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:
Oct. 26, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1997
William E Rose, Grayson, GA (US);
Samuel C Strawn, Avondale Estates, GA (US);
Edward L Tevis, Tucker, GA (US);
Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., Alpharetta, GA (US);
Abstract
An attachment for attaching a main circuit breaker in an electrical panel has a uniquely constructed hold-down for the circuit breaker and a headed screw for fastening the hold-down in the panel. The hold-down is a non-electrically conductive part, such as a plastic. A circuit-breaker-engaging projection for engaging a circuit breaker projects from a first side of the hold-down body and a gripping tab projects from a second side of the body opposite the first side. A shank of the headed screw passes through a through-hole in the hold-down body to thread into a hole in a base pan. The screw is tightened against the hold-down body to hold it, and in turn the main circuit breaker, in place. In such an installed condition, the main circuit breaker cannot be removed easily from the panel unless the screw is intentionally unscrewed by a tool sufficiently to allow movement of the hold-down to a position that enables the main circuit breaker to be removed. The hold-down includes certain features that are intended to reduce the risk that the tool might contact parts other than the screw and the hold-down during unscrewing. The gripping tab facilitates installation and removal, and provides an obstruction to any attempted installation of one or more extra distribution circuit breakers in a vacant space along side the main circuit breaker that is being held in place by the hold-down.