Circuit breaker with spring closing means and pawl and rachet spring charging means

Claim 1

A circuit breaker comprising a pair of contacts including stationary and movable contacts operable between open and closed positions and being biased in the open position, the movable contacts being mounted on a movable arm, a crank shaft structure, closing spring means connected to the crank shaft structure, a rachet wheel movable to move the crank shaft structure from a spring discharged position to a spring charged position to charge the closing spring means, operating means comprising pawl means operable to advance the ratchet wheel, toggle means connected to the movable contact for moving the contacts between the open and closed positions, the toggle means comprising first and second links and a toggle lever, the first link being pivotally connected to the movable contact, the second link being pivotally connected to the first link, the toggle lever being pivotally connected to the second link, the crank shaft structure having a cam surface movable against the toggle means for moving the toggle means from the open position to the closed position, first releasable latch means for holding the toggle means in the contacts closed position, stop means limiting movement of the first and second links beyond a position where a line through the pivotal connections between the first link and movable contact mounting arm and between the first and second links projects on the side of the pivotal connection of the second link and toggle lever opposite the crank shaft when the toggle means is in the open position, and second releasable latch means for retaining the crank shaft in the spring charged position.