Abstract: An actuator, which is a part of a combination that includes a pair of circuit interrupters, advantageously employs a plurality of Thomson coils that are electrically connected in parallel and that interact with a corresponding set of Thomson plates of a rotatable armature in order to perform useful work in a rapid fashion. In one embodiment, the useful work is to commutate current from one circuit interrupter to the other.

Abstract: An electric transfer switch includes a three-position toggle mechanism and a crossbar which is mounted on the toggle mechanism. The crossbar carries a plurality of moveable contacts and is rotated by the toggle mechanism. The moveable contacts normally contact one set of the stationary contacts in one closed position which are connected to a normal main power supply. The moveable contacts are rotated to a neutral non-power line in an open position, and are further rotated to another closed position, which are connected to a standby emergency power supply to supply electricity to the transferred electrical loads. The toggle mechanism includes a multi-bar linkage which is rotated by a handle of the toggle mechanism among the open position and two closed positions. A plurality of springs and catches are used to maintain the contact between the moveable contacts and the stationary contacts, even when a "fault" current passes through the contact tips of the moveable and stationary contacts.

Abstract: A contact blade assembly for a circuit breaker comprises a blade carrier, an elongated blade, and a toggle spring. The blade carrier includes a blade pivot and a first spring pivot. The elongated blade has an electrical contact mounted thereto and includes a second spring pivot. The blade is rotatably mounted to the blade pivot of the blade carrier for rotation between a closed position and an open position. The toggle spring is connected to the first spring pivot at one end and to the second spring pivot at the other end. The first spring pivot, the second spring pivot, and the blade pivot are arranged such that a toggle condition associated with the rotation of the blade relative to the blade carrier corresponds to the blade pivot being located in line and between the first and second spring pivots. The toggle spring biases the blade away from the toggle condition in a first direction while the blade is disposed in the closed position.

Abstract: A mechanical switch wherein a pushbutton is installed at the front end of an elongated housing for movement through a predetermined distance between extended and depressed positions. The pushbutton is rigid with a reflector for a light source which can be inserted into the housing by the pushbutton. The light source has electric contacts which are removably received in sockets of the housing to engage complementary electric contacts which, in turn, are connectable with an energy source. The pushbutton carries prongs which are integral with the reflector and have guide surfaces for a follower of the light source. The guide surfaces are longer than the predetermined distance so that, once the light source is installed in the housing, the pushbutton and the reflector are free to move relative to the light source between extended and depressed positions.

Abstract: First and second contact bars are spaced apart in fixed positions. A pressure responsive ram has first and second positions of penetration into a casing which contains the bars and other elements. A bolt is disposed between the ram and a first element which is pivotable about the second bar between a first position and a second position. A second elemtn is coupled to the first element. When the ram is in its first position, the bolt places the first element in the first position causing the second element to establish a current carrying path between the bars. When the ram is in its second position, the bolt places the first element in the second position, causing the second element to break the current path. A device disposed between the belt and the ram exerts a biasing pressure on one end of the ram which maintains the ram in its first position. When a larger pressure is exerted on the other end of the ram, the ram is moved into the second position.