US3875360A

US3875360A - Stored-energy operating mechanism for switch blades

Info

Publication number: US3875360A
Application number: US445735A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tadeusz J Rys
Original assignee: Square D Co
Current assignee: Schneider Electric USA Inc
Priority date: 1973-02-05
Filing date: 1974-02-25
Publication date: 1975-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-01

Abstract

A spring-charging handle of the mechanism is turned in one direction to charge a closing spring for the switch blades and in an opposite direction to charge an opening spring. Either spring may be charged first, but both springs must be charged before the closing spring can be discharged to close the switch blades. An interlock is provided between a door for enclosing the switch mechanism and a latch releasing means.

Description

Apr. 1, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Rys 200/l46 6/l97l 200/l53 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS m e d r O N 0 7 9 H 2 95 9 (D2 900 33 STORED-ENERGY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCH BLADES [75] Inventor: Tadeusz J. Rys, Monroe, Ohio l,948,209 ll/l970 Germany200/l53 [73] Assignee:

Square D. Co., Park Ridge. Ill. Feb. '25, 1974 211 App]. No.: 445,735

Primary Examiner-T. E. Lynch [22] Filed:

Assistant Examiner-John W. Redman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harold J. Rathbun; Ernest S. Kettelson Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 329,804. Feb. 5. I973.

abandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT A spring-charging handle of the mechanism is turned A%O M 0 w e m fl 01 CH 1 S2-C new A 0 m m H2 mo m "3" n mhm mm H r. 8 S em l WM k UI F H N 555 III [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS An interlock is provided between a door for enclosing the switch mechanism and a latch releasing means.

1938.408 12/1933 200/92 2.910.557 10/1959 200/74 9 Claims, 20 Drawing gures PMEMEBAPR' 1191s 1'. 875, 360

FIG.

STORED-ENERGY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCH BLADES This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 329,804. filed Feb. 5, I973 now abandoned.

Prior stored energy operating mechanisms for switch blades permitted closing of the switch blades without charging of the opening spring. Warning signals were activated when this dangerous condition occurred. but there was always the possibility that the warning would be ignored or misunderstood.

An object ofthis invention is to provide an improved stored energy operating mechanism for switch blades. the mechanism having means preventing closing ofthe switch blades unless both the opening and closing springs have been charged.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when the following specification is considered along with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a relatively large switch having a stored-energy operating mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention. an enclosure for the switch being omitted;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a switch similar to that of FIG. I, but relatively smaller, and showing mainly the stored-energy operating mechanism thereof. which is also constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2, with certain parts omitted and other parts shown in section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2 taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but including a portion of a closed door of an enclosure for the switch and showing an interlock member of FIG. 5 in a different position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2 taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3, with certain parts omitted, and showing opening and closing springs of the operating mecha nism in discharged condition;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the opening and closing springs of the operating mechanism in charged condition;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2 taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4, with certain parts shown in phantom and other parts broken away, and showing the charging of the opening spring;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2 taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 4, and showing the charging of the closing spring;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are simplified views similar to FIG. 9 and illustrating the change of position of a latch pin for an actuating plate of the closing spring as the condition of the opening spring is changed from a discharged condition of FIG. 11 to a charged condition of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view ofa release member for the latch pin for the actuating plate of the closing spring;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a latch pin for one of the actuating plates of the opening and closing springs;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of certain parts shown in FIG. 15, the parts being assembled and shown in their position assumed upon charging of the closing spring of the operating mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a side view of certain parts shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a cam member shown in FIGS. 15 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2 taken in the direction of arrows 19-19 of FIG. 3 and depicting an open condition of the switch; and

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but depicting a closed condition of the switch.

With reference to the drawings. a switch 22 having an operating mechanism 23 constructed in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The switch 22 is of a relatively high capacity and includes a pair of connected stationary contact blades 24 in each of three poles. In the closed condition of the switch 22, each blade 24 is clamped by a pair of movable contact blades 26. Each pair of blades 26 is pivotally mounted on a mounting blade 28 and clamps the respective blade 28 in the closed condition of the switch 22. The clamping means by which each pair ofblades 26 at one end clamps a contact blade 24 and at the other end clamps a mounting blade 28 includes a pair of nuts 30 non-rotatably mounted on each blade 26 on one side thereof respectively adjacent opposite longitudinal ends thereof. The nuts 30 on one blade 26 of a pair face oppositely and are oppositely threaded from those on the other blade 26 of the pair. A pair of studs 32, one of which is mounted in the respective mounting blade 28, is provided for each pair of blades 26. Each stud 32 is provided with oppositely threaded portions for mating with the pair of oppositely threaded nuts 30 mounted thereon.

