US3213241A

US3213241A - Insulating housing type circuit breaker

Info

Publication number: US3213241A
Application number: US58371A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis L Gelzheiser; Wesley L Baum
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1960-09-26
Filing date: 1960-09-26
Publication date: 1965-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-19
Also published as: GB932195A

Description

1965 F. GELZHEISER ETAL 3,

INSULATING HOUSING TYPE CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Sept. 26, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2.

WITNESSESI INVENTORS I Q Francis L. Gelzheiser and GB Q 5 Wesle y L. Baum.

BY WM w W 214 ATTORNEY Oct. 19, 1965 F. GELZHEISER ETAL 3,213,241

INSULATING HOUSING TYPE CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Sept. 26. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 19, 1965 F. GELZHEISER ETAL 3,213,241

INSULATING HOUSING TYPE CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Sept. 26, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 :CDI

Fig. 8.

Oct. 19, 1965 F. GELZHEISER ETAL 3,213,241

INSULATING HOUSING TYPE CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Sept. 26. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. l0.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,213,241 Patented Oct. 19, 1965 3,213,241 INSULATING HQUSHNG TYPE CllRCUiT BREAKER Francis L. Gelzheiser and Wesley L. Baum, Fairfield,

Conm, assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Sept. 26, 1960, Ser. No. 58,371 14 Claims. (Cl. 20116) This invention relates to electric circuit breakers and more particularly to manually and automatically operable circuit breakers for controlling small and moderate power electric circuits.

For certain applications, electric power supplying companies provide special low rates for power consumed during the off-peak hours. For example, power to heat water heaters is, in some instances, sold at a cheaper rate during the off-peak hours, of for example, 8 pm. to 7 am. The power supplying company, in these cases, provides the consumer with a special meter which is separate from the main meter. The special meter records the amount of power consumed through a separate circuit which is independent of the main circuits that are protected at the load center.

An object of this invention is to provide improved means for protecting off-peak meter circuits.

A space saving economical circuit breaker that is becoming popular is of a duplex or two-compartment type that has a clip-n type terminal structure which is common to both compartments and clips on to a conductor that carries power to a load center or panelboard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker of the duplex type that clips on to a conductor for support, but which protects a circuit that is independent of the conductor.

A further object is to provide a duplex or two-compartment type circuit breaker that protects a circuit that passes first through one and then through the other of the two circuit breaker compartments.

It is desirable under certain conditions to lock a circuit breaker to prevent accidental manual operation of the breaker.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide novel means for locking the operating handle of the circuit breaker in either the on or the off position.

A further object is to provide a circuit identification tab that covers an information label which tab has a clear portion and a roughened or etched portion. The tab fits over the top of the label. Circuit information can be written on the roughened portion and, when the tab is in place, the label information can be seen through the clear portion.

For certain applications, especialiy around gasoline stations or hazardous gaseous areas, safety requirements dictate that a power supply circuit and a neutral circuit be switched simultaneously.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a circuit breaker that can be operated to simultaneously open and close both a power circuit and a neutral circuit, which circuit breaker operates to open the neutral circuit when an automatic tripping operation occurs in the power circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a circuit breaker that can be clipped on to a conductor in a load center and that can be operated to simultaneously open and close both a power circuit and a neutral circuit, which circuit breaker operates to open the neutral circuit when an automatic tripping operation occurs in the power circuit.

Other objects of the invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance wtih one embodiment of the invention, a duplex or two-compartment type circuit breaker is provided with a clip-on structure that clips on to a conductor in a load center to support the circuit breaker. One of the two compartments houses a circuit interrupting unit that includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism for operating the contacts and means for automatically tripping the unit upon the occurrence of predetermined overload current conditions. The other of the two compartments is empty except for a conducting member. The conducting member includes a part that crosses over between the two compartments, so that the circuit to be protected extends into one end of the circuit interrupting compartment and through the length of that compartment, across to the other compartment, through the length of the other compartment to pass out of the other compartment at the same end of the circuit breaker at which the circuit entered the breaker. Insulating means are provided between the clip-on structure and the conducting parts within the breaker that carry the circult to be protected. Thus, the circuit breaker can be clipped on to a conductor in a load center for support only, and be used to protect a circuit, such as an off-peak meter circuit, that is independent from the conductor.

The circuit breaker housing is provided with an elongated projection having a notch therein at each of its opposite ends, which projection is molded integral with the housing in proximity to one or both of the operating handles. A locking member which can be a rigid wire or any other suitable material, fits over one of the handles and has a part thereof that engages in one of the notches to lock the handle in either the on or the off position.

A plastic circuit identification tab snaps into position over an information label. The tab has a roughened or etched portion upon which is written certain circuit identification information, and a clear portion through which information on the label can be seen.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a switching-neutral type breaker is provided which includes two duplex or two-compartment type circuit breakers fastened together. One of the two-compartment type breakers comprises an empty compartment and a compartment that houses an interrupting unit that includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism for operating the contacts and means for automatically opening the circuit upon the occurrence of overload conditions. This breaker has a clip-on structure that clips on to a conductor in the load center to energize the circuit interrupting unit. The circuit interrupting unit of this breaker is used to control the power circuit. The other two-compartment type circuit breaker includes a switching unit housed in one of the compartments which switching unit comprises separable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the contacts; but it does not necessarily include means for automatically opening the circuit. The other compartment is empty except for a conducting member that passes lengthwise through the unit similar to the conducting member of the previously described off-peak circuit breaker. The conducting member is part of a crossover member that is insulated from the clip-on type structure of this breaker so that a neutral circuit can pass into the switching compartment and out through the other compartment of the breaker which circuit is entirely independent and insulated from the power supplying conductor of the load center. The operating handles of the power circuit interrupting unit and the neutral circuit interrupting unit of the adjacent circuit breakers are connected by lost-motion connection means. The mechanisms of both of the connected interrupting units and the handle tie arrangement operate in such a manner that when the power circuit interrupting unit is tripped open automatically upon the occurrence of overload current conditions in the power circuit, the mechanism of this unit, through the handle tie, automatically operates the operating handle of the neutral-circuit interrupting unit to open the neutral-circuit interrupting unit.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation, together with additional objects and advantage thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end view, with parts broken away, of a duplex type circuit breaker embodying principal features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along line II1I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially along line IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the circuit breaker of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of part of the conducting and cross-over member of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the locking member of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the circuit identification tab of this invention;

FIG. 10 is an end view, partly in section, of two connected duplex type circuit breakers illustrating a different embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 11 is a view taken substantially along line XI-XI of FIG. 10.

