Michael R Kurtz

US Patent:

50878034, Feb 11, 1992

Filed:

May 22, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/526716

Inventors:

Michael A. Kurtz - Belleville IL

Assignee:

Hubbell Incorporated - Orange CT

International Classification:

H01H 1352
H01H 904

US Classification:

200526

Abstract:

An electrical switch for hazardous environments includes a non-metallic terminal base supporting a plurality of stationary contacts. A non-metallic operator body has a radial wall and tubular outer wall extending from the radial wall. The outer wall has a free end coupled to the terminal base and defines a contact chamber inside of the operator body. The radial wall has a central passageway and a tubular inner wall extending from the radial wall toward the terminal base substantially concentrically to the outer wall and the passageway. A non-metallic operator member has an annular portion slidably received in the passageway between first and second positions, and has a radial portion extending from the axial portion with a tubular flange extending from it substantially concentrically to the axial portion. The operator member tubular flange is slidably received between and overlaps the inner and outer walls of the operator body in both of the first and second positions of the operator body. An operator is coupled to the operator member for movement between open and closed positions in response to movement of the operator member between its first and second positions.