Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving an element, for instance a movable contact of a switch, from a first end position to a second end position and vice versa and selectively keeping the element in each of the noted end positions, the apparatus comprising an energy buffer (1), for instance a spring, mechanically coupled with the element, which can be in two stationary end conditions corresponding with the noted end positions, or in intermediate translation conditions in which potential energy is transduced into kinetic energy and vice versa, a mass (4) driven by the energy buffer (1) which can be moved to one of two end positions corresponding with the end conditions of the energy buffer, and a locking mechanism (8, 34, 31) for locking the mass (4) in its end positions. The locking mechanism consists of a wedge (8) with two wedge portions, each decreasing in cross section in opposite directions, which wedge (8) is positioned between a first surface which is moved with the mass (4) and a second surface, rolling balls (34) positioned between the wedge and the second surface, and a slide (31) for alternately displacing the rolling balls (34) to one of two partial spaces between one of the wedge portions and the second surface in order to press the wedge portion against the first surface by means of the balls (34), so that the mass (4) will be locked in position.

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First Claim