Circuit breaker mechanism

A single operating mechanism for use with a circuit breaker having a plurality of circuit interruption mechanisms, said mechanism comprising:

• a) a pair of sidewalls each having an inner and outer surface, said inner surfaces of said pair of sidewalls being in a facing spaced relationship with respect to each other and at least two of said circuit interruption mechanisms being positioned in between said inner surface of said pair of sidewalls;
• b) a crank pin being operatively coupled to said circuit interruption mechanisms, the single operating mechanism configured to provide a sole means for applying a force to the circuit interruption mechanisms via said crank pin;
• c) a pair of linkage mechanisms one of said pair of linkage mechanisms being mounted to one of said pair of sidewalls and the other one being mounted to the other one of said pair of sidewalls, each of said linkage mechanisms comprising:
• i) a crank, having a crank opening for receiving and engaging said crank pin said crank being mounted to said sidewall for movement in a range defined by a first position and a second position;
• ii) a lower link pivotally connected to said crank at one end and pivotally connected to an upper link at the other end;
• and
• iii) a cradle pivotally connected to said sidewall and said upper link being fixedly secured to said cradle at a point remote from said lower link;
• d) a single handle yoke being pivotally mounted to said sidewalls for movement in a range defined by an open position and a closed position and said handle yoke being configured, dimensioned and positioned to cause said cradles to pivot with respect to said sidewalls, the movement of said cradle causing said upper and lower links to move, the movement it of said upper and lower links causes said crank to engage and apply a force to said crank pin solely from the single operating mechanism simultaneously operating said circuit interruption mechanisms.