US1040381A - Panel-board construction. - Google Patents

Description

E. S. MORRELL.

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED mums, 1912 1,040,381. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

40 194], Z INVENTOR WITNESSES v M BY MM/ a E. s. MORRELL.

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1912,

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7 TOR M (5% ATTORNEY B. S. MORRELL.

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 16, 1912.

1,040,381 Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

FILE 5- IN VE N TOR W'TNESSES W EDWARD S. MORRELL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PANEL-BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

Application filed January 16, 1912. Serial No. 671,431.

distributing boards, such, for example, as

used in the interior Wiring of houses or buildings, for making electrical connections between service or supply circuit conductors and the lamp or other consumption circuit conductors.

It is the object of my invention to provide a panel board construction in which the switches, or switches and fuses, are assembled as separable and detachable units suitably mounted upon an insulating member, and disposed in such relation that a minimum of space is occupied, and preferably in such manner that the movable contact member of a removable switch engages a terminal stationary upon the panel board and not removable with the switch or switch and fuse unit.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a panel board construction in which the parts having onrequiring finish are placed or mounted after the actual wiring and connections of the wiring have been done.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a panel board construction having a front or cover which is removable without disturbing the condition of the supply or consumption circuits, that is, without disturbing any parts which may be conducting or carrying current.

:A further object is to provide a panel board construction in which the usual side insulating linings withinthe box are dispensedwith or avoided, as by employing the insulating material, forming the removable switch or switch and fuse units to form a gutter between themselves and the outer panel box; and in such relation further the use of a fuse as the connecting medium or link between the supply and consumption circuits, as between the supply circuits and the switch. i

It is a further object of my invention to providev a panel board construction in which the fuses are so arranged that it is impossible for an operator to come into contact with any electrically alive parts while refusing a circuit or circuits.

Another object of my invention is to provide two cover plates, the outer of which covers the panel board apparatus and has an" aperture or apertures sufiiciently large as to easily clear the projecting parts of the panel board apparatus, as the switch or switch and fuse units, while the inner cover, which is a separate inner cover for each switch or switch and fuse unit, has an aperture or apertures with small clearances over the projecting parts of the switch or the switch and fuse units.

From a construction such as herein described there results a considerable saving in space, since the bus bars are mounted side by side and since the switches and fuses, and switch and fuse units are mounted side by side and, further, because the fuses are disposed over or above the bus bars, the

width of the panel board is decreased below that of prior practice. A further saving in space results from inclosing the switch, fuse, or the switch and fuse within or upon a body or block of insulating material. In my preferred construction the fuses are located directly over the bus bars to facilitate connection between fuse holders and bus bars. Because of this inclosure of the electrically alive metal parts in insulating material, the operator is prevented from touching them and re-fusing of the panel'board is possible, with a maximum degree of safety to the operator touching electrically alive metal parts. And by making the switch and fuse removable as an unitfrom the panel board having thereon the posts and consumption circuitterminals, the panel board proper may be installed and connections made thereto while the rough work in a building is being done; and while the building is being finished or after it has been finished the removable switch and fuse units are attached to the parts previously installed, thus avoiding any danger of damage to the switches or fuses during the building process, as is usual with the present type of panel boards. And by the employment of removable switch and fuse units a; new switch and fuse unit may be added or withdrawn at any time without disturbing the operation or service of theremainder of the .panel board and without cutting off current requiring repair may be independently removed without removing the panel board and without interrupting service. While the switches and other visible parts of prior panel boards require polishing and finishing,

J by in y construct-ion the amount of high finish ent and separate consumption circuit termi-- or ornamental finish is reduced to a minimum, since practically all the parts are covered, and the cover only need be finished or'ornamented. 5 I By the construction .herei'n illustrateda flush arrangement is provided; that is, only the switch handles and fuse handles protrude and another parts are included within the panel board box. And by the employment of tbe'switch and fuse units the use of risers, jumpers, or cross bars heretofore commonly used, is obviated. My construction is such that either the fuse or,..the switch may be directly in communication with the bus bars and the switch and the fuse in electrical communication with the consumption circuit terminal. t My invention resides in the features above referred to; and in the other features of construction hereinafter claimed.

