Abstract: An earth anchor apparatus having reduced bending moment characteristics is provided, including a longitudinally extending hub having first and second axial ends. Affixed to the hub between the ends thereof is a radially extending load-bearing element, including a leading edge intersecting the hub and structure extending radially outward from the hub in a generally helical direction. The apparatus further includes an elongated anchor rod having first and second ends, and means for coupling the rod to the earth anchor. The coupling means includes means for reducing bending moments in the rod during movement thereof.

Abstract: A manually installed landscape foundation (20, 56) adapted for supporting a yard light (22) or similar device requiring connection to a utility line (47) such as an electrical cable or gas line is provided having a lowermost anchor shaft (24, 64) equipped with a load-bearing helix (28, 68) and a slotted, centrally apertured (34, 62) uppermost base plate (30, 58). The anchor shaft (24, 64) is coupled with the base plate (30, 58) so as to define an open clearance area (44, 70) beneath the base plate (30, 58) and aperture (34, 62). A manual driving implement (46, 72) is used for installation purposes, and includes a T-handle (48, 74) having an engagement plate (50, 76) equipped with depending driving lugs (52, 54, 80, 82). In one foundation (20), a bail (36) defining a central clearance area (44) is used to interconnect the anchor shaft (24) and base plate (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing the foundation of a building structure includes a support assembly fastened to the foundation and a screw anchor installed in the earth in generally upright disposition with an upper end thereof located adjacent the foundation. The upper end is secured within a sleeve of the support assembly by a bonding composition to prevent movement of the screw anchor relative to the sleeve. During assembly of the apparatus, a lower bracket of the support assembly is attached to the foundation of a building to be stabilized, and the screw anchor is installed in the earth in generally upright disposition with an upper end of a rod of the anchor located adjacent the lower bracket. The sleeve is placed over the upper end of the rod, and a bonding composition is inserted into the interior space of the sleeve between the sleeve and the rod. The sleeve is also attached to the bracket to prevent settling and uplift movement of the foundation relative to the screw anchor.

Abstract: Improved synthetic resin insulators having enhanced arc track resistance and reduced UV light degradation characteristics are provided which include a continuous resin phase and a discrete, discontinuous hydrophobic phase in the form of discrete, suspended droplets within the resin. The preferred insulators are formed of a continuous epoxy matrix having suspended droplets of petrolatum dispersed therein. The resin phase comprises from about 15 to 50% by weight of the composition, whereas the hydrophobe is present at a level from about 2 to 10% by weight. UV light resistance is improved by predissolving or predispersing a quantity of UV light absorber in the hydrophobe before the latter is mixed with the resin phase. Use of a hydrophobe which is solid at normal temperatures but which melts above about 80.degree. F. (such as petrolatum) results in lower dust attraction during ordinary conditions and the ability to melt and effectively encapsulate surface dust during periods of increased arcing activity.

Abstract: In an electrical distribution apparatus a switchgear device has a fixed element disposed within a shielded region of an enclosure of the apparatus, and a movable element supported for movement between a closed position in contact with the fixed element and an open position out of contact with the fixed element. The movable element is disposed at least partially within an access region of the enclosure when in the open position. A panel is supported between the shielded and access regions, and includes a slot through which the movable element passes during movement between the closed and open positions. A barrier member is movable horizontally relative to the panel between a blocking position covering the slot and a non-blocking position exposing the slot. The barrier member prevents inadvertent contact with the fixed element through the slot and prevents movement of the movable element between the open and closed positions when in the blocking position.

Abstract: In a multiple-phase electrical distribution apparatus, a number of barrier panels formed of dielectric material are provided for separating electrical transmission components disposed within the apparatus. The barrier panels may be manually placed in and lifted from a working position within the enclosure, and are supported in the working position by a mounting bracket extending horizontally in a direction parallel to the direction in which the components are spaced. The bracket includes a transverse slot disposed between the electrical transmission components and defining a pair of bearing surfaces which grip opposed surfaces of the barrier panel when the lower edge of the panel is inserted in the slot. Also, the barrier panel engages a slot formed in the enclosure above the bracket to stabilize the barrier panel against lateral movement.

