Patent Grant
7414829
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050057333 (Subramanian), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites a “molded insulator cover for a circuit breaker molded case includes a terminal connector attachable to the strap terminal. The terminal connector projects outwardly from the circuit breaker molded case and an insulator discrete from the molded case is disposed around the terminal connector. The insulator is trapped into the circuit breaker molded case by attachment of the terminal connector to the strap terminal. The insulator is configured to be used with a plurality of different field installable terminal connectors.” See Abstract.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,196 (Greenberg), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites a “termination connector for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The termination connector preferably includes a plurality of single pole screw receiving members integrally attached by a molded housing for unitary attachment to a line or load end of a circuit breaker to assist in holding a nut or nut plate adjacent each screw hole in the circuit breaker's terminal straps. The molded housing preferably includes a line of perforations between each single pole screw receiving member so that the correct number of single pole screw receiving members can be retained and the others can be knocked off along the line of perforations. Provisions are disclosed for adaption of the connector to metric or English standard nut hardware. In addition, the termination connector and circuit breaker are provided with mating attachment devices for providing a simple yet secure connection.” See Abstract.
U.S. Patent publication No. 5,434,376 (Hyatt), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites the “present invention provides a terminal and base for connecting a circuit through a fusible switch. The base has a plurality of undercut prongs upstanding therefrom and an interlock snap resiliently attached thereto. The prongs are positioned on the base to prevent movement vertically and in at least one direction horizontally. The snap is positioned on the base to prevent movement in the remaining horizontal directions. The terminal includes a generally planar body made of conductive material. The body has a plurality of edges adapted to insert into the undercut prongs. The terminal positions an opposing edge on the body opposite the plurality of edges. The opposing edge is adapted to abut one end of the interlock snap. The terminal includes a first and second means for electrically and mechanically connecting the terminal to the circuit.” See Abstract.
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a mounting base adapted to be snapably coupled to a wiring lug. The wiring lug can comprise a prong, which can be adapted to electrically couple a circuit breaker to the wiring lug. The mounting base can define a chamber adapted to receive the wiring lug.
A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:
When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a mounting base adapted to be snapably coupled to a wiring lug. The wiring lug can comprise a prong, which can be adapted to electrically couple a circuit breaker to the wiring lug. The mounting base can define a chamber adapted to receive the wiring lug.
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a mounting base adapted to snapably couple to a wiring lug. The mounting base material can be, for example, a thermoplastic and/or thermoset material. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide lug-alignment and/or circuit breaker alignment features on the mounting base that can result in a relatively strong assembly.
The mounting base can be adapted to retain and/or couple two wiring lugs, which can be snapably coupled to the mounting base. The two wiring lugs can be used for circuit breaker retention and/or to electrically couple the circuit breaker to an electrical source or load. The thermoplastic and/or thermoset material of the mounting base can be utilized to insulate between the circuit breaker and an enclosure that can at least partially surround the circuit breaker.
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a plastic mounting base and two wiring lugs. The circuit breaker can be mounted on a prong comprised by the wiring lug. Wires can be releasably coupled to the wiring lug via a fastener. The wiring lug can be positioned above the mounting base at an angle and pressed downward to snapably couple the wiring lug to the mounting base. One or more snaps can be adapted to retain the wiring lug. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise one or more side snaps, which can be used for low profile retention. Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise one or more end snaps. The one or more snaps can be adapted to retain the lug in three mutually perpendicular directions. For example, the end snap can be adapted to resist motion of the wiring lug in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the prong of the wiring lug. Moreover, side action snaps can be adapted to resist rotational motion about an axis that might allow an undesired uncoupling of the wiring lug from the mounting base. Certain exemplary embodiments can be adapted to resist removal of the lug as the circuit breaker is being uncoupled from the prong of the wiring lug.
