Patent Publication Number: US-8115127-B2

Title: Extended drive plate deliberate action rotary handle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The instant patent application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/968,926, filed on Aug. 30, 2007, titled “Extended Driveplate Deliberate Action Rotary Handle,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a rotary handle. More particularly, the invention encompasses a deliberate action rotary handle. The invention further includes an extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle, such that to turn on a component, such as, a circuit breaker, requires a deliberate manual action by the user. If a deliberate action is not taken by a user but the handle is accidentally pushed then the handle does not engage with a drive shaft and the handle moves to an outer edge of a drive plate thus preventing the engagement of the handle with the other components to turn on the component. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Circuit breakers, both single and multi-phase circuit breakers, typically include a lever or other device for manually operating the circuit breaker. Frequently, it is desirable that the lever be operated through the use of a mechanical interface, such as a direct mount rotary handle operating mechanism having a handle that may be manually operated, wherein the handle mechanism is of the type that is directly mounted to the circuit breaker. 
     In operation, the handle mechanism moves the circuit breaker lever to its various operative positions. This includes an “ON” position, an “OFF” position and a “RESET” position. In some instances, it is necessary to lock the handle mechanism in the OFF position so as to safeguard personnel working on associated equipment. However, when the electrical contacts of the circuit breaker have become welded closed, usually as a result of a short circuit condition, locking the handle mechanism in an OFF position would create a dangerous and inappropriate condition since a user would believe that the circuit breaker is in the OFF (electrical contacts open) condition, when in fact the electrical contacts are welded closed. 
     Conventional handle mechanisms include a locking portion that will not enable locking of the handle when the contacts are welded together. This is commonly referred to as “Suitable for Isolation” or “Positive OFF”. In addition, the handle will return to indicate the ON position when the handle is released. These are safety features that indicate to the user that the contacts are welded and that substantially reduce the likelihood that others working on the equipment would mistakenly believe that the contacts are open. 
     However, conventional handle mechanisms rely on the proper positioning of the handle as a way of ensuring that it will not lock during Positive OFF. The disadvantage of such mechanisms is, that with wear, the position of the handle mechanism approaches the locked position. Further, such mechanisms rely on the force limits set by standard specifications, such as those set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (EC), in order to ensure the handle cannot be locked. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,813 (Michael Troy Winslett, et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a direct mount rotary handle operating mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having electrical contacts. The handle mechanism includes a driver coupled to the circuit breaker and a handle having a socket for receiving the driver. The socket is configured to allow the handle to rotate relative to the driver. The handle further includes a movable locking pin. A lock latch is associated with the driver, wherein the lock latch includes a flange portion. When the electrical contacts of the circuit breaker are welded closed and a torque is applied to the handle, the handle rotates to a position in which the pin is blocked from being inserted into the locking hole by the flange portion thereby preventing the handle from being locked in an OFF position when the contacts are welded together. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,675 (Hideki Ishido, et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an external operation handle device is used for a circuit breaker for switching a locker handle to ON and OFF positions. The handle device includes a main body casing for the circuit breaker, a mount base held on the main body casing, a rotary handle grip mounted on the mount base for turning the locker handle to the ON and OFF positions and having a connecting shaft, and an assist mechanism for moving the handle grip to a TRIP indication position upon tripping operation of the circuit breaker. The assist mechanism is interposed between the mount base and the handle grip, and includes a cam with a cam face, fixed on the mount base, a cam follower linking with the handle grip slidably along an axial direction and opposing the cam face of the cam, and an urging spring for pushing the cam follower against the cam face. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7.399,934 (Takeshi Emura, et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an external operation handle device for a circuit breaker includes a rotary handle equipped with a handle lock lever, a drive mechanism linking the rotary handle and the locker handle of the circuit breaker, and a door lock lever for interlocking between the rotary handle and a door of the board. By operating the rotary handle, the circuit breaker can be turned to an ON or OFF position, and the door is unlocked at an OPEN position. The handle lock lever is slidably disposed on the rotary handle to be anchored and held at a pulled out position in a condition where the rotary handle at the OPEN position unlocks the door of the board, and the door lock lever linked to the rotary handle is cramped and held at the unlock position in a condition where the rotary handle is at the OPEN position. 
     Furthermore, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 79 standard calls for a means to operate a breaker&#39;s handle at all time. And this becomes an issue, especially, when the electrical enclosure door is either closed or is opened. 
     Thus, a need exists for a extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle. 
