The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 08, 2011
Timothy Gordon Robirds, Sumter, SC (US);
Michael Davis Pearce, Plum Branch, SC (US);
Michael Lee Herbst, Greenwood, SC (US);
Timothy Gordon Robirds, Sumter, SC (US);
Michael Davis Pearce, Plum Branch, SC (US);
Michael Lee Herbst, Greenwood, SC (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
An energy storage and release control mechanism is provided for a stored energy assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The stored energy assembly includes a shaft, a stored energy mechanism, and a charging mechanism, such as a charging cam. The charging cam is movable to pivot upon the shaft, thereby charging the stored energy mechanism. The energy storage and release control mechanism includes a ratchet coupled to the charging cam and including a plurality of teeth, a mounting assembly, and a plurality of pawl assemblies. Each pawl assembly includes a pawl pivoting between an engaged position corresponding to the pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet to resist inappropriate movement of the charging handle, and a disengaged position corresponding to the pawl not engaging the teeth of the ratchet. Preferably, first and second pawl assemblies include first and second pawls, respectively, wherein only one of the first and second pawls engages the teeth of the ratchet at a time.