CLIAMS:1. An interlock device adapted to mechanically couple at least one circuit breaker (1) to at least one cradle (2), said interlock device comprising:
at least one interlock pin (3);
at least one push button (4) with at least one pressable projection (8);
at least one spring (5);
at least one holder link (6) having at least one at least one cam (10); WHEREIN
said holder link (6) and said push button (4) are operably coupled to said cradle (2) by a coupling means;
said interlock pin (3) is connected said circuit breaker (1), preferably on at least one rear plate;
said spring (5) is configured to pull down said holder link (6) by exerting a force to restrict engagement of said interlock pin (3) with said holder link (6); and
said interlock pin (3) engages with said holder link (6), by pressing said push button (4), to interlock with said cradle (2) thereby restricting removal of said circuit breaker (1).

2. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interlock pin (3) is configured to operably push said holder link (6) against said force so as to interlock with said cradle (2).

3. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder link (6) is configured to be operable based on operation of said pressable projection (8) on said push button (4).

4. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder link (6) is rotatable, said rotation being constrained by a slot provided in said push button (4).

5. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means is rivet (7).

6. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder link (6) and said push button (4) are coupled to a side plate of said cradle (2).

7. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressable projection (8) is operable to connect said push button (4) to said holder link (6), is spring loaded so as to keep holder link (6) in the position

8. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when said circuit breaker (1) is inserted in said cradle (2), said cam (10) in said holder link (6) takes a motion from said interlock pin (3), moves in vertical direction, and once said interlock pin (3) pin reaches an undercut provided in said holder link (6) the interlock pin (3) is configured to interlock.

9. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when said push button (4) is pressed, said holder link (6) is configured to move up and said circuit breaker (1) removed from said interlock.

10. The interlock device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interlock pin (3) engages with the holder link (6 ) and gets locked in the cradle (2) which so as to restrict removal of breaker.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to circuit breakers, and in particular, to interlock for breaker removal in drawout circuit breakers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Traditionally known, draw-out module is an arrangement which is used to connect breaker 1 to a main bus and removal of the breaker 1 without disturbing the termination. With the help of mechanism, the breaker 1 is connected to main and auxiliary supplies. Draw-out breaker 1 has three positions called isolated, test and service. Once breaker 1 is put into the cradle 2 that is called as isolated position, sic will get connected at test condition and power contacts get connected at service condition. in test and service positions the breaker 1 is held by draw-out mechanism so accidental removal of breaker 1 is not possible, in isolated condition the mechanism release the breaker 1 so that it can be removed from cradle 2 but due to vibration or gravity it may unintentionally fall from the cradle 2 leads to damage of the breaker 1 and to human life. In order to avoid this removal interlock is made so that it locks the breaker 1 in isolated position at the same time breaker 1 can be removed easily.

[003] However, interlock mechanisms in existing products, draw-outs circuit breakers, are difficult to access during breaker 1 removal and needs at least two persons to remove said breaker 1. Also, resetting of interlock is manual and is not fool proof.

[004] In view of the above, there is a need of an improved interlocking mechanism in circuit breakers that can overcome the drawbacks of the existing spring discharge mechanism known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

[006] An object of the present invention is to avoid accidental removal or free falling of Breaker 1 in isolated condition.

[007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an interlock mechanism so that the breaker does not free fall due to gravity or vibration.

[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an interlock mechanism so that the breaker can be locked in isolated position and can be easily removed from Cradle 2.

[009] Accordingly, in one implementation, an interlock device adapted to mechanically couple at least one circuit breaker (1) to at least one cradle (2) is disclosed. The interlock device comprising: at least one interlock pin (3); at least one push button (4) with at least one pressable projection (8); at least one spring (5); at least one holder link (6) having at least one cam (10). The holder link (6) and said push button (4) are operably coupled to said cradle (2) by a coupling means; said interlock pin (3) is connected said circuit breaker (1), preferably on at least one rear plate; said spring (5) is configured to pull down said holder link (6) by exerting a force to restrict engagement of said interlock pin (3) with said holder link (6); and said interlock pin (3) engages with said holder link (6), by pressing said push button (4), to interlock with said cradle (2) thereby restricting removal of said circuit breaker (1).

[0010] In one implementation, a push button is used for releasing the interlock that can be operated while removing the breaker 1, i.e., one person can remove the Breaker 1 from the cradle 2 and the interlock will get reset automatically.

[0011] In one implementation, the interlock pin 3 used in the breaker rear plate engages with holder link 6 and holds breaker 1 to the cradle 2 and the pushes button 4 used to release the inter lock.

[0012] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a draw-out MCCB.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a breaker is in removed condition.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates an interlock with side plate, in accordance with the subject matter of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates projection connects the push button 4 and the holder link 6, in accordance with the subject matter of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates breaker is in inserting condition, in accordance with the subject matter of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates breaker is in isolated position, in accordance with the subject matter of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 illustrates push button is pressed; now the breaker is ready to removed, in accordance with the subject matter of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 8 illustrates Breaker is removed, in accordance with the subject matter of the present invention.

