Claims:
1. A circuit breaker (1) operatively coupled with a operating mechanism block (2) at its one end, said operating mechanism block (2), at its other end, engaging a shaft (3) that connects said operating mechanism block (2) with a panel door (5), wherein an extended handle assembly (4) is mounted on said panel door (5) such that said extended handle assembly (4) facilitates a padlock (9) to be configured so as to lock said circuit breaker.

2. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said circuit breaker is mounted on a base plate, and wherein said block (2) is mounted on said circuit breaker (1).

3. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said mechanism block (2) engages internally with knob of the circuit breaker (1).

4. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said circuit breaker is MCCB.

5. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein the extended handle assembly (4) is mounted on said panel door (5) and is engaged internally to the shaft (3) through the panel door (5).

6. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said extended handle assembly (4) comprises a means to display current state of the circuit breaker (1).

7. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said extended handle assembly (4) comprises a back plate (6) that serves as entry point of the shaft (3) for the handle assembly (4).

8. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said padlock (9) is positioned when handle of the extended handle assembly (4) is at OFF mark.

9. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said padlock (9) comprises an interlock (7) with two limbs (7A and 7B), wherein limb 7A is used to actuate padlocking, and limb 7B is used to actually lock the panel door (5).

10. The circuit breaker (1) of claim 1, wherein said padlock (9) comprises a padlock pin (8) that slides over wedge feature of said limb 7A such that when the padlock (9) goes through hole, it strikes on said wedge.

, Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to rotary handle operators for circuit breakers, and more specifically, the present invention provides an improved interlock for a rotary handle operator.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] The invention essentially relates to a rotary operating mechanism (ROM) and a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB). The present invention is related to Low Voltage current limiting circuit breaker and the likes, which are commonly used to receive, supply, protect and isolate the current supply in an electrical circuit.
[0004] Circuit breaker typically serves two basic purposes: 1. As a switching device offering switching On/Off during normal operating conditions for the purpose of operation and maintenance, and 2. As a protecting device offering tripping or isolating by breaking the contacts interrupting the fault current during abnormal conditions such as short-circuit, overload and under voltage.
[0005] Circuit breaker consists of one or more electric poles, whose number determined is by the application as single pole circuit breaker, two pole circuit breaker, three pole circuit breaker, and four pole circuit breaker and so on. They are designed for use in switchboards, control panels, and combination starters in separate enclosures for effective single location distribution and control. Also these are housed inside an enclosure to provide safety to users operating the same. In the most common type of installation, an operating handle is mounted on the panel door while the switching device is mounted inside the panel door. The mounting device has a shaft coming out that has to be rotated to switch the circuit breaker ON and OFF.
[0006] Most circuit breakers include an operating lever which moves linearly between an on position and an off position. The handle is connected to the movable contacts of the circuit breaker through an over-center toggle device which separates the contacts, simultaneously moving the operating lever, in response to overcurrent conditions. For certain circuit breaker applications, it is desirable to provide an interface between the operating lever and the human operator. Such an interface will frequently take the form of a rotary handle operator, wherein a rotary handle is utilized to actuate a linearly moving member, which in turn actuates the circuit breaker's operating handle.
[0007] When servicing the equipment protected by the circuit breaker, it is desirable to lock out electrical power to the equipment, preventing any possibility of injury to those servicing the equipment. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to lock the handle of the rotary handle operator, and therefore the operating lever of the circuit breaker, in the open position.
[0008] An example of a lockable rotary handle operator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,070 issued to K. A. Grunnert et al. on Jun. 15, 1993, and assigned to Westinghouse Electric Corp. The rotary handle operator includes a rotatable handle engaging a pinion gear, which in turn engages a slidably mounted rack. The rack engages the circuit breaker handle. Rotating the handle will therefore rotate the pinion gear, causing the rack to move, moving the circuit breakers operating lever from one position to the other. When the handle is in the off position, inserting the shackle of a padlock through an aperture in the handle will push a spring-biased pin into an aperture in the rotary handle operator's housing, thereby resisting rotation of the handle from the off position.
[0009] Another presently available rotary handle operator includes a pivoting lock-off plate moving between an unlocked position wherein rotation of the rotary handle operator's handle is permitted, and a locked position wherein one end of the lock-off plate fits within a slot in the rotary handle operator's housing, thereby resisting movement of the handle. The lock-off plate is biased by a coil spring into the unlocked position. An aperture in the opposite end of the lock-off plates protrudes upward from the handle in the locked position, permitting insertion of the shackle of a padlock into the aperture, thereby securing the lock-off plate in the locked position.
[00010] It is desirable to reduce the number of components within a rotary handle operator's locking mechanism, thereby reducing both the cost of these components and the number of assembly steps in building the rotary handle operator.
[00011] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[00012] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[00013] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00014] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[00015] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
SUMMARY
[00016] The present disclosure relates to rotary handle operators for circuit breakers, and more specifically, the present invention provides an improved interlock for a rotary handle operator.
[00017] The present disclosure is primarily aimed towards a safety interlocking feature of switching devices or MCCBs used in switchboards. The present disclosure helps to reduce outside intervention in case of a breakdown.
[00018] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved locking mechanism for a rotary handle operator for a circuit breaker.
[00019] Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker operatively coupled with an operating mechanism block at its one end. The operating mechanism block, at its other end, engaging a shaft that connects said operating mechanism block with a panel door, wherein an extended handle assembly is mounted on said panel door such that said extended handle assembly facilitates a padlock to be configured so as to lock said circuit breaker.
[00020] In an aspect, said circuit breaker is mounted on a base plate. In another aspect, said block is mounted on said circuit breaker.
[00021] In an aspect, said mechanism block engages internally with knob of the circuit breaker.
[00022] In an aspect, said circuit breaker is MCCB.
[00023] In an aspect, the extended handle assembly is mounted on said panel door and is engaged internally to the shaft through the panel door.
[00024] In an aspect, said extended handle assembly can include a means to display current state of the circuit breaker.
[00025] In an aspect, said extended handle assembly includes a back plate that serves as entry point of the shaft for the handle assembly.
[00026] In an aspect, said padlock is positioned when handle of the extended handle assembly is at OFF mark.
[00027] In another aspect, said padlock includes an interlock with two limbs. One of the limbs is used to actuate padlocking, and other limb is used to actually lock the panel door.
[00028] Further, in contrast to the conventional locking mechanism for rotary handle operator, the present invention provides a safety interlock feature in an extended handle for a padlocked switching device. According to the present invention, a switching device once padlocked (in OFF state) means it shouldn’t be switched ON, however, if the panel door is open; a user has the access to switch ON the device. To ensure user safety, the invention ensures a door interlocking feature when the device is padlocked to ensure the panel door cannot be opened once the device is padlocked.
[00029] The present invention is primarily aimed towards a safety interlocking feature of switching devices or MCCBs used in switchboards. The present invention helps to reduce outside intervention in case of a breakdown.
