Automatically operating interlock assembly requiring an electrical cabinet to be closed before connection of the equipment
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorBrad R. Leccia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatically operating interlock device prevents connection of an electrical device within a cabinet unless the cabinet door is closed. The interlock is particularly useful for circuit breakers contained within arc resistant cabinets. The interlock includes a spring-biased brake bar controlling the position of a brake. The brake bar is biased so that it pulls the brake against one of the wheels of the circuit breaker, thereby preventing movement of the circuit breaker towards its rear, connected position. Closing the door causes the door to push against the brake bar, thereby causing the brake bar to pivot the brake away from the wheel. The circuit breaker may then be moved rearward towards this connected position.
Claims20
An interlock for a cabinet for electrical equipment, the electrical equipment having a plurality of rollers, the cabinet having a door moving between an open position and a closed position, said interlock comprising:
- a brake moving between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said brake being dimensioned and configured to engage one of the plurality of roller of the electrical equipment when said brake is in the engaged position;
- means for biasing said brake towards said engaged position;
- and
- means for moving said brake from said engaged position to said disengaged position when the door is in the closed position.
A cabinet for housing electrical equipment, the electrical equipment having a plurality of rollers, said cabinet comprising:
- a door;
- means for moving electrical equipment between a rearward, connected position and a forward, disconnected position;
- and
- an interlock, comprising:
- a brake moving between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said brake being dimensioned and configured to engage one of the plurality of rollers of the electrical equipment when said brake is in said engaged position;
- means for biasing said brake towards said engaged position;
- and
- means for moving said brake from said engaged position to said disengaged position when the door is in the closed position.
A circuit breaker assembly, comprising:
- a circuit breaker, comprising:
- means for electrical connection with a circuit;
- and
- said circuit breaker moving between a forward position and a rearward position;
- and
- a cabinet, comprising:
- a door;
- means for connecting to said means for electrical connection of said circuit breaker when said circuit breaker is in said rearward position;
- a levering in assembly having a threaded rod and a levering in block threaded to the threaded rod;
- and
- an interlock, comprising:
- a brake moving between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said brake being dimensioned and configured to engage a roller of electrical equipment when said brake is engaged;
- means for biasing said brake towards said engaged position;
- and
- means for moving said brake from said engaged position to said disengaged position when the door is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.