Switchgear racking mechanism including self-retaining crank and draw-out unit position indicator

A switchgear unit comprising:

• (a) a switchgear cubicle;
• (b) a draw-out unit reciprocable within the cubicle;
• (c) a base attached to the cubicle:
• (d) a drive screw assembly attached to the base including a screw block translated by rotation of a screw of the drive screw assembly, which screw block is adapted for selective coupling to a draw-out unit;
• (e) drive surfaces constructed on the drive screw assembly;
• (f) a biased racking shield which surrounds at least a portion of the drive surfaces in a first position and which is translatable to a second position by exerting counter-biasing force against the racking shield, in order to expose a portion of the drive surfaces;
• (g) a crank assembly having a socket portion engageable with the drive surfaces when the racking shield is translated to its second position, in order to rotate the drive screw;
• and
• (h) means for retaining the socket portion in engagement with the drive surfaces upon translation of the racking shield to its second position.

A switchgear unit comprising:

• (a) a switchgear cubicle;
• (b) a draw-out unit reciprocable within the cubicle;
• (c) a base attached to the cubicle:
• (d) drive screw assembly attached to the base including a screw block translated by rotation of a screw of the drive screw assembly, which screw block is adapted for selective coupling to a draw-out unit;
• (e) drive surfaces constructed on the drive screw assembly;
• (f) a depression formed in a component of the drive screw assembly;
• (g) a biased racking shield which surrounds at least a portion of the drive surfaces in a first position and which is translatable to a second position by exerting counter-biasing force against the racking shield, in order to expose a portion of the drive surfaces;
• (h) a crank assembly having a socket portion engageable with the drive surfaces when the racking shield is translated to its second position, in order to rotate the drive screw;
• and
• (i) a retaining member translatable into the depression upon translation of the racking shield to its second position, which retaining member prevents separation of the crank assembly socket portion from the drive surfaces.