For an illustration of one of the forms my invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

described and Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view,

some parts in elevation, taken through a separable or detachable switch and fuse unit, taken on the line A-A of. Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the ins 13-13 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the two switches and fuse connections of a switch and fuse unit, with the switch actuating the parts, and the covers and other parts omitted. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the panel board, with parts of the coversremoved, and showing several switch. and fuse units in place. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the panel board and box shown in Fig. 4:; and taken on the line C-() of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view, partsin elevation, through a switch unit and through its cover, and through a part of the outer cover. Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a switch unit with a switch element, in open position, the independnal being shown in coiiperating position. Fig. 8 is an under side plan view of the switch operating members. Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of means for holding the panel board within the box. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of one of the members shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a top plan view of another member shown in Fig. 9.

Referring first to Figs. 4i and 5, the panel boa'rd proper consists of the plate or member 1 of suitable insulating material, such as slate or the like. Upon this member 1 are connected together by the'membcr (3, so that the bus bars 3 and 41- are electrically unitary,

but mechanically separate in order to accommodate the switch and fuse units hereinafter described. In the example shown there are three electrically distinct bus bars, such as. maybe used for an ordinary threewire system. It is to be understood, how-. ever, that my invention is not limited to the number of bus bars disclosed nor to the example of 'their electrical connection as shown. It is apparent that bus bars 3 and 5 may be electrically connected together and bus bars 2 and 4 electrically connected together and each pair connected to one wire of a two-Wire supply circuit. bar arrangements may be anything desired for two, three, or more wire circuits or for single, two-phase, three-phase or other phase circuits of alternating current supply. The

bus bars 2,3, 4 and 5 are secured to the slate base 1 by screws 7 and the service conductorsare electrically connected to the bus bars by the binding screws 8, 9 and 10. On the base 1 are mounted also the consumption or lamp circuit terminals in pairs 11 and 12, a/pair for each consumption circuit. Each terminal 11 and 12 is supplied with a binding screw 13 for electrically connecting to the terminal the consumption circuit conductor. such conductors 14 being shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. Between the bus bars and the consumption circuit terminals electrical communication is allordcd by the separable and detachable i'use units 15 as hereinafter described. .lnclosing the units 15 and the bus bars and the consumption circuit terminals is a box having the sides 16 and bottom 16 which may be of sheet metal, and the outer cover or covers 17.

- Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, the switch and fuse unit is shown as comprisedof the supporting member 18 of molded porcelain, or any other suitable insulating material. There are'two longitudinal channels 19 and 19 in the top side of the block 18, thechannels being more distinct at the right hand ends, Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, where there is a porcelain separating wall 20 between them. In the bottom of the channel 19 is disposed a conductor 21 secured to the block 18 by a screw 22 and in the bottom of the channeblt) is disposed at similar conductor 21 similarly secured to the block 18 by a screw 22. Each conductor 21 terminates in a screw-threaded member 23 disposed over a hole 24, one hole- 24 extending down to the bare bus bar 2 while the other extends down to the bare bus bar 3, see Figs. 1 and 2. In

Or the bus the member 25 and the cap 26. is secured the conducting member 27 which terminates in the conducting spring fingers 28 extending inwardly through the walls of the member 25. An inclosed fuse 29 having the conducting 'caps 30 has its upper cap 30 inserted into and engaging the spring-fingers 28, thereby being brought into electrical communication with the conductor 21. The cap30 at the 7. other end of the fuse engages one of the bus bars as 2 or 3, one fuse cap engaging bus bar 2 and the lower cap of the other fuse engaging the bus bar 3.- By grasping the cap 26 and unscrewing the same, the member 25v with tips 28 is removed and the fuse 29 is removed therewith. Each conductor 21 extends to the left, as viewedin Figs. 1

