FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
"Terminal Holder for Low Voltage Circuit Breaker"
2. APPLICANT:
(a) NAME: Larsen & Toubro Limited
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company registered under the
provisions of the Companies Act-1956.
(c) ADDRESS: Larsen & Toubro Limited
Electrical & Automation North Wing, Gate 7. Level 0. Powai Campus, Saki Vihar Road. Mumbai 400 072, INDIA
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Terminal Holder for Low Voltage Circuit Breaker
Field of invention
The present invention relates generally to low voltage switching devices, and more particularly, to a terminal holder for a switching device which allows changing from one termination type to another easily.
Background of the invention 1537918335
A typical circuit breaker can be connected to the electrical circuit by various means. The way in which the conductors are connected is called as termination type. Termination of switching devices is made as per the environment chosen for it, i.e. standard type, box type or plug-in type. The conductors can be cables or solid conductors and the type of conductor also influences the termination type in use. Manufactures are not able to give the flexibility to switch over from one terminal type to another for the same switching device and it needs to be replaced accordingly with desired terminal type. And if they provide then at least terminal blocks need to be replaced entirely.
US7495534 patent discloses a terminal module assembly for molded case circuit breaker and molded case circuit breaker having the same. In the '534 patent modularity between box type and standard type termination is not present. It requires special nut plate. Also, it doesn't increase the surface clearance distance from ground.
Another US Patent 6172586 discloses a terminal barrier system for molded case circuit breaker. However, the '586 patent doesn't allow box type termination.

Also. US Patent 6379196 titled 'terminal connector for a circuit breaker and US Patent 5772479 titled 'circuit breaker with terminal nut retainer', doesn't provide modularity between termination types.
Specifically, manufactures of the switching devices produce related art terminals monolithically with the switching devices, without separately providing only terminals. Accordingly, when the type of terminal is required to be changed according to an installation environment of the switching devices, a user has to purchase the whole switching devices having the same type of termination that he wants to get. in order to replace only termination type,
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a terminal holder which overcomes drawbacks of the prior art.
Object of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide flexibility to customer to change a terminal type wherein the customer does not have to purchase a whole switching device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide modularity in termination type for switching devices.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a terminal holder for changing termination type of a switching device. The terminal holder includes a base member,

and a nut retainer configured on upper surface of the base member. The nut retainer is capable of receiving a nut therein when terminating the switching device with any one of a spreads link and a bar. The terminal holder further includes a knockout portion configured on "lower surface of the "base member. The "knock out portion is capable of being removed therefrom to form a slot for receiving a stud therein when terminating the switching device with the stud, wherein the slot after removal of the knockout portion communicates with the nut retainer to form a channel. The terminal holder furthermore includes sliding ribs configured on both sides of the base member. The sliding ribs enables the base member movement in corresponding grooves of the cassettes/housing of the switching device, wherein the sliding ribs prevents movement of the base member in vertical direction. Also, the terminal holder includes end fixing ribs positioned at the end of the sliding ribs, the end fixing ribs prevents the base member from coming out of the cassette/housing of the switching! device. A plurality of grooves configured on rear of the base member increases creepage distance from ground and a second groove configured at lower surface the base member helps in pulling out the base member from the cassette/housing of the switching device.
Brief description of the drawing
Figure 1 shows a nut retainer/terminal holder assembly, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a nut retainer and standard nut in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of a nut retainer knock out, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a nut retainer with link, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a nut retainer with spreader link, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a nut retainer with box clamp, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 shows a nut retainer with tunnel, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 8 shows a nut retainer and rear stud with switching device which shows rear termination. in accordance in the present invention: and
Figure 9 shows plug in type termination,, in accordance in 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 embodiments. For the sake of the simplicity only single pole of the breaker has been shown in all figures.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a terminal holder for changing termination type of a switching device. The terminal holder provides flexibility to

the user to change a terminal type wherein the user does not have to purchase- the whole switching device. Further, the terminal holder provides modularity in termination type for the switching device. The terminal holder of the present invention allows user not to change the whole switching device, but to change the termination type i.e. standard termination, rear termination, box type and tunnel or plug in type easily to his desired.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.
Referring now to figure 1 to 9. there is shown a terminal holder (100) for a switching device (200) which allows changing from one termination type to another easily.
The terminal holder (100) includes a base member (10). a nut retainer (20), a knockout portion (30), sliding ribs (40), end fixing ribs (50), and a plurality of grooves (60). and second groove (70). Figure 1 shows a terminal holder (100).
The base member (10) includes four side walls, a top surface and bottom surface. The shape of the base member (10) is such that the base member (10) slides easily inside a housing/cassette of the switching device (200). The base member (10) includes a nut retainer (20) configured thereon. The nut retainer (20) is capable of receiving a nut (22) therein when terminating the switching device (200) with any one of a spreader link and a bar.
The knockout portion (30) is configured on lower surface of the base member (10). The knock out portion (30) is capable of being removed from the base member (10)

