FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970) &
The Patent Rules 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:


MODULAR CONTACT HOUSING ASSEMBLY
APPLICANT:
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
L&T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. Box No. 278,
Mumbai, 400 001, Maharashtra . INDIA.
PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION:
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to electrical housing and particularly relates to a housing for electrical contacts. The present invention more particularly relates to a modular contact housing assembly to hold electrical contacts in position.
B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Contact housing is used to hold the electrical contacts in functionally required positions. Contact housing comprise of electrical contacts for interconnection with other devices or wires in an electrical system.
[0003] Currently electrical connectors in housing include individual electrical modules assembled in a linear arrangement in a supporting frame. The individual modules are connected by opposed metallic separable spring fingers. The electrical modules are secured to supporting frame by spring fingers. The contact housing for each starter including direct online and star-delta starters is customized. Each rating requires different contact housing assembly. The components to assemble the functional structure of electrical modules are extensive and complex.
[0004] Hence there is a need to provide a cost effective modular contact housing assembly. There is a further need to interlock power contact base and plurality of power contact covers to enhance current range. Further, there is a need for a modular design compatible with plurality of starters.
C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
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[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a modular contact housing to support electrical contacts.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular contact housing to increase the current rating of modular contact housing by inclusion of single additional component in the assembly.
[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide modular contact housing assembly with simple interlocking components to enable easy assembling process.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modular contact assembly which is compatible with plurality of starters.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the modular contact assembly to calibrate maximum mismatch between mating contacts.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
[0012] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular contact housing to support electrical contacts. According to one embodiment of the present
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invention, a modular contact housing assembly has a base unit and a cover unit. The base unit is provided with atleast two round projections. Pluralities of flexible protrusions are formed on the base unit. The round projections and the protrusions are formed protruding from the upper surface of the base unit in the upward direction. Pluralities of recesses are formed on the base unit. A cover unit is formed to align with the base unit to form a housing. Atleast one protruded slot is provided on the cover unit to receive one round projection formed on the base unit. Atleast one round projection is formed on the cover unit. Pluralities of flexible protrusions are formed on the cover unit. Pluralities of recesses formed on the cover unit. A contact is placed between the two round projections on the base unit to make the contact to touch each projection on the base unit at one point to obtain a rotating action along one fixed axis.
[0013] The two round projections are formed on the upper surface of the base unit. The pluralities of flexible protrusions are protruded upwardly from the base unit. Pluralities of recesses are formed on a wall provided on the upper surface of the cover unit. The flexible protrusions formed on the base unit are received respectively at the recesses formed on the cover unit. The flexible protrusions formed on the cover unit are received respectively at the recesses formed on upper surface of the base unit. One base unit is aligned with one cover unit to form a housing. Pluralities of housings are stacked above one another based on the required current rating level.
[0014] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular contact housing to hold electrical components in required position. A power contact base is secured to a power contact arm by a fastening component such as a screw. The base comprises of two projections on one surface to assemble the components of the housing. The projections may be cylindrical. An electrical contact is mounted on the surface to
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establish contact at one point on both the projections. The rotating action of contact along one fixed axis is obtained. The base comprises of plurality of flexible protrusions preferably at the edges of the base surface to substantially interlock with mating grooves on a cover. The electrical contacts on the base are covered by a dimensionally compatible cover. The mating grooves on a bottom surface of the cover interlock the flexible protrusions on the base. The top surface of the cover is provided with projections preferably cylindrical projections to accommodate electrical contacts. The top surface comprises of plurality of flexible protrusions to interlock the grooves of another cover. The range of current carried by the contact housing assembly may be increased by inclusion of similar contact covers mounted with electrical contacts.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates side perspective view of the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. IB illustrates a side view of the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

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[0019] FIG. 2A illustrates the bottom perspective view of the contact base in the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2B illustrates the top perspective view of the contact base in the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates a top perspective view of the contact cover in the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3B illustrates a side perspective view of the bottom surface of contact cover in the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0024] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

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[0025] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular contact housing to support electrical contacts. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a modular contact housing assembly has a base unit and a cover unit. The base unit is provided with atleast two round projections. Pluralities of flexible protrusions are formed on the base unit. The round projections and the protrusions are formed protruding from the upper surface of the base unit in the upward direction. Pluralities of recesses are formed on the base unit. A cover unit is formed to align with the base unit to form a housing. Atleast one protruded slot is provided on the cover unit to receive one round projection formed on the base unit. Atleast one round projection is formed on the cover unit. Pluralities of flexible protrusions are formed on the cover unit. Pluralities of recesses formed on the cover unit. A contact is placed between the two round projections on the base unit to make the contact to touch each projection on the base unit at one point to obtain a rotating action along one fixed axis.
[0026] The two round projections are formed on the upper surface of the base unit. The pluralities of flexible protrusions are protruded upwardly from the base unit. Pluralities of recesses are formed on a wall provided on the upper surface of the cover unit. The flexible protrusions formed on the base unit are received respectively at the recesses formed on the cover unit. The flexible protrusions formed on the cover unit are received respectively at the recesses formed on upper surface of the base unit. One base unit is aligned with one cover unit to form a housing. Pluralities of housings are stacked above one another based on the required current rating level.
[0027] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular contact housing to hold electrical components in required position. A power contact base is secured to a power contact arm by a fastening component such as a screw. The base

