FR2692726A1 - Connection clamp for electrical conductor. - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a clamp comprising, on the one hand, a body (12) with which it is associated a fixing tab (13) by which it is able to be plugged in temporarily on a support (14), and , on the other hand, a clamping member (15) which, movably mounted on the body (12), is permanently resiliently biased towards a service position for which it is able to grip the electrical conductor to be fitted. According to the invention, on the path of the clamping member (15) is interposed a trigger (27) by which this clamping member (15) can be held in standby at a distance from its service position, and, movably mounted on the body (12) within the limits of at least a determined deflection, the fixing tongue (13) constitutes a trigger to which this trigger (27) is subjected. Application, in particular, to connection clamps intended to be attached remotely to a bare overhead electrical conductor.

Description

"Electrical Conductor Clamp" The present invention

  relates generally to the connection clamps to report on an electrical conductor, for the establishment for example of a temporary bypass from it or for its grounding or

its setting in short-circuit.

  It is more particularly the case where, in the case of a remote intervention on an overhead electrical conductor and, more specifically, on a bare, that is to say non-insulated, electrical conductor, such a connection clamp comprises, on the one hand, a body with which it is associated a fixing tongue by which it is adapted to be inserted temporarily on any support proper for its handling, and, on the other hand, a clamping member, which , mounted movably on the body, is permanently biased elastically towards a service position for which it is adapted to grip the electrical conductor to equip. Such a connection clamp is particularly the subject of the French patent which, requested on January 18, 1956, has

  has been issued under No 1 146 031.

  In practice, in this French patent No. 1,146,031, the support used is a plate, which is itself plugged at the end of a pole, and on which can be reported simultaneously several connection clamps, for example three or four, this gripper plate having for this purpose an equal number of sockets in which these connection clamps can each be individually inserted

by their fastening tab.

  In practice, also, the clamping member of the connection clamps is, in this French patent No. 1,146,031, constituted by a horn which, pivotally mounted on their body, forms therewith a V widely open engagement towards the top, for an attack from below the electrical conductor to equip, this attack from underneath, duly abutted by the clamp holder, sufficient to ensure the elastic erasure of the horn necessary for the coming into action of

  body with the electrical conductor.

  Overall gives overall satisfaction and is

now widespread.

  However, it appears that, at least for some applications, it is now required to proceed with a

  attack over the electrical conductor to equip.

  Indeed, given the electrodynamic effects of LAPLACE likely to develop between such an electrical conductor and the electrical conductor which is also necessarily connected to the body of a connection clamp, it can happen, especially if the intensity of the current is particularly high, that this connection clamp is subject to a certain path, inevitably generating arcs, along the electrical conductor that carries it, which can lead to its deterioration, and therefore, given its

  snap mode from below, to its fall.

  For an attack over the electrical conductor to be equipped, it is important that the body of the connection clamp is largely shaped hook, and, together, if, as it is desirable, to promote interchangeability, clamp trays of the same type as the previous ones must still be able to be used, it is also important that, in the waiting position, the clamping member mounted on this

  body leaves open the hook formed by it.

  Otherwise, the effort to be exerted for elastic erasure of the clamping member to the engagement on the electrical conduct would inevitably lead to premature separation of the connection clamp vis-à-vis

  gripper tray for handling.

  The present invention generally relates to a provision for responding in a particularly simple and satisfactory manner to the above two requirements. More specifically, it relates to a connection clamp for electrical conductor of the kind comprising, on the one hand, a body with which it is associated with a fastening tab by which it is adapted to be inserted temporarily on any support adapted to its handling, and, secondly, a clamping member which, mounted movably on the body, is permanently resiliently biased towards a service position for which it is adapted to grip the electrical conductor to be fitted, this connection clamp being generally characterized in that, in the path of the clamping member, is interposed a retractable trigger by which this clamping member can be kept waiting at a distance from its operating position, and mounted movably on the body within the limits of at least one determined deflection, the fastening tongue constitutes a

  trigger this trigger is subjected to.

  For example, according to a preferred embodiment, because particularly simple, the trigger is in one piece with the fastening tab, being constituted by

an extension of it.

  Anyway, it is advantageously taken advantage, according to the invention, of this fixing tongue, to ensure a temporary retention of the clamping member in a waiting position for which it allows a free engagement by the upper body on the electrical conductor to equip, leaving somehow open the hook that forms in

  practice this body for this commitment.

  Thus, in addition to its usual function of plugging on a support, which advantageously allows the connection clamp according to the invention to be reported on a gripper plate of the type of those already existing, the fastening tab associated with the body of this connection clamp assumes according to the invention an additional function, which is

  constitute a detent for the corresponding clamping member.

