US2187166A - Connector - Google Patents

Description

Ja. 16, 1940. J. B. MADDEN CONNECTOR Filed July 5, 1958 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STAT-Es PATEN'rf OFFICE -8 Claims.

'Ilie present invention relates to connectors, such as are used in attaching taps or lead-oi! wires to a current carrying conductor, and more particularly to an improved connector of the so-called split bolt type.

An object of the invention is to provide improvements in a connector of the split bolt type, which will render the connector more easily applicable to a conductor than are the connectors now available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector which is strong, practical and capable of being applied to conductors in a quick and eiective manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector of the split bolt type having a folylower and threaded means which can be first moved longitudinally thereof, into engagement with the conductors and then rotated to clamp the conductors rmly together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector of the split bolt type having a follower with an internal and external threaded means for exerting a clamping pressure upon the follower.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable conductor seat for a connector of the split bolt type having a threaded means with an interrupted thread, of the type to be hereinafter described.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvement in connectors of the split bolt type which can be clamped upon the connected conductors with its longitudinal axis disposed at an angle to the conductors.

Other objects and advantages o the present invention will be in part pointed out hereinafter and in part evident to those skilled in the art, from an inspection of the accompanying drawing, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation, preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete connector applied to a conductor and tap, with a portion broken away and in section to show the construction thereof,

Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken along line II--II of Figure l, looking in the direction of arrows,

Iiigre 3 is a section, taken along line III- III of Figure 1, looking in direction of arrows and with the threaded nut rotated 90 from the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a preferred (Cl. 2li-243) form of follower, for use with a connector of the type illustrated in Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modied form of connector constructed in accordance with this invention, with parts broken away and in 6 section, to disclose the construction thereof,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure' 5, taken at a right angle from the plane thereof, and having parts broken away and 'in section, to reveal the details of construction,

Figure 'I is a bottom view of the connector illustrated in Figure 5\of the drawing,

Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 5, looking in direction of u between the furcations il there is a follower i3 25 against the projecting ends of whichv the upper face of a threaded nut i6 of special design, as will hereinafter appear, is adapted to engage.

The threads l2 upon the furcations li and the cooperating threads upon the nutv lil are prei- 30 erably of the buttress type and are formed as a double thread. This type of thread gives a maximumof strength with a minimum of thread depth, and by providing a double thread, the

pitch thereof caribe more eectively increased, 35

to thus make possible a tightening of the nut it upon the split bolt lil with a minimum of rotation thereof. The head or closed end of the split bolt i0 may be cylindrical, hexagonal, square or of any other desired shape, and its conductor engaging seat may be of any desired configuration. As shown, the conductor receiving seat, designatedby the numeral i5, is rounded, so as to rel ceive a stranded cable I6 against which the doubled back end of a conductor Il is adapted to be clamped by the follower I3 when the nut I4 is screwed tightly upon the furcations li of the split bolt.

As illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, the

furcations Il of the'split bolt i0 are of segmental 50 cross-section with the threads I2 extending around their outer curved surfaces. At this point it will be noted that the threads l2 stop short of the edge of these segmental sections of the Iurcations il, and thus provide a smooth guide surface I 8 along each side thereof, over which the overhanging ends I9 of the follower I3 are adapted to slide.

Sincerthe length of the threads I2 upon the furcations II will determine the strength of the threaded connection with the nut I 0, it will be readily seen that only an equal length of thread will be necessary upon the threaded nut I2. Recognizing this fact, and as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, I have provided the nut I4 with an interrupted thread by forming two oppositely disposed threaded portions 20 upon the inside thereof. When these threaded portions 20 are located out of register with the threads I2 upon the furcations II, as shown in this figure of the drawing, the nut I4 can be moved longitudinally of the split bolt I0 to a point where the conductors I6 and I1 will be in contact with each other. Then by a turning of the nut I4, the threads I2 and 29 respectively upon the furcations II and the nut I4 can vbe brought into pressure exerting relation, so as to firmly clamp the conductors I6 and I1 together, by exerting a pressure upon the follower I3, as will be readily understood. At this point it should be noted that the guide surface I8 at the side of the furcations II also serve to center the threaded portions 20 of the nut I4 with respect to the threads I2 upon the furcations II of the split bolt. In order to simplify the application of the connector to a conductor, as above described, the follower I3 is preferably loosely attached to the nut I4 by downwardly .extending tongues 2| having ends 22 which can be bent up and around the bottom of the nut I4, as indicated by dot and dash lines in Figure 4 of the drawing.

