US2039462A - Process of clamping wires and wire clamp - Google Patents

Description

M y 1936 o. .17 STONECIPHER 2,039,452

PROCESS OF CLAMPING WIRES AND WIRE CLAMP Filed June 24, 1933 l i} i a.

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INVENTOR. 0507/? J roxvfclflltfi ATTORNEYS,

Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES Oscar J. Stonecipher, Taylorville,-Ill., assignor'of one-half to Adam Lang, Indianapolis; Ind.-

Application June 24, 1933, Serial No. 677,414

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a process of clamping wires and a wire clamp suitable for either hot wire application or -cold wire application. By hot wire is meant anelectrical conductor that has potential applied thereto. By cold wire is meant an electrical conductor that has no potential applied thereto at the time the connection to another conductor is made or broken by means of the application or removal of a clamp connector respectively.

The-chief object of this invention is to provide a clamp suitable for the purpose set forth and which requires but a single standard type insulated socket wrench when used for hot wire purposes or a standard socket wrench when used for cold wire application, and which clamp is so arranged that it can accommodate not only the main line or main conductor but one or more branch lines or conductors that are.

to be electrically and manually'connected to the main line and with a minimum of effort.

One feature of the invention consists in the construction of the clamp device such that not only is it adapted for substantial socket-wrench" application but the parts are few and but four in number and at least two of the same may be screw machine products and possibly the other two parts may be similarly manufactured, or if not, may be manufactured at the same production rate on a wire working machine and made from long wire stock.

The essentials of the device consist of a base, a nut, and a pair of Jbo1ts.

The gist of the invention is that the base slidably supports the pair of J-bolts in association The base to facilitate the handling of the.

various wires may be provided with bores or recesses into which the short end. or ends of the branch wire, or wires, respectively may be inserted so that the base serves as -a temporary support and anchorage for the branch wire or wires in the mounting operation.

The socket wrench not only nests the nut but the lower portion of the base-below the recesses,

et cetera, sothat the initial turning movement of the socket wrench causes the entire structure to turn until the main line lies parallel to the grooveand the branch line, or lines, and a continued turning of the wrench following a slight. withdrawal of the wrench, sufficient to clear the wrench from the base, will causethe nut-to thread itself on the threads of the J-hooks and draw down the J-hooks into clamping relation across all of the wires in the groove, the several wires beingv retained in the'groove by sideengagement with the vertically upstanding portions of the hooks.

There thus results a multiple clamp engage-- ment between the branch wire, or wires, and the main line constituting a firm connection and thereby eliminating a single contact clamp connection which, it has been found, will cause through repeated movement of the wires, either the main line or usually the branch line, to sever at the connection. The present invention eliminates this source of failure.

It will be apparent that no special tool other than an ordinary socket wrench is required for cold wire application. Herein the arrangement is shownfor a hexagonal structure and, therefore, a hexagonal socket wrench would be employed.

A square connecting structure is also included within the scope of this invention and then a square socket wrench would be employed.

The idea of a base. and a nutfor clamping wires together is old but this'has an objection, to wit, that due to the constant relative move-- ment between the branch wire and the main wire, there is-introduced a twisting or turning action that is transmitted to the connection which works on the connection between "the nut and the base and ultimately this action will serve to loosen the nut from the base and the branch wire will escape even though the. entire clamp remains on themain wire.

Another serious objection has been found to this previous construction which is eliminated by the present invention and this is that whenever there is any slight loosening of the clamp, there results a poor connection between the main and branch-line, or lines, which seriously: interferes with radio reception and. is objectionable on the load end of the branch line due to the fluctuation in voltage. This also introduces a serious variable factor'into the transmission line system. It has. been known with this oldtypeof construction:- that 'suificient resistance'is sometimes introduced. at the connection so that sufficientheatnccurs locally at the connection and results in the melting of the wire. This may be the main wire, the branch wire or both, thereby resulting in line failure as an extreme condition. All of this is eliminated by the present invention.

