US3253093A - Dual blade pole top switch - Google Patents

Description

May 24, 1966 J. G. PAHL 3,253,093

DUAL BLADE POLE TOP SWITCH Filed April 2G. 1964 2 SheetS-Sheet l MaY 24, 1966 .1. G. PAI-ll. 3,253,093

DUAL BLADE POLE TOP SWITCH Filed April 2G, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,253,093 DUAL BLADE PGLE TGP SWITCH .lohn G. Pahl, 1624 E. Alpine Ave., R0. BOX 1257, Stockton, Calif. Fiied Apr. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 361,@95 6 Claims. (Cl. 299-48) This invention relates in general to a pole top switch of the type mounted on a pole-supported cross-arm and interposed between two current-carrying cables extending from pole to pole; the present invention being an improvement over the switch shown in my copending application Serial No. 241,716, tiled December 3, 1962, and now Patent No. 3,144,526, dated August l1, 1964.

The principal object of the present invention is to construct the dual blade switch in such a manner that a higher amperage may be carried by the switch without any material increase in size and weight-than was possible with the previous switch.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved switch, as above, adapted to employ the same supporting and operating structure as the prior switch.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved switch, of the type described, which affords a more eiiicient circulation of air about and through the switch structure to cool the same.

A further object of the invention is to so mount the separable male and female switch members on the corresponding relatively movable pole-mounted supports in a manner so that such switch members will properly aline with each other when the supports are relatively moved to close the switch, even though such supports may be slightly out of proper alignment with each other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dual blade pole top switch which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture, and convenience of installation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable dual blade pole top switch and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specication and claims.

ln the drawings:

FIG. l is a side elevation of the improved switch as mounted on the cross-arm of a line pole and as closed; the normally inclined switch structure-for clarity of disclosure being shown as if in a vertical plane, while the normally horizontal cross arm and parts mounted thereon are consequently shown as being disposed in a plane at an angle to the perpendicular.

FlG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the closed switch taken on line 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FlG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on line 3 3 of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and ice to the characters of reference marked thereon, the switch structure of the instant invention is mounted on the crossarm 1 of a line pole, and is interposed between opposed line cables 2 and 3; the mounting means for such switch structure including a pair of separate longitudinally spaced, laterally and upwardly inclined arms 4 and 5 having conventional insulator units 6 and 7, respectively, on their lower facing ends. Bracket plates 8 are mounted on and upstand from the cross arm l and a toggle unit 9 is supported between such bracket plates; such toggle unit being connected to the adjacent ends of the shanks of the insulator units 6 and 7 in a manner to allow of rotation of insulator unit 6 with its shank 16 as an axis. The shank 10 is disposed in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the cross arm. The insulator unit 6, adjacent the shank 10, is provided with a generally horizontal radial arm 11 from which a push-pullv rod 12 depends whereby to control from the ground-the rotation of said unit 6 .as well as resultant swinging of the arm 4.

The above mounting means for the switch structure is substantially identical with that shown and specically described in said Patent No. 3,144,526.

The arms 4 and 5 extend upwardly from corresponding insulator units, and terminate at their upper ends in horizontal extensions 13 and 14, respectively, projecting toward each other. These extensions which are parallel to the shank 10 are normally (or when the switch is closed) substantially on a common level, but are laterally offset from each other as shown in FIG. 2.

The present switch structure, which is supported by and spans between the extensions 13 and 14, is comprised of the following:

A longitudinally extending bus bar 15 is disposed in overlying relation to the extension 13, and projects beyond the outer end thereof some distance. At its inner end, the bus bar 15 is provided with a clamp 16 to which one end of a jumper cable 17 is connected; the other end of said jumper cable being connected to a clamping unit 18 secured on the arm 4 in the usual manner and to which the line cable 2 is clamped.

