Medium voltage switchgear

1. A medium voltage switchgear comprising a casing-defining an internal volume for housing at least a circuit breaker assembly movable between at least two operative positions, said casing comprising a front panel provided with an opening for the insertion of an operating handle for actuating the movement of said circuit breaker assembly between said operative positions, a closing and retaining device being positioned in correspondence of said opening and movable between a closed position when said operating handle is not inserted and an open position for allowing insertion and withdrawal of said operating handle, said closing and retaining device comprising locking means for axially locking said operating handle in position when inserted in said opening to thereby prevent withdrawal of the handle from said opening.

2. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 1 , wherein said closing and retaining device comprises elastic retaining means for keeping said closing and retaining device in said closed position and opening means for opening said closing and retaining device.

3. The medium voltage switchgear according claim 2 , wherein said closing and retaining device comprises a first and a second plate respectively provided with a first and a second hole axially aligned with said opening when said closing and retaining device is in the open position, said first and second plate covering and closing said opening when said closing and retaining device is in the closed position.

4. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 1 , wherein said closing and retaining device comprise a manually operated knob.

5. The medium voltage switchgear according claim 4 , wherein said closing and retaining device comprises a first and a second plate respectively provided with a first and a second hole axially aligned with said opening when said closing and retaining device is in the open position, said first and second plates covering and closing said opening when said closing and retaining device is in the closed position.

6. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 1 , wherein said closing and retaining device comprises a first and a second plate respectively provided with a first and a second hole axially aligned with said opening when said closing and retaining device is in the open position, said first and second plates covering and closing said opening when said closing and retaining device is in the closed position.

7. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein said first and second plates are hinged on a common point and rotate in opposite directions when passing from said closed to said open position.

8. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 7 , wherein said first and second plates are hinged on said front panel.

9. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 8 , wherein said first and second plates are substantially C-shaped and comprises a first and a second lateral portion extending form a central portion.

10. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 8 , wherein said first and second plates respectively comprise a first and a second actuating surface extending therefrom and interacting with an actuating cam operatively coupled with said opening means.

11. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 7 , wherein said first and second plates are substantially C-shaped and comprises a first and a second lateral portion extending form a central portion.

12. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 7 , wherein said first and second plates respectively comprise a first and a second actuating surface extending therefrom and interacting with an actuating cam operatively coupled with said opening means.

13. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein said first and second plates are substantially C-shaped and comprises a first and a second lateral portion extending from a central portion.

14. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 13 , wherein said first and second plates respectively comprise a first and a second actuating surface extending therefrom and interacting with an actuating cam operatively coupled with said opening means.

15. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein said first and second plates respectively comprise a first and a second actuating surface extending therefrom and interacting with an actuating cam operatively coupled with an opening means opening said closing and retaining device.

16. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 15 , wherein said first and second actuating surfaces are positioned on a central portion of said first and second plates.

17. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 15 , wherein said first and second plate are hinged on a common point in correspondence of a first lateral portion, said first and second hole being positioned on a second lateral portion of said first and second plates.

18. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 15 , wherein said closing and retaining device comprises elastic retaining means including a first spring operatively coupled to said first and second plates and a second spring operatively coupled to said actuating cam.

19. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 15 said first and second actuating surfaces are positioned on a central portion of said first and second plates.

20. The medium voltage switchgear according to claim 6 , wherein said locking means comprise a cutout portion on the periphery of said first and second hole for engaging and retaining said operating handle.