Electricity: conductors and insulators – Overhead – Ground clamps and cable clips
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-05
2001-06-12
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Overhead
Ground clamps and cable clips
C174S0450TD, C174S0400CC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245991
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of guy wire attachments, and pertains more specifically, to a frangible guy wire connector for a utility pole that will break when impacted by a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional guy wires are used to hold utility service poles upright against unbalanced forces imposed by overhead wires, wind loads, etc. The guy wires are often, of necessity, placed near roadways in designated clear zones. A conventional guy wire will not break when impacted by a vehicle. During such an event, either the pole will break, the pole will be pulled over toward the vehicle, or the wire will cut through the vehicle. In any case, serious damage to the vehicle and to the utility pole, and injury of the occupants of the vehicle is likely.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a guy wire breakaway connector for a utility pole or other application, that will break upon impact of a vehicle to preclude damage and injury, and that is electrically insulating in applications where needed.
There is a further need to provide a guy wire breakaway connector of the type described and that is easy to repair or replace in the field.
There is still further need to provide a guy wire breakaway connector of the type described and that is adaptable to the several different sizes of guy wire in common use.
There is yet further need to provide a guy wire breakaway connector of the type described and that is of rugged, simple construction for long service life, and that can be manufactured cost-effectively in large numbers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above features, as well as further features and advantages, are attained by the present invention which may be described briefly as a breakaway connector for use in connection with a utility pole guy wire. The breakaway connector comprises a first terminal member extending between a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and having a longitudinal axis. A generally cylindrical side surface extends along the longitudinal axis, and has a cavity therein. The first terminal member has a shear surface within the cavity adjacent the distal end. The shear surface faces generally toward the proximal end at a first predetermined angel to the longitudinal axis. The shear surface has a shear hole therein.
A second terminal member extends between a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and has a longitudinal axis. A generally cylindrical side surface extends along the longitudinal axis, and has a cavity therein. The second terminal member has a shear surface within the cavity adjacent the distal end and facing generally toward the proximal end. The first and second terminal members are mutually engaged with the longitudinal axes generally collinear and the proximal ends opposed. Each terminal member shear surface is disposed within the opposite terminal member cavity, with the terminal member cavities facing inward toward one another to define a connector cavity.
A first pivot element is disposed within the connector cavity and extends along the longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The first pivot element first end has a beveled surface at the first predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis. The beveled surface is juxtaposed against the first terminal member shear surface, and has a hole therein aligned with the shear hole.
The first pivot element second end is directed toward the second terminal member shear surface.
A first shear pin is disposed within the first terminal member shear hole and the first pivot element beveled surface hole.
A sheath slideably engages the side surfaces of the first and second terminal members so as to retain the mutual engagement.
A connecting means is provided for connecting the guy wire to the first and second terminal member proximal ends.
Thus, in the event of a vehicle impacting the guy wire above or below the breakaway connector, tensile force will cause the first pivot element to slide upon the shear surface. This will shear the first shear pin. The first and second terminal members will then move apart laterally, breaking the sheath and thereby separating the terminal members. In the event of a vehicle impacting the guy wire directly upon the breakaway connector, the first and second terminal members will pivot against one another and move apart laterally. The sheath will break, thereby separating the terminal members.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3049194 (1962-08-01), Brendel
patent: 4007564 (1977-02-01), Chisholm
patent: 4246937 (1981-01-01), Muller
patent: 4453353 (1984-06-01), Killop et al.
patent: 5119607 (1992-06-01), Herning et al.
patent: 5529276 (1996-06-01), Szablya
Nguyen Charlie C.
Reichard Dean A.
Ryan John Patrick
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