BLOCKING DEVICE FOR A CIRCUIT AND CONJUTO CIRCUIT SWITCH CONJUTO THAT INCLUDES
MY MOS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to sets of circuit breakers and devices for securing circuit breakers to a circuit breaker saddle, and in particular, to an improved locking device that prevents inadvertent removal. of circuit breakers of the saddle on which the switches are mounted, while achieving maximum utilization of the saddle on which the circuit breakers are mounted. The invention also relates to a circuit breaker assembly utilizing such a locking device. Over the years, attempts have been made to adequately ensure the safety of humans while operating circuit breakers. This concern occurs when a user confronts a main circuit breaker that is electrically connected to a service line. As can be seen, the removal of the main switch while current is flowing in the switch could cause disasters for anyone who comes into contact with it. Therefore, by code, this main circuit breaker is required to be "locked" in order to eliminate any inadvertent removal. At least, two modalities that have tried to achieve the goal of eliminating inadvertent removals are known. As will be explained in more detail below, a previous lock configuration secures the circuit breakers from the rear. Undesirably, this requires that each circuit breaker have its own blocking device. Another known method of blocking a main circuit breaker uses a blocking device that extends through the saddle. As will be described in more detail below, this approach is undesirable because it effectively eliminates the ability to mount a maximum number of circuit breakers in the event. Specifically, in the situation where it is necessary to mount, in frontal alignment, two main switches powered from the rear (one line from the standard service and one line from a generator) or one main switch and at least one branch switch, The aforementioned blocking methodologies are less than desirable. That is, in the first example two locking devices would be required to achieve the blocking of both main switches fed from the rear. In the last example, if the locking device extends through the saddle, the slot for the branch switch could not be used. The technique of the current circuit breaker is therefore deficient due to its inability to provide an assembly that can maximize the number of circuit breaker configurations in a saddle and simultaneously provide the appropriate, desired and / or required safety features. . Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a blocking device and a circuit breaker assembly that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies. In particular, it is desirable to provide a locking device that maximizes the slots usable in a saddle and at the same time provides maximum security. The invention described herein achieves the above and below mentioned objectives. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, a blocking device is provided for use in a circuit breaker assembly. The device is best appreciated when used in combination with a set comprising a saddle, a first circuit breaker mountable on the saddle and a second circuit breaker mountable on the saddle and in frontal alignment with the first circuit breaker when the first and second circuit breaker are mounted on the saddle. In a first modality, the device preferably comprises a base for releasably securing the device to the saddle, an arm portion connected to the base, and a hand portion, connected to the arm portion, for coupling the housing of at least the First circuit breaker, wherein the first and second circuit breakers are mounted on the rack, the hand portion is intermediate to a portion of the housings of the first and second circuit breakers and the first circuit breaker can not be Inadvertently remove saddle. In an alternative embodiment, the hand portion of the device may comprise flanges for coupling and allow blocking of the second circuit breaker as well. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved locking device for a circuit breaker assembly that provides maximum safety for users. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved circuit breaker assembly and blocking device that allows the use of circuit breakers in front alignment. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking configuration that requires a minimum number of blocking devices while achieving maximum security. A further object of the present invention is to provide a locking construction that is easy to install in a circuit breaker assembly. Another object of the present invention is to construct a circuit breaker assembly that prevents inadvertent removal of circuit breakers mounted thereon. A further object of the present invention is to provide a more economically designed and efficient circuit breaker assembly. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident in part and will be obvious in part from the specification. Accordingly, the invention comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and configuration of parts that will be exemplified in the construction set forth herein, and the scope of the invention will be indicated by the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Figure 1 is a perspective view of a circuit breaker saddle built in accordance with the present invention.; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a circuit breaker assembly and a blocking device constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention and prior to the blocking of the circuit breakers; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the locking device illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a circuit breaker constructed in accordance with the present invention with certain features intentionally removed for purposes of clarity and simplicity; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker and blocking device of Figure 2 illustrating the locking device in its mating position;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a circuit breaker and blocking device assembly constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention and prior to blocking the circuit breakers; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the locking device illustrated in Figure 6, constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of Figure 6 with certain