US2416408A - Switch construction - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 25, 1947. RUNKE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIONS Filed March 19, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 615m 1?. MM:

Filed March 19, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 61mm /P. flaw/(5 A 7' GENE)- Feb. 25, 1947. G. R. RUNKE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m m m m Filed March 19, 1943 an K225 A77 lP/VEY.

Feb. 25, 1 947.-

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 19, 1943 uw MN m M w m I 7 r M w m w% x x w Q n R V v n k m, w H mm Q w w w R M Q IQ mm k Q Q Q ILIJFI N E Q O xw Ev Feb. 25, 1947. RUNKE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIONS Filed March 19, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fwy f R W Mk V N n M a 5 Patented Feb. 25, 1947 SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Glenn E. Runke, Racine, Wis.. assignor to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of Delaware Application March 19, 1943, Serial No. 479,735

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a switch construction.

In greater detail, this invention relates primarily to a switch construction of the circuit breaker type.

Objects of this invention are to provide a circuit breaker which has a quick make and a quick break, which has condition responsive means of the trip type, which is so constructed that it releases the circuit breaker so that the circuit breaker will open under predetermined conditions, and which is provided with a handle or other operating means for normally opening and closing the circuit breaker and for resetting the trip means, the trip means and the operating means being so related that the trip means will operate to release the circuit breaker irrespective of the position of the operating means and irrespective of any motion that the operating means may be executing at the time the trip means operates so that the trip means is trip free and will operate no matter whether the operating means is forcibly held in closed position or is being moved from one position to another.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which is so constructed that the circuit breaker cannot be closed until the trip means has moved back to normal position, and in which the resetting of the trip means is accomplished by moving the operating means towards open position, such motion being followed by movement to closed position after the resetting of the trip means when it is desired to again close the circuit breaker after the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

Further objects are to provide a construction in which the trip means may be either thermostatically or magnetically or otherwise operated and which has either a quick action or a delayed 1 action and which is adjustable so that the condition to which it will respond may be predetermined.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker which has a heavy contact pressure when it is closed, in which this heavy contact pressure is maintained during the operation of the circuit breaker until the instant at which the contacts are suddenly separated, thereby avoiding burning of the contacts under overload conditions.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker in which the mechanism is so arranged that it is easy to operate in opening and closing the circuit breaker and in resetting the trip means, and which is so made that there is no great wear on the parts during the opening and closing of the circuit breaker or during the resettin of the trip;

means as the mechanism is so arranged that during resetting, for example, relatively small forces or pressures are exerted between the cooperating parts, thereby minimizing wear.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker in which rolling or gear members constitute an actuator for opening and closing the circuit breaker, in which these gear members or rolling members constitute in effect a traveling toggle and operate between two tracks in a manner to provide an eifective toggle which is nearly straight at most times and which shifts the angular relation between the effective toggle links so that they extend or tend to break in one direction when the actuator is at one end of the tracks and tend to break in the other direction when the actuator is at the other end of the tracks, such eflective toggle links gradually changing their position as the actuator rolls from one end of the tracks to the other, the toggle action being so arranged that a relatively small force is required in order to move the actuator though a heavy contact pressure is obtained.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker in which th condition responsive means is required to exert only a very small force in order to cause automatic operation, the construction providing a main latch lever normally restraining the circuit breaker in closed position and an auxiliary latch lever normally maintainin the main latch lever in latching position, the parts being so organized that the pull on the main and auxiliary latch levers are substantially in line with their respective pivot points to minimize the effort required of the condition responsive means during automatic release of the circuit breaker, and with the parts so arranged that no jamming or straining of any part of the latching system or of the condition responsive means can occur during the resetting operation.

In greater detail, further objects are to provide a switch construction in which the switch operating means is floating and is yieldingly pivoted at an intermediate point so that the pivot point does itself move or shift during the opening or closing of the switch means, the construction being such that heavy contact pressure is maintained up to the instant the switch means is suddenly opened, and the resiliently urged pivot construction cooperating with an actuator to secure quick opening and quick closing motion, the switch operating means having both translatory and rotational motion.