Connectors of the type contemplated are used primarily for making a circuit connection from a. live power transmitting electrical conductor, and for this reason, particularly on high voltage lines, the connectors are applied by means of tools carried by the ends of long insulating poles which protect the lineman from the danger of shock. Therefore the convenience with which a connector of this type can be applied to a conductor is of major importance.

With the above described arrangement it will be readily seen that after the split bolt I0 has been placed over the conductors I6 and I1, the follower I3 and the nut I4 can be easily placed upon the furcations II of the split bolt I0 in a convenient manner. and at the same time, by reason of the slidable characteristic of the nut I 4, the whole assembly can be temporarily applied to the conductors with ease in one operation and later finally tightened by an additional rotation of the nut through the use of a socket or other type of wrench in the hand of the operator or lineman.

Reference is now made to Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, of the drawing, wherein a connector, constructed in accordance with this invention, is shown as provided with two threaded elements which cooperate with the split bolt to exert a clamping pressure upon the connected conductors. In this embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a split bolt 23 with furcations 24 of semi-cylindricalcross-section having threads 25 and 2B formed respectively upon their inside and outside surfaces. In this device the threads 25 and 26 stop short of the limits of the surfaces upon which they are formed, and thus provide a guide for a conductor engaging follower, designated by the numeral 21, and also the threads upon their respective associated threaded elements. Cooperating with the threads 26 upon the outsides of the furcations 24 there is a nut 28 having an interrupted thread similar to that provided upon the nut I4 previously described, and cooperating with the threads 28 upon the inside surfaces of the furcations 24, there is a threaded plug or screw 29 having a hexagonal cavity 39 for the reception of a suitable wrench. The threaded screw 29, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, like the nut 28, has oppositely disposed threaded portions 3I that are adapted to register with the threads 25 upon the inside of the furcations 24 of the split bolt 23.

In order to provide for a unitary assembly of the follower 21, the threaded nut 28 and the screw 29, so that these elements may be placed upon the split bolt 23 in a convenient manner, the follower 21, in addition to having downwardly extending tongues 32 which are bent outwardly at their ends so as to captivate the threaded nut 28, also has a central opening through which an extension 33 upon the screw 29 is adapted to be projected and peened over to loosely hold the screw 29 captive therewith. With this last described embodiment of the invention it will be readily seen that by a proper choice of pitch and location of the threads 25 and 26 on the inside and outside of the furcations 24, it will be possible to provide an arrangement wherein the threaded nut 28 and the screw 29 may be progressively advanced in a clamping pressure exerting direction by the alternate application of a turning force upon these elements.

Reference is now made to Figure 9 of the drawing, wherein there is shown a modification of the invention similar to that above described, in which the split bolt, described by the numeral 34, is provided with an additional clamping pressure exerting means in the form of an adjustable seat at the closed end thereof. In this embodiment of the invention, the head of the split bolt 34 is provided with a threaded central opening 35 which carries a screw 36 that is adapted to exert a clamping pressure upon a seat forming member 31 located at the lower end thereof. The seat forming member 31 is here shown as in the form of a loosely held ring, but it is to be understood that this member may take any suitable form. For example, it may be provided with a saddlelike conductor engaging portion which will engage a considerable length of the conductor, as is the case with the follower 21 disposed opposite thereto. With this arrangement, after the threaded nut 28 and the screw 29 have been brought into register with their respective cooperating threads upon the furcations 24, it will be possible to exert an additional and final clamping pressure upon the conductors I6 and I1 by a tightening of the screw 36.

