Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – With housing or support means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-07-10
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Electromagnetically actuated switches
With housing or support means
C335S172000, C335S006000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259342
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circuit interrupters generally and, more specifically, to those kinds of circuit interrupters in which an interlock is provided to prevent the handle from showing that the interrupter is in the OFF disposition when, in fact, the contacts are welded closed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Molded case circuit breakers and interrupters are well known in the art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,408 issued Mar. 5, 1985, to Mrenna et al., and U.S. Pat. 5,910,760 issued Jun. 8, 1999 to Malingowski et al, each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference.
It is necessary to give an indication to an operator of a circuit interrupter that the contacts thereof have not opened when an operation has been performed which would normally have resulted therein. The prior art provides such indication by preventing the handle from moving into a position indicating that the interrupter is in the OFF (contacts open) disposition when, in fact, the contacts remain closed. Unfortunately, the interlock mechanisms employed in the prior art to accomplish the foregoing have been unduly intricate.
It would be advantageous if an effective interlock mechanism existed that is relatively inexpensive and less complicated in operation. It would also be advantageous if the interlock mechanism remained effective during all operational conditions of the interrupter, and even after high current interruption has been performed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a circuit interrupter that meets all of the above-identified needs.
In accordance with the present invention, a circuit interrupter is provided which includes 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 separable main 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, thereby preventing movement of the handle to the handle open position.
A circuit interrupter is also provided which includes 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 separable main contacts and having a handle for rotating the contacts alternatively between the contact open position and the contact closed position. The handle includes two substantially parallel plates, each of the plates including a pivot region. The operating mechanism further includes a sideplate assembly having a pair of sideplates, each of the sideplates having a pivot surface that rotatably mates with one of the pivot regions of the handle. Each of the sideplates further has an aperture, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The sideplate assembly includes two stops, each of the stops having a shaft connected to a head portion. Each of the shafts is inserted into one of the apertures in the sideplates with the head portions positioned along the outer surfaces of the sideplates and at least partially overlapping the pivot regions of the handle. The ends of the shafts are spin pressed along the inner surfaces of the sideplates to secure the stops to the sideplates.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4679016 (1987-07-01), Ciarcia et al.
patent: 5304765 (1994-04-01), Parks et al.
Chontas Trent A.
Gula Lance
Malingowski Richard P
Palmer Kathryn M.
Rodgers Craig A.
Donovan Lincoln
Eaton Corporation
Kosinski Charles E.
Nguyen Tuyen T.
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