Patent ID: 7737864

Claim:
A switch interlock apparatus, for functionally interconnecting at least two handles of functionally and physically paired switches mounted in tandem on a switch panel, the switch panel having a front face and a housing portion disposed distal to the front face, wherein the handles are arranged in tandem to pivot in a common plane about parallel, spaced apart axes, such that when each handle is in its respective “OFF” position, the handles are pivoted away from one another and when each handle is in its respective “ON” position, the handles are pivoted toward one another, the switch interlock apparatus comprising: an elongated slider member, having a longitudinal axis and first and second end faces, operably configured to slidably move between the handles; a rocker member, operably disposed to pivot about an axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated slider member, the rocker member having two inner cam surfaces adjacent the pivot axis, two outer cam surfaces distal to the pivot axis, and two interference surfaces disposed between the respective inner and outer cam surfaces; the rocker member being operably configured so as to engage the respective handles, toward movement in cooperation with the slider member, so as to engage the handle of a breaker which is being moved from an “OFF” position to an “ON” position, and prevent its movement to a top dead center position, before a corresponding breaker has moved from its respective “ON” position to its respective “OFF” position.