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comprises of two projections on one surface to assemble the components of the housing. The projections may be cylindrical. An electrical contact is mounted on the surface to establish contact at one point on both the projections. The rotating action of contact along one fixed axis is obtained. The base comprises of plurality of flexible protrusions preferably at the edges of the base surface to substantially interlock with mating grooves on a cover. The electrical contacts on the base are covered by a dimensionally compatible cover. The mating grooves on a bottom surface of the cover interlock the flexible protrusions on the base. The top surface of the cover is provided with projections preferably cylindrical projections to accommodate electrical contacts. The top surface comprises of plurality of flexible protrusions to interlock the grooves of another cover. The range of current carried by the contact housing assembly may be increased by inclusion of similar contact covers mounted with electrical contacts.
[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates side perspective view of the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The assembled contact housing 10 comprises of a plurality of contact covers I and a contact base 2. The base 2 and the top surface of contact covers 1 comprise of electrical contacts 3. Cylindrical projections 6 on the base 2 and covers 1 are attached to the mating cavity in the consecutively placed cover. Flexible protrusions 4 are attached to mating grooves 5 in bottom surface of the interlocked cover.
[0029] FIG. IB illustrates a side view of the modular contact housing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The assembled contact housing 10 comprises of a plurality of contact covers 1 and a contact base 2. The base 2 and the top surface of contact covers 1 comprise of electrical contacts 3. Flexible protrusions 4 are attached to mating grooves 5 in bottom surface of the interlocked cover.
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[0030] FIG. 2A illustrates the bottom perspective view of the contact base according to one embodiment of the present invention. The base comprises of plurality of flexible protrusions 4 preferably at the edges of the base surface to substantially interlock with mating grooves on a contact cover 1.
[0031] FIG. 2B illustrates the top perspective view of the contact base according to one embodiment of the present invention. The base 2 comprises of a first cylindrical projections 6 to attach to a mating cavity in the consecutively placed cover. A second cylindrical projection 7 is provided on the base to interlock to the mating cavity of the contact cover 1.
[0032] FIG. 3A illustrates a top perspective view of the contact cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. The top surface of contact cover 1 comprises of flexible protrusions 4 to interlock with mating grooves 5 of consecutively placed cover. Cylindrical projections 6 are provide to attach to mating cavity in consecutively placed contact cover 1.
[0033] FIG. 3B illustrates a side perspective view of the bottom surface of contact cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. The bottom surface comprises of plurality of grooves 5 to lock flexible protrusions 4 of another contact cover 1 or contact base 2.
G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular contact housing to hold electrical components in required position. The current rating of the
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electrical contact housing is increased by adding only a single component. The modular contact housing is easy to assemble with simple interlocking components. The modular contact assembly is compatible with plurality of starters. The assembly absorbs maximum mismatch between mating contacts. The cost of the manufacturing the modular contact housing assembly is reduced. The modular contact housing is flexible and operational for different ratings and types.
[0035] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0036] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.
RAKESH PRABHU
Patent Agent
Date: March 30, 2009. Place: Bangalore.

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CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A modular contact housing assembly comprising:
a base unit;
atleast two round projections formed on the base unit;
pluralities of flexible protrusions formed on the base unit;
pluralities of recesses formed on the base unit;
a cover unit;
atleast one protruded slot provided on the cover unit;
atleast one round projection formed on the cover unit;
pluralities of flexible protrusions formed on the cover unit; and
pluralities of recesses formed on the cover unit;
wherein a contact is placed between the two round projections on the base unit to
make the contact to touch each projection on the base unit at one point to obtain a
rotating action along one fixed axis.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two round projections are formed on the upper surface of the base unit.
3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pluralities of flexible protrusions are protruded upwardly from the base unit.
4. The assembly according to claim I, wherein pluralities of recesses are formed on a wall provided on the upper surface of the cover unit.
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5. The assembly according to claim 1. wherein the flexible protrusions formed on the base unit are received respectively at the recesses formed on the cover unit.
6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible protrusions formed on the cover unit are received respectively at the recesses formed on upper surface of the base unit.
7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein one base unit is aligned with one cover unit to form a housing.
8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pluralities of housings are stacked above one another based on the required current rating level.