Electrical switching apparatus, and charging assembly and interlock assembly therefor

A charging assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a stored energy mechanism, said charging assembly comprising:

• a latch assembly;
• a latch mechanism structured to be movably coupled to said housing of said electrical switching apparatus, said latch mechanism being movable between a first position corresponding to said latch mechanism latching said latch assembly, and a second position corresponding to said latch mechanism unlatching said latch assembly;
• a cam shaft structured to move said latch assembly in order to charge and discharge said stored energy mechanism;
• a charging handle coupled to said cam shaft, said charging handle being structured to pivot said cam shaft;
• and
• an interlock assembly comprising:
• a lever coupled to and movable with said latch mechanism of said charging assembly, and
• a latch interlock structured to be pivotably coupled to said housing of said electrical switching apparatus, said latch interlock comprising a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, said latch interlock being movable between a locked position corresponding to the first end of said latch interlock moving said lever to position said latch mechanism in said second position, and an unlocked position corresponding to the first end of said latch interlock moving said lever to position said latch mechanism in said first position,
• wherein, unless and until said stored energy mechanism is substantially fully charged, said latch interlock is disposed in said locked position, in order that said latch assembly is movable with respect to said latch mechanism.

An electrical switching apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• separable contacts enclosed by said housing;
• an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a stored energy mechanism;
• and
• a charging assembly for charging said stored energy mechanism, said charging assembly comprising:
• a latch assembly,
• a latch mechanism movably coupled to said housing of said electrical switching apparatus, said latch mechanism being movable between a first position corresponding to said latch mechanism latching said latch assembly, and a second position corresponding to said latch mechanism unlatching said latch assembly,
• a cam shaft moving said latch assembly in order to charge and discharge said stored energy mechanism,
• a charging handle coupled to said cam shaft, said charging handle being structured to pivot said cam shaft, and
• an interlock assembly comprising:
• a lever coupled to and movable with said latch mechanism of said charging assembly, and
• a latch interlock pivotably coupled to said housing of said electrical switching apparatus, said latch interlock comprising a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, said latch interlock being movable between a locked position corresponding to the first end of said latch interlock moving said lever to position said latch mechanism in said second position, and an unlocked position corresponding to the first end of said latch interlock moving said lever to position said latch mechanism in said first position,
• wherein, unless and until said stored energy mechanism is substantially fully charged, said latch interlock is disposed in said locked position, in order that said latch assembly is movable with respect to said latch mechanism.