Patent ID: 7518076

Claim:
An interlock assembly for a charging assembly of an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a stored energy mechanism, said charging assembly including a cam shaft, a latch mechanism, a latch assembly and a charging handle, said charging handle being structured to pivot said cam shaft, said cam shaft being structured to move said latch assembly in order to charge and discharge said stored energy mechanism, said latch mechanism being movable between a first position corresponding to said latch mechanism latching said latch assembly, and a second position corresponding to said latch mechanism unlatching said latch assembly, said interlock assembly comprising: a lever structured to be coupled to and move with said latch mechanism of said charging assembly; and a latch interlock structured to be pivotably coupled to said housing of said electrical switching apparatus, said latch interlock comprising a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, said latch interlock being movable between a locked position corresponding to the first end of said latch interlock being structured to move said lever to position said latch mechanism in said second position, and an unlocked position corresponding to the first end of said latch interlock being structured to move said lever to position said latch mechanism in said first position, wherein, unless and until said stored energy mechanism is substantially fully charged, said latch interlock is structured to be disposed in said locked position, in order that said latch assembly is movable with respect to said latch mechanism.