Abstract:
An apparatus, including an electrical plug or a plurality of external electrical connectors; a first circuit, wherein the first circuit is an open circuit or an essentially open circuit; a second circuit, wherein the second circuit includes an indicator for indicating an electrical current flow in the second circuit; a third circuit, wherein the third circuit is designed to open a fuse or to trip a circuit breaker; and an electrical switch. The electrical switch is electrically connected to the electrical plug or to the plurality of external electrical connectors, wherein the electrical switch is capable of connecting the electrical plug or the plurality of external electrical connectors to the first circuit, to the second circuit, or to the third circuit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/106,101, filed Jan. 21, 2015, and entitled “PORTABLE CIRCUIT-BREAKER TRIPPER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME”, the subject matter and teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus and method of using same and, in particular, the present invention pertains to a portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus and method of using same which can be used to safely open or “trip” a circuit associated with a circuit breaker or an electrical fuse. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Fuses and circuit-breakers, or other circuit opening or circuit breaking devices, are known in the prior art as being a useful safety device which protects circuits from damage and which protects people and property from harm, damage, or destruction. Further, these fuses or circuit-breakers allow a user, such as an electrician or a homeowner to deactivate or disconnect circuits from a power source so that the circuit can be worked on without the hazard of electrocution or other risk of damaging property. However, the fuse box or circuit-breaker box which typically houses many respective fuses or circuit breakers may not always be properly documented and/or may require trial-and-error on the part of a user, electrician, or homeowner to remove fuses or to trip circuit breakers, generally one at a time, and then to return to the, possibly remote location of the circuit components of interest, and to test to see if the removed fuse or the tripped circuit breaker was the ‘correct’ one for shutting off power to the circuit of interest. Often, this requires multiple trips back and forth to and from the fuse box or the circuit-breaker box. Additionally, this trial-and-error approach and process of the user, electrician, or homeowner can result in the shutting off or other, and unintended, circuits that would not have been otherwise been effected had the user, electrician, or homeowner known which fuse to remove or which circuit breaker to trip. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention pertains to a portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus and method of using same and, in particular, the present invention pertains to a portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus and method of using same which can be used to safely open or “trip” a circuit associated with a circuit breaker or an electrical fuse, which overcomes the shortfalls of the prior art and, therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus, and a method for using same, which is a useful tool for reliably and safely blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker, while leaving other circuits unaffected. 
         [0005]    The apparatus of the present invention can be equipped with an electrical plug which allows the apparatus of the present invention to interface with, or to be plugged into, an external circuit, or an electrical outlet, which can be a residential or other electrical outlet which can be associated with, and protected by, a circuit breaker or fuse. 
         [0006]    Connected electrically to the electrical plug can be any appropriate electrical device or electrical load, or any electrical devices or electrical loads. An meter or a rectifying circuit, or any combination of same can also be electrically connected to and/or with the electrical plug. The electrical load or electrical loads may be connected to the electrical plug in either a series or parallel connection. 
         [0007]    The apparatus can be equipped with a switching component or switch which can be connected in either a series or parallel connection with either the electrical plug and/or the electrical load. 
         [0008]    The switching component or switch can be connected to an off load, a test load and/or a trip load. The position of the switching component or switch, or the position of the selecting component of same, can be used to electrically connect any of the off load, the test load and/or the trip load to or with the electrical load and/or the electrical plug. 
         [0009]    The switching component or switch can be actuated by a selecting component which can, for example, be a mechanical dial or any other appropriate mechanical switch, button, touch screen, or similar device. In this manner, a user of the apparatus of the present invention can use the selecting component, dial, or switch to select which of the off load, the test load and/or the trip load is electrically connected to either the electrical plug and/or to the electrical load. 
         [0010]    The off load can be an open circuit, or can be effected by any other device or configuration which would present a high and/or effectively infinite resistance to the rest of the apparatus of the present invention. In this regard, the off load represents a situation where the apparatus will not trip the circuit breaker or blow the fuse associated with circuit associated with that respective electrical outlet. 
         [0011]    Ideally, no current, or a small leakage current, can flow through the apparatus when the switching component or switch is positioned such that the off load is electrically connected with either the electrical plug and/or the electrical load. 
