EP0576339B1 - Connection clamp for an electrical conductor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to the connection clamps to be attached to an electrical conductor, for the establishment, for example, of a temporary derivation from the latter or for its grounding or its short-circuiting. circuit.

It relates more particularly to the case where, in the case of a remote intervention on an overhead electrical conductor, and, more precisely, on a bare overhead electrical conductor, that is to say not insulated, such a connection clamp comprises, on the one hand, a body with which it is associated a fixing tab by which it is capable of being temporarily inserted on any support suitable for its manipulation, and, on the other hand, a clamping member, which , mounted movably on the body, is permanently resiliently biased towards a service position for which it is able to grip the electrical conductor to be fitted.

A connection clamp of this type is in particular the subject of the French patent which, requested on January 18, 1956, was issued under No. 1,146,031.

In practice, in this French patent No 1 146 031, the support used is a plate, which is itself to be plugged in at the end of a pole, and on which several connection clamps, for example three, can be attached simultaneously or four, this clamp holder plate having for this purpose an equal number of sockets in which these connection clamps can each be individually plugged in by their fixing tab.

In practice, also, the clamping member of the connection clamps is, in this French patent No 1 146 031, constituted by a horn which, pivotally mounted on their body, forms therewith a V of engagement widely open towards the top, for an attack from below the electrical conductor to be fitted, this attack from below, duly buttressed by the clamp holder support, sufficient to ensure the elastic erasure of this horn necessary for the engagement of the body with the electrical conductor.

The whole gives overall satisfaction and is today widespread.

However, it turns out that, at least for certain applications, it is now requested to carry out an attack over the electrical conductor to be fitted.

Indeed, having regard to the electrodynamic effects of LAPLACE likely to develop between such an electrical conductor and the electrical conductor to which the body of a connection clamp is necessarily connected, it can happen, in particular if the intensity of the current is particularly high, that this connection clamp is the object of a certain path, inevitably generating arcs, along the electrical conductor which carries it, which can lead to its deterioration, and, therefore, taking into account its mode hanging from below, when it falls.

For an attack over the electrical conductor to be fitted, it is important that the body of the connection clamp is largely hook-shaped, and, jointly, if, as it is desirable, to promote interchangeability, the clamp-holding plates of the same type as the previous ones must still be able to be used, it is also important that, in the standby position, the clamping member mounted movably on this body leaves the hook formed by it open.

Otherwise, the effort to be exerted for the elastic erasure of this clamping member upon engagement on the electrical conductor would inevitably lead to premature separation of the connection clamp from the clamp-holder plate used for its handling.

The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to respond in a particularly simple and satisfactory manner to the above double requirement.

More specifically, it relates to a connection clamp for electrical conductor comprising, on the one hand, a body with which it is associated a fixing tab by which it is capable of being temporarily inserted on any support suitable for its manipulation, and, on the other hand, a clamping member which, mounted mobile on the body, is permanently resiliently biased towards a service position for which it is able to grip the electrical conductor to be fitted, this connection clamp being characterized in that the body forms a hook by which the connection clamp can be engaged from above on the electrical conductor to be fitted, in that on the path of the clamping member is interposed a retractable trigger by which this member tightening can be kept pending at a distance from its operating position, when it is retained by the trigger, the tightening member leaving the hook formed by the body free, and in that, movably mounted on the body within the limits at least of a determined clearance, the fixing tab constitutes a trigger to which this trigger is subjected.

For example, according to a preferred embodiment, because it is particularly simple, the trigger is in one piece with the fixing tab, being constituted by an extension of the latter.

Anyway, it is advantageously taken advantage, according to the invention, of this fixing tab, to ensure temporary retention of the clamping member in a waiting position for which it allows free engagement by the upper body on the electrical conductor to be fitted, leaving in a way open the hook that this body forms in practice for this engagement.

Thus, in addition to its usual function of plugging into a support, which advantageously allows the connection clamp according to the invention to be able to be attached to a clamp-holding plate of the type of those already existing, the fixing tab associated with the body of this connection clamp according to the invention assumes an additional function, which is to constitute a trigger for the corresponding clamping member.

The closing of the connection clamp according to the invention on the electrical conductor to be fitted thus advantageously occurs automatically, and mechanically, at the sole contact of this electrical conductor.

