Patent ID: 6087610
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A ratcheting mechanism for circuit breaker contact closing springs comprising:a pair of opposing sideframes;a charging pawl within said sideframes and arranged for interacting with a circuit breaker closing springs shaft;an operating handle extending above said sideframes;a charging link connecting between said operating handle and said charging pawl for transfer of charging force from said operating handle to said charging pawl;a holding pawl engaged with said charging shaft to prevent reverse rotation of said charging shaft when said charging force is applied thereto; anda mechanism disposed within said sideframes selectively preventing or allowing rotation of said charging shaft after said circuit breaker closing springs are fully charged, said mechanism including a bell crank and a release lever, said bell crank including a holding prop extending therefrom contacting a roller on said charging shaft, wherein said release lever includes a release tab extending from a bottom of said release lever and a first release pin extending from a top of said bell crank to release said holding prop from said roller; anda guide assembly consisting of an elongated rod for contact with the bottom of a circuit breaker closing button and top plate defining an elongated slot, whereby a second release pin is captured within said elongated slot for rotation of said release lever upon depression of said closing button.