Patent ID: 8183490

Claim:
A shield apparatus for use in an electrical switching apparatus that comprises a stationary contact assembly and a movable contact assembly, the stationary contact assembly comprising a number of stationary contacts, the movable contact assembly comprising a number of movable contacts, a number of contact arms, a number of biasing elements, and a carrier housing, the number of movable contacts being disposed on the number of contact arms, the number of contact arms being disposed on the carrier housing, the movable contact assembly being movable between a first operational condition in which the number of stationary contacts and the number of movable contacts are electrically connected and a second operational condition in which the number of stationary contacts and the number of movable contacts are electrically disconnected, in the first operational condition the number of biasing elements biasing the number of contact arms away from the housing and toward the number of stationary contacts, the shield apparatus comprising: a plate-like shield member structured to be movable with respect to the carrier housing and to protect the number of biasing elements from damage due to an arc event.