Abstract: A low cost, easy to install underpinning apparatus (14) for supporting below-grade structural footings such as foundations (10) or the like is provided which makes use of a power installed, load-bearing helix-type screw anchor (16) together with a connecting bracket assembly (b 19) secured to the foundation (10). The anchor (16) is screwed into the earth below the foundation (10), leaving the upright end of the anchor shaft (20) adjacent the foundation (10). The bracket assembly (18) advantageously includes a foundation-engaging plate (28) with a pair of spaced, outwardly extending wall portion (30, 32) rigidly secured thereto. An elongated, U-shaped bracket (36) together with a mating retainer (42) are releasably secured to the wall portions (30, 32) and serve to captively retain the upper end of the anchor shaft (20), with the U-bracket (36) having a top crosspiece wall (38) provided with a threaded opening (40) therethrough.

Abstract: An arc spinner interrupter apparatus includes a first electrical contact assembly having a fixed contact and an arcing element. A second electrical contact assembly includes an arm selectively movable along a path into and out of engagement with the fixed contact. The arcing element extends beyond the fixed contact in a direction parallel to the path of the arm and is biased toward a position at least partially within the path of movement such that the arm impacts and engages the arcing element during movement toward the fixed contact. A mass is biased toward a position in contact with the arcing element for dampening oscillation of the arcing element in a direction transverse to the path of movement. When the arm impacts the arcing element the kinetic energy of the arcing element acting in the transverse direction is transferred from the element to the mass and oscillation of the element is reduced.

Abstract: A recloser apparatus is provided with an enclosure or tank (40) in which a current interrupter assembly (49) is disposed that includes a pair of relatively movable contacts (50, 54) movable between a closed, current-carrying position and an open, current-interrupting position. An opening assembly (60) is included for opening the contacts to the current-interrupting position and a closing assembly (66), including a high voltage solenoid coil (61) and plunger (116) moves one of the contacts (54) to the closed, current-carrying position. An operating assembly (43) is manually accessible from outside the tank (40) and includes an operating arm (44) which is movable between an upper, intermediate and lower position, and a contact closing circuit for initiating operation of the contact closing assembly (66) when the operating arm (44) is manually moved to the upper position.

Abstract: An electrical recloser apparatus includes a tank (10) having bottom, top and side walls (18, 22, 16) which define an interior, sealed space (14), and a current interrupter (44) disposed within the sealed space (14) and including a pair of relatively movable contacts (46, 48) which are movable between a closed, current-carrying position and an open, current-interrupting position. A control assembly (30) is provided for electronically controlling the opening and closing of the contacts (46, 48), the control assembly (30) initiating operation of the contact moving means (58) to move the contacts (46, 48) to the open position in response to a fault current sensed by a sensing means (66), and initiating operation of the contact moving means (58) to move the contacts (46, 48) to the closed position after each one of a predetermined number of opening operations.

Abstract: A boom lift apparatus for use on a truck having a boom and a boom mounted bucket includes a mast selectively positionable on the boom at any of a plurality of different angles and supported on the boom for limited axial movement by a hydraulic cylinder which is fixed relative to one of the mast and the boom and movable relative to the other of the mast and boom, and a cooperating piston which is fixed relative to the other of the mast and the boom and movable relative to the one of the mast and the boom, the piston being received in the cylinder to define a variable volume in which pressure changes depending upon the position of the piston in the cylinder. A load measurement system is provided which includes a pressure measuring mechanism for measuring the pressure in the variable volume, the mechanism including a pressure gauge that includes a scale converted to indicate the load experienced by the mast as represented by the pressure in the variable volume.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear apparatus for use in selectively connecting a primary power line with a tap power line includes a housing in which a switch assembly is disposed. The housing includes a source side wall and a tap side wall generally opposed to the source side wall, and conductors extend through each of the source and tap side walls. A live front terminator is electrically connected with the source side conductor and is adapted to be connected with the primary power line, while a dead front terminator electrically connects with the second insulated conductor and is adapted to be connected with the tap power line. A dead front enclosure surrounds the insulated conductors, the live front terminator, and the dead front terminator. Observation windows in the source side wall and in the dead front enclosure permit visual inspection of the switch assembly from outside of enclosure.

Abstract: A current interrupting apparatus adapted to be interposed in either a single or multiple phase electrical circuit includes a fuse interposed in each phase of the circuit. A current interrupter is electrically connected in series with each fuse for interrupting the current through the circuit, each current interrupter including a pair of normally closed electrical contacts and structure for opening the pair of contacts in response to a fault current of a magnitude different from the magnitude of current necessary to cause fusing of the fusible element of the fuse. A current interrupter triggering circuit is included in the apparatus for triggering operation of the contact opening structure of all of the current interrupters in response to fusing of the fusible element of any of the fuses to protect the circuit from the effects of single phasing.