  Closing the connection clamp according to the invention on the electrical conductor to be equipped thus advantageously and automatically, and mechanically, to the

  only contact of this electrical conductor.

  Since no additional parts are used, in the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, with respect to the prior-type under-front connection clamps of the same type, the cost of the overhead-engaging connection clamp according to the invention remains unchanged. in addition, advantageously, the other conditions being equal, of the same order as that of the latter. The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows,

  by way of example, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connection clamp according to the invention, duly in place on a support, and viewed from above; Figure 2 is, seen from below, an exploded perspective view of the connection clamp and, in part, the support on which it is reported; Figure 3 is a partial elevational sectional view of the assembly, along the line III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an elevational sectional view of the single connection clamp, after closing thereof on an electrical conductor; FIG. 5 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of FIG. 3 indicated by an insert V in this FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is, on the scale of FIG. 5, a cross sectional partial view of the connection clamp according to the invention, along the line VI-VI of this FIG. 5; Figure 7 shows, on the scale of Figure 5, the detail of Figure 3 identified by an inset VII in this Figure 3; Figure 8 is a perspective view which, similar to that of Figure 2, relates to an alternative embodiment of the connection clamp according to the invention; Figure 9 is another perspective view of this

  connection clamp, after closing.

  As illustrated in these figures, and more particularly in FIG. 4, it is a question, generally speaking, of relating, on any electrical conductor 10, which is schematized in dashed lines in FIG. 4, and which is in practice a Bare aerial conductor, a connection clamp it of the type comprising, on the one hand, a body 12 with which it is associated a fastening tab 13 by which the connection clamp 11 is adapted to be inserted temporarily on any support 14 adapted to its handling, and, secondly, according to arrangements described in more detail later, a clamping member 15, which, mounted movably on the body 12, is permanently resiliently biased towards a service position for which, as shown in Figure 4, the connection clamp 11 is adapted to

  tighten the electrical conductor 10 to equip.

  In the embodiment shown, the support 14 is a gripper plate of the type of that described in FIG.

French Patent No. 1,146,031.

  Since such a support 14 is well known by itself, it does not

  will not be described in all its details here.

  It will suffice to indicate that it comprises, distributed at 120 relative to each other at its periphery, three bushes 16, which all extend parallel to its axis, and which, all identical to each other, each have internally a

rectangular cross section.

  These sockets 16 are thus each able to receive at

  sliding a fastening tab 13.

  In practice, for the disengageable holding of such a fastening tab 13, they are each equipped with means

latching 18.

  In the embodiment shown, these latching means 18 comprise a piston 19 mounted movably in a well 20 perpendicular to the sleeve 16 which they equip,

Figures 3 and 7.

  By a hemispherical head 22, the piston 19 protrudes into the sleeve 16, for cooperation with a recess 23, or billing, which is complementary to this

effect the fastening tab 13.

  The piston 19 is corollary subjected to a spring 24 which, resting on a plug 25 closing by screwing the well 20, urges it permanently towards the

fixing tongue 13.

  As it is easy to understand, it is possible, by more or less pronounced screwing of the plug 25, to put the spring 24 under a more or less accentuated stress, and, thus, to adjust at will the strength of the means d In accordance with the invention, and in accordance with the arrangements described in more detail later, in the path of the clamping member 15 is interposed a retractable trigger 27 by which this clamping member 15 can be kept on hold remotely. its operating position shown in Figure 4, in a standby position which is that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and, together, mounted movably on the body 12 within the limits of at least a determined travel , the fastening tab 13 constitutes a trigger to which this trigger 27 is subjected. In practice, the body 12 comprises a post 28, which is the part concerned by the fastening tab 13, and -20 a horn 29, whichin one piece with the amount 28,

prolong in U reversed this one.

  This body 12 thus globally forms a hook, the concavity of which is turned downwards, and through which the connecting clip 11 can be engaged from above on the conductor

electric 10 to equip.

  At the base of the upright 28 is coupled by screwing an electrical conductor 30, which, for example, and such that

  shown, is constituted by a metal braid.

  In the embodiments shown, and for reasons which will appear hereinafter, the amount 28 is perforated

locally by a recess 31.

  In the embodiments shown, the clamping member 15 is pivotally mounted on the body 12, and more specifically on the upright 28 thereof, in favor of

the recess 31 of this amount 28.

  This is in practice a lever articulated in its

  middle on an axis 32 which extends through the recess 31.

  In the embodiments shown, the clamping member 15 has, parallel to each other, two cheeks 34, between which the axis 32 extends, and which are connected to one another, on the one hand, at a first end, and along their longitudinal edges, by a first cross, and, on the other hand, at the other of their ends, and following

  their transverse edges, by a second crosspiece 36.