In Figure 10 of the drawing, there is shown a further modification of the present invention, in which the connector is designed so that when it is clamped upon the conductors, its threaded furcations will extend beyond the conductors at an angle thereto, to thus facilitate an application of and a threading of the nut thereupon by an operator located at one side thereof. These connectors are primarily intended for establishing connections with live transmission lines, and since they are usually applied at a point upon the line closely adjacent a tower or supporting pole, the lineman is compelled, when using the prior art connectors, to lean outwardly from the pole or tower in applying the connector to the line, and in doing this he must naturally rely upon his safety belt for support. This diculty is overcome, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, by the providing of a split bolt, designated by the numeral 8l, with an angularly disposed conductor ensuing seat 39 and associating therewith a follower 40 with a similar angularly disposed seat 4i which when tightened against the conductors Il and I1 will cause the split bolt 38 to assume an angular position upon the conductors. As shown, the follower 40 is provided with two captivating tongues I2 which loosely hold a nut ll thereupon, so that when the split bolt Il is placed over the conductors I8 and I1, the follower 4l with the threaded nut can be conveniently placed thereupon and tightened by an operator located in line therewith and at a point not necessarily immediately below the connector. If desired, the surface of the conductor engaging seat $0 upon the split bolt 38, and the conductor engaging surface 4| upon the follower 40 may be roughened and/or otherwise' formed, to thus reduce the possibility of any slipping of the connector along the conductors Il and, i1, as when the same is being applied thereto. It will also be understood that the split bolts of all of the modifications of the invention described above may be provided with a nut and follower captivating means, as is well understood in the art.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose my invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this invention is not limited to the specific means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

.Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a connector of the split bolt type. the combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide a seat for a conductor, a follower disposed between the sides of said bolt adapted to be engaged by a threaded element and cooperate with said seat to form clamping surfaces between which two or more conductors may be clamped, said split bolt having follower guiding surfaces and screw threads formed upon the furcations thereof, a threaded element adapted to cooperate with the threads upon said split bolt having its threads interrupted at oppositely disposed points to provide two oppositely disposed threaded `areas and two oppositely disposed unthreaded areas of substantially equal length, and

means carried by said follower engaging the guide surfaces upon the furcations of said split bolt. whereby said threaded element when in one position maybe moved longitudinally of said split bolt to bring said follower into engagement with the conductors to be connected and then rotated to engage its threads with the threads upon said split boltvto tighten said split bolt and follower into clamping engagement with said conductors.

2. In a connector of the split bolt type. the combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide a seat for a conductor, a follower disposed between vthe sides of said bolt adapted to be engaged by a threaded element and cooperate with said seat to form clamping Isurfaces between which two or more conductors the threads upon said split bolt having its threads interrupted at oppositely disposed points to provide two oppositely disposed threaded areas and two oppositely disposed unthreaded areas, and guide surface engaging extensions upon said follower, whereby said threaded element when in one position may be moved longitudinally of said split bolt to bring said follower into engagement with the conductors to be connected and then rotated to engage its threads with thethreads upon said split bolt to tighten said split bolt and follower into clamping engagement with said conductors.

3. In a connector of the split vbolt type. the combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide a seat for a conductor, a follower disposed between the sides of said bolt adapted to be engaged by a nut and cooperate with said seat to form clamping surfaces between which two or more conductors may be clamped.

said split bolt having screw threads formed upon the outside surface of the sides thereof, theends of the threads upon said split bolt terminating at a point spaced from the split in said bolt to provide external guide surfaces along each edge thereof, and a nut having an interrupted thread with the threaded portions arrange diametrically opposite each other and of an arcuate length substantially equal "to the threads upon the sides of said split bolt, and means carried by said follower adapted to engage the guide surfaces upon said bolt atthe ends of the threads thereupon and center said nut with respect to the threads upon said split bolt, whereby said nut may be moved longitudinally of said bolt free of the threads thereupon and subsequently rotated into threaded engagement'withthe threads thereof to move said follower into clamping relation with the seat upon said bolt.

4. In a connector of the split bolt type, the

combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide'a seat for a conductor andV having its i'urcated ends extending in spaced parallel relation, a follower slidably disposed between the furcations of said split bolt adapted. to be engaged by a threaded element and cooperate with said seat to form clamping surfaces between which two or more conductors may be clamped,

the parallel extending furcations of said bolthaving screw threads formed upon their inside and outside surfaces, a threaded element adapted to cooperate with the threads upon the outside of said furcations having its threads interrupted at oppositely disposed points to provide oppositely disposed unthreaded areas substantially equal in arcuate length to the lengthof the threads upon the outside of said furcations, whereby said element' may move free of' said threads longitudinally of said split bolt to bring said follower into engagement with the conductors to be connected and then rotated to engage its threads with the threads upon said split bolt to tighten said follower into clamping engagement withsaid conductors, and a second threaded element disposed between the furcations of said split bolt likewise having interrupted threads thereupon, whereby when said second element is in one position with respect to said furcations it may be moved longitudinally of said bolt and into engagement with said follower and subsequently rotated to bring its threads into engagement with the threads upon the inside of said furcations to thus exert an additional clamping force upon said follower.

