Network protector locking spring loaded control connections

• US 6,592,388 B1
• Filed: 09/10/2001
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Magazine, Michael F., Jur, Arthur J., Oneufer, Stephen W., Brandt, Douglas M., Meiners, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Lynn D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US09/951,033
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 439/310, 439/248, 439/131, 361/798, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 439/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1454 Alignment mechanisms; Drawout cases

Abstract

A spring-biased electrical connector permits the connector to be moved into a retracted position for installation and removal of the components to which the connector is attached, and then extended to form an electrical connection with its mating connector. The spring-biased connector may be secured in electrical connection with its mating connector. Such a spring-biased connector is particularly useful for connecting a control relay to a network protector, although not limited to such use.

Claims

1. A control relay for a network protector, the control relay comprising a control panel and a connector mounted on said control panel, said connector having means for moving said connector substantially perpendicular to said control panel between a retracted position permitting installation and removal of said control relay, and an extended position wherein said connector engages a mating connector within the network protector when said remote controller is installed on said network protector.

2. The control relay according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving said connector substantially perpendicular to said control panel between said retracted position, and said extended position comprise:

a bracket having a pair of end portions;

at least one electrical connector portion on said bracket;

means for defining said retracted position and said extended position;

means for biasing said connector towards the extended position; and

means for moving said connector towards said retracted position.

3. The control relay according to claim 2, wherein said means for moving said connector towards said retracted position include a threaded bolt engaging each of said pair of end portions, and said control panel to guide said bracket between said extended and retracted positions, and lock said bracket in said retracted position.

4. The control relay according to claim 2, wherein said means for defining said retracted position and said extended position include an end brace adjacent to each of said end portions.

5. The control relay according to claim 4, wherein said means for biasing said connector towards an extended position include a spring between each of said end braces and each of said end portions.

6. The control relay according to claim 2, further comprising means for securing said connector in said extended position.

7. The control relay according to claim 6, wherein said means for securing said connector in said extended position include at least one captive screw.

8. The control relay according to claim 2, wherein said at least one electrical connector portion includes at least one alignment pin.

9. A network protector comprising a fixed connector and a control relay, the control relay comprising a control panel and a moveable connector mounted on said control panel, said moveable connector having means for moving said connector substantially perpendicular to said control panel between a retracted position permitting installation and removal of said control relay, and an extended position wherein said connector engages said fixed connector when said remote controller is installed on said network protector.

10. The network protector according to claim 9, wherein said means for moving said connector substantially perpendicular to said control panel between said retracted position, and said extended position comprise:

a bracket having a pair of end portions;

at least one electrical connector portion on said bracket;

means for defining said retracted position and said extended position;

means for biasing said connector towards the extended position; and

means for moving said connector, towards said retracted position.

11. The network protector according to claim 10, wherein said means for moving said connector towards said retracted position include a threaded bolt engaging each of said pair of end portions, and said control panel to guide said bracket between said extended and retracted positions, and lock said bracket in said retracted position.

12. The network protector according to claim 10, wherein said means for defining said retracted position and said extended position include an end brace adjacent to each of said end portions.

13. The network protector according to claim 12, wherein said means for biasing said connector towards an extended position include a spring between each of said end braces and each of said end portions.

14. The network protector according to claim 10, further comprising means for securing said connector in said extended position.

15. The network protector according to claim 14, wherein said means for securing said connector in said extended position include at least one captive screw.

16. The network protector according to claim 10, wherein said at least one electrical connector portion includes at least one alignment pin.