Certain features of the circuit breakers of this invention are described and claimed in the copending patent application of F. L. Gelzheiser, Serial No. 51,963, filed August 25, 1960, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a duplex of twocompartment type circuit breaker indicated generally at 9 includes an insulating housing which is composed of two parts 11 and 13, forming two compartments. Each of the parts 11 and 13 is composed of a back portion molded integral with four sides forming an open front. The open front of the part 11 is covered by the back portion of the part 13, and the open front of the part 13 is covered by a cover 15. The three

housing parts

11, 13 and 15 are held rigidly together by three rivets 16 (FIG. 2).

Two symmetrically constructed clip-on type members of resilient material 17 (FIG. 3) are provided for clipping on to a conductor in a load center to support the circuit breaker. The clip-on members 17 are held in place by means of ridges 18 (FIG. 2) which are molded integral with the circuit breaker housing. An insulating member 19 (FIG. 7) is provided for insulating the clip-on members 17 from the internal structure of the circuit breaker.

The operating and tripping mechanism of a circuit interrupting unit which is housed in the compartment 11 is described and claimed in the patent to F. L. Gelzheiser, Patent No. 3,110,786, issued Nov. 12, 1963.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the circuit interrupting unit shown therein comprises a stationary contact 21, a cooperating movable contact 23, a supporting metal frame indicated generally at 25, an operating mechanism indicated generally at 27 and a trip device indicated generally at 29.

The stationary contact 21 is welded, or otherwise attached, to a cross-over conducting member indicated generally at 31. As was previously mentioned, the crosslover conducting member 31 is insulated from the clip-on members 17 which may be metallic, by means of the in sulating member 19.

The stationary contact 21 cooperates with the movable contact 23 that is welded or otherwise attached to a small flange 40 of a generally C-shapcd contact or switch arm 41. The switch arm 41 is operated to the open and closed positions by means of an operating member indicated generally at 43 having a V-shaped opening 45 therein, which opening receives a projection 4-7 of the metallic frame 25. The operating member 4-3 is biased outwardly, or upwards as seen in FIG. 2, by means to be hereinafter described, to a position wherein the lower edges of the projection 47 pivotally engage the side walls of the V- shaped opening 45. The switch arm 41 is bent over its upper end at 48 and an opening or slot (not shown) is stamped in the part 48 to receive a portion of the operating member 43 which extends into the slot to position the operating member relative to the switch arm. Pivot depressions 51 are provided in the bent-over part 48 of the switch arm 41. Pivoting portions 55 are provided on opposite sides of the projection 53 of the operating member 13. The pivoting portions 55 pivotally engage in the depressions 51 in the switch arm 41. The operating member 43 has a handle portion 57 molded integral therewith which extends through an opening 61 in the housing whereby the mechanism may be manually operated to open and close the breaker. Arcuate surfaces 63 on opposite sides of the handle 57 substantially close the opening 61 in all positions of the operating member 43. Motion is transmitted from the operating member 43 to the switch arm 41 when the breaker is manually operated, and from the switch arm 41 to the operating member 43 when the breaker is automatically tripped open.

The frame 25 supports an insulating pivot 65, and a trip member 79 is pivotally supported at one end 80 by means of a bight portion that is pivotally supported in a slot in the insulating pivot 65. The other end 82 of the trip member 79 has a latch point 83 which rests on a ledge 85 on an armature 36, to support the trip member 79 in latched position. The armature 86 is part of the trip device 79 which will be described later.

The ends 81) and 82 of the trip member 79 are offset, and disposed in a plane which is parallel to a plane in which the main body portion of the trip member 79 is disposed. A spring 88 is connected, under tension, at one end in a slot 89 in the contact arm 41, and at the other end in a slot in a projection 93 extending from the trip member '79.

The movable switch arm 41 is connected by means of a flexible conductor 95 to the free end of a bimetal 97 which is attached, near its other or upper end, to a projection 101 extending out from the supporting frame 25. A terminal conductor N3 is Welded or otherwise attached to the upper end of the bimetal 7 to electrically connect the bimetal to a terminal structure that is indicated generally at 104. Since the movable switch arm 41 extends downwardly from its pivot, upon opening of the

contacts

21, 23, an arc is established adjacent the bottom of the housing in an arc chamber 111, one end of which is connected by a vent passage 113, to an opening in the end of the housing beneath the terminal structure 104.

The circuit interrupting unit may be manually operated to open and close the contacts by operation of the insulating handle 57. The circuit interrupting unit is shown in the closed or on position in FIG. 2. Movement of the handle 57 clockwise carries the upper end of the switch arm 41 to the left of the line of action of the spring 88, whereupon the spring acts to move the contact arm 41 with a snap action to the open or off position. A projection 199 molded integral with the housing acts as a limit stop for the movable contact arm during an opening operation. When it is desired to then manually close the circuit interrupter, the operating handle 57 is moved counterclockwise back to the on position in which it is shown in FIG. 2, which movement moves the upper end of the switch arm to the right to move the parts to the closed position shown. Movement of the handle 57 is limited by the surfaces 115 which strike the housing at either extreme position. The modified knife-edge bearings of the projection 47 of the frame within the side-walls of the opening of the operating member 43, and of the pivoting portions of the operating member 43 with the pivots 51 of the switch arm 41, encounter little friction and, therefore, provide a smooth long-life action type of mechanism.

The trip device 29 includes the bimetal 97, a U-shaped magnet member 117, the armature 86 which is pivotally supported on the bimetal 97, and a spring 119 which biases the armature in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot. Upon the occurrence of an overload current below a predetermined amount, the bimetal element 97 becomes heated, and it deflects to the right as seen in FIG. 2. Due to the engagement of a tail portion 121 of the armature 36 with the bimetal 97, the armature is carried to the right with the bimetal to release the trip member 79.

