Interrupting structures which have been utilized in conventional starter or contractor equipment, such as suitable for 400 amperes, 5 KV interrupting equipment, are well known in the art. Generally, such equipment is utilized in connection with fuse structures, and under certain (severe) conditions it is desirable to maintain the contactor contacts closed, so that the fuse equipment will fuse or "blow" first. It is usual in such starter equipment to provide a quick-opening and quick-closing with adequate contact pressure existing in the closed-circuit position of the equipment.
It is also desirable, in such starter equipment, to provide optional equipment which will enable the customer to specify either an air-break-type of interrupter or a vacuum-type interrupter. However, the latter type of equipment involves particular requirements, with which the present invention is concerned. U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,433 issued Aug. 2, 1966 to Russell D. Clark, Jr. and Charles J. Mahlar entitled "Switching Apparatus Employing Fuse As Movable Contacts and Having Safety Features" involves equipment related to the subject matter of the present invention. Also U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,431, issued Aug. 2, 1966, to Alfred W. Hodgson, entitled "Compact Switching Apparatus Employing Fuse As Movable Contacts", and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention relates to similar type equipment. Also U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,468, issued Dec. 6, 1966 to Russell D. Clark, Jr., and Charles J. Mahlar, entitled "Clip For Fuse Employed As Movable Member Switch" relates to the present equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,431, issued Aug. 2, 1966 to Alfred W. Hodgson is concerned with the equipment of the type utilized in practicing the invention. Finally, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,432, issued Aug. 2, 1966 to Alfred W. Hodgson and Russell D. Clark, Jr., as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,898,407 and 3,921,109 to Alfred W. Hodgson, which related to similar-type equipment, all of the foregoing patents being assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, and all of the aforesaid patents relating to air-break equipment.