         [0012]    The test load can consist of a resistive component and/or a light emitting diode (LED), or any combination of same. The resistive component can be any device which serves to limit the amount of current, if available, flowing into the LED. The LED can be a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, a buzzer, a speaker, and/or an alarm, and/or can be any other suitable device which is capable of indicating and/or producing a stimulus of light, sound, or any other indication. 
         [0013]    When the switching component or switch is positioned such that the test load can be electrically connected with either the electrical plug and/or the electrical load, sufficient current can flow through the test load such that the LED produces a stimulus which can indicate to the user of the apparatus of the present invention that the external circuit which is connected to the apparatus is providing power or current to the apparatus. 
         [0014]    The trip load can be a “short circuit” or minimal resistance load, or any other device or configuration which would present a low and/or effectively zero resistance, or a resistance which would result in the tripping of the circuit breaker or the blowing of a fuse associated with the circuit, which is associated with the electrical outlet, to the rest of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0015]    A high current can flow through the apparatus when the switching component is positioned such that the trip load is electrically connected with either the electrical plug and/or the electrical load. Such a high current can trip the circuit breaker, and/or can destroy the fuse, of, for, or associated with, the external circuit associated with the electrical outlet from the location from which the apparatus is being operated. 
         [0016]    A heat sink can be thermally coupled to the trip load, such that the high current that can flow through the trip load does not destroy the trip load or any equipment or wiring associated with the electrical outlet or the circuit, and also allow for the apparatus of the present invention to be reusable. The heat sink can be composed of, or manufactured from, with, or using, any suitable material so that it can prevent any device or component it is thermally coupled to from thermal damage, especially thermal damage due to high current. The heat sink can also be coupled to any other component and/or device of the apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0017]    The switch, dial, and/or the switching device, can include, or be labeled with, any suitable markings or text in order to provide a user of the apparatus with information regarding, or a representation of, which of the off load, the test load, and/or the trip load, is currently selected by, or which can be selected by, the switch, dial, and/or the switching device. As and for an example, the switch, dial, or switching device, may read “OFF,” “TEST,” and “TRIP,” corresponding to the respective electrical connections of the off load, the test load and/or the trip load. 
         [0018]    The use and operation of the apparatus of the present invention can be described as follows. With the switch, dial, and/or the switching device, being placed in the “OFF” position, the user can connect the electrical plug with the outlet of the external circuit. The user can then switch the operation or position of the switch, the dial, and/or the switching component, of the apparatus to the “TEST” position, and can use the output or lack of an output of the LED to determine if the external circuit is “live.” If the user desires to “trip” the circuit breaker or “blow” the fuse of the external circuit, without having or needing to be present at the location of the fuse or the circuit breaker, the user can simply switch the position of the switch, the dial, and/or the switching component, of the apparatus  100  to the “TRIP” position, effectively shorting the external circuit and tripping the circuit breaker and/or destroying the fuse. The user can then switch the position of switch, dial, and/or the switching component, of the apparatus  100  back to the “TEST” position in order to verify that the external circuit has been disabled. 
         [0019]    The electrical load can contain a set of lead wires, alligator clips, or other connective components. In this manner, the apparatus of the present invention can also be interfaced with circuits that do not have an associated wall outlet or electrical outlet, or for which an associated wall outlet or electrical outlet is or may be unknown to the user. As and for an example, connecting the lead wires of the electrical load to the terminals of a light bulb socket can allow the operation of the apparatus to be used to disable the circuit associated with the light bulb socket and without the user needing to identify other components, such as a wall outlet or an electrical outlet, which are or may be on the same circuit as the light bulb socket. Similarly, the apparatus or device can be used to disable the circuit associated with a dimmer switch or any other switches or circuit opening or closing devices or equipment. 
         [0020]    The apparatus of the present invention can be provided with or have a layer of insulation, which can protect the user from the electrical components of the apparatus as well as from the electrical circuit. The apparatus can also be equipped with or can have a shell and/or housing or casing, which may have any appropriate and/or ergonomic shape, which can further isolate the electrical components of the apparatus and which can protect the rest of the apparatus, or the components of same, from damage or destruction. The insulation and/or housing or casing can be shaped so as to allow the mechanical switch, dial, or switching device, to be accessible to the user, and can allow the output stimulus of the LED or any speaker to be detectable by the user. The housing of casing can be made or manufactured from plastic, hard rubber, or any other suitable material. The housing or casing can also provide further for additional insulation and protection. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    In the Drawings: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of some of the major components of the preferred embodiment of the portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus of  FIG. 1  and illustrates additional components of another preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The present invention pertains to a portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus and method of using same and, in particular, the present invention pertains to a portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus and method of using same which can be used to safely open or “trip” a circuit associated with a circuit breaker or an electrical fuse. The present invention provides an apparatus, and a method for using same, which is a useful tool for reliably and safely blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker, while leaving other circuits unaffected. 
