GB2245640A

GB2245640A - Clamp for electrical conductors

Info

Publication number: GB2245640A
Application number: GB9112862A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Theo Sprick
Original assignee: Preformed Line Products Co
Current assignee: Preformed Line Products Co
Priority date: 1990-06-22
Filing date: 1991-06-14
Publication date: 1992-01-08
Also published as: GB9112862D0; DE4019999A1

Abstract

A wedge-release clamp for an electrical cable or conductor (23) has two body parts (10, 11) to confront the other about a space for said electrical cable or conductor (23). Each body part (10, 11) has undercut formations (15, 16) and two clamp wedges (20, 21) have surface formations (22) co-operating with the undercut formations (15, 16) to fit about the cable or conductor (23) and urge the body parts (10, 11) together. Each said body part (10, 11) comprises interconnectable components (5-8) one of which carries others (12, 13) having said undercut formations (15, 16) and having a close interfitting relationship with the corresponding other components of the other said body part. <IMAGE>

Description

CLAMP FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS The invention relates to a wedge-release

clamp for electrical conductors.

A clamp of this general type is known from DE-AS 10 77 286, in which a clamp body comprises two crosssectionally U-shaped semi-spherical shapes, the shanks of which face towards one another so that the semispherical shapes define a hollow space. The inside of each shank of the clamp body has an inwardly slanted undercut surface. Two clamp wedges, are provided to be inserted into the hollow space of the clamp body, for clamping the conductor cable. Each clamp wedge has a Vshaped outer surface so that the inserted clamp wedge presses the shanks of the semi-spherical shapes of the clamp body together. A disadvantage with such a clamp body is that the semi-spherical shape of the body cannot be manufactured in one production step, particularly not in a simple manner by die-casting or forging.

DE-PS 31 08 641 discloses a wedge-release clamp for electrical conductors, the clamp bodies of which consist of two side portions, a bottom slide and a cover slide. At least one clamp wedge is driven into the hollow space provided by the slides as side portions to clamp the conductor cable. The edges of the side portions are connected to the slides at the bottom and the cover of the clamp body via a flush sliding connection. The bottom and cover slide respectively are made of an extruded shape. The side portions with rectangular lateral edges of this known clamp are easily manufactured by die-casting or forging. However, it has a disadvantage in that insertion of the conductor cable and clamp portions into a half open wedge-release clamp is not easy.

It is an object of the present invention to further develop wedge-release clamps for electrical conductors having body parts which can be more readily and economically produced.

According to the invention there is provided a wedge-release clamp for an electrical cable or conductor, comprising two body parts confronting each other about a space for said electrical conductor, and each having undercut formations and two clamp wedges having surface formations cooperating with said undercut formations to fit about the cable and urge the body parts together, wherein each said body part comprises interconnectable components one of which carries others having said undercut formations and fitting flush to the corresponding other components of the other said body part.

Typically, each body part has its said components interconnectable by push fitting together.

Where each body part of the clamp has separately formed constituent shank portions having flush sliding fits, a clamp of this type can be produced in a comparatively simple manner in that each side portion may be diecast or forged and the shank portions may be extruded. The two body parts thus obtained can be at least partly open with respect to the conductor cable and clamp wedges surrounding the conductor cable. On closing the body parts together, the clamp wedges f 3 - surrounding the conductor cable can secure the conductor cable in the wedge-release clamp by pushing-in, if appropriate by pressing-in, the clamp wedges. The two body parts can be releasably held together by hinging on one side of the body parts, for example by synthetic material bands or the like that are fixedly connected to the body parts.

Other useful features for embodiments of the invention appear in the various subclaims.

Below, the invention will be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a wedge-release clamp for electrical conductors; Fig. 2 is a cross-section along the line II-II in Fig.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section as in Fig. 2, but with opened body parts of the wedge-release clamp; and Fig. 4 is a rear view of the wedges.

Wedge-release clamp 1 comprises a clamp body 2 which is formed by two generally semi-spherical body parts 3, 4. Each body part is of substantially U-shaped cross-section, in that they each have a convexly curved outer surface and each have a recess on their inner surface to fit about a conductor. Each body part has a side portion 5, with edges 6, 7. Each edge 6, 7 has an 4 - inwardly projecting portion 8 and an outwardly projecting bent hooked edge portion 9.

