US2013507A - Electrical disconnecting device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 3, 1935. R E. SCHWARZ 2,013,507

ELECTRICAL DISCONNECTING DEVICE Filed July 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l lllll lltll MIMI";

INVENTOR ATTORN EY @Qili/ Z: $152143; j 424%;

Sept. 3, 1935. R. E, SCHWARZ ELECTRICAL DISCONNECTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed July 6, 1931 INVENTOR M a? ATTORNEY III W Patented Sept. 3, 1935 ELECTRICAL DISCONNECTING DEVICE Richard E'. Schwarz, Royal Oak, Mich.

Application July 6, 1931, Serial No. 548,755

13 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical connecting and disconnecting devices, and more particularly to devices of this character especially adapted for use where the difficulties attendant to connection and disconnection of the parts are considerable.

An object of the invention is a connecting and disconnecting device including (1) a stationary part, hereafter called a receptacle; (2) a removable part, hereafter called a plug, connected to a flexible cable and adapted to be inserted into or withdrawn from the receptacle; and (3) asafety device including an elongated operating stick or key for facilitating plugging in or withdrawal of the plug with respect to the receptacle froma safe distance from the latter.

In the preferred form of the invention, the parts are so'designed that the plug is disposed on the end of the stick and is inserted into the receptacle with the aid of the operating stick, and the latter must then be rotated axially to lock the plug in place in the receptacle before the stick can be withdrawn from the plug. In this manner a positive assurance that the plug is locked in the receptacle is provided. Conversely, when the plug is to be withdrawn from the receptacle, the operating stick or key must be used tounlock the plug from the receptacle before the latter can be withdrawn.

Still further objects will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon: reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1' shows a receptacle provided with one form of hood and with a plug, there also being shown an operating stick in the position it occupies just after the plug has been inserted and just before the latter is locked in place.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.-

Fig. 3 shows a form of connection between: the receptacle and a bus bar.

Fig. 4 is a partial top' plan view of Fig. 3'.

Fig. 5 is a View showing one use of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is another view of the receptacle, this view further showing another form of hood.

Fig. 7 is a view of the plug per se. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view of the key end of the operating stick.

Fig.

Fig. 6 Fig. Fig;

taken on the line 2'-2' of Fig. 1 but looking up wardly and with the plug member removed.

Before describing the device in detail, it will be noted that the receptacle shown in Fig. 1 is the same as the receptacle shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 1, however, shows the receptacle provided with the form of hood and with a bus bar connecting adapter, whereas Fig. 6 shows the receptacle provided with a different form of hood, and with a cable terminal connecting means.

Itwill thus be observed from Figs. 5 and 10 that the receptacle of Fig. l is particularly adapted for suspension from Mrs bars, whereas the form of Fig. 6 is particularly adapted to be supported upon a suitable support in a well known manner. Both forms, however, are designed for connection to apparatus by means of flexible cables whose ends are provided with plugs of the form of Fig. 7.

Now referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the device, it will be seen that the device of Fig. 1 includes a cylindrical hood it, of a suitable material, which may be of insulating nature, if desired. The upper end of the hood is closed by an apertured sheet metal cover i i, held thereon by screws indicated at M.- Disposed withinthe hood is a metal casting or the like in the shape of a socket which forms the receptacle l6 and the latter has at its upper end a threaded stud I8 upon which is threaded the T shaped adapter 20', there being a pin 22 for holding the adapter in place on the stud.

The cross bar 23 of the T shaped adapter is more or less trough shaped and receives a tap line or bus bar 24- Which is electrically and mechanically connected to the adapter and thus to the receptacle by the binding wire 2i= which is sweated or soldered to the adapter and the bus bar, there being copper clips 28 which assist inpreventing spreading of the binding who before they are sweated together and to the bus. From the foregoing it will be seen that the receptacle and its hood, as a unit, are suspended from the bus bar. Instead of the binding wire, a bolted clamp can also be used to connect the receptacle to the bus.

The receptacle It at its lower end is provided with a cross plate 4i! having a rectangular aperture l2' thru which the squared" end of the plug, to be described later, is adapted to be projected, there being held therein, by pins 43. elongated, deflected,- contact springs 44 of suitable cross section adapted to engage the plug when the latter is in place. Bhe springsare restrained from undue deflection by the shoulders 45- of the recep-" tacle, and are provided with beveled ends to facilitate entry of a plug.

The lower end of the receptacle is provided with a skirt 36 in which is seated an annular guide 68, there being a screw St for holding the latter in its place in the skirt. A locking sleeve 52 is loosely disposed within the guide and has an overhanging flange 54 which rests on the upper surface of the guide so that as the sleeve is rotated within the guide, the former is supported by the overhanging flange 54. The sleeve is holllow as shown, and is provided with diametrically opposed slots 56 thru which, when they are aligned with the receptacle aperture '12, the plug may be inserted.

A friction device, including a ball 58 adapted to be held in one of the ball seats 59 in the upper surface of the sleeve by the spring 6i), is fitted in a part of the receptacle to provide an impositive friction stop for the sleeve as it is rotated to and from its locked and unlocked positions. A stop pin 62 threaded thru the receptacle skirt above the guide 48 is adapted to be engaged by one or the other of the spaced shoulders St on the ends of the cut away side of the sleeve 54 to limit the rotation of the latter.

The device of Fig. 6 includes a hood 5 I6 which may be, if desired, of porcelain or the like, and which receives the receptacle it. The upper surface of the hood is apertured so that the stud [8 of the receptacle may pass therethru and into the threaded bore of the adapter iii]. The latter, in turn, is received within a split terminal I22 on the end of a high tension supply cable A24 which is held in the bore of the terminal H22 by a screw I25. The split parts of the terminal I22 are held to each other by threaded bolts indicated at 52?. Within the skirt #36 of the receptacle i8 is a bell mouthed guide N8 of insulating material such as composition, fiber, or the like, the guide being held in the skirt by the screw 56. The hood M8 serves to guard the hood Hi3 against injury or breakage when a plug is inserted, and also serves to support the looking sleeve. Of course, if the hood is not made of a frangible material, the guide need not be flared, as shown, since the hood protecting func tion thereof may be omitted.

The device of Fig. 6 is adapted to be mounted on a support Hill by means of a U bolt I'll which passes around the hood H0 in the groove I72 of the latter, there being nuts, indicated at 173, for drawing up the bolt Ill so that the hood is clamped against the spacer block I14, as indicated. Otherwise the device of Fig. 10 is exactly the same as the device of Fig. l, and cooperates with the plug and operating stick or key in the same manner.

For use with the receptacles of Figs. 1 and 6, a plug shown in Figs. 1 and 7 is provided. This plug has an enlarged rectangular blade portion 89, a small cylindrical body portion 82 provided with a bore indicated at 83, an annular flange 8A and a cable terminal 85, all of the parts preferably being integral with one another, the plug preferably being of a metallic casting of good conductivity.

The blade is rectangular and is of such a size that it can pass thru the diametrically opposed slots of the locking sleeves 52 and thru the rectangular aperture 42 in the bottom of plate 46 of the receptacle. The body part 82 is cylindrical and of such a diameter that it can readily fit within the locking sleeve 52. The blade is wider than the bore of the locking sleeve,

however, so that when the latter is rotated, with its slots out of registry with the blade, the lower surface of the latter, referenced 36, will engage the top of the sleeve flange 5 and be thereby prevented from being withdrawn from the receptacle. The body, however, is longer than the sleeve, so that the latter may be disposed between the blade 36 and the plug flange 85, when the sleeve is rotated for locking purposes.

The cable terminal portion 8%: is adapted to receive the end of a cable 81 which leads from suitable electrical apparatus 88, and it will be seen that when the plug is connected to the live receptacle it, it will conduct current from the latter to the apparatus 88.

For use with the plug of Fig. 7 is an elongated operating stick Gil, shown in Figs. 1 and 9, and having an end in the form of a cylindrical finger the stick being also provided with an elongated key 9d. The cylindrical finger 92 fits within the bore 83 of the plug so that the latter can be held on the end of the stick. The elongated key 5&- is so proportioned and is so spaced from the part 92 that when the plug is to be disposed on the end of the operating stick the key 94 will pass thru the slot 95 of the plug flange 84. On its inner surface, the key is cut away at 9'? so that the stick may be rotated axially degrees with the cut away part 98 of the plug flange being encompassed within the key cut 97. The shoulder 53$ on the end of the part 98 limits the rotation of the stick.

The operation of the foregoing parts will now be described in detail: When the apparatus 88 is to be supplied with current from the bus bar 24, or from the cable lit, the plug must be inserted into the receptacle. In order to do this it is first necessary to insert the cylindrical finger on the end of the operating stick in the bore 83 of the plug, the key passing thru the slot 96. The stick is then rotated with respect to the plug 90 degrees so that the elongated key is no longer disposed within the slot 96 of the plug flange. The operating stick is thus made temporarily non-removable from the plug.

With the operating stick as a remotely operable or safety handle, the plug is then inserted into the receptacle. The blade passes thru the diametrically opposed slots 56 in the receptacle locking sleeve and thru the rectangular aperture in the bottom plate of the receptacle. The key of the operating stick is also received within one of the slots in the locking sleeve. The operating stick at this time cannot be withdrawn from the receptacle without the plug also being withdrawn since the plug flange part 98 holds the key and thus the stick in place.

In order to remove the operating stick it becomes necessary to rotate it 90 degrees so that the elongated key will once more register with the plug slot 95. This operation also rotates the locking sleeve 90 degrees. Such rotation of the stick and the sleeve not only permits withdrawal of the operating stick from the assembled parts but also interposes under the lower corner 36 of the blade 89, the flange of the sleeve so as to prevent the blade from being withdrawn from the receptacle.

It will thus be seen that the operation of withdrawing the operating stick from the stationary device, viz., the receptacle, is automatically combined with the operation of locking the plug in the receptacle. These operations also automatically place the parts in position to receive the ill operating stick once more when the plug is to be withdrawn from the receptacle.

Further, the elongated operating stick serves to protect the operator by permitting him to accomplish the desired operations from a safe distance.

In Fig. 11 there is disclosed a third use of the device. Referring to that figure it will be seen that there are disclosed two bus bars, each feeding a load thru a circuit breaker. If for any reason, such as the failure of a circuit breaker, it becomes desirable to feed both of the loads from one bus bar, this may be accomplished easily and safely, without interrupting the flow of current, if each tap line leading to the load is provided with a receptacle. Assuming them to be provided as indicated, with receptacles I00, a flexible cable I ill having a plug l 02 at each end is used to connect the receptacles, each plug being handled by an operating stick. Current will then pass from the bus thru the unaffected one of the circuit breakers, dividing at this point a part going to load directly, and a part going to load thru the jumper flexible cable lfll.

Now having described the invention and the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the said invention is to be limited, not to the specific details and applications herein set forth, but only by the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. Connecting and disconnecting means of a remotely operable safety type, particularly adapted for use with a tap line, including a stationary receptacle adapted to be secured to and electrically connected to the line and provided with a rotatable locking sleeve, a plug adapted to be connected, by a flexible cable, to apparatus which is to be supplied by the circuit, and provided with an enlarged blade for insertion into the receptacle, the locking sleeve having a part which, when the sleeve is properly positioned, prevents withdrawal of the plug from the receptacle by forming an obstacle in the path of withdrawal of the blade, the plug being provided with a removable key which facilitates insertion and withdrawal of the plug, the key having a part which interlocks with the plug and thereby with the sleeve, whereby the key may not be withdrawn from the plug after the latter has been inserted, until the key is rotated to lock the plug in place.

2. Connecting and disconnecting means of a remotely-operable safety type, particularly adapted for use with high tension circuits, including a stationary receptacle adapted to be secured to and electrically connected to the line and provided with a rotatable locking sleeve, a plug adapted to be connected, by a flexible cable, to apparatus which is to be supplied by the line, and provided with an enlarged blade for insertion into the receptacle, the locking sleeve having a part which, when the sleeve is properly positioned, prevents withdrawal of the plug from the receptacle by forming an obstacle in the path of withdrawal of the blade, the sleeve being rotatable to permit the sleeve part to be rotated out of the path of withdrawal of the blade, the plug being provided with a removable key which facilitates insertion and withdrawal of the plug, the key having a part which interlocks with the plug and thereby with the sleeve, whereby the key may not be withdrawn from the plug after the latter has been inserted, until the key is rotated to rotate the sleeve and thereby to lock the plug in place.

3. In combination, a tap line, a receptacle connected thereto, a flexible cable, at one end connected to apparatus and at the other end provided with a plug adapted to be inserted in said receptacle, and an operating stick and key for facilitating the plugging in and withdrawal of the plug, the receptacle having a rotatable looking sleeve for preventing withdrawal of the plug, when desired, the sleeve, the plug, and the key being provided with interlocking portions for preventing the key from being withdrawn from the plug, when the latter is in the receptacle, until the sleeve has been rotated to lock the plug in place.

4. In combination with a tap line a T shaped adapter secured to the line by its cross bar, the leg of the T having a bore therein, a socket shaped receptacle having a stud disposed within the bore of and electrically connected to the adapter, a hood for said receptacle, two rows of spring contact members in said receptacle, and a bottom plate for the receptacle and having therein a non-circular plug entrance aperture in alignment with said rows of contact members, the receptacle, at its lower end, having a skirt inside of which is secured an annular guide, a rotatable locking sleeve in said guide and having a non-circular opening therethru, the rotatability of said sleeve allowing alignment of said opening with that of the entrance aperture in the bottom plate of the receptacle.

5. In combination with a tap line, a T shaped adapter secured to the line by its cross bar, the leg of the T having a bore therein, a socket shaped receptacle having a stud disposed within the bore of and electrically connected to the adapter, a hood for said receptacle, contact members in said receptacle, and a bottom plate for the receptacle and having therein a non-circular plug entrance aperture, the receptacle, at its lower end, having a skirt inside of which is secured an annular guide and a rotatably mounted locking sleeve, provided with diametrically opposed slots thru which, when they are aligned with the receptacle bottom plate aperture, a plug may be inserted.

6. In combination, a support, a receptacle provided with means'whereby it may be permanently connected to a tap line, a hood for said receptacle, a U bolt for securing the hood and receptacle, as a unit, to the support, contact members in said receptacle, and a bottom plate for the receptacle and having therein a non-circular plug entrance aperture, the receptacle, at its lower end, having a skirt inside of which is secured an annular guide and a rotatably mounted locking sleeve provided with diametrically opposed slots thru which, when they are aligned with the receptacle bottom plate aperture, a plug may be inserted.

7. In combination with a tap line, a T shaped adapter securedto the line by its cross bar, the leg of the T having a bore therein, a socket shaped receptacle having a stud disposed within the bore of and electrically connected to the adapter, a hood for said receptacle, contact members in said receptacle, and a bottom plate for the receptacle and having therein a non-circular plug entrance aperture, the receptacle, at its lower end, having a skirt inside of which is secured an annular guide and a rotatably mounted locking sleeve, provided with'diametrically opposed slots thru which, when they are aligned with the receptacle bottom plate aperture, a plug may be in-' serted, the sleeve having a flange overhanging the guide to form a support for the sleeve.

8. In combination, a support, a receptacle provided with means whereby it may be permanently connected to a tap line, a hood for said receptacle, a U bolt for securing the hood and receptacle, as a unit, to the support, contact members in said receptacle, and a bottom plate for the receptacle and having therein a non-circular plug entrance aperture, the receptacle at its lower end, having a skirt inside of which is secured an annular guide and a rotatably mounted locking sleeve provided with diametrically opposed slots thru which, when they are aligned with the receptacle bottom plate aperture, a plug may be inserted, the sleeve having a flange overhanging the guide to form a support for the sleeve.

9. A line switch including a receptacle electrically connected to one portion of the line and having a rotatable sleeve and a locking shoulder on said sleeve, a plug electrically connected to another portion of the line and having a blade for insertion into the receptacle, said blade when inserted being engageable with said locking shoulder, and plug-inserting means engageable with said plug and having means for rotating said shoulder into and out of locking engagement with said blade.

10. A line switch including a receptacle electrically connected to one portion of the line and having movable locking means therewithin, a contact plug electrically connected to another portion of said line, and plug inserting means engageable with said plug and having means for moving said locking means into and out of looking engagement with said plug.

11. A line switch including a receptacle having a contact electrically connected to one portion of the line, a plug having a cooperating contact electrically connected to another portion of the line, a plug inserting member having means for detachably supporting the plug, means whereby rotation of the inserting member relative to the plug when the contacts are in electrical engagement will disconnect the plug and inserting member, and means actuated by said inserting member upon rotation thereof to interlock said plug and receptacle against withdrawal of the plug upon removal of the inserting member.

12. In a switch, a receptacle having a contact, a removable plug having a cooperating contact, an operating stick having means for detachably supporting the plug, means whereby movement of the operating stick relative to the plug when the contacts are in electrical engagement will disconnect the plug and operating stick, and means actuated by said stick upon the movement thereof to connect said plug and receptacle against withdrawal of the plug upon removal of the operating stick.

13. A switch including a relatively separable plug and receptacle, means within the receptacle for locking the plug in electrical contact with said receptacle, and a carrier releasably engaging said plug for inserting the plug in said receptacle, said carrier having a portion thereof engageable with said locking means to effect the electrical contact of the plug and receptacle in locked engagement against release upon removal of said carrier.

RICHARD E. SCHWARZ.

Images