Arrangement for mechanically coupling an overload relay to a contactor

An apparatus comprising:

• (A) a contactor, the contactor including
• (1) a connection terminal, and
• (2) a housing, the housing having a coupling cutout formed therein, the coupling cutout further including a central cutout, a first slot and a second slot;
• and
• (B) an overload relay, the overload relay being mechanically coupled to the contactor, the overload relay further including
• (1) a hook, the hook including a latch element which is inserted into the central cutout and is retained in one of the first and second slots, and
• (2) a connection pin, the connection pin being electrically conductive, the connection pin being inserted into the connection terminal and being retained therein.

A method of mechanically coupling an overload relay to a contactor, the method comprising:

• (A) inserting a latch element of the overload relay into a coupling cutout of the contactor;
• (B) inserting a connection pin of the overload relay into a connection terminal of the contactor, the connection terminal being one of a plurality of different possible types of connection terminals which are adapted for being mechanically coupled to the overload relay;
• and
• (C) tightening the connection terminal, the tightening of the connection terminal causing the latch element to move within the coupling cutout;
• wherein, when the connection terminal is tightened, the latch element is movable in a plurality of different possible directions within the coupling cutout depending on the type of the connection terminal,
• wherein the plurality of different possible types includes a pressure plate claw type of connection terminal and a wire cage type of connection terminal, and
• if the connection terminal is the pressure plate claw type, then the latch element moves in a first direction, and
• if the connection terminal is the wire cage type, then the latch element moves in a second direction opposite the first direction,
• wherein the coupling cutout is formed of a central cutout, a first slot and a second slot,
• wherein, when the latch element is inserted into the coupling cutout of the contactor, the latch element is inserted into the central cutout,
• wherein the first slot extends from the central cutout in the first direction,
• wherein the second slot extends from the central cutout in the second direction, and
• wherein, when the terminal is tightened, the latch element moves within the first slot if the connection terminal is the pressure plate claw type of connection terminal and moves within the second slot if the connection terminal is the wire cage type of connection terminal.