Anti-rebound latch

Abstract

An anti-rebound latch having a generally U-shaped housing which defines a central blade path opening between first and second side legs. The housing supports a pivotally mounted generally crescent shaped drive-arm which includes a kicker portion at one end positioned adjacent the top of the blade path opening and a pusher portion at its opposite end. The drive-arm is operatively associated with a blade catcher carried by the first side leg which is reciprocally movable between a first position in which no part of the blade catcher extends into the opening and a second position in which the catcher extends across the opening to the second side leg. The catcher is spring biased to its first position. The opposite side leg may carry a pole face which attracts the catcher in response to the blow-open movement of a contact blade within the opening which hits the kicker portion of the drive-arm causing pivotal movement of the drive-arm which results in the pusher portion of the drive-arm sliding the catcher into the blade path opening towards the second side leg. As a result of electromagnetic forces generated, the pole face attracts the catcher toward its second position which prevents rebound movement of the blade to a closed position. The self contained module is provided with ribs on opposite side which are received in grooves provided in the circuit breaker housing to position the assembly within the circuit breaker.