Patent ID: 7531761

Claim:
An interlock assembly for an electrical switching apparatus including an enclosure and an operating handle, said enclosure having a plurality of sidewalls, an interior, an exterior, and at least one cover, said at least one cover having an open position in which the interior of said enclosure is accessible from the exterior of said enclosure, and a closed position in which the interior of said enclosure is substantially inaccessible, said operating handle being operable among a plurality of positions, said interlock assembly comprising: a linkage including a first end and a second end, the first end of said linkage being structured to be coupled to said operating handle in order that movement of said operating handle results in a corresponding movement of the second end of said linkage; a bracket member including an aperture, said aperture being structured to receive the second end of said linkage; and at least one fastening mechanism structured to movably couple said bracket member to said enclosure, wherein said bracket member is movable between a first position corresponding to said bracket member being structured to prevent the second end of said linkage from entering said aperture of said bracket member in order to resist undesired movement of said operating handle, and a second position corresponding to the second end of said linkage being structured to be receivable by said aperture in order that said operating handle is movable, wherein, when said at least one cover is disposed in said open position, said bracket member is disposed in said first position, and wherein, when said at least one cover is disposed in said closed position, said bracket member is disposed in said second position.