US2927146A - Protective device - Google Patents

Description

March 1, 1960 a. F. SALISBURY 2,927,146

PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed June 6, 1955 6609a F.5d lL'siz/ry.

5 0 KIM M, W, W 242 215 United States Patent PROTECTIVE DEVICE This invention relates to an improved linemens protective device of the type shown in M. B.'Salisbury US. Patent No. 1,485,994.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior applicationfor Protective Device and Method of Manufacture, Serial No. 450,145, filed August 16, 1954.

A linemens protective device, as described in detail in the aforesaid patent and prior application, is a tubular sleeve of resilient insulating material. The sleeve has a longitudinal slit which permits the sleeve to be fitted over a conductor soas to give protection to linemen working in the vicinity of the conductor. When the work is completed, tthe sleeve is easily removed for use elsewhere.

Protective devices of this character usually comprise a family of cooperating protective devices. One member of the family is a short sleeve of substantial diameter which fits over an insulator on a cross-arm, the two sleeve end portions projecting along and embracing the conductors extending in opposite directions fromthe insulator.

Another member of the family is a sleeve of greater length adapted to couple with one of the end of portions of the aforesaid short sleeve, the long sleeve enclosing the conductor which extends beyond the end portion of the short sleeve. The long sleeve, of course, provides extended, necessary protection for linemen working on the cross-arm.

The long sleeve protective device often is available in twotypes. The first type is uniform in cross section throughout its length, and is adapted to couple with an end portion of the aforesaid short sleeve which is of proper cross section to establish a connection.

The second type of long sleeve has uniform cross section throughout its length except at one end. This end is of enlarged cross section whichis adapted to couple with the other end portion of the aforesaid short sleeve. an enlarged cross section to accommodate the enlarged end portion of the long sleeve. The enlarged end portion of the long sleeve of the second type also is adapted to couple with either end of the first long sleeve type This other end portion of the short sleeve has or a smaller end of the second long sleeve type, thus to permit two long sleeves to be coupled together.

A fourth member of the protective device family is a short sleeve of'uniform cross section throughout its length which is adapted to couple together adjacent ends of two long sleeves of the first type, i.e. sleeves of uniform cross section.

It will be seen from the foregoing that each member of this protective device family is adapted to couple with another member-of the family or with another device of the same kind. Aside from the insulating function, the mostimportant characteristic of the respective devices istheabi'lity that two coupled devices have to resist separation during use. Another important char- .one formof the invention.

. 2 ished and it is desired to remove the devices for use elsewhere. These two characteristics are somewhat conflicting in nature, as will be understood.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a protective device. which is so constructed that it will couple securely with another protective device and which yet will separatewith case from such other device.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a protective device of this character which is extremely economical; to manufacture and which Will have a long, useful life;

The invention, briefly described, comprises a series of serrations or other irregularities on the exterior surface of a protective device which couples with another protective device by telescoping such exterior surface with the interior surface fot the other device. The serrations or irregularities comprise the same resilient material as the remainder of the protective device and hence they provide a gripping relationship between the pair of coupled devices.

Other objects, advantages and details of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which illustrates It is to be understood that the description and drawing are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 'is. an elevational view, partly in section of a short sleeve protective device in coupled relationship with a pair of long sleeve protective devices embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a long sleeve protective device embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the protective device shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation of the protective device of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 5 in Fig. l

designates an insulator of the type commonly mounted A conductor 6 is shown associated with insulator 5, a conductor length 7 extending from the insulator in one direction and a conductor length 8 extending in the opposite direction. T

A short sleeve protective device 10 of the type previously mentioned is mounted on insulator 5. Device 10 substantially surrounds insulator 5 and has end portions ,11 and 12 which surround conductor 6 in the vicinity of insulator 5.

The short sleeve protective device 10 forms the subject matter of my prior US. Patent No. 2,317,088, dated April 20, 1943.

The interior surfaces of the end portions 11 and 12 are provided respectively withribs 15 and 16 as shown in Fig.1 and more fully described in my aforesaid patent. The ribs are spaced apart, and the rib axes are .arcuate, as shown. The concave sides of the ribs may be undercut, as more fully described in my prior patent,

to increase the gripping characteristic and to provide greater ease in coupling two devices together.

The cross sectionalsize of 'end portion ll is slightly larger than the cross sectional size of end portion 12 so that the device 10 is capable of receiving in coupled relationlong sleeve protective devices of both types, namely the uniform cross section type and the type which has an enlargement at one end. The former typeis I designated 18 in Fig. 1 and the latter type isdesignated 'acteristic is ease (if-separation when the work is fin- 19. Alsofend portion 11 is adapted to receive an end portion 12 of an adjacent similar device 10 so the'two devices can be coupled together when mounted on both cross arms of a pair. A I

Although the invention is applicable to either of the long sleeve protective device types 18 or 19, as shown in Fig. 1, only the device 18 is illustrated in the remaining figures of the-drawing and described hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, along sleeve protective device 18 of :uniform cross section is illustrated. Since the usual length of such a device is from three to six the previously mentioned M. B. Salisbury Patent No.