Further objects are to provide a circuit breaker construction which is sturdy and is reliable in operation, which may be installed in a transformer case and submerged in the oil in the transformer case if desired, and which if a thermostatic trip means is employed, may be arranged to have the thermostatic means respond solely to the heat generated by current passing through the thermostatic means or to the combined action of the heat in the oil from the transformer or other device as well as from the heat due to the current passing through the thermostatic means, or may be arranged to respond solely to the heat of the oil.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the circuit breaker with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a front end view of the circuit breaker.

Figure 3 is a rear end view of the circuit breaker.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the circuit breaker with a part of the main operating means sectioned off.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, showing the circuit breaker in closed position.

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 5 showing the circuit breaker after it has been manually opened. I

Figure '7 is a view corresponding to Figure 5 showing the circuit breaker after it has been automatically opened.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 88 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a view showing the circuit breaker mounted within the casing of a transformer. v

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line Id-Iii of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a View of a'modified mounting for the circuit breaker.

Figure 12is a wiring diagram.

Figure 13 is a view, partly in section, showing a further form of condition responsive means.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of ths invention, it is to be understood that the circuit breaker may have either a single switch means or a plurality of switch means, a circuit breaker with apair of switch means having been chosen for the sake of illustration. The circuit breaker chosen for illustration may be installed in a three wire, single phase system as indicated, or in a three phase system with the two switch means located in two lines of the three phase system in a well known manner, or, if desired, three switch elements could be used for the three phase circuit as the invention contemplates the use of a single or any number of switch elements as desired.

Referring to the drawings, it Will be seen that the circuit breaker comprises switch operating means indicated generally by the reference character I, as shown particularly in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8. This switch operatingmeans is preferably composed of the channel-shaped member 2 adjacent eachinnersideof which is-arrangeda-trackway 3 which is in efiect agearrack. The members 2 and 3 are rigidlysecured together and constitute a single unitary structure. This switch operating member is provided with slots d adjacent its rear end which receive the stationary pin 5 mounted in the side walls of the main body portion hereinafter described to limit the extent of motion of the rearend of the switch operating means I. The switch operating means I is pivoted intermediate its-endsab i d c t a '5 to a member i which is spring pressed upwardly by means of the spring 8. The switch operating member, therefore, is a floating structure and has both rocking motion and translatory motion as will appear hereinafter. A rockshaft 9 is rigidly secured to the rear portion of the switch operating member I and may consist of a metal central portion surrounded by an insulating casing as indicated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. This rock shaft extends outwardly on opposite sides of the switch operating member and carries a pair of switch members It adjacent its outer ends. These switch members I El, see Figure 1, may consist of channelshaped members provided with movable contacts H attheir free ends which contacts slidably pass through an inwardly turned lip I2 of a front plate i3 integral with the body of the switch members id. Springs Hi urge the movable contacts i I downwardly at all times, such springs being centered at their upper and lower ends as shown. The movable contacts II cooperate with the stationary contacts I5 and such stationary contacts are connected to the terminal members I6. The movable contacts I are connected by means of leaders or flexible conductors i? with the free end of bi-metallic elements I 8 located on opposite sides of the circuit breaker. The bi-metallic elements I8 have their fixed ends provided with terminal portions I9.

It is to be noted from the description thus far given that the switch operating member I and the switch members It constitute a unitary floating structure and are movable as a unit upon operation of the circuit breaker.

The circuit breaker may comprise a body portion formed of insulating material and consisting of a base 23 from which a pair of side walls ZI extend upwardly. These side Walls are provided with projecting lugs 22 on opposite sides thereof to which the fixed ends of the bi-metallic elements iii are secured. The insulating walls 2I may also be provided with projections 23 on opposite sides and the flexible conductors 51 may extend between the'proje'cting portions 22 and 23.

A carrier is pivotally mounted as indicated at 25 between the side walls 2! of the body portion and is provided with .a downwardly extending front arm portion 26 and a downwardly extending rear arm portion 27, which latter terminates in a hook like portion 28 having a fiat upper face. The carrier 24 is provided with a pair of trackways or gear elements 29 located on opposite sides thereof and with a spacing member 39 between the trackways or gear members 29, as shown in Figures'5, 6, 'Z and 8. All of theseparts, that is to say, the carrier 24, the gear members 29, and the spacer 3d, are rigidly secured together as a unitary structure.

