| 摘要 |
<p>In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a locking mechanism (20) comprising a blocking member (30, 60) sized to fit within the elongated slot (14) through which a circuit breaker handle (12) extends is disclosed. The blocking member may be seated adjacent the circuit breaker handle (12) within the elongated slot (14) and may snap or otherwise be locked into place to prevent the circuit breaker handle (12) from moving within the slot (14). Thus, if the blocking member (30, 60) is placed within the elongated slot (14) when the circuit breaker handle (12) is in an OFF position (16), then the circuit breaker handle (12) will be locked in the OFF position (16). The blocking member (30, 60) can be converted for locking the circuit breaker handle (12) in an ON position (18). Then, when the blocking member (30, 60) is placed within the elongated slot (14) when the circuit breaker handle (12) is in an ON position (18), then the circuit breaker handle (12) will be locked in the ON position (18). Once the blocking member (30, 60) is made for use in locking the circuit breaker (10) in an ON condition (18), it cannot be converted back for use as a blocking member (30, 60) for locking the circuit breaker handle (12) in an OFF position (16).</p> |