In a manner not shown. the 12 blades 26 are operatively connected to a crossbar 34 movable to pivot the blades 26 to open and closed positions with respect to the stationary contact blades 24. The blades 26 pivot about the studs 32 mounted in the mounting blades 28, and the stud 32 mounted adjacent the free end of each pair of blades 26 is received in a slot 24a of the respective blade 24 when the blades 26 are moved to closed position. The blades 26 and the crossbar 34 pivot as a unit during their movement from fully open to fully closed position. but when the blades 26 are substantially in fully closed position, the cross bar 34 is caused. by mechanism not shown, to pivot about its operative connections (not shown) to the blades 26. This relative pivotal each pole movement operates three links 36, one for the four blades 26 of. and is more fully disclosed in copending application, Ser. No 336,147. filed Feb. 26, I973. The links 36 are pivotally connected adjacent one end respectively to pairs of members forming part of the operative connections of the crossbar 34 to the blades 26, and pivotally connected adjacent the other end respectively to pairs of crank members 38 each of which is non-rotatably secured relatively to one of the studs 32 extending through the free end portions of a pair of blades 26. The studs 32 mounted in the mounting blades 28 are also provided with crank members similar to the crank members 38 and operatively connected to the crossbar 34 by links similar to the links 36. When the crossbar 34 pivots relatively to the blades 26 substantially at the end of their closing movement, the links such as links 36 operate the crank members 38 to turn the studs 32 relative to the fixed nuts 30 and clamp the pairs of blades 26 to the respective stationary contact blades 24 and the respective mounting blades 28 to provide good electrical connections. Upon opening movement of the blades 26, the crossbar 34 first pivots with respect to the blades 26. turning the studs 32 in an unclamping direction, and thereafter the crossbar 34 and blades 26 pivot as a unit to the open position.

The crossbar 34 is driven by a link having spherical bearing type connections at opposite ends respectively to the crossbar 34 and to a crank member not shown in FIG. I but similar to a crank member 42 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, l5, l6, l9 and 20) of an operating mechanism 23a (FIG. 2) of a relatively smaller switch. The operating mechanism 23 of the switch 22 of FIG. I is substantially the same as the operating mechanism 23a disclosed in FIGS. 2-20 and hereinafter described. The mechanism 23a includes a driving link 4041 similar to the link 40.

A frame of the mechanism 23a includes a pair of lefthand and right-hand

side plate members

43 and 44 and a pair of front and rear

cross plate members

45 and 46. The

side plate members

43 and 44 are provided respectively with rear flanges 43a and 44a by which they are suitably secured to a supporting plate 48 formed of in sulating material. The

cross plate members

45 and 46 are provided at opposite ends respectively with flanges 45a. 45b and flanges 46a. 46b by which they are suitably secured to the

side plate members

43 and 44.

A flanged bushing 50 is received in a suitable aperture in the cross plate member 45 and has a flange 50a suitably secured to the rear surface of the cross plate member. As best shown in FIG. 4, a shaft 51 includes a front cylindrical portion 51a rotatably mounted in the bushing 50 and a rear cylindrical portion 51b of relatively smaller diameter rotatably mounted in a pair of spaced

needle bearings

52 and 53. A spring charging handle 54 is mounted on an extreme front portion 51c of the shaft 51. The portion 51c has a generally square cross section. The handle 54 includes an outer portion 540 in the form of a rectangular tube and an inner core portion 54b extending the length ofthe tube 54a on the inside thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom at the end shown in FIG. 4. Preferably the core portion 54b is of laminated construction, being formed of a stack of stamped plates each having a square aperture in the projecting end portion for mounting on the square portion 514'. Two generally circular but

flattopped filler plates

55 and 56 are provided, one on each side of the projecting portion of the core 54b. The plate 56 has a square aperture for receiving the square portion 510. and the plate 55 has a relatively smaller circular aperture for receiving a screw 57 threaded into the square portion 51c to secure the handle 54 thereon. A spacer 58 is provided on the portion 510 of the shaft 51 between the bushing 50 and the filler plate 56.

The shaft 51 includes a portion 51d between the

cylindrical portions

51a and 51b. The portion 51d has a generally square cross section and has a front drive crank 60, with a matching square aperture, mounted thereon. A sleeve 62 is mounted over the cylindrical portion 51b of the shaft 51 on the

needle bearings

52 and 53. The sleeve 62 is best shown in FIG. 15 and includes a central cylindrical portion 620 and a pair of opposite end portions 62b and 626 each having a generally square periphery with rounded corner portions which are extensions of the cylindrical periphery of portion 62a. A rear part of the portion 620 is rotatably mounted in a needle bearing 63 secured in a suitable aperture in the cross plate member 46 and in a reinforcing plate 64 welded thereto. An angle bracket 65 (FIGS. 3, l9 and 20) which acts as a stop for the crank member 42 is welded to the cross plate member 46 ad jacent the reinforcing plate 64.

The crank member 42 and a reinforcing plate 42a secured thereto by a plurality of pins 66 each have a square aperture therein, as shown in FIG. 14, for mounting thereof on the end portion 62c of the sleeve 62. The free end of the portion 51b of the shaft is threaded and a pair of

washers

67 and 68 and a nut 69 are provided thereon to retain the crank member 42 and plate 42a. Preferably the nut 69 is slotted (FIG. 20) and the portion 51b is cross drilled to receive a cotter pin 70 and prevent the nut 69 from loosening.

