SPRING DRIVEN RAM FOR CLOSING A ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS

An operating mechanism closing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus having a ram assembly structured to engage and move a toggle assembly is provided. The ram assembly includes a ram body that travels over a, preferably, straight path and engages the toggle assembly. The path may be defined by one or more pins extending through the ram body. One or more springs are coupled to the ram body and bias the ram body toward the toggle assembly. The springs may be conveniently disposed about the pins. In this configuration, the force created by the springs is, essentially, applied directly to the toggle assembly. The toggle assembly is coupled to, and structured to rotate, a pole shaft that is further coupled to, and structured to actuate, the electrical switching apparatus contacts. Accordingly, because the force created by the springs is not transferred via one or more cams, the required force, and therefore the size of the springs, is reduced compared to the prior art.