Rocker contact switch for electrical device
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorKenny Padro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rocker contact switch for a GFCI device includes a base and first and second legs extending from the base. When the base is moved, the second leg rotates to contact a conductive member to put the GFCI device in an end of life condition. The first leg is substantially prevented from moving in response to movement of the base. A test button of the GFCI device is pushed a first distance to complete a first circuit that trips the GFCI device. The test button is pushed a second distance, which moves the base of the rocker contact switch, to complete a second circuit that puts the GFCI device in an end of life condition by moving the rocker switch base.
Claims20
A rocker contact switch for an electrical device, comprising:
- a movable base;
- a fixed first leg extending from said base;
- and
- a movable second leg extending from said base, said second leg being movable to contact a conductive member to put the electrical device in an end of life condition while said first leg remains substantially stationary during movement of said base.
A GFCI device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a button accessible on an outer surface of said housing and movable by first and second distances relative to said housing;
- a spring beam movable within said housing and engaged by said button when said button moves said first distance to cause tripping of said GFCI device;
- and
- a rocker contact switch disposed within said housing, said rocker contact switch including
- a movable base disposed within said housing;
- a fixed first leg extending from said base;
- and
- a movable second leg extending from said base, said button moving said spring beam to engage said base causing said second leg to move and to contact a conductive member to put the GFCI device in an end of life condition in response to said button being pushed said second distance.
A method of operating a GFCI device;
- comprising the steps of
- pushing a button on the GFCI device a first distance to complete a first circuit by engaging a spring beam with a base of a rocker contact switch to trip the GFCI device;
- and
- pushing a button a second distance, greater than the first distance, to complete a second circuit by moving the spring beam to move the base such that a second leg moves to contact a conductive member to put the GFCI device in an end of life condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.