Each shank 10, 11 of a body part 3, 4 further comprises a shank portion 12, 13. This is part of a die-forged profile. It has a longitudinal aperture or recess 14 which extends from the outside inwardly and has a hook-like part at the end and which matches and engages projecting edge portions 8, 9. This makes it possible to slide shank portions 12, 13 onto edges 6, 7 of side portion 5.

Each shank portion 12, 13 has undercut formations in the form of a transversely inwardly inclined wedge surface 15, 16. The adjacent wedge surfaces 15 or 16 respectively of the body parts 3, 4 form a projection which is substantially V-shaped.

Wedge surfaces 15, 16 may also be tilted or converge towards one another in the longitudinal direction of the clamp i.e. from the back of wedgerelease clamp 1 towards the front.

Two clamp wedges 20, 21 are inserted into the chamber or hollow space 17 enclosed by the body parts. The wedges have surface formations which provide a generally V-shaped clamp surface 22 which substantially conforms to the shape of adjacent wedge surfaces 15, 16.

The inside of each wedge 20, 21 substantially abuts the conductor cable 23 forming a suitable clamping channel.

41 By inserting such as by sliding or pressing or forcing-in clamp wedges 20, 21, the two body parts 3, 4 of clamp body 2 are urged together and held under compression. The clamp wedges 20, 21 may optionally protrude beyond clamp body 2. Shank portions 12, 13 are secured by holding means 24, 25 which are pressed against the protruding ends of edge portion 8.

Elements 3, 4 of clamp body 2 have holding means 26, 27 inserted or mounted thereon for release flaps (not illustrated).

The rearward ends 28, 29 of clamp wedges 20, 21 are interclamped by means of bolts 30, 31. The end portions 32, 33 of the wedges 20, 21 include central ribs 34, 35. Their outside end surface have receiving apertures 36, 37 for a bar-shaped adapter 38. This adapter 38 is connected to a conventional conductor clamp 39. Adapter 38 can be made of metal or synthetic material and is clamped in apertures 36 or 37 respectively and in the respective aperture 40 of conductor clamp 39.

Fig. 3 shows that the two body parts 3, 4 can be readily separated and opened out. For this purpose, the two body parts 3, 4 are optionally connected by hinges (not illustrated) on their one side, for example by means of synthetic material strips or the like which are connected at their ends to body parts 3, 4. In the open position, in which both body parts 3, 4 are held by the hinges, clamp wedges 20, 21, which had previously been placed on conductor cable 23, can be inserted or slid with conductor cable 23 into hollow space 17 of clamp body 2, whereafter the body parts 3, 4 are closed together. Clamp wedges 20, 21 surrounding the conductor cable 23 are thus held within clamp body 2.

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Claims

1. A wedge-release clamp for an electrical cable or conductor, comprising two body parts confronting each other about a space for said electrical conductor, and each having undercut formations and two clamp wedges having surface formations co-operating with said undercut formations to fit about the cable and urge the body parts together, wherein each said body part comprises interconnectable components one of which carries others having said undercut formations and fitting flush to the corresponding other components of the other said body part.

2. A clamp according to Claim 1, in which each body part has its said components interconnectable by push fitting together.

3. A clamp according to Claim 1 or 2, in which each body part is of generally U-shaped cross-section and its said one component is a side portion, and its other components are shank portions as limbs of the Ushape.

4. A clamp according to Claim 3, in which the side portions has hook-like projections and the shank portions have corresponding longitudinal recesses.

5. A clamp according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the side portions have support means extending beyond the shank portions.

6. A clamp according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, in which the shank portions are made by die-casting.

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7. A clamp according to any preceding claim, in which the body parts are releasably hinged together.

8. A clamp according to any preceding claim, in which parts of the clamp wedges extending beyond the body parts have at least one receiving aperture for a guide fixedly mounted onto the clamp.

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9. A clamp according to claim 8, in which the guide is fixable in said receiving aperture.

10. A clamp according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which the guide extends to another clamp spaced from the wedge-release clamp.

11. A wedge-release clamp arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore specifically described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office, Concept House, Card-iff Road. NewWrL, Gwent NP9 I RH. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. Ownifelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport. NP I 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray. Kent.