Convertible locking arrangement on breakers

A circuit breaker and locking device combination for locking the handle of a circuit breaker in an ON or OFF position, the circuit breaker comprising:

• a circuit breaker housing;
• an elongated slot in a surface of the circuit breaker housing;
• a handle protruding from the elongated slot, the handle pivotally attached within the circuit breaker housing to move from an ON position adjacent a first end of the elongated slot to an OFF position adjacent a second end of the elongated slot;
• the locking device comprising:
• a first part having a first squeezable side and a second squeezable side;
• a first slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the first squeezable side and a second slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the second squeezable side;
• and,
• a second part sized to fit within the first part;
• wherein the first part is within the elongated slot of the circuit breaker housing with the first and second slot-engaging tabs retaining the first part within the elongated slot, and further wherein the first part is removable from the elongated slot by compressing the first and second squeezable sides inwardly to release the first and second slot engaging tabs from the elongated slot, and further wherein the second part fitted within the first part prevents the first and second squeezable sides of the first part from being compressed inwardly.

A locking device for a circuit breaker handle, the locking device comprising:

• a first part having a first squeezable side and a second squeezable side, the first and second squeezable sides each having a top end and a bottom end;
• the first part further having a first connecting side and a second connecting side, the first and second connecting sides connecting the top end of the first squeezable side to the top end of the second squeezable side;
• a first slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the bottom end of the first squeezable side and a second slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the bottom end of the second squeezable side;
• and,
• an extension protruding from the bottom end of the first squeezable side and adjacent the second connecting side, the extension for overlying a push-to-trip button on a circuit breaker housing;
• wherein the first part is for fitting within a slot in a circuit breaker housing with the first and second slot-engaging tabs for retaining the first part within the slot, and further wherein the first part is removable from the slot by compressing the first and second squeezable sides inwardly to release the first and second slot engaging tabs from the slot.

A locking device for a circuit breaker handle, the locking device comprising:

• a first part having a first squeezable side and a second squeezable side, the first and second squeezable sides each having a top end and a bottom end;
• the first part further having a first connecting side and a second connecting side, the first and second connecting sides connecting the top end of the first squeezable side to the top end of the second squeezable side;
• an insert portion integrally attached to the first connecting side by a breaking line and removable from the first connecting side along the breaking line;
• and,
• a first slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the bottom end of the first squeezable side and a second slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the bottom end of the second squeezable side;
• wherein the first part is for fitting within a slot in a circuit breaker housing with the first and second slot-engaging tabs for retaining the first part within the slot, and further wherein the first part is removable from the slot by compressing the first and second squeezable sides inwardly to release the first and second slot engaging tabs from the slot, and further wherein, with the insert portion attached to the first connecting side, the locking device is usable for locking a circuit breaker handle in an OFF position, and, with the insert portion removed from the first connecting side and subsequently secured to the second connecting side, the locking device is usable for locking a circuit breaker handle in an ON position.

A locking device for a circuit breaker handle, the locking device comprising:

• a first part having a first squeezable side and a second squeezable side;
• a first slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the first squeezable side and a second slot-engaging tab extending outwardly from the second squeezable side;
• and,
• a second part sized to fit within the first part;
• wherein the first part is for fitting within a slot in a circuit breaker housing with the first and second slot-engaging tabs for retaining the first part within the slot, wherein the first part is removable from the slot by compressing the first and second squeezable sides inwardly to release the first and second slot engaging tabs from the slot, and further wherein the second part engaged with the first part prevents the first and second squeezable sides of the first part from being compressed inwardly.