Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for push-button circuit breakers. The breaker mechanism includes a frame and a pair of contacts supported relative to the frame which are displaceable relative to one another between an open and a closed position. A bell crank having a deflecting surface and a cam surface is pivotally mounted on the frame so as to pivot between a first and second stable position. A linkage assembly is coupled with the bell crank and at least one of the contacts and is displaceable so as to open and close the contacts. A push-button actuator is movably supported relative to the frame. The push-button actuator is adapted to engage the cam surface of the bell crank in its first stable position to displace the bell crank into the second stable position in order to displace the linkage assembly to close the contacts.