Patent ID: 7633364

Claim:
A circuit interrupter comprising: separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a dampening apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of first guide members and a plurality of second guide members coupled together; a first biasing member located in an area proximate to the first guide members and within the housing; a first planar member having a plurality of first apertures with the first guide members or the second guide members passing through the first apertures; a plurality of second planar members having a plurality of second apertures with the second guide members passing through the second apertures; a plurality of second biasing members located in an area proximate to the second guide members; an elongated shaft coupled to the first planar member, wherein the elongated shaft is coupled to the operating mechanism, wherein the first planar member moves along the first guide members or the second guide members in response to a trip condition in a circuit interrupter operating mechanism, wherein the first biasing member is coupled to and biases the first planar member, wherein the first planar member is structured to contact and move one of the second planar members, wherein the second biasing members are located in the area proximate to the second guide members to selectively bias the second planar members; and wherein a plurality of plates encase the housing.