Flexible shaft interface for circuit interrupter

摘要

A switching mechanism interfaces a flexible shaft to a handle of a circuit interrupter which is rotatable in an arcuate path between an on position and an off position. The switching mechanism includes a handle attachment attached to the handle for rotating the handle between the on position and the off position, and a bracket pivotally mounted to the handle attachment and attached to the flexible shaft for movement thereby. The handle attachment may also extend a length of the handle. The switching mechanism may further include a baseplate for securing the flexible shaft thereto and attached to the circuit interrupter. The bracket may have a generally U-shape, two arms pivotally mounted to the handle attachment, and a base which is attached to the flexible shaft. The handle attachment may be generally U-shaped and have a base and two arms which each are pivotally mounted to one of the two arms of the bracket. The two arms of the bracket may be generally oriented at right angles to the two arms of the handle attachment. The flexible shaft may have a linearly movable rod which moves generally tangential to the arcuate path of the handle and in a plane thereof. The handle attachment may have a clamp for clamping the handle attachment to the handle. The base may include a tab for positioning a length of the handle within the handle attachment. Alternatively, the handle attachment may have a base which is screwed to a hole in the handle.