Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
In a GFI receptacle having a first pair of fixed electrical contacts and a second pair of contacts carried on closely spaced, and forward end portions of substantially parallel, adjacent, electrically conducting arms movable between first and second positions wherein said second pair of contacts is in and out of engagement, respectively, with said first pair of contacts, means for preventing arcing as said second pair of contacts moves into and out of engagement with said first pair of contacts, said means comprising: (a) a member of dielectric material mounted for movement together with and in the same direction as said arms; (b) said member having a pair of spaced surfaces underlying and contacting said end portions of said arms to maintain the latter in said first position thereof, said surfaces having coextensive forward edges extending laterally across said member; (c) a medial wall portion of dielectric material extending upwardly from a position between said spaced surfaces to a position physically separating and forming a dielectric barrier between said arms for a predetermined distance extending rearwardly from said forward edges for at least a portion of the length of said arms; and (d) an end wall portion of dielectric material extending upwardly from a position at said forward edges of said spaced surfaces and extending laterally across said member to form a dielectric barrier forwardly of said first and second pairs of contacts, whereby said end wall portion cooperates with said medial wall portion to prevent line-to-line arcing as said second pair of contacts is moved into and out of engagement with said first pair of contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a GFI receptacle having a first pair of fixed electrical contacts and a second pair of contacts carried on closely spaced, and forward end portions of substantially parallel, adjacent, electrically conducting arms movable between first and second positions wherein said second pair of contacts is in and out of engagement, respectively, with said first pair of contacts, means for preventing arcing as said second pair of contacts moves into and out of engagement with said first pair of contacts, said means comprising: (a) a member of dielectric material mounted for movement together with and in the same direction as said arms; (b) said member having a pair of spaced surfaces underlying and contacting said end portions of said arms to maintain the latter in said first position thereof, said surfaces having coextensive forward edges extending laterally across said member; (c) a medial wall portion of dielectric material extending upwardly from a position between said spaced surfaces to a position physically separating and forming a dielectric barrier between said arms for a predetermined distance extending rearwardly from said forward edges for at least a portion of the length of said arms; and (d) an end wall portion of dielectric material extending upwardly from a position at said forward edges of said spaced surfaces and extending laterally across said member to form a dielectric barrier forwardly of said first and second pairs of contacts, whereby said end wall portion cooperates with said medial wall portion to prevent line-to-line arcing as said second pair of contacts is moved into and out of engagement with said first pair of contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said spaced surfaces are essentially coplanar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said wall portion are integrally formed with said member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said medial wall portion includes a first section having an opening extending therethrough along an axis mutually perpendicular to a line connecting said end portions and a line parallel to said arms, and a second, solid section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said first section lies between the two contacts of each of said first and second pairs, and further including a separate member of dielectric material extending through said opening and thus positioned between said two contacts of each of said pairs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said separate member comprises a stem extending from a manually engageable reset button of said GFI receptacle.