US1500211A - starrett - Google Patents

Description

July 8 1924.

H. F. s'rARRl-:Tf "EANSL BOARD AND PANEL BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed June 27. 1919 PANEL BOARD AND PANEL BOX CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @j July a, 1924. 1,500,211

H. F. STARRETT PANEL BOARD VAND PANEL Box consrnuc'rm Fudd June 27. 1919- s sheets-shut Mmmmmmmlmmmnn 6 mwwwammw Patented July 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY F. STARRETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 STARRETT MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PANEL BOARD AND PANEL-BOX CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed .Tune 27, 1919. Serial No. 307.189.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY F. STARRE'IT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Panel Boards and Panel- Box Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in panel-boards and panel-box construction, and more particularly to that type of panel-board which is equip ed with a dead front, that is, a panel-boar of the type in which the current and potential carrying conductors are enclosed so as to prevent accidental contact therewith and consequent electrical shock.

In the specific embodiment of my invention herein illustrated and described I have preferred to show a form of panel-board more especiallyr adapted to be used in the 2s wiring of houses or residences, but obviously the construction shown is also useful and can be readily incorporated in anyA and all panel-board structures.

One of the objects of this invention consists in the production of a sim lified and improved panel-board and pane box construction adapted 'for combined service and load-circuit rotection.

Another o ject of this invention consists in the production of an improved and simplified means for producing a panel-board and panel-box construction of this kind, in which with a very simple. construction a proper covering is provided to protect the conductors and conductor-wires leading into the cabinet, which constitutes therman feed-wires and the branch-circuit consumption Wires.

A further object resides in the production of improved means whereby the assembled panel-board consists of a unitary struct-ure which can be readily, quickly and easily re-: moved from the panel-.box and reassembled therein in any of a plurality ofl ositions to adapt panel-board and box to e particu= lar peculiarities of any Wiring installation.

An additional object resides in an im:

proved panel-board and Cover-plate mountf ing, the cost of construction of which is very low, and whichA can be very speedily and efficiently assembled with and removed rom panel-board positioned in the panel- Another object consists in the production of improved and simplified means for locking switches on panel-boards in either the on or off positions.

Other objects and features of this invention Will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying illustrations and the appended claims:

For the purpose of disclosing my invention, I have illustrated one'embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing, `in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the combined panel-board and panel-box with the cover thrown back;

Fig. 2 illustrates the plate utilized for locking and sealing the switch of the pushbutton type in either the on or oli position;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 o Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the combined pane -box and panel-board with the major portion of the dead 'front shield broken away Fig. 5 is a sect-ion of the combined panelboard and panel-box taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 looking in the directionvof the arrows:

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 7 7 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the combined panel-board and panel-box taken on the plane indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 illustrates the detailed construction of the bracket utilized to mount the panel-board in the panel-box; and

Figs. 10 and ll are detailed Views' illus` trating the meth'id utilized for rotatably mounting the designation strips on the dead front shield. u

u As illustrated in l, the panel-box enclosure consists of the end walls 15 and 16, the side walls 17 and 18, the base 19 and a cover 20 hingedly secured to the said wall 18. Mounted on the base 19 of the panelbox enclosure is a fiat plate 21 equipped with the lateral flanges 22 and 23, said plate constituting an apparatus mounting subbase. This sub-base 21 is removably secured to the base 19in any suitable manner, preferably by screws such as 2 4. l Secured to the sub-base 21. either byelectrowelding, screws or any other suitable manner. are the U shaped brackets 25, 26 Aand 27. These U shaped brackets serve as the interconnecting means for mounting the panelboard roper on the apparatus mounting sub-base 21. Mounted on.the.bracket 25 is an insulating base 28 which carries the main line fuse receptacles 29 and 30 which are connected respectively to the main .line terminals 31 and 32 which receive 'the main line conductors. The other contactsof the fuse receptacles 29 and 30 which are conthe conducting straps 33" and 34 respectively, which in turn are connected respectively tothe stationary contacta-1.35 'and 36 of a togglejoint switch 37.

The switch 37 is mounted on an insulating .base 38 which. is secured in any suitable manner, preierablyby screws such as 39,' to the sub-base 21. The switch 27 constitutes the main switch of the panel through which all the current which .is fed to'the fuse re ceptacles mounted on the panel-board must. flow, Obviously, any type of switch may be used for this purpose and instead .of the toggle joint, switch 37, shown in the illustration, a push buttonswitcll of any of the commercial' forms could utilized.

A detailed description 'ofthe toggle joint switch 37 is considered unnecessary as switches of this kind arewell known in -the art, consist-ing essentiallyof the operating blades such as 40 and 41' which are utilized to interconnect theV live stationary switch contacts 35 and. 36, which are connected to the main fuses 29 arid30 l:espef.,t,iyely,v with the stationary switch contacts 42 and 43 respectively, connected to conducting straps 44 and 45 respectively', which are in turn connected to the mainterminals 46 and 47 of the branch circuit panel-board .48.

Obviously any type of panel-board could be used in this construction but preferabh1 a panel-board of the type illustratedw and described in my Patent No. 1,294,185, issued February 11th, 1919, is used. This panelboa-rd, as there described, consists of a plate 49 on which the branch fuse receptacles such as 50 are mounted and in which are carried the circuit conducting bus bars 51 and 52 which feed the current tothe fuse receptacles 50. The bus-bars inthe pla-te 49 are completely covered, insulated 'and hidden from View by a cover plete f The branch circuit panel-board is mounted on the subbase 2l by n'ieuns of the brackets 26 and 27, the base being secured to these brackets in any suitable manner, preferably by screws such as 54.

Mounted above the electrical equipment which is secured to the sub-mounting hase 21 is a cover plate or dead front shield 55. This dead front shield is apcrturerl to permit the projection therethrough of thc top` ends of thel branch line fuse receptacles 50 and the operating handle 56 ot' the main switchT as well as the top ends ot' the main line. fuse receptacles 29 and 30. The mounting base 38 of the switch 3T is so proportioned that the brackets 5T and ordinarily employed to receive the top plate for the switch, will be positioned in a horizontal plane, so that the top portion of said brackets will act as a support for the shield The lower end of the shield 55 is supported by a bracket 59 which is secured in any suitable manner, preferably by screws or rivets such' as 60 to the under side of the upper plate 61 of the bracket 25. The bracket 59 is equipped with the inwardly extending lugs 62 andY 63, which serve as supporting means for the lower end of the dead front shield 55. The dead front shield 55 is secured to these lugs 62 and 63 by means of screws such as 64 and 65. The upper end of the shield is held in position by means of the supporting bracket 66, which bracket is fitted with laterally extending eais 67 and 68, and a top face 69 containing a. screw threaded aperture which receives the screw 70 for holding the top end of the dead front Shield 55 in. position.

The bracket 66 is held inl position on the panel-board by means of screws such as 71 and 72 which serve the. dual function of securing the two upper fuse rece tacles 50 in position, as well as holding t 1e mounting bracket 66 in position on the board. The upper faces of the ears 62 and 63 of the mounting bracket 59, the top face 69 of the brackets 66, and the top faces o'f the mount-- ing brackets or ears 57 and 5S of the switch 37 are all positioned so as to be in the same horizontal plane, whereby the)- constitute suitable supporting means for the `dead front shield 55.

The dead front shield 55 is equipped with handles 73 and 74 whereb)- the shield may be readily placed in position in the panelbox enclosure and removed from the panelbox enclosure when it is desired to inspect the apparatus beneath said shield. As clearly illustratedin Fig. l, the dead front shield 55 'completely covers all ot' the apparatus mounted in .the panel-box enclosure and on the panel-board with the exception of the circuit-controlling portions of the said apparatus which project through the apertures cut in the Shield loo Mounted on the panel-board 48 is a shield or cover plate sealing or locking bar T5. This bar comprises the upwardly extending arm 76, the upper face of which lios in thv, same plane as the upper faces of the mounting brackets which support the shield the said arm being equipped at its forward end with a projecting pin 77 which protrudes throu h an aperture 78 cut in the shield 55. T e bar is secured on the panelboard b means of laterally extending ears or lugs 9 and 8() which are apertured to receive the screws 8l, said screws serving to secure the sealing bar 75 in position on the panel-board. The end of the sealin bar T5 opposite to the one carrying the pin 77, is equipped with a downwardly extending arm 82, which contacts with the top surface of the panel-board 48 and serves to give to the sealing bar 75 the required rigidity.

The pin 77 which projects through the shield 55 serves as a means for positively locking or sealing the shield 55 in position above the apparatus mounted in the panelbox enclosure and thereby prevents the molestation and tampering of this apparatus by individuals not authorized to have access thereto. The sealing or locking of this shield in position, by means of this projecting rod 77 may be accomplished in any desirable manner. This is preferably accomplished as shown in the illustration, by placing on the upwardly extending threaded end of said rod 77 a securing nut 83, the rod 77 being 'tted with a transverse slot directly above the upper face of the nut 83 when it is screwed down in position, through which is inserted a wire 84 on which is laced a; seal" 85, the said wire and seal serving to lock the nut 83 in position, since the nut obviously cannot be removed `without breakin` the seal and removing the wire.

It fol ows, from the dscriptionrjust preof the cover plate or shield sealing bar 75, that the' said bar'may be readily placed in position either at the time that the ap aratus is being constructed or at any time ater the a 'paratus' has been installed since the means or securing this bar in positionare standard screws which can be secured in place at any time. Consequently the sealing bar 75 is a removable piece of apparatus which can be readily furnished at any time and installed to lock the cover plate in position against those unauthorized to have access to the equipment mounted on thefpanel-board.

It will also follow from the foregoing de scription that since the panel-board 48, the switch 37, and the main' fuses 29 and 30, together with their mounting base 28, are all secured to the sub mounting base 21, that this sub mounting base and all the apparatus can be removed from the panelb ox enclosure as a single entity. The

mounting of all the apparatus enclosed within the panel-box on a sub-base is an important feature, inasmuch that it permits the shifting of this apparatus end to end in the panel-box enclosure by merely removing the sub-base mounting screws 24. The shifting of the relative position of the apparatus in the panel-box enclosure becomes of impoi-tance when the equipment is being installed.

In the wiring of buildings the branch circuit leads and the main circuit leads are brought to a common wiring point and the panel-board must be mounted at this point in the building to fit the wiring as it has been installed. Depending upon conditions it is frequently necessary to mount -the panel-box enclosure and panel-board in a vertical position and at other times it is necessary to mount the panel-board in a horizontal position. When the panel-board and panel-box is mounted in a horizontal position, it is always necessary, because of the underwriters requirements, to keep the cover of the box at the top so that said cover will be restored to the closed position by gravity. It Will consequently be evident that the ends of the panel-box enclosure in which the main fuse receptacles 29 and 30 should be mounted will depend upon what side of the box the main line conductors are Wired, With the construction here shown in which all the apparatus is mounted on the mounting sub-base 21 the wiring of the panel-board to the branch line conductors and main feed Wires will not be at all affected by the side of the panel-box to which the main feed Wires are carried since the apparatus can be rapidly and speedilyI shifted to fit any condition by transposing the position of the sub-base 21 and consequently the apparatus which it carries on the base 19 of the panel-boxenclosure.

- The shield 55 is litted with, a plurality of designation plates such as 90 which serve as circuit indications for the.branch line fuses', With a designation strip'such as 91 which serves to give the capacity of the branch line fuses, with a designation strip such as 92 which serve to give the capacity of the main line fuses and with the designation strips such as 93 which indicate the position in which the main switch 37 is operated.

Obviously since the panel-box enclosure and panel-board is adapted for vertical mounting, as Well as horizontal mounting, means must be provided for changing the position of all of these designation strips to accommodate the particular position in which the panel-board is ultimately installed. For this purpose each designation strip is rotatably mounted on the shield 55. Since the means utilized for rotating all of these shields is identical, a description of the method of mounting the designation strip '55 in any suitable manner so only will be outlined in the following:

The designation plate 90 comprises overhanging lateral Hanges and 96 and a base 97. The base 97 is fitted with a depression 98 which serves to receive the head of a rivet 99, the depression 98 being suiiiciently great so that the head o rivet 99 will be substantially flush with the top surface of the base 97. The rivet 99 extends through a suitable aperture in the shield 55, and the rear end ofsaid rivet is secured to the shield that the designation strips will be rotatably mounted on the shield. Preferably, these rivets are secured to the rear face of the shield 55 forcing back against the surface of the shield the split tongues 101 and 102 of the rivet.

As illustrated in Figs.A 1, 2, 3 and 5 means arefprovided for locking the main switch of the panel-board, such as 37;- in either-its Ao'ffW-for-on positions The means utilized for locking .this'main switch' in the' on `o ri ofil position consists ofA a plate which isjremov'alolyl mountedl'on the front face of theshield'l- When awsajv'itch ofithe toggle jontftypeysuchj'as 37; ism'sed in which the operating handleV projects through the shield and-is oscillated'frtojland yfro 'for actuating the switch mechanism-to either itsfoff or 'fonf lposition, 'f1/switch locking 'plate such as -103 is used," :This plate is provided with 7an 'Jape'rture 104'; the'sze'o which is just great' enough jto" Vconveniently accommodate the'pperatinghandle 56 of the switch. The plat==103 is provided at eitherend with-an aperture 1055and11'06 respectively. In mounting the'platefonfthe' shieldV 55, the pin 77 is slipped through the 'aperture 105 and-a pin or ro l-107 secured-tothe front f ace of the shield=155 isi threaded through the' aperture .IOGJHWhen the plates' thus placed on the pins `or 'rods^77"a1id 107, this iplate'will rest'on: the top' surface of the shield' 55, and thedesignation plates 93, which aremountedionithe shield 55,v and associated with the switchf for indicating the Lon and off position will project throughV apertures 108 land109-cut iny the plate: 103. When the plate1103-has been thus positioned on the shieldthe handle 56 can be locked in either the on or o'ffposition by sealing-the plate in position by means of the nut 83, wire 84, and seal 85 utilized in connection with the pinv=77 anda similar nut, Wire and seal for the rod 107. The rod 77, together with its cooperating lnut 83, Wire 84 and seal 85` serve 4the double purpose of sealing the shield 55v in position and one end of the switch locking plate 103. The switch locking plate 103 could obviously besecured to the shield 55 in any other'way lThus for example if it were desired to lock the switch in oneposition only,one end of said plate could: be secured tothefshield by: means of a hinge in place to the pin or 'rod |07 and aperture lll.

'lhf agvzture i04- in the plate 103 is szo positionei'l that the handle 56 will project therethrough when the switch is in the on position. and the plate is positioned as illustrated in Fig. l. thereby locking the .switch in thc "oni position. and when it is desired to lock thc switch in tht`- oliv posi? tion. the apertrri iO-l will fit -ovcr the handle 5G when it is operated to its ofi position, il thi` position of the plate 103 is reversed. that is. turned to 1S() degrees. lt will thus he evident that a plate such as 103 serves to lock the switches in either the on or ntf position.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a similar plate 110 used to lock a switch of the push button'type in either the fon or off position. This plato is provided with an apcrturelll'to accommodate one of the push huttonssuch as 112 of the switch and with an embossing 1.13 which is adapted to ride-over the projecting portion of the. push buttons 113 which in the drawing is shown in `its, depressed position. The platellOfis fitted with suitable apertures at either end 4to Ifeceive the pins or rods 77 and 107"or= mount- 'ing'the plate on the shieldin Likewise the plate is sealed in positionliinL a manner identical'to that described for' the Aplate' 103. 'When theplate is thus sealed in position vontheshield 55 with one of the-operating 'push huttonsyfas for example the push butto'n 112, as illustrated in"Figjprojecting through theaperture 111,'theswitch cannot be operated since the push button cannot be 'depressed Actuation of the ush button v1124s prevented since-the push uttons- 112 and'114'are interconnectedl andz depression of one=of said buttons can only be' iicconiplislied hyfa corresponding rise ofthei other-hut? ton'. Therefore. since the push'- button; i114 is in substantia-lV contact-with `theembossed portion 113'of'the plate 110, movement'of either of the buttons 112 'or 114 4will be pre vented. -In the caseof the plate 110; `the locking of the switch in the opposite condition is accomplished the same'- as with-*the plate'103,thatis the plate isA merely-roftated through an arc of1180'degrees1in' which position the aperture 111-ivill he positioned over the opposite pushfbutton. inthe illustrations Figs.2 and 3. over pushhutton 114.

From Vthe foregoingr description itv now follows that in a panel-board and panel-box constructed in accordance With-the teachings of this `invention the electrical equipment is so mountc'd in thepanel-board enclosure that the said enclosure can be readilyfin stalled in :any posit-ion andthel position of the apparatus with respect=to thefenclosu're can be speedily and rapidly changed so as to-lit the apparatus to any particular form of .wiringinstallation. L lfeW'itheaequip' ves 'cio

ment comprises a dead front panel-board in which the dead front shield can be conveniently sealed in.4 position if so desired, and, further, if'for any reasons it becomes necessary to lock the main switch in either of the on or off position, this can be readily accomplished by the more addition over the shield of the switch locking plates.

Obviously the invention is not limited to in `said -enclosuretagdead front shield movably .mounted 1n sald enclosure loverV said panel-board, said-:s'hield-'being "aperturedfto permit the=projectionf the circuitcontrolling portions of said apparatus thereto,and desi ation :means for said apparatus frotatablryl. mounted Von said shield.

2.In.a device of the character described in combination, a panel-box enclosure, a

panel-board carrying circuit-controlling apparatus, a mounting sub-base, to which said panel-board is removably secured, said subbasebeing :removably secured to the .bot-

tom of said panel-boxenclosure, a dead front r shield` :removably mounted in said enclosure overcsaid panel-board saidl shield -being apertured to permit theprojection'of the circuit-controlling portions of said apparatus therethrough, and designation means for said apparatus rotatably mounted on said shield, whereby said panel-box may be mounted either in the vertical or horizontal position and the designation means rotated 1n the proper position for the particular mounting of the panel-box enclosure.

3. In a device of the character described,

a panel-box enclosure, a flat plate mounting su -base secured to the bottom of said enclosure, apparatus mounting brackets permanently secured to said sub-base, circuitcontrolling equipment mounted on suitable bases removably secured to said brackets, the said sub-base and the said circuit-controlling equipment mounted thereon comprising a unitary structure, means for mounting said unitary structure in said panel-box enclosure whereby said structure may be readily removed as a unit from said panel-box enclosure and positioned therein in any one of a plurality of positions, a dead front shield removably mounted in said enclosure over said circuit-controlling apparatus, said shield being apertured to permit the proection therethrough of the circuit-controling portions of said circuit-controlling apting lthe circuit-contro apparatus to project through said apertures,

paratus, and designation means for said apparatus rotatably mounted on said shield.

4. In a device of the character described, a panel-box, a anel-board mounted therein carrying circult-controlling apparatus, an apertured shield mounted above said panel-v board covering said apparatus and permittingthe'circuit-controlhng portions of said apparatus to project through said apertures, a ban-.a downwardly extending arm, lsaid arm contactingfwith the face of said panelboard, an upwardly extending arm on said bar serving as a support for saidshield, and means positioned on said upwardly extending bar adapted .to receive a seal for locking saidfshield in position. r

5. In a device of the character described, a panel-box, a panel-board mounted therein carrying circuit-controlling apparatus, an: apertured shield mounted above Vsaid panel' 1board coveringA said'apparatus and permit- Img portions vof said a bar, a bracket secured to said panel-board for 'removably securing said bar-.tosaid board, a downwardly extending arm on said bar contacting with the face of said panelboard, an upwardly -extending armon said bar serving as a support for said shield, and a threaded bolt positionedon lsaid upwardly. extending arm adapted to receive a seal-for locking said shieldinv position. 1 Y ;f

6. In a deviceof the character described', a panel-box, =a`panelboard mounted therein carrying circuit-controllin apparatus, an apertured shield mounted a ove said panelboard covering said apparatus and permitting the circuit-controlling portion'lof said apparatus to project through said apertures, a bar, a bracket secured to said bar, means adapted to secure circuit-controlling apparatus to said anel-board, means to removably secure sald bracket to said panel-board, a downwardly extending arm on said bar contacting with the face of said panel-board, an upwardly extendin arm on said bar serving as a support or said shield, and means positioned on said upwardly extending arms adapted to receive a seal for locking said shield in position.

7. In a panel-board construction, an apparatus mounting base, a switch mounted on said base, a cover-plate for said switch, apertured to permit the projection therethrough of the operatin element of said switch, a second aperture plate adapted to be positioned over said cover-plate, said plate acting to lock the operating element of said switch in the on position and adapted to lock the ope-rating element of said switch in the off position when placed on said cover-plate in the reverse position, and means to seal the said locking plate in position on said cover-plate.

8. In a panel-board and panel-box conlplate in position.

struction, a panel-box, an apparatus mounting base positioned in said box, circuitcontrollingapparatus including a switch mounted in said box, an apertured shield adapted to be mounted in said box to cover said apparatus and the interconnecting conductors the circuit-controlloperajtinly por tions ofsaicl apparatus said apertures in -said shield, an .apertured plate adapted :to be positioned-over the circuit-controlling portion of said switch on theouter face of said shield to lock it in its off position, and a common means for sealing4 the said shield and the 'said plate in their respective positions.

9. In a panel-box 4and-par'iel-board construction, a panel-board, an apparatus mountingfbase positioned in said box, circuitfcontrolling. apparatus including' Y a switch. mounted on said base,`a1:ig apertured shield adapted toibermounted in-s'aid'box to cover said apparatus and the interconnecting 4oonductors-,- the circuit-controlling operating portions of said apparatus projecting through said apertures in said shield, means toseal said shield in position, a late apertured to fit over the circuit-contro ling portion of said switch. to4 lock the switch in the ,.oi position, designation mounted on said shield toi indicate Whether the switch is operated in its on or oi position, aperturesfin 4the switch locking plate adapted to receive the switch designation plates, and means for scaling the said 10.,.In a panel-board and panel-box construction, a panel-box, an apparatus mounting base positioned` trolling apparatus including the switch mounted in said box, an apertured shield adapted to be mounted in said box to cover projecting through 'n said box, circuitfcon? said apparatus and the interconnecting conductors, the circuit-controlling operatingy eir respective positions,;

mounted therein, a panel-board shield positioned above said panel-board, designation plates, and means torotatabl mounti'said plates on' said shield whereby th may befturned into any position to conform with the particular mounting of the panelbox and associatedshield. j 4

12. In a device of the character described in combination, a panelbox,`a panel-'board inounted therein', a-v panel-board shield posi- A tionedabove said panel-board, designation plates, a depression: positioned substantially in the middle of designation plates, rivets for rotatably .mounting `said* plates'on` said shield, the heads of positioned in thefsaid de tain a substantially flus'i face of said plate, whereby the said'plates said rivets being ressions to mainniay be turned into any position toconforamy with Vthe particular 4n'iountmgofthe panelbox and associated shield. f

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name-` HENRY FSTARRETT@ 'surface 'for the A

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