US1028259A - Connection device for circuit-conductors. - Google Patents

Description

T. E. MURRAY.

CONNECTION DEVICE POR CIRCUIT CONDUCTORS.

A APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9, 1912. A

Patlted June 4, MM2

2 SHEETS-SHEET;

`T. E. MURRAY. GONNECTION DEVICE POR GmGUlT GONDUGTOBS.

'y APPL1oAT1oN;rILBD.EB.9, 1912.

. Patented June 4, 1912.

2 S HEETS'-SHBBT 2. A

. a vcitizen of the United UNITED sTATfEs PATENT Torsion'.

THOMAS E. MURRAY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To allwlzom, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. MURRAY, Y States, residing at New York, -inthe icounty of New York and State of- New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Connection Devices for Circuit-Conductors, of which the following is a specilication.

The invention is a connection device for circuit conductors, and is designed. to obviate the need. of constructing specially designed connection apparatus to meet particular needs, and to substitute therefor, a system of units, by combining which, in proper relation, .any desired arrangement of circuits Amay be obtained. I provide a plurality of insulating blocks, precisely alike as individuals except in certain `connections hereinafter noted. These blocks are placed in juxtaposition, in groups of three if'installed in a three-Wire system, or of two,if a two-wire system. The corresponding members of each group are exactly alike and interchangeable. Where it is desired to continue a main feeder line only in itsv normal direction, or to take oft1 branches, also, only in that direction, there maybe but one terminal for the. feeder prolongation or for the branch on each block. Where it is desired to continue the feeder only in the opposite direction, or to take off branches, direction, again there may be but one terminal for the feeder continuation or, for the branch on each block. But where it is de' sired to carry -on the feeder line in either the normal or the opposite direction, or to take o-fl" the branches in either direction, or somel in one directionand some in the other, then two circuit terminals areV arranged respectively at the ends of each block. The several groups of blocks` are placed with their members'in juxtaposition, andare sesupport by a simple all of them, and

cured to .common holdlng dev1ce. Across preferably-midway between the end circuit interchangeable members of 'eachgroup of l 50 group of mutually insuterminals, extend a The corresponding and lated conductors.

blocks arey connected-.to -one and the same member of this group of conductors, so that for a three-wire system there will be 'three condufc't'orsvin the group, and for a twowire system, two. Between the circuit termlnals, of each block and the cross conductorto -aiilxes t-he proper number also, only in that opposite of Fig. 1, showing a bifurcated able (and preferably fuse) switch plugs,l

so that simply by varying the arrangel'nent of the plugs, omittin some, inserting others, as hereinafter explained, it becomes easily possible to establish whateverl leads may bel desired, and in whatever direction. I provide, also, means for securing the plugs in place, in the form of interchangeable standards, which are clamped in place by the same device which holds the blocks in juxtaposition, and which carry screws which bear upon the tops of the plug covers. The net result is that given any special conditions of desired main and branch leads at a certain point, the constructor determines how many groups of blocks he requires, and to his vpanelfnat the same time establishing the clamping standards in place. Then he puts in the switch plugs, which are all alike, in the proper sockets in the proper blocks, connects the circuit terminals, and his work is done. Provided with an ample supply of blocks and plugs, together with standards, brackets and clamping bars, each one like every other, he cango from point to point vof the instalment, and simply put together, in the way hereinafter described, any arrangement of them. that` may suit the local conditions, and, afterward, in case of injury, he can take out any part and substitute another exactly like it in a few moments, and without any diliculty.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a plan View, showingV a group of three connection boxes in place, one of the brackets G being removed. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, with a .switch plug O, shown in each block, and the conductors L in section. Fig. 3 is a plan View, showing two groups of, three connection boxes, each in place, with switch plugs() in the left hand sockets of saidk boxes. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of block A of Fig. 1. Fig. ,5 is longitudinal section of block B metal switch plugMU'in place :instead of a vfuse Fig. 6 is a longitudinal'section of block C of Fig. 1, 'both switch plugs being removed.

Similar letters and, numbers of reference indicate like parts.

L .A plurality ofy base blocks,.as A, 173,0 and F, Fig..3 are placed in juxtaposition betweenA movabi e'braekets G, secured to a Patented J une 4, 1912. Application med February e, 1,912. 'serial 10.676,572.

panelwboard or other .'support, "and are held in lace by bolts H passino' through them and t ough/ the brackets. y ,num ber ofblocks may be used, in groups of sthree, as A, B, C or D, E, F,-' w hen the serv- Y 1cel1nes are of the three-wire type, or of two each if -t-he lines 'are two-wire, the brackets G, lof. course', being adjustedfatta/suitable distance apart. In each-block there are two sockets I, into which enter, through the walls of the' block, circuit terminals il', Kin block AgJ', K in block B;.-and J, K" in .blockx C. Said terminals are here formed by denuding. the ends of the sheathed line conductor L, secu-red by cap plates M- and screws to contact plates N on the bottom of the sockets.Y .A switch plug enters and closes each of said sockets. As shown best upon the bottom contact plate N. Contact clip Q. has an extension S which, after pass' ing through the space between the partition P and cover O, protrudes' beyond said cover.

