IP Library Granted Patent US 9,876,334
Granted Patent B2
US 9,876,334 · App. 15/106,511 · Granted Jan 23, 2018

Breaker assembly with mating platform and well connection

Inventors: Kevin Burke (Madison, WI); John Thurk (Fitchburg, WI); John Udelhofen (Platteville, WI)
Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
H02B1/205H02B1/052H02B1/056
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,876,334
App. No.
15/106,511
Granted
Jan 23, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A breaker assembly is disclosed comprising a breaker board having a bus bar including a first engagement feature and a breaker module having a line side connector including a second engagement feature engaging the first engagement feature to inhibit separation of the breaker module from the breaker board. The breaker board can further include a board mount having a first alignment feature, and the breaker module can further include a module mount engaging the board mount and having a second alignment feature engaging the first alignment feature. In another aspect of the invention, the breaker board includes board connections, the breaker module includes breaker connections (e.g., blind mate connections), and the board connections are engaged with the breaker connections. In another aspect of the invention, the breaker module includes a ledge that defines an undercut to facilitate prying of the breaker module from the breaker board.

Claims (30)

1. A breaker assembly comprising:

a breaker board having:

a bus bar including a first engagement feature,

a board mount spaced from the bus bar,

a back surface between the bus bar and the board mount,

a well recessed into the back surface between the bus bar and the board mount, and

board connections positioned in the well between the bus bar and the board mount; and

a breaker module having:

a breaker housing defining a bottom surface,

a line side connector including a second engagement feature engaging the first engagement feature to inhibit separation of the breaker module from the breaker board,

a module mount adapted to engage the board mount,

a platform protruding from the bottom surface between the line side connector and the module mount, and

breaker connections recessed into the platform positioned between the line side connector and the module mount and adapted to be engaged with the board connections,

wherein the platform is dimensioned to mate into the well to facilitate coupling of the breaker connections to the board connections.

2. The breaker assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement feature comprises a recess in the bus bar.

3. The breaker assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second engagement feature comprises a protrusion on the line sided connector.

4. The breaker assembly of claim 1 , wherein the board mount comprises a mounting rail spaced from the bus bar, and wherein the module mount comprises a pivot mount pivotally engaging the mounting rail.

5. The breaker assembly of claim 4 , wherein the pivot mount includes a first alignment feature and the mounting rail includes a second alignment feature engaging the first alignment feature.

6. The breaker assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first alignment feature comprises an alignment recess and the second alignment feature comprises an alignment web positioned in the alignment recess.

7. The breaker assembly of claim 4 , wherein the line side connector is adjacent a first end of the breaker module and the pivot mount is adjacent a second opposing end of the breaker module, and wherein the breaker module further comprises a ledge positioned adjacent the first end.

8. The breaker assembly of claim 7 , wherein the ledge is adjacent a front side of the breaker module.

9. The breaker assembly of claim 7 , wherein the ledge defines an undercut that facilitates prying of the breaker module from the breaker board.

10. A breaker assembly comprising:

a breaker board having a bus bar, a board mount spaced from the bus bar, a back surface between the bus bar and the board mount, a well recessed into the back surface between the bus bar and the board mount, and board connections positioned in the well; and

a breaker module having a breaker housing defining a bottom surface, a line side connector adapted to engage the bus bar, a module mount adapted to engage the board mount, a platform protruding from the bottom surface between the line side connector and the module mount, and breaker connections recessed into the platform and adapted to be engaged with the board connections, wherein the platform is dimensioned to mate into the well to facilitate coupling of the breaker connections to the board connections.

11. The breaker assembly of claim 10 , wherein the line side connector is adjacent a first end of the breaker module and the module mount is adjacent a second opposing end of the breaker module, and wherein the breaker module further comprises a ledge positioned adjacent the first end.

12. The breaker assembly of claim 11 , wherein the ledge is adjacent a front side of the breaker module.

13. The breaker assembly of claim 11 , wherein the ledge defines an undercut that facilitates prying of the breaker module from the breaker board.

14. The breaker assembly of claim 10 , wherein the breaker board further includes a stanchion positioned in the well, wherein the platform includes a recess dimensioned to receive the stanchion.

15. The breaker assembly of claim 10 , wherein the well includes a first sloped wall and wherein the platform includes a second sloped wall adapted to mate with the first sloped wall.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2019
From: ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS, INC.; ETC HOLDINGS, LLC; HIGH END SYSTEMS, INC.; SOURCE FOUR HOLDINGS, LLC; ETC EXPORTS, INC.; ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS AMERICAS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049262/0255 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2016
From: BURKE, KEVIN; THURK, JOHN; UDELHOFEN, JOHN
To: ELECTRONIC THEATRE CONTROLS, INC.
Reel/Frame 039011/0330 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61923416 · Jan 3, 2014
Related Publication 20170005458A1 · Jan 5, 2017