US1594925A - Conductor clamp - Google Patents

Description

Aug. `3 1926. 1,594,925-

H. P. CHANDLER yCONDUCTOR CLAMP Filed Sept. 20 1922 Patented Aug. 3; 1926.

' UNITED sTATEs A PATENT OFFICE.

HOHER P. CHANDLER, or MANSFIELD, OHIO; ASSIGNOR 'ro THE omo BRASS COM- PANY, or MANSFIELD, oHIo, A coRPoRarI'oN or NRW JERSEY.

CONDUCTOR CLAMP.

l My invention relatesto a device for clamping to a conductor and having in combination therewith means for securing a cable thereto and which I term a clamping connector. It has particular use in mines where electrically operated machines are used at a distance from the source of supply of electric energy and wherethe location of these machines is shifted from time to time and, therefore, a connection to the electric conductor from which the current is taken is required to be temporary and movable.

In addition to the general object of my invention stated above, I also have incorporated in the device embodying my invention means for making a connection to the conductor which is made slidable with respect to the conductor.

Another object of my invention is to insert .therein a fusible element to protect the apparatus from excessive current.

Other objects will ap )ear as my invention is more fully describe and set forth hereafter. e

`My invention resides in the new and novel construction, arrangement and combination of various part-s wtliich I have more fully set forth and described and shown in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing accompanying this speci.- cation:

Figure 1 is an end view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of my invention taken on the line3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a modified form of `operating handle applicable to be combined with the other elements of my invention and substipted for the operating handle shown in In the preferred form of a device embodying my invention I employ two clamping members land 2 each provided with similar lips 3 which are oppositely `disposed to engage a conductor 4. The clamping member 1 is provided with an orifice 5 having atransverse or laterally disposed axis relative to the clamping member 1. The clamping member 2 is provided with a projecting boss l6 positione contour coinciding with that of the walls of the orifice 5. This contour may be circular or equare or of other shape as desired. The two clamping members 1 and 2 are movablerelatively to each other toward and in the orifice 5 andhavmg av 'away from each other or in a lateral or transverse direction.

7 arranged to be turned over from its original position shown by the dotted lines and to engage with the clamping member 2 to limit its lateral movement in one direction. The movement of the member 2 relatively to the member 1 in a lateral direction is not suflicient to permit of the disengagement of the two members on account of the posit-ion ot' the member 7 acting as a stop member before the members 1 and 2 can disengage.

The member 1 is also provided with a projecting member 8 forming a groove 9, the yobject of which will be explained later. Threadably engaging the boss 6 is a handle 10. The handle 10 is provided with a metal member 1l which has a'stud 12 threaded into the recess 18 of the boss 6 and having a flange 14 provided with a shoulder 15 engaglng the annular flange 16 on the member The member 1 is also provided with a lip y 1. 4The -member 1 is provided with bendable lugs 17 engaging the flange 14 which prevents longitndinal movement of the handle 10 relative to the clamping member 1, but permits a rotation of the handle 10 relative to the clamping members. The member 11 is provided with an internally screw threaded socket 12 in which is threaded the tubular member 18 formed of insulating material. On the exterior surface of the insulating member 18 is mounted va protecting collar or washer 19 also of insulating material. This washer 19 prevents the operators hand from coming in contact with the live member 11.

Secured to the member 18 at the opposite end fromy that secured to the member 11 is a member 20 preferably of insulating material and in threadable engagement 4with the member 18 and provided with a passage 21. Mounted withinthe cavity 22 of the member 18 is a fuse 23 having a fusible element 24 contacting at one end with the member 11 and having the other end in contact with the conducting member 25 which has a recess 26 adapted to receive the end 27 of the cable 28. The cable 28 1s held in the.' recess 26 by means of the set screws 29. The members 23 and 25 are both removable from the member 18 upon unscrewing the member 20. `When, however, the member 20 is screwed into position CII lense 23 'should ,the fusible element 2&1 be

blown' on account if excessive current. rlhere are. of course, other arrangements than thatjust described by means of which the fuse 23 may be removed and replaced and electric circuit completed from the member 2-to the member 2?.