One .or both end portions of device 18 is provided with pronounced :exterior irregularities such as serrations .22 which greatly improve the ability of the device to resist separation under conditions of use. In preferred form, each serration 22 has a steeper end 23 (lower part of Fig. 3) "and an inclined end 24. The steeper end of the serrations faces away from the sleeve end 2a, as shownzin Fig. 3.

Although some latitude is possible in locating the serrations circumferentially of the end portion of a sleeve, it is preferred to locate a series of serrations in quadrature relation with slit 20. Since slit 20 normally is located at the bottom of an installed protective device, as shown in Fig. 4, serrations 22 are located on one or both sides of the device. In the form illustrated, serrations are provided on both sides, although worth while results are obtained by providing serrations'on one side only. i

Serrations 22, :may extend circumferentially substantially around the sleeve exterior and may 'be cut in the otherwise smooth exterior of the sleeve. However, in the form of 'the'invention illustrated, the sleeve is provided on both sides with a longitudinal rib which extends throughout the length of the sleeve. 'Since the sleeve is made by an extrusion process, it will be seen that the extrusion dies easily may provide for the laterallyextending ribs.

The ribs in the end portions of the sleeve are cut so as to contain the aforesaid serrations 22, thezsteeper end of a serration facing away from'the adjacent sleeve end, as shown in Fig.3. 7

Along sleeve protective device 18 having the end portion serrations 22 cooperates ideally with the short sleeve protective device shown in Fig. 1. In the first place, the inclined ends 24 of the serrations are such that it is easy to establish the telescoped coupling relation. The serrated end portion of device :18 slides smoothly'into the femaleend portion 12 of device 10. Some or all of the external serrations 22 interfit with the internal ribs 16 of "end portion 12 and establish a positive connection between the 'two devices.

As shown in Fig. 1, the secure relation exists regardless of angulation between the axes of the two coupled devices. As a conductor may have more or less slack, a secure connection between devices regardless of coupling angulation over a wide range is extremely essential.

Although the coupled connection is more than secure enough to resist separation during use, the characteristics of the resilient material of the ribs and serrations are such that a sharp tug is all that is necessary to provide easy separation when it is-desiredztoremovethe devices for use elsewhere.

From the above description it is thought that the .construction and advantages of my invention will :be

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim .as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a first protective device comprising a generally tubular length of resilient insulating material having a continuous longitudinal opening at the bottom thereof, said first protective device in an end region thereof having spaced, curved ribs on the interior surface of both sides thereof, the convex sides of said ribs facing the bottom end corner of said end region, and a second protective device telescoping into said end region of said first protective device, said second protective device comprising a generally tubular sleeve of resilient insulating material, said sleeve having a longitudinal slit therein and a pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinal ribs of resilient insulating material on the exterior thereof extending throughout the sleeve length, said ribs in quadrature relation with said slit, each rib in an end region of the sleeve shaped to provide resilient serrations, the

steeper endofa serration facing:away from the adjacent sleeve end, whereby said serrations engage said interior ribs of said first protective device, the location, resilience and shape of said serrations providing a secure gripping,

yet readily separable, characteristicover a wide range of coupling angulation between the twodevices.

.2. .In combination, a first .protective device comprising a generally tubular length of resilient insulating .material having a continuous longitudinal opening at the bottom thereof, said first protective device in an 'end region thereof having spaced, curvedribs on the interior surface of at least one side thereof, the convex sides-of said ribs facing the bottom end corner of said :end region, and .a-second protective device telescoping into said end region of said first protective device, said second protective device comprising a generally tubular sleeve of resilient insulating material, said sleeve having a longitudinal slit therein and at least one longitudinal rib of resilient insulating material -.on the exterior thereof extending throughout the sleeve length, said rib in quadrature relation with said slit and having resilient serrations in an end region of the sleeve, the steeper end of a 'serration facing away from the adjacent sleeve end,

whereby said serrations engage said interior ribs of said first .protective device, the location, resilience andshape of said serrations providing a secure gripping, yet readily separable, characteristic over a wide range of coupling angulationbetweenthe two devices.

3. In combination, a first protective :device comprising a generally tubular length of resilient insulating material having a continuous longitudinal openingat the bottom thereof, said firstprotectivedevice in an end region thereof having spaced, curved ribs on the interior surface of at least one side thereof, the convex sides of said ribs facing the bottom end corner of said end region, and a secondprotective device telescoping into said end region of said first protective device, .said second protective device comprising a generally tubular sleeve of resilient insulating material, said sleeve having a longitudinal slit therein and'at least one laterally located longitudinal rd) of resilient insulating material on the exterior thereof throughout .its length, said rib having resilient surface irregularities in an end region of the sleeve, wherebysaid irregularities engage said interior ribs of said .first protective device, the location, resilience and shape of said irregularities providing a secure .gripping, yet readily separable, characteristic over a wide range of coupling angulation between the two devices.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS $92,105 White June 30, 1908 937,833 .Marek 'Oct. 26, .1909 1,867,430 Wisner .....July 12, 1932 2,317,088 tSalisbury .-Apr. .20, .1943 .2,'4il8,25.3 Diehold .Sept. 24, .1946

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