Modular switch interior assembly and method of assembling same

An interior assembly for an electrical distribution device having a fuse for each phase in a circuit, the interior assembly comprising:

• a plurality of modules, one of the modules having an operating mechanism and a switch contact for opening and closing the circuit for each phase, the switch contact being connected to each fuse and phase of the circuit, each module having a housing;
• means for demountably securing one of the modules to at least one adjacent module, the securing means being manually operated and integrally formed with the housing of each module, the securing means including a plurality of prongs upstanding from the housing of one module, each prong having an undercut between the top surface of the housing and the end of the prong to define a retaining flange;
• and
• a plurality of edges to define apertures integrally formed in the housing of an adjacent module in a position to engage each one of the prongs from the other module.

An electrical distribution device having a fuse for each phase in a circuit, the device comprising:

• an enclosure having an external handle for operator control;
• an interior assembly within the enclosure having a plurality of modules, each module having a housing;
• one of the modules being a switch mechanism module, the switch mechanism module including;
• a modular housing having a generally planar first base with upstanding side walls around the circumference of the first base, the side walls having a top edge defining a mating surface, the modular housing having a generally planar second base with upstanding side walls having a top edge for abutting the mating surface of the first base;
• means for demountably fastening the first base to the second base, the fastening means being integrally formed with the first and second base;
• a shaft having two ends, the first end being adapted to connect with the handle external to the modular housing the second end being adapted to connect to the adjacent module of the interior assembly through the modular housing;
• an operating mechanism being connected to the shaft and the first and second bases without discrete fasteners;
• a switch contact for opening and closing the circuit for each phase;
• and
• means for demountably securing one of the modules to at least one adjacent module, the securing means being manually operated and integrally formed with the housing of each module.

A method of assembling the interior assembly of an electrical distribution device having a fuse for each phase in a circuit, the step of the method comprising:

• manually and demountably affixing a plurality of modules to one another, the plurality of modules having an operating mechanism for opening and closing a switch contact, the switch contact being connected to each fuse and phase of the circuit;
• the affixing step including the steps of:
• upstanding a plurality of prongs from the top surface of one module, each prong has an undercut between the top surface of the module and the end of the prong to define a retaining flange;
• forming a plurality of edges to define apertures integrally formed in an adjacent module in a position corresponding to engage the plurality of prongs from the other module;
• and,
• inserting the retaining flanges into the apertures.