Circuit interrupter with improved welded contact interlock

US6259342A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Eaton Corporation · US

Inventors

• Richard Paul Malingowski · South Park Township, US
• Lance Gula · Lock Haven, US
• Craig A. Rodgers · Dorpsstraat, US
• Trent A. Chontas · Pittsburgh, US
• Mark O. Zindler · Robinson Township, US
• Kathryn M. Palmer · Dorpsstraat, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 27, 1999
• Grant date: Jul 10, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H2071/502
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts disposed in the housing and rotatable between a contact open position and a contact closed position, and an operating mechanism disposed in the housing and interconnected with the contacts for rotating the contacts alternatively between the contact open position and the contact closed position. The operating mechanism includes a handle moveable by an operator between handle open and handle closed positions normally corresponding to and resulting in the contact open position and the contact closed position, with the handle including a protrusion. The operating mechanism further includes a crossbar assembly for rotating with the contacts as the contacts rotate between the contact open position and the contact closed position. The crossbar assembly includes a stop member that is positioned to abut against the protrusion as the handle is moved towards the handle open position when the contacts and the crossbar assembly remain in the contact closed position. The operating mechanism also includes a sideplate assembly having stops that prevent disengagement of the handle.