[0021] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

[0023] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0024] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0025] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0027] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0028] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0029] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that for understanding purpose the present invention is explained with the help of circuit breakers however the disclosed subject matter shall not be considered as the limiting factor for the scope of present invention.

[0030] Below mentioned is the list of components used throughout the invention along with their respective reference numerals. However the list of components shall not be considered as the limiting factor for the scope of present invention.
1- Breaker
2- Cradle
3- Interlock pin
4- Push button
5- Spring
6- Holder link
7- Rivets
8- Projection connects the push button and holder link
9- Side plate
10- Cam
11- Grip

[0031] In one implementation, the present invention provides an interlock unit that consists of holder link (6) and push button (4) which are connected to the side plate of the cradle (2) by rivets. Projection 8in the push button (4) connects it to the holder link (6) which is spring (5) loaded, the interlock pin (3) is connected to the rear plate of the breaker (1), the spring (5) always pulls the holder link (6) down. When the breaker (1) is inserted to the cradle (2) the interlock pin (3) pushes the holder link (6) towards up and gets locked in the cradle, now the breaker (1) can be racked in/out. For removing the breaker (1) one has to press the push button (4) hence the holder link (6) will move up and breaker (1) can be taken out.

[0032] The spring (5) connected to the holder link (6) and the spring (5) pin always pulls the holder link (6) down, the rotation of the holder link (6) is constrained by the slots given in the push button (4). When the breaker (1) is inserted the cam given in the holder link (6) takes the motion from the interlock pin (3) and moves up as shown in figure 4. Once the pin reaches the undercut given in the holder link (6) the pin get trapped in the interlock as shown in figure 6.

[0033] The push button (4) has to be pressed as shown in figure 6. so that the holder link (6) will move up and breaker (1) is free to take out, one can hold the breaker using the grip (11) and press the push button together then remove the breaker (1).once the breaker is removed the inter lock will get reset automatically.

[0034] In one implementation, an interlock device adapted to mechanically couple at least one circuit breaker (1) to at least one cradle (2) is disclosed. The interlock device comprising: at least one interlock pin (3); at least one push button (4) with at least one pressable projection (8); at least one spring (5); at least one holder link (6) having at least one at least one cam (10). The holder link (6) and said push button (4) are operably coupled to said cradle (2) by a coupling means; said interlock pin (3) is connected said circuit breaker (1), preferably on at least one rear plate; said spring (5) is configured to pull down said holder link (6) by exerting a force to restrict engagement of said interlock pin (3) with said holder link (6); and said interlock pin (3) engages with said holder link (6), by pressing said push button (4), to interlock with said cradle (2) thereby restricting removal of said circuit breaker (1).

[0035] In one implementation, said interlock pin (3) is configured to operably push said holder link (6) against said force so as to interlock with said cradle (2).

[0036] In one implementation, said holder link (6) is configured to be operable based on operation of said pressable projection (8) on said push button (4).

[0037] In one implementation, said the holder link (6) is rotatable and said rotation is constrained by a slot provided in said push button (4).

[0038] In one implementation, said coupling means is rivet (7).

[0039] In one implementation, said holder link (6) and said push button (4) are coupled to a side plate of said cradle (2).

[0040] In one implementation, said pressable projection (8) is operable to connect said push button (4) to said holder link (6).

[0041] In one implementation, when said circuit breaker (1) is inserted in said cradle (2), said cam (10) in said holder link (6) takes a motion from said interlock pin (3), moves in vertical direction, and once said interlock pin (3) pin reaches an undercut provided in said holder link (6) the interlock pin (3) is configured to interlock.

[0042] In one implementation, when said push button (4) is pressed, said holder link (6) is configured to move up and said circuit breaker (1) removed from said interlock.

[0043] Apart from the advantages and benefits mentioned above, other advantages and benefits are mentioned below:
· The present invention avoids accidental removal or free falling of Breaker 1 in isolated condition.
· The interlock pin (3) provided in the present invention engages with the holder link (6) and gets locked in the cradle (2) which avoids the unintentional removal of breaker.
· The push button 4provided in the present invention is pressed to disengage the Breaker (1) from Cradle (2) which ensures the easy removal of breaker.
· Spring discharge mechanism is directly coupled with closing circuit main shaft so backlash error avoided.
· In the present invention, the Push button (4) is placed near to the grip (11) so that one can hold the grip and press the push button (4).

[0044] It may be understood by the person skilled in that art that, the coupling, joining, fitting of the two components mentioned the present invention may be achieved by any of the existing coupling techniques that may include but not limited to nut and bolt arrangement, gluing, pasting, welding, and the like.

[0045] Although an interlock device for circuit breaker have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the interlock device for circuit breaker.