Inventors:
James O. Rexroad - Beaver PA
Louis N. Ricci - Beaver Falls PA
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
H01H 300
Abstract:
An improved switch construction is provided having an overcenter-toggle mechanism for effecting the actuation of the one or more movable contacts of the switch. A pivotally-mounted operating lever carries one end of a toggle-tension spring, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the knee-joint pivot of a pair of pivotally-connected toggle links. The line of action of the force of the toggle-tension spring is such as to effect a straightening, or a collapsing of the pivotally-connected toggle-links, to thereby effect, respectively, a closure of the switch contacts, or an opening operation thereof.
Preferably, a releasable rotatable support, or trigger is provided for the pivotal connection of one of the toggle links, so that a remote tripping operation is possible by an unlatching of the releasable support, which normally provides a stationary pivot for the toggle linkage of the mechanism.
The construction is such that should welding occur at the contacts, the rotatable operating arm will indicate a correct position of the contacts, regardless of the effort manually made to provide a different indication of the handle.