Abstract:
A latching handle mechanism can secure a module containing a circuit interrupter. The mechanism has a lever mounted at a handle frame to rotate between a secured position and a released position for securing and releasing the module at a structure. Also includes is a shuttle plate that is mounted at the handle frame and adapted to connect mechanically to the circuit interrupter. The shuttle plate is mounted to reciprocate between an engaged and disengaged position in order to operate the circuit interrupter. The shuttle plate is also manually reciprocatable to operate the circuit interrupter, when the lever is in the secured position. The lever is operable in the released position to restrain and prevent manual reciprocation of the shuttle plate in order to prevent manual operation of the circuit interrupter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to handle mechanisms for securing a module, and in particular, to a mechanism having a lever means. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Electrical and electronic modules are often mounted in racks or other structure. These modules are arranged to be easily removed and replaced for maintenance and troubleshooting purposes. It is desirable to have a handle on the face of the module to make grasping and moving the module easier. 
     It is desirable to keep the module inactive during installation and removal, to avoid arcing that may otherwise occur should power be handled by connecting or disconnecting power with the module/rack connectors. These connectors are not normally designed to operate as main power breakers or interrupters. Instead, it is desirable to operate circuit breakers inside the module while the module is connected in place. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,907 shows a module with a handle assembly having a lever with a jaw at its lower end that is sized to engage a keeper on a rack. Thus, the module can be pushed into place and the lever swung to draw the module inwardly. As the module is drawn in, its rear connector will mate with a connector inside the rack. Also, the lever operates an enabling switch when the lever nears the up and locked position. The lever is finally swung into a secured position and held in place by a catch. This handle mechanism does not offer the capability of changing the state of the enabling switch after the handle is swung into the secured position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,521 shows a drawout and interlock assembly employing a circuit breaker with an interlock button. As the circuit breaker is drawn out by a handle, the interlock button is released to trip the circuit breaker, but is then reactuated in an intermediate test position before being tripped again when the unit is completely removed. This handle mechanism lacks a manually operable member that can change the state of the circuit breaker, but only when the handle mechanism is in the operative position. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,188,414 and 4,202,027. 
     Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,818 shows an internal switch actuated when a module is pushed into position, but lacking the ability to reverse the state of the internal switch while the module is in place. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,749,862 shows a handle for rotating a tray and switch members on the tray. This handle mechanism, however, does not have the ability to change the state of the switch members after the handle is placed in the operative position. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 1,632,592, a truck panel can be removed by rocking an external handle to move the panel and open an oil switch. U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,883 shows an interlock that prevents removal of a hot contactor. These two references do not include in the handle mechanism a feature for changing the state of a circuit breaker or contractor after the handle is placed in the operative position, while disabling such a feature when in the inoperative position. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,972, the circuit card can be held in place by a knob. This knob can be swung to release a microswitch, and then pushed to operate a slider that ejects the card. This knob is not mounted on the removable card, and is not arranged to push the card into place. 
     See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,045,960; 1,366,504; and 4,057,716. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a handle mechanism that is able to change the state of a circuit interrupter after securing a module, but disabling that feature when the handle mechanism releases the module. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a latching handle mechanism for securing a module containing a circuit interrupter into a structure. The mechanism includes a handle frame, a lever means, and a shuttle means. The lever means is mounted at the handle frame to rotate between a secured position and a released position for securing and releasing the module at the structure. The shuttle means is mounted at the handle frame and is adapted to connect mechanically to the circuit interrupter. The shuttle means is mounted to reciprocate between an engaged and disengaged position in order to operate the circuit interrupter. Also, the shuttle means is manually reciprocatable to operate the circuit interrupter when the lever means is in the secured position. The lever means is operable in the released position to restrain and prevent manual reciprocation of the shuttle means in order to prevent manual operation of the circuit interrupter. 
     By employing apparatus of the foregoing type, an improved handle mechanism is achieved that can be used to safely secure or remove a module. In a preferred embodiment, a shuttle plate is slidably mounted alongside a C-shaped handle frame that is attached to the front of the module. A lever can be mounted in the handle frame to pivot in the vicinity of the shuttle plate. In this preferred embodiment, a pin on the lever can fit into a window cut in the shuttle plate to withdraw the shuttle plate when the lever is pulled out to release the module. The withdrawing of the shuttle plate will positively disable an internal circuit breaker to allow safe removal of the module. 
