Trip-reset mechanism for GFCI receptacle

A circuit interrupter comprising, in combination:

• A. a molded plastic case;
• B. a fixed contact disposed within said case;
• C. a movable contact disposed within said case;
• D. means biasing said movable contact to an open circuit position relative to said fixed contact;
• E. a commutator mounted by said case for reciprocating movement between a tripped position and a reset position holding said movable contact in a closed circuit position engaging said fixed contact against the opening force of said biasing means;
• F. a manual reset actuator mounted by said case for reciprocating movement between a released position and a depressed position;
• G. a reset spring biasing said reset actuator to said release position;
• H. a latch connected to said reset actuator for movement between an unlatched position and a latched position latching said commutator in said reset position;
• I. a trip solenoid including a coil and a plunger freely movable between an extended position and a return position, energization of said coil magnetically driving said plunger from said return position to said extended position, thereby deflecting said latch from said latched position to said unlatched position and allowing said movable contact to assume said open circuit position;
• and
• J. a latch spring positioned in said case to be charged by engagement with said latch as said reset actuator is depressed from said release position to said depressed position, whereby to provide a spring force for shifting said latch from said unlatched position to said latched position and shifting said plunger from said extended position to said return position, said latch spring being disengaged from said latch while said commutator is in said reset position.