FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
A COUPLER FOR ELECTRICAL
CONTACTOR BRIDGES;
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS L&T HOUSE, BALLARD ESTATE, MUMBAI - 400 001, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coupler. More particularly, the invention relates to a coupler for engaging/integrating electrical contactor bridges.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Electrical contactor is used as switching device in switchgear for making & breaking of electric circuit. For four pole type electrical contactor, main poles & additional fourth pole is externally attached. In main poles main bridge is arranged which operates auxiliary bridge from fourth pole. Switching devices such as electrical contactor require simultaneous operation of bridges. Couplers play a key role in switching devices. Couplers are known to integrate bridges in switching devices.
However, since in present scenario bridges are only attached, it is more prone to mismatch the operation of both the bridges. Also under dynamic condition the auxiliary bridge have a propensity to bounce resulting into damage to the electrical contacts.
Further, the bridges are connected with couplers that requires fastening of couplers to the bridges. This increases the effort of connecting the bridges and the reliability of such arrangement may also be uncertain.
There is a particular need for a simple, reliable arrangement for joining electrical contactor bridges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a coupler for engaging electrical contactor bridges, comprising a first segment; a second segment as a reverse replica of the first segment; a

connector for connecting the first and the second segment; a pair of locators on each of the first and second segment; wherein atleast one of the locators is a flexible locator that latches/locks with the electrical contactor bridges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Fig. 1a shows a coupler engaged with electrical contactor bridges in locked position
Fig.1b shows the coupler engaged with the electrical contactor bridges in unlocked position
Fig. 1c shows an isometric view of the coupler engaged with the electrical contactor bridges.
Fig.2 shows the isometric view of the coupler.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a coupler for engaging electrical contactor bridges comprising a first segment; a second segment as a reverse replica of the first segment, a connector for connecting the first and the second segment; a pair of locators on each of the first and second segment; wherein atleast one of the locators is a flexible locator that latches/locks with the electrical contactor bridges.
Fig. 1a, 1b and 1c show a coupler 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The invention provides a coupler 100 for engaging electrical contactor

bridges (110,120), the coupler 100 comprising a first segment 130; a second segment 140 as a mirror image of the first segment 130; a connector 150 for connecting first segment 130 and second segment 140; a pair of locators (132,134,142,144) on each of the first segment 130 and second segment 140; wherein atleast one of the locators (132,134,142,144) is a flexible locator (144) that latches/locks with the electrical contactor bridge (110,120).
According to an embodiment the present invention engages coupler 100 with electrical contactor bridges (110,120). Referring to Fig. 1a the present invention provides coupler 100 in locked position with the electrical contactor bridges (110,120). Fig 1b illustrates unlocked position of coupler 100. During coupling action, coupler 100 couples to main bridge 110 & auxiliary bridge 120 with locators (132, 142) of coupler 100 engaging in slots provided in bridges (110,120). The function of locators (132,142) is to guide coupler 100 in desired position.
Further to engage locator 144 with bridge 120 slot, Coupler 100 is pressed against the bridge 120. While pressing coupler 100, flexible portion 144 of coupler 100 gets flexed allowing coupler 100 to get locked or latched with bridge 120. Fig 1c illustrates the locked position of coupler 100 in isometric view. Once the coupler 100 is locked or latched with main bridge 110 & auxiliary bridge 120, the whole assembly acts as an integrated bridge assembly.
According to an embodiment the present invention provides a Coupler comprising the feature like flexible locator portion 144, locators (132, 142), and segments (130, 140) as shown in Fig 2.

In an embodiment first segment 130 and second segment 140 are identical in construction.
In an embodiment connector 150 is perpendicular to the first segment 130 and second segment 140.
As per one embodiment, locator 132 positioned at top of first segment 130 and locator 142 is positioned at top of second segment 140.
In an embodiment locator 134 is positioned at bottom of first segment 130 and locator 144 is positioned at bottom of second segment 140.
As per an embodiment, locators (134,144) at bottom of the segments (130,140) are a flexible locator.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, bridge is main bridge 110.
According to an embodiment bridge is auxiliary bridge 120.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an axis of the connector 150 is inline with the electrical contactor bridges (110,120) for balanced configuration.
The present invention is about a unique coupler arrangement for integrating main bridge & auxiliary bridge. It better serves purpose in terms of assimilating two bridges.
The function of main bridge 110 is to support spring loaded contact system and operate auxiliary bridge 120. Auxiliary bridge 120 is meant to operate as per main bridge 110

operation and also comprises spring loaded contact system. The bridges are attached to electromagnet system which in turn gets operated by electric supply given to the coil. Thus, through operation of bridges, switching function of the electric contactor gets fulfilled.
For integrating main bridge 110 and auxiliary bridge 120, coupler 100 is attached to one side of main bridge from one end and attached to another side of auxiliary bridge 120. The unique profile of coupler 100 enables it to get coupled with main bridge 110 and auxiliary bridge 120. Coupler 100 is made of thermoplastic material and gets engaged with main bridge 110 at desired location. Further, upon pressing coupler 100 its unique shape gets flexed and en-latched with main bridge 110. Similar engagement and latching exists with auxiliary bridge 120. Once coupler 100 gets engaged with main bridge 110 and auxiliary bridge 120, both bridges (110,120) are integrated and the assembly acts as a single entity.
The present invention provides improvement towards coupling arrangements for two bridges, enabling harmonized operation. The coupler of the invention couples main bridge and auxiliary bridge without fastening, with ease of manufacturing, higher productivity and extended life of product. Coupling of bridges through coupler ensures simultaneous operation of both bridges.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims appended below.

We Claim
1. A coupler for engaging electrical contactor bridges, the coupler comprising
a first segment;
a second segment, the second segment being a reverse replica of the first segment; a connector for connecting the first and the second segment; and a pair of locators on each of the first and second segment;
wherein atleast one of the locators is a flexible locator, the flexible locator latching with the electrical contactor bridges.
2. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is perpendicular to the first and second segment.
3. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein one locator each is preferably at top of the segments.
4. The coupler as claimed in claim 1 wherein one locator each is preferably at bottom of the segments.
5. The coupler as claimed in claim 4 wherein the locator at bottom of the second segment is the flexible locator.
6. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge is a main bridge.
7. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge is an auxiliary bridge.
8. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupler enables simultaneous operation of bridges.
9. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein an axis of the connector is inline with the electrical contactor bridges for balanced configuration.

10. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupler is of thermoplastic material.