EP0326848A2 - Closure for fixing an electric wire on a bell shape support and tool therefore - Google Patents

Abstract

A clasp for fixing an electric wire (9) to a support bucket (1) comprising a saddle portion (7, 8) and a method for such an operation. The clasp has a rigid but foldable clamping jaw (10), having a clip (15) for hanging a wire connected to its internal surface, made of a semiconductor elastomeric material. The fixing method involves the use of a compression device associated with mechanical parts intended to perform a series of simple steps, including the steps of lifting the electric wire (9) in the staple, and applying a pressure to close the clip (15) around the wire while simultaneously fixing the clamping jaw (10) to the saddle portion of the support bucket (1).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a clasp for attaching an electrical wire to a pin-type support bucket and to a method for connecting an electrical wire to a pin-type support bucket by means of the clasp.

STATE OF THE ART

Support buckets are used on utility poles and turrets to prevent the electricity passing through these wires, which is often of very high potential, from being discharged into the ground or into other wires.

A conventional pin support bucket is attached to a strut of a post or turret and has an upper saddle portion on which the wire rests. Until now, a wire has most often been connected to its support bucket by manually winding and twisting a wire of small diameter around the electric wire and the saddle portion.

• 1) il est difficile pour un ouvrier qui doit aussi monter ou être soulevé par treuil dans une benne de camion jusqu'à des fils sous tension, de réaliser le difficile enroulement du fil à faible diamètre, utilisant un outil avec un poteau isolé d'un peu moins de deux mètres;
• 2) çà prend du temps;
• 3)de tels moyens d'attachement n'empêchent pas le fil électrique de glisser en dehors et au dessus du godet de support dans le cas où le fil serait coupé, e.g. par la chute d'un arbre, lors d'une tempête à fort vent, une telle chose étant possible puisque les poteaux ou tourelles de services publics sont habituellement plutôt espacés les uns des autres, résultant en des longueurs relativement lourdes de fils suspendus entre les godets de support, et donc, si un fil est brisé, son poids entraînera vers le bas et de travers un godet de support contre le fil à faible diamètre enroulé; et
• 4) l'on sait que des fils de liaison produisent des interférences radio dans la bande de modulation d'amplitude (MA).

Such a method and such fixing means are not satisfactory for four reasons:

• 1) it is difficult for a worker who must also climb or be lifted by winch in a truck dump to live wires, to realize the difficult winding of small diameter wire, using a tool with an insulated post of just under two meters;
• 2) it takes time;
• 3) such attachment means do not prevent the electric wire from slipping out and over the support bucket in the event that the wire is cut, eg by the fall of a tree, during a storm strong wind, such a thing being possible since utility poles or turrets are usually rather spaced from each other, resulting in lengths relatively heavy wires hanging between the support buckets, and therefore, if a wire is broken, its weight will pull down and across a support bucket against the small diameter wire wound; and
• 4) it is known that connecting wires produce radio interference in the amplitude modulation band (AM).

GOALS OF THE INVENTION

Taking into account the above, a first object of the invention is to provide a clasp and a method for attaching a wire to a support bucket, which circumvents the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp and a method as described above, which is simple to construct and which comprises simple steps for installing it on a support bucket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clasp as above, which does not cost much to build.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects and advantages mentioned above and others of the present invention are produced according to a preferred model constituted by a clasp comprising a clamping jaw made of a rigid but foldable material and of a gripping member. The jaw has a flat upper portion and means at each end for firmly gripping the saddle portion of a support bucket, as will be explained. The jaw is intended to be placed directly above the bucket and to be clamped on it. We find in the jaw a wire gripping member made of a material deformable under stress, such as a suitable elastomer. The organ consists of a main body portion including an upper surface generally flat. The lower surface of the body portion has an elongated first groove. The two sides of the gripping member are preferably formed of attachment means for attaching the gripping member to the clamping jaw. Both sides of the gripping member additionally have first elongated walls preferably projecting slightly outwards. Each of these first walls merges with the body portion. Second downward facing walls also protrude from the body portion.

The inner lower end of each second wall has a second elongated groove.

During fixing, the two second walls are deformed inward from their initial configuration into a completely permanent folded configuration, where the three grooves define an opening of circular section, intended to firmly grip an electric wire there. Such deformation of the second walls is assisted by the first initially straight walls which abut against the underside of the clamping jaw. At the same time, the jaw is rigidly attached to the bucket.

The present invention extends to providing for the realization of such an attachment of an electric wire to a saddle portion of a bucket by means of a manual tool connected to an arrangement of mechanical parts intended to perform a series of steps.