The present invention eliminates this possibility of the loosening of the clamp for the following reason: The J-hooks constitute the sole threaded connection between the base and the nut and, therefore, the threaded connection is localized in the nut where the threaded engagement is obtained with the J-hooks. This distorts to a slight degree the threads in the nut and when the nut is firmly threaded to its final position, the threads are so distorted in the final clamping or turning of the nut so as to constitute an automatic lock and prevent subsequent loosening of the nut should any resulting strains or stress be transmitted to the clamping connection as a unit.

In other words, the present connection practically eliminates every source of failure or objection heretofore found in the art, except one type of failure that is present in all constructions and cannot be eliminated, and this is due to the fact that the branch line may be directed at such an angle to the main line that main line movement in the wind will transmit through the connection a strain or stress to the branch line where it leads from the connection so that crystallization by fatigue occurs adjacent thereto in the branch line and ultimately the branch line will crystallize and separate. When that occurs all that is necessary in the present invention is to reconnect the branch by a similar unit and remove the old connection if desired. The old connection, in that event, then will have to have the nut portion only retapped to reform the distorted portions of the thread into regular formation, whereupon the entire unit may be again used, and such reuses may occur until the threads are practically destroyed in the nut. It, of course, will be apparent that due to slight variation in wires that the distortions on a second and subsequent application of the unit will not usually occur at the same portion of the threads in the nut as it has heretofore occurred and only in an exceptional case will that registration again occur.

It is to be noted that in the present invention complete and positive control over the unit during its mounting is possible and this is not possible with the previous structures used in the industry, unless two or more tools were required, one to hold one element in place and hold it on the wire, and another to operate the clamping element while holding the first element.

It is to be understood also that the unit may be made in various sizes and only a minimum number of standard sizes will be used. Each standard size of unit is adapted to accommodate within its range any size of main wire within that range and any number of branch wires also within the selected range. It is not necessary also that the branch wires be of the same size nor that the branch wires be the same size as of the main wire.

Any suitable material may be employed in the construction of the J-hooks, the nut and base constituting the four essential elements of this invention but it is preferred to make the aforesaid of bronze because it is non-corrosive. When units of this character are to be used on aluminum transmission lines, of which there are many now in use. the bronze or other metallic material preferably will be chromium or cadmium plated to eliminate the possibility of electro chemical action between the clamping unit and the aluminum main.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention also contemplates a new and improved process of connecting one or more branch wires to a main line wire, particularly by the use of a single turning tool such as a socket wrench and which may be applied while the main line circuit is closed, the connection then made while the circuit is in this condition, being known as a hot wire application. The steps of the process are as follows:-

The branch wire, or wires, is, or are, respectively, laid in the groove or upon the upper face of the base of the connecting unit and the short end of the wire is suitably anchored to the base as hereinafter set forth so that when the base is associated with the single tool, the latter from its insulated end may be turned without the lineman being required to hold or otherwise maintain the branch wire, or wires, in associated relation with the base of the clamp or any other part of the connecting unit.

The two J-hooks are then in elevated relation with respect to the base and the nut is positioned below the base and has initial threaded engagement with the lower ends of the J-hooks. The socket wrench, or other turning tool, nestingly receives the nut and the extreme lower portion of the base.

The turning tool then is elevated so that the main line wire will readily pass between the two substantially parallel curved portions of the J- hooks and then further elevational movement is applied until the main line wire engages the branch wire or wires. Thereupon the turning tool is turned in the direction for threading the nut and about a quarter turn which positions the main line wire beneath the J-hooks and continued rotational movement of the base and branch wires is prevented because the main line wire engages the two J-hooks upon the adjacent sides of the vertical portions thereof and holds the base against turning. The turning tool is then lowered or withdrawn a sufiicient distance to clear the base of the connecting unit but not to permit the nut to escape from the turning tool. Continued turning of the turning tool in the same direction then causes the nut to approach the base and this movement takes place until the nut engages a shoulder on the base, when further advancing movement of the nut toward the base is prevented. Continued rotation of the turning tool then causes the nut to swivel on the base or swivel with relation to the base and such movement draws down the clamping bolts upon the branch and main wires and this movement is continued until the resistance of the clamping connection between the J -hooks, the base and the several associated wires indicates to the lineman that additional turning movement is unnecessary. Thereafter the turning tool is further withdrawn so that the nut and all the other associated parts of the connecting unit are entirely free from the connecting unit and the connection is then complete.

