Patent · US Expired

Alignment and centering arrangement for contacts of an interrupting device

US4668848A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
10References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 1985
Grant dateMay 26, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H33/91
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An alignment and centering arrangement is provided for effecting the self-centering of a first contact assembly and for effecting the self-alignment of the first contact assembly with a second contact assembly as the contact assemblies are positioned together for engagement. The alignment and centering arrangement provides a predetermined maximum range of pivoting movement of the first contact assembly with respect to a predetermined position while requiring minimal forces for effecting the self-alignment. Additionally, the alignment and centering arrangement accurately establishes a predetermined center position with orientation of the first contact assembly along a predetermined axis. In one configuration, the alignment and centering arrangement includes the resilient mounting of the first contact assembly with respect to a reference plane. The center position and orientation are established by the resilient mounting biasing the first contact assembly to a predetermined reference position with respect to the reference plane. The predetermined range of pivoting is provided by the interaction of the first contact assembly with structure that defines the reference plane.

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