Overhead lifter for electrical switching apparatus

A lifting assembly for lifting an electrical switching apparatus for placement in an electrical cabinet having a front surface and a top surface, the lifting apparatus comprising:

• a first rail member adapted to be horizontally disposed adjacent the top surface of the electrical cabinet, said first rail member generally parallel to and positioned adjacent the front surface of the electrical cabinet;
• a second rail member adapted to be horizontally disposed adjacent the top surface of the electrical cabinet spaced from and generally parallel to said first rail member;
• a support frame having a cantilevered end that extends generally transverse to said first rail member and is adapted to be cantilevered outwardly from the top surface of the electrical cabinet;
• a winch attached to said support frame;
• and
• wheel means mounted on said support frame for movement of said support frame on said first rail member and said second rail member, wherein said wheel means includes at least one wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis for movement on said second rail member, and said wheel means also includes at least one wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis for movement on said first rail member and at least two wheels rotatable about vertical axes and spaced apart along said first rail member for movement on said first rail member to provide lateral stability and minimize binding of the lifting assembly.

An electrical assembly comprising:

• an electrical cabinet having a front surface and a top surface;
• an electrical switching apparatus;
• a lifting assembly for lifting said electrical switching apparatus for placement in said electrical cabinet, said lifting assembly comprising:
• a first rail member horizontally disposed adjacent the top surface of the electrical cabinet, said first rail member generally parallel to and positioned adjacent the front surface of the electrical cabinet;
• a second rail member horizontally disposed adjacent the top surface of the electrical cabinet spaced from and generally parallel to said first rail member;
• a support frame;
• wheel means mounted on said support frame for providing movement of said support frame along said first rail member and said second rail member;
• a winch mounted on said support frame and having a spool;
• a cable having a first end wound on said spool and a second end for lifting the electrical switching apparatus;
• and
• a pivotable, rotatable cable support member mounted upon said support frame over which said cable passes to provide even distribution of said cable on said spool.

An electrical assembly comprising:

• an electrical cabinet having a front surface and a top surface;
• an electrical switching apparatus;
• a lifting assembly for lifting said electrical switching apparatus for placement in said electrical cabinet, said lifting assembly comprising:
• a first rail member horizontally disposed adjacent the top surface of the electrical cabinet, said first rail member generally parallel to and positioned adjacent the front surface of the electrical cabinet;
• a second rail member horizontally disposed adjacent the top surface of the electrical cabinet spaced from and generally parallel to said first rail member;
• a support frame having a cantilevered end that extends generally transverse to said first rail member and is cantilevered outwardly from the top surface of the electrical cabinet
• a winch attached to said support frame;
• and
• wheel means mounted on said support frame for movement of said support frame on said first rail member and said second rail member, wherein said wheel means includes at least one wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis for movement on said second rail member, and said wheel means also includes at least one wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis for movement on said first rail member and at least two wheels rotatable about vertical axes and spaced apart along said first rail member for movement on said first rail member to provide lateral stability and minimize binding of the lifting assembly.