When the trip member 79 is released, the spring 88 acts to rotate it clockwise about its pivot until it is arrested when a stop portion 133 thereon strikes the projection 109 of the housing. During this movement, the line of action of the spring 88 moves to the right of the pivot 55, 51 of the switch arm 41, whereupon the spring 88 operates to move the switch arm to the open position. During this movement the line of action of the force exerted by the switch arm 41 on the operating member 43, shifts across the

pivot

45, 47 and moves the operating member 43 in a clockwise direction. In order to provide a visual indication that the breaker has been automatically tripped open, this clockwise movement of the operating member 43 is stopped in a position intermediate its two extreme positions when a projection 135, molded integral with the operating member 43, strikes the projection 93 which extends from the trip member 79.

The interrupting unit is trip-free in that it will auto matically trip open even though the handle 57 is held in the closed position.

Before the contacts can be closed following an automatic opening operation, it is necessary to reset and relatch the mechanism. This is accomplished by moving the operating handle 57 clockwise from the tripped position, to a position slightly beyond the full open position. During this movement, the projection 135 of the operating member 43 engages with the projection 93 of the trip member 79, and the trip member is moved counterclockwise until the latch point 83 thereof is again supported in the latch position on the ledge 85 of the armature 86.

The circuit interrupting unit is tripped automatically and instantaneously by the electromagnet 97, 117, 86 in response to overload currents above the predetermined value. Upon the flow of current through the bimetal 97, a magnetic flux, which is induced around the bimetal, takes the path of least reluctance through the magnet 117, across an air gap 139, and through the armature 86. When an overload current above a predetermined value occurs, the pull of the magnetic flux is of such strength that the armature 86 is attracted to the magnet 117 and pivots in a clockwise direction on the bimetal 97. This movement releases the trip member 79, and the contacts are opened in the same manner previously described in connection with the thermal tripping operation.

The other compartment 13 of the duplex circuit breaker is empty except for an elongated conductor (FIG. 4) which is part of the cross-over member indicated generally at 31 and which is connected at its outer end to a terminal structure indicated generally at 127 in FIG. 4. The terminal structure 127 includes a tapped plate 129 that rides up and down a screw member 131 to apply pressure to electrically connect a conducting line with the conducting member 125 in a manner well known in the art. As best seen in FIG. 6, the cross-over member 31 includes the part 125 and a side part 137 to which is attached the stationary contact 21.

When the circuit interrupting unit of the compartment 11 (FIG. 2) is closed, a circuit passes from the terminal structure 127 (FIG. 4) through the part 125 of the crossover member 31, cross-over part of the member 31, stationary contact 21 (FIG. 2), movable contact 23, switch arm 41, flexible conductor 95, bimetal 97, conducting strip 103, to the terminal structure 104.

The insulating member 19 is provided to insulate the cross-over member 31 and the internal conducting parts of the circuit breaker 9 from the conductor (not shown) to which the circuit breaker is mounted by means of the clip-on members 17. Thus, the circuit breaker 9 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) can be mounted on a conductor within a common load center or panelboard, and since the breaker is insulated from the load center conductor, it can control a circuit that is independent of the load center conductor. This independent circuit can be used for special applications, such as to provide power to a water heater during the off-peak hours at a cheaper rate than the standard power rate. This ofi-peak power is metered through a meter which is separate from the meter which records the power consumed through the main load center.

Improved means are provided for locking the circuit breaker handle 57 in either the on or the oi? position. A projection or ridge 141 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) is molded integral with the housing part 13. As best seen in FIG. 4, there is a notch 143 at each of the two opposite ends of the elongated projection 141. A locking member 145 (FIG. 8) which may be a rigid wire or other suitable material, is provided with a hook part 147, and a slightly larger hook part 148. When it is desired to lock the handle 57 in the on or closed circuit position, the hook 147 of the locking member 145 is hooked over the ridge 141 to engage in the notch 143 which is seen to the left as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the other hook 148 is hooked over the handle 57. When the locking member 145 is in the position in which it is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it prevents clockwise movement, or movement to the right of the handle 57 thus preventing the handle from moving to the off or open circuit position. It is to be understood that the locking member 145, when used to keep the handle 57 in the closed position, merely locks the circuit breaker to protect against accidental opening. As was previously mentioned, the circuit interrupting unit of the circuit breaker 9 is trip-free, so that if an overload current above a predetermined amount occurs while the handle 57 is held in the closed position, the circuit breaker will still automatically trip open in the same manner previously described.

The handle 57 can be locked in the off or open position merely by reversing the member 145 from the position in which it is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to a position wherein the hook 147 of the member 145 will hook into the notch 143' which is at the right end (FIGS. 4 and S) of the projection 141. The hook 148 will then hook over the handle 57 which, in the open circuit or off position, would be in the position in which it is shown in broken lines in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the circuit breaker 9 is provided with only one circuit interrupting unit in only the compartment 11 including only one operating handle 57. As can be seen in FIG. 4, an opening 61, which is provided for an operating handle 57 of another circuit interrupting unit, is closed by means of a sealing member 150 which snaps into the position shown in FIG. 4 to isolate the internal part of the compartment 13. This member 150 is used to close an opening 61 because the

housing

11, 13, 15 of the circuit breaker 9, is a housing which, for some applications, is used for enclosing a circuit breaker that includes two circuit interrupting units, similar to the two units shown in FIG. 2, each of which includes an operating handle 57. This type of circuit breaker is claimed and described in the aforementioned patent to F. L. Gelzheiser, Patent No. 3,110,786.

When the circuit interrupter which includes two complete interrupting units such as those shown in the two aforementioned applications is used, it can be understood that the locking member 145 can be used to lock either of the handles 57 in either the on or the off position by merely changing the position of the locking member 145.