  For its resilient bias, the clamping member thus formed is subjected, in the embodiments shown, to a torsion spring 38, whose central torsion portion 39 is engaged on the axis 32, and a wing 40 is supported on the upright 28 of the body 12 while the other wing 41 bears on the clamping member 15, and more

  precisely, on the inner face of its crossbar 35.

  For co-operation with trigger 27, the organ of

  clamping 15 has a retaining shoulder 42.

  In the embodiments shown, this retaining shoulder 42 belongs to a recess 43 locally opening this clamping member 15, and more specifically, its

crosses 36.

  In practice, the body 12 and the clamping member 15 are metallic. As in French Patent No. 1,146,031, the fastening tongue 13 is itself in the form of

a simple metal plate.

  In the embodiments shown, the trigger 27 is in one piece with this tongue of

fastening 13.

  In practice, it is constituted by a simple extension of this fastening tab 13, which in the plane thereof protrudes beyond one of its

  transverse slices, in the median zone of the latter.

  The width L1 of the trigger 27 is thus smaller than that L 2 of the fastening tab 13, and the fastening tab 13 thus forms on either side of the trigger 27

two shoulders 45.

  In the embodiments shown, and for reasons which will appear hereinafter, these shoulders 45 are each cut by a chamfer 46, on the side of the shoulder of

  retainer 42 of the clamping member 15.

  At the same time, the trigger 27 is cut by a chamfer 48 on the opposite side to this retaining shoulder 42, and

  therefore, on the opposite side to the previous 46 chamfers.

  For receiving, and housing, the fastening tongue 13, the body 12 comprises, in the embodiments shown, a groove 49 in which this

  fixing tongue 13 is slidable.

  In practice, this groove 49 affects the base of the upright 28 of this body 12, and extends longitudinally in height in this upright 28, until it opens in its

recess 31.

  In the embodiments shown, the groove 49 is open longitudinally along its entire length by a slot 50, on the side opposite the horn 29, and the width L 3 of

  this slot 50 is greater than that Ll of the trigger 27.

  In correlation with the chamfers 46 of the fastening tab 13 and that 48 of the trigger 27, the engagement of the body 12 on this fastening tab 13 is found

advantageously facilitated.

  Indeed, this commitment can therefore be made with a certain inclination of the amount 28 of this body 12 by

  relative to the fastening tab 13.

  In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the fastening tab 13, which constitutes a separate part of the body 12, is separable from this body 12, and on the opposite side thereof, it comprises, protruding, for cooperation abutting with the support 14, at the

less a restraining stub 52.

  In practice, two retaining heels 52 are provided laterally, inverted T, on either side of the tongue

  13, at the base thereof.

  In use, the fastening tab 13 is engaged from below in a bushing 16 of the support 14, along the arrow F1 in FIG. 2, until intervention of the latching means 18. Its retaining heels 52 are then in abutment. , or substantially in abutment, with the edge of the sleeve 16, at the base thereof. Together, the fastening tongue 13 then projects widely upward beyond the upper part.

of the bushing 16, FIG.

  Through its groove 49 of its body 12, the connection clamp 11 according to the invention is then engaged from above, along the arrow F 2 of Figure 2, on the projecting part of the fastening tongue 13, with its body clamp 15 held in the waiting position against the

  torsion spring 38, as shown in this figure 2.

  At the end of this engagement, the trigger 27 engages in the recess 43 of the clamping member 15, and when it is released, the latter is carried by its retaining shoulder 42 against this trigger 27, such as represented on the

Figures 3 and 5.

  Thus armed, the connection clamp according to the invention is ready to be placed on the electrical conductor

to equip.

  Indeed, held in the waiting position by the trigger 27, its clamping member 15 leaves fully open the

hook that forms his body 12.

  In other words, the next connection clamp 11

the invention is then open.

  Its closure occurs automatically when, after engagement by the upper part of its body 12 on the electrical conductor 10 to be equipped, with this body 12 being hooked onto this electrical conductor 10, a pull is made to

  the bottom on the support 14, along the arrow F 3 of FIG.

  Indeed, then driven by the support 14 by its retaining heels 52 while remaining integral therewith by the latching means 18, the fastening tongue 13 is

  then releases from the recess 43 of the clamping member 15.

  Thus released, this clamping member 15 then pivots around the axis 32 under the stress of the torsion spring 38, along the arrow F 4 of FIG. 4, until it bears on the electrical conductor 10, on the side of the In an alternative embodiment not shown, it is provided, instead of two retaining heels 52 laterally acting, a single retaining heel, which, acting transversely, perpendicular to the thickness of the tongue of fastening 13, results for example from punching

to the press of it.