An actuator for actuating the switch operating means I is indicated generally by the reference character El and is shown in Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8 and consists of two sets of segmental gear members, namely, an upper pair 32 and a lower pair 33. These gear members are revoluble about a pin it which may be provided with a sleeve 35 upon which the gear members are directly and loosely mounted for independent rotation, suitable spacing means being provided, as shown in Figure 8, so as to keep the gear members in their respective positions. It is to be noted particularly from Figure 8 that the lower gear members 3-3 are prevented from shifting out of engagement with their racks or trackways 3 as these trackways are "positioned on the inner side of the'side walls-2 of the'switch operating means I.

The upper gear members 32 are prevented from shifting out of engagement with their trackways 29 by means of the spacer 39 which is located between the upper gear members. Springs 36 are secured to opposite ends of the pin 34 and extend upwardly and are attached to the transverse pin 31 of the main operating member which is formed of a pair of levers or arms 38 pivoted at their lower ends as indicated at 39 and connected at their upper ends by means of the pin 31, a suitable resetting roller 43 being positioned between the arms and being adapted to engage the upper cam surface of the carrier 24 for resetting the carrier after automatic operation, as will appear hereinafter.

It is to be noted that the teeth of the gear members 3 and 29 and the segment gears 32 and 33 are rounded and provide actual bearing portions. In other words, the segment gears 33 actually rest against and travel on the teeth of the gear members 3 and the segment gears 32 actually rest against and travel on the teeth of the gear members 29.

It is within the province of this invention to have other types of trackways and other types of rolling members. For example, it is possible to provide trackways and rolling members neither of which have teeth, though the construction illustrated is preferred.

The main operating means 38 may be operated in any suitable manner as by means of a handle as will hereinafter be described, or by means of links 44 attached to rock arms 42, which latter, as may be seen from Figures 9 and 10. are rigidly secured on the rock shaft 43 extending through the side wall of the transformer casing 44 and provided with an operating handle 45.

-When the main operating means 38 is in the position shown in Figure 5 and the carrier 24 is latched by the automatic means hereinafter described and as shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that the circuit breaker is in switch closed position and the actuator 3i is in its right-hand position and is restrained from further motion to the right by means of the stop or arm 26 of the carrier 24. When the main operating means 38 is rocked to the left as shown in Figure 6, the circuit breaker is in open position and the actu ator 3| is at its extreme left-hand position, a suitable stop pin or any other suitable stop means as indicated at 45 in Figure 6 being provided to limit further left-hand travel of the actuator 3|. The actuator 3| is always held in engagement with the carrier 24 by means of the springs 36 and it is apparent that the spring 8 always pushes upwardly on the switch operating member I so that the actuator 3! is in reality squeezed between the two trackways 3 and 29. From an examination of Figures 5, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the gear segments 32 and 33 constitute in efiect a walking toggle or traveling toggle, the lines of pressure being approximately along the lines marked A and B in Figures 5, 6 and 7. It is to be noted on comparison of Figures 5 and 6 that the effective toggle links indicated by the lines A and B extend or tend to break to the right as viewed in Figure 5 and extend or tend to break to the left as viewed in Figure 6 and to the left as viewed in Figure 7.

Considering now Figures 5 and 6, it will be seen that as the main. operating means 38 is rocked to the left from the circuit breaker closed position of Figure 5 t0 the manually opened position of Figure 6. the efiective links of the toggle shift theirposition due to the shape of the tracks 3 and 28 and the arrangement of the parts. As the effective toggle levers, which are represented by the lines A and B which in turn approximately indicate the position of the lines of force at any given instant, actually shift from a position tending to cause the toggle to travel to the right in Figure 5 to a position to cause the toggle to travel to the left in Figure 6, they in efiect produce a toggle that tends to break first in one direction at one end of its stroke and then in the other direction at the other end of its stroke. As the main operating means or levers 38 are rocked to the left in Figure 5, the line of pull of the springs 36 shifts and pulls to the left upon the pin 34 of the gear segments 32 and 33 and when suincient tension has been stored in the spring, the gear segments 32 and 33 constituting the actuator 3| roll along their respective trackways to the left with a quick motion and their speed increases as the effective toggle links or lines of force A and B shift to the left. This causes the actuator 3| to speed up and travel to the left at a very rapid rate. As soon as the pivot point 6 of the switch operating means I is passed, the spring 8 suddenly rocks the switch operating means to switch open position, as shown in Figure 6, and this changes the angular relation between the tracks 3 and 29 which, upon examination of Figure 6, will be seen to increase the tendency of the actuator 3| to move to the left.