An improved circuit identification tab 149 (FIG. 9) is provided for exhibiting certain information regarding the circuit to be protected by the circuit breaker. The tab 149 is composed of a flexible plastic material wherein one-half 151 is transparent, and the other half 153 is roughened or etched to enable circuit information to be written thereon. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tab 149 fits under two ledges 155 and 157 on opposite sides of an opening 159. Two ridges 161), molded integral with the insulating housing, support an information label 162 which has information written on the lower part thereof. The flexible tab 149 is first bent and then it is snapped into the position in which it is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As seen in FIG. 5, the roughened part 153 of the tab 149 conveys certain circuit information, such as the numeral 8 that is written thereon, while certain information on the information label, such as the word information, can be clearly seen through the clear transparent lower part 151 of the tab. The label 162 may be an underwriters label.

An improved switching-neutral circuit interrupter 164 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. This interrupter is constructed to be clipped onto two conductors in a load center and to control both a power circuit from one of the conductors and a neutral circuit which is independent of the load center conductors. The construction of this interrupter is such that when the power circuit interrupting unit is tripped open in response to certain overload conditions, the tripping operation of the power circuit interrupting unit will operate to open the neutral circuit interrupting unit.

As shown in FIG. 10, the circuit interrupter 164 comprises two

circuit breakers

9 and 9" which are positioned side-by-side and connected in any suitable manner. The insulating

housings

11, 13 and 15 and 11", 13", and 15 are identical in construction to the insulating

housing

11, 13 and 15 of the circuit breaker 9 shown in FIG. 1. The internal mechanism of the compartment 11 of the circuit breaker 9' is identical to the internal structure shown in FIG. 2 of the compartment 11 of the circuit breaker 9 except for the clip-on type terminal structure which includes two clip'on type resilient members 161 and M3 that are not insulated from the internal mechanism of the breaker as is the clip-on type structure 17 shown in FIG. 2. The member 163 (FIG. 10) comprises a body of conducting material which includes a flat part 155 to which the stationary contact 167 of the interrupting unit 11 is welded or otherwise connected. The other clip-on member 161 is provided merely for support of the circuit breaker 9', and the compartment 13 of the circuit breaker 9' is empty. It can be understood therefore, that the circuit interrupting unit housed in the compartment 11' of the circuit breaker 9' is energized by the conductor (not shown) to which the clip-on structure 161, 163 is connected, and the circuit breaker 9' will be used to control this power circuit. The operation of the interrupting unit 11' of the circuit breaker 9 is the same as the previously described operation of the interrupting unit 11 of the circuit breaker 9.

Except for differences to be hereinafter described, the circuit breaker 9 (FIGS. 10 and 11) is constructed exactly like the circuit breaker 9 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The circuit breaker 9" includes a power circuit interg rupting unit housing in the compartment 11", a cross-over member 31 (FIG. 11), similar to the member 31 (FIG. 6) which cross-over member 31" includes an elongated conducting part (not shown) which extends through the entire length of the compartment 13" in the same manner as the part 125 (FIG. 4) extends through the compartment 13. The differences between the circuit breaker 9" shown in FIG. 10 and the circuit breaker 9 shown in FIG. 1 are that the tripping mechanism 29 and trip member 79 (FIG. 2) of the circuit breaker 9 are left out of the interrupting unit of the circuit breaker 9". The circuit breaker 9" is used to switch a neutral circuit, therefore, it need not embody mechanism which will effect an automatic opening operation upon the occurrence of overload currents passing therethrough. Automatic tripping of the circuit interrupter 164 (FIG. 10) upon the occurrence of overload conditions will be ffected through the circuit breaker 9 which breaker controls the power circuit. As seen in FIG. 11, the circuit interrupting unit in the compartment 11" of the breaker 9" includes a flexible conductor which is connected from the switch arm 41" directly to the terminal member 103". Since there is no trip member in this unit similar to the trip member 79 of FIG. 2, the upper end of the spring 88 is, in this case, connected to a projection 93" that extends from the frame 25". Otherwise, the rest of the structure shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the structure shown in FIG. 2.

The circuit through the circuit breaker 9 (FIG. 10) extends first through the compartment 13" which compartment is identical to the compartment 13 shown in FIG. 4, then through the compartment 11 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The circuit, therefore, extends from a terminal structure in the compartment 13" which is identical to the terminal structure 127 shown in FIG. 4, through an elongated part of the cross-over member 31 (FIGS. 10 and 11) which is identical to the part (FIG. 4) of the cross-over member 31, through the cross-over part of the member 31 (FIGS. 10 and 11), the stationary contact 21", movable contact 23", switch arm 41", exible conductor 95", conducting strip 103 to the terminal structure The handles 57 and 57 (FIG. 10) of the circuit breakers S and 9" respectively, are connected by means of a handle tie 171 having cylindrical end parts 173 at its opposite ends. The ends 173 of the handle tie 171 engage in opening 174 in the handles 57' and 57" which openings are about .005 of an inch larger in diameter than the ends 173, whereby a lost motion connection is provided between the handles 171 and 174.

The switching-neutral type circuit interrupter 164 shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 can be plugged on to two conductors in a load center. The circuit breaker 9', by means of the clip-on structure 161, 163, will be electrically connected to the conductor to which it is mounted and, since the clip-on structure 17" of th circuit breaker 9 is insulated from the internal structure of this breaker W, the breaker 1" can be used to control a circuit that is independent of the conductor to which it is mounted. The breaker 9 is used to switch a separate neutral circuit in a manner similar to that in which the hereinbefore described circuit breaker 9 is used to switch a separate offpeak meter circuit.

