Abstract: A circuit breaker having a positive-off stop feature includes an operating lever rotatably coupled to a side frame, a tension lever coupled to the side frame, and an upper toggle linkage and a stop link each rotatably coupled to the tension lever. The upper toggle linkage may be configured to rotate the stop link. The operating lever may be configured to move rotatably to and from an ON position and an OFF position provided the main contacts of the circuit breaker are not welded or otherwise stuck together. Should the main contacts become welded or otherwise stuck together, the upper toggle linkage may be configured to rotate the stop link to a position wherein the stop link may be configured to prevent the operating lever from moving into the OFF position. Methods of assembling a circuit breaker positive-off stop feature are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A power control apparatus in the form of a standard, toggle, wall-mounted light switch for remote actuation of an electrical load or local manual override. A switch housing supports and retains a latching relay that includes power terminals, a switching terminal for remote actuation by a control signal, and a manual override. A switch lever extends from the body of the switch housing for manual actuation to override the state of the relay. The switch lever engages the manual override of the latching relay upon manual actuation by a person. A centering structure maintains the switch lever in a centered position to allow unimpeded movement of the manual override. The latching relay can be remotely actuated by a signal at its switching terminal to switch a power load connected to the power terminals on or off, or the relay can be manually overridden by actuation of the switch lever.

Abstract: A solenoid includes a solenoid housing defining a solenoid centerline; and an ignition magnetic switch including an ignition magnetic switch coil disposed at least partially within the housing, the ignition magnetic switch coil having a magnetic field that encompasses the solenoid centerline.

Abstract: A spring assembly is provided for a yoke assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft. The yoke assembly is coupled to the pole shaft and is movable among first and second positions corresponding to the separable contacts being closed and open, respectively. The spring assembly includes a number of first springs having a first spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly, and a number of second springs having a second spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly. The second spring rate is different than the first spring rate. The number of first springs and the number of second springs bias the yoke assembly toward the second position.

Abstract: A relay includes a magnetic system provided with an armature and a contact system provided with a first contact and a moveable second contact. An electrically insulating base plate is arranged between the magnetic system and the contact system and has an opening therein. First and second walls extend from the base plate and are arranged between the opening and the magnetic system or the opening and the contact system. An actuator extends between the armature and the contact system through the opening and transfers movement of the armature to the second contact to move the second contact into electrical engagement with the first contact. The actuator has a third wall that extends toward the base plate and between the first and second walls. The first, second, and third walls extend a leakage path of an electrical leakage current between the contact system and the magnetic system.

Abstract: A contact spring assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a movable contact assembly and a stationary contact assembly having stationary electrical contacts. The movable contact assembly includes a carrier assembly, and movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly and carrying movable electrical contacts. The contact spring assembly includes a first contact spring housing member, a second contact spring housing member coupled to and disposed opposite from the first contact spring housing member, a spring guide disposed between and coupled to at least one of the first and second contact spring housing members and including spring holes, springs received in the spring holes, and sliders coupled to the springs. The springs and sliders individually bias the movable contact arms and movable electrical contacts toward engagement with corresponding stationary electrical contacts. A movable contact assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An opening assist mechanism is for the cradle assembly of a circuit breaker including a housing enclosing separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a trip bar and a cradle assembly. The cradle assembly includes a first toggle link, a second toggle link pivotally coupled to the first toggle link by a first pivot, and a cradle member pivotally coupled to the second toggle link by a second pivot. The cradle member includes a third pivot and a latching portion structured to engage the trip bar when the cradle assembly is disposed in a position corresponding to the separable contacts being closed or otherwise closeable. The opening assist mechanism comprises an actuator, such as a kicker pin, disposed on the cradle member and structured to engage and move at least one of the first and second toggle links in response to an actuation of the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a fixed contact; a movable contact disposed in a rotary-type contact holder; a switching device; an operation handle; and an over-current tripping device. The operation handle is operated to open and close main-circuit contact points through the switching device. The switching device includes a handle lever connected to the operation handle; a toggle linkage having an upper toggle link and a lower toggle link; a switching spring placed between the handle lever and an arm connecting point of the toggle linkage; and a side plate for holding the components. The circuit breaker further includes a device for preventing the operation handle from moving to an off position when the contact points are stuck together. The device includes first stoppers formed on a cross bar of the contact holder and the handle lever facing the cross bar, and a second stopper formed on the side plate.

