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:
Mar. 14, 2017
Filed:
Dec. 23, 2014
Schneider Electric Usa, Inc., Palatine, IL (US);
Jacob E. Walgenbach, Nashville, TN (US);
Schneider Electric USA, Inc., Andover, MA (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems for reducing exposure to live parts in a panelboard allow a circuit breaker or other branch electrical device to be safely installed and removed from the panelboard. The methods and systems provide a shutter system that operates in conjunction with the circuit breaker or other branch electrical device to automatically restrict access to the conductors in the panelboard until the circuit breaker is inserted in the panelboard. Specifically, the circuit breaker has one or more insertion keys on its casing that align with and fit into one or more keyed openings in the shutter system. When the circuit breaker is inserted into the panelboard, the insertion keys automatically force open the shutter system to allow the circuit breaker terminals to contact the conductors. Removing the circuit breaker from the panelboard automatically closes the shutter system and prevents fingers or tools from inadvertently accessing the conductors.