     This invention overcomes the problems of the prior art and provides a extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle, that engages a component, such as, a circuit breaker, only upon a deliberate action by an operator. 
     PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a novel extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle. 
     Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a novel extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle. 
     Another purpose of this invention is to provide a extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle which requires a deliberate action to engage the handle to a component, such as, a circuit breaker. 
     Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle where an accidental movement of the handle moves the handle to move along an outer edge of a drive plate. 
     Still yet another purpose of the invention is to meet or exceed the requirement of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 79 standard. 
     Therefore, one aspect this invention comprises a rotary handle operating mechanism for operating an electrical component, comprising:
     (a) a drive shaft coupled to said electrical component;   (b) a handle having an opening for receiving said drive shaft;   (c) a drive plate having an opening for receiving said drive shaft; and   (d) a torsion spring having a first end and a second end, and wherein said first end is secured to said drive plate, and wherein said second end is secured to said handle, and thereby providing said rotary handle operating mechanism for operating an electrical component.   

     Another aspect this invention comprises a rotary handle operating mechanism for operating an electrical component, comprising:
     (a) a drive shaft coupled to said electrical component;   (b) a handle having an opening for receiving said drive shaft;   (c) a drive plate having an opening for receiving said drive shaft;   (d) a torsion spring having a first end and a second end, and wherein said first end is secured to said drive plate, and wherein said second end is secured to said handle,   (e) a cylinder secured to said handle, and wherein said cylinder is adapted to rotate about said second end of said torsion spring; and   (f) a drive shaft cylinder secured to said drive shaft, and wherein said torsion spring is adapted to rotate about said drive shaft cylinder, and thereby providing said rotary handle operating mechanism for operating an electrical component.   

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention that are novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, like numbers represent like features in the drawings. The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components which is used to illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an embodiment of a torsion spring that is used in conjunction with an embodiment of extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of a torsion spring that is used in conjunction with an embodiment of extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded side view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplar extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded side view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a novel extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle. Shown in the Figures is a rotary handle operating mechanism in accordance with the present invention. The handle mechanism includes a base connected to a circuit breaker. The base includes a lock hole which is used with a lock hole on a moveable link member. The moveable link is moveably coupled to the base so that holes may be aligned to allow for the placement of a lock or similar other locking device. At one end of the moveable link member is a base handle which is moveably coupled to the linking member. The base handle or actuating arm has an opening which allows the shaft to be inserted therein. Rotation of the shaft cause the base handle to rotate and move the link member. A shaft support bracket is used to support and align the shaft with the base and the other components. 
     In addition, and as shown in the Figures is a torsion spring that may be used to provide an opposing force to the force applied to the bar handle. As shown the shaft is positioned through holes so as to connect with both the bar handle and drive plate. Two washer and screw assemblies are used. One of the washer and screw assemblies is connected to the drive plate and will function as one of the posts for the torsion spring. The other washer and screw assembly is connected to the bar handle. Note that the screw may be placed in a sleeve or cylinder made from, for example of metal or plastic or any other material that provides a smooth roll-able surface. To turn on the switch, which requires a deliberate action, the handle is pushed toward the shaft so as to place the cylinder closer to notch and thereby engage the cylinder with the drive plate on the “on” edge. To turn off the switch requires no deliberate action. Further illustrations of the rotary handle operating mechanism are shown in the  FIGS. 1 through 8 . 
     Trying to turn on the breaker without applying a radial force on the handle results in cylinder sliding over the shorter side of the notch on plate. Turning the breaker off does not require application of a radial handle force because the pin/cylinder interferes with the longer side of the notch on plate when turning in counterclockwise direction. Bracket also serves to limit the travel of handle when turning the breaker on. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , and more specifically to  FIG. 1  which is an exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. The extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , has a handle  20 , having at least one hole or opening  24 , to accommodate at least one securing device  27 , and at least a second hole or opening  24 , to allow linear movement  5 , or rotational movement  7 , of the handle  20 . A drive plate  30 , having at least one hole or opening  35 , to accommodate at least one securing device  37 , and at least a second hole or opening  34 , to allow the passage of a drive shaft  10 . The drive plate  30 , also has a groove  38 , having an “ON” edge  31 , an “OFF” edge  32 , an outer edge  39 , and a curved edge  33 . A torsion spring  40 , having a first upon securing loop or hook  42 , and a second closed securing loop or hook  44 , is placed adjacent the drive plate  30 , such that the torsion spring  40 , is loosely wrapped around a tube or a sleeve or a cylinder or a drive shaft cylinder  48 , and that a securing device  37 , such as, a screw  37 , is made to pass through the securing loop  44 , and is secured into the opening  35 , of the drive plate  30 . The securing device  27 , such as, a screw  27 , is made to pass through a tube or a sleeve or a cylinder  46 , which is placed within the open securing loop or hook  42 , and is secured into the opening  25 , of the handle  20 , such that, the cylinder  46 , is within the groove  38 , of the drive plate  30 . For some applications it is preferred to have at least one washer  36 , such as, a flat washer  36 , between the securing device  37 , and the securing hole  35 , in the drive plate  30 . Similarly, for some applications it is preferred to have at least one washer  26 , such as, a flat washer  26 , between the securing device  27 , and the securing hole  25 , in the handle  20 . It should be appreciated that one end of the drive shaft is secured to a knob  14 , having a knob base  12 , while the another end of the drive shaft  10 , is made to pass through the opening  24 , the opening  30 , and the cylinder  48 , and is secured to a base handle or an actuating arm  50 . The securing device  27 , such as, a screw  27 , also acts as a post for securing a first end of the torsion spring  40 , to the handle  20 . Similarly, the securing device  37 , such as, a screw  37 , also acts as a post for securing a second end of the torsion spring  40 , to the drive plate  30 . 
       FIG. 2  is another exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the handle  20 , has been linearly pushed inside the groove  38 , and the cylinder  46 , is at the “ON” edge  31 . This requires deliberate action to push the handle  20 , linearly inside the groove  38 , and to be in a locked and in an “ON” position. However, if the handle  20 , is moved from the “OFF” position while the cylinder  46 , is at the “OFF” edge  32 , of the drive plate  30 , the cylinder  46 , would not engage the drive plate  30 , or the drive shaft  10 , but would slide onto the outer edge  39 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a breaker can be turned “OFF” anytime since in neutral position the cylinder  46 , is always engaged to the “OFF” edge  32 , of the drive plate  30 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the torsion spring  40  or  80 , always keeps the handle  20 , in a neutral position, i.e., the cylinder  46 , is along the “OFF” position or edge  32 , and is not inside the groove  38 , or in the “ON” position or edge  31 , of the drive plate  30 . 
     However, as shown in  FIG. 2 , after the cylinder  46 , is moved into the groove  38 , or into the “ON” position or edge  31 , of the drive plate  30 , an electrical component  60 , such as, a circuit breaker  60 , can now be turned on, since the cylinder  46 , is now locked into the “ON” edge or position  31 . The drive plate  30 , will now rotate with the handle  20 , and turn the drive shaft  10 , which in turn turns “ON” the component  60 , such as, the circuit breaker  60 . However, as one can appreciate that in order to place the handle  20 , in an “ON” position or edge  31 , one must take deliberate action and push the handle  20 , linearly into towards the drive shaft  10 , and to move the cylinder  46 , into the groove  38 , and into “ON” position or edge  31 . 
     However, if the handle  20 , is not pushed linearly towards the drive shaft  10 , first then the cylinder  46 , will not be locked inside the groove  38 , and will simply rotate along the outer edge  39 , of the drive plate  30 , and the component  60 , will not turn “ON”. And, also the drive plate  30 , will not rotate with the handle  20 . 
     Thus, in order to turn “ON” the component  60 , requires a deliberate action, i.e. the handle  20 , has to be pushed towards the drive shaft  10 , so as to place the sleeve or cylinder  46 , closer to the “ON” edge or position  31 , and to thereby engage the sleeve or cylinder  46 , with the “ON” edge or position  31 , of the drive plate  30 . However, in order to turn “OF” or “Disengage” the handle  20 , no deliberate action is required as the torsion spring  40 , would slide or move the handle  20 , back to the “OFF” edge or position  32 . Thus, the handle  20 , cannot be accidentally turned “ON” but it can be turned “OFF” anytime, as the cylinder  46 , is always spring loaded to engage in the “OFF” position or edge  32 , of the drive plate  30 . 
       FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. As one can see that the hole or opening  34 , in the drive plate  30 , is smaller than the hole or opening  24 , and this difference allows the drive shaft  10 , to be in snug contact with the drive plate  30 , but be in a free position within the opening  24 . Thus only the deliberate action of the handle  20 , in a linear direction  5 , engages the handle  20 , with the drive shaft  10 , and then the rotational movement  7 , of the handle  20 , rotates or moves the drive shaft  10 , along with the drive plate  30 . In this embodiment the drive plate  30 , is shown with a curve edge  33 . 
       FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle components which is used to illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. The components are similar to the ones shown in  FIG. 3A , however, the tube or the sleeve or the cylinder or the drive shaft cylinder  88 , is longer, the drive plate  70 , has a flat edge  73 , and a hole or an opening  74 , for the drive shaft  10 , is at a different location in the drive plate  70 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an embodiment of a torsion spring  40 , that is used in conjunction with an embodiment of extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , of the present invention. The torsion spring  40 , has an open securing loop or hook  42 , and a closed securing loop or hook  44 . In this embodiment the open securing loop or hook  42 , and the closed securing loop or hook  44 , are shown curling in an outwardly direction. 
     The torsion spring  40 , provides several advantages, for example, the open securing hook or loop  42 , on the torsion spring  40 , allows the ease of the linear action  5 , of the handle  20 . The open securing loop or hook  42 , also allows some sliding of the cylinder  46 , within the hook  42 , when the handle  20 , is pushed toward the drive shaft  10 , for the deliberate engagement to the “on” edge  31 , of the drive plate  30 , to deliberately turn on the breaker. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates another embodiment of a torsion spring  80 , that is used in conjunction with an embodiment of extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , of the present invention. The torsion spring  80 , has a first closed securing loop or hook  82 , and a second closed securing loop or hook  84 . In this embodiment the first loop or hook  82 , and the second closed securing loop or hook  84 , are shown curling in an inwardly direction. 
     One of the purposes of the torsion spring  40  or  80 , is to keep the handle  20 , in alignment with the “OFF” edge or position  32 , of the drive plate  30  or  70 . Another purpose of the torsion spring  40  or  80 , is to make the handle maintain its radial position with respect to the drive shaft  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded side view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , components of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the drive shaft  10 , is secured to a base handle  50 , and base  55 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , components of the present invention. The base  55 , has at least one opening  57 , which allows a moveable link member  59 , secured to the base handle  50 , to rotate inside the opening  57 , and to be able to place the base components in various settings, such as, for example, “ON” position or setting, “OFF” position or setting, “TRIP” position or setting, to name a few. Thus, the rotational movement  7 , of the drive shaft  10 , will cause the actuating arm or the base handle  50 , to rotate and will thus move the moveable link member  59 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded side view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , components of the present invention. It is preferred that at least one securing device  53 , such as, a shaft support bracket  53 , supports and secures the drive shaft  10 , to the base  55 . It should be appreciated that the shaft support bracket  53 , allows the rotational movement  7 , of the drive shaft  10 , but prevents the linear movement  5 , of the drive shaft  10 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary extended drive-plate deliberate action rotary handle  23 , components of the present invention. It is preferred that the knob base  12 , has markings  13 , such as, for example, for an “ON” position or setting, an “OFF” position or setting, an “OPEN” position or setting, to name a few. 
     For some applications an electrical enclosure door (not shown) is provided to provide a door or cover to the component  60 . For such applications, the shaft  10 , usually protrudes through the cover or enclosure door. For such applications after the enclosure door is closed, the knob base  12 , and the knob  14 , are then secured to the shaft  10 , so that they are on the outside of the enclosure door and are easily accessible by an operator. However, when the electrical enclosure door is opened, the knob base  12 , and the knob  14 , are either disengaged or removed from the drive shaft  10 , and during such situations the system no longer satisfies NFPA79 standard. However, with this invention one always meets the NFPA 79 standard, even when the means to operate the breaker&#39;s handle when the enclosure door is opened and the outside knob  14 , is not there. 
     The material for the tube or the sleeve or the cylinder  46 ,  48  and  88 , are preferably selected from a group comprising plastic material, nylon material, Teflon material, metallic material, bimetallic material, composite material, and combination thereof, to name a few. It is preferred that the surface the sleeve or the cylinder  46 ,  48  and  88 , that provides rotational movement be smooth and have a roll-able surface. 
     The material for the drive plate  30  and  70 , are preferably selected from a group comprising plastic material, nylon material, Teflon material, metallic material, bimetallic material, composite material, and combination thereof, to name a few. 
     The material for the handle  20 , are preferably selected from a group comprising plastic material, nylon material, Teflon material, metallic material, bimetallic material, composite material, and combination thereof, to name a few. 
     While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.