It will be apparent from the aforesaid that the lineman making the connection can use two hands to the single turning tool and need not have any direct connection with the main line wire or may use one hand for gripping the pole, which frequently is necessary when working in the high wind and which assists in steadying the lineman on the pole, the lineman working on the pole usually supporting himself thereon by a pair of climbing irons and a belt strap.

The turning tool employed may be a wooden pole that mounts on one end a socket wrench. The pole may be anywhere from three to five feet long but, of course, may be shorter or longer, this being about the usual desired length.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following specification and claims:

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a three-wire transmission system, the topportion of a turning tool, a pair of branch wires, and the connecting unit.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the connecting unit with the wires in the clamped and final position, the dotted line indicating an initial and mounting position of the main wire.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the connecting unit associated with the top of a turning tool, the latter being shownin section.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view taken at right angles to Fig. 3 and shows the initial assembly position of the parts of the connecting unit previous to mounting.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of the connecting unit.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the connecting unit in wire-clamping relation, parts of the unit being broken away to show other parts in detail.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the plated base.

Fig. 8 is a diametrical sectional view of the plated nut.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an unattached plated hook.

The following consists of an exemplification of apparatus suitable for practicing the process before mentioned.

In the drawing, l0 indicates a conventional line pole, which is illustrated as mounting a cross arm H, and which supports a three-wire power transmission system having the line wires l2, I3 and I4, wire l2 being supported on the pole by a single insulator i5 and wires I3 and I4 being supported on the pole by insulators l6 and I1 respectively, carried by the cross arm- H. Any other form of transmission line system may be employed.

It is customary in electrical transmission systerns to transmit energy at 2300 or 3300 Volts and energy is supplied to the consumer, generally, through a single phase transformer usually mounted on the transmission line pole and from thence to the consumer, the voltage being usually 220 volts. Where the load is connected to the branch circuit, the switching connection usually includes a meter and then a switch box and leading from the switch box is an intermediate line so that there are 110 volts between the center line and each of the outside pair of lines, and the load is usually divided, approximately onehalf applied across one main line and the common line, and the other half of the load is applied across the other main line and the common line.

Also illustrated in Fig. 1 is an insulated pole of the aforesaid character and indicated by the numeral H8. The same terminates in a socket wrench structure l9 adapted to sustain and operate the connecting unit. 20 indicates one branch wire and 2| the free end thereof. 22 indicates another branch wire and 23 the free end thereof. 24 indicates the base and 25 and 26 the J-hooks.

The nut' is not shown in Fig. 1, being seated in the socket wrench. In the other figures the nut is indicated by the numeral 21.

The J-hooks as illustrated comprise a relatively straight portion 28 and a relatively flat curved end 29. The lower portion upon the side opposite the curved portion is threaded as at 36 and when assembled with the nut and the base the lowermost thread at 3| is deformed to normally lock the several parts of the connecting unit. together.

The base 24 in its preferred form includes a shallow groove 32 that extends across the upper face thereof. A cylindrical depending guide and swivel portion 33 is integral with the base and this in depth is approximately the thickness of the nut 21. Both the nut and the upper portion 24 of the base preferably have the same outline which herein is shown hexagonal and preferably are of the same size, although it is not essential that this be true. If it is not true, then a special form of socket wrench must be employed which is the reason both nut and base portion 24 are preferably of the same size. If they are not of the same size, the base portion 24 must be larger than the nut 21.

The diameter of the depending substantially cylindrical portion 33 of. the base is less than the smallest interior of the diameter of the nut so that the nut may freely swivel on the same. The base, where it joins the depending portion 33, forms a shoulder 34 which is curved outwardly and upwardly as at 35 so that no burrs can obstruct or interfere with the free swivelling of the nut on the cylindrical portion. The adjacent portion of nut is similarly relieved.

To eliminate the necessity of extending the threading of the J-hooks in excessive distance upwardly, the nut has its internal bore enlarged as at 36 and the remainder of the bore is threaded as at 31.

