Patent ID: 9679724
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: H01H,H02B

Claim:
1. A contact assembly for a component of an electric power system, said component comprising a mounting assembly including a mounting member, said contact assembly comprising: a bus member structured to be coupled to said mounting member; and a switching assembly structured to move between a first position corresponding to power being connected and a second position corresponding to power being disconnected, said switching assembly comprising: wherein, when said switching assembly is in the first position, said switching device and said stationary contact are electrically connected in parallel with said bus member and said movable contact; wherein, when said switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, said switching device disconnects power after said movable contact disengages said stationary contact in order that electrical disconnection occurs within said switching device; wherein said switching assembly further comprises a retention member structured to be coupled to said mounting member; wherein, when said switching assembly is in the first position, said retention member engages said switching device and said movable contact in order to maintain said switching device in the first position; wherein said retention member is structured to be pivotably coupled to said mounting member; wherein, when said switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, said retention member rotates in a first direction; wherein, when said switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, said movable contact rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction: wherein, when said switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, said retention member moves away from engagement with said switching device in order to allow said switching device to disconnect power; wherein said retention member comprises a body and a number of biasing elements coupled thereto; wherein said number of biasing elements bias said retention member away from engagement with said switching device; and wherein, when said switching assembly is in the first position, said movable contact forces said retention member into engagement with said switching device.