US4680672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case circuit breaker with front accessible control panel
Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
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Filing: 1985-11-08
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2005-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A molded case circuit breaker has control terminals mounted on the front of the breaker and accessible from the front. A transparent plexiglass cover is positioned over the terminals to prevent inadvertent contact with the terminals and an opening is provided in the side of the casing for the egress of the control wires. With the control terminals on the front of the circuit breaker, an inspection can be performed without disconnecting power from the breaker.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. May
- 👤 Rex McColloch, Jr.
- 👤 William A. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:22
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/26; H02B1/46; H02B1/48; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/08; H01H2071/086; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/123; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A molded case circuit breaker, comprising: a molded case having a front, a front portion defining an opening, first and second grooves adjacent opposed boundaries of the front portion opening and a side portion with an opening adjacent the front portion opening; a circuit board positioned in said first and second grooves on the interior of the molded case; and a terminal mounted on the circuit board and accessible from the front.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A molded case circuit breaker, comprising: a molded case having a front, a front portion defining an opening, first and second grooves adjacent opposed boundaries of the front portion opening and a side portion with an opening adjacent the front portion opening; a circuit board positioned in said first and second grooves on the interior of the molded case; and a terminal mounted on the circuit board and accessible from the front.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 1, including third and fourth grooves and a top plate positioned in the third and fourth grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the terminal is a screw terminal with a terminal screw protruding beyond the top plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is an inverted U-shaped terminal with the legs of the U mechanically attached to the circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 4, wherein the legs of the U-shaped terminal are soldered to the circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 2, including fifth and sixth grooves and a cover plate positioned in the fifth and sixth grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 6, wherein the cover plate is transparent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein there are eight terminals arranged in first and second groups of four terminals each, said first group having four equally spaced terminals along the inner periphery of the front portion opening arranged in a vertical line, said second group of four terminals being divided into two groups of two terminals with a space between the groups for the passing of conductors from the side portion opening to the first group of four terminals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of terminals arranged in vertical rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of terminals arranged in horizontal rows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A molded case circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein there are eight terminals arranged in two horizontal rows of four terminals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3761778A
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US4300110A
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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) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |