US1677376A - Wire coupler - Google Patents

Description

July 11, 192s. k 1,677,376

` J. ZILLIOX WIRE COUPLER Filed Oct. 22, 1925 Patented July 17, 1928.

Unirse stars JOI-IN ZILLIOX, OF ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PARK IVIETALWARE') COMPANY, OF ORCHARD PARK, NEW' YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

WIRE COUPLER.

This invention relates to a coupler for coupling electric wires with each other and more particularly for connecting wires of dierent diameters which are arranged at an angle relatively to each other. Asis well known the main feed wire of electric conductor lines are usually comparatively large in diameter 4to properly carry the current, and the branch or service wires whereby current is distributed to customers are usually of smaller diameter and extend laterally at different angles from the main feed wire. Heretofore Vthe connection between such wires has usually been effected by sol'- dering which is not only laborious and wasteful of time as well as dangerous but also unsatisfactory Vdue to' likelihood of .producing a joint which is imperfect and hable to give way.

It is t-he object of this invention to produce a coupler for this purpose which can be quickly and easily applied to wires of the 'same `or different diameters and which are arranged either parallel or vat an angle relatively to each other, which will produce a good electric connection between the wires to be coupled without the use of solder, and which can be produced at low cost and capable of universal use on all sizes of wires, thereby rendering it vunnecessary to select a certain size coupler for particular sizes of wires and also avoiding the. n-ecessity of keeping in stock more than one size or extra parts of couplers and thereby reducing the cost accordingly.`

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an end elevation ofan approved vform of coupler embodying my 1nvention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same viewed at right angles to Figure-2.

Figures is a. cross section taken on line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a side view of one of the side clamping plates.

Figure 6 is an edge view of the same.

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of the inner clamping plate and the tie rod upon which the same is mounted.

Similar charactersV of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The numeral 10 represents a main or feed wire' forming part of thevline whereby. the` main el-ectric current is conducted, and 11` either' be arranged parallel or atan angle` relatively to each other and in theV drawings they are represented, for example, at right angles to each other. v v

The preferred form of coupler for `connecting these wires embodying my. invention and shown in the drawings is `constructed as follows: Y g

The numeral 12 is a tie rod whichis arranged transversely of the wires to be coupled adjacent to the Vcrossing between the samevand preferably vconstructed of bendable. material, such as soft brass and provided with an external screw thread 13 so that this rod inV effectis the equivalent of a. bolt. Mounted on the central part of the tie rod and preferably secured against rotation thereon is an inner vor lintermediate clamping plate 14 of metal such as brass which inthe preferred construction has the form of a circular disk, the opposite sides 15, 16 of which are flat and adapted to bear against theopposing inner sides of the wires which are to be coupled. The preferred manner of connecting the intermediate clamping plate and the tie rod consists in providing this clamping disk with a central screw threaded opening which receives the thread of 'the tie` rod, and soldering Vthis plate and rod together as shown at 9 in Figsjf, 3, t and 7 so that the same are held against rotation relative to each other and` not liable to become displaced while being handled.

On the outer end portions of the tie rod are mounted two outer clamping 'plates 17, 18, also preferably of Adisk form and constructed of metal such as brass. Each of these outer clamping plates is provided witha central opening whereby the saine is free to slide and rotate on the ti-e rod, and the same is also provided with corrugations which form parallel grooves 19 on the inner side of this plate, and on opposite sides of the tie rod. Each of these side plates is preferably bent into the desired Vshape from a sheet of metal ofthe desired thickness in one of its grooves one of the wires to be coupled.

The two outer clamping plates are pressed inwardly for the purpose of firmly enga-g-V ing the severalclamping plates with opposite sides of the wires and forming a. goodl electrical 'Y contact therebetween. These 'pressing means preferably consist of washers 20, 20 mounted loosely on the tie rodV and bearing against the .outer side of the outer clamping plates, and two screw nuts 21, 21 engaging with the threaded extremities ofthe tie rod and bearing against the outer side offthe washers.

In using this coupler for connecting two wires the Screw. nut-s are first loosened Sulliciently to permit the central or intermediate clamping plate `to pass lbetween the two wires and the outer clamping platesto each engage a groove on one side ofY the tie rod with the outer side of the wires. Upon now tightening the nuts each outer clamping plate will be Vdrawn on one side of the rod against the respect-ive wire and on the other side: of the rod'aga-i-nst the opposing part of the inner clamping plate, whereby the respective end of the tie rod wil-l be bent, as shown on the lower parts of Figures 3 and 4, and the right side of Figure 2, thereby obtaining a tirm grip on the wires and producing a good metallic contact between the several parts for properly conducting the electric current through the same. This adaptation of the ytie rod varies according to the size of the wire which is being clamped and is possibly due to the tie rod bei-ng constructed of bendable metal. Whenl the clamping plates are thus tightened on the wires the latter areengaged by va spring' pressure or tension which permits the plates to come and go under variations in temperature and still maintain a firm grip on lthe wires.

By turning the outer clamping plate on the tie bolt or rod the same can: e applied to the wines at any angle at which the same may cross each other land also regardless of the relative diameters of the wires.

Owing to--thev simplicity of this coupler and the employment of parts ott like construction the saine can be manufactured at comparatively low cost. l

As the same can be quickly applied to wires it is particularly advantageous for line- Vmen who 4are obliged to work on polesa'nd other dangerous places, thereby `*reducing the hazard attending work of this character to va minimum.

I claim as my invention l. A wire coupler comprising a tie rod, anl

inner clamping plate secured against rotation on the centralpartwoil said tie rod, and

adapted to be engaged on its opposite sides bythe inner sides of wires Vto be coupled,

two outer clamping plates capable of rotation on the end portions of said rod and adapted to engage their inner sides with the outer sides of the wires tobe coupled, andv means for pressing said outer lclamping `plates inwardly. l' l i A wire coupler comprising an external lyiscrew threaded tie rod, an inner clamping plate screwed on said rod and secured against rotation thereon and having opposite fiat sides adapted to engage with the inner sides oi' the wires to be coupled, outer clamping disks rotatable o-n said rod and provided on their inner sides with grooves adaptedto engage with the outer sides of the wires to be coupled, washers arrangedion said rod and engaging the outer sides'ofsaid outer clamping disks, and screw nuts arranged on said rod and engaging with the outer sides of `said washers.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

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