     When a module is inserted, the lever can be raised to its secured position to lock the module in place. Then the pin on the lever can move across the window in the shuttle plate but will not drive it to an engaged position to close a circuit breaker or other circuit interrupter. Instead, an operator can place the lever in the secured position and then manually operate the shuttle plate to activate the circuit breaker (and deactivate it later, if desired). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 shows a structure adapted to receive a module bearing a latching handle mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of the latching handle mechanism of FIG. 2 mounted on an isolated front plate and showing an extender bar connecting to a circuit interrupter within the module; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle mechanism of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the latching handle mechanism of FIG. 2 showing the shuttle means slid to a disengaged position (the engaged position shown in phantom); and 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the lower portion of the latching handle mechanism of FIG. 2 with portions broken away, removed, and illustrated in an exploded fashion, for illustrative purposes. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a module  10  is shown located next to an opening  12  in a rack  14 , herein referred to as a structure. The structure  14  has a keeper bar  16  used to hold the module  10  in place in the manner to be described presently. 
     Module  10  can contain various types of electrical or electronic equipment. For example, module  10  may contain a power supply that converts alternating current from a primary power source into a regulated D.C. (direct current) voltage, although other types of electrical and electronic systems are contemplated. 
     Module  10  is shown housing a circuit interrupter, shown herein as circuit breaker  18 ; although a contactor, light duty electronic switch, or other device may be employed instead. The actuating arm  20  of circuit breaker  18  is shown attached to an extender bar  22  that connects to prong  92 , which is part of a latching handle mechanism  24 . Both ends of the extender bar  22  can be mounted by appropriate pins to the respective members  20  and  92 . Mechanism  24  is shown with a pivotally mounted lever means  28 , which is shown in the released position in FIG.  1  and in the secured position in FIG.  2 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2,  3 , and  4 , lever means  28  is shown as an aluminum bar having a rectangular cross-section throughout most of its length. The upper end of lever  28  is shown with an outwardly facing recess  30 . The lower end of lever  28  is shown with a jaw  32  having a longitudinal tooth  32 A and an opposing transverse tooth  32 B. Tooth  32 A extends from a concave lobe  32 D, while tooth  32 B extends from a concave lobe  32 C. 
     Above bore  34  and extending inwardly is an arm  36 , which supports on its right side a transverse pin  38  (sometimes referred to as a member). While the transverse pin on the lever means is shown in this fashion, in other embodiments, the pin may be a separate assembly that is attached in an alternate fashion without the need for an integral support arm. 
     A handle frame  46  is shown herein as a C-shaped aluminum structure having an upper stud  48  and a lower stud  50 . Studs  48  and  50  are integral with a parallel pair of rails  52 . A pin (not shown) can be mounted in pivot holes  68  in rails  52  to extend through bore  34  in lever  28 , and thereby define a pivot axis for the lever. To allow pivoting, an arcuate slot  70  is cut in the right one of the rails  52  to give pin  38  clearance. 
     A spring loaded pin  66  is mounted to project from the inside end of stub  48 . The opposite end of pin  66  projects into a recessed area of stub  48  near the rails  52 . Pin  66  can extend when lever  28  moves into contact with the pin  66 . 
     Affixed between rails  52  is a bridge  54  having a threaded hole designed to align with the threaded bore  42  on lever  28 . A notch  44  on lever  28  is designed to straddle the bridge  54 . A screw  40  is shown threaded through hole  42  to pass through notch  44  and thread into bridge  54 . Screw  40  is herein referred to as a lock means. 
     Mounted in a recessed outer portion of stub  48  is a clasp  56 . Clasp  56  is pivotally mounted on a pin  58 . Pin  60  rides in a notch  62  atop clasp  56  to act as a leaf spring to depress the trigger end  62  of clasp  56 . The end  64  of clasp  62  is hook shaped to engage the recess  30  on lever  28 . 
     A shuttle means is shown herein as a main plate  72  integral with a transverse plate  74 . Main shuttle plate  72  is essentially rectangular except for its beveled upper outside corner. A guiding slot  76  is shown parallel to the lower edge of the main plate  72  and riding on guides, namely, bushings  78 . The bushings are held to the side of stub  50  at threaded holes  80  by means of a cover  82  that is secured through its screw holes  84  with screws  86 . In alternate embodiments, pins projecting from the shuttle plate can ride in slots on the handle frame. In other embodiments, the shuttle plate need not slide linearly but may be pivotally mounted to act as another lever. 
