Patent ID: 7459650

Claim:
A latch engagement control mechanism for a latch assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a pole shaft and at least one link coupled to said pole shaft, said latch assembly including a pivot member being cooperable with said at least one link, said latch engagement control mechanism comprising: a latch pin including a cut-out portion, said latch pin being pivotable among a first position corresponding to said latch pin preventing said pivot member from pivoting, and a second position corresponding to said cut-out portion providing a clearance for said pivot member to pivot; and a latch member coupled to said latch pin at or about said cut-out portion, said latch member comprising a plurality of protrusions, wherein a first one of said protrusions engages said pivot member, in order to establish said first position of said latch pin with respect to said pivot member, and wherein, when said latch pin is disposed in said second position, said pivot member pivots, thereby releasing said at least one link to pivot said pole shaft and open said separable contacts.