Patent ID: 7579571

Claim:
A visible open and closed indicator assembly for high voltage vacuum interrupters and switches that use a vacuum bottle having a high voltage contact and an actuating element that opens and closes the contact, the visible open indicator assembly comprising: a linear and non-pivotal actuating mechanism that operates the actuating element; a housing that contains the actuating mechanism; an indicator attached to the actuating mechanism, the indicator comprising a first indicating portion and a second indicating portion, wherein the first indicating portion of the indicator shows that the high voltage contact is in an open position and the second indicating portion of the indicator shows that the high voltage contact is in a closed position; a viewing window extending through the housing, wherein the viewing window is aligned with the indicator so that the first and second indicating portions of the indicator can be viewed through the viewing window, wherein the indicator moves in a linear direction away from the vacuum bottle when the actuating mechanism operates the actuating element to open the contact and the indicator moves in a linear direction towards the vacuum bottle when the actuating mechanism operates the actuating element to close the contact.