Patent ID: 7586394
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A lever arm assembly for a trip actuator reset assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a pole shaft, said trip actuator reset assembly including a cradle assembly pivotably coupled to said pole shaft, a reset lever pivotably coupled to said housing, and a trip actuator including an actuating element, said cradle assembly being movable among a first position corresponding to said separable contacts being closed, and a second position corresponding to said separable contacts being open, said actuating element being structured to move said reset lever in response to a trip condition, said lever arm assembly comprising: at least one linking element including a first end structured to be pivotably coupled to said cradle assembly, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a pivot structured to pivotably couple said at least one linking element to said housing; and a deflection assembly comprising a deflection member disposed on a corresponding one of said at least one linking element and being structured to move said reset lever, wherein, after said trip condition, said actuating element of said trip actuator is structured to be reset, wherein, when said cradle assembly moves from said first position toward said second position, said cradle assembly moves said corresponding one of said at least one linking element, thereby moving said deflection member into engagement with said reset lever, in order to pivot said reset lever, wherein, when said deflection member pivots said reset lever, said reset lever moves said actuating element of said trip actuator, thereby resetting said trip actuator, and wherein, after said trip actuator has been reset, if said cradle assembly continues to move beyond said second position, then said deflection assembly deflects to accommodate any additional motion of said cradle assembly.