Abstract: An improved, lowcost double-fused vacuum switchgear apparatus designed for underground electrical distribution systems is provided which makes use of a specially configured oil tank-defining wall and insulative protective fuse well sleeves to give enhanced protection to workmen performing unauthorized energized servicing of the unit, while also using a minimum of dielectric oil and separate wall components. The preferred tank includes an oblique sidewall eliminating unnecessary oil space in the tank, while each fuse well is equipped with an insulative sleeve which guides fuse removal and installation and largely prevents short-circuiting even during energized servicing. The fuse assembly preferably includes a current-limiting fuse and a series-coupled expulsion fuse, the latter being oriented in the wells for directing conductive arcing gases downwardly and away from the switchgear components.

Abstract: A current limiting fuse has an electrical subassembly which includes fusible elements that are helically wound about a plurality of support plates which, in turn, are secured on each end to a terminal bracket. A leg member electrically and mechanically interconnects the terminal bracket to an end cap assembly fixed to a fuse housing and is flexible for allowing variation in distance between the end cap assembly and the internal subassembly such as would occur when the fuse is exposed to thermal excursions. The flexible leg has a portion which extends in generally transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the subassembly, and the leg portion is swingable in an arc as the associated end cap assembly shifts relative to the position of the terminal bracket.

Abstract: An electrically insulated aerial platform assembly for use by a lineman on or around utility poles is provided which is constructed to maintain the actual work platform in an electrically insulated condition relative to the utility pole itself and the pole connection hardware associated with the assembly. In preferred forms, the platform assembly includes a work platform presenting an elongated, substantially flat upper work surface where a lineman may by stand, sit or kneel, together with means for temporarily attaching the platform to the utility pole with the platform being electrically insulated from the pole during normal working conditions. Attachment of the platform to the pole is effected by means of an elongated, electrically insulative member secured to the platform and extending toward the pole, with the pole-connection structure coupled to the insulative member at the end thereof remote from the platform.

Abstract: An end cap assembly for a fluid resistant electrical device includes a solderable insulating tube end cap and an insert having a solderable cylindrical body portion positioned within a tubular opening of the end cap. The body portion of the insert has a circumscribing groove containing a quantity of solder. During assembly, the walls of the end cap defining the tubular opening are magneformed inwardly to tightly engage the body portion and thus provide limited frictional resistance to movement of the insert relative to the end cap. Next, the end cap and insert are heated until the solder melts. The end cap assembly provides a strong, torque resistant connection between the insert and the end cap while also maintaining a highly effective seal to preclude fluid leakage when the device is immersed.

Abstract: An improved tower foundation is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture and when installed, serves to securely support a leg of power transmission towers and the like. The tower foundation hereof includes a screw-type earth anchor member having a tubular cavity at the uppermost end thereof. An elongated tower leg connector member is positioned and secured in the cavity of the installed anchor by an initially flowable, solidified material (preferably a sand/epoxy resin mixture). The tower leg connector member advantageously comprises a lowermost, tubular first portion and an uppermost, L-shaped in cross-section second, apertured connection portion, with the first and second portions having approximately coincidental centroidal axes.

Abstract: An electrical cutout is disclosed for electrical connection between a line terminal and a load terminal. The cutout includes an insulator having a first and a second end. A first electrical conductor is rigidly secured to the first end of the insulator, the first conductor being electrically connected to the line terminal. A second electrical conductor is rigidly secured to the second end of the insulator, the second conductor being electrically connected to the load terminal. A fuse tube extends between the first and the second conductors and a fuse link extends through the fuse tube and includes a first and a second end. The second end or pigtail of the fuse link is electrically connected to the second electrical conductor. A cap is disposed adjacent the first end of the fuse link, the cap being electrically connected to the first end of the fuse link such that the cap frictionally cooperates with the first conductor.

