Patent ID: 6034584
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:(A) a contactor, the contactor including(1) a connection terminal, and(2) a housing, the housing having a coupling cutout formed therein, the coupling cutout further including a central cutout, a first slot and a second slot, the first and second slots being disposed on opposite sides of the central cutout, the first slot extending from the central cutout in a direction generally away from the connection terminal and the second slot extending from the central cutout in a direction generally toward the connection terminal; and(B) an overload relay, the overload relay being mechanically coupled to the contactor, the overload relay further including(1) a protruding rigid hook, the hook having a flat end section and a latch element, the latch element being molded onto at least one of two sides that face away from each other on the flat end section of the hook, the flat end section and the latch element being inserted into the central cutout and being retained in one of the first and second slots, and(2) a protruding connection pin, the connection pin being electrically conductive, the connection pin being inserted into the connection terminal and being retained therein; andwherein the coupling cutout adapts the contactor to be mechanically coupled to the overload relay both if the contactor comprises a pressure plate claw type of connection terminal and if the contactor comprises a wire cage type of connection terminal, andif the connection terminal is the pressure plate claw type, then the flat end section of the hook is disposed in the first slot and the latch element locks behind a first rim defined by a periphery of the first slot, andif the connection terminal is the wire cage type, then the flat end section of the hook is disposed in the second slot and the latch element locks behind a second rim defined by a periphery of the second slot.