The circuit breaker 9' of the switching-neutral circuit interrupter 164 (FIG. 10) will operate to control the power circuit of the conductor to which this breaker is mounted. Since the tripping operation of the circuit interrupting unit 11' of the circuit breaker 9 is the same as the tripping operation previously described with reference to the interrupting unit 11 (FIG. 2) of the circuit breaker Q, attention is directed to FIGS. 2 and 10 for an understanding of the following additional description of the operation of the interrupting unit 11 (FIG. 10) of the circuit breaker 9. When the circuit interrupting unit 11' is automatically tripped in response to an overload current in the power circuit by means of a thermal or magnetic tripping operation, the handle 57' is carried to the tripped or intermediate position by the tension in the spring 88 and the movement of the switch arm 41 in its same manner previously described. The tripped or intermediate position of the handle 57' is a position between the extreme on and off positions of the handle and it is provided to give a visual indication that the circuit breaker has tripped open. During the start of the tripping movement, a certain amount of free play or lost motion in the handle tie llFl (FIG. 10) is first taken up. Once this free play is taken up, the inertia of the moving handle 57 of the tripped unit 11', plus the tension in the operating spring 25%, act through the handle tie 171, on the handle '7" of the adjacent interrupting unit 11" tending to pull that handle to its open or off position. This movement begins under somewhat of a shock condition since it begins abruptly as soon as the free play in the handle tie 171 is taken up. This initial shock, plus the remainder of the force which is applied through the handle tie 171 when the handle 57' of the tripped unit 11' is moved to its intermediate position, is enough to throw the handle 57" (FIGS. and 11) of the interrupting unit 11" far enough toward its open or off position to a point where this spring 88 (FIG. 11) of the neutnal interrupting unit 11" will operate to move the contact arm 41" of that unit to its open position.

This dual operation is possible because the handle 57" need only be thrown a relatively short distance before the spring 88 takes over, collapsing to move its associated mechanism to the open position; and because, when the parts are in the closed position, the spring 88" is stretched as much as it is ever stretched during the operation of the interrupting unit 11'', so that the moving forces need not effect a stretching of the spring 88" when they operate to throw the handle 57 this relatively short distance. The opening forces, therefore, need not overcome any increase in resistance of spring tension in the interrupting unit ill in moving the parts of this unit to the open position. This dual operation is possible also because the modified kni-fe-edge-type pivots which are provided between the moving parts provide that very little physical resistances are encountered during operation of the interrupting units.

The neutral circuit interrupting unit 11" of the breaker 9 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 11. As the handle 57" is moved in a clockwise direction, it moves the upper end of the switch arm 41" to the left moving the lower end to the right. Only a relatively slight movement of the operating handle 57" will move the parts to a position Where the pivot 55", 51", is to the left of a line drawn between the lower spring support 89" and the pivot 47". Once the parts have reached this position, the spring 88" will take over retracting to move the parts to the open or oft position.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the invention provides a circuit breaker with improved means for controlling an off-peak or separate meter circuit. This circuit breaker clips on to a conductor which supports the breaker in a load center. The internal mechanism of this breaker is insulated from the supporting conductor. A circuit which is independent of the conductor to which this breaker is mounted, is controlled by operation of this twocompartment circuit breaker. This circuit extends into one end of a compartment in which is housed a circuit interrupting unit, through the length of that compartment, across to the other compartment, through the length of the other compartment, and out of the other compartment at the same end of the circuit breaker at which the circuit entered the breaker. An advantage of this circuit breaker is that, although it operates to control a separate circuit, it can be mounted on a conductor in the main load center, thereby eliminating the need for an extra unsightly and expensive load center housing.

The invention also provides novel handle locking means. A single locking member of simple construction can be used to lock either of two interrupting units of a duplex type circuit breaker in either the on on the off position.

An improved circuit identification tab is also provided which has a roughened portion, upon which circuit identification information is written, and a clear portion. The flexible tab is snapped into place over an information label having information written thereon which can be seen through the clear portion of the tab.

An improved switching-neutral type circuit interrupter is also provided for use in hazardous gaseous areas wherein it is required that a neutral circuit be switched or interrupted when an overload occurs interrupting the power circuit. This improved switching-neutral interrupter includes two circuit breakers each of which has a clip-0n portion for mounting the two breakers on two conductors in a load center. One of the circuit breakers is energized by the conductor to which it is connected and is used to control the power circuit. The other circuit breaker has its internal mechanism insulated from its clip-on structure so that a neutral circuit, that is independent of the conductor on which the breaker is mounted, can be controlled by this breaker. A handle tie is provided for making a lost-motion connection between the operating handles of the power circuit breaker and the neutral circuit breaker. The construction of the operating mechanisms is such that when the power circuit breaker is automatically tripped in response to an overload current condition and its operating handle is moved to an intermediate position, this position, through the handle tie, operates to throw the operating handle of the neutral circuit breaker to the ofi position to open the neutral circuit breaker, whereby both the power and the neutral circuits are interrupted.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all of the matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. A circuit interrupter comprising, in combination, two circuit breakers, a first of said circuit breakers comprising an interrupting unit including an operating mechanism which comprises a stationary contact and a movable contact cooperable with the stationary contact to open and close a first circuit that comprises said contacts, said first circuit breaker comprising a first operating member for effecting manual operation of said operating mechanism, the second of said circuit breakers comprising an insulating housing including two compartments, an insulating partition having an opening therein and separating the compartments, conducting means in electrical series extending from one end of said circuit interrupter through one of said compartments then through said opening in said partition then through the other compartment to said one end of said circuit interrupter to enable control of a second circuit that comprises said conducting means, circuit interrupting means in a first of said compartments com prising an operating mechanism which comprises contacts separable to open said second circuit, each of said two circuit breakers having a resilient support structure comprising two adjacent resilient members engageable with a support member to support the circuit interrupter, means insulating the resilient support structure of said second circuit breaker from said second circuit, a second operating member in said second circuit breaker for effecting manual operation of the contacts of said second circuit breaker, each of said first and second operating members being manually movable to a first position to effect closing of the contacts of its associated circuit breaker and manually movable to a second position to effect opening of the contacts of its associated circuit breaker, said first circuit breaker including means automatically operable upon the occurrence of certain abnormal current conditions to effect automatic opening of the contacts associated therewith, the operating mechanism of said first circuit breaker comprising means automatically moving said first operating member to a third position intermediate said first and second positions upon the occurrence of an automatic opening operation, connecting means operatively connecting said first and second operating members when said first circuit breaker is automatically tripped open moving said first operating member to its third position, said movement of said first operating member operating through said connecting means to move said second operating member to its second position to open the contacts in the second circuit breaker.

