Pass + Seymour, Inc.

James K Findley

Thomas N Packard

Patrick John Murphy

Jean-Claude Marcou

Bruce F Macbeth

Michael R Bryndzia

David A Finlay

A gfi wiring device is disclosed in the form of a duplex receptacle for receiving the blades of a plug connecting an electrical appliance or other load to the circuit wherein the gfi device is connected. The housing sections and components of the gfi are so configured and relatively arranged that the device may be automatically assembled by downward, vertical movement of the components and the front housing section in a predetermined sequence relative to the rear housing section as the latter is positioned on a horizontal support. The device is operationally tested after assembly is complete and, upon successful testing, the housing sections are permanently connected by heat deformation of portions of one section to form a rivet-like connection. Reliability of testing is improved by breaking the usual traces on a printed circuit board extending between terminals to which jumper cables are connected to provide a fail-safe indication of circuit continuity through the jumper cables. A deformable member movable to produce a fault condition for test purposes, as well as electrical leads of a condition-indicating lamp are connected in the circuitry by solderless means, being engaged between edge portions of terminal members and a separator member of dielectric material.

Method of assembling a ground fault interrupter wiring device

A compact high current relay is provided having first and second fixed contacts connected in circuit relationship with the apparatus to be controlled; an elongated bus bar having first and second movable contacts at opposite ends of the bus bar, the bus bar characterized by a stiffness such that upon application of a first predetermined force to the bus bar, between the contacts, the movable contacts both tilt and wipe with respect to the first and second fixed contacts; and a solenoid connected to the bus bar between the first and second contacts for exerting a force on the bus bar greater than the predetermined force.

Compact high current relay

A ground fault interrupter (gfi) wiring device in the form of a duplex wall receptacle. A pair of electrically conducting members in the form of small buss bars each carry two, spaced contacts. The buss bars are moveable to bring their respective contacts into and out of engagement with fixed contacts on the hot and neutral terminals on the line and load sides of the receptacle. The buss bars are biased toward movement to the circuit-breaking position by respective coil springs extending through openings in a separator member dividing the interior of the receptacle housing into front and rear compartments. One end of each spring rests upon a respective buss bar and the other end is contacted by an integral portion of the front housing section, the springs being compressed to apply a biasing force to the buss bars only upon placing the front housing section in mating engagement with the rear section. The support means for the buss bars permits pivotal movement of the latter to ensure good engagement with the fixed contacts. The line terminals and a separator element within the device housing permits mounting of the terminals with the female contact for receiving a plug blade and the fixed contact in upper and lower compartments defined by the separator.

Growing community of inventors

Manlius, NY, United States of America

James K Findley