Patent · US Expired

Electric switches

US4523173A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
1References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 1983
Grant dateJun 11, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H37/002
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A thermally-responsive electric switch has a manually-releasable latching arrangement which makes use of a latching member (6) comprising an L-shaped or bellcrank lever having an integrally formed part (11) which constitutes a release member and connects to the end of one limb (9) of the L-shaped lever via a resilient hinge portion (12). The end of the other limb (8) of the L-shaped lever constitutes a latching abutment (10) for engagement with a member (3) of the switch. The latching member (6) is so arranged that, when the switch operates, the latching abutment (10) engages with the respective member (3) of the switch so as to preclude its return and thereby latch out the switch. Resetting is achieved by depression of the release member part (11) of the latching member (6), this causing the L-shaped lever to pivot generally about the junction of its two limbs such that the latching abutment (10) moves out of its latching position and permits the switch to reset.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.