Thus it will be seen that the circuit breaker has a quick opening stroke.

Reversing the process, that is to say, moving the main operating means 38 from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 5, the line of pull of the springs 36 will extend to the right of the pin 34 of the actuator 3! and when sufficient tension has been obtained, the actuator 3| will suddenly move to the right from the position of Figure 6 to that of Figure 5. During this motion, the effective toggle links indicated by the lines of force A and B will shift from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 5, that is to say, will tend to break towards the right as in Figure 5 at some intermediate position in the travel of the actuator 3! from the left to the right.

When the actuator 3| passes beyond the pivot point 6 of the switch operating means i on its right-hand travel, the spring 8 suddenly closes the switch as it would then tend to rock the switch operating means in a clockwise direction. In addition to this the angular relation between the trackways 3 and 29 is suddenly changed and the effective toggle links or lines of force A and B break to the right as shown in Figure 5. This tends to make the actuator 3| remain in its right-hand position against the stop 26. The actuator travels at a high rate of speed as it passes over the center point 5 of the switch operating means I and the action of the spring 8 causes quick closing stroke. of the circuit breaker. It is to be noted from reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7 that the curvature, shape and angular relation of the trackways 3 and 29 is such as to assist in the above described operation.

It will be seen from the immediately preceding description that in reality the actuator 35 conv stitutes a traveling toggle mechanism.

Means are provided for automatically opening the circuit breaker on the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such, for example, as over load. It will be seen that current passes through the bi-metallic elements l8 and such elements are'arranged to warp upwardlywhen excessive current. passes therethrough. The upwardmotion of the free ends of the thermally responsive members I8 is transmitted to the insulating pins 41 of the, adjustable screws 48 which are threaded. through insulating arms 49 of an insulating rock shaft 50, as. shown in Figures 1 and 4. This insulating rock shaft is pivotally mounted between extensions rigidly carried by the side walls H of the main body portion. The. rock shaft, 59, see Figure 5, is provided with a downwardlyextending arm 52 through which an adjusting screw 53 passes. This adjusting screw is adapted to bear against the lip 54 of a trip lever 55 which isprovided with a catch portion 55. having a flat upper face. The lever 55 isspring. urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5. The flat upper face of the latch. 56 normally engages beneath the face of a lip. 5'! of a main latch lever 58. This main latch lever is pivoted as indicated at 59 and is spring urged in a counterclockwise direction. A latch pin 6%] is carried by the main latch lever 58and normally engages. the fiat upper face of the. latching lip 28 of the carrier M. A convene i'ent way of making the lever 58 is to form it of two side plates integrally joined by a transverse. portioniti.

The, latch lever 5,5..may be called an auxiliary latchlever and the, latch lever 53, the main latch lever. It is to, be noted from an examination of Figure. 5 that the, upward pull of the. carrier 23 against the pin fail is substantially directly above the; pivot point 59 of the lever '58 to thus minimize the force required to turn the lever 53 to releasing position when the lip 51 is disengaged from the lip 56. Also it will be seen that the point of engagement between the lips 56 and 51 is substantially directly below the pivot point 62' of the auxiliary latch lever 55 although very little releasing force is required to effect release of, the carrier through the compound action of the main and auxiliary latch levers. Consequently very little force is required to be exerted by the thermal elements the successive release of the auxiliary latch and main latch and the main latch and carrier 24.

When the carrier 24 is released, it suddenly rocks upwardly to the position shown in Figure 7 due to the urge of the springs 36 and 8. spring 8 immediately forces the switch operating means i upwardly and thus suddenly opens the circuit breaker. It is to be understood that the springs 3!? always hold the actuator 3! in firm engagement with the carrier 24.

