Patent ID: 8183487

Claim:
An operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including a housing and a number of stationary electrical contacts enclosed by said housing, said operating mechanism comprising: a cam member structured to be rotatably coupled to said housing; a two-link linkage member comprising a first link, a second link, and a pivot member disposed between said first link and said second link, said cam member rotating directly against said pivot member; a movable contact assembly comprising a movable electrical contact, said movable contact assembly being structured to cooperate with said two-link linkage member to move said movable electrical contact into and out of electrical contact with said number of stationary electrical contacts; and an actuating assembly structured to rotate said cam member between a first position structured to maintain said movable electrical contact of said movable contact assembly in electrical contact with said number of stationary electrical contacts, and a second position being structured to release said movable contact assembly such that said movable electrical contact is movable out of electrical contact with said number of stationary electrical contacts.