US2279807A

US2279807A - Line clamp

Info

Publication number: US2279807A
Application number: US375443A
Authority: US
Inventors: John L Yonkers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-01-22
Filing date: 1941-01-22
Publication date: 1942-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 1959-04-14

Description

April 9 -J. L. YONKERS 2,279,807

LINE CLAMP Filed Jan. 22, 1941 Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE amasor 2 Y LINE GLAMP John L. Yonkers, Evanston, Ill. 7 Application January 22,1941, Serial No. 375,443

7 Claims.

This invention relates to line clamps and aims to'provide a light weight, simple and easily manipulated clamp for establishing a connection to a transmission line. Transmission line wire, usually-of copper or aluminum with or without a steel core, is relatively soft. Thus ordinary screw clamps have a relatively concentrated contact region where great pressure may be applied. A transmission wire will usually be locally distorted and weakened under such conditions. With the clamp in position, the magnitude of loading concentrated on a comparatively small length of wire causes the clamped wire to function as a node in a vibrating string system. The bending.

of the wire at the node results in crystallization and ultimate breakage. I

By virtue of this invention, several advantages accrue. Thus extreme pressure on the line wire is rendered impossible. Then the loading of line wire per unit length is so reduced that no tendency for the formation of any definite nodal point onthe wire exists. In addition the simplicity and speed of manipulation of the clamp either by hand or through the use of poles, makes the clamp safe for use on live lines. The locking of the clamp is unaffected by. vibration.

This invention is also advantageous from a manufacturing angle. The parts required are simple and generally available while the fabrication requires a minimum of tooling and may be effected in a simple, quick and economical manner; 6

The invention generally provides a clamp having a plurality of spring pressed wire engaging portions. The length of transmission wireengaged by the clamp as a whole is unimportant within wide limits. It is preferred to utilize a substantial length however. Since the pull of the connector wire from the clamp and the weight of the clamp itself are substantial, any tendency toward concentrated loading of the transmission wire should be avoided.

Preferably, the clamp is so fabricated that between the various line wire engaging portions a vibratory system is provided apart from the line wire. Hence the entire clamp functions as a highly complex and variable shunt for the vibratory forces in the line wire engaged bp the clamp. The net result is that the entire clamped section of wire and clamp interact with constantly varying effect to dissipate the vibratory energy in the line. There is no tendency for the formation of nodes at any one portion of the wire.

Referring to the drawing:

" position is shown in dotted lines.

Figure 1 is an elevation view of my improved clamp;

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are sectional details onlines 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 1; and I Figs. 5 and 6 are end and front views of a modified form of clamp.

Referringfirst to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, a sheet metal base portion l carries a jaw l2 formed of wire bent around as shownand adapted to enfold a transmission or other line conductor I 5.

The wirerforming jaw l2 extends downwardly and may be twisted around to support a connector bolt I6 to which a branch conductor I! may be attached. The precise construction of these parts is. unimportant'except for the general provision of a base, upper jaw 12 and connection for a branch wire.

'Pivotally carried by base 10, as on a rivet I9 is a clip 20 carrying a long spring wire 2|, extending along both sides of the base. One end 2| of the wire may be bent in a generally S-shape as shown in Fig. 2 toform one anchorloop 22 normally engaging transmission wire on a side opposite to that engaged by jaw I 2.' The other end 24 of. wire is first bent to form a ring .25 and then a wire engaging anchor portion 26 generally similar to portion 22.

Ring 25 may be'used for supportingthe entire clamp by hand or pole when installing or removing. For installation, jaw I2 is first dropped down on line wire I5. In this position, wire 21 may be almost vertical with ring 25 above the pivot. Ring 25 is then pulled down so that primary anchor portion 22 engages wire 15. This Then ring 25 is pulled down'to' spring wire 2| and permits locking anchor portion 26 to engage wire l5.