Electrical panel 1100 can comprise a basepan 1400 and one or more circuit breakers 1500. Circuit breaker 1500 can be operably energizable by 100 volts or greater. A first plurality of conductors can electrically couple electrical source 1200 to circuit breaker 1500. The first plurality of conductors can comprise a first source conductor 1800 and a second source conductor 1820. A neutral conductor, 1840, can be electrically coupled to a neutral compartment located inside the electrical panel 1100. A ground 1860 can be electrically coupled to electrical panel 1100. Each of first source conductor 1800 and second source conductor 1820 can be operably connectable to one or more circuit breakers, such as circuit breaker 1500.
A second plurality of conductors can electrically couple electrical load 1300 to circuit breaker 1500. The second plurality of conductors can comprise a first load conductor 1900, a second load conductor 1920, and a neutral load conductor 1940. Each of first load conductor 1900, and second load conductor 1920 can be operably connectable to one or more circuit breakers, such as circuit breaker 1500.
Mount 3150 can comprise a floor 3800. Mounting base 3100 can comprise of one or more end clips 3400, an end clip lip 3450, one or more side clips, such as side clip 3500, one or more side clip lips, such as side clip lip 3550, and/or an end lip 3600.
Each of first wiring lug 3200 and second wiring lug 3300 can comprise a prong, such as prong 3220 of first wiring lug 3200 and prong 3320 of second wiring lug 3300. Each of prong 3220 and prong 3320 can be adapted to electrically couple a circuit breaker (such as circuit breaker 2500 of
Each of first wiring lug 3200 and second wiring lug 3300 can comprise a flange, such as flange 3240 of first wiring lug 3200. Each of first wiring lug 3200 and second wiring lug 3300 can comprise a protrusion, such as protrusion 3260 of first wiring lug 3200. Protrusion 3260 can be adapted to engage end clip 3400 of mounting base 3100.
First wiring lug 3200 can be snapably coupleable to mounting base 3100. For example, flange 3240 can be placed adjacent to, engage, and/or interlock with end lip 3600, thereby defining an axis of substantial contact between flange 3240 and end lip 3600. First wiring lug 3200 can be rotated about the axis of substantial contact toward mounting base 3100. First wiring lug 3200 can come to rest on top surface of end clip 3400 and/or side clip 3500. First wiring lug 3200 can rest within a portion of chamber 3700 and can be snapably and/or releasably coupled to mounting base 3100 via a snapable closure of one or more of end clip 3400, side clip 3500, and/or an opposing side clip (not illustrated) to side clip 3500.
Each of first wiring lug 3200 and second wiring lug 3300 can comprise an aperture, such as aperture 3350 of second wiring lug 3300. Apertures, such as aperture 3350, can be adapted to receive a conductor. The conductor can be adapted to provide electrical energy to a breaker that is electrically coupled to prong 3220 and/or prong 3320 of system 3000. A fastener 3380 can be adapted to releasably attach an electrical conductor to second wiring lug 3300.
Each of prong 3220 and prong 3320 can define a plane, such as plane 3900 defined by prong 3220. System 3000 can be characterized by a first axis 3940, which can be substantially parallel to floor 3800 and substantially parallel to plane 3900. System 3000 can be characterized by a second axis 3920, which can be substantially perpendicular to floor 3800 and substantially parallel to plane 3900. System 3000 can be characterized by a third axis 3930, which can be substantially parallel to floor 3800 and substantially perpendicular to plane 3900.
End clip 3400 can be adapted to restrain motion of wiring lug 3200 relative to mounting base 3100 in a first direction substantially parallel to plane 3900. End clip 3400 can be adapted to restrain first wiring lug 3200 from rotational motion about first axis 3940 substantially parallel to plane 3900 and substantially parallel to floor 3800 of mount 3150. Side clip 3500 can be adapted to restrain motion of first wiring lug 3200 relative to mounting base 3100 in a direction substantially parallel to plane 3900 and rotational motion about third axis 3930. End lip 3600 can be adapted to restrain motion of first wiring lug 3200 relative to mounting base 3100 in a direction substantially parallel to plane 3900 and rotational motion about first axis 3940. Chamber 3700 can be adapted to restrain first wiring lug 3200 from rotational motion about second axis 3920 substantially parallel to plane 3900 and first axis 3940. Flange 3240 can be adapted to restrain first wiring lug 3200 from motion relative to mounting base 3100 in a direction substantially parallel to plane 3900 and rotational motion about first axis 3940.