features intentionally removed for purposes of clarity and simplicity; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker and locking device of Figure 6 illustrating the locking device in its engaging position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to Figure 1, which shows a saddle of eight circuit breakers (load center), generally indicated 10. The saddle 10 preferably includes a base constructed of unitary plastic 105, comprising a plurality of integrally formed edges 101-105. Edges 101-105 provide electrical spaces for circuit breakers (not shown) mounted therebetween. Omitted for simplicity (but shown in Figures 2 and 5), the base 105 may also include a plurality of projection terminals formed integrally disposed between the edges 101-105. The base 105 also includes a first extended sub-assembly 110 and a second extended sub-assembly 112. The sub-assembly 110 includes an upper surface 114 and the sub-assembly 112 includes an upper surface 116. Integrally extending from the sub-assemblies 110 and 112 and above the upper surfaces 114 116 there are respective elongate members 118 and 119. Orthogonally extending from the upper edge of the elongated member 118, there is a plurality of horizontally extending lugs 120-123 and extending orthogonally from the upper edge of the elongate member 119 a plurality of lugs is provided. that extend horizontally 124-127. Therefore, it can be seen in Figure 1 that a space is created between the respective upper surfaces 114, 116 and the ears that extend orthogonally. As will be appreciated, a circuit breaker such as switch 12 (Figure 2) or switches 212 or 214 (Figure 6) includes rear hinges 60 (similar parts will have similar reference numbers) that are placed in the respective spaces provided between the respective lugs and the upper surfaces. In this way, the circuit breakers are releasably secured at their rear ends to the base 105 by engagement with the respective lugs. As will be appreciated below, the present invention secures the circuit breakers to the saddle from the front end. Reference is also made to Figure 1 to further illustrate that what exists in the prior art does not necessarily utilize a saddle such as that shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 is only being used for convenience. After briefly discussing the known blocking configurations, the manner and the reason why the present invention is convenient and patentable will be better appreciated. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the saddle 10 can receive, for example, four two-pole circuit breakers or up to eight one-pole circuit breakers. As mentioned above, in the first known blocking assembly, each locking device is located proximate to the rear of each circuit breaker, which, with respect to Fig. 1, could generally be close to each respective lug 120- 127 Therefore, if two two-pole circuit breakers were placed in front alignment as in the assembly shown in Figure 6, at least two locking devices would be required. In the second known construction, if only one circuit breaker was mounted in the silos 10, as in the assembly shown in Figure 2, the blocking device would extend through the saddle (where the second of the two frontal alignment circuit breakers would be assembled) effectively, eliminating the ability to provide circuit breakers in front alignment. The present invention significantly improves on these two known sets of blocking. Reference is now generally made to Figure 2 which illustrates a circuit breaker assembly, generally indicated 20, constructed in accordance with the present invention. The assembly 20 includes the saddle 10 with a first two-pole circuit breaker, indicated generally with 12, mounted thereon. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiment shows a two-pole circuit breaker, but it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to a single-pole circuit breaker assembly thereon, or to a multitude of circuit breakers. of circuit all aligned along the right side of the saddle 10. The details of the construction of the saddle 10 and the circuit breaker 12 should be well understood by those skilled in the art and therefore, will not be repeated in the I presented. The assembly 20 also includes a locking device, generally indicated 30. The saddle 10 includes integrally formed lugs 32 and 34 for receiving the locking device 30. A retaining cap 36 is provided on the lug 32 and placed thereon to secure it. the device 30 to the saddle 10. It will be appreciated that many assemblies for securing the device 30 to the saddle 10 can be employed while remaining within the scope of the invention. Reference is now made to Figure 3, which in connection with the following, more particularly details the preferred construction of the locking device 30. The locking device 30 includes a base 132 having openings 138 and 140 defined therein. As will now be appreciated, the lugs 32 and 34 are respectively inserted within the apertures 138 and 140 so that the device 30 can be releasably secured to the saddle 10. The device 30 also includes an arm portion 134 and a portion of hand 136. In the preferred embodiment, base 132, arm portion 134 and hand portion 136 are all integrally formed. As also shown in Figure 3, the base 132 has an upper surface 144 that rests in a first plane while the arm portion 134 also has a front surface 146 that rests in a second plane. Similarly, the hand portion 136 also has a front surface 148 that rests in the same second plane as the front surface of the arm portion 134. The first and second planes are mutually orthogonal. The arm portion 134 has a width wa and a length the and the hand portion 136 has a width wh and a length lh. If the longitudinal axis of the arm portion 134 is taken along the length λ and the longitudinal axis of the hand portion is taken along the length λ, it will be appreciated that the longitudinal axis of the arm portion is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the hand portion. The hand portion 136 also includes an edge 142 which as described below, engages a portion of the housing of the circuit breaker 12 as well as the lock circuit breaker 12 in the saddle 10. Returning briefly to Figure 4 which illustrates in cross section, the circuit breaker 12, with certain features intentionally omitted because they are not related to the present