Patent ID: 9362064
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: H01H

Claim Text:
1. An opening assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, the electrical switching apparatus including a housing, a set of separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to move the separable contacts between and OPEN condition and a CLOSED condition, the operating mechanism including a poleshaft, said opening assembly comprising: a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivotably coupled to said poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion, the spring link being movable between an open position and a closed position; and a number of opening springs each including a stationary end structured to be coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of said spring link, wherein in the OPEN condition the number of opening springs and the spring link are structured to apply a first torque to bias the poleshaft to maintain full separation of said separable contacts, wherein in a transitional position situated between the OPEN and CLOSED conditions the number of opening springs and the spring link are structured to bias the poleshaft at an intermediate torque that is less than the first torque in magnitude, and wherein in the closed position of the spring link the number of opening springs are structured to bias the poleshaft with another torque that is greater than the intermediate torque but less than the first torque.