Importance

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Abstract

An interrupting unit for a switch is provided that includes the efficient combination of a molded housing and a shunt current path therethrough. The shunt current path includes easily assembled components that provide positive contact at a point in the current path at which the components are relatively movable with respect to each other. The interrupting unit includes an operating mechanism with movable linkage components that operate the shunt interrupting contacts. The linkage components also provide a portion of the shunt current path. The shunt current path also includes a stationary auxiliary contact which extends outside the molded housing and which is cooperable with a moving auxiliary shunt contact of an overall interrupting switch. The molded housing includes a cover portion having a section that extends beyond the main integrally molded housing portion. The stationary auxiliary contact is a protruding member or stud disposed from the extending section of the cover portion. The cover portion of the molded housing carries integrally molded conductive provisions for connecting the externally disposed stationary auxiliary contact to the movable linkage portions of the operating mechanism internal to the molded housing. The provisions in the shunt current path that connect the externally disposed stationary auxiliary contact and the movable linkage portions of the operating mechanism also includes a depending resilient contact or wiper arm which engages a movable wiper contact surface or hub of the movable linkage to provide appropriate contact engagement.

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First Claim