invention and for clarity purposes. Taking Figure 4 in combination with Figure 2, the circuit breaker 12 includes a housing 50. The housing 50 includes a front wall 51 that extends outwardly to form a rim 52. The rim 52 is sufficiently wide to support the thickness from edge 142 of device 30. With reference to Figure 5, it can now be appreciated that to the extent that the device 30 is disposed on the lugs 32 and 34 of the saddle 10, the edge 142 of the hand portion 136 contacts and engages with the rim 52 of the housing 50. When the device 30 is secured to the saddle 10, the device 30 by means of the engagement of the hand portion 136 on the rim 52 prevents the circuit breaker 12 from being inadvertently removed from the saddle 10. Again, the rear part of the switch circuit 12 is prevented from being removed by the appropriate lugs 127, 126. It will now be appreciated that the present invention allows a second circuit breaker, such as a branch switch, for which removal is allowed, is mounted on the saddle 10 in front alignment with the circuit breaker 12. For example, the rear hinge of said bypass switch would couple the lugs 120, 121 of the saddle 10. With a bypass switch in position at With the circuit breaker 12, the hand portion 136 is positioned intermediate the circuit breaker 12 and the branch switch. Reference is now generally made to Figure 6, which illustrates a circuit breaker assembly, generally indicated at 200, constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In particular, there is shown a first two pole circuit breaker, generally indicated at 212, and a second two pole circuit breaker, generally indicated at 214. The circuit breakers 212 and 214 are in front alignment with each other. In the present embodiment, it is contemplated that both circuit switches 212 and 214 are main circuit switches powered from the rear and therefore, it would be undesirable to allow any inadvertent removal of any switch. Therefore, it is desirable, with a locking device, to lock both circuit breakers 212 and 214. Each circuit breaker 212 and 214 is mounted in a manner similar to the circuit breaker 12 in the first embodiment. However, before describing the locking device of the second embodiment, a brief mention is made of the construction of the circuit breaker assembly 200, the details of which are described in the United States Patent Application Serial Number 09 / 108,584, assigned to the present assignee and incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Circuit breaker 212, being a two-pole switch, includes an alternating switch assembly 224 for setting circuit breaker 212 in the ON or OFF position or the OFF position. Similarly, the two-pole circuit breaker 214 includes an alternating switch assembly 225 to set the circuit breaker 214 to the ON or OFF position. The circuit breaker 212 includes an inhibitor connector 240 and the circuit breaker 214 includes an inhibitor connector 242, whose constructions are identical and are described in the aforementioned United States patent application. As will be appreciated both circuit breakers 212 and 214 are inhibited from simultaneously being placed in the ON position with the connectors 240, 242 mounted respectively to their respective alternating switch assemblies. Since it is contemplated that both circuit breakers 212 and 214 are back-fed main circuit breakers, it is desirable to mount them in front alignment as shown in Figure 6 and additionally that the present front alignment configuration facilitates the use of the inhibition connectors. mentioned above, it is necessary to block both circuit breakers 212 and 214 as efficiently as possible. The construction of the locking device 50 accomplishes this objective. Therefore, reference is made to Figure 7 for a more detailed description of the locking device 50., wherein the similar reference numbers in the device 30 are used for similar elements in the device 30. In particular, the device 50 is a modification of the device 30 in which the hand portion 1 36 is folded on the sides thereof. so that two preferable and essentially parallel flanges 149 and 150 are respectively formed. These flanges are orthogonal to the front surface 148. In this manner, the edge 142 that now includes the bottom ends of the flanges 149 and 150 extends outwardly from the front surface 148 to engage a flange of the housing of the second switch 214 as it will be described next. In particular, as intended as an exemplary construction of the two circuit breakers in frontal alignment the excessive detail was omitted for purposes of clarity in Figure 8. In Figure 8, corresponding to Figure 6, two switches 212 and 214 are in frontal alignment. Each circuit breaker 212, 214 includes a respective housing 250, 252, each housing having respective front walls 254, 256. Similarly to circuit breaker 12, each front wall 254, 256 extends outwardly to form the respective flanges 258, 260 As can now be appreciated with further reference to Figure 9, as the device 50 is placed on the lugs 32 and 34 of the saddle 10, the edge 142 of the hand portion 136 contacts and engages the flanges 258 and 260 the respective circuit switches 212 and 214. When the device 50 is secured to the saddle 10, the device 50 by engaging the hand portion 136 on the shoulders 258 and 260, prevents the circuit breakers 212, 214 from being removed. Inadvertently of the saddle 10. Again, the rear part of the circuit switches 212 and 214 is prevented from being removed by the appropriate lugs 120, 121, 127, 126. Now it is possible to It will be appreciated that the present invention allows two switches to be mounted in front alignment, such as the two main circuit switches fed back, which can not be removed, in the saddle 10 and blocked only with a locking device. Similarly, the hand portion 136 will be placed intermediate to the circuit switches 212 214. Thus, it will be seen that the objects set forth above, among which are the obvious ones of the foregoing description, were efficiently achieved, and how certain objects can be made Changes in the above constructions without a portion departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should also be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the general and specific aspects of the invention described herein and all the sentences of the scope of the invention that are found therein.