Patent ID: 6040746
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A circuit breaker comprising:a circuit breaker mechanism including:a fixed contact;a contact arm;a movable contact secured to one end of said contact arm and movable by said contact arm toward and way from said fixed contact to close and open said contacts:a pivotally mounted operating member engaging another end of said contact arm for moving, and for movement by, said contact arm between off/open and on/closed positions of said operating member and said contacts respectively, said operating member having an integral handle and a cam surface;a pivotally mounted latchable cradle;a spring connecting said latchable cradle and said contact arm; anda trip device latching said cradle in a latched position and unlatching said cradle in response to preset current conditions, said cradle tripping said contact arm to open said contacts and move said operating member to a tripped position when unlatched;a first microswitch having a plunger;a second microswitch having a plunger;said first and second microswitches positioned adjacent one another;actuating means including a first actuating member and a second actuating member,said first actuating member bearing against said cam surface on said operating member, said cam surface actuating said first and second microswitches through said first actuating member when said operating member and said integral handle are in the off position;said second actuating member engaging said cradle and actuating said first and second microswitches through said first actuating member when said cradle is unlatched, said first and second actuating members being cascaded to operate said plunger of said first microswitch and said plunger of said second microswitch; anda housing with first and second compartments separated by a partition, wherein said contacts, said contact arm, said spring, said cradle, and said trip device are mounted in said first compartment, and said first and second microswitches are mounted in said second compartment, wherein said operating member extends into both compartments with said cam surface located in said second compartment, said partition having an opening through which said second actuating member extends to engage said cradle and wherein said first actuating member is mounted in said second compartment to engage said camming surface and actuate said first and second microswitches.