The bus bar is somewhat exibly mounted on the extension 13 by means of a collar 19 secured on said extension vand having an upstanding pin 20 projecting through the bus bar with a loose t. At its outer end, the bus bar 15 is formed with a depending base 21 disposed beyond the adjacent end of the extension 13, and from which base an ear 22 projects toward said extension. The ear 22 terminates above and spaced from another ear 23 projecting from a collar 24 `clamped on the outer end of the extension 13. The ears 22 and 23 are connected by a bolt 25, with a compression spring 26 on the bolt between said ears.

Secured to the base 21, with the ear 22 therebetween, are spaced longitudinally extending switch blades 27, which together-in parallelism form the male member of the switch.

The switch blades 27 which project away from and are alined with the bus bar 15 are disposed transversely so that the space therebetween lies in a plane at right angles to a line radially of the axis of the shank 1t). Said blades 27 are adapted to engage, `in switch closing relation, between the blades 28 of the female member 29 of the switch. Such female switch member which is substantially of the same form and construction as that shown in the aforementioned patent-includes side walls 3G flaring outwardly from the blades 28 and then depending, in spaced relation to said blades, to terminations beyond the inner or lower ends of the blades as clearly shown in FIG. 3.

The side walls 30, at said terminations thereof, are secured to the adjacent end portion of a longitudinally split or slotted bus bar 31 which extends along and in spaced relation to one side of the extension 114, and is thus in a plane at right angles to the bus `bar 15.

At its opposite end, said bus bar 31 is provided with a clamp 32 in which one end of a jumper cable 33 is secured; the other end of said jumper cable being secured to a clamping unit 34 mounted on the arm 5 and to which unit the line cable 3 is connected.

The female switch member 29 and the bus bar 31 are mounted as a unit on extension 14 in the following manner:

A rigid yoke 35 is xed on the arm extension 14 in embracing relation to the switch member 29. Opposed bolts 36 are slidably mounted in the sides of the yoke and are secured to the blades 28. In addition, clamping collars 37 are mounted in spaced relation on the extension 14 intermediate the ends of the bus bar 31. Pins 38 project from said collars through the slot 39 which extends along said bus bar; the sides of the slot `being reamed out about the pins as shown at 40' so as to provide a loose but locating t for the pins.

The female switch member 29, in addition to the blades 28, includes a central double-thickness blade 41 which projects into the adjacent portion of the slot 39 of the bus bar 31 and is secured thereto in connection with the side walls 30 of said switch member 29. The thickness of the blade `41 is less than the width of the space between the `blades 27, while the flat portions of the blades 28 are spaced further apart than the distance between the opposite faces of the blades 27, as shown in FIG. 4. However, said blades 28 are deformed near their ends to provide ribs 42 which extend from top to bottom of said blades and engage the blades 27. Similarly, the blade 41 is deformed on opposite sides and centrally of its ends to provide ribs 43 which extend from top `to Ybottom of said blade and closely engage the adjacent faces of the blades 28.

By reason of the above described switch structure, the switch can be easily opened or closed by pushing or pulling on the rod 12; the resultant rotation of insulator unit 6 and swinging of arm 4 in one direction or the other causing engagement or disengagement of the male and female members of the switch.

A very important feature of the switch structure is the spaced or dual switch blade and slotted bus bar arrangement which provides suicient capacity for a high amperage load, while allowing air to circulate about and between the parts to cool the same.

Also of advantage is the specific mounting and arrangement of the two separate blade and bus bar units of the switch structure, and which enables the cooperating blade units to properly match each other when the arm 4 is turned or swung to a switch closing position.

Further, the ribs on the switch blades provide for a close and non-arcing engagement of the blades with each other, even though the blades themselves, for one reason or another, may be slightly out of parallel alinement.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a switch as substantially fullls the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the switch, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the followingY is claimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

1. In a switch which comprises male and female members adapted to lbe interposed in an electrical circuit, and means mounting the `members for relative movement into and out of closing relation; the male member comprising a pair of parallel `blades spaced apart and the female member comprising a pair of blades spaced apart to receive the first named blades therebetween and to engage the same on their opposite sides when the switch is closed, a ybus bar extending lengthwise of and secured at one end to the ends of the `blades of the male member furthest from the female member, said bus bar being adapted at its opposite end for connection to an electric cable, an arm member included with the mounting means extending lengthwise of and spaced from the bus bar, and means flexibly supporting the bus bar from said arm member.

