US1699772A - Combination clamp - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 22, 1929.

N. A. WAHLBERG COMBINATION CLAMP Filed April 6, 1927 glTNESSZ INVENTOR A l/5 4. (flab/bevy ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

UNITED STATES anna PATENT o FFicE.

NILS a; wnnnnnne, on WILKINSZBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, assreivon To WESTING- HOUSE nnncrnzc & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A coaronnrron onPnnNsYL- VANIA.

Application filed April 6,

My invention relates to clamps and particularly to combined suspension and strain clamps for supporting high-voltage conductors. One object of my invention is to provide a clamp, of the above-indicated character, that shall be readily adapted for different mounting as a suspension, and as a strain clamp.

Another object of my invention is to provide a conductor clamp that shall facilitate the temporary positioning of a conductor relative thereto duringthe attaching of permanent clampingelements therefor.

A furtherobject of my invention is to provide a conductor clamp that shall be simple and durable in construction,economical to manufacture and effective in its operation.

In suspension and strain clamps for mount ing on high towers or other positions of dif ficult accessibility duringall kinds of weather conditions," it is highly desirable thatthey be ofas simple nature and of as ready manipulation as possible.

In certain of these clamps,-theconductorreceiving grooves are of such position and character as to require a separate temporary holdingof the conductor, while the clamping elements or bolts are placed in position. Also, since suspension clamps are ordinarily mounted at mid position thereof and strain clamps are usually suspended from the ends of the structures, different stocks of these types are maintained.

It is my purpose to overcome the abovementioned objections of: requiring separate holdingof the conductor, while the clamping bolts are being inserted, and of necessitating the maintenance of stocks of clamps of different types.

Accordingly, in practicing my invention, I provide a clamp in which a groove and holding portions of lips are so constructed and related, in which different suspension portions are so embodied and in which other features are so included, as to overcome the objections and to render the clamp an improvement, in other features, over clamps heretofore employed.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing is a side elevational view of a clamp constructed in accordance with my invention, portions of a suspension or strain link and a conductor for cooperation therewith, and

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the de COMBINATION CLAMP.

1927. Serial in). 131,331.

vice shown in Fig. 1, as viewed in the direction of an arrow II.

The device comprises, in general, a main clamp member 2 for supporting a conductor 3, a clamping shoe 4, clamping elements or U-bolts 5 and a suspension or strain link 6.

The clamp member 2, preferably of galvanized malleable cast iron, comprising a body portion 8 of sheet or web-like character having a reinforcing laterally-extending rim or edge portion 9, apertured upper bosses 10 and 11, a groove or channel portion 12, lower bosses 14 and end lips 15.

The upper bosses 10 and 11, that are disposed adjacentto one end and the center, respectively, of the body portion 8, are adapted for co-operation with the link (it-hat is-secured thereto by a main pin 18 and a cotter pin 19. i

The link 6 embodies an elongated body portion 20 having a bifurcated end portion 21 and apertured bosses 22 which embrace one of the bosses 10 and 11. When the link 6 is connected to the end boss 10, as illustrated, the clamp isadapted'for operation as a strain clamp and, when the link is connected to the boss 11, the clampis adaptedfor service as a suspension clamp.

The body portion 8 merges into the groove portion 12, in the form of a hook, in transverse view, as seen in Fig. 2, in such manner that the groove of theportion 12 lies at an angle to the plane ofthe'portion 8. This construction renders the groove accessible from one side of the body portion8 for the-insertion ofthe conductor 3.

The lips 15 are disposed at one side 'of the groove portion 12, opposite to that of the body portion 8, so that, when the conductor 3 is placed in the groove, it is temporarily held between the portions 8 and 12 while the shoe 4 and the U-bolts 5 are being placed in posit-ion.

The bolts 5 extend through openings 23 in the bosses 1 1 that are disposed diagonally to both the axis of the conductor 3 and to the plane of the body portion 8. This construction provides greater gripping surface between the bolts 5 and the shoe 4: and renders the parts more readily accessible, besides conserving space and material.

Lock washers 24 and nuts 25 serve to securely hold the U-bolts 5 in position.

The shoe 4 comprises an elongated body portion having an inner surface conforming to the surface of the conductor 3 and outer positioning portions 26 for the U-bolts. This construction serves to more uniformly distribute the clamping forces between the clamp and the bolts.

. The lips 15 are outwardly and downwardly curved to provide rocking surfaces for the conductor, which sways during certain service conditions, and to prevent crystallization thereof, at the ends of the clamp, which might occur if sharp edges were employed.

By my invention, a clamp is provided that not only serves both as a suspension and as a strain clamp and temporarily holds the conductor, during attachment thereof to the conductor, but that is simple, compact and strong and is, in general, an improvement in the field to which it relates.

While I have shown and described a particular form of my invention, changes may be effected therein without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A conductor clamp comprising a conductor-receiving groove portion, conductorretaining lip portions projecting from one side, at opposite ends, thereof, and means at the opposite side of the groove for selectively mounting the clamp at one of a plurality of posit-ions thereon.

2. A conductor clamp comprising a conductor-receiving portion, conductor-retaining lip portions projecting from one side, at opposite ends, thereof, means at the opposite side of the groove for selectively suspending the clamp at one of a plurality of positions thereon and means between the lips for clamping the conductor.

3. A conductor clamp comprising a body portion having a conductor-receiving sidegroove portion disposed at an angle to the plane thereof, lip portions projecting from one side, at opposite ends, of the groove in positions substantially parallel to said plane,

and means between the lips for clamping the conductor in position.

4. A conductor clamp comprising a body portion having a conductor-receiving sidegroove portion disposed at an angle to the plane thereof, lip portions projecting from one side, at opposite ends, of the groove in positions substantially parallel to said plane, and means between the lips for clamping the conductor in position and selectively suspending the clamp from one of a plurality of positions thereon.

5. A conductor clamp comprising a body portion having a lower groove portion of substantially hook shape in cross section cessible from one side of the body, lips at the ends of the groove on the entrance side thereof and a plurality of diagonal, bolt-receiving openings on opposite sides of the groove between the lips.

6. A conductor clamp comprising a body portion having a lower groove portion of substantially hook shape in cross section accessible from one side of the body, lips at the ends of the groove on the entrance side thereof, a plurality of apertured, diagonal, boltreceiving bosses on opposite sides of the groove between the lips and means for selectively suspending the clamp from one of a plurality of positions thereon.

7. A clamp comprising a conductor-receiving channel member having clamping-memher-positioning portions diagonally at opposite sides thereof, anda clamping member to be positioned by, and secured relative to, one of said portions and to extend diagonally across the conductor for positioning by the opposite portion.

8. A clamp com rising a conductor-receiving channel mem er, a clamping shoe for clamping the conductor in the channel and having an outer diagonal seat portion, and a clamping member to be secured to the chan nel member and having a portion to extend, and to be diagonally positioned, acres-.4 the conductor by said seat portion.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st' day of March 1927.

NILS A. IVAHLBERG.

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