Patent ID: 7088206
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: H01H

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 located behind a first plug receiving opening in said housing and 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 located behind a second plug receiving opening in said housing and 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; 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 which is 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; and U shaped blocking means slidably and pivotally coupled to said housing and having a first end portion located between said first plug receiving opening in said housing and said third connection capable of conducting electricity to said at least one user accessible load and a second end portion located between said second plug receiving opening in said housing and said third connection capable of providing a neutral connection to said at least one user accessible load, and coupled to the reset button and the reset portion to block the third connection from being connected to a user accessible load while the circuit interrupting portion is in a non-conducting state.