[00030] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[00032] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective arrangement of the switching device/MCCB and operating mechanism block, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00033] FIG. 2 illustrates a back side of a panel, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00034] FIG. 3 illustrates a padlocked state of the extended hand, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00035] FIG. 4 illustrates a mechanism of the extended handle assembly and how the shaft interacts with the handle, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00036] FIG. 5 illustrates a circular portion of the padlock, sliding against the wedge of the padlock interlock, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00037] FIG. 6 illustrates a padlocked state of the handle from other side, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00038] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[00039] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[00040] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00041] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[00042] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[00043] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[00044] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[00045] The present disclosure relates to rotary handle operators for circuit breakers, and more specifically, the present invention provides an improved interlock for a rotary handle operator.
[00046] The present disclosure is primarily aimed towards a safety interlocking feature of switching devices or MCCBs used in switchboards. The present disclosure helps to reduce outside intervention in case of a breakdown.
[00047] Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved locking mechanism for a rotary handle operator for a circuit breaker.
[00048] Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker operatively coupled with an operating mechanism block at its one end. The operating mechanism block, at its other end, engaging a shaft that connects said operating mechanism block with a panel door, wherein an extended handle assembly is mounted on said panel door such that said extended handle assembly facilitates a padlock to be configured so as to lock said circuit breaker.
[00049] In an aspect, said circuit breaker is mounted on a base plate. In another aspect, said block is mounted on said circuit breaker.
[00050] In an aspect, said mechanism block engages internally with knob of the circuit breaker.
[00051] In an aspect, said circuit breaker is MCCB.
[00052] In an aspect, the extended handle assembly is mounted on said panel door and is engaged internally to the shaft through the panel door.
[00053] In an aspect, said extended handle assembly can include a means to display current state of the circuit breaker.
[00054] In an aspect, said extended handle assembly includes a back plate that serves as entry point of the shaft for the handle assembly.
[00055] In an aspect, said padlock is positioned when handle of the extended handle assembly is at OFF mark.
[00056] In another aspect, said padlock includes an interlock with two limbs. One of the limbs is used to actuate padlocking, and other limb is used to actually lock the panel door.
[00057] Further, in contrast to the conventional locking mechanism for rotary handle operator, the present invention provides a safety interlock feature in an extended handle for a padlocked switching device. According to the present invention, a switching device once padlocked (in OFF state) means it shouldn’t be switched ON, however, if the panel door is open; a user has the access to switch ON the device. To ensure user safety, the invention ensures a door interlocking feature when the device is padlocked to ensure the panel door cannot be opened once the device is padlocked.
[00058] The present invention is primarily aimed towards a safety interlocking feature of switching devices or MCCBs used in switchboards. The present invention helps to reduce outside intervention in case of a breakdown.
[00059] FIG. 1 shows the perspective arrangement of the switching device/MCCB (1) and operating mechanism block (2). In an exemplary embodiment, the MCCB (1) sits on the base plate of the panel and a mechanism block (2) is mounted over it. The mechanism block (2) engages internally with the knob of the MCCB (1). The mechanism block (2) at the other end engages a shaft (3) which essentially acts to cover the depth between the MCCB and the panel door (4). The extended handle assembly (4) gets mounted on the panel door (5) and is engaged internally to the shaft (3) through the panel door (4).
[00060] In an exemplary embodiment, the extended handle assembly acts as the prime mover for the entire setup, it the place of human intervention from where the MCCB is operated. The handle is used to operate, padlock the device and also shows the current state if the MCCB (1).
[00061] FIG. 2 shows the back side of the panel, the shaft (3) engages with the handle assembly (4), the assembly also shows the back plate (6) which serves as the entry point of the shaft (3) for the handle assembly (4).
[00062] FIG. 3 shows the padlocked state of the extended hand (4), the handle is at the OFF mark and the padlock (8) is pressed and the padlock (9) is inserted in the vacant space as shown in the image.
[00063] FIG. 4 shows the inside mechanism of the extended handle assembly (4) and how the shaft (3) interacts with the handle. The shaft is in the OFF state of the MCCB, and the handle is also in the OFF state.
[00064] In an exemplary embodiment, the FIG. 4 shows the padlock interlock (7) with its two limbs (7A and 7B), the limb 7A is used to actuate padlocking from the padlocking and the limb 7B is used to actually lock the door. The padlock interlock (7) is free to rotate.
[00065] In an exemplary embodiment, the FIG. 4 also shows the padlock pin (8) which slides over the wedge feature of padlock limb (7A). The padlock (8) once inserted goes through the hole and strikes the wedge on arm (7A).
[00066] FIG. 5 shows the circular portion (8A) of the padlock (8), sliding against the wedge (7A) of the padlock interlock (7), once the handle (4) is padlocked using the padlock (9). Due to the padlock, the padlock (8) is not able to come back to its original position, as it is pushed down over the wedge feature (7A), the padlock interlock (7) has only one degree of freedom to rotate. So due to this padlock pushing action, the padlock interlock rotates.
[00067] FIG. 6 shows the padlocked state of the handle from the other side, on being padlocked, the padlock (8) pushes the wedge arm (7A) of padlock interlock, which in turn rotates, due to this rotation, and the other arm of padlock interlock (7B) covers the pin (3A) of the shaft (3). Since the entire setup is fixed on the panel door (5), and the shaft is rigidly fixed to the mechanism block (2) which is fixed with the MCCB (1) which in turn is fixed to the panel, the door becomes locked once the padlock is done.
[00068] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
[00069] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the appended claims.
[00070] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.
[00071] In the description of the present specification, reference to the term "one embodiment," "an embodiments", "an example", "an instance", or "some examples" and the description is meant in connection with the embodiment or example described The particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic included in the present invention, at least one embodiment or example. In the present specification, the term of the above schematic representation is not necessarily for the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features structures, materials, or characteristics described in any one or more embodiments or examples in proper manner. Moreover, those skilled in the art can be described in the specification of different embodiments or examples are joined and combinations thereof.
[00072] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[00073] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[00074] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
[00075] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.