US2004312A - Device for holding wires taut - Google Patents

Description

M. A. COMEAU DEVICE FOR HOLDING WIRES TAUT June 11, 1935.

Filed May 2, 1934 \\\\\&. V

kg? i Patented June 11, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for holding wires taut and is particularly adapted for use as insulators for electric wires.

The object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the wire may be readily inserted into the support and between a plurality of slidable jaws in the bore of said support whereby the wire will be firmly gripped when the jaws are moved in one direction and released upon movement of the jaws in the opposite direction.

This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawing, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawing Figure 1 represents an elevation of a device embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a vertical section of the same on line 2, 2, on Fig. 1.

Figure 3 represents a horizontal section on line 3, 3 on Fig. 2.

Figure 4 represents a on line 4, 4 on Fig. 3, scale, the upper omitted.

Figure 5 represents a partial vertical section 11 line 5, 5 on Fig. 3, drawn to an enlarged scale, the closing cap being removed.

Figure 6 represents a vertical section on line 6, B on Fig. 4 and showing the closing cap.

Figure 7 represents a vertical section on line i, 1 on Fig. 5.

Figure 8 represents partial vertical section drawn to an enlarged part of the closing cap being a plan of the jaw separating device.

Figure 9 represents an elevation of the open spring to hold the jaws together, and

Figure 10 represents an elevation of the boreclosing plate.

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

In the drawing, [0 is a support preferably made of material non-conductive of electricity and having a threaded hole H in the bottom thereof by which it may be attached to the usual pin on the crossbar of a telegraph pole.

The support It) has extending transversely thereof a tapered bore I2, the larger end of which is closed by a plate i3 having vertical inturned flanges l4 entering grooves in a side face of said support ID.

This plate |3 has a hole H": of less diameter than the larger end of the bore l2 and from this hole extends upwardly a radial slit I50: of sufiicient width to receive a wire W to be locked in said support In.

Extending upwardly from the bore l2 and alined with the slit |5:c is a radial slot IS, the upper end of which is closed by a cap I! having inturned flanges I8 disposed in horizontal grooves in the side walls or" the support Hi.

Beneath the cap l1 and connected thereto is a tongue |9 adapted to be disposed within the slot l6, this tongue l9 having a downward pro- A jection ZOadapted to center the wire W in the center of the bore l2.

Within the bore l2 are a plurality of gripping jaws 2| slightly tapered to fit the bore I2.

These jaws 2| have near one end thereof a groove 22 in which is disposed an open spring member 23.

The jaws 2| are of less length than the bore l2 and can be moved endwise within said bore, the

taper of said bore preventing displacement of said jaws 2| when moved in one direction while the plate I3 prevents displacement of said jaws when moved in the opposite direction.

The side jaws 2| are kept separated until the Wire W is disposed between them by means of a curved member 24 inserted between said jaws 2| so that the space between said jaws will register with the lower end of the slot I6.

This member 24 is provided with a downturned ear 24:12 by which the member 24 may be removed from the jaws 2| after the wire W has been positioned in the bore l2, said member 24 being then thrown away.

When the wire W is to be disposed in the support ID the cap I! is removed.

The wire W may then be moved downwardly in the slit I51: and slot l6 until it is in the center of the bore l2 and between the side jaws 2|.

The cap I! is then positioned on the top of the support in closing the upper end of the slot and preventing rain or snow from entering the same.

When this has been accomplished and the tongue I!) is pressing down on the wire, the jaw separating device 24 is then removed permitting the spring member 23 to force the jaws 2| into contact with the wire.

If the wire is then pulled towards the larger end of the bore i2, it will draw the jaws 2! toward that end of the bore and permit them to be slightly expanded so that the wire may be drawn endwise of said jaws.

When the wire is released the weight of the tautened wire will cause the jaws 21 to be moved toward the-smaller end of the bore 12 and firmly grip the wire W'so that said wire cannot move in the direction of the arrow A.

By this means a wire may be drawn taut and then held in its tautened position.

The tongue i9 when in the slot it bears against the shoulders i912 thereby preventing any upwardmovement thereof.

When inserting the jaws 2! into the bore ii of the support i=3, the plate 53 must be removed, said plate being replaced in fixed position on the support it! as soon as the jaws have been properly disposed in said bore.

Any slack in the wire W may be removed by pulling the wire in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow A, the jaws moving to the larger end of bore l2 and expanding to permit free movement of said wire.

As soon as the pulling strain is removed the weight of the wire will move the jaws to the opposite end of the bore i2 and the jaws 2i will grip securely on the wire and prevent further movement in direction of arrow A.

While the invention is primarily designed for use in holding taut electric wires, it is obvious that the device may be used in retaining taut any other kind of wire or cable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; and wiregripping means fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein to grip the wire when moved in one direction and release same when moved in the opposite direction, said gripping means being separated opposite said slot sufficiently to receive a wire.

2. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; wire-gripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein to grip the wire when moved in one direction and release same when moved in the opposite direction; and a closing member for said slot provided with means for centering the wire in said bore.

3. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality of gripping jaws fitted to said. bore and movable endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; and means for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement.

4:. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radialslot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality of gripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wirehas been inserted therein; a peripheral groove in said jaws; and an open spring disposed in said groove.

5. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality of gripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein means for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and a plate secured to said support at the larger end of said bore having a hole therethrough of less diameter than said larger end.

6. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality of gripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; means for holding said jaws together during their endwise endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; means for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and a cap plate slidably secured to said support closing said slot and having a tongue for retaining the wire between said jaws.

8. The combination of a support provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality of gripping jaws fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; means for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and a cap plate secured to said support closing said slot and having a. U-shaped tongue disposed between two of said jaws and separating them.-

9. The combination of a support'provided with a transverse tapered bore and a radial slot extending therefrom to receive a wire; a plurality of gripping jaws'fitted to said bore and movable endwise therein; a device for separating said jaws until a wire has been inserted therein; means for holding said jaws together during their endwise movement; and a cap plate secured to said support movement; and a plate secured tosaid support at the larger end of said bore and having a hole therethrough of less diameter than said larger end, said plate having inturned flanges. disposed in parallel grooves in said support.

MELBURN A. Cor/LEAH."

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