US3155786A - Enclosure with lockable handle - Google Patents

Enclosure with lockable handle Download PDF

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Publication number
US3155786A
US3155786A US248699A US24869962A US3155786A US 3155786 A US3155786 A US 3155786A US 248699 A US248699 A US 248699A US 24869962 A US24869962 A US 24869962A US 3155786 A US3155786 A US 3155786A
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United States
Prior art keywords
handle
locking
enclosure
locking member
pair
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Expired - Lifetime
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US248699A
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Louis T Stegmaier
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General Electric Co
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General Electric Co
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Priority to US248699A priority Critical patent/US3155786A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
    • G05G1/10—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/08—Turn knobs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/20—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms
    • H01H9/28—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms for locking switch parts by a key or equivalent removable member
    • H01H9/281—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms for locking switch parts by a key or equivalent removable member making use of a padlock
    • H01H9/282—Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms for locking switch parts by a key or equivalent removable member making use of a padlock and a separate part mounted or mountable on the switch assembly and movable between an unlocking position and a locking position where it can be secured by the padlock

Definitions

  • My invention relates to enclosed electrical devices, such as switches and circuit breakers, and particularly to manually operable handle means for use with such enclosed devices.
  • Enclosed electrical devices of the type referred to commonly include a fabricated sheet metal enclosure having an openable cover, and a rotatable or twist type handle carried by the cover for disconnectibly engaging an electrical switching device within the enclosure. Means is also commonly provided for padlocking the handle in at least one position, such as the off position, for reasons of safety.
  • Operating handles of the type described have commonly been provided by the prior art comprising a cast metal or molded insulating material body, rotatably supported on the enclosure cover, combined with metallic locking means.
  • an enclosure for use with an electric switching device, the enclosure including a generally planar support portion.
  • a manually engageable handle is supported on the support portion for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the support portion.
  • the handle includes a locking member supported thereon for rotation about an axis extending parallel to the plane of the support portion.
  • the locking member is rotatable about this axis between a locking position and a non-locking position.
  • the locking member includes a projection at one end which is disposed and arranged to enter into locking relation with a portion of the cover when the locking member is in locking position.
  • the locking member also includes a portion at the other end which can be locked by suitable means, such as by a padlock, with relation to the handle when the locking member is in the aforesaid locking position.
  • the handle proper comprises a generally inverted U-shaped sheet metal member supporting the locking member between its side walls.
  • the side walls are, furthermore, extended to provide fastening tabs which hold the handle and locking member in assembled relation to a composite supporting hub on the support member, all of the aforesaid parts being fabricated from sheet metallic material.
  • IGURE 1 is a perspective View of an enclosed electrical control device incorporating the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is an elevation view, partially in section, of the operating handle portion of the device of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the handle in locked condition
  • FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operating handle portion.
  • the panelboard unit 10 comprises a generally rectangular elongated container having a pair of switches, not shown, mounted therein, adapted to be actuated by the manually operable handle members 11 and 12.
  • the handle members 11 and 12 are mounted on generally planar support portions of the enclosure, comprising openable cover portions 13 and 14 respectively, which are retained in closed position by means of suitable catches such as 15 and 16.
  • Each of the covers 13 and 14 is hingedly supported on the enclosure 10 by hinge pins 17.
  • the handles 11 and 12 are identical in construction, and the construction of the handle 11 only will therefore be described in detail.
  • the cover 13 is provided with a generally circular opening 13 having an arcuate enlarged portion providing a pair of spaced shoulders 19 and 26'.
  • the opening 18 also includes a notch 21 for a purpose to be described.
  • a generally circular spacer member 22 is positioned within the opening 18 and includes a projecting lug 23 adapted to coact with the shoulders 19 and 20 to limit rotational movement of the spacer 22.
  • the spacer 22 is also provided with a pair of slots 24- and 25, extending radially inward from the edge thereof, and a second pair of spaced slots 26.
  • a top retaining washer 27 is also provided which is generally circular and which likewise has a pair of slots 28, 29 extending radially inward from the edge thereof and a second pair of spaced slots 3%, together with a central elongated slot St.
  • a lower retaining washer member 32 is also provided which is circular in outline and Which has a plurality of irregular openings 33. The member 32 also carries an eccentric operating stud 34 for the purpose of coacting with the switch operating mechanism, not shown.
  • a manually engageable generally inverted U-shaped handle member 36 is also provided, having an integral bight portion 36a and a pair of opposed side portions 36b.
  • the side portions 36b carry a pair of downwardly extend ing locking lugs 37.
  • the handle member 36 has an elongated slot 58 cut inwardly from one edge of the top or bight portion.
  • a locking member 39 is also included, comprising a generally circular central portion 40, an arcuate locking projection 41 at one end, and a lock-receiving portion 4-2 having an opening 43 therein for receiving the hasp of a padlock.
  • the locking member 359 is biased toward retracted position by means of a generally Ll-shaped return bent spring 44, see FIGURE 4.
  • the invention is assembled by placing the spacer member 22 in the opening 18, so that the projection 23 extends into the arcuate enlarged portion between the shoulders 19 and 2d, and placing the retaining members 27 and 32 in position at either side of the spacer 22 on the top and bottom surfaces respectively of the cover 13 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.
  • the U-shaped handle member 36, with the locking member 39 and its bias spring 44- therewithin, is then placed in position on the retaining member 27 so that the lug portions 37 extend through the openings 39 in the spacer member 27, through the o enings 26 in the central spacer 22 and through a pair of the openings 33 in the retaining member 32, following which the lugs 37 are bent over to retain the assembly in place.
  • the parts are then in the condition as shown in FIGURE 2. It will be noted that the locking member 42 is trapped in position within the handle 36 J? by reason of the curved portion 49 fitting into the slot 31 of the spacer 27. The locking member 42 is retained in extreme counterclockwise position by the spring 44: as shown in
  • the handle When it is desired to lock the handle in the off position, the handle is placed in this position, and the locking member 39 is rotated (its central portion th sliding in the slot 31) until the portion 42 projects outwardly through the slot 33 in the handle member 36 far enough for the opening 43 to be accessible above the surface of the handle 36, as shown in FIGURE 3.
  • the locking member 3% may be conveniently moved to locking position by pushing upwardly with one finger on the portion 42 through the adjacent open end of the handle 36.
  • the arcuate locking tab 41 projects downwardly through the slot 28 in the retaining member 2'7, through the slot 24 in the spacer member 22, and into the notch 21 in the opening 18, and finally into one of the openings 33 of the retaining member 32.
  • the hasp 45 of a padlock 46 may then be passed through the opening 43, overlying the surface of the handle member 36, thereby retaining the locking member 39 in this position.
  • the tab 41 extends through the notches 28 and 24 when the member 39 is in locking position. This provides lateral support to the locking tab 41 and the locking member 39 generally, and prevents distortion by attempted turning of the handle in the locking position.
  • An enclosure for an electric switching device comprising:
  • a locking member of flat sheet metallic material supported within said handle member in edgewise relation to said bight portion of said handle member, said locking member including a generally circular central portion having a portion thereof slidably received in said elongated slot in said upper retaining plate,
  • said locking member having a locking projection adjacent one end thereof and a locking aperture adjacent the other end thereof, said locking member being rotatable between a first position in which said locking projection is out of said notch of said circular opening and said aperture in said locking member is inaccessibly received within said handle member, and a second position in which said locking projection extends into said notch portion oi said circular opening and said aperture is accessible above the top surface of said handle to receive the hasp of a lock member to retain said locking member in said second position.

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 T. STEGMAIER ENCLOSURE WITH LOCKABLE HANDLE Filed Dec. 31, 1962 IIIII/I I/A '//IIIIII. WI/III/I/II/II INVENTOR.
BY fia fi /Ty @41 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,155,786 EN CLGSURE WITH LGQKABLE IiANDLE Louis T. Stegmaier, Plainviile, Corina, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 248,699 1 Claim. (Cl. 200-42) My invention relates to enclosed electrical devices, such as switches and circuit breakers, and particularly to manually operable handle means for use with such enclosed devices.
Enclosed electrical devices of the type referred to commonly include a fabricated sheet metal enclosure having an openable cover, and a rotatable or twist type handle carried by the cover for disconnectibly engaging an electrical switching device within the enclosure. Means is also commonly provided for padlocking the handle in at least one position, such as the off position, for reasons of safety.
Operating handles of the type described have commonly been provided by the prior art comprising a cast metal or molded insulating material body, rotatably supported on the enclosure cover, combined with metallic locking means.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an enclosed electrical device including manually operable means which is less expensive than the aforesaid molded insulating material or cast metal types of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure for an electrical switching device including manually operable handle means which handle means can be readily fabricated from sheet metallic material and which permits locking of the device in at least one position thereof without the use of auxiliary separately attached brackets on the enclosure cover.
In accordance with the invention in one form, an enclosure is provided for use with an electric switching device, the enclosure including a generally planar support portion. A manually engageable handle is supported on the support portion for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the support portion. The handle includes a locking member supported thereon for rotation about an axis extending parallel to the plane of the support portion. The locking member is rotatable about this axis between a locking position and a non-locking position.
The locking member includes a projection at one end which is disposed and arranged to enter into locking relation with a portion of the cover when the locking member is in locking position.
The locking member also includes a portion at the other end which can be locked by suitable means, such as by a padlock, with relation to the handle when the locking member is in the aforesaid locking position.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the handle proper comprises a generally inverted U-shaped sheet metal member supporting the locking member between its side walls. The side walls are, furthermore, extended to provide fastening tabs which hold the handle and locking member in assembled relation to a composite supporting hub on the support member, all of the aforesaid parts being fabricated from sheet metallic material.
The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawings,
IGURE 1 is a perspective View of an enclosed electrical control device incorporating the invention;
FIGURE 2 is an elevation view, partially in section, of the operating handle portion of the device of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the handle in locked condition, and
FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operating handle portion.
In the drawing, the invention is shown as incorporated in an enclosed electrical device comprising a panelboard unit 10. The panelboard unit 10 comprises a generally rectangular elongated container having a pair of switches, not shown, mounted therein, adapted to be actuated by the manually operable handle members 11 and 12. The handle members 11 and 12 are mounted on generally planar support portions of the enclosure, comprising openable cover portions 13 and 14 respectively, which are retained in closed position by means of suitable catches such as 15 and 16. Each of the covers 13 and 14 is hingedly supported on the enclosure 10 by hinge pins 17. The handles 11 and 12 are identical in construction, and the construction of the handle 11 only will therefore be described in detail.
As shown in FIGURE 4, the cover 13 is provided with a generally circular opening 13 having an arcuate enlarged portion providing a pair of spaced shoulders 19 and 26'. The opening 18 also includes a notch 21 for a purpose to be described. A generally circular spacer member 22 is positioned within the opening 18 and includes a projecting lug 23 adapted to coact with the shoulders 19 and 20 to limit rotational movement of the spacer 22. The spacer 22 is also provided with a pair of slots 24- and 25, extending radially inward from the edge thereof, and a second pair of spaced slots 26. A top retaining washer 27 is also provided which is generally circular and which likewise has a pair of slots 28, 29 extending radially inward from the edge thereof and a second pair of spaced slots 3%, together with a central elongated slot St. A lower retaining washer member 32 is also provided which is circular in outline and Which has a plurality of irregular openings 33. The member 32 also carries an eccentric operating stud 34 for the purpose of coacting with the switch operating mechanism, not shown.
A manually engageable generally inverted U-shaped handle member 36 is also provided, having an integral bight portion 36a and a pair of opposed side portions 36b. The side portions 36b carry a pair of downwardly extend ing locking lugs 37. The handle member 36 has an elongated slot 58 cut inwardly from one edge of the top or bight portion.
A locking member 39 is also included, comprising a generally circular central portion 40, an arcuate locking projection 41 at one end, and a lock-receiving portion 4-2 having an opening 43 therein for receiving the hasp of a padlock. The locking member 359 is biased toward retracted position by means of a generally Ll-shaped return bent spring 44, see FIGURE 4.
The invention is assembled by placing the spacer member 22 in the opening 18, so that the projection 23 extends into the arcuate enlarged portion between the shoulders 19 and 2d, and placing the retaining members 27 and 32 in position at either side of the spacer 22 on the top and bottom surfaces respectively of the cover 13 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The U-shaped handle member 36, with the locking member 39 and its bias spring 44- therewithin, is then placed in position on the retaining member 27 so that the lug portions 37 extend through the openings 39 in the spacer member 27, through the o enings 26 in the central spacer 22 and through a pair of the openings 33 in the retaining member 32, following which the lugs 37 are bent over to retain the assembly in place. The parts are then in the condition as shown in FIGURE 2. It will be noted that the locking member 42 is trapped in position within the handle 36 J? by reason of the curved portion 49 fitting into the slot 31 of the spacer 27. The locking member 42 is retained in extreme counterclockwise position by the spring 44: as shown in FIGURE 3.
When it is desired to lock the handle in the off position, the handle is placed in this position, and the locking member 39 is rotated (its central portion th sliding in the slot 31) until the portion 42 projects outwardly through the slot 33 in the handle member 36 far enough for the opening 43 to be accessible above the surface of the handle 36, as shown in FIGURE 3.
The locking member 3% may be conveniently moved to locking position by pushing upwardly with one finger on the portion 42 through the adjacent open end of the handle 36.
When the locking member 39 is rotated to locking position, the arcuate locking tab 41 projects downwardly through the slot 28 in the retaining member 2'7, through the slot 24 in the spacer member 22, and into the notch 21 in the opening 18, and finally into one of the openings 33 of the retaining member 32. The hasp 45 of a padlock 46 may then be passed through the opening 43, overlying the surface of the handle member 36, thereby retaining the locking member 39 in this position.
It will be observed that in this position, because of the presence of the locking tab 41 in the notch 21, it is im possible to rotate the handle member 36 in either direction away from the locked position. When the lock is removed, however, the locking member 39 is returned to its original position by the action of the spring 44, thereby permitting rotational movement of the handle thereafter.
As previously noted, the tab 41 extends through the notches 28 and 24 when the member 39 is in locking position. This provides lateral support to the locking tab 41 and the locking member 39 generally, and prevents distortion by attempted turning of the handle in the locking position.
It will be observed that by means of the retention of the locking member 39 between the handle member 36 and the retainer plate 2-? with a portion thereof riding in the slot 31, the locking member 39 is rotatably supported without the necessity of a transversely extending pivot it will also be observed that all of the parts may be readily fabricated from flat sheet metal by conventional processes such as by blanking, bending, and piercing.
While the invention has been shown in only one particular form, it will be readily apparent that many modia fications thereof may be made, and I therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent of the United States is:
An enclosure for an electric switching device comprising:
(a) a cover having a generally circular opening therein having a radially extending notch portion,
(b) a generally circular spacer member supported in said opening for limited rotational movement,
(c) upper and lower retainer members disposed on opposite sides of said spacer member respectively,
(d) said spacer member and both of said retainer members having at least one pair of aligned apertures therein,
(e) a generally inverted U-shaped handle member having an integral bight portion and a pair of opposed side portions, said side portions having a pair of locking lugs passing through said aligned apertures of said spacer and retainer members and bent over at the underside of said assembly,
(f) an elongated slot in said upper retainer member between said pair of apertures,
(g) a locking member of flat sheet metallic material supported within said handle member in edgewise relation to said bight portion of said handle member, said locking member including a generally circular central portion having a portion thereof slidably received in said elongated slot in said upper retaining plate,
(It) said locking member having a locking projection adjacent one end thereof and a locking aperture adjacent the other end thereof, said locking member being rotatable between a first position in which said locking projection is out of said notch of said circular opening and said aperture in said locking member is inaccessibly received within said handle member, and a second position in which said locking projection extends into said notch portion oi said circular opening and said aperture is accessible above the top surface of said handle to receive the hasp of a lock member to retain said locking member in said second position.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,959,363 Bachman et al Aug. 23, 1960
US248699A 1962-12-31 1962-12-31 Enclosure with lockable handle Expired - Lifetime US3155786A (en)

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3330919A (en) * 1966-04-07 1967-07-11 G & W Electric Speciality Co Locking plate structure for a spring energized switch operator
US3632917A (en) * 1965-06-08 1972-01-04 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electric switchgear with cover and switch interlock means and handle-latching means
FR2445602A1 (en) * 1978-12-28 1980-07-25 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co ACTUATION MECHANISM FOR THE HANDLE OF AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKER
US5504284A (en) * 1993-02-03 1996-04-02 Merlin Gerin Device for mechanical and electrical lockout of a remote control unit for a modular circuit breaker
WO2015119775A1 (en) * 2014-02-06 2015-08-13 Eaton Corporation Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies and handle interlocks
USD762593S1 (en) 2014-03-24 2016-08-02 Eaton Corporation Switch handle for circuit breakers
USD765045S1 (en) 2014-03-24 2016-08-30 Eaton Corporation Switch handle for circuit breakers
US9484163B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2016-11-01 Eaton Corporation Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2950363A (en) * 1958-11-10 1960-08-23 Amalgamated Electric Corp Ltd Safety handle for enclosed switches

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2950363A (en) * 1958-11-10 1960-08-23 Amalgamated Electric Corp Ltd Safety handle for enclosed switches

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3632917A (en) * 1965-06-08 1972-01-04 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electric switchgear with cover and switch interlock means and handle-latching means
US3330919A (en) * 1966-04-07 1967-07-11 G & W Electric Speciality Co Locking plate structure for a spring energized switch operator
FR2445602A1 (en) * 1978-12-28 1980-07-25 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co ACTUATION MECHANISM FOR THE HANDLE OF AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKER
US5504284A (en) * 1993-02-03 1996-04-02 Merlin Gerin Device for mechanical and electrical lockout of a remote control unit for a modular circuit breaker
WO2015119775A1 (en) * 2014-02-06 2015-08-13 Eaton Corporation Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies and handle interlocks
US9484163B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2016-11-01 Eaton Corporation Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies
US9496101B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2016-11-15 Eaton Corporation Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies and handle interlocks
US9859070B2 (en) 2014-02-06 2018-01-02 Eaton Corporation Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies and handle interlocks
USD762593S1 (en) 2014-03-24 2016-08-02 Eaton Corporation Switch handle for circuit breakers
USD765045S1 (en) 2014-03-24 2016-08-30 Eaton Corporation Switch handle for circuit breakers
USD809468S1 (en) 2014-03-24 2018-02-06 Eaton Corporation Switch handle for circuit breakers
USD900043S1 (en) 2014-03-24 2020-10-27 Eaton Intelligent Power Limited Switch handle for circuit breakers

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