Patent ID: 8669485

Claim:
A reversal prevention mechanism for a closing assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts, said closing assembly including a stored energy mechanism, said reversal prevention mechanism comprising: an actuator assembly structured to be pivotably coupled to the housing; a first stop element for controlling movement of said actuator assembly; a stop assembly structured to be pivotably coupled to the housing; and a second stop element for controlling movement of said stop assembly, wherein said stored energy mechanism is movable among a charged position, a discharged position, and a contact touch position corresponding to a point at which said separable contacts make initial electrical contact, wherein, when said stored energy mechanism is disposed in said contact touch position, said stop assembly is structured to cooperate with said actuator assembly to prevent said stored energy mechanism from moving backwards, wherein said actuator assembly comprises a driver, an actuator cam, and a biasing element; wherein said actuator cam is pivotably coupled to said driver; wherein said actuator assembly is movable between an open position and a compressed position; and wherein said biasing element biases said actuator assembly toward said open position, and wherein said actuator assembly further comprises a first extension member and a second extension member, wherein said first extension member extends through said driver, wherein said second extension member extends outwardly from said actuator cam; wherein said biasing element is a torsion spring; wherein said torsion spring includes a first leg, a second leg, and a number of coils disposed between the first leg and the second leg; wherein said first leg is biased against said first extension member; and wherein said second leg is biased against said second extension member.