Once first wiring lug 3200 is snapably coupled to mounting base 3100, end clip lip 3450 can be adapted to restrain motion of first wiring lug 3200 relative to mounting base 3100 in a direction substantially parallel to plane 3900, and rotational motion about first axis 3940. Once first wiring lug 3200 is snapably coupled to mounting base 3100, side clip lip 3550 can be adapted to restrain motion of first wiring lug 3200 relative to mounting base 3100 in a direction substantially parallel to plane 3900, and rotational motion about third axis 3930.
At activity 5200, a mounting base can be obtained and/or provided. The mounting base can be adapted to be snapably coupled to the wiring lug. The mounting base can define a chamber adapted to receive the wiring lug. The mounting base can comprise an end clip adapted to snapably couple the wiring lug to the mounting base. The end clip can be adapted to restrain motion of the wiring lug relative to the mounting base in a first direction substantially parallel to the plane defined by the prong. The end clip can be adapted to restrain the wiring lug from rotational motion about a first axis substantially parallel to the plane defined by the prong and substantially parallel to a floor associated with the mounting base. The chamber can be adapted to restrain the wiring lug from rotational motion about a second axis substantially parallel to the plane. The second axis can be substantially perpendicular to the floor associated with said mounting base
At activity 5300, one or more wiring lugs can be snapably coupled to the mounting base. For example, a flange of the wiring lug can be placed adjacent to a lip of the mounting base, which can define an axis of substantial contact between the wiring lug and the mounting base. The wiring lug can be rotated about the axis of substantial contact to engage one or more snapable closures associated with the mounting base.
At activity 5400, a circuit breaker can be electrically coupled to the one or more wiring lugs. For example, the circuit breaker can be releasably coupled to one or more prongs of one or more wiring lugs. Thereby, the circuit breaker can be releasably coupled to the mounting base.
At activity 5500, a conductor can be coupled to each of the one or more wiring lugs. For example, the conductor can be passed through an aperture associated with the wiring lug. The conductor can be secured with respect to the wiring lug via a fastener, such as a releasable fastener.
At activity 5600, the circuit breaker can be energized with electrical energy. For example, the circuit breaker can be energized with electrical energy greater than approximately 100 volts.
At activity 5700, the circuit breaker can be deenergized and/or decoupled from an electrical energy source. A transfer switch and/or main circuit breaker can be utilized to energize and/or deenergize the circuit breaker.
At activity 5800, the circuit breaker can be removed from the one or more wiring lugs. For example, the circuit breaker can be pried and/or rotatably pulled off of one or more prongs associated with one or more wiring lugs.
At activity 5900, the one or more wiring lugs can be removed from the mounting base. For example, one or more tools can be utilized to release one or more snapable closures from a particular wiring lug. For example, the wiring lug can be rotatably moved about the axis of substantial contact for removal from the mounting base.
Note
Still other practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited detailed description and drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of this application.
Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via an explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:
Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.
Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such incorporated by reference material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.
Accordingly, the descriptions and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3888560 | Smith et al. | Jun 1975 | A |
| 4809132 | Palmieri et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
| 5269710 | Donnerstag | Dec 1993 | A |
| 5434379 | Hyatt | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5662491 | Antilla et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 6036542 | Montague et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6379196 | Greenberg | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6424519 | Soares et al. | Jul 2002 | B2 |
| 6459570 | Buchanan | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 7372692 | Ranta et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
| 20050057333 | Subramanian | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 202005003820 | May 2005 | DE |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080002339 A1 | Jan 2008 | US |