No additional part being implemented, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, compared to the connection clamps with engagement from below anterior of the same type, the cost of the connection clamp to engagement from above according to the invention remains, advantageously, the other conditions being equal, moreover, of the same order as that of the latter.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une pince de connexion suivant l'invention, dûment en place sur un support, et vue de dessus ;
• la figure 2 est, vue de dessous, une vue en perspective éclatée de cette pince de connexion et, pour partie, du support sur lequel elle est rapportée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle en élévation-coupe de l'ensemble, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en élévation-coupe de la seule pince de connexion, après fermeture de celle-ci sur un conducteur électrique ;
• la figure 5 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 3 repéré par un encart V sur cette figure 3 ;
• la figure 6 est, à l'échelle de la figure 5, une vue partielle transversale en coupe de la pince de connexion suivant l'invention, suivant la ligne VI-VI de cette figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 reprend, à l'échelle de la figure 5, le détail de la figure 3 repéré par un encart VII sur cette figure 3 ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective qui, analogue à celle de la figure 2, se rapporte à une variante de réalisation de la pince de connexion suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 9 est une autre vue en perspective de cette pince de connexion, après sa fermeture.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connection clamp according to the invention, duly in place on a support, and top view;
• Figure 2 is, seen from below, an exploded perspective view of this connection clamp and, in part, of the support on which it is attached;
• Figure 3 is a partial view in elevation-section of the assembly, along the line III-III of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is an elevational sectional view of the single connection clamp, after closing thereof on an electrical conductor;
• Figure 5 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 3 identified by an insert V in this Figure 3;
• Figure 6 is, on the scale of Figure 5, a partial cross-sectional view of the connection clamp according to the invention, along the line VI-VI of this Figure 5;
• Figure 7 shows, on the scale of Figure 5, the detail of Figure 3 identified by an insert VII in this Figure 3;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view which, similar to that of Figure 2, relates to an alternative embodiment of the connection clamp according to the invention;
• Figure 9 is another perspective view of this connection clamp, after closing.

As illustrated in these figures, and more particularly in Figure 4, it is, overall, to report, on any electrical conductor 10, which is shown schematically in broken lines in Figure 4, and which is in practice a bare overhead conductor, a connection clamp 11 of the type comprising, on the one hand, a body 12 to which it is associated with a fixing tab 13 by which this connection clamp 11 is capable of being temporarily inserted on any support 14 suitable for its manipulation, and, on the other hand, according to arrangements described in more detail later, a clamp 15, which, movably mounted on the body 12, is permanently resiliently biased towards a service position for which, as shown in Figure 4, the connection clamp 11 is able to grip the electrical conductor 10 to equip.

In the embodiment shown, the support 14 is a clamp-holding plate of the type described in French patent No 1 146 031.

Since such a support 14 is well known in itself, it will not be described in all its details here.

It will suffice to indicate that it comprises, distributed at 120 ° relative to one another at its periphery, three sockets 16, which all extend parallel to its axis, and which, all identical to each other, have each internally a rectangular cross section.

These sockets 16 are thus each capable of slidingly receiving a fixing tab 13.

In practice, for the disengageable maintenance of such a fixing tab 13, they are each fitted with latching means 18.

In the embodiment shown, these latching means 18 comprise a piston 19 movably mounted in a well 20 perpendicular to the bush 16 which they equip, FIGS. 3 and 7.

By a hemispherical head 22, the piston 19 projects into the bush 16, for cooperation with a recess 23, or billing, which the fixing tongue 13 has in addition to this effect.

The piston 19 is corollarily subjected to a spring 24 which, bearing on a plug 25 closing the well 20 by screwing, urges it permanently in the direction of the fixing tongue 13.

As it is easy to understand, it is possible, by more or less pronounced screwing of the plug 25, to put the spring 24 under a more or less accentuated stress, and, thus, to regulate at will the force of the latching means 18.

According to the invention, and in accordance with arrangements described in more detail later, on the path of the clamping member 15 is interposed a retractable trigger 27 by which this clamping member 15 can be kept on standby away from its position of service represented in FIG. 4, in a waiting position which is that shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and, jointly, movably mounted on the body 12 within at least the limits of a determined clearance, the tongue of attachment 13 constitutes a trigger to which this trigger 27 is subjected.

In practice, the body 12 comprises an upright 28, which is the part concerned by the fixing tab 13, and a horn 29, which, in one piece with the upright 28, extends in an inverted U shape.

This body 12 thus generally forms a hook, the concavity of which faces downwards, and by which the connection clamp 11 can be engaged from above on the electrical conductor 10 to be fitted.

At the base of the upright 28 is coupled by screwing an electrical conductor 30, which, for example, and as shown, is constituted by a metal braid.

In the embodiments shown, and for reasons which will appear below, the upright 28 is perforated locally by a recess 31.

In the embodiments shown, the clamping member 15 is pivotally mounted on the body 12, and, more precisely, on the upright 28 thereof, by means of the recess 31 in this upright 28.

In practice, this is a lever articulated in the middle on an axis 32 which extends through the recess 31.

