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US 5,635,692 AGranted
Contact arrangement for electrical apparatus
AssigneeS&C Electric Company
InventorRobert H. Ward, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeS&C Electric Company
InventorRobert H. Ward, Jr.
Estimating the term…
A contact arrangement is provided for engaging first and second stationary contacts in a predetermined sequential manner, for example so as to appropriately provide a pre-insertion function via the first contact and prior to engagement of the second contact that provides a circuit-closing function in a main current path. In a preferred arrangement, the moving contact of the contact arrangement includes first and second contact surfaces that are spaced apart and parallel to each other, the first and second contact surfaces of the moving contact sequentially engaging the first and second stationary contact surfaces respectively during closing movement. In a specific embodiment, the first and second contact surfaces are provided by a unitary contact member having a circular cross-section, this arrangement being especially suited for a switch where the contact member is rotated as it moves to the closed position.
A contact configuration for use in an electrical switch configuration including a pre-insertion component that is inserted into a circuit during a closing movement of the switch configuration, the contact configuration comprising first and second spaced apart stationary contacts, and a movable contact assembly comprising a generally L-shaped contact member having first and second contact portions that are arranged to respectively and sequentially engage said first and second stationary contacts during closing movement of said movable contact assembly, said pre-insertion component being connected between said first and second stationary contacts.
A contact arrangement for electrical apparatus including first and second stationary contacts and a movable contact assembly including first and second movable contacts movable with said movable contact assembly, said first movable contact defining a first contact surface, said second movable contact defining a second contact surface, said first and second contact surfaces being parallel to each other, the contact arrangement further including means for moving said movable contact assembly so that said first movable contact engages said first stationary contact followed by said second movable contact engaging said second stationary contact, said movable contact assembly comprising an elongated member having a generally circular cross-section and defining said first and second movable contacts, said movable contact assembly further comprising a switch blade that carries said elongated member, said elongated member being conductive, said elongated member including first and second ends, each of said first and second ends being affixed to said switch blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.