Abstract: A recoverable earth-retaining wall anchoring device and method is disclosed which allows the erection of a retaining wall in a quick, inexpensive manner and permits proof-load testing of the anchor during or immediately after installation, resulting in significant time and cost savings. The device includes a screw anchor having a central, elongated shaft with one or more outwardly extending helical blades affixed thereto, and an earth-penetrating lead point at one end. An adapter is attached to the anchor shaft and includes an opposed, threaded bore which receives an elongated threaded rod; a polygonal in cross-section engagement area is also provided between the opposed ends of the adapter. A wrench, having one or more releasably interconnected, tubular, polygonally-shaped shank sections is telescoped over the rod and operably and drivingly engages the adapter engagement area such that axial rotation of the wrench effects corresponding rotation of the anchor for installation and removal purposes.

Abstract: A simplified, impulse-type pulling and installing tool for appliances such as electrical connector elbows is provided which in use generates a sharp impact force to facilitate quick, safe elbow manipulation even under electrical load, thereby reducing the probability of flashover. In preferred forms, the tool includes an elongated rod having workpiece-engaging apparatus adjacent one end thereof, with tubular hammer means telescoped over the rod and reciprocably slidable along a portion of the length thereof. The hammer includes structure defining a pair of hammering surfaces respectively located adjacent the opposed ends of the hammer, and the rod is moreover provided with anvil means secured thereto and oriented for engagement by the hammering surfaces when the hammer is slid along the rod. A pair of such hammering surfaces are provided, which are cooperatively oriented relative to the hammering means, so that fore and aft impact forces can be developed along the length of the rod as desired.

Abstract: An improved modular screw anchor is provided which is adaptable for use with many sizes of elongated anchor rods, is inexpensive to manufacture, can be installed in a wide variety of soil conditions including rocky soils, and permits use of a number of wrench tubes having different internal dimensions. The anchor preferably includes two main components, namely an elongated anchor rod having an obliquely oriented, beveled earth-penetrating lead at one end, and a polygonal in cross-section drive boss separated from the lead by an enlarged, annular flange, and, secondly, an anchor member having a bore-defining hub, an outwardly extending, helical blade circumferentially secured to the hub, and an apertured plate affixed across the bore of the hub. The anchor rod and anchor member are interfitted for installation by inserting the rod through the apertured plate of the hub until the drive boss extends through the aperture and the flange abuts the apertured plate.

Abstract: A hot line load pick-up hand tool for use in electrical transmission and distribution systems has improved electrical conductivity and is capable of temporarily picking up and safely carrying high voltages being transmitted by energized main and branch feeder cables and transferring current therefrom to non-energized distribution lines prior to and during installation of permanent current transfer connections, all without any likelihood of damage to the cables or appreciable danger to workmen. Trip mechanism for closing the circuit through the tool after installation can only be reset prior to being placed in use, and the tool is inherently incapable of permitting breaking of the circuit while it is in place clamped to the main line. The entire tool is easily and quickly disassembled for inspection and cleaning of all its component parts.

Abstract: A connector assembly and method are disclosed for supporting each of the legs of a free standing tower or the like using a screw anchor driven into the ground at the base of a respective tower leg. In order to compensate for irregularities in alignment between the upper end of each screw anchor and a corresponding tower leg, the connector units are initially mounted on the screw anchors in a manner permitting individual axial, angular and longitudinal adjustment as may be necessary to bring each connector unit into proper alignment with a tower leg thereabove. The connector units while being held in such aligned disposition may be precisely affixed to a corresponding screw anchor and the proximal tower leg using the connector unit itself as a guide for such interconnection.

Abstract: A high strength, modular screw anchor is disclosed which exhibits enhanced failure resistance notwithstanding use of essentially the same amount of material as conventional anchors, and which can be installed using existing installation equipment. The preferred screw anchors of the invention include an elongated rod having one or more separate, specialized anchor members supported thereon, and an improved, obliquely oriented, beveled earth-penetrating lead to facilitate installation, particularly in rocky soils. The anchor member includes a tubular, central, rod-receiving hub presenting a polygonal in cross-section bore therethrough, and an outwardly extending helical blade affixed to and coaxial with the hub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permanently extending the height of an upright pole set in the ground uses pole reinforcers which are driven in the ground alongside and complemental to the pole. Extensible power devices mounted on ground-engaging supports use gripping heads mounted adjacent the upper end of the device, in such manner that actuation of the devices holds the heads in biting engagement with the pole. As the devices are extended, the heads pull the pole from the ground and through the predetermined channel formed by the pole reinforcers. Once the pole is extended to the desired elevation, the pole reinforcers are permanently secured to the pole to provide stability at the new height. The present invention is useful in moving the pole through extended displacements in a single stroke of the hydraulic cylinders of the devices, obviating the necessity for successive attachment and detachment of the apparatus during raising of the pole.

