Patent ID: 6873231
Filing Date: 2005-03-29
Classification: H01H,H02H

Abstract:
1. A circuit interrupting device comprising: a housing; a phase conductive path and a neutral conductive path each disposed at least partially within said housing between a line side and a load side, said phase conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one load and a third connection capable of conducting electricity to at least one user accessible load, and said neutral conductive path terminating at a first connection capable of being electrically connected to a source of electricity, a second connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one load and a third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one user accessible load; a circuit interrupting portion disposed within said housing comprising a movable arm having contacts thereon adapted to disengage from fixed contacts to cause electrical discontinuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths between said line side and said load side upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition; a reset portion disposed at least partially within said housing and configured to reestablish electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths; said circuit interrupting device further comprising a reset lockout portion that prevents reestablishing electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths if said circuit interrupting portion is non-conducting, or if an open neutral condition exists or if a reverse wiring condition exists; wherein said reset portion comprises: a reset button adapted to assume a first or second position relative to the housing when the circuit interrupting device is in a conducting or non-conducting state; and at least one reset contact capable of contacting at least a portion of said phase conductive path to cause said predetermined condition, wherein if said circuit interrupting portion is operational, the circuit interrupting portion is activated to disable said reset lockout portion and facilitate reestablishing electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths, and wherein if said circuit interrupting portion is non-conducting, said reset lockout portion remains enabled so that reestablishing electrical continuity in said phase and neutral conductive paths is prevented; blocking means coupled to said reset button to block the third connection from being connected to a user accessible load while the circuit interrupting portion is in a non-conducting state; wherein the blocking means is adapted to be moved to a first position when said reset button is in its first position to allow the third connection to be connected to the user accessible load while the circuit interrupting portion is conducting and to be moved to a second position when said reset button is in its second position to prevent the third connection being connected to the user accessible load while the circuit interrupting portion is non-conducting; and wherein said blocking means is urged by said reset button to said first position and is urged by a spring member to said second position.