A rear idler crank 72 is welded to a bushing 73 rotatably mounted on the sleeve 62. The free ends of the

cranks

60 and 72 are joined by a crank pin 74 welded to the crank 72 and secured to the crank 60 by a retain ing pin 75. A spring 76 secured at one end to the crank pin 74 and at the other end to a bracket 77 (FIG. 2) welded to the cross plate member 46 normally maintains the crank pin 74 in an upper position and thereby the handle 54 in a vertically upright position.

An actuating plate 79 best shown in FIG. 15 has a circular aperture 79a by which it is rotatably mounted on the rounded corner portions of sleeve portion 6212. Another actuating plate 80 has a circular aperture 80a by which it is rotatably mounted on a front part of the sleeve portion 62a. A driving disc 81 having a central square aperture 81a matching the square portion of the periphery of the sleeve portion 62b is mounted thereon between the actuating

plates

79 and 80, which are identical but reversely positioned with respect to each other. Suitable spacers and washers are provided between the various members along the shaft 51 and sleeve 62.

The plate 79 has a non-circular aperture 792 (FIG. 15) in which a clutch pin 83 is reciprocably mounted, a pair of apertures 79c and 7911 in which a pair of rivets 84 (FIG. 9) are respectively received to secure a biasing spring 85 in position, and an aperture 7% in which a pin 86 (FIG. 4, 7, 8 and 9) is received to pivotally connect the plate 79 and an actuating link 87. The plate 80 has corresponding

apertures

80b, 80c, 80d and 801 a clutch pin 88 being reciprocably mounted in the aperture 80b, another pair of rivets 84 being respectively received in the

apertures

80c and 80d to secure another biasing spring 85 in position, and a pin 90 being received in the aperture 80e to pivotally connect the plate 80 and an actuating link 91. The springs 85 bias the

clutch pins

83 and 88 respectively toward the driving disc 81, which is provided with a pair of

peripheral notches

81b and 81c spaced approximately 90 apart. The outer end portions of the

clutch pins

83 and 88 are circular and will not pass respectively through the

non-circular apertures

79b and 80b. Under one condition, as later explained, the inner end portion of the clutch pin 88 is receivable in the notch 81b, and under another condition, the inner end portion of the clutch pin 83 is receivable in the notch 81c.

A shaft 92 best shown in FIG. has non-circular opposite end portions mounted respectively in corresponding apertures in the

cross plate members

45 and 46, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 19. A cam 93 is nonrotatably mounted on a non-circular portion of the shaft 92 immediately below the driving disc 81. The cam 93 includes a cam surface 930 (FIG. 18) and a cam surface 9312 which respectively hold the

clutch pins

83 and 88 out of the notch 811'. as best shown in FIG. 17, when the clutch pins are directly beneath the shaft 51. As explained hereinafter, the cam 93 prevents both

clutch pins

83 and 88 from being engaged in their

respective notches

81c and 81b simultaneously. The shaft 92 acts as a stop for the

actuating plates

79 and 80.

The actuating link 87 includes a pair of spaced connecting

plates

87a and 87b apertured for mounting on the pin 86 on opposite sides of the actuating plate 79 and rigidly secured to opposite sides of a flat end por tion of a cylindrical rod 87('. A solid pivot shaft 94 (FIGS. 2 and 3) has a pair of opposite, reduceddiameter end portions pivotally mounted respectively in the

cross plate members

45 and 46 adjacent the flanges 45a and 45a thereof. An end of a tube 95 is welded to the shaft 94 crosswise thereof after the shaft 94 has been faced with an end mill to provide a flat circular surface thereon for joining to the tube. The shaft 94 is also cross drilled axially of the tube 95, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The rod 87- of the actuating link 87 is reciprocably mounted in the tube 95 and the passage through the shaft 94.

The actuating link 91 is identical to the link 87, connecting plates 91a and 91h thereof being pivotally mounted on the pin 90 and rod 910 thereof being reciprocably mounted in a passage through a pivot shaft 96 and a tube 97 respectively identical to the shaft 94 and tube 95. The unit comprising the shaft 96 and tube 97 is reversely positioned, end-to-end of the shaft 96, with respect to that comprising the shaft 94 and tube 95 and is disposed adjacent the

flanges

45b and 46b of the cross plate members.

Compression coil spring means is provided around the tube 95 and rod 891' and also around the tube 97 and rod 91('. This may be two concentric coil springs, as shown in FIG. 3 around the tube 97 and rod 91c, but for convenience only one such spring is shown in FIGS. 7-12, a coil spring 98 being shown around the tube 95 and rod 87c and a coil spring 100 being shown around the tube 97 and rod 91c. Because of their functions in the operation of the switch, the spring 98 is referred to as the opening spring and the spring 100 as the closing springv A latch pin 102 (FIGS. 3 and 9) for the actuating plate 79 is pivotally mounted in the cross plate member 45 and an identical latch pin 103 (FIGS. 3, 10, 11 and 12) for the actuating plate 80 is pivotally mounted in the cross plate member 46. As best shown in FIG. 14, the latch pin 102 includes a circular outer end portion 1020, a circular intermediate portion 102!) provided with a groove 1020, a non-circular intermediate portion 102d provided with a groove 102e, and a semi-circular inner end portion l02f. The portion 102a has a larger radius than the portion 10219, and the portions 102d and l02fhave the same radius, smaller than that of portion 102b, but while the portion 102f is semi-circular, the portion 102d is larger than semi-circular in cross section. The pin 102 is axially held in the cross plate member 45, in an aperture (not shown) of diameter corresponding to the portion 102b, by the portion 102a on one side and snap ring 105 (FIG. 3) snapped into the groove 102c on the other side.

A latch release handle 106 (FIG. 2) is mounted on a square shaft 107 (FIGS. 7-10) rotatably mounted in a plate 108 (FIG. 2) secured to the plate member 45 and a plate 109 (FIG. 10) secured to the plate member 46. As only shown in phantom in FIG. 9, a crank 111 mounted on the square shaft 107 is pivotally connected to one end portion of a generally V-shaped link 112. The other end portion of the link 112 is pivotally connected to a crank 113 having an aperture matching the portion 102d of the latch pin 102. The crank 113 is held on the portion 102d against the portion 102b by a snap ring 114 mounted in the groove 1020.

As mentioned above, the latch pin 103 is identical to the latch pin 102, but instead of a crank such as the crank 113 mounted on the latch pin 102, the latch pin 103 has a release member 115, best shown in FIG. 13, mounted thereon by a snap ring 116. The release member 115 includes two planar portions 115a and 11512 generally at right angles to each other. The portion 115a is provided with an aperture 115( matching the portion of the latch pin 103 corresponding to the portion 10211 of the latch pin 102, and includes a tongue portion 115:! engageable with the bushing 73 to limit rotation of the latch pin 103. The portion 115/) includes a tongue portion 115e engageable by the connecting

plates

87a and 87b of the actuating link 87 to pivot the latch pin 103 out of latching position with respect to the actuating plate 80, as more fully explained hereinafter. The release member 115 and the latch pin 103 are biased toward latching position by a torsion spring 118 having one end secured with respect to the cross plate member 46 and the other end secured in the release member 115. The crank 113 and the latch pin 102 are similarly biased toward latching position with respect to the actuating plate 79 by a similar torsion spring (not shown).

Mounted on the square shaft 107 on the rear side of the cross plate member 46, by means of a corresponding square aperture, is a crank 120 pivotally connected to one end portion ofa link 121. The other end portion of the link 121 is pivotally connected to a lower end portion of a latch member 122 for the crank member 42. The latch member 122 is pivotally mounted at a midportion thereof on a bolt 123 threaded in the cross plate member 46 and locked by a nut 124 (FIG. 9). While generally flat, the latch member 122 is provided with a bent tongue portion 1220 for latching the crank member 42. A torsion spring 126 (FIGS. 19 and 20) having one end secured with respect to the cross plate member 46 and the other end secured in the latch member 122 biases the latch member 122 toward latching position. At its pivotal connection to the latch member 122, the link 121 is provided with a slot 121a for required lost motion. Similarly, the link 112 (FIG. 9) is provided with a slot 112a at its pivotal connection to the crank 113.

An interlock member 128 best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a portion 128a loosely mounted on a pin 129 staked in the cross plate member 46. At an upper end of the portion 128a an offsetting portion 1281a offsets an upwardly extending portion 128C from the portion 128a. A portion 128d extends forwardly from the upper end of the portion 128c for engagement by a door 130,

fragmentarily shown in FIG. 6, of an enclosure for the switch.

Besides extending downwardly from the shaft 107 for connection to the link 121, the crank 120 extends upwardly from the shaft 107 and is provided adjacent its upper end with an aperture 120a normally in registry with an aperture 46a provided in the cross plate member 46 beneath the pin 129. A portion 128: extends rearwardly from the lower end of the portion 128a. The member 128 is biased on the portion 128a toward the cross plate member 46 by a spring 132 disposed on the pin 129 between a head portion [290 thereof and a washer 133 disposed on the pin 129 adjacent the portion 128a. When the door 130 is open. the interlock member 128 is disposed as shown in FIG. with the portion 128a extending through the aperture 46:: of cross plate member 46 into registry with the aperture 1200 of the crank 120. In this position, the portion 128a prevents turning of the crank 120 and thus of the handle 106 and shaft 107. When the door 130 is closed, it will engage the portion 128d and move the member 128 to the position shown in FIG. 6, wherein the portion 1280 is retracted out of registry with the aperture 120a. thus enabling the crank 120, handle 106, and shaft 107 to be turned.

An interlock member 135 (FIGS. 19 and 20) includes an elongated flat portion 135a pivotally mounted adjacent one end on a pin 136 secured in the cross plate member 46. A portion 135!) extends forwardly toward the cross plate member 46, from the end of the portion 135a opposite from the pin 136, into overlapping relationship with an upper side edge portion of the crank 120, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6. A torsion spring 137 mounted on the pin 136 between the portion 135a and the cross plate member 46 biases the interlock member 135 clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 19 and 20. A portion 135( extending rearwardly at right angles to the portion 135a is provided with an upturned end portion 135d biased into engagement with the crank member 42 by the spring 137. When the crank member 42 moves from an open position of FIG. 19 to a closed position of FIG. 20, it pivots the interlock member 135 counter-clockwise as viewed therein to move the portion 135b out of alignment with the upper side edge portion of the crank 120. The handle 106, shaft 107, and crank 120 are then free to be rotated clockwise in FIGS. 19 and 20, as more fully explained hereinafter.

A crank 138 is pivotally mounted adjacent a lower end on a pin (not shown) mounted in the cross plate member 46 and having a screw 139 threaded therein to retain the crank 138 thereon. A driving pin (not shown) mounted on the crank member 42 extends through a slot 138a in the crank 138 and has a retaining screw 140 threaded therein. A bent rod 142 best shown in FIG. 2 is pivotally connected adjacent one end to the upper end portion of the crank 138 and is reciprocally mounted in a slot 1430 of a guide plate 143 secured to the cross plate member 46 by a pair of screws 144. The other end of the rod 142 is operatively connected to an indicator 145 slidably mounted between two pairs of pins 146 mounted in the cross plate member 45. OPEN" and "CLOSED" indicia provided on the indicator 145 are adapted to appear selectively in a window (not shown) in the door 130 (shown only fragmentarily in FIG. 6) to indicate the condition of the switch blades.

Provision may be made to open the switch electrically. For this purpose, an L-shaped bracket 147 (FIG. 2) is secured to the left-handed side plate member 43 and a solenoid 148 is mounted thereon. The solenoid 148 is operatively connected to the crank 113 (FIG. 9) by a link (not shown) similar to a link 149 (FIG. 1) associated with a solenoid 148a mounted on a bracket 147a of the switch 22. A limit switch 150 (FIG. 2) must be closed by the crank member 42 before the solenoid 148 can be operated.

OPERATION Assuming that the switch is open, that the crank member 42 is therefore in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, l5, l6, and 19, that the opening spring 98 and the closing spring 100 are both in the uncharged condition as shown in FIG. 7, and that it is desired to close the switch, the handle 54 is rotated from the vertical position approximately a quarter turn either way to charge one of the

springs

98 and 100 and then back to the vertical position and approximately a quarter turn the other way to charge the other of the

springs

98 and 100.

Rotation of the handle 54 approximately one-fourth of a turn first clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 also rotates the shaft 51, the drive crank 60 fixedly mounted thereon, the crank pin 74, and the idler crank 72. The crank pin 74 engages the end portion of the actuating plate carrying the pin and pivots the actuating plate 80 about the axis of the sleeve 62 from the position shown in FIG. 15 to that of FIG. 16, whereupon the clutch pin 88 enters the notch 81b of the driving disc 81 under the influence of its biasing spring 85, having initially been held out of the notch 81c by the cam 93. For convenience of illustration, the crank pin 74 is shown in engagement with the actuating plate 80 in FIG. 16, whereas actually. before the actuating plate 80 has been pivoted the approximate quarter turn, the crank pin 74 engages the connecting plates 91a and 91b of the actuating link 91 and further movement of the actuating plate 80 is by virtue of the pin 90, as notable from FIG. 10. The pin 90 also moves the actuating link 91 inwardly of the tube 97, and the spring is charged by compression between the connecting plates 91a and 91b and the pivot shaft 96. The end portion of the actuating plate 80 carrying the clutch pin 88 pivots the latch pin 103, while moving upwardly along the flat side surface of the semi-circular inner end portion thereof, and moves past the upper end of the flat side surface, whereupon the latch pin 103 is pivoted to latching position, as shown in FIG. 11, by the spring 118 and release member 115. The rotation of the handle 54 clockwise is limited by engagement of the drive crank 60 with the circular portion 102b of the latch pin 102, and upon release of the handle, the spring 76 returns it to normal upright position.

Assuming that the door 130 is closed and the portion 128s of the interlock member 128 is retracted out of registry with the aperture 1200 of the crank 120, as shown in FIG. 6, if an attempt is made to close the switch without first also charging the opening spring 98, rotation of the latch release handle 106 clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 9 (counter-clockwise in FIG. 19) moves the crank 120 and link 121 to pivot the latch member 122 out of latching engagement with the crank member 42, but the crank member 42 remains in the open position, corresponding to the open position of the switch blades. because the actuating plate 80 remains latched by the latch pin 103.

Rotation of the handle 54 approximately one-fourth of a turn counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 from the upright position to which it returns after charging of the closing spring 100 also rotates the shaft 51, the drive crank 60, the crank pin 74, and the idler crank 72. The crank pin 74 first engages the end portion of the actuating plate 79 carrying the pin 86 as shown in FIG. 7 and then the connecting

plates

87a and 87b as shown in FIG. 9, plate 871! being omitted. and the pin 86 moves the actuating link 87 inwardly of the tube 95 to charge the opening spring 98 by compression between the connecting plates 87:: and 87b and the pivot shaft 94. The clutch pin 83 is initially held out of the notch 810 by the cam 93, and the end portion ofthe actuating plate 79 carrying the clutch pin 83 pivots the latch pin 102, while moving upwardly along the flat side surface ofthe semi-circular inner end portion 102f thereof. and moves past the upper end of the flat side surface. whereupon the latch pin 102 is pivoted to latching position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by the torsion spring (not shown, but similar to the spring 118) connected to the crank 113. The rotation of the handle 54 counterclockwise is limited by engagement of the idler crank 72 with the intermediate circular portion of the latch pin 103. Toward the end of this movement, the connecting plates 87:: and 87b of the actuating link 87 strike the tongue portion 1150 of the release member 115. as shown in FIG. 12, and pivot the latch pin 103 to an unlatching position, whereupon the actuating plate 80 is released. Discharge ofthe closing spring 100 does not occur at this time. however. because the crank member 42 is till latched by the latch member 122, preventing rotation of the sleeve 62 and driving disc 81, and the actuating plate 80 is tied to the driving disc by the clutch pin 88. Upon release of the handle 54 after the counter-clockwise movement to charge the opening spring 98, it is returned to normal upright position by the spring 76.

The order of charging the

springs

98 and 100 can be reversed. If the handle 54 is first rotated counterclockwise. the opening spring 98 is charged. the actuating plate 79 is latched by the latch pin 102, and the release member 115 and latch pin 103 are moved to and held in an unlatching position, in the manner explained above. Then when the handle 54 is rotated clockwise, the closing spring 100 is charged. and the actuating plate 80 is latched. not by the pin 103, but by the clutch pin 88, which engages the notch 81b of the driving disc 81. The driving disc 81 is prevented from rotating because the latch member 122 holds the crank member 42 and sleeve 62. Thus. when both springs 98 and 100 are charged. the position of the parts is the same after charging regardless of the order in which the springs are charged. However, when the closing spring 100 is charged first. the actuating plate 80 is temporarily latched by the latch pin 103, whereas when the opening spring 98 is charged first, the latch pin 103 does not latch the actuating plate 80 at any time in the sequence.

With both

springs

98 and 100 charged. the crank member 42 latched in open position by the latch member 122, the door 130 closed, and portion 1280 of the interlock member 128 retracted out of registry with the aperture 120a of the crank 120, the handle 106 cannot be rotated counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 9 to move the crank 111, link 112, and crank 113 and rolate the latch pin 102 out of latching position with respect to the actuating plate 79, thus discharging the opening spring 98 when the crank member 42 is already in open position, because the portion 135b ofthe interlock member 135 engages the crank 120 and prevents such counter-clockwise rotation of the handle 106. Under these conditions, however. the handle 106 can be rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 9 (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 19) to pivot the crank 120, move the link 12], and pivot the latch member 122 out of latching position with respect to the crank member 42. Because the latch pin 103 is already out of latching position with respect to the actuating plate as a result of the pivoting of the release member upon charging of the opening spring 98, the closing spring 100 then discharges, driving the actuating link 91 outwardly of the tube 97 and rotating the actuating plate 80 by movement of the pin 90. Excess movement of the actuating plate 80 is prevented by engagement thereof with the shaft 92. Because the clutch pin 88 is engaged in the notch 81b. the driving disc 81 is rotated along with the actuating plate 80. through approximately one-fourth of a turn, at the end of which the cam 93 moves the clutch pin 88 out of the notch 81h and the clutch pin 83 in the actuating plate 79 engages the notch 810. The rotation of the driving disc 81 causes rotation of the sleeve 62 and pivoting of the crank member 42 and its reinforcing plate 42a to the closed position of FIG. 20. The driving link 40 is thereby moved to pivot switch blades such as the blades 26 of FIG. 1 to closed position. With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, as the crank member 42 moves from the open position of FIG. 19 to the closed position of FIG. 20. the pin carrying the screw 140 moves along the slot 138a and pivots the crank 138 to move the rod 142 and the indicator 145 (FIG. 2) to closed position. The crank member 42 also pivots the interlock member 135 to move the portion 135/; out of alignment with the upper side edge portion of the crank 120, thereby free ing the crank for the movement required for opening of the switch.

Assuming that the door is still closed and the portion 1280 of the interlock member 128 retracted out of registry with the aperture 120a of the crank 120, the handle 106 can then be rotated counter-clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 9 to open the switch. The square shaft 107 can turn because the crank 120 is free of both interlock members 128 and 13S, and rotation of the shaft 107 pivots the crank 111 counterclockwise. moves the link 112 leftward. and pivots the crank 113 and latch pin 102 clockwise to release the actuating plate 79. The opening spring 98 then discharges, driving the actuating link 87 outwardly of the tube 95 and rotating the actuating plate 79 by movement of the pin 86. Excess movement of the actuating plate 79 is prevented by engagement thereof with the shaft 92. Because the clutch pin 83 is engaged in the notch 81c, the driving disc 81 is rotated along with the actuating plate 79, through approximately one-fourth of a turn, at the end of which the cam 93 moves the clutch pin 83 out of the notch 81c. The rotation of the driving disc 81 causes rotation of the sleeve 62 and pivoting of the crank member 42 and its reinforcing plate 42a back to the open position of FIG. 19, where the crank member 42 is again latched by the latch member 122. The driving link 40a is thereby moved to pivot switch blades such as the blades 26 of FIG. 1 to open positionv The pin carrying the screw I40 pivots the crank 138 to move the indicator 145 (FIG. 2) to open position, and the spring 137 pivots the interlock member US to move the portion 135!) back into alignment with the upper side edge portion of the crank [20.

Various modifications may be made in the structure shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

I claim:

1. An operating mechanism for opening and closing an electrical switch comprising a supporting frame, a spring-actuated switch-closing means movably mounted on said frame; a spring-actuated switchopening means movably mounted on said frame; manually-actuated means mounted on said frame for moving both of said spring-actuated means to a charged position; adjustable first means mounted on said frame for releasing said switch-closing means from said charged position and effecting movement thereof in a predetermined direction to a discharged position closing the switch only while said switch-opening means remains in a charged position; adjustable second means mounted on said frame for releasing said switch-opening means from said charged position and effecting movement thereof in a predetermined direction to a discharged position opening the switch; and connecting means for transmitting the movement of both of said spring means to the switch to effect closing and opening thereof,

2. l he operating mechanism of claim l wherein the nianually-actuated means for charging said springactuated means and components of both of said springactuated means are mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a fixed common axis.

3. The operating mechanism of claim 2 wherein said manually-actuated means, when pivoted in one direction about said common axis charging only said switchclosing means. and when pivoted in a second direction, charging only said switchppening means.

4. The operating mechanism of claim 3 including an elongated shaft means having the longitudinal axis thereof coincident to said common axis, and said common axis, and said manually actuated means includes a crank member mounted on and movable as a unit with said shaft means, and an exposed handle mounted on and movable with said shaft means for imparting pivotal movement to said shaft means; said crank member engaging and imparting charging movement to the component of only one springactuated means when said handle is manually pivoted in one direction through a first predetermined sector and engaging and imparting charging movement to the component of only the other springactuated means when said handle is manually pivoted in the opposite direction through a second predetermined sector.

5. The operating mechanism of claim 4 wherein a pair of longitudinally spaced, interconnected crank members are mounted on and movable as a unit with said shaft means to effect charging of both of said spring-actuated means.

6. The operating mechanism of claim 5 wherein the components of said spring-actuated means comprise a pair of longitudinally spaced operator plates disposed intermediate said crank members, each operator plate encompassing said shaft means and being provided with a laterally extending portion engageable by said crank members when said shaft means is pivoted in a predetermined direction, the laterally extending portion of each operator plate being engaged by a compressible spring, said spring being compressed into a charged position only when the crank members engage an operator plate and are pivoted through a predetermined sector; releasable latch means mounted on said frame and engaging said operator plates to retain same in charged positions, and control means adjustably mounted on said frame to effect successive release of said latch means whereby discharge of the operator plate of said switch-closing means occurs only if the operator plate of said switch-opening means remains in charged position.

7. A stored-energy operating mechanism for switch blades comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a spring charging handle fixedly mounted on a front end portion of said shaft, a sleeve disposed on said shaft and rotatable relatively thereto, a switch blade operating crank member fixedly mounted on a rear end portion of said sleeve, a driving disc fixedly mounted on a front end portion of said sleeve, an opening actuating plate and a closing actuating plate rotatably mounted on said sleeve respectively on opposite sides of said driving disc, a front drive crank fixedly mounted on said shaft adjacent said front end portion of said sleeve, a rear idler crank rotatably mounted on said sleeve rearwardly of said actuating plates, a crank pin disposed radially outwardly of and generally parallel to said shaft and having a front end portion mounted in said front drive crank and a rear end portion mounted in said rear idler crank, said opening actuating plate having a portion engageable by and disposed on one side of said crank pin and said closing actuating plate having a portion engageable by and disposed on an opposite side of said crank pin, an opening coil compression spring mounted on said frame on one side of said shaft and operatively connected to said opening actuating plate for compression to a charged condition upon rotation of said spring charging handle in one direction, a closing coil compression spring mounted on said frame on an opposite side of said shaft and operatively connected to said closing actuating plate for compression to a charged condition upon rotation of said spring charging handle in an opposite direction, a latch member pivotally mounted on said frame for latching said switch blade operating crank member in an open position, a latching means for said opening actuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side of said shaft from said opening spring, a latching means for said closing actuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side of said shaft from said closing spring, means pivoting said latching means for said closing actuating plate to an inoperative position upon charging of said opening spring, a latch releasing handle operatively connected to said latch member for said switch blade operating crank member and to said latching means for said opening actuating plate, said latch releasing handle being pivotable in one direction to release said switch blade operating crank member and in an opposite direction to release said opening actuating plate, means mounted on said closing actuating plate and operatively connecting said closing actuating plate to said driving disc when said closing spring is in a charged condition, and means mounted on said opening actuating plate and operatively connecting said opening actuating plate to said driving disc when said opening spring is in a charged 9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 including interlock means preventing operation of said latch releasing handle in a direction to release said opening actuating plate if said switch blade operating crank member is in handle ifa door of an enclosure for a switch having said said open position.

