Circuit breaker arrangement for preventing slow closing of breaker contacts

Claim 1

In an electric circuit breaker, a support, relatively movable contacts mounted on said support and movable to open and closed positions, contact operating means on said support to effect relative movement of said contacts, chargeable stored energy spring means mounted on said support and dischargeable to effect movement of said contact operating means and movement of said contact to one of said positions, charging means mounted on said support for charging said stored energy spring means, said charging means comprising an electric motor, and means mounted on said support to prevent discharge of said charging means from effecting movement of said contacts in the event said motor is deenergized before said spring means are fully charged, said means to prevent discharge of said charging means comprising one-way ratchet means which is connected to and prevents reverse rotation of the shaft of said motor, said one-way ratchet means comprising releasing means whereby reverse rotation of said shaft of said motor can be accomplished.