Electrical housing with non-integral cable outlet port member

Abstract

A housing for electrical devices such as connectors, circuit breakers, and fuse panels. A cable outlet port member is separate from the housing to provide unidirectional resistance to movement of a cable relative to the housing. The non-integral relationship permits the members to be replaced in the event of damage. A busbar formed by a stamping and bending operation is also disclosed for use in combination with conventional circuit breakers.

1. For use in combination with an electrical system housing of the type  having one or more rigid panels and an opening defined by at least one of said panels comprising:
 an electrical cable outlet port member having a first end and a second end, said member being separate from but removably attachable to said housing in substantial registry with said opening;  
 said member comprising a plurality of cable outlet ports, each defined by integrally molded opposed plastic fingers for unidirectionally resisting passage of an electrical cable there through, said member includes at least one tab on said first end for engaging at least one mating slot in said housing and said member  housing having at least one notch for providing a snap fit connection between said housing and said second end of said member.  
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said panel defines a flange and a seat surrounding said opening, said member in the installed position resting on said seat within said flange. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  further comprising screws for removably attaching the outlet port member to the housing. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said member comprises fingers to receive and straddle the peripheral edges of said opening so that the member may slide into and out of said opening. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as defined in  claim 4  further comprising a cover attachable to said housing for retaining said member within said opening. 
     
     
       6. In combination comprising:
 a housing for electrical devices including at least one panel having an opening formed therein; and  
 an electrical cable output port member having a first end and a second end adapted to be removably secured to said panel in substantial registry with said opening;  
 said outlet port member comprising the  a plurality of cable outlet ports each defined by integrally molded opposed plastic fingers for unidirectionally resisting passage of an electrical cable there through, said member includes at least one tab on said first end for engaging at least one mating slot in said housing and said member  housing having at least one notch for providing a snap fit connection between said housing and said second end of said member.  
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as defined in  claim 6  wherein said panel further comprises a peripheral flange and a seat around said opening, said member in the installed position resting within said opening and on said seat, said combination further comprising means for securing said member within said opening. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein said means comprises screws. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as defined in  claim 6  wherein said member is formed with peripheral fingers which straddle the peripheral edge of said opening in the installed position whereby said member may slide into and out of said opening. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as defined in  claim 9  further comprising a cover which is removably securable to said housing for retaining said member in the installed position. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as defined in  claim 10  wherein said cover is plastic. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein said housing has a peripheral mounting flange. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus as defined in  claim 6  further comprising a conductive metallic busbar mounted to said housing and having a plurality of regularly spaced, parallel stabs projecting into the carrier of said housing to receive circuit breakers in operable association therewith. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus as defined in  claim 13  wherein said stabs are flat planar elements disclosed in parallel spaced relationship with one another and integral with a base plate. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said panel further comprises a peripheral flange and a seat around said opening, said member in the installed position resting within said opening and on said seat, said combination further comprising means for securing said member within said opening. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus as defined in  claim 15  wherein said means comprises screws.