operating mechanism is in an open position.

Claims

1. An operating mechanism for opening and closing an electrical switch comprising a supporting frame, a spring-actuated switchclosing means movably mounted on said frame; a spring-actuated switch-opening means movably mounted on said frame; manuallyactuated means mounted on said frame for moving both of said spring-actuated means to a charged position; adjustable first means mounted on said frame for releasing said switch-closing means from said charged position and effecting movement thereof in a predetermined direction to a discharged position closing the switch only while said switch-opening means remains in a charged position; adjustable second means mounted on said frame for releasing said switch-opening means from said charged position and effecting movement thereof in a predetermined direction to a discharged position opening the switch; and connecting means for transmitting the movement of both of said spring means to the switch to effect closing and opening thereof.

2. The operating mechanism of claim 1 wherein the manually-actuated means for charging said spring-actuated means and components of both of said spring-actuated means are mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a fixed common axis.

3. The operating mechanism of claim 2 wherein said manually-actuated means, when pivoted in one direction about said common axis charging only said switch-closing means, and when pivoted in a second direction, charging only said switch-opening means.

4. The operating mechanism of claim 3 including an elongated shaft means having the longitudinal axis thereof coincident to said common axis, and said common axis, and said manually-actuated means includes a crank member mounted on and movable as a unit with said shaft means, and an exposed handle mounted on and movable with said shaft means for imparting pivotal movement to said shaft means; said crank member engaging and imparting charging movement to the component of only one spring-actuated means when said handle is manually pivoted in one direction through a first predetermined sector and engaging and imparting charging movement to the component of only the other spring-actuated means when said handle is manually pivoted in the opposite direction through a second predetermined sector.

7. A stored-energy operating mechanism for switch blades comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a spring charging handle fixedly mounted on a front end portion of said shaft, a sleeve disposed on said shaft and rotatable relatively thereto, a switch blade operating crank member fixedly mounted on a rear end portion of said sleeve, a driving disc fixedly mounted on a front end portion of said sleeve, an opening actuating plate and a closing actuating plate rotatably mounted on said sleeve respectively on opposite sides of said driving disc, a front drive crank fixedly mounted on said shaft adjacent said front end portion of said sleeve, a rear idler crank rotatably mounted on said sleeve rearwardly of said actuating plates, a crank pin disposed radially outwardly of and generally parallel to said shaft and having a front end portion mounted in said front drive crank and a rear end portion mounted in said rear idler crank, said opening actuating plate having a portion engageable by and disposed on one side of said crank pin and said closing actuating plate having a portion engageable by and disposed on an opposite side of said crank pin, an opening coil compression spring mounted on said frame on one side of said shaft and operatively connected to said opening actuating plate for compression to a charged condition upon rotation of said spring charging handle in one direction, a closing coil compression spring mounted on said frame on an opposite side of said shaft and operatively connected to said closing actuating plate for compression to a charged condition upon rotation of said spring charging handle in an opposite direction, a latch member pivotally mounted on said frame for latching said switch blade operating crank member in an open position, a latching means for said opening actuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side of said shaft from said opening spring, a latching means for said closing actuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side of said shaft from said closing spring, means pivoting said latching means for said closing actuating plate to an inoperative position upon charging of said opening spring, a latch releasing handle operatively connected to said latch member for said switch blade operating crank member and to said latching means for said opening actuating plate, said latch releasing handle being pivotable in one direction to release said switch blade operating crank member and in an opposite direction to release said opening actuating plate, means mounted on said closing actuating plate and operatively connecting said closing actuating plate to said driving disc when said closing spring is in a charged condition, and means mounted on said opening actuating plate and operatively connecting said opening actuating plate to said driving disc when said opening spring is in a charged condition and said closing spring is in a discharged condition.

8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 including interlock means preventing operation of said latch releasing handle if a door of an enclosure for a switch having said operating mechanism is in an open position.

9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 including interlock means preventing operation of said latch releasing handle in a direction to release said opening actuating plate if said switch blade operaTing crank member is in said open position.