US1687037A - Indicating fuse plug - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 9, 1928.

J. F. QRLANDO INDI CATING FUSE PLUG Filed May 1926 Patented Oct. 9, 1-928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH FRANCIS ORLANDO, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT GLORIOSO, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

INDIGATING FUSE PLUG.

Application filed May 1, 1926. Serial No. 106,157.

This invention relates in general to fuse plugs and more particularly to a type of fuse plug comprising means for indicating the condition of the fusible element.

Heretofore in fuse plugs of this character there have been certain fundamental disadvantages which this invention seeks to overcome. It is a well known fact that when the fusible element of such plugs melts due to the passage of an excess current, there is caused a discoloration of the transparent material, generally mica, embodied in the top or cap of the fuse, thereby obstructing the vision of the fusible element. tor has proved a particularly objectionable feature in that this discoloration is oftimes indistinguishable from the natural discoloration or impurities frequently found in such mica. Further, fuse plugs of this character have previous to this time, been of essentially difierent construction from the ordinary type, hence the manufacture of these fuses has necessitated a radical change in the present design and construction.

t is an object of this invention to provide a fuse plug embodying an indicating means whereby it may be readily ascertained whether or not the fusible element is defective.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fuse plug embodying an indicating means having the indicating means and the transparent material of the cap protected from the effects of discoloration caused by the melting of the fusible element.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fuse plug embodying an indicating means having the indicating means so constructed as to be essentially applicable to the ordinary type of fuse plug, thus precluding the need of changing the design of fuse plugs for adaptation of this invention.

With these and other objects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accom- This facpanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part, of this specification:

Figure l is a side elevation sectional view of a conventional fuse plug shown as em bodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;-

ig. 3 is a top plan sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1;

Fig. dis a perspective view of the component parts of the indicating device.

Referring by numerals to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, l is a hollow housing portion of a fuse plug of conventional construction. The wall of the housing. is provided with apertures 2 and 3,

the aperture 2 being desired to receive one end of a fusible element l formed-with a restricted portion, in order that there may be provided a point of high resistance on the fusible element better shown in Figure 4. A metal collared bushing 6 iseinbodied in the base of the housing, the inner collar being adapted to act as a securing means for the other end of the fusible element 4. The outer collar is designed to serve as one terminal of a fuse plug.

It is preferred that this plug body be com osed of one of the numerous phenol 0011C ensation products although it may be of the usual porcelain construction.

A portion of the outer wall of the housing is threaded thereby being adapted to receive a threaded metallic sleeve 5 to act as a securing means for the plug and as the other contact thereof having contact with the other end of the fusible element 4 projecting through the aperture 2.

To the top of the housing 1 is secured in the usual manner a cap 7 provided with a rectangular aperture 8 and interposed therebetween, a disk of transparent material 9.

0n the fusible element 4 at the point of the greatest resistance is secured a member 10 forming one of the novel elements of this invention, comprising a clamp portion 11 and a cylindrical channeled member 12 more fully shown in Figure 4. The clamped portion 11 is adapted to be clamped on the fusible element at the point of the greatest resistance. A flexible strip member 13 having designations thereon in respect to the condition of the fusible element is secured by the channeled portion 12 of the member 10.

The flexible stripmember 13 referably composed of any suitable rugged abric tape and impregnated with any non-inflammable substance is designed to be supported by an elongated plate member 14 interposed between the disk of transparent material 9 and the top of the housing permitting free operation of the strip member and secured thereon by the cap 7. v The elongated plate member 14 is provided with an aperture 15 near one longitudinal edge thereof and disposed adjacently thereto and aligned therewith on the opposite edge, a recess 16. The aperture and the recess are preferably formed by cutting the plate and bending the out portions downward in' arcuate formation better illustrated in Figure 4. The flexible tape member 13 is adapted-to pass through the aperture 15 across the top of the plate over the recess'16, and having the opposite end held in the aper ture 3 provided in the wall of the housing 1 and oppositely disposed to the aperture 2.

In Figure 3 is shown a top plan view of the plate member 14 rested on the'top of the housingl and secured thereon by the cap 7. The tape 13 having one end secured to the fusible element 4, the other to the spiral spring 20 and passing through theaperture 15 and over the recess 16.

The mode of operation of the device may be readily understood having reference to Figures 1 and 3. ment melts, it will necessarily separate at the point of the greatest resistance thereby releasing the member 10. The tape portion 13 held in tension by the spring 20 will be drawn through the aperture 15 and over the recess 16 by the force of the spring. The channeled portion 12 of the member 10 will act as a stop means for the tape when it reaches the aperture 15. It may be seen that the indications will thus change to denote the condition of the fusible element.

There is accomplished by this invention an improved indicating device adaptable to' fuse plugs of conventional construction,

whereby the condition of the fusible element may readily be ascertained. Further thereis embod ed in said device the provision of a meansto protect the indicating elements from discoloration resultant from the fusation of the fusible element.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustratiomasfit is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled When the fusible element, means to indicate the conditionof the fusible element comprising an indicating member having a supporting means secured to the fusible element at the point of the greatest resistance and means to operate the indicating member vertically and horizontally comprlsing a spiral spring.

3. In a fuse plug comprising a housing of a phenol condensation product and embodying a fusible element, means to indicate the condition of the fusible element comprising an indicating member having a supporting means secured to the fusible element at the point of the greatest resistance and means to operate the indicating member vertically and horizontally comprising a spiral sprlng.

4. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a 5

fusible element and a transparent cap, means to protect the transparent cap from discoloration comprising a plate member interposed between the fusible element and the cap. i

5. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, the combination of a means to protect the transparent cap from discoloration and a means to indcate the condition of the fusible element comprisin a plate member interposed between the fuel le element and the cap, the plate being adapted to support the indicating element. V I

6. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, the combination of. a means to protect the transparent cap from discoloration and a means to indicate the condition of the fusible element comprising a plate member interposed between the fusible element and the cap, an indicating means secured to the fusible elementand supported by the plate member.

7. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, the .120 combination of a means to protect th transparent cap from discoloration and a means to indicate the condition of the fusible ele. ment comprising a plate member having an/ aperture interposed between the fusible element and the cap, an indicating means secured to the fusible element and designed to pass through the aperture PIOVlded in the plate member.

8. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a 13 aperture provided in the plate member.

fusible element and a transparent cap,

9. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a the combination of a means to protect the transparent cap from dscoloration and a means to indicate the condition of the fusible element comprising an elongated plate member having an aperture and a notch adjacently disposed and in longitudinal alignment therewith secured to the plug housing by the cap member and an indicating device comprising a tape member having one end secured to the fusible element, adapted to pass through the notch and aperture pro vided in the plate member and having the opposite end resiliently secured.

10. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, the combination of a means to protect the transparent cap from discoloration and a means to indicate the condition of the fusible element comprising an indicating device comprising a tape member having one end secured to the fusible element at the point of least resistance, adapted to pass through the notch and an aperture provided in the plate member and having the opposite end attached to a spring member secured to the housing of the plug.

11. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, the

combination of a means to protect the transparent cap from discoloration and a means to indicate the condition of the fusible element comprising an indicating device comprising a tape having thereon desired inclicators, having one end provided with a stop member secured to the fusible element the point of greatest resistance, adapted to pass through the aperture and notch provided in the plate member and having the opposite end attached to a spiral spring member secured to the housing of the plug.

12. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, the combination of a means to protect the trans parent cap from discoloration and a means to indicate the condition of the fusible ele ment protected from discoloration, comprising an indIcating device comprising a tape having thereon desired indicators having one end provided with a stop member secured to the fusible element at the point of greatest resistance, adapted to pass through the aperture and notch provided in the plate member and having the opposite end attached to a spiral spring member secured to the housing of the plug.

13. In a fuse plug a fusible element, a flexible strip including a sign, a plate member supporting the flexible strip and means for moving the flexible strip with reference to the plate member to indicate the condition of the fusible element.

14. In a fuse plug embodying a housing, a fusible element and a transparent cap, means to protect the transparent cap, from discoloration comprising a plate member and a flexible strip interposed between the plate member and the cap.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH FRANCIS ORLANDO.

Images