Formed in each block between the sockets I' therein is a recess 1. These recesses l are in lalinement when the blocks are secured in juxtaposition, as described. A bar 2 of conducting material passes through the side walls of said blocks,- and is seated in a channel in the bottom of said recesses.

YAbove the bar 2 in block A, Fig. 4, two s tirrup-shaped `contact lates 3, 4 are disposed, one within the ot er, the upper plate Bbeing the smaller, so thatv a .s ace'is left between their adjacent arms.` aid plates are connected to'bar 2 b screws 5.

Extendipgthrough t e recesses of the several juxtaposed' blocks and between the arms of stirrup-shaped plate 3 of block A is a plate of msulating material, which receives a: second b ar 7 .of conductingmaterial in a recess in its upper side.l Abovethe plate ''ard bar'? is a similar insulating 'plate= .;8, .which in a `.recessin its upper side receiveszathird conducting bar 9. Above the' late8' and -balr 9 is a cover plate 10 of insl) the'upper surfaces of the blocks., 1

In the spaces-between the'side edges ofthevv insulating plates 6 and ,8 and the partitions Pwhich separate the 'sockets' I in blocks B, C from the recesses 1 thereln, are placedUs 'shaped 'c ntact plates'11,12 in-block B, Fig.

5 and-1 14 in block C,*Fig. 6. 'The plates 11, 12 in block B 'are united b `a transverse strip 15, which' is connectedv y1 a screw to i bar 7 The plates 13, 14 in block' C are similarly united by a transverse. strip 16, and

v connected bye-screw to bar 9.

When the fuse plugs are in place'oniblo'ck A, as shown in Fi`g.4, the pretruding ends ating material, which comes` flush with'` of the upper contact plate extensions S enter between the arms of the stirrup-shapedplates 3, 4, so that circuit is then closed from.

lng ends of t e extension pieces Senter between the arms 'of the U-shaped contacts 11, 12,\fso 'that circuit will then be closed from terminal J', through the fuse in one case R, through U-shaped contact 11, and connectinglstrip` 15, to` U-shaped contact4 12,to the fuse in the other case R`,'a'nd so to terminal K. Similarly, when the plu s are in place in block C,.the rotruding ends of extension pieces S enter between the arms of the jU- shaped contacts 13, 14, so' that circuit will then be closed from terminal J through thefuse in one case R, vthrough U-shaped contact-'13, and connecting strip 16, to U- shaped contactv 14, to the fuse vin the other case R, andso to terminal K.

Additional groups of blocks, as D? E, F,

may be connected to bars 2, 7, 9, which 'are to be elongated to whatever extent may be necessary, the terminals of blocks A and D then being connected to lbar 2, those of blocks B and E to bar 7, and those vof blocks `C .and F' to bar 9. Considering the terminals-J, J, J as-'those ofa main line threewire feeder, it will be obvious that the switch lplugs in the several sockets 'may be arranged to vary the direction of the lead of the main feeder to establish .branch lines and to vary the direction of the lead of suchbranches.A -Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, the plugs are in the left hand sockets of both 'groups ofblocks A, B, C and D, E, F, the direction of thel lead of the feeder. is reversed from that shown in Fig. 1'. If all the plugs were left in place as shown .in Fig.` l, and the plugs of D, E, F inserted as shown in Fig. 3, then the mainline would proceed to terminals K, K', K of blocks A,`B, C, and a branch line reversed in direction would be establishedfromblocks D, E, F. If, under the same conditions,the

plugs @were .insertedonly in the right hand sockets of D, E, F, the branch line would continue in the same directional; ther-mainv -feeder line. Ifall `the plugs were inserzted,

'in theA sockets o both groups A, B, C :and-A D, E, F, then twobranches in opposite di- .rections would be established from the'main feeder line,

In the electrical systems of city subways v l and in all installations wherlthe wiring is complicated, the flexibility of my construe# tion renders it of great practical utility, since the units of each group of blocks are alike and interchangeable, and groupsl may be added ,or removed and the plugs ar- L ranged t'o suit any conditions of branches or directions of lead .that may be desirable;

p alive.

