Patent ID: 6259342
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A circuit interrupter comprising:a housing;separable main contacts within said housing and rotatable between a contact open position and a contact closed position; andan operating mechanism within said housing and interconnected with said separable main contacts for rotating said contacts alternatively between said contact open position and said contact closed position, said operating mechanism including a handle moveable by an operator between handle open and handle closed positions normally corresponding to and resulting in said contact open position and said contact closed position respectively, said handle including a protrusion, said operating mechanism further including a crossbar assembly that rotates with said contacts as said contacts rotate between said contact open position and said contact closed position, said crossbar assembly including a stop member rigidly attached thereto, said stop member positioned to abut against said protrusion as said handle is moved towards said handle open position when said contacts and said crossbar assembly remain in said contact closed position, thereby preventing movement of said handle to said handle open position.