Patent ID: 6696658
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
An operating mechanism for operating an electrical protective device comprising a housing, an output member extending from said housing, energy storage means capable of being charged and storing energy for moving the operating member between closed and open positions, and operating means movable between open and closed operating positions for charging said energy storage means and discharging said energy storage means to rapidly move said operating member from a closed position to an open position, said energy storage means comprising energy storage members that are arranged to define one or more planes, said operating means comprising latch means for selectively retaining and releasing said operating member, said latch means being disposed intermediate said energy storage members and comprising a latch member that is arranged to be operative in a direction generally perpendicular to said one or more planes, said operating means further comprising charging means responsive to a charging input for translating a low force input into a high force input, said charging means comprising first rotatable means responsive to said charging input and a drive screw driven by said first rotatable means.