CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A padlocking device (100) for a circuit breaker (200), the padlocking
device (100) comprising:
• a base member (20) adapted for mounting on the circuit breaker (200),
the base member (20) having a hole (10) on a bottom portion thereof;
• a slider (40) fitted on the base member (20) for sliding thereon in any of
an upward direction and a downward direction, the slider (40) having a wedge (35) configured on a top portion thereof and a hole (30) configured on an extended portion thereof;
• a spring (60) resting on the base member (20), the spring (60) having
a first arm (52) held in the base member (20), the first arm (52) being capable of releasably locking in a hole (110) in a housing of the circuit breaker (200),
a root portion (54) adapted to slide on the wedge (35) of the slider (40) such that the sliding movement of the slider (40) results in engagement and disengagement of the root portion (54) with the wedge (35), and
a second arm (56) held in the base member (20), the second arm (56) capable of being pressed in the housing of the circuit breaker (200) by end users; and
• a wire separator (80) capable of locking against the second arm (56)
for maintaining the first arm (52) locked in the hole (110) in the housing of the circuit breaker (200),
wherein, for locking a knob (120) of the circuit breaker (200) in any of ON and OFF positions, the user presses both sides of the second arm (56) against the housing of the circuit breaker (200) to insert both sides of the first arm (52) in the hole (110) of the circuit breaker (200), thereafter the user moves the slider (40) in the downward direction on the base member (20) such that the root portion (54) engages with the wedge (35), the wire separator (80) presses between the second arm (56) and the hole (30) on the slider (40) coincides with the hole (10) on the base member (20) thereby allowing insertion of a padlock (250) therein.
2. The padlocking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base
member (20) is designed in such a way to provide a window (12) as an integral part thereof for allowing clear visibility of indications and current rating on the circuit breaker (200).

3. The padlocking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider (40)
is click fitted on the base member (20).

4. The padlocking device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first arm
(52) and the second arm (56) are held in the base member (20) and the root portion (54) is designed to slide on the wedge (35) of the slider (40) in a co-planar arrangement.
,TagSPECI:Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a padlocking device and more particularly, to padlocking devices for circuit breakers.

Background of the invention

Padlocks are required to have controlled access for preventing unauthorized or accidental operation of circuit breakers. These locking mechanisms are used to lock a knob of the circuit breaker in ON or OFF condition. Further, padlocking of the circuit breaker is also required to avoid danger of electrical shock to a person operating on network or process industries where undesired switching (ON or OFF) can cause damage and loss of production.

The padlocking device and the padlock of the prior art, when mounted on the circuit breaker, may hide important data (rating of the device) or indications such as fault indication behind the padlock. Use of the padlocking device can therefore also affect designing of layout and printing of data on the circuit breaker and become a limitation.

One such padlocking device (2) is shown in figures 1a and 1b. For mounting the padlocking device (2) on a modular device such as circuit breakers (3), a first portion (1) of the padlocking device (2) is brought down, then wires are pressed and ends of the wires are inserted in holes on the circuit breaker (3) and again the first portion (1) is brought up for putting up an external lock (padlock). However, mounting of the padlocking device (2) on the circuit breaker (3) hides a contact position indicator (4) there behind making it non-readable from a front side. Thus, the indication feature (4) of the circuit breaker (3) becomes of no use after putting the padlocking device (2).
Another padlocking device (6) of the prior art is shown in figure 2. For mounting the padlocking device (6) on a circuit breaker, a flap (5) of the padlocking device (6) is rotated first, followed by pressing a side portion thereof for moving the wires inside the holes of the circuit breaker and then the flap (5) is rotated back to put an external lock (padlock). However, the construction of this type of padlocking device (6) is complicated. Also, plastic riveting/ hot pressing is required for making the padlocking assembly that increases the cost of the device as well as the time required for assembly of the padlocking device (6) on the circuit breaker. Further, this type of padlocking device (6) is suitable when all the data is printed above a knob of the circuit breaker.

Yet another padlocking device disclosed in a published Indian application number 672/MUM/2014 is shown in figure 3. This padlocking device provides a proper space for clear visibility of current rating and other indications. However, if the padlocking device is bent forcefully in a direction given by an arrow, the portion which comes in between the wires can be easily removed. This gives access to the wire which can be pressed for removing the padlocking device from the circuit breaker, even if the external lock is in position.