in Fig. is shown a modified handle by means ot which electric connection is made between the member 27 'andthe member`2 without the use of the fuse element 24:. in this arrangement there is a stud having a threaded end 12 which engages with the threaded recess 13 of member 2 and is provided with a ange 1e the same in every re,- spe'ct to the Bange 14.- o Fig. 3, and also has a threaded socket 31 to receive a threaded stud 32 having a socket member` 33 in which the cable conductor 27 is secured in vany well known manner., as for instance,

soldering. IEhe member 30 is provided with an insulated covering 3a.- f

in theoperation'and use ofmy invention l have secured thereto a longitudinal cable 28 the opposite end of which is attached to an electrically operated apparatus such as in 'a' mining machine and which may be at a considerable distance from any source of supply other than the main trolley 4i. if the machine is in a permanent position for operation l then secure the device embodying 'my .invention to the trolley wire 4. at

,a convenient, pointby rotating the handle 10 thereby movlng the gripping members- 1 and 2 relatively toward each other after placing the device in approximate position on the trolley wire 4 and continue the rotationo the handle 10 until the lips 3-3 are insecure engagement with the trolleyr wire 4. If the rotation of the handle 10 has been sutiicient to produce an unreasonable .amount` of twist in the cable 28, this twist can "be relieved by merely rotating the member 2O backward, loosening 'the parts slightly and then re-tightening the member 2O thereby securingy the parts within the casing 18 to secure electrical engagement. If, during the operation of a ymining machine,

the current becomes Igreater than a predetermined amount. the fusible member 24 will be blown thereby opening the circuit. The

fuse23 can be then replaced by merely loos enin yup the member 20, withdrawing the mem er 25 and the fuse 23 and then replacing the fuse 23 with. the new fuse and then replacing the arts 20 and,25.- The handle 10 being insu ated makes it possible for- Lacasse sirable to have a connection. with the trolley wire which can be moved as the machine is moved without breaking the circuit. To permit this operation the device is provided with a member 8 which forms the groove 9 and the walls of this groove 9 are placed in contact with the trolley wire or other conductor and held there by an operator who moves the device along the trolley wire as necessity requires.

in the construction shown in Fig. 3 there will undoubtedly be gases liberated at the time the fusible linlr 24 blows and unless provisionis made for allowing the escape of these gases, there is a possibility of the member 18 being injured, therefore, I have provided means for the escape of these gases to the yatmosphere andthis means comprises, in the construction shown in Fig. 3, a passage 36 between the members 23 and 25, a passage 35 communicating with the passages 36 and 26 and the passage 21 communicating with the passage 26 and the atmosphere. This will permit ready escape ofl the gasesto the atmosphere, but there are other means which may be provided, performing the same unctionf The moditied form of handle shown in Fig. i will need no explanation it is believed as to its use, as it will be clearly seen that if the handle shown in Fig. 4 is substituted forN-the handle shown in Fig. 3, it will only be necessary to rotate the handle shown in Fig. l the same as the handle 10 shown in Fig. 3, and the gripping members 1 and 2 will beUengaged or disengaged with the conductor 4 depending upon the direction no of rotation.

It will be noted in the construction shown in F ig. 3 that the'handle .does not move laterally with respect to the member 1, and that the member 2 will be positively moved either back or forth whenever the handle l0l is rotated and depending upon the directionl of rotation of the handle.l It will also be noted that the relative movement of the members 1 and 2 away 'from each other is limited by the member 7 which prevents the disassembly ofv the parts.

Due to the'Y swivel engagement of the handle with the member 1 and the threaded engagement of theshandle with the member 2 the members 1 and 2 will be held in relative relation to each other at all times, but this relation may be `variedonly by rotation of the handle and this is an advantage, in that, the members 1 and 2 cannot open orA close by gravity thus requiring the device to have a fixed relation relativeto the conductor 4 in order that the conductor may be positioned between the members 1 and 2.

There are, of course. many modifications which will suggest 4themselves to those skilled in the art, but I do not wish to be limited otherwise than by my claims.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of movable members to grip a conductor, one of the members having means to limit the movement of the other member in a direction away from the conductor, rotatable means to move the members either toward or away from each other and maintain the members in an adjusted relation and a fusible link mounted within the rotatable means and having one end electrically connected to the members )and means on the other end of the fusible link for attachment to acable. l Y

2. An article ofvmanufacture comprising ,l a pair of movable members to grip a conductor, electrically insulated rotative means to move the members either toward or away from each other, means for cooperative at- .tachment of the rotative means to one of the members to'maintain the members in a predetermined relation and a fusible link mounted within the rotative means and elec! trioall connected to the movable members and a so provided with means for the connection of a cable thereto.

3. An article of manufacture comprisingv a pair of movable members to grip a conductor, rotatable operating means to move the members either toward or away from each other, meanson one of the members to limit the movement of the other member in a direction away from the conductor, means on one of the members to prevent lateral movement of the rotatable operating means relative to one of the members, means on the rotatable operating means to receive a cable and a fusible link electrically connecting the last said means and the movable members.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of movable members to grip a conductor, rotatingr operating means secured to one member, means on said member to prevent lateral movement of the operating member, means on the operating member en- ,f

gaging means on the other member to move the other member either toward or away from the conductor when the operating means is rotated in one direction, or the other respectively. l

5. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of relatively movable members to grip a conductor, operating means rotatably secured to one member against lateral movement and means on the operating member engaging with means on the other member to move the other member either toward or away from the conductor depending upon lwith the fuse interposed in t f the direction of rotation of the operating member.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of laterally movable members to grip a conductor, electrically insulated rotatable operating means for moving the members either toward or away from each otherto engage or release Ithe conductor repectively and having electrical engagement with said members and means on the operating member for the attachment of a cable thereto.

7. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of movable members to grip a con ductor, electrically insulated operating means swivelly mounted on one member and engaging the other member whereby said I members are moved either toward or away 8. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of movable members to gri a conductor, electrically insulated rotataiile operating means for moving the members .either into or out of engagement with the conductor, attaching means for a cable to said operating means and a fusible member interposed between said attaching means and lthe movable members to electrically connect the cable to the movable members and to protect the cable from an excessive flow of current.

9. `The combination with a pair of clamp ing members to engage a conductor of a rotatable handle to operate the members into engagement with the conductor, a fusible link within the handle and electrically connected to one of the members, means to connect a cable to the fusible link and means for renewing the link when necessary.

10. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of clamping members to grip a conductor, one of the members provided with a side opening and the other member, pro vided witlra projecting member positioned in the side opening and movable laterally therein, and means engagingthe two members for moving the two members toward each other, the engagement of the said means being swiveled with one of the clamping members and threadable with the `members into engagement with the conductor and having means for electrically conjnecting a cable to the clamping' members e circuit.

12. An article of manufacture for attaching a cable to a conductor comprising meansf to grip the conductor, rotatable means to' aoY operate 'the gripping means means to maintain the caioie in fixed relation to the gripping means and means combined with tile iast means for eiectricaiiy connecting the cable to the gripping' means and maintaining the connection under normai conditions but automatically opening the connection when the new of current is abnormal 18, combination with a pair of Ciampino memners to engage with a conductor or a rotatabie bandi-e to operate the members engagement with the contiuctor,'a nsibie iink within the handle siectricafiij;7 connected to one of the niembers, a cabie 'to make .eiectricai corines-sion with link and means connecting or fiisconnccting7 at will, tiie cabie to or 520m the link.

ne combination witn a c pins members to engage a conductor or K 7- L A M i a rotataoie iiantiie to operate the manners cape to the atmosphere;

15.21. connector co- T@rising a ot teiesconicaiy related qout non-rotataioie jaws r able relative to. each other to grip a conductor, a rotatabie insuiatcd hantiie cooperatins gaws to move them or away from each other 'wnen rotateci and means to electrically connect a cable to said jaws. v

l. A connector comprising in comb1nation a pair or1 jaws to grip a conductor9 an insulated handle having a passage therethrough, and operating to move ti'ie jaws into or ont of engagement with the conductor when the nandie is rotateci about its iongitudinai axis, a cable terminating with` in seid nandie and means positioned within the passage connecting the cable to one of the iaws.

i? A connector comprising a pair or jaws to? engage a conductor movabie sinnlitaneousiy toward or away from each other, an insuiateci bandire9 means attached. to the handle and enga-ing the two jaws to more the jaws tower@ or away from each other whe'- rotated anti means for* eiectricaiiy connecting the gaws to a oabie.

i8. A. connector lcomprising e pair ot jaws moveoie either towards or away from eacii other, rotatable handle provided with means to engage. one ot tiie jaws in switfei relation, threaded means on'V the handie 1 a tiireadec. engagement with the carer jeff. the jaws seing movable towards 'eac-e other to grip a conductor when tno nandie is rotated in one oirection.

in testimony whereoi` ii my signa-

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