Patent ID: 7449653

Claim:
A latch assembly for an operating mechanism closing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus having a housing assembly and at least one pair of contacts having a fixed contact and a movable contact disposed in said housing assembly, said movable contact structured to move between a first, open position, wherein said contacts are separated, and a second, closed position, wherein said contacts contact each other and are in electrical communication, said operating mechanism closing assembly having a charging assembly, said charging assembly having a cam fixed to a cam shaft, said cam selectively having a force applied thereto and structured to rotate said cam shaft, said operating mechanism closing assembly further having a latch D-shaft structured to rotate upon an input from a user, said latch assembly comprising: a latch lobe having a generally radial extension, said latch lobe fixed to said cam shaft; a latch prop having an elongated body, a roller axle extending generally perpendicular to said body, a roller disposed on said roller axle, a pivot point and a latch edge, said latch edge structured to engage said latch D-shaft; said latch prop body pivotally coupled to said housing assembly and disposed in a plane adjacent to said latch lobe, said latch prop body structured to move between a first position and a second position; wherein, when said latch lobe body is in said first position, said latch roller engages said latch lobe radial extension; wherein said force applied to said cam is transferred via said camshaft to said latch lobe radial extension, said latch lobe radial extension applying a force to said latch roller when said latch lobe body is in said first position, said force applied along a line of force; said latch prop body pivot point and said latch roller axle define a line of action; and said line of force extends to the side of the line of action opposite said cam shaft.