         [0025]    Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subject matter and teachings of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/106,101, filed Jan. 21, 2015, and entitled “PORTABLE CIRCUIT-BREAKER TRIPPER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING SAME”, the subject matter and teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus of the present invention, which is denoted generally by the reference numeral  100 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  100  of the present invention has an electrical plug  101  which allows the apparatus  100  of the present invention to interface with an external circuit  50 , which can be a residential, a commercial, or any other electrical, outlet with an associated circuit breaker or fuse  55 . 
         [0027]    Connected electrically to the electrical plug  101  can be any appropriate electrical device or electrical load  102 , or any electrical devices or electrical loads, such as, for example, but not limited to, an ammeter or a rectifying circuit, or any combination of same. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical load  102  can be connected to the electrical plug in a series or parallel connection with the electrical plug  101 . 
         [0028]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus  100  can include a switching component  110  which can be connected in a series or parallel connection with either the electrical plug  101  and/or the electrical load  102 . 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the switching component  110  can be connected to an off load  103 , a test load,  104 , and/or trip load  105 . The position of the switching component  110  can be used to electrically connect any of the off load  103 , test load  104 , and/or trip load  105 , one at a time, with the electrical load  102  and/or the electrical plug  101 . 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the switching component  110  can be actuated by a mechanical dial  111 , or any other appropriate mechanical switch, button, touch screen, or similar, device. In such a manner, a user of the apparatus  100  of the present invention can use the dial  111  to select which of the off load  103 , the test load  104 , or the trip load  105  is to be electrically connected to either the electrical plug  101  and/or the electrical load  102 . 
         [0031]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the off load  103  can be an open circuit, or can be any other device or configuration, which would present a high and/or effectively infinite resistance between its terminals and to the external electrical circuit. In this regard, the off load  103  can be described as providing an open circuit in and for the apparatus  100  of the present invention. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, effectively, no current, or a very minimal current, flows through the apparatus  100  and/or its circuitry when the switching component  110  is positioned such that the off load  103  is electrically connected with either the electrical plug  101  and/or the electrical load  102 . 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the test load  104  can consist of a resistive component  140  and/or a light emitting diode (LED)  145 , or any combination of same. The resistive component  140  can be any device which serves to limit the amount of current, if available, which can flow through the LED  145 . In a preferred embodiment, the LED  145  can be a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, or the light emitting diode (LED)  145  can be replaced by or with, or can include, a buzzer, a speaker, and/or an alarm, and/or any other suitable device capable of indicating and/or producing a stimulus of light, sound, or any other suitable stimulus. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, when the switching component  110  is positioned such that the test load  104  is electrically connected with either the electrical plug  101  and/or the electrical load  102 , sufficient current can flow through the test load  104  such that the LED  145  produces a stimulus which can indicate, to the user of the apparatus  100  of the present invention, that the external circuit  50 , which is connected to the apparatus  100 , is providing power to the apparatus  100 . 
         [0035]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the trip load  105  can be a circuit which presents minimal resistance or a “short” circuit, or any other device or configuration which would present a low and/or effectively zero or minimal resistance which would result in the tripping of the circuit breaker or the blowing of a fuse associated with the circuit, which is associated with the electrical outlet. In this regard, in a preferred embodiment, the trip load  105  is designed to trip the circuit breaker or blow the fuse associated with the circuit to which the apparatus  100  is connected. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, high current flows through the apparatus  100  when the switching component  110  is positioned such that the trip load  105  is electrically connected with either the electrical plug  101  and/or the electrical load  102 . Such a high current will result in the tripping of the circuit breaker, or the destroying or blowing of the fuse  55 , of the external circuit  50  from the location where the apparatus  100  is being operated or utilized. 