2. A circuit interrupter comprising, in combination, two circuit breakers, a first of said circuit breakers comprising an interrupting unit including an operating mechanism which comprises a stationary contact and a movable contact cooperable with the stationary contact to open and close a first circuit that comprises said contacts, a first operating member comprising a first operating handle in said first circuit breaker for effecting manual operation of said operating mechanism, the second of said circuit breakers comprising an insulating housing including two compartments, an insulating partition having an opening therein and separating the compartments, conducting means in electrical series extending from one end of said circuit interrupter through one of said compartments then through said opening in said partion then through the other compartment to said one end of said circuit interrupter to enable control of a second circuit that comprises said conducting means, circuit interrupting means in a first of said compartments comprising an operating mechanism which comprises contacts separable to open said second circuit, clip-on means in each of said two circuit breakers for clipping on to a supporting member, means insulating the clip-on means of said second circuit breaker from said second circuit, a second operating member comprising a second operating handle in said second circuit breaker for effecting manual operation of the contacts of said second circuit breaker, each of said first and second operating members being manually movable to a first position to effect closing of the contacts of its associated circuit breaker and manually movable to a second position to effect opening of the contacts of its associated circuit breaker, said first circuit breaker including means automatically operable upon the occurrence of certain abnormal current conditions to effect automatic opening of the contacts associated therewith, the operating mechanism of said first circuit breaker comprising means automatically moving said first operating member to a third position intermediate said first and second positions upon the occurrence of an automatic opening operation, lost-motion connecting means operatively connecting said first and second operating handles of said first and second operating members respectively when said first circuit breaker is automatically tripped open moving said first operating member to its third position, said movement of said first operating member operating through said lost-motion connecting means to move said second operating member to its second position to open the contacts in the second circuit breaker.

3. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing structure; a first external terminal supported on said insulating housing structure; a second external terminal supported on said insulating housing structure in proximity to said first terminal; a pair of cooperable contacts supported within said housing structure; conducting means connecting said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series to enable control of an electric circuit when said first and second terminals are connected in said circuit; said conducting means being external of said housing structure only where said conducting means is connected to said first and second terminals; and trip means supported within said housing structure and operable automatically upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions to effect opening of said contacts.

4-. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing structure; a first external terminal supported on one end of said housing structure; a second external terminal supported on said one end of said housing structure; a first conducting means connected to said first terminal and extending into said housing structure at said one end; a second conducting means connected to said second terminal and extending into said housing structure at said one end; a pair of contacts supported within said housing structure; a third conducting means connecting said first conducting means, said contacts and said second conducting means in electrical series to thereby connect said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series; said third conducting means being disposed entirely within said housing structure whereby the circuit from said first terminal to said second terminal is external of said housing structure only at said one end where said first and second terminals are disposed and where said first and second conducting means extend from said first and second terminals respectively into said housing structure; and trip means supported within said housing structure and operable automatically upon the occurence of certain overload current conditions to effect opening of said contacts.

5. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing; said housing comprising two compartments and insulating barrier means separating said two compartments; a first external terminal supported at one end of said housing adjacent a first of said compartments; :1 second external terminal supported at said one end of said housing adjacent the second of said compartments; a pair of contacts supported within said first compartment; a first conducting means connected to said first terminal and extending into said first compartment at said one end of said housing; a second conducting means connected to said second terminal and extending into said second compartment at said one end of said housing; said barrier means having opening means therein in proximity to the other end of said housing; a third conducting means connecting said first conducting means, said contacts and said second conducting means in electrical series to thereby connect said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series; said third conducting means extending between said compartments through said opening means in said barrier means; said third conducting means being disposed entirely within said housing whereby the circuit from said first terminal to said second terminal is external of said housing only at said one end where said first and second terminals are disposed and where said first and second conducting means extend from said first and second terminals respectively into said first and second compartments respectively; and trip means supported within said first compartment and operable automatically upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions to effect opening of said contacts.

6. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing structure; the confines of said insulating housing structure comprising two oppositely disposed end walls, two oppositely disposed side Walls a back and a front; a first terminal supported externally at one end of said circuit breaker on one of said end walls; a second terminal supported externally at said one end of said circuit breaker on said one end Wall; a pair of cooperable contacts supported within said housing structure; conducting means connecting said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series; said conducting means being external of said confines of said housing structure only where said conducting means is connected to said first and second terminals; a trip means supported within said housing structure and being operable automatically upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions to effect opening of said contacts; a resilient support structure integral with said circuit breaker and supported in proximity to the other end of said circuit breaker and in proximity to the back of said circuit breaker; and means insulating said resilient support structure from said contacts and said conducting means.

7. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing structure; the confines of said insulating housing structure comprising two oppositely disposed end walls, two oppositely disposed side walls, a back and a front; a first terminal supported externally at one end of said circuit breaker on one of said end walls; a second terminal supported externally 'at said one end of said circuit breaker on said one end wall; said housing structure having opening means in said one end wall; a first conducting means connected to said first terminal and extending through said opening means into said housing structure; a second conducting means connected to said second terminal and extending through said opening means into said housing structure; a pair of contacts supported within said housing structure; a third conducting means connecting said first conducting means, said contacts and said second conducting means in electrical series to thereby connect said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series; said third conducting means being disposed entirely within said confines of said housing structure whereby the circuit from said first terminal to said second terminal is external of said confines of said housing structure only at said one end of said circuit breaker where said first and second terminals are disposed and where said first and second conducting means extend from said first and second terminals respectively into said opening means; a resilient support structure supported on said insulating housing structure in proximity to said other end wall and at the back of said insulating housing structure; said resilient support structure being engageable with a load center conductor to support the other end of said circuit breaker on said load center conductor; and means insulating said resilient support structure from said contacts and said third conducting means.

8. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing structure; the confines of said insulating housing structure comprising two oppositely disposed end walls, two oppositely disposed side walls, a back and a front; a first terminal supported externally at one end of said circuit breaker on one of said end walls; a second terminal supported externally at said one end of said circuit breaker on said one end wall; said one end wall having opening means therein, a first conducting means connected to said first terminal and extending into said housing structure through said opening means, a second conducting means connected to said second terminal and extending into said housing structure through said opening means; a pair of contacts supported within said housing structure; a third conducting means connecting said first conducting means, said contacts and said second conducting means in electrical series to thereby connect said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series; said third conducting means being disposed entirely within said confines of said housing structure whereby when said terminals are connected in a circuit the part of said circuit that extends from said first terminal to said second terminal is external of said confines of said housing structure only at said one end of said circuit breaker where said first and second terminals are disposed and where said first and second conducting means extend from said first and second terminals respectively into said opening means; trip means supported within said housing structure and operable automatically upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions to effect opening of said contacts; said front having an opening therein; an operating handle projecting externally out of said housing structure through said opening in said front; said operating handle operating upon manual reciprocal movement between two positions to open and close said contacts; a resilient support structure comprising two adjacent resilient members supported on said housing structure in proximity to the other end wall of said housing structure and at the back of said housing structure; said two adjacent resilient members being resiliently engageable with a control center conductor to support the other end of said circuit breaker on said control center conductor; and means insulating said resilient support structure from said contacts and said third conducting means.

9. A circuit breaker comprising an insulating housing; the confines of said insulating housing comprising two oppositely disposed end walls, two oppositely disposed side walls, a back and a front; said insulating housing comprising two compartments and insulating barrier means separating said two compartments; a first external terminal supported at one end of said insulating housing on one of said end walls adjacent one of said compartments; at second external terminal supported on said one end wall adjacent the other of said compartments; a pair of contacts supported within said one compartment; said barrier means having opening means therein in proximity to the other end of said insulating housing; conducting means passing through said opening means in said barrier means and connecting said first terminal, said contacts and said second terminal in electrical series; said conducting means being external of said confines of said insulating housing only where said conducting means is con nected to said first and second external terminals; trip means supported within said one compartment and operable automatically upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions to effect opening of said contacts; said housing having an opening in said front adjacent said one compartment; an operating handle projecting out from said one compartment through said opening; said operating handle operating upon manual reciprocal movement thereof between two positions to open and close said contacts; a resilient clip-on support structure comprising two adjacent resilient members disclosed at the back of said insulating housing and at the other end of said insulating housing; and means insulating said resilient support structure from said contacts and said conducting means.

10. A circuit interrupter comprising two breakers in a side-by-side relationship, each of said breakers comprising an insulating housing structure,

(a) a first of said breakers comprising a first terminal structure mounted externally on a first of said hous ing structures at one end of said interrupter, said first breaker comprising a second terminal structure at the other end of said interrupter, said second terminal structure comprising a resilient supporting terminal structure, a first pair of cooperable contacts supported within said first housing structure, first conducting means connecting said first pair of contacts in electrical series with said first and second terminal structures, a first operating mechanism supported within said first housing structure and comprising a first operating member extending out from said first housing structure, said first operating member operating upon manual reciprocal movement be tween two positions to open and close said first pair of contacts, trip means supported within said first housing structure,

(b) the second of said breakers comprising a third terminal structure mounted externally on the second of said housing structures at said one end of said interrupter and a fourth terminal structure mounted externally on said second housing structure at said one end of said interrupter, a second pair of contacts supported within said second housing structure, a second conducting means connecting said second pair of con-tacts in electrical series with said third and fourth terminal structures, a second operating mechanism supported within said second housing structure and comprising a second operating member extending out from said second housing structure, said second operating member operating upon manual reciprocal movement between two positions to open and close said second pair of contacts,

(c) means operatively connecting said first and second operating members, and upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions through said first conducting means conducting means said trip means operating automatically to effect opening of said first pair of contacts and to effect movement of said connected operating members to thereby open said second pair of contacts.

nism supported within said first housing structure and comprising a first operating member extending out from said first housing structure, said first operating member operating upon manual reciprocal movement between two positions to open and close said first pair of contacts, trip means supported within said first housing structure,

11. A circuit interrupter comprising two breakers in a side-by-side relationship, each of said breakers comprising an insulating housing structure,

(a) a first of said breakers comprising a first terminal (b) the second of said breakers comprising a third terminal structure mounted externally on the second of said housing structures at said one end of said interrupter and a fourth terminal structure mounted structure mounted externally on a first of said housing structures at one end of said interrupter, said first breaker comprising a second terminal structure interrupter and a fourth terminal structure mounted externally on said second housing structure at said one end of said interrupter, a second pair of contacts externally on said second housing structure at said one end of said interrupter, a second pair of contacts supported within said second housing structure, a

comprising two adjacent resilient members at the second conducting means connecting said second pair other end of said interrupter, a first pair of cooperof contacts in electrical series with said third and able contacts supported Within said first housing fourth terminal structures, a second operating mechstructure, a first conducting means connecting said anism supported within said second housing strucfirst pair of contacts in electrical series with said ture and comprising a second operating member first and second terminal structures, a first operating extending out from said second housing structure, mechanism supported within said first housing strum said second operating member operating upon manture and comprising a first operating member extendual reciprocal movement between two positions to ing out from said first housing structure, said first open and close said second pair of contacts, lostoperating member operating upon manual reciprocal motion connecting means connecting said first and movement between two positions to open and close second operating members, and upon the occurrence said first pair of contacts, trip means supported withof certain overload current conditions through said in said first housing structure, first conducting means said trip means operating (b) the second of said breakers comprising a third automatically to effect opening of said first pair of terminal structure mounted externally on the second contacts and to move said first operating member to of said housing structures at said one end of said thereby operate said lost-motion connecting means to move said second operating member to thereby open said second pair of contacts.

