit comprising:
- a base plate adapted for positioning on a top surface of said circuit breaker cover;
- an elongated rectangular slot formed in said base for receiving said circuit breaker operating handle;
- an arcuate ramp upstanding from said base and having a top surface configured to conform to a radial path traversed by said circuit breaker operating handle;
- and
- fastening means on said arcuate ramp arranged for attachment to said circuit breaker operating handle, said fastening means moving along said arcuate ramp when said circuit breaker operating handle is moved from ON and OFF positions.
The molded case circuit breaker of 13 wherein said plate overlaps a part of a circuit breaker rating plug on a top surface of said circuit breaker cover.
The molded case circuit breaker of 13 wherein said plate overlaps a part of a circuit breaker trip-test button on a top surface of said circuit breaker cover.
The molded case circuit breaker of 13 wherein said fastening means comprises a U-shaped clip defining a top bight and a pair of legs depending from said top bight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.