In the embodiments shown, the clamping member 15 has, parallel to one another, two cheeks 34, between which the axis 32 extends, and which are connected to each other, on the one hand, at a first end, and along their longitudinal edges, by a first cross member 35, and, d on the other hand, at the other of their ends, and along their transverse edges, by a second crosspiece 36.

For its elastic stress, the clamping member 15 thus formed is subjected, in the embodiments shown, to a torsion spring 38, the median torsion part 39 of which is engaged on the axis 32, and of which a wing 40 is supported on the upright 28 of the body 12 while the other wing 41 bears on the clamping member 15, and, more precisely, on the internal face of its cross-member 35.

For cooperation with the trigger 27, the clamping member 15 has a retaining shoulder 42.

In the embodiments shown, this retaining shoulder 42 belongs to a recess 43 locally perforating this clamping member 15, and, more precisely, its crosspiece 36.

In practice, the body 12 and the clamping member 15 are metallic.

As in French patent No 1 146 031, the fixing tab 13 is itself in the form of a simple metal plate.

In the embodiments shown, the trigger 27 is in one piece with this fixing tab 13.

In practice, it is constituted by a simple extension of this fixing tab 13, which, in the plane of the latter, projects beyond one of its transverse sections, in the median zone of this last.

The width L1 of the trigger 27 is thus less than that L2 of the fixing tab 13, and the fixing tab 13 therefore forms on both sides of the trigger 27 two shoulders 45.

In the embodiments shown, and for reasons which will appear below, these shoulders 45 are each knocked down by a chamfer 46, on the side of the shoulder of retainer 42 of the clamping member 15.

Jointly, the trigger 27 is pulled down by a chamfer 48 on the side opposite to this retaining shoulder 42, and, therefore, on the side opposite to the preceding chamfers 46.

For receiving and housing the fixing tongue 13, the body 12 comprises, in the embodiments shown, a groove 49 in which this fixing tongue 13 is capable of sliding.

In practice, this groove 49 affects the base of the upright 28 of this body 12, and it extends longitudinally in height in this upright 28, until it opens into its recess 31.

In the embodiments shown, the groove 49 is open longitudinally over its entire length by a slot 50, on the side opposite to the horn 29, and the width L3 of this slot 50 is greater than that L1 of the trigger 27.

In correlation with the chamfers 46 of the fixing tongue 13 and that 48 of the trigger 27, the engagement of the body 12 on this fixing tongue 13 is advantageously facilitated.

Indeed, this engagement can therefore be made with a certain inclination of the upright 28 of this body 12 relative to the fixing tongue 13.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the fixing tab 13, which constitutes a separate part from the body 12, is separable from this body 12, and, on the side opposite the latter, it comprises, projecting, for cooperation in abutment with the support 14, at least one retaining heel 52.

In practice, two retaining heels 52 are provided laterally, in inverted T, on either side of the fixing tab 13, at the base thereof.

In use, the fixing tab 13 is engaged from below in a socket 16 of the support 14, along the arrow F1 in FIG. 2, until intervention by the latching means 18.

Its retaining heels 52 are then in abutment, or substantially in abutment, with the edge of the sleeve 16, at the base of the latter.

At the same time, the fixing tab 13 then projects widely upwards beyond the upper part of the socket 16, FIG. 3.

By its groove 49 of its body 12, the connection clamp 11 according to the invention is then engaged from above, according to the arrow F2 in FIG. 2, on the thus projecting part of the fixing tongue 13, with its member clamp 15 held in the standby position against the torsion spring 38, as shown in this figure 2.

At the end of this engagement, the trigger 27 engages in the recess 43 of the clamping member 15, and, when it is released, the latter comes to bear by its retaining shoulder 42 against this trigger 27, such that shown in Figures 3 and 5.

Thus armed, the connection clamp 11 according to the invention is ready to be placed on the electrical conductor 10 to be fitted.

Indeed, retained in the waiting position by the trigger 27, its clamping member 15 leaves the hook completely formed by its body 12.

In other words, the connection clamp 11 according to the invention is then open.

Its closing occurs automatically when, after engagement from the top of its body 12 on the electrical conductor 10 to be fitted, with hooking of this body 12 on this electrical conductor 10, a pull down is carried out on the support 14, according to arrow F3 in FIG. 3.

In fact, then driven by the support 14 by its retaining heels 52 while remaining integral with the latter by the latching means 18, the fixing tongue 13 then emerges from the recess 43 of the clamping member 15.

Thus released, this clamping member 15 then pivots around the axis 32 under the bias of the torsion spring 38, along the arrow F4 in FIG. 4, until it comes to bear on the electrical conductor 10, on the side thereof opposite the body 12.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, there is provided, instead of two retaining heels 52 acting laterally, a single retaining heel, which, acting transversely, perpendicular to the thickness of the fixing tongue 13, results for example from '' a punching with the press of this one.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the fixing tab 13 is permanently carried by the body.

