Reset lockout for sliding latch GFCI

• US 7,031,125 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2001
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Ziegler, William R., Campolo, Steve, Germain, Frantz, DiSalvo, Nicholas L., Herzfeld, David, Stewart, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Danny
• Application Number:
  US09/812,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,855 Days
• Field of Search: 361/42, 361/43, 361/44, 361/45, 361/46, 361/47, 361/48, 361/49, 361/50, 361 71- 75, 361/51, 335/18
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2083/201 the other abnormal electrical condition being an arc fault
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 73/14 Indicating lamp structurally associated with the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 83/04 with testing means for indicating the ability of the switch or relay to function properly
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/335 the main function being self testing of the device

Abstract

Resettable circuit interrupting devices using a center latch are provided. The circuit interrupting devices include those with a reset lockout, reverse wiring protection, and/or an independent trip portion.

Claims

1. A circuit interrupting device comprising:

a housing;

a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path each disposed at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load side, said phase conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one load and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one user accessible load, and said neutral conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one load and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one user accessible load;

a circuit interrupting portion disposed within said housing and configured to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths between said line side and said load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition;

a reset portion disposed at least partially within said housing and configured to reestablish electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths and connected to a lever which is operated by insertion of a user plug which initiates a mechanical trip of said device each time said plug is removed;

said circuit interrupting device further comprising a reset lockout portion that prevents reestablishing electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths if said circuit interrupting portion is non-operational, if an open neutral condition exists or if a reverse wiring condition exists; and

said reset portion comprising a manually operated reset latch lever, and a slidable latch plate adapted to engage said manually operated reset latch lever to reestablish electrical continuity in the phase and neutral conductive paths subsequent to the removal of said plug from said device if not prevented from doing so by said reset lockout.