Patent US3699433A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3699433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Short circuit locator apparatus including a plurality of intermittently operated circuit breakers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-11-24
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for locating short circuits, primarily in a vehicle, which comprises of placing a pair of test leads across the defective fuse in a shorted circuit, the test leads being connected to a plurality of circuit breakers through a selector switch for selecting one of the circuit breakers. A relay in parallel with the selected circuit breaker operates a switch which controls a light and tone generator, such that when the circuit breaker is placed across the fuse terminals of a shorted circuit, an audible and visual signal will be generated by the tone generator and light.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Peter Smith Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/005; G01R31/006; G01R31/50; G01R31/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for locating shorts in an electrical circuit including a protective means comprising: a. first and second test lead means for connecting said apparatus across said protective means; b. a plurality of intermittently operating circuit breakers, each circuit breaker connected to said first test lead means and opening and closing in response to a different magnitude of current therethrough; c. selector switch means connected between said second test lead means and said plurality of circuit breakers for selecting one circuit breaker from said plurality; d. switch means connected between said first and second test lead means and in parallel with said selected circuit breaker for conducting the current between said test lead means when said one circuit breaker opens, with the resistance of said switch means being high relative to the resistance of said selected circuit breaker; and e. indicator means connected to said switch means for operating in response to the operation of said switch means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for locating shorts in an electrical circuit including a protective means comprising: a. first and second test lead means for connecting said apparatus across said protective means; b. a plurality of intermittently operating circuit breakers, each circuit breaker connected to said first test lead means and opening and closing in response to a different magnitude of current therethrough; c. selector switch means connected between said second test lead means and said plurality of circuit breakers for selecting one circuit breaker from said plurality; d. switch means connected between said first and second test lead means and in parallel with said selected circuit breaker for conducting the current between said test lead means when said one circuit breaker opens, with the resistance of said switch means being high relative to the resistance of said selected circuit breaker; and e. indicator means connected to said switch means for operating in response to the operation of said switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each circuit breaker is a thermal type whereby when the current exceeds the rated value of said circuit breaker said circuit breaker opens and after cooling closes in a cyclic action, thereby causing an intermittent current to flow through said switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said switch means comprises a relay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises both an audible and visual indicator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including ammeter means connected across said first and second test leads means for indicating the magnitude of the current flowing in the shorted circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said indicator means comprises an audible and visual indicator; and further including ammeter means connected across said first and second test lead means for indicating the magnitude of the current flowing in the shorted circuit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |