US1867480A - Trolley pole - Google Patents

Description

TROLLEY POLE Filed Nov.

' ATToRNEY Patented July 12, 1932 UNITED. STATES EDMUND S. TILLINGHAST, OF CARSON LAKE, MINNESOTA TROLLEY PQLE Application filed November 5, 1930. Serial No. 493,626.

This invention relates to poles especially designed for use as trolley poles on small electric locomotives or motors of the type ordinarily used in mines.

; An object of the present invention is to provide a pole which will not break, and thus eliminate danger from this source which is present in poles constructed of wood or metal, as Well as the danger arising from broken or j damaged electric conductor wires'.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pole which is constructed of insulating material in which the conductor wires are embedded so as to eliminate danger 15, of poorly insulated wires which are usually so arranged that a workman may receive a shock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pole which while vnormally straight, will bend upon contact with a mine cap timber, or other obstruction.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction,

to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a trolley pole constructed in accordance with the invention and showing a harp and trolley wheel attached.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pole per se. Y

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing iny detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates a pole which may be of any suitable length and dia-meter, the pole being especially designed for use upon mine locomotives. The pole is made of a flexible insulating material such as rubber, and may be vulcanized to a degree to prevent bending under normal conditions but to permit bending should the pole strike an obstruction. The pole is provided with a longitudinal bore 11 for the passa-ge of conductor wires 12. An opening 13 which communicates with the bore 11 provides for the introduction of these wires, while an opening 14 at the outer end of the pole provides an outlet for the wires. The pole thus forms an insulating housing for the conductor wires substantially throughout theV length of the pole, so that a workman coming in contact with the pole will not come in contact with the conductor wires. In addition, the conductor wires being housed within the pole, cannot have their insulation damaged by rubbing or striking obstructions.

By making the pole of rubber it will be normally straight, having sufficient rigidity to carry the trolley harp 15 and wheel 16, 65 but sufficient flexibility to bend when striking an obstruction. Danger attendant upon the breakage of wooden and metal poles is thus avoided.

If desired, the pole may be provided with reinforcing wires or rods 17 which will permit the pole to be made of easily bendable material, the wires yieldingly holding the pole straight until the pole comes in contact with an obstruction.

It is to be understood that the pole may be made of any flexible insulating material. For example, it may be made entirely of rubber, or it may be made of layers of rubber and fabric, after the manner of steam hose, or automobile tire construction.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedl claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a trolley pole comprising a relatively sti benda-ble body made from'rubber and having a longitudinal central bore, and angularly disposed wire outlet passages leading from the bore through one side of the pole adjacent the opposite ends thereof.

2. As a new article ofmanufacture,atrolley pole comprising a tubular body formed from relatively still rubber having a longitudinal central bore and angularly disposed wire outlet passages leading from the bore through one side of the pole adjacent the ends thereof, and means embedded in the body coneentrieally about said bore to yield- 5 ably resist bending action of the body.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

EDMUND S. TILLINGHAST.

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