Ground fault interrupter wiring device with improved latching and actuating components

A ground fault interrupter (gfi) wiring device for connection in an electrical circuit, said device comprising:

• a) housing means of dielectric material defining an enclosed space;
• b) at least one first contact fixedly positioned within said enclosed space;
• c) at least one second contact within said enclosed space for movement with respect to said fixed contact between a first position, in circuit-making engagement with said first contact, and a second position, in spaced, circuit-breaking relation to said first contact;
• d) a unitary latch member having an abutment portion, a first engagement portion and a spring portion, said latch means being mounted within said enclosed space for reciprocal movement in first and second, opposite directions along a first axis, and in third and fourth, opposite directions along a second axis, transverse to said first axis, said spring portion urging said latch member toward movement in said third direction;
• e) a moveable member mounted within said enclosed space for movement in said first and second directions, and having a second engagement portion with which said first engagement portion is engaged and disengaged by movement of said latch member in said third and fourth directions, respectively;
• f) said latch member and said second contact being constructed and arranged for movement of said second contact to said first position by movement of said latch member in said first direction;
• g) first biasing means for moving said second contact to said first position when said first and second engagement portions are mutually engaged;
• h) second biasing means for moving said second contact said second position upon disengagement of said first and second engagement portions by movement of said latch member in said fourth direction;
• and
• i) actuating means moveable in response to a sensed fault condition in said circuit to move said latch member in said fourth direction.

A ground fault interrupter (gfi) wiring device for connection to hot and neutral lines in an electrical circuit, said device comprising:

• a) housing means of dielectric material defining an enclosed space;
• b) a pair of first contacts fixedly positioned within said enclosed space;
• c) a pair of second contacts positioned within said enclosed space for movement conjointly between a first position, in respective, circuit-making engagement with said first pair of contacts, and a second position, in spaced, circuit-breaking relation to said first pair of contacts;
• d) first spring means urging said second contacts toward movement to said second position thereof;
• e) a unitary latch member including an abutment portion, a first engagement portion and second spring means, said latch member being mounted within said enclosed space for reciprocal movement in a first path between latching and unlatching positions, and in a second path, transverse to said first path, between opposite, terminal positions, said second spring means urging said latch member toward movement along said first path to said latching position;
• f) a reset member including a surface accessible exteriorly of said housing means for manual movement of said reset member in a first direction, and a second engagement portion with which said first engagement portion is engaged to maintain said second contacts in said first position when said latching member is in said latching position;
• g) third spring means urging said reset member toward movement in a second direction, opposite to said first direction;
• and
• h) actuating means moveable in response to an imbalance of current flow in said hot and neutral lines to move said latching member from said latching to said unlatching position, thereby permitting movement of said second contacts to said second position thereof and said reset member in said second direction.

A ground fault interrupter (gfi) wiring device for connection to hot and neutral lines of an electrical circuit and for opening said circuit in response to an imbalance of current flow through said hot and neutral lines, said device comprising:

• a) housing means defining an enclosed space;
• b) at least one first electrical contact fixedly mounted within said enclosed space;
• c) at least one second electrical contact mounted within said enclosed space for movement between a first position, in circuit-making engagement with said first contact, and a second position, in spaced, circuit-breaking relation to said first contact;
• d) spring means compressible to apply a biasing force urging said second contact toward said second position;
• e) latch means for releasably holding said second contact in said first position;
• f) means for sensing an imbalance of current flow through said hot and neutral lines;
• g) a solenoid including a coil wound symmetrically about a central axis surrounded by an opening having an internal wall extending axially through said coil, and a magnetically permeable armature having an elongated stem portion extending slideably through and closely surrounded over at least a portion of its length by internal wall between a terminal end on one side of said coil and a relatively enlarged head portion integral with said stem portion on the other side of said coil, said head portion having a cross section in a plane perpendicular to said axis at least 1.25 times the cross section of said opening;
• h) means for releasing said latch means in response to movement of said armature in a first direction from said head portion to said terminal end;
• and
• i) means for energizing said coil to generate a magnetic flux field in response to said imbalance of current flow to effect movement of said armature in said first direction, the speed of said movement being enhanced by said magnetic flux field acting upon said relatively enlarged head portion.