US 6,096,986 A · Channel-type circuit breaker switch interlock

Abstract

An interlock for aligned switch members, which are movable toward each other to an ON position and away from each other to an OFF position, includes a pair of engagement members and a connector member extending therebetween. Each engagement member includes a planar retainer section which extends outwardly and is adapted for receipt within a passage defined by the switch member, for guiding axial movement of the engagement members relative to the switch members. Each engagement member further includes a pair of upstanding tabs, and the engagement members are positioned such that the tabs are located adjacent each other between the switches. The connector member includes an upper wall located above the plane of the retainer sections, and depending side walls which are interconnected with the tabs via screws which pass through openings in the tabs and into aligned, threaded openings in the depending side walls. The interlock is simple in its components and installation, and provides a strong, positive interlock structure which can be used in either an original installation or in a retrofit application.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An interlock for first and second aligned switches, each of which includes an operating handle defining a passage, wherein each operating handle is movable toward the other to an ON position and movable away from the other to an OFF position, comprising:

a pair of engagement members, each of which includes an outwardly extending retainer section and an upstanding mounting section extending from the retainer section, wherein the outwardly extending retainer section of each mounting member is adapted to be received within the passage of one of the operating handles such that the upstanding mounting section of each engagement member is located between the pair of operating handles;
and
a connector member extending between and interconnected with the upstanding mounting sections of the mounting members, wherein the interconnected connector member and upstanding mounting sections of the mounting members cooperate to define an axially movable interlock structure located between the operating handles and guided for movement by the retainer sections within the passages defined by the handles, wherein the interlock structure defines an end facing each of the operating handles and is configured so as to prevent the first and second operating handles from both being in the ON position at the same time.

An interlock for first and second aligned switches, wherein each switch includes an outer surface and an operating handle extending outwardly from the outer surface, wherein each operating handle includes a pair of laterally spaced facing surfaces adjacent the outer surface of the switch, and wherein each handle is movable toward the other handle to an ON position and away from the other handle to an OFF position, wherein the interlock comprises:

a pair of engagement members, each of which defines an outer retainer section adapted for placement between the laterally spaced facing surfaces of one of the operating handles and against the switch outer surface, and an inner connection section extending upwardly from the retainer section and away from the switch outer surface, wherein the inner connection sections of the pair of engagement members are located adjacent each other between the operating handles and the outer retainer sections extend away from each other;
and
a connector member extending between and interconnected with the inner connection sections of the pair of engagement members;
wherein the connection sections and the connector member are configured so as to prevent both operating handles from being in the ON position at the same time.

1 more element

A method of preventing aligned operating handles of a pair of switches from being in an ON position at the same time, wherein each switch defines an outer surface and wherein each operating handle includes passage structure located adjacent the outer surface, wherein each operating handle is movable toward the other to the ON position and away from the other to an OFF position, comprising the steps of:

engaging an engagement member with each operating handle such that an axial retainer section defined by each engagement member is received within the operating handle passage structure, and a connection section defined by each engagement member is located between the operating handles, wherein each connection section extends outwardly away from the switch outer surface;
and
interconnecting the engagement members together by securing the connection sections together between the operating handles, wherein the interconnected engagement members are axially movable relative to the operating handles and the connection sections are configured so as to prevent both operating handles from being in the ON position at the same time.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Channel-type circuit breaker switch interlock

Life of this patent

Channel-type circuit breaker switch interlock

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20