Patent ID: 6346868
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A mechanism for controlling and tripping a separable contact structure within a circuit comprising:a frame; a drive member pivotally coupled to said frame; a spring pivotally connecting said drive member to a drive connector; a upper link member pivotally seated against said drive connector; a lower link member pivotally coupled to said drive connector; a crank member pivotally coupled to said lower link member and pivotally coupled to said frame, said crank member for interfacing said separable contact structure; and a cradle member pivotally secured to said frame, said cradle member pivotally securing said upper link member, said cradle member being configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, said latch assembly configured for being displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit; wherein said mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position, and wherein said separable contact structure is movable between a first and second position, said first position allowing current to flow through said circuit and said second position prohibiting current from flowing through said circuit, further wherein said tripped condition is achieved upon occurrence of said predetermined condition causing said latch assembly to release said cradle member, said cradle member pivoting relative to said frame, thereby causing said upper link member to pivot relative to said cradle member, said motion of upper link transferring motion via said drive connector to said lower link member and said spring causing said spring to discharge and cause lower link member to transfer motion to said crank member, and causing said crank member to urge said separable contact structure from its first position to its second position; said reset position is achieved upon application of a reset force to cause said cradle member to pivot relative to said frame and urge said latch assembly until said cradle member and said latch assembly are aligned; said off position is achieved upon eliminating said reset force such that said latch assembly is releasably engaged with said cradle member, said separable contact structure being in its second position; and said on position is achieved upon application of a closing force so that force is transmitted through said drive member to said spring, said spring transmitting force via said drive connector to said upper link member causing said upper link member to pivot relative to said cradle member and to said lower link member causing said crank member to pivot relative to said frame causing said separable contact structure to move from its second position to its first position.