US 5,397,868 A · Transfer switch

Abstract

A transfer switch mechanism is provided for operating the handles of a pair of circuit interrupters. The transfer switch mechanism has a lever arm movable between advanced and retracted positions, the lever arm having a gripping portion permitting handhold for manual operation. The lever arm turns an axle via a ratchet assembly with pawls that permit the axle to turn in one direction but oppose movement of the axle in the direction counter to that direction. The axle turns a crank, and a pair of connecting rods have proximal ends coupled to the crank. The transfer switch mechanism further includes a pair of handle-engaging heads, each of which has opposed abutment surfaces that removably receive the handle of one or the other circuit interrupters between the opposed abutment surfaces. A base is fixed relative to the circuit interrupters and movably supports the lever arm and the handle-engaging heads. The connecting rods have distal ends respectively coupled to one of the two heads such that operation of the lever arm between the advanced and retracted positions causes the abutment surfaces to drive against the handles and thereby move the handles between operative positions.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for transferring a power-consuming load reversibly between a pair of electric circuits, the apparatus comprising:

a pair of switch devices respectively associated with the pair of electric circuits;
each switch device having a handle movable between extreme positions, and the switch devices being disposed such that the handle of each switch device moves reversibly towards and away from the other switch device;
a pair of heads, each head respectively associated with one of said switch devices and each head having opposed abutment surfaces removably receiving the handle of the associated switch device between the abutment surfaces;
a drive input including a grip operable in a cyclical stroke, the grip having a gripping portion permitting a handhold for manual operation thereof along the stroke;
supporting means, extending between and fixed relative to the switch devices, movably supporting the heads and grip,
drivable means, driven by the drive input, coupled to the heads for driving the abutment surfaces against the handles to move the handles in response to the stroke of the grip;
and,
unidirectional means, associated with the drivable means, permitting the handles to advance and return progressively between the extreme positions and for opposing movement of the drivable means in the direction opposite to the progressive advance of the drivable means at handle positions intermediate the extreme positions.

5 more elements

A manually-operable device coupled to a pair of circuit components;

each circuit component having a handle, protruding from a generally planar surface, movable between operative positions;
the device comprising:
a pair of heads;
each head respectively associated with one of said circuit components and each head having opposed abutment surfaces removably receiving the handle of the associated circuit component between the abutment surfaces;
a grip operable in a cyclical stroke, having a gripping portion to permit a handhold for manual operation thereof;
drivable means, driven by the grip, coupled to the heads for driving the abutment surfaces against the handles to move the handles between the operative positions in response to the stroke of the grip;
and,
a base, clapped together with the generally planar surfaces of the circuit components in a releasably fixed relationship, movably supporting the grip and movably supporting the heads such that the heads maintain a substantially constant relative position on the handles as the handles are driven between the operative positions.

5 more elements

Apparatus for transferring a power-consuming load reversibly between two electric circuits;

the apparatus comprising:
two switch devices, respectively associated with the two electric circuits, disposed fixed relative to each other;
each switch device having a handle pivotal between operative positions;
a pair of heads, each head respectively associated with one of the two switch devices and each head having opposed abutment surfaces removably receiving the handle of the associated switch device between the abutment surfaces;
a grip operable in a cyclical stroke, having a gripping portion permitting a handhold for manual operation thereof;
drivable means, driven by the grip, coupled to the heads for driving the abutment surfaces against the handles to move the handles between the operative positions in response to the stroke of the grip;
supporting means, extending between and fixed relative to the switch devices, movably supporting the grip;
two pair of spaced-flange portions, each pair of spaced-flange portions respectively associated with one of the two switch devices, the spaced-flange portions being disposed on opposite sides of the handle of the associated switch device;
and,
each flange portion having an arcuate opening and each head being coupled to one pair of spaced-flange portions at the arcuate openings such that the abutment surfaces are guided in an arcuate path about axis that is coincident with a pivot axis defined by the pivoted handle of the associated switch device.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Transfer switch

Life of this patent

Transfer switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20