Patent Application
20080265119
The present invention relates to a universal clamp assembly for receiving electrical conductors of various diameters without interchanging parts. More particularly, the invention relates to a clamp assembly having a support fitting with two arms, a threaded bolt mounted to the arms and a clamp member rotatably mounted on the bolt allowing rotation of the clamp member. A keeper is threadedly mounted on the bolt and partially received in a guide opening of the clamp. The keeper moves back and forth along the track of the bolt towards and away from a saddle portion of the clamp member. The bolt allows the saddle and keeper to swivel about the axis of the bolt for horizontal and vertical mounting of the clamp assembly.
Conventional clamp and insulator assemblies are unable to accommodate a variety of sizes without interchanging parts. Common mechanical clamps used in conjunction with insulators as a multi-piece system present a number of problems, including wasting time and material. Another issue is the difficulty of performing line maintenance with separate insulators and clamps because the use of removable bolts and washers increases the chances of a lineman dropping parts during installation or losing parts during storage and handling operations.
The requirement for different insulators for horizontal and vertical mountings leads to an increase in the number and types of clamps. Sometimes as many as three different clamp sizes may be required for securing conductors of different diameters. Typical insulator and clamp arrangements require repairs that replace both the clamps and the insulator. Using a multi-piece clamp and insulator assembly, a lineman must be extremely cautious to avoid dangerous consequences.
Accordingly, a need exists for providing a universal clamp mounted on a support fitting atop an insulator that can swivel about the longitudinal axis of a bolt without passing completely through the support fitting to accommodate horizontal and vertical mounting. Further, a need exists for providing a universal clamp that can accommodate more than one size conductor between a clamp member and a keeper without changing parts.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a universal clamp assembly having a threaded keeper mounted on a bolt for moving back and forth with bolt rotation towards a clamp member having two outwardly facing ends and a saddle disposed therebetween.
Another object is to provide a universal clamp assembly for securing a conductor between a keeper and the saddle section of a clamp member such that conductors of various diameters can be accommodated.
A further object is to provide a universal clamp assembly having the clamp member mounted on a support fitting and a threaded bolt mounted to first and second arms of the support fitting allowing rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bolt and retaining the bolt against axial movement along the longitudinal axis.
Still another object is to provide a universal clamp with a bolt allowing the clamp to swivel about the axis of the bolt without passing completely through the support fitting.
Accordingly, yet another object is to provide a universal clamp for both horizontal and vertical mounting.
Yet another object is to provide a universal clamp having a clamp member with the two outwardly flaring and curved ends that face away from the conductor to minimize corrosion and prevent abrasion of the conductor.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a clamp assembly having a support fitting with first and second arms and a threaded bolt mounted to the arms for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the bolt. The bolt is retained against axial movement along the longitudinal axis. A clamp member is rotatably mounted on the bolt between the arms for rotation of the clamp member relative to the support fitting about the longitudinal axis. The clamp member is restrained against axial movement relative to the support fitting and the bolt along the longitudinal axis. The clamp member includes a guide opening through which the bolt extends. A keeper is threadedly mounted on the bolt and partially received in the guide opening. The keeper slides in the guide opening along the longitudinal axis and is restrained against rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to the clamp member. The keeper is rotatable along the longitudinal axis concurrently with the clamp member.
As used in this application, the terms “top”, “bottom”, and “side” are intended to facilitate the description of the invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to any particular orientation.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure:
As seen in
The support fitting 16 is disposed atop an insulator 18 and crimped onto one of the insulator 18 ends. Both the support fitting 16 and the insulator 18 are of a conventional design. First and second arms 24 of the support fitting 16 branch out from the upper portion of the insulator 18 and project towards the outer first end 11 and second end 15 of the clamp member 10.
The universal feature of the clamp assembly 1 to contain a variety of electrical conductors 12 having multiple diameters d1 is captured by the variable distance d2 between the inside surface 26 of the keeper 14 and the saddle 36 of the clamp member 10. Both surfaces are concavely curved and oriented against the exterior walls 13 of the conductor 12. The back and forth movement traveled by the keeper 14 between the saddle 36 and second end 15 is controlled by rotating the bolt 20.
Rotating the bolt 20 increases, or decreases, the distance between the axially fixed position clamp member 10 and the adjustable position keeper 14. As the keeper 14 moves along the longitudinal axis of the bolt 20 within the guide opening 34, the distance between the keeper 14 and the clamp member 10 is adjusted to accommodate the electrical conductor 12 therebetween.
Distance d2 is directly proportional to the diameter d1 of the conductor 12 received therebetween. For example, as the size of the conductor 12 diameter d1 increases so too does the distance d2 between the keeper 14 and the saddle 36. The distance d2 is equivalent to the diameter of the conductor 12 or distance d1.
The clamp member 10 is substantially J-shaped having a first longitudinal end 11 and a substantially rectangular-shaped second longitudinal end 15 adjacent to first and second arms 24 with the guide opening 34 therebetween. The clamp member 10 is further defined by a concavely curved saddle 36 disposed at the first end 11 and sandwiched between contoured ends 38. The contoured ends 38 flare outwardly and are curved to face away from the conductor 12 to provide secure clamping of the conductor 12, while simultaneously preventing and eliminating any abrasion of the conductor 12.
The clamp member 10 is restrained against axial movement along the bolt 20 by arms 24, with the bolt extending between the first end 11 and second end 15 and through the guide opening 34 of the clamp. The guide opening 34 is the passageway for the keeper 14 along the longitudinal axis of the threaded bolt 20. Guide opening 34 receives both the threaded bolt 20 and keeper 14.
Turning now to
Together, the connection between the support fitting 16 and the threaded bolt 20 secures the electrical conductor 12 to the clamp assembly 1 and retains the axial position of the clamp member 10 until the keeper 14 moves away from the clamp member 10. The arrangement of the bolt 20 enables the clamp member 10 to swivel along the longitudinal axis of the bolt 20 without passing completely through the support fitting 16. (This relationship is discussed in further detail below.).
Best seen in
The opposite end of the bolt 20 is secured with a second washer 45 and a pin 46 to prevent the bolt 20 from separating from the assembly. This configuration ensures that the bolt 20 is fixed against axial movement, but can be rotated with a tool inserted into an opening 48 in the pin 46. Additionally, turning to
As seen in
In this manner, it is possible for the clamp member 10 to pivot relative to the end fitting 16 without passing entirely through the distance between the top of the end fitting 16 and the bottom of the clamp member 10. The clamp member 10 shape prevents a total 360° revolution of the clamp member 10 and keeper 14 with the conductor 12 wedged therebetween.
While a particular embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