13. A circuit interrupter comprising two breakers in a side-by-side relationship, each of said breakers comprising an insulating housing structure,

(a) a first of said breakers comprising a first terminal and fourth terminal structures, a second operating mechanism supported within said second housing structure and comprising a second operating memto effect movement of said connected operating members to thereby open said second pair of contacts.

structure mounted externally on a first of said housing structures at one end of said interrupter, said first circuit breaker comprising a second terminal ber extending out from said second housing structure structure at the other end of said interrupter, said in proximity to said first operating member, said second terminal structure comprising a supporting second operating member operating upon manual terminal structure, said second supporting terminal reciprocal movement between two positions to open structure comprising two adjacent resilient members, and close said second pair of contacts, a resilient one of said adjacent resilient members comprising a supporting structure comprising two adjacent resilconducting member, a first pair of cooperable conient members supported on said second housing structacts supported within said first housing structure, a ture at said other end of said interrupter, means infirst conducting means connecting said first pair of sulating said resilient supporting structure from said contacts in electrical series with said first terminal second conducting means and said second pair of structure and said conducting resilient member, a t t first operating mechanism supported within said first (c) means operatively connecting said first and second housing structure and comprising a first switch arm operating members, and upon the occurrence of cersupporting one of said first pair of contacts, a latched tain overload conditions through said first conductreleasable member, a first spring means connected ing means said trip means operating automatically under tension at one end on said first switch arm to effect opening of said first pair of contacts and and at the other end on said releasable member, trip means operable automatically upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions to release said 12. A circuit interrupter comprising two breakers in a side-by-side relationship, each of said breakers comprising an insulating housing structure,

(a) first of said breakers comprising a first terminal releasable member to thereby move said releasable member to operate said first spring means to move said first switch arm to open said first pair of contacts, a first operating member extending from said structure mounted externally on a first of said housing structures at one end of said interrupter, said breaker comprising a second terminal structure at first housing structure, said first operating member operating upon manual movement from a first position to a second position to open said first pair of conthe other end of said interrupter, said second tertacts, said first operating member operating upon minal structure comprising a resilient clip-on type manual movement from a second position to a first supporting terminal structure, said clip-on type supposition to close said first pair of contacts,

porting terminal structure comprising two adjacent (b) the second of said breakers comprising a third resilient members, one of said adjacent resilient terminal structure mounted externally on the second members being a conducting resilient member, a of said housing structures at said one end of said first pair of cooperable contacts supported within interrupter and a fourth terminal structure mounted said first housing structure, a first conducting means externally on said second housing structure at said connecting said first pair of contacts in electrical one end of said interrupter, a second pair of contacts series with said first terminal structure and said consupported within said second housing structure, a ducting resilient member, a first operating mechasecond conducting means connecting said second ll Z pair of contacts in electrical series with said third and fourth terminal structure, a second operating mechanism supported within said second housing structure and comprising a second switch arm supporting one of said second pair of contacts, a second spring means, and a second operating member extending from said second housing structure, said second operating member operating upon manual reciprocal movement between two operating positions to operate said second spring means to move said secsaid two operating positions to open said second pair of contacts.

18 separated by barrier means, a third terminal structure mounted externally on said second insulating housing structure adjacent one of said compartments at said one end of said interrupter, a terminal fourth structure mounted externally on said second insulating housing structure adjacent the other of said compartments at said one end of said interrupter, a second pair of contacts supported within said second insulating housing structure, a

second conducting means connecting said second switch arm to (Jpsrl and Close said sscond P pair of contacts in electrical series with said third of Contacts, and fourth terminal structures, said barrier means lost-motion Connecting means operatively connecthaving opening means therein in proximity to the ing said first and second Operating msmbsrs, p other end of said interrupter, said second conductthe occurrence of certain overload current conditions ing means extending from one to the other Of Said through said first conducting means said trip means compartments h h id Opening maans a automatically operating to release said releasable d Operating n'lgchanisfn supported ithi id m m r to move said releasable membsr and second insulating housing structure and comprising Operate said first spring means to move said first a second operating member extending out from said switch arm to p said first P of Contacts and second insulating housing structure, said second opto move said first operating member from said first crating ma 'nbef operating upon manual reciprocal Position JOWard said second Position which move movement between two positions to open and close ment of said first operating member operates through said Second i f Contacts, a ili t li said lost-motion connecting means to move said Supporting Structure mounted on Said Second second Operating member from one to the other of sulating housing structure at said other end of said interrupter, said resilient clip-0n supporting structure comprising two adjacent resilient members,

14. A circuit interrupter comprising two breakers in a side-by-side relationship, each of said breakers comprising an insulating housing structure,

(a) a first 'of said breakers comprising a first terminal structure mounted externally on a first of said insulating housing structures at one end of said interrupter, said second terminal structure comprising a terminal structure at the other end of said inter- 3 rupter, said sesond terminal structure comprising a resilient clip-on supporting terminal structure, said resilient clip-on supporting terminal structure comprising two adjacent resilient members, one of said adjacent resilient members comprising a conducting 40 resilient member, a first pair of cooperable contacts supported Within said first insulating housing structure, a first conducting means connecting said first pair of contacts in electrical series with said first means insulating said resilient clip-on supporting structure from said second pair of contacts and said second conducting means,

(c) lost-motion connecting means operatively connecting said first and second operating members, upon the occurrence of certain overload current conditions through said first conducting means said trip means operating automatically to effect opening of said first pair of contacts and to effect movement of said first operating member to thereby operate said second operating member through said lost-motion connecting means to open said second pair of contacts.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS terminal structure and said conducting resilient mern- 1,774,540 9/ Alsakef fit 20044 her, a first operating mechanism supported withi 2,551,397 5/31 Rfiv fe 200--116 said first insulating housing structure and comprising 2,810,048 10/ 57 ChrlStenSen 200116 a first operating member extending out from said 2,322,446 2/58 Srsnback et 200116 first housing structure, said first o eratin mb 2,854,555 9/ 58 ulunds 200167 operating upon manual reciprocal movement b 2,833,496 4/59 Whlte 200-167 tween two positions to open and close aid fir t pair 2,905,795 9/59 PlatZ 200-167 of contacts, trip means supported within aid f t 2,937,248 5/ 60 Mlchfittl 200-44 housing structure, ,7 1/ 61 I gwersen 200-ll6 (b) the second of said breakers comprising the second of said insulating housing structures, said second insulating housing structure comprising a unitary insulating housing comprising two compartments KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY Primary Ex miner.

RICHARD M. WOOD, BERNARD A. GILHEANY,

Examiners.