US2215072A - Wire splicer - Google Patents

Description

sept- 17, 1940. `.1. RoGoFF 2,215,072

wIRE sPLIoER Filed March 25, 1939 F as 4 JULIAN RoGoFF 40 portant when the jaws are in advanced pos- Thus, a further object of this invention is to Patented sepi.l11,i1e4o i A I' Y 12,215,072:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y v2,215,072 i v WIRE SPIJCER Julian 'Rogom New York, N. Y., assigner to Burndy Engineering Co. Inc., a corporation of NewYork y Application Meren 25, 1939, serial No. 264,053

i solenne korn-126) 'Ihis invention relates to improvements in conthe delicate balance of friction between the laws nectors and more particularly to connectors for and Wire, as'compared with the friction between splicing wires. I the jaws and envelope. Unfortunately, this bal- Such wire splicers generally consist of a ltubuance is. relatively easy to upset and very often 5 lar envelope or shell body with each end tapered, wires would pull free of the connector instead of 5 a set of wedge shaped jaws in each end and a being properly gripped. For example, if the coiled spring between the'sets of jaws to keep v splicer was dropped in dirt or sand,`foreign matthem in contact with the tapered portions of the Ater would get into the connector, often between i envelope. When a wire is inserted into the conthe jaws and envelope and by increasing the nector, and tension is then exerted on the wire, friction at that point, Wellld prevent the .l'aWS the jaws are forced into contact with the wire from pulling forward into the taper. Sometimes, vand the inner surface of the tapered envelope in swaging the tapered endsI of the envelope, by Athe spring. The surface of the jaws that rough ridges might be raised on the inner surface come in contact with the wire are serrated or which would effectively increase the friction beroughened to increase friction or bite between tween .iaWS and envelODe. In addten; the iaWS jaws and wire, whereas the back of the jaws are themselves may be forged 0r machined With a smooth and ride on the smooth inner surface of rough surfacewhich may be a Cause of increased the envelope. The result is that the bite or friction between jaws and envelope.' All Athese friction between wire and jaws is greater than the Causes and Others. een and d0 cause wire splic- 20 friction between jaws and envelope so that the erS G0 fail t0 prperly'grp WIeS inserted into jaws win pun forward with the wire into Jthe them. Jtapered envelope.` Asthe jaws move forward, the Hence, another object of this invention is to taper forces them to exert increased pressure on Provide an auxiliary grip 0f Sueient Strength the wire and grip'the wire even more Securely so that the presence of dirt or other foreign mat- 25 Thus, the greater the tension on the wire, the ter in Ythe connector will not prevent the jaws more secure 1s the grip on the wre from pulling forward into the tapered portion of An object of my invention therefore, is to prothe enVelODevide a frictional value between the jaws and the Wire SpliCeI'S, 0f the general type herein deconductor, which will at all times be greater than scribed, are preeieaiiy always used On overhead 30 the friction between the jaws and the envelope. lilies, exposed t0 Wind, 5196i?, Storms, ei- Very The coiled Spring depended on to force the jaws often these lines are subject to considerable viinto the tapered portion of the envelope provides bration and swaying. Under such conditions mothe initial pressure on the Wire, preventing its mentary release and resumption of the tension on removal. A spring, I have found, is an inefficient the Wires Connected by the Spleers iS quite possi- 35 mechanism for this purpose- The pressure of the ble. Where the tension is momentarily released, Spring 0n the jaws is greatest when the jaws are the grip on the conductor is maintained only by in receded position and least, when the jaws the Spring 131655111@ 0n the J'aWS, which, aS ShOWn are in advanced position. However, it is imabove, is least when it should be greatest.

