Electrical switching apparatus, and latch assembly and latch engagement control mechanism therefor

A latch engagement control mechanism (110) is provided for a latch assembly (100) of a circuit breaker (2) including a housing (4), separable contacts (6), and an operating mechanism (10) having a pole shaft (14), and at least one link (20) coupled to the pole shaft. The latch assembly (100) includes a pivot member (102) cooperable with such link. The latch engagement control mechanism (110) includes a latch pin (112) having a cut-out portion (114) and pivoting among a first position in which the latch pin prevents the pivot member from pivoting, and a second position in which the cut-out portion provides a clearance for the pivot member to pivot. A latch member (130) coupled to the latch pin (112) at or about the cut-out portion, includes at least a first protrusion engageable by the pivot member to establish the first position of the latch pin.