to form a slot for receiving a stud (34) therein when terminating the switching device (200) with the stud (34). The slot after removal of the knockout portion communicates with the nut retainer (20) to form a channel. As shown in figure 3. the knockout portion (30) is provided for particularly rear termination and plug in type of termination. While terminating the switching device (200) with the rear termination and the plug in type of termination, the knock out portion (30) which is easily breakable, is broken for providing rear termination or plug in. In an embodiment, the shape of the knockout portion (30) is any one from circular, rectangle, hex. and octagonal. In a preferred embodiment, the knock out portion (30) is square in shape which prevents the rotational moment of the plug in or rear stud when inserted therein.
The sliding ribs (40) are provided on the side of base member (10) for inserting the base member (10) in the corresponding grooves provided in housing/ cassettes of the switching device (200). The sliding ribs (40) prevents the base member (10) movement in vertical direction. At the end of the sliding ribs (40), the end fixing ribs (50) are provided. The end fixing ribs (50) fix the location of the base member (10) and prevent the base member (10) from coming out from the housing/cassette. In an embodiment, the fixing feature of the base member (10) is of any one of snap fit and tight fit. Further, the plurality of grooves (60) are provided for increasing the surface clearance or creepage distance of the base member (10) from the ground metal.
Referring now to figure 2, there is shown a terminal holder (100) with the nut (22). The nut (22) is required while terminating the switching device (200) with a spreader link/bars. In an embodiment, the nut (22) is a standard nut required for fastening a spreader link or bar to the terminal holder (100). In an embodiment, the shape of the nut (22) is any one of hexagonal and square. However, except standard

termination, the nut (22) is not required. Figure 4 shows standard termination of the switching device (200) using the bar (24). Specifically, while terminating with the bar (24), the nut (22) is put in the nut retainer (20) and tightened with a screw. Similarly, figure 5 also shows termination with the spreader link (26). In this termination, the nut (22) is put in the nut retainer (20). This termination also falls in the category standard type termination and is similar as with termination with the bar (24).
Figure 6 shows an operation of the terminal holder (100) being assembled with box type termination. In this termination, the nut retainer (20) doesn't require the nut (22) and a box clamp (28) sits on the sitting surface of the housing/cassette of the switching device (200) by means of the sitting means (28a). which provides support to the box clamp (28). Also; a tenon (12) which is a projected area is provided for covering the bottom of box clamp(28) and prevents the base member (10) from falling out of the housing/cassette of the switching device (200) which also increases the ground clearance for the same termination.
Referring now to figure 7, which shows the termination of the switching device (200) with tunnel (36). This kind of termination is almost similar as with the box clamp (28). Here also the tenon (12) covers the sides of tunnel (36) around fixed contact which fixes the location of tunnel (36) and also prevents the base member (10) from coming out of the housing/cassette of the switching device (200).
Figure 8 shows a modularity of the terminal holder (100) with rear termination. In this termination, knock out portion (30) has to be broken. The terminal holder (100) doesn't require the nut (22). The rear stud (34) is being inserted in the slot (not shwon) and is fixed there. The rear stud (34) is provided with threading turns and

the screw tightens at terminal as shown in figure 8. The rotational movement of the rear stud (34) is restricted by means of square sized slot.
Figure 9 shows the terminal holder (100) with plug in type termination. In this termination, knock out portion (30) is broken. Here also, the terminal holder (100) doesn't require the nut (22). The plug in stud (38) is inserted in the slot and is fixed there. The plug in stud (38) is provided with threading turns and the screw tightens at terminal as shown in figure 9.
Advantages of the invention
1. The terminal holder (100) gives the flexibility to the customer to change the terminal type and user does not have to purchase the whole switching device in order to replace only the type of terminal he desires to get.
2. The terminal holder (100) modularity in termination type for switching devices.
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, 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 omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but

such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

We Claim
1. A terminal holder for changing termination type of a switching
device, the terminal holder comprising:
a base member;
a nut retainer configured on upper surface of the base member, the nut retainer capable of receiving a nut therein when terminating the switching device with any one of a spreader link and a bar;
a knockout portion configured on lower surface of the base member, the knock out portion capable of being removed therefrom to form a slot for receiving a stud therein when terminating the switching device with the stud, wherein the slot after removal of the knockout portion communicates with the nut retainer to form a channel;
sliding ribs configured on both sides of the base member, the sliding ribs enables the base member movement in corresponding grooves of the cassettes/housing of the switching device, wherein the sliding ribs prevents movement of the base member in vertical direction;
end fixing ribs positioned at the end of the sliding ribs, the end fixing ribs prevents the base member from coming out of the cassette/housing of the switching device;
a plurality of grooves configured on rear of (he base member for increasing creepage distance from ground: and
a second groove configured at lower surface the base member for pulling out the base member from the cassette/housing of the switching device,
2. The terminal holder for a switching device as claimed in claim 1.
wherein shape of the knockout portion is square for preventing the rotational
moment of the stud.

3. The terminal holder for a switching device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the nut is fixed in the nut retainer by any one of a snap fitting and tight fitting.