So long as some spring is provided in the part carrying the two

anchor portions

22 and 26, the various parts may be constructed in any desired manner. As shown, the parts are made of wire having desirable spring, providing a light strong and cheap construction. The pull of the branch conductor is carried by upper jaw l2 and for this reason it is preferred to make the jaw as a whole extend along line wire l5 for-a distance. In fact, this jaw may be made of sheet metal if desired so that the force on line wire [5 is distributed. In practice two wire portions as shown will be ample both for mechanical and lectrical purposes.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, a base block 3|] carrying a connector bolt 3| to which a branch wire 32 is connected, is provided. Carried by base block a straight loop 33 for handling the clamp and a bent loop to form a jaw 34 for engaging line wire 35. Pivoted on a pin 36 on base 30 is a wire member having a curvilinear cam portion 31 extending into a spring arm portion 38 and terminating in an anchor portion 39. Anchor portion 39 may have a ring 40 formed as well as the looped anchor portion proper 4i engaging line wire 35 from above. Cam portion 31 normally enters upper jaw 34 to press-wire 35 from the bottom.

Cam portion 31, which may be springyor not, as desired, is forced against wire 35 and anchor said first wire, said second wire being hooked to engage the line wire remote from said first wire. said two wires being sprung to engage a section of line wire with the actual places of contact to the line wire being small and separated by long distances whereby the connector load on the line loop II is sprung over wire 35. The tension of;

arm 38 keeps loop 4| tightly in position. In this construction, fiat loop 33 may be used initially for 34 on line wire 35. Then the clamp is released and ring 40 may be pushed up against the sprin of the cam and arm and locked in position.

It is clear that the clamp can swing sideways around the wire if hecessary. The clamp may have the line wire engaging portionsof soft copper so that no wear or abrasion of the line wire will be possible. Any relative swinging of the clamp on the line wire will tend to keep the contact surfaces clean. Due to the wire construction, the weight of the clamp is low and is distributed over any length of transmission wire desired. Vibratory waves coming along the wire to the clamped section will divide. The complex action of the clamp on vibrations results in substantial damping and prevent formation of any definite nodes along the line wire.

While I have shown the clamp as having spring and the transmission line as being relatively rigid, it is clear that my invention is not to berestricted in this fashion. The clamp may be rigid as far as movement of the arms to and from the line wire is concerned. The tension in the line wire, apart from any inherent elasticity in the wire itself, can be utilized as a flexible force. In essence, my invention contemplates a light weight clamp engaging a length of transmission wire long in comparison to the diameter thereof with the engagement maintained by yielding I along said line wire for a distance great in comparison to the length of line wire contacted by wire is distributed with every part of the connector contacting the line wire being independently spring mounted.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said second wire extends from opposite sides of the base and has two hooked ends.

, 3. A line connector comprising a base having a terminal, a first spring wire carried by said base and hooked to permit hanging the connector from a line wire, a second spring wire carried by said base and extending on opposite sides therefrom and spaced from but extending along the line wire for a distance great in comparison to the length of line wire contacted by said first wire, said second wire having the ends hooked to engage the line wire, said wiresbeing sprung toengage a section of line wire with the actual places of contact to the line wire being small and separated by long distances whereby the connector load on the line wire is distributed with every part of the connector contacting the line wire being independently spring mounted.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the second wire is pivotally mounted to move generally in a plane containing the line wire and wherein the second wire has a loop near an end for use in mounting and removing the connector.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein the first wire has two spaced hooked parts.

6. A line connector comprising a base having a terminal, a first'spring wire carried by said base and hooked to permit hanging from a line wire; a second spring wire pivotally mounted on said base and movable generally in a plane containing the line wire, said second wire having a generally spiral spring. section adjacent the pivot and then extending for a distance to terminate in a line wire engaging hook, the plane of said spiral section lying with the plane of movement of said second wire and so shaped and located that when the second wire is sprung and hooked to the line wire said spiral section presses against the line wire to force the wire into the first hooked wire.

'7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said first spring wire has two parts hooked to engage the line wire at spaced points and wherein the spiral section engages the line wire between the two hooks on the first wire.

I JOHN- L. YONKERS.