The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1995
Gerald W Ogden, Elgin, IL (US);
Electrodynamics, Inc., Rolling Meadows, IL (US);
Abstract
A resettable, latching indicator is described. The indicator has a pair of electrical terminals through which it connects to the circuitry whose state is being indicated. The device includes an electromagnetic coil with a first lead connected to a first terminal of the device and a second lead connected to a first contact within the device. A second contact within the device is connected to the second indicator terminal, completing the circuit within the device. In a preferred embodiment, the device is arranged as a fuse state indicator with the device terminals connected in parallel with a fuse. Before fuse blow, an internal electrical contact is formed as the first and second contacts are closed an abutment formed on a spring-biased indicator flag. When the fuse blows, current passes through the coil, thus creating a magnetic field. The field moves a spring-biased armature having a catch which normally retains the indicator flag in a non-indicating position. When the armature is moved, the catch releases the flag. The energy stored in the flag's spring is thereby released and the flag moves from a first, non-indicating position to a second, indicating position. Upon moving to the non-indicating position, the flag's abutment no longer keeps the contact members closed. This cuts off all current to the coil after fuse blow.