The base is provided with two parallel openings 33, which openings are extended as partially cylindrical grooves 39 in the depending substantialiy cylindrical portion 33 of the base. Each J-hook is slidably supported in the two aligned portions, opening 38 and the partially cylindrical groove 39. When the base groove 32 is employed, the two adjacent portions of the side walls of the holes 38 lie at the two opposite edges of the groove 32 as at 40.

As previously set forth, the two J-hooks are mounted in the openings 38 and the nut is threaded thereon, while the J-hooks are arranged so as to straddle the groove and have their curved portions substantially parallel to each other. The nut is then threaded upon the J-hooks until the J-hooks slightly project below the bottom plane of the nut, whereupon the end threads on the J-hooks are deformed so as to lock the parts of the unit together. In this position the bottom of the depending portion 33 of the base may lie above the top of the nut or in the same plane therewith or extend a slight distance into the same. This is the way the unit is assembled by the manufacturer and sold to the customer.

The lineman in applying the unit telescopes the nut upon the cylindrical depending portion 33 which forces the .l-hooks upwardly and thus forms the equivalent of a groove between the two curved portions of the J-hook and this equivalent groove is the space through which the main wire passes in the elevation of the entire unit in the mounting operation.

If the unit is only designed for connecting a pair of wires, a bore is positioned above the bottom plane of the base portion 24 and substantially parallel to the groove 32. This hole is indicated by the numeral 4| and is adapted to receive from opposite ends the opposite ends 2! and 23 of the branch wires 20 and 22, shown in Fig. 1. The bore 4! forms a temporary anchorage for the branch wires. When the unit is adapted to connect more than a pair of branch wires, other bores 4| may be provided and herein a second one is illustrated and if desired, since the unit is shown in hexagonal formation, even a third bore may be provided. Naturally, all of these bores intersect. However, if desired, the bores need not extend entirely through and then there would be provided -in the base equivalent recesses that would not communicate with each other at their inner ends.

As previously set forth, the completed unit is nested in a socket wrench so that the nut and only a small lowermost portion of the base 24 are received by the socket wrench and then after the branch wires have been laid in the groove and their ends positioned into the bores or recesses 4| the unit and branch wire ends are elevated so that the J-hooks pass on both sides of the main wire. The turning tool is then turned up a quarter turn to position the main wire against the two adjacent sides of the J -hooks and then after the turning tool is slightly withdrawn suficiently to release the base, continued turning movement serves to draw down the J-hooks into clamping engagement upon the main wire and the branch wires to clampingly connect the wires together. After sufiicient clamping action has been obtained, the turning tool is removed from the connecting unit and the connection is completed.

In the event that it is desired to replace the unit for one reason or another, the turning tool is applied. to the connection while on the main wire and the tool is reversely turned to back-off the nut until it engages the last or deformed threads, whereupon the turning movement is stopped. Then the turning tool is elevated and it is turned a quarter turn in the unthreading direction which again repositions the unit with respect to the main wire such that upon lowering movement of the turning tool with the unit therein it will serve to entirely free the main wire from the branch wires and the connecting unit.

In Fig. '7, the numeral H designates the plated surface of base 24. In Fig. 8, the numeral I01 designates the plated surface of nut 21. In Fig. 9 the numeral I02 designates the plated surface of hook 28.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in'great detail in the drawing and foregoing description, the same is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in character and the modifications thereof which have been suggested as well as those which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are considered to be within the broad scope of this invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:-

l. The process of multiply clamping a bra h wire to a main hot wire through a single application and use of a single turning tool and a connector unit comprising a base, a nut and an opposed pair, curved hook construction comprising a pair of inverted J-hooks, the hook portions of the pair being spaced apart above the base and the other portions extending through the base for nut engagement, comprising suitably anchoring the branch wire to the connector base, the branch wire extending across the upper face of the base and substantially transverse to the spaced curved portions of the hook construction, associating the base and nut with the turning tool, positioning the branch wire and the base with the curved portions of the hook construction parallel to each other and the main wire until the bottom of the main wire engages the top of the branch wire, turning the branch wire, base, hook construction and nut as a unit until the main wire is in substantial alignment with the branch wire and in side engagement with the elongated portions of the hook construction for preventing further turning of the base relative to the main wire, then disassociating the turning tool sufiiciently to only free the base therefrom, then turning the tool and the nut relative to the base for clamping the wires together, and then completely disassociating the turning tool from the nut.