to 3 inclusive, and continues in a downwardly vertically extending portion 21and thence in a -horizontal portion 21" forming one terminal of each electric switch, each switch and fuse unit here shown comprising two pairs of switches and fuses.v Secured to the vertical member 21is the bracket 31 A to which there is pivoted at 32 a link or lever 33 carrying at-it-s outer end a roller 34 pivoted to 33 at 35. The bracket 31 extends longitudinally of the block 18 and is supported at its outer end by screw 36 to the block 18. Pivoted to this same bracket member 31 at 37 is the cam member 38 having the cam surface 39 adapted to engage v the members 34 and 40 as an unit. The ten-' the roller 34. Secured to the link or lever 33 is the movable switch contact 40 of resilient sheet metal whose one end maintains contact with the contact 21" and whose other end is adapted to engage the consumption circuit terminal 11 or 12. With its one end secured to'the bracket 21 and passing under the pin 41 therein and winding around the pivot 32 is the spring 42 attached at its other end to sion of this spring 42 is such as to tend to rotate the link 34 and the attached contact-4O in a clockwise direction about the pivot 42, as viewed in Fig. 1, to cause the member 40,

' which is bridging contacts 21 and contact 11 Q or 12, to leave contact 11 or 12 to break circuit. The cam members 38 of two neighboring, switches on the same block 18 are elec the roller 34, thus depressing the link 33 and bringing the movable contact 40 into engagement with the consumption circuit termine] 11 or 12 in opposition to the spring 42. When the circuit closing position is reached the parts stay locked because of the depression 39" in the cam surface which receives the roller 34. To open the circuit the handle'46 is pushed in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 7 raising the roller 34 out of depression 39 and spring 42 completes the opening movement, whereupon the cam members 38 occupy the position shown 1n Fig. 7. The operation of the switch isa snap or quick break action. Stops 47 upon the cam members 38 engage in arc-shaped slots in the side cheeks of the members 31 to limit the extent of rotative motion, if desired, of the cam members.

Across the top of eachblock 18 is a cover plate. 48, which may be of metal, and suitably finished or ornamented, and provided with suitably shaped apertures, to allow the passage of the cap or handle members 26 of the fuses and the handle 46 and the member 49' as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6. These apertures are sosmall, or their clearance is so small, that the inner cover plate 48 is not removable when these parts 26, etc., are in operative position. At the fuse end of each block 18 is a screw 50 which extends downwardly and engages in one of the bus bars to mechanically secure the fuse block and the parts carried thereby to the panel board. At the other end is a similar screw 50 which extends downwardly through a longitudinal slot 5O into the base 1, see Fig. 2, where it engages in a nut held in a socket on the under side of the base 1. The

.several blocks 18 each carrying a pair of switch and fuse units are then secured in }operative relation to the panel board, as 'shown in Fig. 4, and by each switch and afuse unit an electrical connection is made from abus bar to a distributing or consumption circuit terminal, the current passing from the bus bar through the fuse, then ;through the member 21, through the switch acontact 40 to the consumption circuit ter- ; minal 11 or 12.

A cover plate 17, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, in one ior more'sections as desired, is secured by screws 51, Fig. 5, to the wooden or other finish strip or mold 52 secured by screws .53 to the inturned edge of the metal side walls 16. The outer cover 17 has a large irregularly shaped aperture which is shown at 54, Figs. 4 and 6, having suflicient opening or clearance to pass freely over the switch handles 46 and the fuse caps 26. By this construction, the outer cover 17 may be easily removed without touching or disturbing any of the caps 26 or handles 46, thus exposing or baring the various independent switch and fuse units each having its own separate and independent cover plate 48. Then, by loosening the screws 50 and 50 of any unit, that unit may he removed without disturbing any of the other units which may he eondueting current and supplying it to a consumption circuit. In other words. by this emistruetion any of the switch and fuse units may he removed without disturbing any of the. others and so without interrupting service to the various of the consumption circuits. The unit so removed may be repaired if necessary, and then restored, again without disturbing any of the the circuits or units. Any consumption circuit may be re-i'used by simply unscrewing the caps 26 of a unit and inserting therein new fuse cartridges and replacing the same. This can he done either with the cover 17 in place or removed.

