Abstract: A dampening apparatus has a housing with a plurality of first guide members and a plurality of second guide members coupled together. A first biasing member is located in an area proximate to the first guide members and within the housing. A first planar member is provided having a plurality of first apertures with the first guide members or the second guide members passing through the first apertures. A plurality of second planar members is provided having a plurality of second apertures with the second guide members passing through the second apertures. A plurality of second biasing members is located in an area proximate to the second guide members. An elongated shaft is coupled to the first planar member. The dampening apparatus could be included in a circuit interrupter.