It will be seen from a comparison of Figures 5 and '7 that when the carrier suddenly rocks upwardly, the stop or lever 26 will force the actuator 3! to the right as shown in Figure 7, and upon an examination of the effective toggle links or lines of force A and B of Figure 7, it will be seen that they extend to the left and thus the toggle has been broken at this time.

The upward motion of the carrier 24. is ar-. rested when the carrier engages the roller of the main operating lever or means 38. It is apparent also that the main operating lever 38 could be held forcibly in switch closed position and yet the circuit breaker would release on overload as it is trip free.

In order to reset the circuit breaker, the main operating means 38 is rocked from the position shown in Figure 7 to the left. During this motion the roller lil rides along the cam-shaped upper face of the carrier 2-; and forces thecarrice-downwardly. Atthe same time thesprings- E8 in order to cause The In addition to this, if the thermostatic elements.

have not sumciently cooled, the latching lever 55. will remain in the position shown in Figure"! as it is merely urged in a counterclockwise direc, tion by means of its spring and conse'quentlyno excessive pressure is imparted to the thermosstatic elements and no damage can result. On the, other hand, if the thermostatic elements hays cooled sufiiciently, the auxiliary latching lever will latch the main latching lever 58 in thepo: sition shown in Figure 5.

When the main operating means 38 is allowed to rock slightly to the right to the position shown. in Figure 6, it will, be seen that the carrier 24.,

' rises-and the latching portion 28 engages. beneath the latching pin 68. It is to be noted that the major portion of the cam upper surface. ofthe carrier 24 has a relatively gradual. slant but the. extreme portion adjacent. its free, end hasarelatively steep slant as indicated by the reference.

character 62. This relatively steep slanting portion 62 constitutes a stop to limit the left-hand travel of the main operating means 38, as shown in Figure 6. However, as described above, during the resetting the. main operating means 38 is.

moved a slightly greater distance to the left than, that shown in Figure 6 and the roller 46 engaging the relatively steep portion 62 forces the carrier 2 5 downwardly sufficiently for the lip 28 of the.- carrier to engage the transverse portion 6 l. of. the. main latch 58.

If desired the circuit breaker may be mounted directly upon the transformer-las shown in Fig ure 9 and may be operated by means of the,ex-.. ternally located handle 35, see Figure 10, hereinbefore described.

The circuit breaker may be mounted below thev oil level indicated at M in Figure 9 so that the switch is operated in the oil and so that the thermostatic elements may be heated not only by the current passing therethrough but by the gen; eral temperature of the oil. The purpose of this is to allow the thermostatic elements to respond not only to a relatively sudden overload but: to; allow them to respond to the gradual rise of termperature of the oil which would result from a, small and prolonged overload due to the. heat-rv ing of the transformer itself. Thus there, may be. afforded the double protection of opening the switch under the influence of an overload or reasonable magnitude or the opening, of the. switch from a prolonged small overload due to the heating'of the transformer. It is obvious, also that if desired the main current need not pass through the thermal members and the ther mal members could then respond merely to the heat of the oil if so desired, or the oil level could be so regulated that it is below the thermal members and then the thermal members would respond merely to the heat of the current passing] therethrough. The circuit breaker is adapted for other mountings. For example, itmay have a wall mounting:

as shown in Figure- 11 and may beoperated by means of an insulating handle 65 directly secured to the main operating means 38, which latter corresponds to the main operating means 38 hereinbefore described. The insulating handle 65 extends through a slot in the curved outer wall of the casing 66.

Figure 12 shows the wiring diagram and it will be seen that the circuit breaker in the form shown has been illustrated as being connected in the single phase grounded neutral system of Figure 12.

Obviously other forms of condition responsive means could be employed. For example, the solenoid type shown in Figure 13 could be used, the solenoid being indicated by the reference character 61 and being adapted to raise the plunger 68 on overload. A suitable dashpot arrangement may be provided to secure a time delay action and may consist of a piston 69 slidable within the cylinder 10, such cylinder being provided with apertures above and below the piston. A spring H is employed to urge the piston do i.- wardly. Obviously other types of time delay means could be employed without departing from the spirit of this invention and it is to be understood that the circuit breaker could be made to respond to over or under voltage, overload, phase reversal, or any other desired condition.