         [0037]    In yet another preferred embodiment, a heat sink  106  is thermally coupled to the trip load  105 , such that the heat sink  106  can conduct and/or absorb any heat generated by any high current that can flow through the trip load  105  and ensure that the high current does not destroy the trip load  105 , thereby allowing for the apparatus  100  of the present invention to be reusable. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sink  106  can be composed of any suitable material so that it can prevent any device or component to which it is thermally coupled from thermal damage, and especially thermal damage which might result due to, or as the result of, a high current flow. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sink  106  can also be coupled to any other component and/or device of the apparatus  100  of the present invention. 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, the dial  111  and/or the switching device  110  can include or be accompanied by suitable text to allow a user of the apparatus  100  of the present invention to be provided with a representation of which of the off load  103 , test load  104 , and/or trip load  105 , is currently selected by, or can be selected by, the dial  111  and/or the switching device  110 . As and for an example, the dial may read “OFF,” “TEST,” and “TRIP,” corresponding to electrical connections for each of the respective off load  103 , test load  104  and/or trip load  105  positions and/or circuits. 
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  100  of the present invention can be utilized in the following manner. With the dial  111  and/or the switching device  110  placed or located in the “OFF” position, the user can connect the electrical plug  101  with the outlet  51  of the external circuit  50 , such as by simply plugging the electrical plug  101  into the electrical outlet  51 . The user may then switch the position of, and/or the operation of, the dial  111  and/or the switching component  110  of the apparatus  100  to the “TEST” position, so as to determine, from the output, or lack thereof, of the LED  145  to determine if the external circuit  50  is respectively “live” or “dead”. If the user wishes to trip the circuit breaker or fuse  55  of the external circuit  50 , without needing to be present at the location of the circuit breaker or fuse  55 , the user can switch the dial  111  and/or the switching component  110  of the apparatus  100  to the “TRIP” position, effectively “shorting” the external circuit  50  and tripping and/or destroying the circuit breaker or fuse  55 . The user may then switch the dial  111  and/or the switching component  110  of the apparatus  100  back to the “TEST” position to in order to verify the external circuit  50  has been disabled and is no longer a “live” circuit and, therefore, safe to work on. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of some of the major components of the preferred embodiment of the portable circuit-breaker tripper apparatus of  FIG. 1  and illustrates additional components of another preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  100  of the present invention includes a layer of insulation  170 , located between the inner side of the shell, casing, or housing  180  (“housing  180 ”) and the electrical components of  FIG. 1  of the apparatus  100 . The insulation  170  protects the user from the electrical components of the apparatus  100 . The apparatus  100 , in the preferred embodiment, can be designed to have any appropriate and/or ergonomic shape. The housing  180 , regardless of its shape and contour can also serve to further isolate the electrical components of the apparatus  100  and protect the rest of the apparatus  100  from damage. The insulation  170  and the housing  180 , in a preferred embodiment, can be designed and shaped so as to allow the mechanical dial  111  to be accessible to the user and so that the output stimulus of the LED  145  can be detectable by the user. The housing  180  can be made of plastic, hard rubber, or any other suitable material, and/or any combination of same. 
         [0041]    With reference to once again to  FIG. 2 , and in yet another preferred embodiment, the electrical load  102  of  FIG. 1  can also be connected to a set of lead wires, alligator clips or other connective components  150 , which can be used to connect the electrical load  102  to the circuit in place of the electrical plug  101 . In such a manner, the apparatus  100  of the present invention can be interfaced with, and be utilized in conjunction with, circuits that do not have an associated wall outlet or electrical outlet, or for which an associated wall outlet is unknown to the user. As and for an example, connecting the lead wires of the electrical load  102  to the terminals of a light bulb socket would allow the operation of the apparatus  100  to “trip” the circuit breaker or “blow” the fuse, and, therefore, disable the circuit associated with the light bulb socket without the user needing to identify other components, such as a wall outlet or other outlet, that are or may be on the same electrical circuit as the light bulb socket. Similarly, the apparatus  100  can be used to disable a circuit associated with a dimmer switch. 
         [0042]    While the present invention has been described and illustrated in various preferred and alternate embodiments, such descriptions are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construed to be limitations thereof In this regard, the present invention encompasses all modifications, variations, and/or alternate, embodiments, with the scope of the present invention being limited only by the claims which follow.