2. A clamping unit including in combination a base, a depending substantially cylindrical and non-threaded portion rigid with the base, a member extending slidably through the base and depending portion, the longitudinal axis of the member being eccentric of the common axis of the base and depending portion, the latter laterally exposing a threaded longitudinal surface of the member between the ends thereof beyond the base, said member having an offset portion opposite the threaded portion and overhanging the base, and a nut coaxially swivelable relative to the depending portion and having eccentric threaded engagement with the threaded portion of the member, the interior bore of the nut being enlarged to telescopically receive the depending portion, the bottom of the enlargement serving as a stop for nesting movement of the base depending portion in the nut enlargement.

3. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J -hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative to the base.

4. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks and rotative relative to the base said nut engaging the lower face of the base for the purpose set forth, said base having a depending portion nestable in the nut aperture and extending-from hook to hook for parallelism maintenanceof the threaded portions.

5. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of of parallel bor s therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein. the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being'positioned and terminating respectively'above the upper face of the base for the purposesdescribed, each hook having a threaded portion'adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative'relative to the base, said base having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across said groove.

6. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J- hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein,

the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parto the adjacent bores in the base.

'7. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a'pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a substantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said-hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks.

8. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combinationa base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J- hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a substantially cylindrical dependingportion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent its connection with the depending portion.

plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore,"

stantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent its con-- nection with the depending portion, the lower outermost edge of the base being relieved for nut clearance.

plurality of wires including in combination a base, "a 'pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and .tslidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respecpurposes described, each book having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the -J-hooks only and rotative relative to the base, saidbase including a substantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said'nut engag-' ing the lower face of the base adjacent its connection with the depending portion, said base having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across'said groove.

11. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion-of-each J-hook extending in the general' direction of the :other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simulta- 9. A connector unit for clamping together a,",10

relative to the base, said base including a sub- 10. A connector unit for clamping together a tively above the upper face of the base for the 'neous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a substantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent its connection with the depending portion, the lower outermost edge of the base being relieved for nut clearance, said base having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across said groove.

12. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bore therethrough, a J- hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the otherbore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a substantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent its con-- nection with the depending portion, said base having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across said groove, the opposite edges of the groove being substantially tangential to the adjacent bores in the base.

13. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a substantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindrical grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said nut engaging the lower face of the base adjacent its connection with the depending portion, the lower edge of the base being relieved for nut clearance, saidbase having a groove in its face adjacent the curved portions of the hooks and said hooks projecting oppositely across said groove, the opposite edges of the groove being substantially tangential to the adjacent bores in the base.

14. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J- hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a substantially cylindrical depending portion of lesser area than the base and including partially cylindircal grooves in registration with said bores and slidably receiving said hooks and exposing a threaded portion of said hooks, said base including a recessed portion for temporarily anchoring the end of one of the wires.

15. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J-hooks only and rotative relative to the base, said base including a recessed portion for temporarily anchoring the end of one of the wires, said base including a hook spacing portion receivable by said nut.

16. A connector unit for clamping together a plurality of wires including in combination a base, a pair of parallel bores therethrough, a

J-hook for each bore and slidably mounted therein, the curved portion of each J-hook extending in the general direction of the other bore, the curved portions lying in spaced and substantially parallel relation and oppositely directed, the curved portion and free end of each hook being positioned and terminating respectively above the upper face of the base for the purposes described, each hook having a threaded portion adjacent the straight end, and a single nut having a threaded portion for simultaneous connection with the J -hooks only and rotative relative to the base, the straight end of one of the J-hooks having a lateral enlargement preventing accidental separation of the base and nut, said base including a hook spacing portion receivable by said nut.

OSCAR J STONECIPHER.

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