The purpose of having time delay is to prevent the breaker from suddenly opening for any sudden and extremely transitory overload for instance but to allow the breaker to open as promptly as desired for an overload for a period longer than that for which thetime delay has been designed. Obviously the time delay can be varied by having difierent size apertures in relation to the size of the cylinder or in any other suitable manner.

It is to be noted also that in all forms of the invention adjustment of the screws 48 will determine the value of the condition under which the circuit breaker will open, for instance the amount of overload. A further adjustment can be had if desired by adjusting the screw 53, see Figure for instance.

, It is to be understood that the circuit breaker can be made either with a double switch construction as illustrated or a single switch construction or in any manner desired. Also it is to be understood that although it is shown in a single phase system, it can be used in a three phase system as two of the switch means would be arranged in two of the lines and thereby would control the three phase system, or, if desired, three separate switch elements could be used as the invention is not limited to any specific number of switch elements as obviously there could be one or a plurality of switch elements.

. Although this invention has been described inconsiderable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

. l. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit mounted as a floating structure and having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said switch unit at the pivot point, a carrier mounted in spaced relation to said switch unit and movable outwardly away from said switch unit, a rolling actuator mounted between and engaging said carrier and switch unit and biased outwardly from said switch unit and movable back and forth across the pivot point of said 10 switch unit and adapted to roll upon both said carrier and switch unit, and two independent means for respectively controlling the motion of the rolling actuator and the motion of said movable carrier.

2. A switch comprising a switch unit including a movable contact and switch operating means for moving said movable contact, a cooperating contact, said switch unit having a pivot point, spring means pivotally supporting said switch unit at said pivot point, a rolling actuator rolling upon said switch unit to rock said switch unit as said actuator is rolled back and forth across said pivot point to cause said contacts to engage and disengage, a carrier constituting a bearing member for said actuator, said actuator rolling upon said carrier as said actuator is rolled back and forth on said switch unit, and means for rolling said actuator back and forth along said switch unit and said carrier.

3. A switch comprising a switch unit including a movable contact, a cooperating contact, said switch unit having a pivot point and rockable about said pivot point to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a rolling actuator coacting with said switch unit and movable along said switch unit to cause said switch unit to rock, a carrier spaced from said switch unit, said actuator being positioned between said carrier and switch unit and having rolling engagement with both said carrier and switch unit, and means for moving said actuator.

4. A switch comprising a switch unit including a movable contact, a cooperating contact, said switch unit having a pivot point and rockable about said pivot point to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a rolling actuator coacting said switch unit and movable along said switch unit to cause said switch unit to rock, a carrier spaced from said switch unit, said actuator being positioned between said carrier and switch unit and having rolling engagement with both said carrier and switch unit, spring means for holding said actuator and carrier in engagement, and means for moving said actuator.

5. A switch comprising a switch unit including a movable contact, a cooperating contact, said switch unit having a pivot point and rockable about said pivot point to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a rolling actuator coacting with said switch unit and movable along said switch unit to cause said switch unit to rock, a carrier spaced from said switch unit, said actuator being positioned between said carrier and switch unit and having rolling engagement with both said carrier and switch unit, spring means for holding said actuator and carrier in engagement, spring means urging said switch unit towards said actuator, and means for moving said actuator.

6. A switch comprising a switch unit pivotally mounted for rocking motion about a pivot point and having a movable contact, a cooperating contact, a rolling actuator engaging said switch unit and adapted to move back and forth towards opposite ends of said switch unit for operating said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a, carrier spaced from said switch unit, said actuator having rolling engagement with both said carrier and said switch unit as said actuator is moved, spring means for urging said switch unit towards said. actuator, said actuator having independently revoluble portions engaging said carrier and said switch 11- unit and constituting a traveling toggle mechanism, and means for moving said, actuator.

