Patent ID: 8610014

Claim:
An energy storage and release control mechanism for a stored energy assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said stored energy assembly comprising a shaft pivotably coupled to the housing, a stored energy mechanism coupled to said shaft, and a charging mechanism structured to charge said stored energy mechanism and apply stored energy to rotate said shaft, said energy storage and release control mechanism comprising: a charging cam structured to be mounted upon said shaft and being movable to pivot upon but not move said shaft; thereby charging said stored energy mechanism to store energy; a ratchet coupled to said charging cam, said ratchet including a plurality of teeth; a mounting assembly structured to be coupled to the housing; and a plurality of pawl assemblies coupled to said mounting assembly, each of said pawl assemblies comprising a pawl structured to pivot between an engaged position corresponding to said pawl engaging the teeth of said ratchet to resisting undesired movement of said charging mechanism, and a disengaged position corresponding to said pawl not engaging the teeth of said ratchet.