5. In a connector of the split bolt type, the combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide a seat for a conductor and having' its furcated ends extending in spaced parallel relation, a follower slidably disposed between the furcations of said split bolt adapted to be engaged by a threaded nut and cooperate with said seat to form clamping surfaces between which two or more conductors may be clamped, the parallel extending furcations of said bolt having screw threads formed upon their inside and outside surfaces, a threaded nut adapted to cooperate with the threads upon the outside of said furcations having its threads interrupted at oppositely disposed points to provide oppositely disposed unthreaded areas substantially equal in arcuate length to the length of the threads upon the outside of said furations, whereby said nut may move free of said threads longitudinally of said split bolt to bring said follower into engagement with the conductors to be connected and then rotated to engage its threads with the threads upon said split bolt to tighten said split bolt and follower into clamping engagement with said conductors, a threaded screw disposed between the furcations of said split bolt likewise having interrupted threads thereupon,Y whereby said second element may move longitudinally of said bolt free of the threads thereupon and into engagement with said follower and subsequently rotated to bring its threads into engagement with the threads upon the inside of said furcations and thus exert an additional clamping force upon said follower, and means carried by said follower for loosely holding said nut and said screw in cooperating relation therewith, whereby said nut and screw and said follower may be moved along the furcations of said bolt as a unit when the threads carried thereby are out of engagement with the threads upon said furcations.

6. In a connector of the split bolt type, the combination of a bifurcated bolt having a closed end adapted to be placed over two or more conductors, a follower disposed between the bifurcated ends of said bolt adapted to be engaged by a threaded element and also engage said conductors, said bifurcated bolt having screw threads formed upon the furcations thereof, a threaded element adapted to cooperate with the threads upon said bifurcated bolt having its threads interrupted at oppositely disposed points to provide two oppositely disposed unthreaded areas substantially equal in arcuate length to the length of the threads upon said furcations, whereby said threaded element may be moved longitudinally of said bifurcated bolt free of the threads thereupon to bring said follower into engagement with the conductors to be connected and then rotated' to engage its threads with the threads upon said bifurcated bolt to tighten said follower against the conductors, and threaded means carried by the closed end of said bifurcated bolt adapted to provide an adjustable seat for said conductors, whereby said conductors will be tightly clamped by said connector when said threaded element is rotated to bring its threaded areas into register with the threads upon the furcations of said bifurcated bolt.

'7. In a connector of the splitl bolt type, the combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide a conductor engaging seat extending at an angle to the normal axis of said bolt, said split bolt having screw threads formed upon the extending furcations thereof, said threads terminating at a point short of the split in said split bolt to provide external guide surfaces at each end thereof, a threaded element extending around and adapted to be threaded upon the furcations of said bolt, and a follower captively carried by said threaded element and disposed between the furcations of said bolt having oppositely disposed guide surface engaging extensions and being movable by a turning of said threaded element upon said bolt into con-v ductor clamping relation with the conductor engaging seat at the closed end of said split bolt, said follower also having its conductor engaging surface disposed at an angle to the axis of said bolt and parallel with the surface of said conductor engaging seat, whereby the furcated ends of said split bolt will extend over the conductors to be connected at an angle with respect to the axis of said conductors and said follower will be retained against lateral displacement when subjected to a clamping pressure by a rotation of said threaded element.

8. In a connector of the split bolt type, the combination of a split bolt having its closed end formed to provide a seat for a conductor, said split bolt having screw threads formed upon the outside surface of the sides thereof, the ends of the threads upon said bolt terminating at a point spaced from the split in said bolt to provide external guide surfaces along each side of the split in said bolt, a nut having an interrupted thread with threaded portions arranged diametrically opposite each other and of an arcuate length substantially equal to the threads upon the sides of said split bolt, whereby said nut may be moved longitudinally of said bolt free of the threads thereupon and subsequently rotated into threaded engagement with the threads thereof, a follower captively carried by said nut, and oppositely extending guide surface engaging portions at each side of said follower adapted to engage the external guide surfaces at the ends of the threads upon said split bolt, whereby the interrupted threads upon said nut will be centered with respect to the screw threads upon said split bolt by said follower.

JOHN B. MADDEN.

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