7. A switch comprising a switch unitpivotally mounted for rocking motion about a pivot point and having a movable contact, a cooperating contact, a rolling actuator engaging said switch unit and adapted to move back and forth towards opposite ends of said switch unit for operating said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a carrier spaced from saidswitch unit, said actuator having rolling engagement with both said carrier and said switch unit as said actuator is moved, spring means for urging said switch unit towards said actuator, said actuator having independently revoluble portions engaging said carrier and said switch unit and constituting a traveling toggle mechanism with the toggle tending to break in opposite directions as said actuator approaches opposite ends of its travel, and means for mov ing said actuator.

8:. A switch comprising a switch unit pivotally mounted for rocking motion and having a movable'contact, a. cooperating contact, an actuator bearing'against said switch unit and movable to- Wards opposite ends of said switchunit for rockme; said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement between said contacts, a carrier spaced from said switch unit, said actuator having. rolling engagement with said. carrier and with said switch 'unit said, actuator is moved back and forth along said switch unit, spring means for holding said actuator in engagement with said carrier and switch unit, and means for moving said actuator,

9; Afswitch comprising a switch unit pivotally mounted for rocking motion and: having a movable contact, a cooperating contact, anactuator bearing against said switch unit and 'movable towards opposite ends of said switch unit for rocking said switch unit to cause engagement and dis engagement between said contacts, a carrier spaced from said switch unit, said actuator having, rolling engagement with said carrier and with said switch unitas said actuator is moved back and forth along said switch unit, spring meansv for holding said actuator in engagement with said carrier andswitch unit, said actuator'having incooperating contact, an actuator bearing against said switch unit and movable to opposite sides of, said pivot point for rocking said switch unit to cause engagement and disengagement of said contacts'a carrier for said actuator, said actue ator having rolling engagement with both said carrier and switch unit, spring means bearing against said switch unit adjacent said pivot point and urging said switch unit towards motion of translation, said spring means acting in the same direction to rock said switch unit in opposite directions depending on the position of said actuator, and means for moving said actuator.

11. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit having both rocking and translatory motion and having a movable pivot point, spring means yieldingly supporting said switch unit adjacent said pivot point, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth across said pivotv point and having both rocking. and translatory,

motion, a carrier arranged in spaced relationato said switch unit, said actuator being located be, tween said switch unit and said; carrier. and hav; s e a a clu c e ments hav n rolling engagement respectively with said carrier and switch unit, main operating means; for moving said actuator, and condition responsive means for releasing said switch unit for translatory motion,

12. A circuit breaker comprising a pivotallymounted switch unit, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable back and forth along;v said switchunit to open and close said. circuit breaker, amovable carrier for said actuatonsaid actuator having rolling engagement both with said carrier and with. said switch unit. asi saidactuator is moved: back and forth along. said switch unit, means biasing said actuator in. amrection away from said switch unit, mean for moving said actuator, latching means for; said; carrier, and condition responsive means forige leasing said carrier to allow. said actuatortoexe cute translatory motion away from said switch unit. H

13. A circuit breaker comprising a pivotally mounted switch unit, an actuator engaging said switch unit and movable towards opposite ends of said switch unit and. mounted for motion. back and forth along said switch unit and for translatory motion away from said switch unit,

said actuator having rolling. engagement with,

said switch unit, a. pivotally. mounted carrier spaced from saidswitch unit, said actuator having rolling engagement with said carrier and be.-. ingbiased outwardly away, from said switch unit, main operatingv means for' movin said actuator.

towards opposite ends of said switch unit, latch;v ing means for said carrier, condition responsiva means for releasing said carrier, and means op-. eratively connecting said carrier. and said main operating means for resetting said carrier.

14. A circuit breaker comprisinga switch unit: having both rocking and translatory motion,

spring means. supporting said switch unit and urging said switch unit towardstranslatory, mo:- tion to switch open position, amovable-carrierv mounted in spaced relation to. said switch. unit, said carrier and switch. unit having trackways. provided with gear teeth, an actuator mounted; between said switch unit and carrier andhaving.

separately revolubly mounted portions provided other direction, main operating meansfor moving said actuatortowards opposite ends ofsaid; switch unit,latch means normally holding said.v carrier against motion, and conditionresponsive,

means for.releasing saidcarrier.