As will be readily understood by moving the switch handles 46 to one position or the other the corresponding consumption cir- .cuit either interrupted or closed.

i The slate base 1 is secured to the bottom 16" of the box 16 by the clamps,-one of which is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive. The bottom clamp. member 55 is seecured by screws or rivets 55? to the bottom 16. The member 55 has an upwardly inclined portion 56 having a screw-threaded hole to receive the screw-threaded thumb screw or nu't57 which passes through the slot 58 in the upper clamping member 59 which has a horizontal lug 6O engaging the top of the base 1, see Fig. 9, and which has a vertical lug (l1 resting against the side of the base 1. By clamping the member 59 to the member 56 the base 1 is clamped to the bottom l6 and the slot 58 allows adjustment. With the insulating blocks 18 in position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5,"'thcre is formed between exposed outer sides and ends of the blocks 18 and the inner wall of the box 16 a trough suitable for receiving service and consumption circuit conductors, thus avoiding the necessity'ior the use of a slate or other insulating side or trough member commonly used around theslate bases of prior panel boardsto formja trough or space between the same and theinner side of the box. Y

From the foregoing description, it isiapparent that I have provided a panel board which occupies a minimum amount of space; which protects anyone-from injury and which nevertheless has the parts necessary for operation exposed for convenient use; which-prevents the operator from injuring himself when operating switches or renewing fuses; which makes it impossible for the operator or any one else to shortcircuit any of the supply 'or-consumption circuits; which is adapted for modern building conditionsywhich makes it possibio and convenient to replace parts liable I to be damaged; which makes it possible to replace damaged parts without disturbing or cutting off current from the other working parts; which decreases the. amount of exposed surface or number of exposed. parts which must necessarily, if exposcd, be finished; and which eliminates or avoids the necessity for the present form of said lin- 'in 's. v

What I'claim'i's:

' 1. The combination with a' panel board, of bus bars thereon,- consumption circuit tor-- minals permanently secured thereon, a re movable switchunit comprising contactmembers movable with respect thereto for connecting said bus bars with said consumption circuit terminals, a cover on said switch unit, members of said switch unit projecting through said 1 cover, and a cover for said panel board, said cover having apertures witlr-which said projections-on said switch units register, said apertures having sufficient clearance around said projections for removal of said ,cover without removal of said projections. 1

'2. In combination, a panel board, bus bars in engagement therewith throughout their length and securedthereto, consumption circuit terminals on said panel board, a contain'er of insulating material adapted to be secured to said panel board, and a. switchand afuse within and carried by said container and removable therewith as a unit,

said fuse being disposed at right angles to the plane of said panel board.

3. In combination,a panel board, bus bars in engagement therewith throughout their length and secured thereto, consumption circuit terminals on said, panel board, a 0011- tainer of insulating material adapted to be secured to said'panel board, and a switch and a fuse within and carried by said container and removable therewith as a unit,

the movableelement of saidswitch adapted to engage with a panel board. y

4.1m combination, ametal box, apanel board within the sa1ne, clamps for securing contact secured to said said panel board to said 'box and-for permitting adjustment with relation thereto, bus bars upon said panelboard consumption circuit terminals upon said panel board, a pluralityof indepe'ndentmem'bers of insu latingmaterial disposed side by side and Se- 12 cured independentlyofeach other to said' panel board at a distance from-aside of said box, whereby: a gutter is formed; between a Ride f-'iidtox andsaid member s, and fuse and a switclrcarriedby' Said.

members and'removable as a unit therewith:

5. In combinationia metal box, a panel board 'within flfek same, clamps for I securing said panel boziirdvito'lshid' box and for permitting 1 adjustment wah a1aaoa thereto,

bus bars upon said panel board, consumption circuit terminals upon said panel board, a lurality of independent members of insu-' ating material disposed side by side and secured independently of each other to said panel board at a distanceifrom a side of said 1 ox, whereby a gutter isformed between a side of said box and said members, a fuse and a switch carried by each of said members and removable as a unit therewith, a cover for each of said members, switch and fuse parts projecting through said cover, and a cover for said box having an aperture for each unit with which said switch and fuse parts of each unit register, said apertures in said cover'hav'ing so great a clearance from said switch and fuse parts that said cover may be removed withoutdisturbing said switch and fuse parts.

