Universal connector for electric wires

Feb. 27, 1962

J. g. pahl 3,023,391

UNIVERSAL CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC WIRES

Filed Sept. 21, 1959

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3,023,391

UNIVERSAL CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC WIRES John G. Pahl, Stockton, Calif., assignor to K-P-F Electric Co., Stockton, Calif., a corporation of California

Filed Sept. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 841,075 2 Claims. (Cl. 339—31)

This invention relates to electrical equipment, and particularly to a connector designed for use on an electric line pole for releasably connecting one cable or wire to another, such as the pole-mounted cable to the adjacent end of the drop-off wire leading to a transformer or other equipment.

The major object of this invention is to provide a connector for the purpose so constructed that cables or wires of varying sizes relative to each other can be easily and quickly connected together, without any changes in construction or of any part of the connector being required, and so that a tight electrical connection is assured at all times.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a universal connector for electric wires which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable universal connector for electric wires, and one which will be 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 specification and claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the improved connector, showing the same as in use and mounted on a polemounted arm projecting from a conventional insulator stack.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 2—2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a similar view, taken on line 3—3 of FIG. 1, but showing a smaller wire as engaged by the clamping block of the connector.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the connector, taken on line 4—4 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the connector comprises a flat base 1 which, on one side and adjacent one end, is formed with a laterally projecting clamp 2 in the form of a split sleeve shaped to embrace and grip a supporting member, here shown as being a switch arm 3 projecting from one end of a conventional pole-mounted insulator stack, indicated generally at 4.

Projecting from and formed with said one end of the base at a level relative thereto such as not to project above the base, is a socket 5 in which one end of an arm-supported cable 6 is soldered or otherwise secured. The socket 5 is preferably laterally offset relative to the central longitudinal plane of the base on the same side as the clamp 2 so that the weight of the socket and the adjacent portion of the cable 6 is kept close to the clamp 2.

Superimposed on the base intermediate its ends is a clamping block 7, of square form in a plane transversely of the base, having a substantially semi-circular saddle groove 8 in each side extending lengthwise of and parallel to the base and socket 5 centrally of the width of such side. These grooves are all of different sizes or diameters, as shown, each one being proportioned to substantially fit over wires or cables 9 of various and standard 5 diameters.

Centrally between its ends the block is formed with a continuous groove 10, of semi-circular form in section, to engage a U-bolt 11, the legs 12 of which project through holes 13 in the base. The legs have nuts 14 10 threaded onto their lower ends below and engaging the base. The groove 10 is of course of circular form at the bottom, and fits the upper portion of the U-bolt 11, which is of semi-circular form.

To clamp a cable or wire 9 to the connector, the nuts 15 14 are first loosened so that the U-bolt 11 may be raised relative to the base sufficiently to enable the block 7 to be turned, while still being confined against movement lengthwise of the base and remaining engaged with the U-bolt 11. The block is then turned so as to dispose 20 that certain one of the slots 8 in facing relation to the base which will fit the particular cable or wire 9 to be connected.

The end portion of a cable 9, such as shown in FIG. 2, is then laid on the base 1 from the end thereof opposite 25 the socket 5 and projected under the block 7. Following this, the block is lowered until the adjacent saddle groove 8 seats on said cable, and the nuts 14 are then advanced to pull the U-bolt 11 down onto the block 7. The pulling pressure of the nuts is maintained until the cable 30 under said block becomes distorted and flattened somewhat, as indicated at 15. The cable is thus firmly clamped in place on the base 1, and a proper electrical contact between the base and said cable, and of course the permanently connected cable 6 as well, is assured. 35 From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as will substantially fulfill the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present 40 and preferred construction of the device, 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.