Patent ID: 9620301
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: H01H

Claim:
1. A contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus comprising a housing, a cradle member disposed in said housing, an operating handle extending into said housing, and an operating mechanism coupled to said cradle member, said contact assembly comprising: a stationary contact structured to be disposed in said housing; a movable arm comprising a movable contact structured to engage said stationary contact, said movable arm being structured to move between a CLOSED position and an EXTENDED OPEN position; and an extension apparatus structured to be disposed on said housing, wherein, when said movable arm is in the EXTENDED OPEN position, said extension apparatus maintains said movable arm in the EXTENDED OPEN position; wherein said extension apparatus comprises a U-shaped link member and an elongated extension disposed on said movable arm; wherein said movable arm comprises a distal portion disposed proximate said movable contact; wherein the elongated extension is disposed opposite the distal portion; wherein the link member comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion connecting the first leg to the second leg; wherein the elongated extension has an aperture; wherein the first leg at least partially extends into the aperture; and wherein the second leg is structured to be disposed on said housing.