     A rectangular window opening  88  above the guiding slot  76  has a bearing edge  90 . As described further hereinafter, transverse pin  38  can bear against the bearing edge  90  of opening  88  to withdraw the shuttle means  72 . In alternate embodiments, the bearing edge need not be part of a rectangular opening, and may simply be one of the outside edges of the shuttle plate. In other embodiments, the bearing edge may be oriented at an acute or an obtuse angle with respect to the direction of motion of the shuttle plate. 
     Extending from an upper inside corner of main plate  72  is an inner prong  92 , whose tip has an aperture  94  for connecting to the previously mentioned extender bar (bar  22  of FIG.  2 ). 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described. Module  10  (FIG. 1) can be positioned adjacent the opening  12  in structure  14 , with the lever  28  rotated down to nearly a horizontal position. If the lever  28  is not lowered enough, the jaw opening  32  (FIG. 5) will not provide clearance to receive keeper  16 . 
     With lever  28  lowered in this fashion, transverse pin  38  will swing back to bear against the bearing edge  90  of opening  88 . Consequently, shuttle plate  72  will be withdrawn as shown in FIG.  4 . The withdrawing of shuttle plate  72  causes extender bar  22  to retract and rotate the arm  20  (FIG. 2) to keep circuit breaker  18  open. Thus, an operator cannot press against transverse plate  74  to move the inner prong  92  to the engaged position. Thus the circuit breaker remains off. 
     As the module  10  is inserted into the opening  12  (FIG.  1 ), eventually the jaw opening  32  (FIG. 5) engages the keeper  16 . Then the operator can lift the lever  28  from the released position upwardly towards the secured position. In so doing, the concave lobe  32 C of the jaw  32  engages the keeper  16  to pull in the module  10 . 
     Eventually, the lever  28  reaches the position shown in FIG.  4 . In this secured position, the recess  30  (FIG. 3) gets hooked onto the outer end  64  of clasp  56 . Also, lever  28  pushes pin  66  inwardly. Pin  66  can be aligned with a microswitch or other electrical switch (not shown) that can signal the electronics inside module  10  that the handle is in the secured condition and the unit is ready to operate. To keep the lever  28  in the secured position, the operator now can screw the screw  40  through the hole  42  in lever  28  into the threaded hole in bridge  54 . 
     The foregoing operation did not force shuttle plate  72  to be driven inwardly to operate the circuit breaker  18 . Next, the operator can press the transverse plate  74  in to move the extender bar  22  (FIG.  2 ), thereby rotating operating arm  20  and closing circuit breaker  18 . 
     Assuming now that the transverse plate  74  has been depressed, circuit breaker  18  will be closed and the circuitry of module  10  will operate normally. If the operator wishes now to remove the module  10  (or remove power for any other reason), the operator may pull on transverse lever  74  to withdraw the shuttle plate  72 , to turn the circuit breaker  18  off. 
     If the operator opts not to manually disable the circuit breaker, the module  10  can still be removed without manipulating plate  74 . In that case, the operator can remove the screw  40  (FIG. 4) and lift the outer end  64  of clasp  56 . This releases the upper end of lever  28 , which can then be swung out. In so moving, the transverse pin  38  (FIG. 5) engages the bearing edge  90  of shuttle plate  72 . Consequently, shuttle plate  72  is withdrawn and the prong  92  pulls the extender bar  22  (FIG.  2 ). As a result, the operating arm  20  is pivoted to turn the circuit breaker  18  off. 
     As the lever  28  is pulled down further, the inside surface of tooth  32 A bears against the keeper  16  (FIG. 1) and this camming action extracts the module  10 . Eventually, the keeper  16  will reach the concavity of lobe  32 D. At this point, any rear connectors on the back of module  10  are disengaged and the unit can be removed. 
     It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described, preferred embodiment. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker can be located in different positions and may be linked to the shuttle means by chains, gears, or other mechanisms. In other embodiments, the connection between the lever and the shuttle plate may be through a camming or a gear action. While the main length of the handle frame is shown as a split body, in other embodiments, the frame may be solid or may have a shallow recess to receive the lever means. Also, the lever means need not be a straight bar, and in other embodiments it may be curved or have another shape. While the shuttle means is shown operating a circuit breaker, in other embodiments it may operate a light duty switch or a sensor that operates a relay or other equipment. The various illustrated components may be made out of metals, plastics, ceramics, etc. Also the various shapes, dimensions, and configurations of the illustrated components can be changed depending upon the desired size, strength, rigidity, etc. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.