Accordingly, there is a need of a padlocking device for a circuit breaker that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to lock/hold a knob of a circuit breaker in ON and OFF positions as required by an end user and even in an abused condition.

Another object of the present invention is to give clear visibility of data and indication printed on the circuit breaker.

Yet another object of the present invention is to prevent a change in position of a padlock and thus of the knob when an unauthorized person forcefully tries to open the padlock.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a padlocking device for a circuit breaker. The padlocking device comprises a base member, a slider, a spring and a wire separator.

The base member is adapted for mounting on the circuit breaker. The base member is designed in such a way to provide a window as an integral part thereof for allowing clear visibility of indications and current rating on the circuit breaker. The base member includes a hole on a bottom portion thereof. The slider is fitted on the base member for sliding thereon in any of an upward direction and a downward direction. Typically, the slider is click fitted on the base member. The slider includes a wedge on a top portion thereof and a hole on an extended portion thereof.

The spring rests on the base member. The spring includes a first arm, a root portion and a second arm. The first arm is held in the base member. The first arm is capable of releasably locking in a hole in a housing of the circuit breaker. The root portion is adapted to slide on the wedge of the slider such that the sliding movement of the slider results in engagement and disengagement of the root portion with the wedge. The second arm is held in the base member. The second arm is capable of being pressed in the housing of the circuit breaker by end users. Typically, the first arm and the second arm are held in the base member and the root portion is adapted to slide on the wedge of the slider in a co-planar arrangement.

The wire separator is capable of locking against the second arm for maintaining the first arm locked in the hole in the housing of the circuit breaker.

In order to lock a knob of the circuit breaker in any of ON and OFF positions, the user presses both sides of the second arm against the housing of the circuit breaker for inserting both sides of the first arm in the hole of the circuit breaker. Thereafter, the user moves the slider in the downward direction on the base member such that the root portion engages with the wedge, the wire separator presses between the second arm and the hole on the slider coincides with the hole on the base member wherein a padlock/external lock is inserted.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawings:
Figures 1a-3 show padlocking devices of the prior art;

Figure 4a shows a complete assembly of a padlocking device in a mounted condition without a circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4b shows an exploded view of the padlocking device of figure 4a;

Figure 5 shows a side perspective view of the padlocking device with the circuit breaker and an external lock in a mounted condition, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a side perspective view of the padlocking device with the circuit breaker in a removing condition, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 7 shows a front view of the padlocking device which clearly shows a current rating and other indications of the circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a padlocking device for a circuit breaker. The padlocking device locks a knob of the circuit breaker in any one of ON and OFF positions without affecting the visibility of current rating to end users. The padlocking device is designed in such a way that an unauthorized person is prevented from changing the state (ON or OFF position) of the circuit breaker without damaging the circuit breaker or a padlock.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to figures 4a-7, a padlocking device (100) for a circuit breaker (200) in accordance with the present invention is shown. Specifically, the padlocking device (100) is adapted for locking a knob (120) of the circuit breaker (200) in any of ON and OFF positions. The circuit breaker (200) comprises a housing (not numbered). The housing includes holes (110) for mounting of the padlocking device (100) thereon. The padlocking device (100) comprises a base member (20), a slider (40), a spring (60) and a wire separator (80).

The base member (20) is adapted for mounting on the circuit breaker (200). The base member (20) is designed in such a way to provide a window (12) as an integral part thereof. The window (12) is a gap like integral portion of the base member (20) that allows clear visibility of important data like current rating and indications on the circuit breaker (200) to the end user. The base member (20) includes two click fits (15) attached thereto and a hole (10) configured on a bottom portion (not numbered) thereof.

The slider (40) is fitted on the base member (20). In an embodiment, the slider (40) is click fitted on the base member (20) through the click fits (15). The slider (40) is capable of sliding on the base member (20) in any of an upward direction and a downward direction. The click fits (15) on the base member (20) are adapted to guide the slider (40) during an operation of the circuit breaker (200). The slider (40) includes a wedge (35) configured on a top portion (not numbered) thereof and a hole (30) configured on an extended portion (not numbered) thereof. The sliding movement of the slider (40) in the downward direction causes the hole (30) to coincide with the hole (10) on the base member (20) thereby enabling insertion of a padlock/ an external lock (250) (herein after ‘the padlock (250)’) therein. When the padlock (250) is removed, the slider (40) is made to slide in the upward direction such that the holes (10 and 30) separate from each other.