In practice, a mounting of the lug and buttonhole mounting type takes place between this fixing tab 13 and this body 12 in order to limit the clearance relative to the latter.

In the embodiment shown, it is the body 12 which has a lug 54 projecting from the bottom of its groove 49, and the fixing tongue 13 jointly comprises a buttonhole 55, which is elongated along its length, and by which it engages with lug 54.

Jointly, in order to escape, in this case from the support 14, the fixing tab 13 is devoid of retaining heel.

While, previously, the arming of the connection clamp 11 according to the invention should normally be done on the very places of use thereof, it can, in this variant embodiment, be done prior to this setting place, as shown in Figure 8.

To do this, it suffices to bring the clamping member 15 into engagement with the trigger 27 through its recess 43.

The fixing tab 13 then occupies a high position on the body 12.

At the places of use of the connection clamp 11, there is an engagement from the top of this fixing tab 13 in a socket 16 of the support 14, according to arrow F5 in FIG. 8, until the intervention of the latching means 18 of this socket 16, the tongue of fixing 13 having as previously a recess 23, or billing, to cooperate with them.

Preferably, and as shown, the lateral edges of the fixing tab 13 are each cut down by a chamfer 56 at the base thereof, to facilitate its engagement in the socket 16.

When, as before, a downward traction is exerted on the support 14, the fixing tab 13 is driven by the latter if the force of the latching means 18 is greater than the forces of friction to which it is otherwise subjected.

It therefore suffices to tare the latching means 18 accordingly.

When the fixing tab 13 is thus driven by the support 14, it passes into the low position on the body 12, as shown in FIG. 9, releasing, as before, the clamping member 15.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses, within the limits of the appended claims, any variant embodiment and / or combination of their various elements.

In particular, by appropriate calibration of the latching means, it is possible to eliminate the retaining heels of the fixing tongue in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 8, it is the fixing tongue which can have a lug, the body of the connection clamp then having a groove, or buttonhole, in which this lug is engaged. .

Claims (14)

1. A connecting clip for an electrical conductor comprising on the one hand a body (12) with which there is associated a fixing tongue (13) by means of which it is capable of being temporarily fitted on to any support (14) suitable for handling thereof and on the other hand a clamping member (15) which, mounted movably on the body (12), is permanently elastically urged in the direction of an operative position in which it is capable of gripping the electrical conductor (10) to which it is to be fitted, characterised in that the body (12) forms a hook by means of which the connecting clip can be engaged from above on to the electrical conductor to which it is to be fitted, that interposed into the path of movement of the clamping member (15) is a retractable pawl (27) by which the clamping member (15) can be held in a waiting condition at a spacing from its operative position when it is retained by the pawl (27), the clamping member (15) leaving the hook formed by the body (12) clear, and that mounted movably on the body (12) within the limits at least of a given range of movement the fixing tongue (13) constitutes a trigger to which said pawl (27) is subjected.
2. A connecting clip according to claim 1 characterised in that the pawl (27) is in one piece with the fixing tongue (13).
3. A connecting clip according to claim 2 characterised in that the pawl (27) is formed by an extension of the fixing tongue (13).
4. A connecting clip according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the body (12) comprises a groove (49) in which the fixing tongue (13) is capable of sliding.
5. A connecting clip according to claims 3 and 4 characterised in that the groove (49) in the body (12) is open longitudinally over its entire length by a slot (50) whose width (L3) is greater than that (L1) of the pawl (27).
6. A connecting clip according to claim 5 characterised in that the fixing tongue (13) forms on respective sides of the pawl (27) two shoulders (45) which are each cut down by a chamfer (46).
7. A connecting clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that, for co-operating with the pawl (27), the clamping member (15) comprises a retaining shoulder (42).
8. A connecting clip according to claim 7 characterised in that the retaining shoulder (42) of the clamping member (15) belongs to an opening (43) which locally pierces same.
9. A connecting clip according to either one of claims 7 and 8 characterised in that the pawl (27) is cut down by a chamfer (48) on the side opposite to the retaining shoulder (42) of the clamping member (15).
10. A connecting clip according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the clamping member (15) is mounted pivotably on the body (12).
11. A connecting clip according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that the fixing tongue (13) is separable from the body (12).
12. A connecting clip according to claim 11 characterised in that the fixing tongue (13) comprises in projecting relationship at least one retaining lug (52) on the side opposite to the body (12).
13. A connecting clip according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that the fixing tongue (13) is fixedly carried by the body (12).
14. A connecting clip according to claim 13 characterised in that a mounting of the type comprising a peg (54) and a slot (55) is operative between the fixing tongue (13) and the body (12).

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