A. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for switches utilized to isolate and move voltage so that sections of circuitry may be repaired or replaced.
B. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art for oil switches to be used in the electrical industry for energizing or de-energizing circuits. Typical oil switches enable operators to sectionalize cable so that it may be repaired, replaced, or the like. Frequently, the circuits at issue are underground and operators obtain access to them through manholes. Since the oil switches are able to move voltage from one place to another, operators are able to perform necessary work on circuits while maintaining their customers in service.
While current oil switches are suited for their intended purpose, the technology is deficient for providing remote access to open and close the oil switch. Until now, the oil switch must be opened and closed while an operator was underground. What is needed is a tool that enables the operator to energize or de-energize a circuit from a location distantly located from the underground switch. Further, it is also desirable to have a tool that is selectively attachable to an operator's vehicle or the like to easily move the tool from location to location.
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for mobile tools that enable an operator to remotely energize and de-energize circuits.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a new and improved tool is provided which may comprise a handle assembly selectively attached to an associated object. The handle assembly has a handle member, which has a first position and a second position. The tool further comprises a base clamping assembly that selectively attaches to an associated underground switch or other open point. A cable operatively connects to the base clamping assembly. An insulation member has a first end and a second end. Further, the insulation member may be interposed between the base clamping assembly and the handle assembly.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool that is portable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that is able to open and close an electrically conductive pathway from an aboveground location.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool, wherein the first position of the handle assembly is a lock position and the second position of the handle assembly is an unlock position.
Still yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool, wherein the handle assembly may further comprise a housing having a first hole and a second hole defined therein; an attachment member connected to the housing and selectively attached to the object; wherein the handle member may have an aperture defined therein such that the handle member pivots to align the aperture with the first hole of the housing or the second hole of the housing.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool wherein the insulation member may comprise a fiberglass rod; and a fiberglass link rod, wherein the fiberglass rod and the fiberglass link rod are operatively connected to the handle assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool wherein the insulation member is a hot stick.
Still, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool, wherein the cable may be at least one hundred feet long.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool, wherein the base clamping assembly may further comprise a housing; a lever shift assembly operatively connected to the housing, the lever shift assembly having a switch handle; a base plate operatively connected to the housing; and a base clamping system operatively connected to the base plate.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool, wherein the base clamping system may further comprise a strap having a first end and a second end; and a cam, wherein the strap operatively connects to the base plate at the first end and the strap operatively connects to the cam at the second end, the cam selectively attachable to the underground switch.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool, wherein the strap is nylon.
Further yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a remote switch assembly, comprising an object; an underground switch; and a tool interconnected between the object and the underground switch, the tool comprising a handle assembly selectively attached to the object; the handle assembly having a handle member, the handle member having a first position and a second position; a base clamping assembly, the base clamping assembly selectively attached to the underground switch; a cable operatively connected to the base clamping assembly; and an insulation member having a first end and a second end, the insulation member interposed between the base clamping assembly and the handle assembly.
Still, another object of the present invention is to provide a remote switch assembly, wherein the object is a vice.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote switch assembly, wherein the underground switch may be an oil switch.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a remote switch assembly, wherein the base clamping assembly may further comprise a base plate assembly having a first appendage, a second appendage, a coupling plate, and a securing device; and, a slide assembly operatively connected to the base plate assembly, the slide assembly having a slide base, a cable support, and a lever slide.
Further yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a remote switch assembly, wherein the slide base may be operatively coupled to the coupling plate, wherein the slide base may have a slide channel defined therein adapted to receive the lever slide.
