Claims
- 1. A multiple pole circuit breaker comprising:a plurality of separable contact structures; a mechanism in operable communication with one of said separable contact structures and interfacing said separable contact structures for controlling and tripping thereof, said mechanism comprising: a frame; a drive member pivotally coupled to said frame; a spring pivotally connecting said drive member to a drive connector; an upper link member pivotally seated against said drive connector; a lower link member pivotally coupled to said drive connector; a crank member pivotally coupled to said lower link member and pivotally coupled to said frame, said crank member for interfacing said separable contact structure; and a cradle member pivotally secured to said frame, said cradle member pivotally securing said upper link member, said cradle member being configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, said latch assembly configured for being displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit; wherein said mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position, wherein said separable contact structures are movable between a first and second position, said first position allowing current to flow through said circuit and said second position prohibiting current from flowing through said circuit, further wherein: said mechanism tripped condition is achieved upon occurrence of said predetermined condition causing said latch assembly to release said cradle member, said cradle member pivoting relative to said frame, thereby causing said upper link member to pivot on said portion of said cradle member, said motion of upper link transferring motion via said drive connector to said lower link member and said spring causing said spring to discharge and cause lower link member to urge said separable contact structure from its first position to its second position; said mechanism reset position is achieved upon application of a reset force to cause said cradle member to pivot relative to said frame and urge said latch assembly until said cradle member and said latch assembly are aligned; said mechanism off position is achieved upon eliminating said reset force such that said latch assembly is releasably engaged with said cradle member, said separable contact structure being in its second position; and said mechanism on position is achieved upon application of a closing force so that force is transmitted through said drive member to said spring, said spring transmitting force via said drive connector to said upper link member causing said upper link member to pivot relative to said cradle member and to said lower link member causing said crank member to pivot relative to said frame causing said separable contact structure to move from its second position to its first position.
- 2. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 1, said separable contact structure upon which said mechanism is attached relative to is mounted for rotation within an enclosure, said enclosure having at least one wall, said wall having an outside surface, said frame having an inside surface opposing said wall outside surface, said wall outside surface comprising a protrusion to set a distance between said wall outside surface and said frame inside surface.
- 3. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 2, said lower link member disposed between said frame inside surface and said wall outside surface.
- 4. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 3, said distance between said wall outside surface and said frame inside surface being dimensioned to minimize friction between said lower link member and said wall outside surface or said frame inside surface.
- 5. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 3, said wall outside surface comprising a plurality of protrusions to set a distance between said wall outside surface and said frame inside surface.
- 6. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 5, said lower link member disposed between said frame inside surface and said wall outside surface.
- 7. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 6, said distance between said wall outside surface and said frame inside surface being dimensioned to minimize friction between said lower link member and said wall outside surface or said frame inside surface.
- 8. A multiple pole circuit breaker comprising:a plurality of separable contact structures; a mechanism in operable communication with one of said separable contact structures and interfacing said separable contact structures for controlling and tripping thereof, said mechanism comprising: a frame; a drive member pivotally coupled to said frame; a spring pivotally connecting said drive member to a drive connector; an upper link member pivotally seated against said drive connector; a lower link member pivotally coupled to said drive connector; a crank member pivotally coupled to said lower link member and pivotally coupled to said frame, said crank member for interfacing said separable contact structure; and a cradle member pivotally secured to said frame, said cradle member pivotally securing said upper link member, said cradle member being configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, said latch assembly configured for being displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit; wherein said mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position, wherein said upper link member including a first and second opening, said cradle member including an opening and a slot, wherein said upper link member and said cradle member are positioned such that said first opening of said upper link member and said opening in said cradle member are aligned, and such that said second opening of said upper link member and said slot in said cradle member are aligned, further wherein a first securement structure couples said upper link member and said cradle by being disposed through said first opening of said upper link member, through said opening in said cradle member, and into a connecting structure, and a second securement structure couples said upper link member and said cradle by being disposed through said second opening of said upper link member, through said slot in said cradle member, and into said connecting structure.