Abstract: An electric circuit breaker (10) has a toggle mechanism (18) having two movable over center joints (3, 4) connected between a push-button (16) and a movable contact mechanism (30). When the push-button is depressed a first link rotates bringing the first movable over center joint (3) across a center position represented by a first imaginary straight line (1) to a stop surface (28). A spring member (36) provides a bias which acts on the second movable over center joint (4) normally maintaining the second movable joint against the stop surface so that with the two movable over center joints biased against the stop surface the movable contact mechanism is moved to a closed contact position when the push-button is depressed.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes main circuit contact shoes disposed in a circuit breaker case and urged by a contact spring, a contact opening and closing mechanism located above the contact shoes and including an opening and closing lever, a toggle link, an opening and closing handle and a latch, and an overcurrent tripping device located above the contact shoes. The toggle link includes a first link extending between the opening and closing lever and a toggle shaft located above, and a second link extending between the toggle shaft and the latch to overlap the first link in the V-form, and an opening and closing spring extends between the toggle shaft and a tip of a handle lever coupled to the opening and closing handle to extend downward. As a result, a space occupied by the contact opening and closing mechanism section in the height direction can be reduced to make the circuit breaker more compact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device (14) which is arranged to switch a load (12) to a direct voltage circuit (13). The switching device (14) comprises a switching member (14a) consisting of at least three contacts (7,8,9), a control member (10) which controls the contacts (7,8,9) of the switching member (14a) and has the positions open [0] and closed [1], and one or more spring members (16a, 16b) which are tensioned by the control member (10) and control the contacts.

Abstract: A collapsible contact arm drive link arrangement for a circuit breaker operating mechanism has a pair of upper links for receiving the circuit breaker operating mechanism and a lower link for receiving a circuit breaker contact arm carrier at one end. Intermediate the upper links and the lower link, a scissors link, which is connected with the upper links and lower link, allows the lower link to move from a first position (e.g., closed) to a second position (e.g., tripped). The movement occurs upon the application of a force on the lower link in excess of a predetermined force that is applied to the upper links.

Abstract: Current switch with moving contacts cooperating with fixed contacts comprising, for each electric phase, a crank, pivoting about a pin, and a link rod, operationally connected to the crank and to the mechanism for opening and closing the switch, there being provision for the contact-carrying levers to be fulcrumed in the lower part to a pin integral with the crank, for, above the pin, the levers to have, on the opposite side to the contacts, seats against which spring means bear, for the opposite ends of the spring means to bear against seats formed at the top on the side of the support of the crank, opposite the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having a stationary contact, a movable contact and a blade which has a first end and a second end. The movable contact is secured to the first end of the blade. The blade is rotatable about a pin between a BLOWN OPEN position and a CLOSED position, wherein the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact when the blade is in the BLOWN OPEN position and the movable contact engages the stationary contact when the blade is in the CLOSED position. The blade further has a protrusion portion extending from its second end. The circuit breaker further includes a catcher rotatably coupled to a pivot pin and having a nose portion for engagement with the blade protrusion portion.