  In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fastening tongue 13 is brought to

remains by the body.

  In practice, a fitting-type mounting pin and buttonhole intervenes between this fastening tab 13 and the body 12 to limit the movement relative to the latter. In the embodiment shown, it is the body 12 which has a lug 54 projecting from the bottom of its groove 49, and the fastening tongue 13 jointly comprises a buttonhole 55, which is elongated according to its

  length, and by which it is engaged with the lug 54.

  Together, to escape, in this case the support 14, the fastening tab 13 is devoid of retaining heel. While, previously, the arming of the connection clamp according to the invention should normally be done on the very premises of use thereof, it may, in this embodiment, be done prior to this

  set up, as shown in Figure 8.

  It suffices for this to bring the clamping member 15 into

  taken with the trigger 27 by its recess 43.

  The fastening tongue 13 then occupies a position

high on the body 12.

  At the point of use of the connection clamp 11, a top engagement of this fastening tab 13 is engaged in a socket 16 of the support 14, along the arrow F 5 of FIG. intervention of the latching means 18 of this bushing 16, the fastening tongue 13 having as before a recess 23, or blasting, to cooperate with them. Preferably, and as shown, the lateral edges of the fastening tongue 13 are each cut by a chamfer 56 at the base thereof, to facilitate its

engagement in the socket 16.

  When, as before, the downward traction is carried out on the support 14, the attachment tongue 13 is driven by the latter if the force of the latching means 18 is greater than the forces

  friction to which it is otherwise subject.

  So just tare accordingly means

latching 18.

  When the fastening tab 13 is thus driven by the support 14, it passes in the lower position on the body 12, as shown in FIG. 9, releasing, as

  previously, the clamping member 15.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but

  encompasses, within the bounds of the attached claims, any

  variant of execution and / or combination of their various

elements.

  In particular, by appropriate calibration of the latching means, it is possible to remove the retaining beads from the fastening tab in the form of

  embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 8, it is the fastening tongue that can have a lug, the body of the connection clamp then having a groove, or buttonhole, in which is

engaged this ergot.

Claims (12)

  1 connection clamp for electrical conductor of the kind comprising, on the one hand, a body (12) with which it is associated a fastening tab (13) by which it is adapted to be inserted temporarily on any support (14) adapted to its handling, and, secondly, a clamping member (15) which, mounted movably on the body (12), is permanently biased elastically towards a service position for which it is able to grip the electrical conductor (10) to be equipped, characterized in that, in the path of the clamping member (15), is interposed a retractable trigger (27) by which this clamping member (15) can be kept waiting at distance from its operating position, and mounted movably on the body (12) within the limits of at least one determined deflection, the fixing tongue (13) constitutes a trigger to which is subjected said trigger (27).   2 connection pliers according to claim 1, characterized in that the trigger (27) is in one piece   with the fixing tongue (13).   Connection pliers according to Claim 2, characterized in that the trigger (27) consists of a   extension of the fixing tongue (13).   4 Connection pliers according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the body (12)   has a groove (49) in which the tongue of   fixation (13) is slidable.   Connection clamp according to any one of   claims 3 and 4, taken together, characterized in   that the groove (49) of the body (12) is open longitudinally along its length by a slot (50) whose width (L 3) is greater than that (L1) of the trigger (27).   Connecting pliers according to Claim 5, characterized in that the fastening tongue (13) forms, on either side of the trigger (27), two shoulders (45) which   are each shot down by a chamfer (46).   7 Connection clamp according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for cooperation   with the trigger (27), the clamping member (15) has a retaining shoulder (42).   8 connection pliers according to claim 7, characterized in that the retaining shoulder (42) of the clamping member (15) belongs to a recess (43) ajourant locally this one.   9 Connection pliers according to any one of   Claims 7, 8, characterized in that the trigger (27)   is cut by a chamfer (48) on the opposite side to the shoulder   retainer (42) of the clamping member (15).   Connection clamp according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the body (12)   forms a hook by which it can be engaged from above on the electrical conductor to be equipped, and, when it is retained by the trigger (27), the clamping member (15) leaves cleared this hook.   11 Connection pliers according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the   clamping (15) is pivotally mounted on the body (12).   12 Connection pliers according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tongue of   fixation (13) is separable from the body (12).   Connection clamp according to Claim 12, characterized in that the fastening tongue (13) has at least one retaining lug (52) projecting from the opposite side of the body (12).   14 Connection pliers according to any one of   Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tongue of   fixation (13) is carried by the body (12).   Connecting pliers according to Claim 14, characterized in that an assembly of the pin (54) and buttonhole (55) mounting type takes place between the fixing tongue (13) and the body (12).