Patent ID: 7488916

Claim:
A switchgear element assembly, comprising: an insulator defining a bore and having a fixed contact therein; a movable contact mounted to the insulator and selectively positionable relative to the fixed contact; an elastomeric insulating housing enclosing the insulator; and a rigid support structure mechanically isolating the insulator from axial loads, the rigid support structure comprising first and second ends, the rigid support structure supporting the fixed contact at the first end and extending at the second end to an operating mechanism for positioning the movable contact relative to the fixed contact, the rigid support structure comprising an overwrap layer of composite material formed from one of a matting of insulating material and a plurality of continuous strands of insulating material, the one of the matting of insulating material and the plurality of continuous strands of insulating material being embedded in a polymeric compound configured to become rigid when the composite material is cured, at least one of the elastomeric insulating housing and the rigid support structure directly contacting an outer surface of the insulator without an encapsulant material being cast around the insulator.