The mechanical parts comprise a pair of spaced apart legs interconnected by an elongated yoke member, the latter in turn being connected to an expandable jack mechanism.

Each leg has first lower hook means intended to grip the lower edge of a support bucket and has, moreover, second means of hook for gripping and lifting an electric wire passing over the saddle portion of the bucket.

Pressure means are attached to the expandable cylinder mechanism and intended to push down against the clamping jaw and cause the lifting action of the second hook means and the locking action of the first hook means.

• (a) l'organe d'agrippement est relié à la mâchoire de serrage par ses moyens d'attachement;
• (b) le fermoir est fixé manuellement directement aux moyens de compression de l'outil et placé au-dessus de la portion de selle du godet, avec les premiers et second moyens de crochet sous le godet et sous le fil électrique, respectivement;
• (c) le vérin est actionné pour soulever les moyens de crochet et obliger les moyens de compression à exercer une pression vers le bas sur la mâchoire et sur l'organe d'agrippement, jusqu'à ce que le fermoir supporte le fil électrique et soit fixé solidement au godet; et
• (d) l'outil est enlevé.

The method of fixing the electric wire to its support bucket can therefore be briefly detailed as follows:

• (a) the gripping member is connected to the clamping jaw by its attachment means;
• (b) the clasp is manually fixed directly to the compression means of the tool and placed above the saddle portion of the bucket, with the first and second hook means under the bucket and under the electric wire, respectively;
• (c) the jack is actuated to raise the hook means and force the compression means to exert downward pressure on the jaw and on the gripping member, until the clasp supports the electric wire and is securely attached to the bucket; and
• (d) the tool is removed.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

• La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un fermoir selon l'invention, avant installation, et montrant aussi un godet de support et un segment de fil électrique ou câble;
• La figure 2 est une vue d'extrémité d'un fermoir et une réalisation d'un organe d'agrippement pour une dimension donnée de fil;
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe d'une autre réalisation d'un organe d'agrippement pour un fil de dimensions plus petites;
• Les figures 4 et 4a sont des vues de demi-fermoirs, de la moitié de la portion supérieure d'un godet de support et de la moitié des premières et secondes réalisations de l'agrafe, respectivement; les agrafes étant en configuration complètement fermée;
• La figure 5 est une vue en élévation latérale d'un godet, d'un segment de fil électrique à lui être attaché, et d'un outil et du fermoir placé audessus du godet;
• La figure 6 est une vue d'extrémité à angle droit de et correspondant à la figure 5; et
• Les figures 7 à 9 sont des vues d'extrémités supplémentaires séquentielles montrant la méthode employée pour réaliser l'installation du fermoir.

The above will be more easily understood by referring to the preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated by means of the attached drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a clasp according to the invention, before installation, and also showing a support cup and a segment of electric wire or cable;
• Figure 2 is an end view of a clasp and an embodiment of a gripping member for a given size of wire;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of another production of a gripping member for a wire of smaller dimensions;
• Figures 4 and 4a are views of half clasps, half of the upper portion of a support cup and half of the first and second embodiments of the clip, respectively; the clips being in the fully closed configuration;
• Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a bucket, a segment of electrical wire to be attached thereto, and a tool and clasp placed above the bucket;
• Figure 6 is a right angle end view of and corresponding to Figure 5; and
• Figures 7 to 9 are views of additional sequential ends showing the method used to perform the installation of the clasp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

If we first look at Figure 1, we see a typical conventional bucket 1, made from an electrically insulating material, e.g. porcelain. The bucket 1 has a flared lower portion 2, of generally truncated shape, including a pair of concentric base portions 3, 4, the smallest of which is rigidly fixed to a support post 5, the latter in turn being connected to a spacer 6 (as shown in Figure 5) of a utility pole or turret (not shown). The upper portion of the bucket 1 has the general shape of a transverse saddle including a curved central stirrup 7 and projecting parts 8.

The saddle is intended to support an elongated electric cable or wire (9).

Figures 1,2 and 4 show a clamping jaw 10 according to the invention. It preferably consists of an aluminum profile sectioned into sections and cut by machine. It includes a flat portion 10 ′ merging with curved portions down 10˝ at its two ends. Each portion 10˝ is folded horizontally inward at its lower end to define a flange 11, having an innermost semi-circular offset 12. The portion 10˝, the flanges 11, and the offset 12 constitute the means of grip. Each offset 12 has a central notch 12a. The jaw 10 has an elongated outer ridge 13 at the junction of the curved portions 10˝ with the flat portion 10 ′. The inner surface of the jaw 10 comprises a pair of elongated L-shaped flanges, 14, which are closer together than the ridges 13.