Abstract: A current-responsive, resettable, violence-free low fault range vacuum-type switch interrupter is disclosed which is especially designed for series connection with a high fault range current limiting fuse (CLF) to achieve an improved, full range circuit protecting device adapted for use in padmounted, oil filled switch gear apparatus or the like. The resettable switch includes a spring-loaded, over center toggle motive assembly along with a current-responsive, temperature sensitive, bimetallic U-shaped latching element; in the event of a fault, the element deforms and releases the motive assembly to quickly open the vacuum contacts without the violence or oil contamination associated with fuse links. Manual opening of the contacts, and resetting thereof after either manual or fault-induced contact opening, is achieved through appropriate manipulation of an external, trip-free operating handle.

Abstract: A novel cleaning and drying composition is disclosed which has a number of unique properties rendering the composition particularly useful for cleaning and refinishing electrical equipment and tools. The composition preferably comprises about 30% ethanol, 50% methylene chloride, 15% 1,1,1-trichloroethane and 5% perchloroethylene; this combination of ingredients gives a final product that dissolves water and many organic materials while at the same time having a high evaporation rate and flame resistance (flash point greater than 100.degree. F.). The composition also gives a visual indication of the need for recleaning and replacement thereof by becoming cloudy when excessive moisture has been absorbed.

Abstract: A synthetic resin, fiberglass reinforced tubular member having an integrally attached metallic element is disclosed, along with a pressure gelation method of fabricating the same. The tubular member is used in making electrical hot line tools, and to this end the metallic element is composited to the tube body without use of metallic fasteners or the like. In practice, a preimpregnated fiberglass material is wrapped about a mandrel to present a predetermined number of layers thereof, whereupon the metallic attachment is temporarily affixed to the fiberglass layer, preferably by placing strips of the wrapped material against the edges of the attachment and in bridging relationship to the wrapping. The fiberglass material is then cured to embed the attachment in the sidewall and yield a fused, void-free monolithic structure.

Abstract: An improved electrical switch unit is provided having a strategically located, shock-absorbing member which absorbs a large proportion of potentially damaging impact forces developed during switch closing operations and thus preserves the soft metal switch contact shafts against significant deformation and consequent alteration in the operational characteristics of the switch. The shock-absorbing function is advantageously performed by a low-mass, spring-biased weld break lever associated with the over toggle switch operating mechanism. During the switch closing sequence the contact-shifting operating arm of the switch operating apparatus engages the biased weld break lever and the latter serves to slow the relative closing speed of the contacts prior to the instant of impact therebetween; in this manner a significant amount of the impact forces are absorbed which would otherwise be absorbed by the contact shafts themselves.

Abstract: A two piece, open-ended, telescopically interfitted, synthetic resin insulative protective cover for one or more pin-type or post-type, conductor-supporting insulators is provided which has a configuration for substantially enveloping such insulators to thereby minimize the risk of inadvertent contact with the energized conductor, while also being easily installable using conventional hot-line tools by a lineman remote from the conductor and associated equipment. The cover preferably includes two separate sections which are individually installed and axially telescoped together over the insulator to give the complete cover. Each section has walls defining an elongated, insulator-receiving space and a longitudinal slot between the opposed bottom wall portions thereof.

Abstract: A high strength, modular screw anchor is disclosed which exhibits enhanced failure resistance notwithstanding use of essentially the same amount of material as conventional anchors, and which can be installed using existing installation equipment. The preferred screw anchors of the invention include an elongated rod having one or more separate, specialized anchor members supported thereon, and an improved, obliquely oriented, beveled earth-penetrating lead to facilitate installation, particularly in rocky soils. The anchor member includes a tubular, central, rod-receiving hub presenting a polygonal in cross-section bore therethrough, and an outwardly extending helical blade affixed to and coaxial with the hub.