The spring (60) rests on the base member (20). The wedge (35) on the moving slider (40) is used for locking and unlocking the spring (60) with the circuit breaker (200). The spring (60) is designed to include a first arm (52), a root portion (54) and a second arm (56). The first arm (52) and the second arm (56) are held in the base member (20). The root portion (54) is designed/adapted to slide on the wedge (35) of the slider (40) due to the sliding movement of the slider (40). Specifically, the first arm (52) and the second arm (56) are held in the base member (20) and the root portion (54) is designed to slide on the wedge (35) of the slider (40) in a co-planar arrangement. The co-planar arrangement of the arms (52, 56) with the base member (10) and of the root portion (54) with the slider (40) maximizes rigidity of the padlocking device (100). Hence, the padlocking device (100) cannot be flexed or removed without damage.

The first arm (52) is capable of releasably locking in the hole (110) in the housing of the circuit breaker (200). The root portion (54) is designed to slide on the wedge (35) of the slider (40) due to the sliding movement of the slider (40). Thus, the sliding movement of the slider (40) results in engagement and disengagement of the root portion (54) with the wedge (35). Specifically, the sliding movement of the slider (40) in the downward direction results in engagement of the root portion (54) with the wedge (35) and the sliding movement of the slider (40) in the upward direction results in disengagement of the root portion (54) with the wedge (35). The second arm (56) is capable of being pressed in the housing of the circuit breaker (200) by end users.

The wire separator (80) is positioned on the base member (20) and locked against the second arm (56) for maintaining the first arm (52) locked in the hole (110) in the housing of the circuit breaker (200).

In order to lock the knob (120) of the circuit breaker (200) in any of ON and OFF positions, the user presses both sides (not numbered) of the second arm (56) for inserting both sides (not numbered) of the first arm (52) in the hole (110) of the circuit breaker (200). Thereafter, the user moves the slider (40) in the downward direction on the base member (20) such that the root portion (54) engages with the wedge (35), the wire separator (80) presses between the second arm (56) and the hole (30) on the slider (40) aligns with the hole (10) on the base member (20) wherein the padlock (250) is inserted. As the root portion (54) is engaged with the wedge (35) and the second arm (56) is locked against the wire separator (80) in a locked condition of the padlocking device (100) with the circuit breaker (200), the second arm (56) becomes inaccessible to the user for being pressed thereby preventing removal of the first arm (52) and thus of the padlocking device (100) from the housing of the circuit breaker (200).
In order to unlock the knob (120) of the circuit breaker (200) from any of ON and OFF positions to change the state of the circuit breaker (200), the user removes the padlock (250) first, then slides the slider (40) in the upward direction pulling out an assembly of the slider (40) and the base member (20) and thereafter presses the second arm (56) against the housing to remove the first arm (52) from the hole (110) of the circuit breaker (200). In an open condition of the padlocking device (100) with respect to the circuit breaker (200), the root portion (54) is not engaged with the wedge (35) of the slider (40) and the user has an access to press the second arm (56) thereby allowing removal of the first arm (52) and thus of the padlocking device (100) from the housing of the circuit breaker (200).

Advantages of the invention

1. The sliding movement of the wedge (35) ensures locking and unlocking of the spring (60) with the circuit breaker (200).
2. Optimized design of the sliding wedge (35) ensures that the wire separator (80) is always locked against the second arm (56) even with multiple size locks.
3. The alignment of the slider hole (30) and the base member hole (10) is kept such that the wire separator (80) maintains the first arm (52) locked inside the hole (110) of the housing of the circuit breaker even with the small external lock (250).
4. Even with smaller size of the lock, the padlocking device (100) ensures that spring (60) is engaged with the wedge (35) and locked against the wire separator (80) giving padlocking function for multiple size locks.
5. The arms (52, 56) held in the base member (20) and the root portion (54) designed to slide on the wedge (35) of the slider (40) are in same plane thereby maximizing rigidity of the padlocking device (100).
6. Due to the co-planar arrangement of the arms (52, 56) with the base member (20) and of the root portion (54) with the slider (40), the padlocking device (100) cannot be flexed or removed without damage.
7. The window (12) provides clear visibility of current rating and indications on the circuit breaker (200) to the end users.
8. The padlocking device (100) is easy to assemble with less number of components.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.