A wire gripping member, 15, is intended to be used with the jaw 10 in a complementary manner. The member 15 is made of an elastomeric material deformable under stress, essentially partially electrically conductive, such as rubber with a carbon content. The initial shape of the member 15 is preferably formed by an extrusion process after which a piece of desired length can easily be cut.

The member 15 has a main body portion 15 ′, the upper surface of which has a pair of transversely spaced L-shaped grooves 16, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. The grooves 16 constitute means of attachment intended to receive the flanges 14, so that the gripping member 15 can be fixed to the clamping jaw 10, as shown.

Each groove 16 defines a first contiguous wall 17 projecting outward and angularly. The walls 17 merge with the body portion 15 ′.

A pair of second walls 18 merge also with the body portion 15 ′. Each wall 18 is located under each first adjacent wall 17 and generally opposite it.

The middle of the lower surface of the body portion 15 ′ is formed by a first elongated groove 19, of a generally semicircular shape in section. The groove 19 is bordered on each side by a V-shaped notch, 19a.

The inner lower ends of the two second walls 18 are provided with a second groove 20 whose general shape is the quarter of a circle.

The clip 15a of the second embodiment is similar, except in terms of dimensions, including a smaller groove 19 ′ and grooves 20 ′ and a portion of thicker body 15˝.

It will be more easily understood from a brief examination of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 4a that the two walls 18 are intended to be folded inwards from an initial configuration, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , up to a permanent folding installation configuration, as shown in Figures 4 and 4a. In this latter configuration, the first groove 19 or 19 ′ and the two second grooves 20 or 20 'form an orifice 21, 22, respectively, of circular cross section and of a dimension making it possible to retain a wire 9 by gripping by friction. The wire 9 can of course be of different diameter, as suggested in the figures. The external curvature surface of the exterior of the two second walls 18 is identical to the arc of curvature of the curved stirrup 7 on the two sides of the latter, as shown.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 9, the method of using the clamping jaw 10 and the gripping member 15 is illustrated, as is a tool used to carry out the method.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show force means consisting of a piston 23 and cylinder with spring return cylinder, which is fixed permanently to a manual handle 24 by means of a universal joint 24a. The handle 24 is held by an operator in the bucket of a truck or the like (not shown). An expansion force, such as hydraulic pressure, can be delivered to the jack 23 through a tube passing through or along the handle 24 with control levers thereon.

The jack 23 is integral with a horizontal transverse yoke member, 25. Each of the opposite ends of the yoke 25 carries a tab 26 projecting downwards. The lower ends of the legs 26 carry a hook 27 facing inwards, constituting first hook means, as clearly shown in FIG. 5. The hooks 27 are intended to catch the lower edge of the flare or "skirt" 2 of bucket 1.

Intermediate to the upper and lower ends of the legs 26, there are portions 26 ′ folded outwards and transversely and having the lowest hook supports, 28, these constituting second hook means.

Immediately under the hook supports 28, each tab 26 can be made of an enlarged hollow portion 26˝. The portions 26˝ are internally threaded so that the upper ends threaded in a manner complementary to the lower portions of the legs 26 can be adjusted in length by screwing such lower portions of the legs into the portions 26˝. Therefore, the distance between the hooks 27 and 28 of each leg 26 can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of bucket.

The tool is completed by a means of compression comprising a rigid compression plate 29, having a flat intermediate portion 30, which is rigidly fixed to the remote end of the piston rod 31 of the jack, the latter being intended for vertical movement, as suggested by the arrows 32 in Figure 6. On both sides of the intermediate region 30 merge the portions 33 protruding transversely outward and downward, which merge with the end shoulders 34 protruding transversely outward.

The shoulders 34 are intended to come into contact with the respective ridges 13 of the clamping jaw 10 and to compress them.

The compression plate 29 incorporates, at its two ends, a flange 35 for guiding and retaining the clasp, having a lower end flaring outwards, at 35 ′.