Abstract: A current limiting contact system for a circuit breaker with improved durability and a reliable electrodynamic contact system opening. The moveable contact is composed of several contact fingers with a moveable contact piece. Each contact finger is mounted at one end by a swivel pin and connected at the other end to the selector shaft by a toggle system which is acted upon by a contact force spring. On the swivel pin side of a phase connector, tabs are configured. The tabs, when lateral contact pressure is applied, produce the sole electrical connection with the contact fingers. The force effect of the contact force spring is translated into an obtuse angle, in the "ON" state, to the contact finger. During electrodynamic opening, the relevant contact finger tips into a stable position. The wear on the contact pieces is counteracted by increasing contact pressure force up to the maximum travel. The contact system for limiting short circuit currents is suitable for multi pole circuit breakers.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having an operating mechanism for rotating a blade about a pin between an OPEN position and a CLOSED position, thereby separating and engaging a stationary contact and a movable contact which is secured to the blade. The operating mechanism has a frame and a first link coupled at one end thereof to the frame and its opposite end coupled to a first end of a second link. The operating mechanism further includes a third link having a first end coupled to a second end of the second link and a second end coupled to the blade for moving the blade between the OPEN position and the CLOSED position. The first and second links are disposed on the opposite side of the pin from the movable contact.

Abstract: An electrical switch having a transmission linkage which is actuated by a rocker and which is coupled to a slide bearing contacts and which contains a triggering lever cooperating with a latching piece. The technical problem is to provide a switch with a strong latching force and reliable unlatching. The transmission linkage is constructed as a toggle lever, to the toggle joint (13) of which the rocker (14) is coupled and the first lever (12) of which is coupled in a bearing which is fixed to the housing and the second lever (11) of which is constructed as a latching lever for a pivot lever (10), which latching lever is active in a position of the toggle lever above the dead center. The pivot lever (10) engages into the slide (6). A yoke lever (15) is constructed as a triggering lever for the second lever (11) of the toggle lever and as a counterbearing for a pressure spring (26).

Abstract: An operation mechanism of a circuit breaker which allows either automatic or manual operation of the circuit breaker. The mechanism includes a moving contact lever, a hook lever, a handle, a pair of toggle links connecting the hook lever and the moving contact lever, an operation lever linked to the handle, and a spring connected between the operation lever and a joint of the toggle links. The operation mechanism may also include opening and closing delay latches which preclude movement of the toggle links until the handle has been fully turned to either one of two positions.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device has a chamber in which is disposed a single break contact system using low contact resistance material mounted on movable and stationary supports arranged in a loop configuration in order to direct arcs between the contacts through an arc chute into a remote portion of the chamber. A push-button is connected through a kinematic linkage which transfers motion using minimal frictional engagement to a movable contact to bring the movable contact into and out of engagement with a stationary contact and to latch the contacts in engagement during normal operation. A cantilevered current carrying bimetal transfers motion caused by I R heating of the bimetal to an ambient compensating bimetal connected to the latch mechanism. The kinematic linkage includes a latch surface which engages a rollable cylindrical reaction surface of the latch mechanism to cause the movable contact to come into engagement with the stationary contact upon depression of the push-button.

Abstract: A magnetic vacuum circuit breaker includes a sealed casing. Mounted in the casing are a stationary contact, a movable contact, a linkage connected to the movable contact, a tension for activating the linkage, and a stop device controllable by an electromagnet for normally hindering the linkage from the linking-up motion resulting from the tension force of the tension spring. A manual switch is provided for moving the movable contact to electrically connect with and disconnect from the stationary contact to thus close and open the circuit. An automatically indicating device is drivable by the linkage to indicate the state of overload or short-circuit when the circuit is converted into the same state. In addition, when the circuit is converted to the state of overload or short-circuit, the linkage is released from the stop device by the action of the electromagnet so that the movable contact is pulled by the tension spring away from the stationary contact to open the circuit.

Abstract: A power supply switch wherein a contact operating member pivotably supported at its middle is coupled at one end to an end of a spring link and at the other end to an end of a tension spring, the spring link is coupled at the other end substantially to the center of a movable contactor which carrying on one end a movable contact for engaging with and disengaging from a fixed contact as well as the other end of the tension spring, and the movable contactor is formed to have on the other end a latch part to which a latch member is engageable as operatively associated with a bimetal plate for tripping the latch member to disengage it from the latch part, whereby the switch is made to break the contacts specifically upon detection of any excessive current, while sufficiently minimizing the size of the entire switch and improving the operability with an effectively reduced spring load applied during rocking operation of the operating member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fast closing mechanism of a circuit breaker with an operating handle.The mechanism comprises an energy storage spring disposed between the handle and an intermediate lever supporting a transmission rod. A retaining plate operates in conjunction with a pin of the handle to occupy either an active position locking the rod during loading of the spring, or a retracted position unlocking the rod allowing the spring to be released at the end of closing travel.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus characterized by a molded case containing a circuit breaker structure for opening and closing a circuit which structure comprises a releasable lever operable between latched and unlatched positions corresponding to open and closed circuit conditions, latch means including a latch lever for the releasable lever, interconnected toggle connected to the latch lever and that are biased to the unlatched position of the lever, and a movable trip bar responsive to predetermined overcurrents and having a projection contacting the toggle links for holding the links in the unbiased position.