Abstract: Improved arc-suppressing fuse tubes of the type used in electrical cutouts is provided which includes a fluid epoxy resin matrix core designed, upon experiencing high temperature arcing conditions, to generate sufficient moisture and arc-suppressing gases to safely and efficiently interrupt an arc. The fuse tubes of the invention completely eliminate the use of expensive and difficult to fabricate bone fiber conventionally used in fuse tubes of this type. The preferred fuse tube construction is an integrated, synthetic resin body having an outer tubular shell including an epoxy fiberglass-reinforced synthetic resin matrix, together with an inner tubular arc-suppressing core having an epoxy resin matrix with respective quantities of an organic fiber and an inorganic filler therein. An anhydride curing agent for the epoxy is incorporated at an anhydride to epoxide ratio from about 1.0 to 1.4:1.

Abstract: An arc spinner interrupter includes a first fixed electrical contact and a ring electrode coupled to the fixed contact through a field coil surrounding the ring electrode. A second electrical contact has an arm which moves along a path perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis for selective connection with the fixed contact. The arm may have a generally L-shaped configuration including an angled portion that extends in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis and a conductor extends toward the angled portion through the ring electrode along the central longitudinal axis. The conductor has an inner axial end that is spaced slightly from the angled portion of the arm when the arm is moved to a position intersecting the central longitudinal axis so that a grading function is carried out on the electrostatic field surrounding the angled portion of the arm. This grading function serves to limit the stress exerted by the electrostatic field adjacent the angled portion of the arm section.

Abstract: A low-cost easy to install underpinning apparatus (14) for supporting below-grade structural footings such as foundations (10) or the like is provided which makes use of a power installed, load-bearing helix-type screw anchor (16) together with a connecting bracket assembly (18) secured to the foundation (10). The anchor (16) is screwed into the earth below the foundation (10), leaving the upright end of the anchor shaft (20) adjacent the foundation (10). The bracket assembly (18) advantageously includes a foundation-engaging plate (28) with a pair of spaced, outwardly extending wall portions (30, 32) rigidly secured thereto. An elongated, U-shaped bracket (36) together with a mating retainer (42) are releasably secured to the wall portions (30, 32) and serve to captively retain the upper end of the anchor shaft (20), with the U-bracket (36) having a top crosspiece wall (38) provided with a threaded opening (40) therethrough.

Abstract: A lead element is provided for use with an earth anchor including an elongated rod and an anchor member having a longitudinal hub provided with first and second axial ends and presenting a bore extending axially therethrough, and an outwardly extending load-bearing element affixed to the hub. The lead element includes a first end portion adapted to extend into the bore of the hub to connect with the elongated rod, and a ground-engaging end portion disposed remote from the first end portion and including an offset tip for penetrating earth contacted by the lead element. A radially extending flange is disposed intermediate the first end portion and the ground-engaging end portion, the flange being adapted to engage the hub of the anchor member and including at least one radially extending protuberance constructed to break earth which comes into contact therewith and to move the broken earth toward the load-bearing element of the hub during installation of the anchor.

Abstract: An earth anchor apparatus adapted to be driven by a source of rotational driving force into unbroken soil includes a longitudinally extending hub having first and second axial ends. A recess is provided in one axial end of the hub by which the anchor may be driven, and a radially extending, load-bearing element is affixed to the hub between the axial ends. An earth engaging lead tip extends axially from the second end of the hub and includes a first cutting edge extending in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hub and arranged to cut into and break soil encountered thereby, a front surface extending between the hub and the first cutting edge, and a second cutting edge extending between the first cutting edge and the leading edge of the load bearing element. The second cutting edge is adapted to both cut soil and guide it from the first cutting edge toward the load-bearing element along the front surface so that as soil is cut it is moved away from the unbroken soil.

Abstract: An arc spinner interrupter includes a first fixed electrical contact and a ring electrode coupled to the fixed contact through a field coil surrounding the ring electrode. A second electrical contact has an arm which moves along a path perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis for selective connection with the fixed contact. The arm may have a generally L-shaped configuration including an angled portion that extends in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The fixed electrical contact is disposed radially outward of the ring electrode so that the generally L-shaped end of the second contact moves generally toward the central longitudinal axis when disconnected from the fixed electrical contact.