• (a) l'organe d'agrippement 15 ou 15a est relié à la mâchoire 10 par les rebords de coulissement 14 dans les rainures 16 jusqu'à ce que l'organe 15 soit directement sous la paroi supérieure 10′ de la mâchoire 10;
• (b)la mâchoire de serrage 10 est appliquée sur la plaque de compression 29 et retenue par le rebord 35 de guidage et de retenue;
• (c)en utilisant la poignée 24, l'organe d'agrippement 15 ou 15a est transporté jusqu'au câble 9 et placé au-­dessus avec les rebords 11 de la mâchoire de serrage 10 appuyés sur les parties saillantes respectives 8 du godet 1, et donc, tel que montré à la figure 6, le fil électrique 9 engage partiellement entre les deux secondes parois 18 de l'agrafe 15, et le joug 25 s'allonge alors le long du fil 9 et les pattes 26 font saillie vers le bas sur chaque côté du godet 1 avec des crochets inférieur et supérieur 27, 28 prêts à engager vers le haut le bord inférieur du fil 9 en premier et du godet 1 après;
• (d)la tige de piston 31 du vérin 23 est actionné vers le bas, dès lors soulevant le vérin 23 et produisant deux résultats: les supports de crochet 28 engagent et soulèvent le fil 9, de sorte qu'ils libèrent l'espace nécessaire entre celui-ci et l'étrier 7 pour y permettre l'insertion des deux secondes parois 18 de l'agrafe 15; et les crochets 27 engagent le godet 1;
• (e)la tige de piston 31 est actionnée au surplus, comme aux figures 8 et 9, de façon à exercer une force vers le bas contre la mâchoire 10 et l'organe d'agrippement 15 avec le fil 9 retenu fermement au-dessus de l'étrier 7 du godet 1; la plaque de compression 29 pousse contre la mâchoire 10 par ses épaulements 34 agissant sur les crêtes 13, et alors qu'une telle action se continue (voir la figure 8), les secondes parois 18 sont obligées de suivre le contour de l'étrier 7 et plient vers l'intérieur sous le fil 9, ceci étant obtenu parce que chaque paroi 18 est initialement alignée à sa paroi associée 17 (voir la figure 2) qui transmet effectivement une force de poussée; puis les premières parois 17 sont graduellement évasées vers l'extérieur, libérant les forces non désirées qui pourraient s'exercer vers le haut au niveau des extrémités distales de la portion 10′, les encoches 19a permettant cette fermeture (la forme finale de l'agrafe 15 est montrée aux figures 9, 4 et 4a); et se produisant en même temps que la déformation de l'organe d'agrippement 15, il y a le mouvement des rebords 11 autour et sous les parties saillantes 8 grâce à la nature pliable de la mâchoire 10 à sa portion centrale la plus faible, de sorte que les décalés 12 sont finalement barrés sous les parties saillantes 8, tel que suggéré par la ligne en traits pointillés 36 à la figure 1, et parce que la poussée vers le bas est exercée sur les crêtes espacées 13, la portion plate 10′ est pliée et, donc, la configuration complètement installée de la mâchoire 10 comporte une forme légèrement convexe 10′a de la portion plate 10′ (voir les figures 4 et 4a) pour retenir de façon plus ferme la mâchoire de serrage 10 sur le godet 1; et
• (f)le vérin 23 est actionné en direction inverse pour libérer les crochets 27 et 28 de l'évasement 2 et du fil 9; et le vérin 23 est retiré.

The clasp is installed as follows:

• (a) the gripping member 15 or 15a is connected to the jaw 10 by the sliding edges 14 in the grooves 16 until the member 15 is directly under the upper wall 10 ′ of the jaw 10;
• (b) the clamping jaw 10 is applied to the compression plate 29 and retained by the guide and retaining flange 35;
• (c) using the handle 24, the gripping member 15 or 15a is transported to the cable 9 and placed above with the flanges 11 of the clamping jaw 10 supported on the respective projecting portions 8 of the bucket 1 , and therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the electric wire 9 partially engages between the two second walls 18 of the clip 15, and the yoke 25 then elongates along the wire 9 and the tabs 26 project towards the bottom on each side of bucket 1 with lower and upper hooks 27, 28 ready to engage towards the top the lower edge of the wire 9 first and of the bucket 1 after;
• (d) the piston rod 31 of the cylinder 23 is actuated downward, therefore lifting the cylinder 23 and producing two results: the hook supports 28 engage and raise the wire 9, so that they free up the space required between the latter and the stirrup 7 to allow the insertion of the two second walls 18 of the clip 15; and the hooks 27 engage the bucket 1;
• (e) the piston rod 31 is actuated in addition, as in FIGS. 8 and 9, so as to exert a downward force against the jaw 10 and the gripping member 15 with the wire 9 held firmly above it of the stirrup 7 of the bucket 1; the compression plate 29 pushes against the jaw 10 by its shoulders 34 acting on the ridges 13, and while such an action continues (see FIG. 8), the second walls 18 are forced to follow the outline of the stirrup 7 and bend inward under the wire 9, this being obtained because each wall 18 is initially aligned with its associated wall 17 (see FIG. 2) which effectively transmits a pushing force; then the first walls 17 are gradually flared outwards, releasing the unwanted forces which could be exerted upwards at the distal ends of the portion 10 ′, the notches 19a allowing this closure (the final form of the clip 15 is shown in Figures 9, 4 and 4a); and occurring at the same time as the deformation of the gripping member 15, there is the movement of the flanges 11 around and under the projecting parts 8 thanks to the foldable nature of the jaw 10 at its weakest central portion, so that the offsets 12 are finally crossed out under the protrusions 8, as suggested by the dashed line 36 in FIG. 1, and because the downward push is exerted on the ridges spaced 13, the flat portion 10 ′ is folded and, therefore, the fully installed configuration of the jaw 10 has a slightly convex shape 10′a of the flat portion 10 ′ (see FIGS. 4 and 4a) for retaining more firmly the clamping jaw 10 on the bucket 1; and
• (f) the cylinder 23 is actuated in the reverse direction to release the hooks 27 and 28 from the flare 2 and the wire 9; and the jack 23 is removed.

