Electrical switching apparatus and contact assembly therefor
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorJeffrey Scott Gibson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A contact assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a cradle member disposed in the housing, an operating handle extending into the housing, and an operating mechanism coupled to the cradle member. The contact assembly includes: a stationary contact structured to be disposed in the housing; a movable arm including a movable contact structured to engage the stationary contact, the movable arm being structured move between a CLOSED position and an EXTENDED OPEN position; and an extension apparatus structured to be disposed on the housing. When the movable arm is in the EXTENDED OPEN position, the extension apparatus maintains the movable arm in the EXTENDED OPEN position.
Claims16
A contact assembly for an electrical switching apparatus comprising a housing, a cradle member disposed in said housing, an operating handle extending into said housing, and an operating mechanism coupled to said cradle member, said contact assembly comprising:
- a stationary contact structured to be disposed in said housing;
- a movable arm comprising a movable contact structured to engage said stationary contact, said movable arm being structured to move between a CLOSED position and an EXTENDED OPEN position;
- and
- an extension apparatus structured to be disposed on said housing,
- wherein, when said movable arm is in the EXTENDED OPEN position, said extension apparatus maintains said movable arm in the EXTENDED OPEN position;
- wherein said extension apparatus comprises a U-shaped link member and an elongated extension disposed on said movable arm;
- wherein said movable arm comprises a distal portion disposed proximate said movable contact;
- wherein the elongated extension is disposed opposite the distal portion;
- wherein the link member comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion connecting the first leg to the second leg;
- wherein the elongated extension has an aperture;
- wherein the first leg at least partially extends into the aperture;
- and wherein the second leg is structured to be disposed on said housing.
An electrical switching apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- at least one operating handle extending into said housing;
- at least one cradle member disposed in said housing;
- at least one operating mechanism coupled to said at least one cradle member;
- and
- at least one contact assembly comprising:
- a stationary contact disposed in said housing,
- a movable arm comprising a movable contact structured to engage said stationary contact, said movable arm being structured to move between a CLOSED position and an EXTENDED OPEN position, and
- an extension apparatus disposed on said housing,
- wherein, when said movable arm is in the EXTENDED OPEN position, said extension apparatus maintains said movable arm in the EXTENDED OPEN position;
- wherein said extension apparatus comprises a U-shaped link member coupled to said movable arm and engaging said housing;
- wherein said housing comprises a wall portion and an internal portion adjacent to the wall portion;
- wherein the internal portion includes a slot;
- wherein said link member comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion connecting the first leg to the second leg;
- wherein the first leg is coupled to said movable arm;
- and wherein the second leg partially extends into the slot.
An electrical switching apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- at least one operating handle extending into said housing;
- at least one cradle member disposed in said housing;
- at least one operating mechanism coupled to said at least one cradle member;
- and
- at least one contact assembly comprising:
- a stationary contact disposed in said housing,
- a movable arm comprising a movable contact structured to engage said stationary contact, said movable arm being structured to move between a CLOSED position and an EXTENDED OPEN position, and
- an extension apparatus disposed on said housing,
- wherein, when said movable arm is in the EXTENDED OPEN position, said extension apparatus maintains said movable arm in the EXTENDED OPEN position;
- wherein said extension apparatus comprises a U-shaped link member and an elongated extension disposed on said movable arm;
- wherein said movable arm comprises a distal portion disposed proximate said movable contact;
- wherein the elongated extension is disposed opposite the distal portion;
- wherein the link member comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a middle portion connecting the first leg to the second leg;
- wherein the elongated extension has an aperture;
- wherein the first leg at least partially extends into the aperture;
- and wherein the second leg is disposed on said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.