Abstract: A protective switching apparatus is provided comprising in an insulating case an interruptible current path in which cooperating contacts are disposed, one of which is fixed and the other is mobile in response to the actuation of a tripping member. The mobile contact is disposed at a first end of a contact holder arm whose second end is associated with a retractable fulcrum forming the output member of the lock, the contact holder arm being subjected to the action of a resilient quick opening means and to the action of a resilient closure means. The contact holder arm is mounted without fixed fulcrum, so as to pivot either by bearing against a bearing surface of the toggle joint during tripping on a fault, or against a bearing surface of the retractable fulcrum of the lock during voluntary manual or automatic tripping.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention comprises a case housing a fixed contact and a mobile contact carried by a pivoting lever, with resilient return to the closure position, a rocking lever adapted for acting on the pivoting lever in the opening direction in response to an electric fault and a manual control member connected to the pivoting lever. A single spring exerts on the pivoting lever a first torque in the closure direction and on a drive piece blockable by the rocking lever a force adapted to generate on the lever a second torque antagonistic to and greater than the first one. With the manual control member a third torque antagonistic to and greater than the first one is exerted on the pivoting lever.

Abstract: A safety interlock switching device for protecting equipment, which assures the switching-off of the dangerous operating condition in the opened position of the protecting equipment, and comprises a housing, a toggle lever provided with a pivotably mounted locking lever which has two dead center points and has a cam surface which cooperates with a respective cam surface of an actuating element rigidly mounted on the protective hood and insertable into the housing. A switch is provided which actuates the toggle lever. The toggle lever and the switch are positioned in the housing of the switching device. The housing has an insertion opening into which the actuating element is insertable. In one dead center position of the toggle lever, the locking lever and the actuating element interlock with each other, and in the other dead center position the dangerous operating condition is switched off by the switch, and the actuating element with the protective hood are released.

Abstract: A remotely controlled circuit control device has first and second load contact assemblies movable into circuit engagement and circuit disengagement positions relative to one another in which one load contact assembly is operatively connected to a solenoid so that alternate forward strokes of the solenoid moves the one load contact assembly between reset and tripped positions through a push-push mechanism having an indexing portion and a latching portion. An overload mechanism cooperates with the latch portion to cause the load contact assemblies to move to the circuit disengaged position upon occurrence of a fault condition. The second load contact assembly includes pivotably mounted contact members which are linked to the first load contact assembly in such a way that circuit engagement during solenoid energization is precluded.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a pair of contacts supported relative to a frame. One of the contacts is supported on a contact arm which is displaceable about a pivot to open and close the contacts. A releasable latch holds a rotatable cradle arm in latched position against the bias of an over-center spring connected between the contact arm and the cradle arm to bias the contact arm into over-center positions. An actuating link is coupled with the contact arm. When the cradle arm is held in the latched position, movement of the link from a first position to a second position displaces the contact arm pivot over center, causing the over-center spring to move the contact arm to close the contacts.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor having an electromagnet consisting of a fixed core and an operating coil mounted on the fixed core, a plurality of fixed contacts, a crossbar disposed above the fixed core, a plurality of contact bars associated with the crossbar and each provided with a pair of movable contacts located opposite the corresponding fixed contacts, respectively, a movable core joined to the lower portion of the crossbar opposite to the fixed core, and a rigid frame consisting of two parallel polygonal bars and two parallel connecting bars interconnecting the respective opposite ends of the polygonal bars. The crossbar and the movable core are supported pivotally on the rigid frame.

Abstract: A switch to be used for a power window of an automobile or the like is disclosed. It has a switch body. A knob is rotatably axially supported by the switch body. The knob has an accommodating chamber in its inside. A presser is accommodated within the chamber and biased downward by a spring. A pair of contact blades are positioned under the presser. Each of the contact blades is formed at its central portion with a V-shaped portion and inclined surfaces extending toward the right and left directions. The inclined surfaces are further extended to form contact portions. There is formed with a step between the inclined surfaces and the contact portions, so that a first step of operation and a second step of operation of the knob can be made without mistake. Stationary contacts are positioned corresponding to the contact portions. It also has a pair of contact holders. Each of the holders has a supporting piece folded upward from its one side.

Abstract: A remotely controlled circuit control device has first and second load contact assemblies movable into circuit engagement and circuit disengagement positions relative to one another in which one load contact assembly is operatively connected to a solenoid so that alternate forward strokes of the solenoid moves the one load contact assembly between reset and tripped positions through a push-push mechanism having an indexing portion and a latching portion. An overload mechanism cooperates with the latch portion to cause the load contact assemblies to move to the circuit disengaged position upon occurrence of a fault condition. The second load contact assembly includes pivotably mounted contact members which are linked to the first load contact assembly in such a way that circuit engagement during solenoid energization is precluded.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a highly integrated operating mechanism having an over-center toggle mechanism for opening and closing a pair of electrical contacts and a trip mechanism for responding to overload and short circuit or fault current conditions to separate the pair of electrical contacts. A generally flat, intermediate latch plate includes an upper latch surface for latching with a movable cradle of the over-center toggle mechanism and a lower latch surface for latching with a trip bar of the trip mechanism and a pair of outwardly projecting pivot arms disposed between the upper and lower latch surfaces. The over-center toggle mechanism includes a pair of upper toggle links and a pair of lower toggle links interconnected by a toggle spring pin.

Abstract: A pair of springs (14, 22) provide counteracting rotational bias to a movable contact arm (8) pivotally supported on a latched lever (10). A handle (4) is manually operable for reducing the force applied by one spring (22) to effect contact (6a, 8b) opening as a result of force applied by the other spring (14). Current sensing means (28, 34, 28a) are operable to release the latched lever (10) for releasing the pivot point (12) of the movable contact arm (8) whereby both springs (14, 22) work in a common direction to rapidly separate the contacts (6a, 8b). Arc gases are exhausted in the direction of separating movement of the movable contact arm (8) to utilize forces associated with arc gas pressure in a cummulative manner with the forces provided by springs (14, 22) to further increase the contact separation speed.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection switch having one or more thermal and/or magnetic trips (14,21) and a mechanical switch latch which essentially consists of an actuating element and a latching lever (6) which acts in conjunction with the former and which with its first end acts upon a plunger (8) which is guided in the longitudinal direction of the housing (69) under an initial spring tension and which drives the switching contacts, and which latching lever rests with its other end in the latching position under an initial spring tension on a support area (13) of a trip lever (9), wherein, for improving the switching-off characteristics and the handling characteristics of the switch, the trip lever (9) is constructed as an essentially L-shaped angle lever which in the area of its angle is rotationally supported on a shaft (75) which is stationary with respect to the housing, which lever is subjected to an initial spring tension with respect to the thermal and/or magnetic trip (14,21) and which engages with the swive

Abstract: A fully automated residential-type circuit breaker assembly is made possible by the provision of retaining slots and guide channels formed within the breaker case. The breaker case then serves as an assembly fixture for specially designed armatures and magnets used within the trip section of the breaker as well as for a special designed bi-metallic trip element. A high calibration yield is accomplished by means of a low friction latch assembly.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a contact opening and closing mechanism including a contact actuator member which is moved between a first position and a second position to close and open the contacts. The movable contact is mounted on one end of an elongated contact carrier which is connected in its central region by means of a pin and slot combination (providing a free floating coupling arrangement) to the contact actuator member. A compression spring is positioned between the contact actuator member and a portion of the contact carrier between the pin and slot combination and the other end of the contact carrier. When the contact actuator member is in the first position, the compression spring produces a torque in one direction about the other end of the contact carrier forcing the contacts closed.

