Switch lever captivation device
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsKenneth Martin Fischer, Robert Michael Pomaybo, Joseph Bell Humbert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A securing member for use in a switch assembly of a circuit breaker includes a support post and a fastener. The securing member assists in mounting an alarm switch onto a bracket of the switch assembly and further resists movement of the actuation levers of a pair of auxiliary switches from moving beyond a first given position and from potentially becoming caught in an operating mechanism that pivots a crossbar. The dual functionality of the securing member is cost effective and occupies only a minimal amount of additional space within the crowded confines of the circuit breaker.
Claims14
In an improved circuit breaker of the type including an operating mechanism and a switch assembly, the switch assembly including a bracket, a first switch, and a second switch, the second switch including a housing and an actuation lever, the actuation lever extending at least partially alongside and being movable with respect to the housing, the first switch being mounted on the bracket with a fastener, the improvement comprising:
- a support post mounted on the fastener, the support post being disposed adjacent the actuation lever and being structured to resist movement of the actuation lever farther away from the housing than a given position.
A method of resisting movement of a first actuation lever of a first switch farther away from a first housing of the first switch than a first given position, the method comprising the steps of:
- mounting a second switch to a bracket with a fastener;
- providing a support post extending from the fastener, the support post being disposed alongside the first actuation lever;
- and
- abutting the first actuation lever against the support post when the first actuation lever is in the first given position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.