Circuit interrupter protective device

Claim 1

A circuit interrupter protective device for responding to abnormal currents in the conductors of an electrical distribution system and for actuating a circuit interrupter to open upon the occurrence of predetermined operating conditions, comprising a circuit breaker having a first insulating housing, a circuit breaker mechanism within the housing and comprising separable contacts adapted to be connected as part of the distribution system, the circuit breaker mechanism comprising a releasable member movable from a latched position to effect opening of the contacts, a latch lever movable between latched and unlatched positions of the releasable member and being biased in the latched position, a stationary magnetic structure for each conductor of the distribution system and comprising a coil and core assembly, an armature, a trip bar movable to unlatch the latch lever and being biased in the latched position, lever means associated with each stationary magnetic structure for moving the trip bar to the unlatched position, the lever means comprising the armature and being movable in response to abnormal currents in at least one of the conductors, the lever means comprising an adjusting bracket which is biased away from the core assembly, the adjusting bracket comprising three spaced fingers, one finger being flexible and engaging the side of the armature facing the core assembly for maintaining predetermined spacings between the armature and the core assembly during normal current flow, and the flexible finger being yieldable to magnetic forces attracting the armature to the core assembly during the occurrence of an overload in the conductors.