6. The combination with a panel board and its bus bars and consumption circuit terminals secured thereon, of a removable fuse unit comprising a fuse support and a fuse, a box inclosing said panel board and said unit, and a cover for said box having "an aperture through which said fuse may be inserted in said unit without removal of said cover or said unit. I

7. The combination with a panel board and its bus, bars and consumption circuit terminals secured thereon, of a removable switch unit for connecting said bus bars with said consumption circuit terminals, a box inclosing said panel board and said switch unit, a cover for said box having an aperture through which operating mechanism of said switch extends, and a cover on said switch unit having an aperture through which said operating mechanism of said switch extends.

. 8. The combination with a panel board, of bus bars secured thereon, consumption circuit terminals secured thereon, a pluralit of removable units each comprising a bloc of insulating material and conductors thereon for bridging said bus bars and con sumption circuit terminals, a box inclosin'g said panel board and said units, said units disposed side by side and at a distance from a side of said box, whereby a gutter is formed between a side of said box and the insulating material of said units.

9. The combination with a panel board,

of a bus bar thereon, a consumption circuit terminal contact secured to said panel board, and a detachable switch unit com- I prising a block of insulating material and a contact member carried thereby and movable with respect thereto, said switch unit contact when moved with respect to said block adapted to engage with or disengage from said consumption circuit terminal contact. v

10'. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar secured thereon, a consumption circuit terminal contact secured to said board, and "a detachable switch unit comprising a block of insulating material and a switch contact carried by and movable with respect to said block, said switch contact adapted to engage with or disengage from said-consumption circuit terminal contact upon the movement of said switch contact with respect to said block, said block having a recess receiving said bus bar.

, 11. The combmation with a panel board, of a bus bar and a consumption circuit terminal contact secured thereon, a detachable switch and fuse unit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse terminal, a fuse, and a switch contact carried by said block, said switch contact movable with respect to said block for engaging with or disengaging from said consumption circuit terminal contact, the free terminal of said fuse engaging said bus bar.

12. The combination W1 th a panel board, of'a bus bar and a consumption circuit terminal contact secured thereon, a detachable switch and fuse unit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse terminal, a fuse, and a switch contact carried by said block, said switch contact movable with respect to said block for engaging with and disengaging from said consumption circuit ter- 5 minal contact, the free terminal of said fuse engaging said bus bar, said block having a recess receiving said bus bar.

13. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar thereon, a consumption circuit 1 0 terminal contact secured to said panel board, and a detachable switch unit com prising a block of insulating material and a contact member carried thereby and movable with respect thereto, said switch unit contact when moved with respect to said block adapted to engage with or disengage from said consumption circuit terminal contact, said block of insulating material inclosing said consumption circuit terminal no contact.

14:. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar and a consumption circuit ter minal contact secured thereon, of a detachable switch and fuse unit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse disposed at right angles to said panel board and adapted to engage said bus bar, and a switch contact carried by and movable with respect to said block for engaging with or disengaging from said consumption circuit terminal contact.

15. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar and a consumption circuit terminal secured thereon, of a detachable fuse unit for electrically connecting said bus bar and said consumption circuit terminal, said unit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse terminal carried by said block, a fuse, a detachable fuse holder car rying said fuse and adapted to make elecaffixed; my signature in the presence of the trical connectifon wigh saig 115: terminal 'iiWO subscribing witnesses. .the free end 0 said use a a te to en a e said bus bar, andmeans for c zmnectings d EDVARD MORRH'LL' 5 fuse terminal with said consumption circuit Witnesses:

terminal. ANNA E. STEINBOCK, In testimony whereof I have hereunto ELEANOR T. MCCALL.

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