Circuit breaker mechanism to facilitate automated assembly

A layered mechanism for use in a circuit breaker fabricated by automated assembly operations includes a movable electrical contact mounted on a blade for movement relative to a stationary electrical contact. The major portion of the blade is substantially flat, and a handle is coupled to the blade to move said blade. A toggle spring is connected to the blade to apply a biasing force in the plane of the flat portion of the blade. The handle and blade form cooperating opposed surfaces that allow engagement of the handle with the blade so that movement of the handle can move the blade while allowing pivoting movement of the blade relative to the handle, while opposed surfaces resist upward pivoting movement of the blade when the toggle spring is attached to the blade during assembly of the circuit breaker.