2. A switch, as in claim 1, in which said last named means comprises an ear rigid with and projecting from the blade connected end of the bus bar below the same and toward the adjacent end of the arm member, another ear xed on and projecting from said end of the arm member in underlying and spaced relation to the irst named ear, a bolt connecting the ears, a compression spring about the bolt and engaging the ears, and a pin rigid with the arm member and projecting with a loose t through the bus bar intermediate the ends thereof.

3. In a switch which comprises male and female members adapted to be interposed in an electrical circuit, and means mounting the members for relative movement into and out of closing relation; the male member comprising a pair of parallel Iblades spaced apart and the female member comprising a pair of blades spaced apart to receive the first named blades therebetween and to engage the same on their opposite sides when the switch is closed, the female switch member including side walls connected to the blades thereof at their outer ends and depending thence in laterally and outwardly spaced relation beyond the inner ends of said blades, a bus bar extending parallel to the blades of the male member in a direction away from the same and connected at one end to said side walls at their lower ends, a clamp on the bus bar at the end opposite the female switch member adapted for connection to an electrical cable, and means mounting the bus bar in a predetermined position relative to the male switch member.

4. A switch, as in claim 3, in which the mounting means for the `bus bar includes an arm member extending length-` wise of and spaced from said bus bar, a rigid yoke on the arm member and embracing the female switch member transversely thereof from below and in clearance relation, and laterally outwardly projecting elements secured to the blades of the female switch member and thence slidably extending through opposite sides of the yoke.

5. A switch, as in claim 3, in which the mounting means for the bus bar includes an arm member extending ilengthwise of and spaced from said bus bar, a rigid yoke on the arm member, connection elements extending between the female switch member and opposite sides of the yoke, and a laterally projecting pin fixed on the arm member intermediate the ends of the latter, the bus bar having an `opening into which the pin extends with a realtively loose but locating it.

6. In a pole top switch which includes adjacent arm members projecting toward but end-spaced from each other, said arm members being in parallel planes, means mounting the arm members for relative swinging movement in a plane at a right angle to said parallel planes, a switch structure spanning between the arm members, and means mounting the switch structure in connection with the arm members, said switch structure having male and female switch members engaging upon such relative swinging of the arm members in one direction; the improvement wherein said switch structure mounting means 5 6 comprises a longitudinal bus bar extending along but References Cited by the Examiner spaced from each arm member, the maleswitch member UNITED STATES PATENTS being on one bus bar and the female swltch member on the other bus bar, and mounting elements between each 1576799 3/1926 Thompson 20G-166 X bus bar and the related arm member supporting said bus 5 1% bars vfor limited yielding movement from an initial position and in response to engagement of the male and female Switch members. ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Przmary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A SWITCH WHICH COMPRISES MALE AND FEMALE MEMBERS ADAPTED TO BE INTERPOSED IN AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, AND MEANS MOUNTING THE MEMBERS FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF CLOSING RELATION; THE MALE MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF PARALLEL BLADES SPACED APART AND THE FEMALE MEMBER COMPRISING A PAIR OF BLADES SPACED APART TO RECEIVE THE FIRST NAMED BLADES THEREBETWEEN AND TO ENGAGE THE SAME ON THEIR OPPOSITE SIDES WHEN THE SWITCH IS CLOSED, A BUS BAR EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF AND SECURED AT ONE END TO THE ENDS OF THE BLADES OF THE MALE MEMBER FURTHEST FROM THE FEMALE MEMBER, SAID BUS BAR BEING ADAPTED AT ITS OPPOSITE END FOR CONNECTION TO AN ELECTRIC CABLE, AN ARM MEMBER INCLUDED WITH THE MOUNTING MEANS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF AND SPACED FROM THE BUS BAR, AND MEANS FLEXIBLY SUPPORTING THE BUS BAR FROM SAID ARM MEMBER.

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