non and when tension. is erst appued te the wire, provide a Wire Splieerwhe'rein the wire is gripped 40 that the pressure forcing the jaws into the ta- DOSitiVeiy at 10W leIlSiOIlpel-ed portion gf the envelope be at a Ammimum The alternate release and resumption of ten- Unfortunately, when the jaws are in advanced sien in this type 0f connecter is sometimes aeposition, the spring is fully extended and the companied bya rotational movement o the wires least, not the most, pressure is exerted on the with respect to the jaws. These actions have a jaws. wearing effect on the teeth of the jaws, and on An additional object, consequently, consists in the conductor, which is ultimately destructive of providing the connector withsustained pressure the gripping action. I have found that if the applying means for propelling the jaws into the conductor is moved in the connector, the jaws 50 tapered end of the envelope. A corollary object should move with it. is to eliminate dependence on coiled springs for Another object, therefore, consists in providthis purpose. ing means for preventing relative motion between Wire splicers, as previously made, would work jaws and conductor. eiliciently as long as some factor did not upset Further objects consist in providing a grip for 55 the conductor independent of the main gripping jaws; in providing a positive gripping means on the conductor which will force the main gripping jaws to go into action the instant tension is applied; in providing auxiliary gripping means for supplementing the gripping action by the main gripping jaws; and in obtaining all the foregoing objects in a simple and commercially expedient device, easy and inexpensive'to manufacture and without adding additional parts to the existing types.

I accomplish these and other objects and obtain my/new results as will be apparent from the device/ described in the following description, particularly pointed out in the attached claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which: l

Fig. l is a side view of one end of a splicer showing one form. of the invention, the envelope being in section. Y,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional viewv of the same taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l, and in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken along line 3-3 'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one end of my splicer taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side, view of another modification with one end in section and the other end with just the envelope in section.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of one end of -still another modification.

Figs. 8 and 9 are marks of some gripping means employed in the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing,

Y reference numeral I0 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, indicates the tubular envelope, with each end tapered as at II, I2, I3 and I4, the gripping jaws, respectively, located in each tapered end; I5, the coiled spring, holding the sets of jaws apart; I6, a cap for enclosing the end of the spring; I1, the spider for holding the jaws in spaced relationship to each other; and I8, the conductor, inserted in the open end I9 of the splicer.

The invention, in these figures, is shown incorporated in the spider, or cap I1, which consists of a body or end section 28, having extending fingers 2|, 22vand 23, each aperturedas at 24, 25 and 26, in the form shown, to receive the rivet head 21, 28 and 29, shown as integral with the Jaws. obtained by cut-outs 30, 3| and 32, forming a Y as seen from the view shown in Fig. 3, which cutouts terminate in tongues 33, 34 and 35, in extending ngers 2l, 22 and 23, respectively.

'I'hus each extending finger is made more exible by forming the tongue therein, leaving side walls 36 and 31, in the case of finger 22, up to the end seated on the jaw I3 where the aperture 25 is formed.

This exibility is desirable where surface irregularities in the inside of the shell cause the jaws to assume slightly changed longitudinal positions, or where it is desired to grip various sized conductors.

supported by end sections 38 and 39; nger 23,

by end sections 39 and 40; and finger 2|, by end sections 40 and 38.

The tongues 33, 34 and 35 are inwardly bent.

`tion 65.

Exceptional flexibility of the spider is as shown in Fig. l, and have a length suicient to positively engage a conductor or wire inserted therein. The biting edges of the tongues may be V-shaped, as shown by the mark 402:, formed on conductor 4I, or arch-shaped, as shown by mark 42, on conductor 43, or some other suitable shape, designed to prevent rotation of the conductor with respect to the jawsv to which they are attached. Eliminating such relative movement, as has been previously stated, will prevent wear of the surface of the conductors, and gripping surfaces of the jaws.

The modification just described combines the ordinary jaw spider and the positive initial-gripping means.

A somewhat similar combination is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here the jaws 50, 5I and 52 are provided with apertures 53, 54 and 55. The spider or metal cap 56 is formed with extending fingers or prongs 51, 58 vand 5'9, passing through apertures 53, 54 and 55, respectively, and engaging wire end 68 extending therethrough, similarly to tongues 33, 34 and 35 as in Fig. l.

Thus the extending fingers or tongues for posi- 1 tive initial grip, pass through the jaws themselves and support them in proper alignment.

In the remaining modication shown in Fig. 7, the jaws 6I are provided with inwardly projecting shoulders 62, passing through apertures 63 positioned between annular ridge 64, and cylindrical gripping section 65 integral thereto. A set screw 66, passes through transversely formed, threaded recess 61, in section 65, to positively grip conductor 58 passing through the recess 69 located longitudinally of both ridge 64 and sec- A slot 10, in envelope 1I, permits a tool to be inserted for manipulating set screw 66.

A washer 12 is positioned between each set of jaws to prevent the conductor or wire 68 from projecting too far beyond its gripping section 65.