- 9. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 8, further wherein said first and second securement structures each comprise a raised portion between said upper link member and said cradle member.
- 10. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 9, further wherein said raised portions are dimensioned for minimizing friction between said upper link member and said cradle member.
- 11. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 9, further wherein said raised portions spread said upper link member and said cradle member apart so that when a force is applied to either said upper link member or said cradle member, said force is distributed over a wider base.
- 12. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 1, further wherein said lower link member is pivotally coupled to said crank member with a pivotal rivet.
- 13. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 12, further wherein a spacer is positioned in said pivotal rivet between said lower link member and said crank member.
- 14. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 13, said frame having an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein said spacer is dimensioned to position said lower link member proximate to said inside surface of said frame and to position said crank member proximate to said outside surface of said frame.
- 15. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 14, further wherein said spacer is dimensioned for minimizing friction between said lower link member and said crank member.
- 16. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 14, further wherein said spacer is dimensioned for minimizing friction between said lower link member and said inside surface of said frame.
- 17. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 14, further wherein said spacer is dimensioned for minimizing friction between said crank member and said outside surface of said frame.
- 18. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 14, further wherein said spacer spreads said lower link member and said crank member apart so that when a force is applied to either said lower link member or said crank member, said force is distributed over a wider base.
- 19. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 1, further wherein said drive connector includes a bearing portion, said upper link member seated against said bearing portion.
- 20. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 19, said lower link member being coupled proximate to a first side of said bearing portion and said spring coupled proximate to a second side of said bearing portion, said second side being opposite said first side.
- 21. A multiple pole circuit breaker comprising:a plurality of separable contact structures; a mechanism in operable communication with one of said separable contact structures and interfacing said separable contact structures for controlling and tripping thereof, said mechanism comprising: a frame; a drive member pivotally coupled to said frame; a spring pivotally connecting said drive member to a drive connector; an upper link member pivotally seated against said drive connector; a lower link member pivotally coupled to said drive connector; a crank member pivotally coupled to said lower link member and pivotally coupled to said frame, said crank member for interfacing said separable contact structure; and a cradle member pivotally secured to said frame, said cradle member pivotally securing said upper link member, said cradle member being configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, said latch assembly configured for being displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit; wherein said mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position, wherein said drive connector includes a bearing portion, said upper link member seated against said bearing portion, wherein said lower link member being coupled proximate to a first side of said bearing portion and said spring coupled proximate to a second side of said bearing portion, said second side being opposite said first side, wherein said bearing portion including an upstanding portion on said first side.
- 22. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 21, wherein said upstanding portion is dimensioned for minimizing friction between said lower link member and said upper link member.
- 23. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 21, wherein said upstanding portion spreads said spring, said lower link member and said upper link member apart so that when a force is applied to either said spring, said lower link member or said upper link member, said force is distributed over a wider base.
- 24. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 20, said bearing portion including an upstanding portion on said second side.
- 25. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 24, wherein said upstanding portion is dimensioned for minimizing friction between said spring and said upper link member.
- 26. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 24, wherein said upstanding portion spreads said spring, said lower link member and said upper link member apart so that when a force is applied to either said spring, said lower link member or said upper link member, said force is distributed over a wider base.
- 27. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 24, wherein said upstanding portion is dimensioned for preventing said upper link member from interfering with said spring.
- 28. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 20, said bearing portion including a first upstanding portion on said first side and a second upstanding portion on said second side.
- 29. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 28, wherein said first and second upstanding portions is dimensioned for minimizing friction between said spring and said upper link member.
- 30. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 28, wherein said first and second upstanding portions spreads said spring, said lower link member and said upper link member apart so that when a force is applied to either said spring, said lower link member or said upper link member, said force is distributed over a wider base.
- 31. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 28, wherein said first and second upstanding portions are dimensioned for preventing said upper link member from interfering with said spring.
- 32. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 2, wherein:said upper link member includes a first and second opening, said cradle member including an opening and a slot, wherein said upper link member and said cradle member are positioned such that said first opening of said upper link member and said opening in said cradle member are aligned, and such that said second opening of said upper link member and said slot in said cradle member are aligned, further wherein a first securement structure couples said upper link member and said cradle by being disposed through said first opening of said upper link member, through said opening in said cradle member, and into a connecting structure, and a second securement structure couples said upper link member and said cradle by being disposed through said second opening of said upper link member, through said slot in said cradle member, and into said connecting structure, said first and second securement structures each comprising a raised portion between said upper link member and said cradle member; said lower link member being pivotally coupled to said crank member with a pivotal rivet, wherein a spacer is positioned in said pivotal rivet between said lower link member and said crank member; and said drive connector including a bearing portion, said upper link member seated against said bearing portion, said lower link member being coupled proximate to a first side of said bearing portion and said spring coupled proximate to a second side of said bearing portion, said second side being opposite said first side, said bearing portion including a first upstanding portion on said first side and a second upstanding portion on said second side.
- 33. A multiple pole circuit breaker comprising:a plurality of separable contact structures; a mechanism in operable communication with one of said separable contact structures and interfacing said separable contact structures for controlling and tripping thereof, said mechanism comprising: a pair of frames, said frames each having an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surfaces arranged opposing a pair of opposite sides of said separable contact structure having said mechanism attached relative thereto; a drive member pivotally coupled to said frames; a pair of springs pivotally connecting said drive member to a drive connector, said springs and said drive connector arranged between said frames; a pair of upper link member pivotally seated against said drive connector, each of said upper link members arranged between each of said springs and said frames; a pair of lower link member pivotally coupled to said drive connector, each of said lower link members arranged between each of said upper link member and said frames; a pair of crank members pivotally coupled to said lower link members and pivotally coupled to said frames relative to said outside surfaces of said frames, said crank members for interfacing said separable contact structures; and a pair of cradle members pivotally secured to said frames relative to said inside surfaces of said frames, said cradle members each arranged between each of said frames and said upper link members, each of said cradle members pivotally securing each of said upper link member, said cradle members being configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, said latch assembly configured for being displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit; wherein said mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position, wherein said separable contact structures are movable between a first and second position, said first position allowing current to flow through said circuit and said second position prohibiting current from flowing through said circuit, further wherein: said mechanism tripped condition is achieved upon occurrence of said predetermined condition causing said latch assembly to release said cradle members, said cradle members pivoting relative to said frames, thereby causing said upper link members to pivot relative to said cradle member, said motion of said upper link members transferring motion via said drive connector to said lower link members and said springs causing said springs to discharge and cause lower link members to transfer motion to said crank members, and causing said crank members to urge said separable contact structures from their first position to their second position; said mechanism reset position is achieved upon application of a reset force to cause said cradle members to pivot relative to said frame and urge said latch assembly until said cradle members and said latch assembly are aligned; said mechanism off position is achieved upon eliminating said reset force such that said latch assembly is releasably engaged with said cradle members, said separable contact structures being in their second position; and said mechanism on position is achieved upon application of a closing force so that force is transmitted through said drive member to said springs, said springs transmitting force via said drive connector to said upper link members causing said upper link members to pivot relative to said cradle members and to said lower link members causing said crank members to pivot relative to said frames causing said separable contact structures to move from their second position to their first position.
- 34. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 33, said separable contact structure having said mechanism secured thereto mounted for rotation within an enclosure, said enclosure having at least a pair of walls, said walls having outside surfaces, said inside surfaces of said frames opposing said outside surfaces of said walls, said outside surfaces of said walls comprising a protrusion to set a distance between said outside surfaces of said walls and said inside surfaces of said frames.
- 35. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 34, said lower link members disposed between said inside surfaces of said frames and said outside surfaces of said walls.
- 36. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 35, said distance between said outside surfaces of said walls and said inside surfaces of said frames being dimensioned to minimize friction between said lower link members and outside surfaces of said walls or said inside surface of said frames.
- 37. The multiple pole circuit breaker as in claim 34, wherein said distance spreads said frames apart so that when a force is applied originating either from said drive member or from said cradle members, said force is distributed over a wider base.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/516,475 filed Mar. 1, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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