Four-way interlock system and bypass transfer switch employing the same

An interlock system for a bypass transfer switch including a plurality of circuit breakers each having separable contacts and, an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a poleshaft operable between first and second positions corresponding to said separable contacts being closed and opened, respectively, and a trip lever adapted to open said separable contacts when actuated, said interlock system comprising:

• a plurality of interlock assemblies each structured to be coupled to a corresponding one of said circuit breakers, each of said interlock assemblies comprising:
• a mounting bracket structured to be coupled on or proximate to said corresponding one of said circuit breakers,
• a transmitting member disposed on said mounting bracket and structured to be coupled to said poleshaft of said operating mechanism of said corresponding one of said circuit breakers in order to move therewith, and
• a receiving mechanism disposed on said mounting bracket and structured to engage and actuate said trip lever of said operating mechanism of said corresponding one of said circuit breakers in response to a trip condition, said transmitting member and said receiving mechanism each including a primary connection and a secondary connection;
• and
• a plurality of linkages structured to interconnect at least the primary connections of a first interlock assembly of said interlock assemblies with the primary connections of a second interlock assembly of said interlock assemblies and the secondary connections of said first interlock assembly with the secondary connections of a third interlock assembly of said interlock assemblies,
• wherein said first and second interlock assemblies are structured to be coupled, respectively, to first and second corresponding circuit breakers, and said third interlock assembly is structured to be coupled to a third corresponding circuit breaker, and
• wherein said linkages are adapted to provide a predetermined automatic bypass interlock mechanism, without requiring a separate manual locking device.