mesas@ thus entirely obviating the need of specially constructed junction boxes for particular cases. The device also is safe to handle because there is no danger in making changesy of blocks or plugs while the 'circuits are It is preferable to use plugs containing fuses, as described, lbut obviously the fuses may be omitted andlike connections estab- .lished by simple inverted U-shaped switch plugs T, disposed and depending from a suitable cup-shaped cover U, as shown in Fig. 5.

i-In order 'to `secure the plugs in place in the blocks, I provide loose standards 18 flanged over at their lower ends and received between the walls of the blocks, or between blocks and brackets, as the case may be, so that when the blocks are clamped together between the brackets by bolts H, the standards are in this way firmly held in an upright position and extend above the covers O. The standards are notched near their upper extremities to receive the ends of arms 19, through which arms pass headed screws 20 which bearv on the tops of said covers. The arms being placed across they cover, as shown in Fig. 1, and inserted in,

the standard notches, the screws 2are turned down, thus firmly binding the arms for removably securing said blocks in juxtapos1t1on, a circuit terminal on each block, a plurality of superposed mutually insulated. blocks, and movable means for connecting the circuit terminal on each block respec-- tively to one of said conductors.

2. A group of insulating blocks, means for removably securing said blocks in Yjuxtaposition, a circuit terminal on Y'each block, a plurality of superposed mutually insulated conductors extending across said blocks, movable means forl connecting the circuit terminal-on'each block respectively to one of said conductors, and fuses interposedin said connecting means.

3. A group of insulating blocks, means for removably securing said blocks in juxtaposition, two circuit terminals on each block,

interposed 'between conductors extending yacross said in` juxtaposition on said circuit terminals on each block respectively to one of said conductors, and fuses linterposed in said connectingmeans.

5. A plurality of groups of insulating blocks, each having a recess, means for removably securing said blocks in juxtaposition with said recesses in alinement, a circuit terminal on each block, a gro-up of mutually insulated superposed conducting bars extending through said recesses, and means for connecting the circuit terminals on corresponding members of each ofl said groups of blocks to one and the same member of said group of bars. 4

6. A plurality of groups of insulating blocks, each having a recess, means for removably securing said blocks in juxtaposition with said recesses in alinement, two circuit terminals on each block, a group of mu tually insulated superposed conducting bars' extending through said recesses, and means for connecting the circuit4 terminals on corresponding members of each of said groups of yblocks to one and the same membei' of said group of bars,

7. A group of insulating blocks, means for removably securing said blocks in juxta-y position, a circuit terminal on each block, contacts connected tually insulated conductors extending across said blocks, contacts connected to said conductors, insulating partitions-on said blocks said 'conductor and ter-v minal contacts, and. bifurcated plugs extending over said with said terminal and conductor'contacts to connect the terminalion each block to one of said conductors. A

pportya group of insulating blocks,

A 'su means for .removably securing said blocks support, two circuit terminals on each block, contacts connected'to-said terminals, mutually insulated conductors extending across said blocks between said terminals, contacts connected to said conductors and disposed facind said iterminal contacts, partitions of insiilating material onlsaid blocks interposed between saidcontacts, and tw0-armed plugs extending over said partitions and .coperating with to connect the circuit terminals on each of said blocks respectively to one of said con-I ductors.

9. VA connection block, Va s witch lug entering lsaid block, standards on said block, a bar extending over said plug and engaging at' each end with said standards, and a clamping screw and 4bearinz on said plug.

10. A pilurality of connection blocks, means for removably securing said -blocksl in juxtaposition, switch pluos entering said blocks,4 removable standar s tween said blocks, bars extending respecto said terminals, mu.

partitions and coperating' passing through Asaid bar` said terminal and conductor contacts disposed bebetweensaid block' 'and said support :end extending above said block, and means saidstandards for 'securing said plug to v '.;12..A.p1urality' 5 support. therefor, brackets, means' for re- ,11 s

, vfor removably oonneetqn-jblocksiin juxtaposition between 11. Aconnectlon securing; sai

tively over said plugs and engaging at each end with adjacent standards, and clamping screws passin through said. bars and bearing. on-saidp ugs.

l block, a, support therefor, entering said block, means for block to said support-standa1-ds havingA anges at their lower.. ends ena switch pluv of. connection blocks; a

mvably Securlng said brackets to said sup `securing said.

switch vplugs entering said bloolis, and means extending over each plu forsecuring the same independently to its lock. f

13. A plurality of connection blocks, a I

support therefor, standards disposed between said blocks, means extending through said blocks for clamping the same in juxtaposition and for clamping saidstandards between said blocks, switch plugs entering said blocks, and means on said standards :for securing said lugs to Isaid blocks.

aixed my signet-ure in presence of two witnesses.

In testimony w ereof I have THOMAS E. MURRAY.

Witnesses: v

p GERTRUDE T.. PORTER, MAY T. MCGARRY.

qies'oifhilpltent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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