Still yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a remote switch assembly, wherein the cable may be operatively coupled to the lever slide such that movement of the handle between a first position and the second position causes movement of the lever slide within the slide channel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for opening and closing an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, which may comprise the steps of:
providing an electrically conductive pathway having at least a first open point and a second open point;
providing a handle assembly selectively attached to an object, the object being aboveground; the handle assembly having a handle member, the handle member having a first position and a second position; a base clamping assembly, the base clamping assembly selectively attachable to one of the first open point or the second open point; a cable operatively connected to the base clamping assembly and the handle assembly; and an insulation member having a first end and a second end, the insulation member interposed between the base clamping assembly and the handle assembly;
moving the base clamping assembly underground;
selectively attaching the base clamping assembly to one of the first open point or the second open point;
selectively attaching the handle assembly to the object;
moving the first member to the first position;
opening the electrically conductive pathway.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for opening and closing an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, which may further comprise the steps of:
moving the first member to the second position; and
closing the electrically conductive pathway.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for opening and closing an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, wherein the base clamping assembly may further comprise:
a housing;
a lever shift assembly operatively connected to the housing, the lever shift assembly having a switch handle;
a base plate operatively connected to the housing;
a base clamping system operatively connected to the base plate;
a strap having a first end and a second end; and
a cam, wherein the strap operatively connects to the base plate at the first end and the strap operatively connects to the cam at the second end. XXX securing device: includes cam or ratchet strap (change throughout document)
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for opening and closing an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, which may further comprise the step of selectively attaching the cam to either the first open point or the second open point.
Still, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for opening and closing an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, which may further comprise the step of selectively moving the switch handle from a first position to a second position to either open or close the electrically conductive pathway.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for opening and closing an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, which may further comprise the steps of:
disconnecting the base clamping assembly from the open point;
moving the base clamping assembly and the cable above ground;
removing the handle assembly from the object; and
moving the tool to a second location.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that is cost effective to manufacture.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that is easy to use.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
The present invention may be described as a switch taking the form of an underground switching tool 10 that enables an operator to open and close an electrical conductive pathway, such as a circuit, from a remote location. Generally, electrical conductive pathways, such as circuits, network circuits and underground circuits, are found underground in municipalities and other urban areas. In order to gain access to these circuits, operators must go underground, usually through manholes. Once the circuit has been identified, operators go underground and try to isolate portions of the circuit so that repairs, modifications, and upgrades may be performed.
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As described in the foregoing description, it is evident that one of the advantages of the present invention is that the underground switching tool 10 is portable. As such, an operator may take the underground switching tool 10 and store it on his or her vehicle. The underground switching tool 10 may be taken from location to location in order to service, repair or modify certain parts of the circuit through underground manholes.
In order to utilize the present invention, namely, in order to open and close an electrically conductive pathway from a remote location, the following steps are taken. An electrically conductive pathway is provided having at least a first open point 20. The underground switching tool 10 previously described is provided. The base clamping assembly 18 is mobilized underground. The base clamping assembly 18 is selectively attached to the open point 20. The securing device 60 may be utilized to selectively attach the base plate assembly 56 to the first open point 20 thereby coupling the base clamping assembly 18 thereto. The lever 52 of the open point 20 can be moved between a first position and a second position to either open or close the electrically conductive pathway associated with the open point 20. The base clamping assembly 18 is coupled to the open point 20 such that the cavity 59 receives the lever 52. Next, the handle assembly 12 may be selectively attached to the object 14 wherein the object 14 is located at an above ground location. The handle assembly 12 may be selectively attached to the object 14 such that the cable 22 extends from the base clamping assembly 18 to the handle assembly 12. The handle member 16 of the handle assembly may initially be positioned in the first position 16A, which may comprise a closed position. As such, the electrically conductive pathway associated with the open point 20 is closed or energized. The method may further comprise the steps of moving the handle member 16 to the second position 16B. The second position 16B may comprise an open position. The movement of the handle member 16 between the first position 16A and the second position 16B may cause the linear movement of the lever slide 3 within the slide channel 4A. The lever 52 of the open point 20 may be received by the cavity 59 such that the linear movement of the lever slide 3 within the slide channel 4A causes the lever 52 to move between the first and second positions thereby opening and closing the associated electrically conductive pathway. Therefore, the movement of the handle member 16 to the second position 16B may cause the movement of the lever 52 to the second position thereby opening the open point 20. The opening of the open point 20 causes the electrically conductive pathway associated with the open point 20 to be de-energized. Subsequently, the handle member 16 may be moved back to the first position 16A. The movement of the handle member 16 may cause the lever 52 to move to the first position thereby closing the open point 20. The underground switching tool 10 can then be uncoupled and moved to a second location.
Based upon the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides both portability and remote access to opening and closing circuits. As such, circuits may be energized and de-energized by operators located above ground rather than underground.
The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: