APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING PANEL MOUNTED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

Abstract

An apparatus for attaching a panel mounted electrical component includes an L-shaped bracket. The bracket includes a horizontal member having a frontward facing edge and a rearward facing edge. The bracket further includes an opening on the horizontal member that is configured for receiving a panel mounted electrical component. A vertical member is aligned along the rearward facing edge of the horizontal member. The vertical member is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle. A plurality of openings located on the vertical member are configured for receiving fasteners to attach an outward facing surface of the vertical member to a surface. The bracket also includes a lip that is vertically aligned along the frontward facing edge of the horizontal member. The lip is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching a panel mounted electrical component comprising: an L-shaped bracket comprising: a horizontal member having a frontward facing edge and a rearward facing edge; an opening on the horizontal member for receiving a panel mounted electrical component; a vertical member aligned along the rearward facing edge of the horizontal member, wherein the vertical member is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle; and a plurality of openings on the vertical member for receiving fasteners to attach an outward facing surface of the vertical member to a surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a lip vertically aligned along the frontward facing edge of the horizontal member, wherein the lip is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed from a single unitary member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal member includes an upward facing surface and a downward facing surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening on the horizontal member is defined by a circular hole formed therethrough.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the openings on the vertical member are defined by circular holes formed therethrough.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lip is configured to provide additional support and rigidity to the bracket.

8. An apparatus for attaching panel mounted electrical components comprising: an L-shaped bracket comprising: a horizontal member having a frontward facing edge and a rearward facing edge; a first opening on the horizontal member for receiving a first panel mounted electrical component; a second opening on the horizontal member for receiving a second panel mounted electrical component; a vertical member aligned along the rearward facing edge of the horizontal member, wherein the vertical member is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle; a plurality of openings on the vertical member for receiving fasteners to attach an outward facing surface of the vertical member to a surface; and a lip vertically aligned along the frontward facing edge of the horizontal member, wherein the lip is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bracket is formed from a single unitary member.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the horizontal member includes an upward facing surface and a downward facing surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second opening on the horizontal member are defined by circular holes formed therethrough.

12. The apparatus of 8 7, wherein the openings on the vertical member are defined by circular holes formed therethrough.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lip is configured to provide additional support and rigidity to the bracket.

14. A system for attaching panel mounted electrical components to a surface, the system comprising: an apparatus for attaching at least one panel mounted electrical component; and at least one panel mounted electrical component.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises: an L-shaped bracket comprising: a horizontal member having a frontward facing edge and a rearward facing edge; at least one opening on the horizontal member for receiving a panel mounted electrical component; a vertical member aligned along the rearward facing edge of the horizontal member, wherein the vertical member is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle; a plurality of openings on the vertical member for receiving fasteners to attach an outward facing surface of the vertical member to a surface; and a lip vertically aligned along the frontward facing edge of the horizontal member, wherein the lip is integral with the horizontal member and defines a ninety-degree angle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the horizontal member includes a second opening for receiving a second panel mounted electrical component.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the bracket is formed from a single unitary member.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the panel mounted electrical component is positioned in between an inward facing surface of the vertical member and an inward facing surface of the lip.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the panel mounted electrical component is a push button thermal circuit breaker.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the claimed embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a leveled or flattened view of a single mount apparatus for attaching a panel mounted electrical component, according to a first example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a single mount bracket for attaching a panel mounted electrical component, according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a single mount bracket for attaching a panel mounted electrical component, according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a leveled or flattened view of a double mount apparatus for attaching panel mounted electrical components, according to a second example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a double mount apparatus for attaching panel mounted electrical components, according to an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a double mount apparatus for attaching panel mounted electrical components, according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a panel mounted electrical component attached to a single mount bracket, according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a panel mounted electrical component attached to a single mount bracket, according to an example embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of two panel mounted electrical components attached to a double mount bracket, according to an example embodiment; and

[0022] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of two panel mounted electrical components attached to a double mount bracket, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While disclosed embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting reordering or adding additional stages or components to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined by the appended claims.

[0024] The disclosed embodiments improve upon the prior art by providing an apparatus for attaching a panel mounted electrical component to an external surface in a convenient location to allow a user to quickly and easily access one or more circuit breakers to repair, isolate or manipulate the wiring or electrical devices or appliances on that circuit. In this document, the term electrical component shall refer to a circuit breaker, a switch, a fuse, a distribution board, subsidiary circuit, protective fuse, electrical switch, electrical circuit, arc-fault circuit interrupter, network protector, hybrid switchgear module, or the like.

[0025] Referring now to the Figures, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a single mount apparatus 105 for attaching a panel mounted electrical component to an external surface, according to a first example embodiment and will be discussed together for ease of reference. Recall, however, that FIG. 1 is a leveled or flattened view, wherein the bent apparatus 105 has been flattened or leveled to better describe the apparatus. The apparatus 105 is an L-shaped bracket formed from a single unitary member that is either bent, cast or forged to define a horizontal member 110, a vertical member 140, and a lip 160. As further discussed below, the horizontal member 110 and the vertical member 140 are joined at a first bending-point 106, and the horizontal member 110 and the lip 160 are joined a second bending-point 107. The bracket may be comprised of materials such as metal (including galvanized steel or iron, copper, aluminum, alloys and the like) and plastic (including polybutylene, un-plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC) and polyethylene) to increase corrosion resistance to specific environments, enhance oxidation resistance, and impart special characteristics.

[0026] The horizontal member 110 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes a frontward facing edge 115, a rearward facing edge 120, an upward facing surface 125, and a downward facing surface 130. It should be appreciated that the horizontal member may have other shapes and dimensions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments. The horizontal member 110 includes an opening 135 that is configured for receiving a panel mounted electrical component. The opening 135 is located on the center line of the horizontal member 110 and is defined by a circular-shaped hole formed therethrough. In operation, an actuator from a panel mounted electrical component, such as a switch or circuit breaker, projects from the upward facing surface 125 of the horizontal member. It should be appreciated that the horizontal member opening may have other shapes and dimensions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments. The horizontal member opening may be manufactured using a variety of different processes such as punching, stamping, scissoring, flame cutting, laser cutting, sawing, drilling, milling, or turning.

[0027] The vertical member 140 is aligned along the rearward facing edge 120 of the horizontal member 110. The vertical member 140 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes an inward facing surface 145 and an outward facing surface 150. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vertical member is integral with the horizontal member 110 and defines a ninety-degree angle between the downward facing surface 130 of the horizontal member 110 and the inward facing surface 145 of the vertical member 140. It should be appreciated that the vertical member may have other shapes and dimensions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments.

[0028] The vertical member 140 includes a plurality of openings 155 configured for receiving a plurality of fasteners to attach the outward facing surface 150 of the vertical member 140 to an external surface in a convenient location to allow a user to quickly and easily access a circuit breaker to repair, isolate or manipulate the wiring or electrical devices or appliances on that circuit. The plurality of openings 155 are located on the center line of the vertical member 140 and are defined by circular-shaped holes formed therethrough. It should be appreciated that the plurality of openings 155 on the vertical member may have a variety of cross-sectional shapes and configurations, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments. The plurality of openings 155 on the vertical member may be manufactured from a variety of different processes such as punching, stamping, scissoring, flame cutting, laser cutting, sawing, drilling, milling, or turning. The fasteners to attach the outward facing surface 150 of the vertical member 140 to an external surface may include screws, bolts, welds, pins, clamps, brackets, magnets, male-female interference-type connections, cable ties, waterproof adhesives, or any other suitable method known in the art.

[0029] The lip 160 is vertically aligned along the frontward facing edge 115 of the horizontal member 110. The lip 160 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes an inward facing surface 165. The lip is configured to provide additional support and rigidity to the bracket, and protect the panel mounted electrical component. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lip is integral with the horizontal member 110 and defines a ninety-degree angle between the downward facing surface 130 of the horizontal member 110 and the inward facing surface 165 of the lip 160. It should be appreciated that the lip may have other shapes and dimensions, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments.

[0030] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a double mount apparatus 205 for attaching multiple panel mounted electrical components to an external surface, according to a second example embodiment and will be discussed together for ease of reference. Similar to the apparatus 105 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus 205 includes an L-shaped bracket formed from a single unitary member that is either bent, cast or forged to define a horizontal member 210, a vertical member 240, and a lip 260. Recall, however, that FIG. 4 is a leveled or flattened view, wherein the bent apparatus 205 has been flattened or leveled to better describe the apparatus. The horizontal member 210 and the vertical member 240 are joined at a first bending-point 206, and the horizontal member 210 and the lip 260 are joined a second bending-point 207.

[0031] The horizontal member 210 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes a frontward facing edge 215, a rearward facing edge 220, an upward facing surface 225, and a downward facing surface 230. The horizontal member 210 includes a first opening 235 for receiving a first panel mounted electrical component and a second opening 236 for receiving a second panel mounted electrical component. The first 235 and second opening 235 are located on the center line of the horizontal member 210 and are defined by a circular-shaped hole formed therethrough. In operation, a pair of actuators from two panel mounted electrical components, such as switches or circuit breakers, project from the upward facing surface 225 of the horizontal member.

[0032] The vertical member 240 is aligned along the rearward facing edge 220 of the horizontal member 210. The vertical member 240 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes an inward facing surface 245 and an outward facing surface 250. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vertical member is integral with the horizontal member 210 and defines a ninety-degree angle between the downward facing surface 230 of the horizontal member 210 and the inward facing surface 245 of the vertical member 240.

[0033] The vertical member 240 includes a plurality of openings 255 configured for receiving a plurality of fasteners to attach the outward facing surface 250 of the vertical member 240 to an external surface in a convenient location to allow a user to quickly and easily access a circuit breaker to repair, isolate or manipulate the wiring or electrical devices or appliances on that circuit. The plurality of openings 255 are located on the center line of the vertical member 240 and are defined by circular-shaped holes formed therethrough.

[0034] The lip 260 is vertically aligned along the frontward facing edge 215 of the horizontal member 210. The lip 260 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes an inward facing surface 265. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lip is integral with the horizontal member 210 and defines a ninety-degree angle between the downward facing surface 230 of the horizontal member 210 and the inward facing surface 265 of the lip 260.

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a system for attaching a panel mounted electrical component to an external surface, according to a third example embodiment and will be discussed together for ease of reference. FIGS. 7 and 8 include the single mount apparatus 105 described above. The system includes an apparatus 105 for attaching at least one panel mounted electrical component 708. The apparatus 105 includes an L-shaped bracket formed from a single unitary member that is either bent, cast or forged to define a horizontal member 110, a vertical member 140, and a lip 160. The horizontal member 110 and the vertical member 140 are joined at a first bending-point 106, and the horizontal member 110 and the lip 160 are joined a second bending-point 107.

[0036] The horizontal member 110 has a substantially planar rectangular shaped body with rounded corners and includes a frontward facing edge 115, a rearward facing edge 120, an upward facing surface 125, and a downward facing surface 130. The horizontal member 110 includes an opening 135 that is configured for receiving a panel mounted electrical component. The opening 135 is located on the center line of the horizontal member 110 and is defined by a circular-shaped hole formed therethrough.

[0037] FIGS. 9 and 10 include the double mount apparatus 205 described above, configure for attaching at two panel mounted electrical components 908, 909. The apparatus 205 includes an L-shaped bracket formed from a single unitary member that is either bent, cast or forged to define a horizontal member 210, a vertical member 240, and a lip 260. The horizontal member 210 and the vertical member 240 are joined at a first bending-point 206, and the horizontal member 210 and the lip 260 are joined a second bending-point 107. The electrical components 908, 909 are inserted into, and secured to, openings 235, 236, respectively.

[0038] The vertical member 240 includes a plurality of openings 255 configured for receiving a plurality of fasteners to attach the outward facing surface 250 of the vertical member 240 to an external surface in a convenient location to allow a user to quickly and easily access a circuit breaker to repair, isolate or manipulate the wiring or electrical devices or appliances on that circuit. The plurality of openings 255 are located on the center line of the vertical member 240 and are defined by circular-shaped holes formed therethrough.

[0039] The system further includes at least one panel mounted electrical component. In one embodiment, the panel mounted electrical component is a push button thermal circuit breaker that is interconnected with a primary power source such as utility power. It should be appreciated that the panel mounted electrical component may include a switch member or handle that is movable between an ON position and an OFF position, and such variations are within the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments.

[0040] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.