Any of the notches 12a can be used for the insertion of a tool (not shown), which is used to force the jaw 10 in case it is necessary to replace the clasp.

Claims (9)

1.A clasp for attaching an electrical wire to a pin type support bucket having an upper saddle portion, comprising: a clamping jaw, made of a rigid but pliable material and having an upper portion; gripping means at its two transverse ends for firmly gripping said saddle portion; further comprising a gripping member located in said jaw and made of a deformable elastomeric material and having a main body portion; a pair of first walls extending and projecting upwards, one at the two transverse ends of said main body portion, said body portion and said first walls coming into contact with said upper portion of said jaw, a pair of seconds walls also extending and projecting downward from said main body portion above and contiguous with said first walls; a first elongated groove located on the bottom surface of said body portion and centrally thereon; a second groove extending at the inner lower end of each said second wall; said second walls being deformable inwardly to a fully folded final configuration, under the action of said jaw when gripping said saddle portion, so that said first groove and said two second grooves define a circular orifice intended to firmly grab onto an electric wire. 2. A clasp as defined in claim 1,
further comprising attachment means for connecting said gripping member to said jaw. 3. A clasp as defined in claim 1,
characterized in that said saddle portion comprises a curved transverse stirrup and a projecting part at each of its ends, and in that said gripping means consist of a downwardly curved portion merging with said upper portion at each end of this last, and an inwardly folded rim at the outer end of each of said curved portions; the two said edges having a curved offset intended to grip firmly each said projecting part. 4. A clasp as defined in claim 1,
characterized in that the outer surface of said second walls has a curvature profile capable of accommodating the arc of curvature of said stirrup on its two sides, in the final configuration of said second walls. 5. A clasp as defined in claim 2,
characterized in that said attachment means includes a pair of L-shaped flanges, spaced apart transversely, elongated and attached to the interior surface of said jaw; and a pair of spaced, L-shaped complementary grooves provided at the top surface of said main body portion of said gripping member and engaging by said L-shaped flanges 6. A clasp as defined in claim 3,
characterized in that said offset comprises a notch oriented towards the outside and intended to be engaged by a tool to remove said jaw when desired. 7. A clasp as defined in claim 5,
characterized in that said upper portion forms a pair of elongated ridges, spaced from each other and projecting upward. 8. A method of fixing an electric wire to a support bucket of the type having a saddle portion consisting of a curved central portion of stirrup receiving said wire and of transverse projections at each of its ends, comprising the steps following: (a) identifying a clasp directly above said saddle portion; said clasp having a jaw having gripping means for gripping said cup and a pair of elongated ridges spaced from each other and made from a rigid but pliable material; a wire gripping member having attachment means for fixing to the inner surface of said jaw and being made from a deformable elastomeric material, said wire gripping member having in addition a portion of main body and a pair of first transversely spaced walls projecting upward from said main body portion, and a pair of second walls projecting downward, one beneath each said first wall; a first elongated groove being present in the lower surface of said main body portion, a second elongated groove being made in each lower inner end of said second walls; (b) lifting said wire out of said yoke; (c) forcing said second walls against said stirrup to force their internal folding under said raised wire; and (d) forcing said jaw against said parts protruding to force said gripping means to grip said bucket. 9. A method as defined in claim 8,
characterized in that the force used for the stress in step (d) is directed onto said two ridges to cause transverse folding of the portion of said jaw located between said two ridges.

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