In each of the foregoing modifications, it will be apparent that the conductors are gripped even at zero tension in the wires themselves. Furthermore, when tension is created, the jaws are positively forced into' the tapered ends of the envelopes or shells, simultaneously increasing the gripping pressure on the conductor. When the tension is released or if the conductor is twisted, the jaws are nevertheless positively positioned with respect to the conductor and will move therewith.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other wayswithout departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims, and by means of which, objects of my invention are attained and new results accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodiments herein shown and described are only some of the many that can be employed to\attain these objects and accomplish these results.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

I claim:

l. A connector comprising a' shell body having a cone-shaped internal surface and an opening therein adjacent the smallest cross-section of the cone-shaped surface for the insertion of a. conductor; a plurality of wedge-shaped gripping jaws each with conductor and shell engaging sur- :,aitma faces and an end aperture; and a sheet metal spider having projecting fingers extending therefrom passing through and operatively engagedwith the end apertures in each jaw and forming conductor gripping means. y

2. A connector comprising 4a shell body having a cone-shaped internal surface and an opening" therein adjacent the smallest cross-section of the cone-shaped surface for the insertion of a conductor; la plurality of Wedge-shaped gripping jaws each with conductor and shell engaging surfaces;

and a sheet metal cap having projecting fingers' therein, adjacent the smallest crosssection of 'y the cone-shaped surface, for the insertion of a conductor; a wedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor and shell engaging surfaces; and means for operative engagement with the wedgeshaped gripping jaw, positioned within the shell 'body for engaging the conductor inserted into the connector and applying pressure thereto, independently of any longitudinal tension in the conductor.

4. A connector comprising a shell body having a cone-shaped internal surface, and an openingl therein; adjacent the smallest crosssection of the cone-shaped surface, for the insertionof a conductor; a wedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor and shell engaging surfaces; and means, for operative engagement with the wedge-shaped g'ripping jaw, positioned within the shell body for engagingy the conductor inserted into the connector and applying pressure thereto, independently of any longitudinal tension in the conductor, said means connected to said wedge-shaped gripping jaw whereby a movement by the conductor engaged by said means will cause said means and Jaw to move with the conductor.

5. A connector comprising a shell body having a cone-shaped internal surface, and an opening therein, adjacent the smallest cross-section of the cone-shaped surface, for the insertion of a conductor; a wedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor and shell engaging surfaces; and means, for operative engagement with the wedge- 'named gripping Jaw', positioned within the sneu body for engaging the conductor inserted into the connector and applying pressure thereto, in-

dependently of any longitudinal tension .in the conductor, said wedge-shaped gripping jaw positioned between the opening in the shell and saidmeans.

6. A connector comprising a shell body having `a `coneshaped internal surface and an opening therein adjacent the smallest cross-section of body;

the cone-'shaped surface for the insertion of a.

jaws each with conductor and `shell engaging surfaces; means for voperative engagement -with the wedge-shaped gripping jaws positioned within the shell, for supporting said jaws in radial alignment about the conductor, said means provided. with conductor engaging surfaces, independent of said jaws.

'1. A connector comprising a therein, adjacent the smallestcross-section of the coneshaped surface, for the insertion of a conductor; a wedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor andshell engaging surfaces: and

means, for operative engagement with the wedgeshaped. gripping jaw, positioned within the shell body having a longitudinal recess 'therein for the insertion 'of the conductor therethrough, ,a

. transversely extending tapped aperture, extending to the longitudinal recess. and a set-screw for .threaded engagement therethrough for securing the end 'of the conductor inserted into the recess, to said means.

,8. A connector comprising a shell body having a cone-shaped` internal surface, and an opening therein,v adjacent the'smallest cross-section of the cone-shaped surface, for the insertion of 'a conductor; a wedge-shaped gripping .jaw with conductor and -shell 4engaging surfaces: and means. lfor operative engagement with the wedgeshaped gripping jaw, positioned within the shellA body for engaging the conductor inserted into the connector and applying pressure thereto, independently of any longitudinal tension inthe conductor, said means having 'gripping edges, adapted to resist longitudinal movement of the conductor.

aoc-ioni.

sneu body having.. a cone-shaped internal surface, and an opening conductor; 'a plurality of wedge-shaped grippingv and rotational

Images