Abstract: A thermal magnetic circuit interrupter with instantaneous short circuit current response utilizes a hook-shaped contact arm pivotally mounted on the operating mechanism at the end of the contact arm most distant from the contact. A saddle-type torsion spring proximate the pivot end of the contact arm provides adequate contact pressure while allowing the contact to immediately respond to magnetic forces generated under short circuit conditions. The immediate separation of the contacts reduces the current let-through the operating mechanisms while the tripping mechanism operates to trip the breaker.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a contact opening and closing mechanism including a contact actuator member which is moved between a first position and a second position to close and open the contacts. The movable contact is mounted on one end of a contact carrier which is pivotally mounted at its central region to the contact actuator member. A leaf spring is positioned between the other end of the contact carrier and the circuit breaker case. When the contact actuator member is in the first position, the leaf spring produces a torque on the contact carrier in one direction about the pivot forcing the contacts closed. When the contact actuator member moves from the first position toward the second, the leaf spring becomes ineffective and a torsion spring which engages the contact carrier and the contact actuator arm produces a torque pivoting the contact carrier in the opposite direction thus enhancing the contact opening process.

Abstract: A multipole circuit breaker having a housing with a top wall center recess receiving a center strut of an interior trim. An operating assembly is interconnected with a trip assembly through a transistor link passing beneath the center recess and is operable by the magnetic assembly to assist the operating assembly in separating the breaker contacts in response to a fault current. A closure member overlapped by the interior trim prevents access to the load wires. A voltage reject configuration is provided on the housing to prevent mounting in a panelboard designed to carry voltages higher than that for which the circuit breaker is rated and a jaw assembly for the breaker is disclosed having a plurality of contact positions with each leg of a U shaped bus stab.

Abstract: A multipole circuit breaker having a housing with a top wall center recess receiving a center strut of an interior trim. An operating assembly is interconnected with a trip assembly through a translator link passing beneath the center recess and is operable by the magnetic assembly to assist the operating assembly in separating the breaker contacts in response to a fault current. A closure member overlapped by the interior trim prevents access to the load wires. A voltage reject configuration is provided on the housing to prevent mounting in a panelboard designed to carry voltages higher than that for which the circuit breaker is rated and a jaw assembly for the breaker is disclosed having a plurality of contact positions with each leg of a U shaped bus stab.

Abstract: A circuit breaker incorporates a collapsible telescoping linkage installed between its control handle and electrical contacts. The collapsible telescoping linkage is normally locked in an extended position to open and close the contacts as the control handle is moved between its off and on positions. The circuit breaker includes an electromagnetically operated armature operable in response to an overload condition to unlock the collapsible telescoping linkage to allow the linkage to collapse and instantaneously break the contacts. Thereafter, when the control handle moves to its off position, the linkage is locked in its extended position so that upon subsequent movement of the control handle to its on position the circuit breaker is automatically reset.

Abstract: A bus-mountable, circuit-interrupting device, including an interrupting unit and a novel line-potential, manually-resettable operating mechanism for the unit, is usable in circuits in which faults may exceed the interrupting capability of the unit. A normally engaged pair of contacts in the unit is separable within an arc-extinguishing medium. The operating mechanism includes a robust, stored-energy operator, for separating the contacts, and a tripping mechanism, which selectively releases the stored operating energy. The tripping mechanism normally prevents release of the stored operating energy, and includes a high mechanical advantage lever-link system which permits a low latching force to counteract the stored operating energy. A ratchet-solenoid combination in the tripping mechanism selectively removes the low latching force.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided with an elongated movable contact arm pivotally mounted at one of its ends, the movable contact secured to its other end, and the contact operating mechanism connected to the contact arm at a point intermediate the ends thereof. Breaking of contact welds is facilitated by constructing the contact arm pivot of a fixed pin which extends through an elongated slot in the contact arm so that during initial opening motion of the contact arm the latter will pivot about the point of engagement between the movable and stationary contacts as the slot moves relative to the pin and in this way a levered prying action is obtained to facilitate the breaking of welds formed between the contacts.

Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker includes a wide toggle shaft which spans all of the poles of the breaker and which is electrically neutral. The lower links of the toggle mechanism are made of phenolic or other insulating material which thus electrically insulates the wide toggle shaft spanning all of the poles of the breaker and makes the toggle shaft electrically neutral. A plurality of short toggle springs may therefore be connected between the wide toggle shaft and a handle arm of corresponding width. The plurality of short toggle springs provide as much tripping energy as the longer single or double toggle springs of prior art circuit breakers in which the springs are clustered together in alignment with one pole of the breaker to which they are electrically connected and whose polarity the toggle springs in such prior art breakers accordingly take.

Abstract: A remotely-controllable electromagnetic switching apparatus including a housing, a contact bridge carrier disposed within the housing, and means for mechanically latching the contact bridge carrier by locking the contact bridge carrier in an operative switching position by means of a first lever member which is movable into a return-movement region of the contact bridge carrier by means of a spring force and is pivotably coupled to a second lever member. The improvement comprises the lever members comprising toggle levers which are movable into an almost fully-extended, beyond dead-center position for blocking return movement of the contact bridge carrier into the return movement region. At least one of the toggle levers is coupled to and guided by rollers which engage the housing of the switching apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit breaker including stationary contact means and a movable contact operable between open and closed positions with respect to the stationary contact means. A contact holder engages the movable contact, and means are utilized for effecting movement of the movable contact between the open and closed positions. Indicator means indicate the position of the movable contact with respect to the stationary contact, and may also function to reset an automatic tripping mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snap action circuit breaker with a compact one piece steel frame in a two part, telescoping molded circuit breaker case. The compact construction is combined with a symmetrical toggle actuator to provide a pleasing appearance suitable for mounting at readily accessible and visible locations on the front of an instrument panel. A variety of handle constructions are usable with the same basic mechanism. By providing a snap actuated contact construction with substantial overcurrent trip delay the device combines the best features of modern manual switches and circuit breakers so that it is in effect a manual switch with nuisance free over-current trip protection.

Abstract: A high performance, manually and automatically operable, trip-free magnetic circuit breaker incorporates a collapsible linkage having selected elements of precision molded plastic cooperating in a dual latch system, the linkage being adapted to be accurately assembled and mounted in the breaker without requiring adjustment inside the breaker housing; incorporates a double break contact system to achieve longer life, more reliable operation and improved rupture capacity; and incorporates auxiliary switch means with improved actuator biasing to achieve more reliable breaker operation in auxiliary switch applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snap action circuit breaker with a compact one piece steel frame in a two part, telescoping molded circuit breaker case. The compact construction is combined with a symmetrical toggle actuator to provide a pleasing appearance suitable for mounting at readily accessible and visible locations on the front of an instrument panel. A variety of handle constructions are usable with the same basic mechanism. By providing a snap actuated contact construction with substantial overcurrent trip delay the device combines the best features of modern manual switches and circuit breakers so that it is in effect a manual switch with nuisance free over-current trip protection.

Abstract: A safety interlock switching device for protecting equipment, which assures the switching-off of the dangerous operating condition in the opened position of the protecting equipment, and comprises a housing, a toggle lever provided with a pivotably mounted locking lever which has two dead center points and has a cam surface which cooperates with a respective cam surface of an actuating element rigidly mounted on the protective hood and insertable into the housing. A switch is provided which actuates the toggle lever. The toggle lever and the switch are positioned in the housing of the switching device. The housing has an insertion opening into which the actuating element is insertable. In one dead center position of the toggle lever, the locking lever and the actuating element interlock with each other, and in the other dead center position the dangerous operating condition is switched off by the switch, and the actuating element with the protective hood are released.