15. A circuit breaker comprising a switehunitv pivotallymounted for rocking motionand having a movable contact, acooperating contact, an

actuator bearing against. said switch unit. and

movable towards op-positeends. of saidswitch.

unit for. rocking said switch unit to causewagagement and disengagement betweensaidcon tacts, a carrier spacedfrom said switch unit, said,

actuator having rollingengagement with said carrier and with said switchunit as said actuator.

is; moved back and .forth along. said switch unit,

r -meet ic em e w en nins.-

gagement with said carrier and biasing said actuator towards motion away from said switch unit, spring means holding said switch unit in engagement with said actuator, said actuator having independently revoluble portions provided with ear teeth and said carrier and switch unit having portions provided with gear teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of said independently revoluble portions, means for moving said actuator towards opposite ends of said switch unit, and condition responsive means for releasing said carrier.

16. A circuit breaker comprising a switch unit having both rocking and translatory motion, spring means supporting said switch unit and urging said switch unit towards translatory motion to switch open position, a movable carrier mounted in spaced relation to said switch unit, said carrier and switch unit having trackways provided with gear teeth, an actuator mounted between said switch unit and carrier and having separately revolubly mounted portions provided with gear teeth meshing with the gear teeth of the trackways of said carrier and switch unit respectively and having rolling engagement with said trackways, said switch unit and said carrier having guiding means for guiding said revolubly mounted portions of said actuator, said spring means when said actuator is adjacent one end of said switch unit rocking said switch unit in one direction and when said actuator is adjacent the other end of said switch unit rocking said switch unit in the other direction, main operating means for moving said actuator towards opposite ends of said switch unit, latch means normally holding said carrier against motion, and condition responsive means for releasing said carrier.

17. In a circuit breaker including switch means biased towards open position, mechanism for opening and closing said circuit breaker and including an outwardly biased movable member having a latching face, a main latch lever having latching means normally engaging said latching face and pivoted about a point approximately in line with the pull exerted by said latching face, a first biasing means biasing said main latch lever towards releasing motion, an auxiliary latch lever normally engaging and restraining said main latch lever and pivoted about a point approximately in line with the pull exerted by said main latch lever, a second biasing means independent of said first biasing means and biasing said auxiliary lever towards latching position, and condition responsive means for moving said auxiliary latch lever.

18. In a circuit breaker including switch means biased towards open position, mechanism for opening and closing said circuit breaker and including an outwardly biased movable member having a latching face, a main latch lever having latching means normally engaging said latching face pivoted about a point approximately in line with the pull exerted by said latching face, a first biasing means biasing said main latch lever towards releasing motion, an auxiliary latch lever normally engaging and restraining said main latch lever and pivoted about a point approximately in line with the pull exerted by said main latch lever, a second biasing means independent of said first biasing means and permanently biasing said auxiliary latch lever towards latching position and automatically latching said main latch lever when aid main latch lever is rocked to latching position, and condition responsive means for moving said auxiliary latch lever.

19. In a circuit breaker including switch means biased towards open position, mechanism for opening and closing said circuit breaker and including an outwardly biased movable member having a latching face, a main latch lever having latching means normally engaging said latching face and pivoted about a point approximately in line with the pull exerted by said latching face, said main latch lever being biased towards releasing motion, an auxiliary latch lever normally engaging and restraining said main latch lever and pivoted about a point approximately in line with the pull exerted by said main latch lever, said auxiliary latch lever being permanently biased towards latching position and automatically latching said main latch lever when said main latch lever is rocked to latching position, and condition responsive means for moving said auxiliary latch lever, said mechanism having means for restoring said main latch lever to latching position when said movable member is moved to a predetermined position the permanent bias on said auxiliary latch lever causing said auxiliary latch lever to latch said main latch lever When said main latch lever is restored to its initial position, and the force exerted on said auxiliary lever being independent of any motion of said mechanism.

GLENN R. RUNKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,015,633 Dorfman Sept. 24, 1935 2,050,285 Dorfman Aug. 11, 1936 2,294,838 Dorfman Sept. 1, 1942

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