CABLE AND SWITCH APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING DAMAGE TO TRAILING CABLE POWER SYSTEM

• US 3,760,134 A
• Filed: 08/03/1972
• Issued: 09/18/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard N. Mccray
• Original Assignee: Richard N. Mccray
• Inventors: McCray, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/277,508
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 200/52R,61.58R,61.62,61.67,61.72,61.80,61.81,161,61.19,169R 340/280,282 180/2 191/12R
• US Class Current: 200/52.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 27/00 Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings combined with plug-and-socket connectors H01R13/70; with current-carrying plug H01R31/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/0226 operated by a pull cord

Abstract

An electric power source is disclosed connected to an electrically driven movable vehicle such as a mining machine by a trailing power cable with a flexible chain connected to the cable at a point on the cable spaced from the cable connection to the power source and with the chain connected on its other end to a switch on the power source for interrupting power to the cable upon tensioning movement of the chain outwardly from the power source. The chain is of less length than the length of the cable between the point at which the chain is connected to the cable and the end of the cable connected to the power source so that the power is interrupted before the cable is tensioned and any damage to the cable or connector is consequently avoided.

Claims

1. In combination, a fixedly positioned electric power source, a flexible electrical conductor connected on one end to said fixedly positioned electric power source for receiving electrical current from said fixedly positioned electrical power source and circuit deactivating means for interrupting the flow of electric current from said electrical power source to said electrical conductor in response to movement of a portion of said electrical conductor a predetermined distance away from said fixedly positioned electric power source while said one end of said flexible electrical conductor remains connected to said fixedly positioned electric power source.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit deactivating means comprises a switch means operably connected to one end of a flexible connector means with the other end of said flexible connector means being connected to said flexible electrical conductor at a position along the length of said conductor spaced from said electricl power source.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said flexible connector means is of a length less than the length of said flexible electrical conductor between the position at which the flexible connector is connected to the flexible electrical conductor and the end of the flexible electrical conductor connected to said electric power source.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said switch means includes a movable switch actuator, a removable slip pin normally positioned in engagement with said switch actuator for holding said switch actuator in a position closing said switch and wherein the end of said flexible connector member opposite the end of said flexible connector member connected to said electrical conductor is connected to said slip pin.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said flexible connector is a length of chain.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said chain is of a length less than the length of said flexible electrical conductor between the position at which the chain is connected to the flexible electrical conductor and the end of the flexible electrical conductor connected to said electric power source.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said switch means includes a movable switch actuator, a positioning means supporting a reMovable slip pin in engagement with said switch actuator for holding said switch actuator in a position closing said switch and wherein the end of said chain opposite the end connected to said electrical conductor is connected to said slip pin.

8. In combination, an electric power source, an electrically driven movable vehicle, a flexible electrical conductor extending between said electrical power source and said movable vehicle for providing operative power to said vehicle for driving said vehicle, circuit deactivating means responsive to movement of a portion of said flexible electrical conductor beyond a predetermined distance from said power source for interrupting the flow of electric current to said electrical conductor to prevent tensioning and possible damage to the electrical conductor as would be caused by continued further movement of the electrical conductor away from the electric power source.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said circuit deactivating means comprises a switch means operably connected to one end of a flexible connector means with the other end of said flexible connector means being connected to said flexible electrical conductor at a position along the length of said conductor spaced from the end of said electrical conductor connected to said electric power source.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said flexible connector means is of a length less than the length of said flexible electrical conductor between the position at which the flexible connector is connected to the flexible electrical conductor and the end of the flexible electrical conductor connected to said electric power source.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said switch means includes a movable switch actuator, a removable slip pin normally positioned in engagement with said switch actuator for holding said switch actuator in a position closing said switch and wherein the end of said flexible connector member opposite the end of said flexible connector member connected to said electrical conductor is connected to said slip pin.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said flexible connector is a length of chain.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said switch is mounted upon bracket means positioning said switch actuator against one side of said slip pin when said slip pin is in its normal position and wherein said slip pin is removably mounted in an aperture extending through a fitting means connected to a structural portion of said power source.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said fitting additionally includes spring plate means fixed to said fitting and extending between the side of said pin and the end of said switch actuator for preventing lateral movement of the switch actuator by said slip pin such as might damage said switch means.

15. A method of preventing damage to power cables extending from a power source to an electrically driven movable vehicle driven by power supplied by said power cable comprising the steps of sensing movement of a section of said cable spaced a first distance along the length of said cable from the end of the cable connected to said power source and terminating the supply of power from said power source to said cable in response to movement of said section beyond a second given distance spaced from said power source with said second given distance being less than said first given distance.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said terminating of power from said power source to said cable is effected in response to movement of a switch opening means connected to said section of said cable by a flexible connector means.

17. The invention of claim 4 wherein said movable switch actuator and said removable slip pin are coaxial with said switch actuator engaging the end of said removable slip pin when said removable slip pin is positioned in said position closing said switch.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein said flexible connector is a length of chain.

19. The invention of claim 18 wherein said chain is of a length less than the length of said flexible electrical conductor between the point at which the chain is connected to the flexible electrical conductor and the end of the flexible electrical conductor connected to said electrical power source.

20. The invention of claim 10 wherein said switch means includes an axially movable switch actuator, a removable slip pin coaxially mounted in alignment with said movable switch actuator and normally positioned in engagement with said switch actuator for holding said switch actuator in a position closing said switch and wherein the end of said flexible connector member opposite the end of said flexible connector member connected to said electrical conductor is connected to said slip pin.

21. The invention of claim 20 wherein said flexible connector member is a length of chain.

22. The invention of claim 20 wherein said switch is mounted upon a mounting block means which includes a bore in which said slip pin is mounted for axial movement.

23. The invention of claim 22 additionally including detent pin means receivable in an annular detent in said slip pin for normally maintaining said slip pin in position engaging said switch actuator for closing said switch.