Arrangements in a protection container for an electrical cable

• US 6,216,834 B1
• Filed: 07/29/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Knut O. Steinhovden
• Original Assignee: Knut O. Steinhovden
• Inventors: Steinhovden, Knut O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F.
• Application Number:
  US09/319,630
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 191/12.R, 191/12.2, 191/12.4, 242/388.9, 242/388.91, 242/396, 242/396.1, 242/397
• US Class Current: 191/12.4
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/368 with pulleys
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles

Abstract

An upright protection container (10) having an upper hatchway (38) which can be closed by means of a hatch cover (36, 36′, 36″) rotatable about an upper horizontal axis (40), is equipped with a withdrawal device (20, 22, 24) provided with a weight (22) and assigned a cable (12) which, at the free end, has a plug (14) intended to be plugged into e.g. an engine heater'"'"'s socket (46). The hatch cover (36, 36′, 36″) has a ratchet segment (42) in the form of toothed segment in engagement with a ratchet wheel (28′) with a circumferential toothing and incorporated into a combined cable guide pulley-ratchet wheel unit over a certain pivotal angle area (e.g. 30°) of the total rotation (e.g. 90°) of the hatch cover (36, 36′, 36″), between completely open end position and completely closed, down hanging end position, so that the hatch cover (36, 36′, 36″) is blocked in an open intermediate position (e.g. 35° between the plane of the hatch cover and a vertical plane extending through the rotational axis (40)), simultaneously as the guide pulley-ratchet wheel unit (28, 30, 28′) is blocked. This secures that the hatch cover automatically is kept open while the live cable (12) with its plug (14) is in use, simultaneously as undesired feed-out of surplus cable length is prevented upon the blockage of the guide pulley-ratchet wheel unit (28, 30, 28′) .

Claims

1. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protection container is an upright, tubular hollow body which, at the uppermost end thereof, is formed with a closure closing a top end of the protection container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivotal movement of the hatch cover toward the horizontal, end position is restricted by an upper edge defining the hatchway and the pivotal movement of the hatch cover toward the closed position is restricted by an outer mantle face portion of the protection container, wherein a lower end of the hatch cover extends below a lower hatchway defining edge when the hatch cover is in the vertical, closed position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the axial end of the hatch cover adjacent to the horizontal rotational axis includes at least one stop for the first contact means of the cable in order to prevent the first contact means from being completely withdrawn into the protection container when the hatch cover is in the completely closed, vertically downwardly suspended position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cable withdrawal device includes a weight having a suspended rotary groove disc rotatably mounted to the weight for guiding the cable.

6. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container;

wherein the ratchet segment of the hatch cover and the ratchet wheel have periodically cooperating toothings periodically meshing lockingly with each other, and which are releasable upon the occurrence of an external force application, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover extending over an angle in respect of the rotational axis of the hatch cover within a range of angles of 20°

-40°

, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover being adapted to enter into mutually interlocking engagement with the ratchet wheel when the hatch cover occupies one of the open intermediate positions, sloping downwardly from the upper rotational axis, the open intermediate positions being situated within a pivotal angle area for the hatch cover of between about 10° and

60°

relation to a vertical plane passing through the rotational axis of the hatch cover.

7. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container;

wherein the cable guide pulley of the combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member has two circumferential grooves for the cable, each of the two circumferential grooves having the form of a wedge groove having a V-shaped cross-section, wherein the groove defining surfaces converge in a direction radially inwardly.

8. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container

wherein a portion of the electrical, live cable is encapsulated within a vertical, stationary pipe, the outer diameter thereof being substantially smaller than an internal diameter of the tubular protection container, an upper end of the stationary pipe being positioned below a lower hatchway defining edge formed in the protection container, from where the cable is guided downwardly and, thereupon, placed beneath and partially around a rotary groove disc that is rotationally mounted on an upper side of a weight that forms the cable withdrawal device, the weight being formed with a vertically throughgoing edge groove cooperating guidingly with said vertical, stationary pipe during the rectilinear movement of the weight up and down within the protection container, so that undesired rotation of the weight and the rotary groove disc is prevented during said reciprocating movement.

9. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container;

wherein a portion of the cable length inside the protection container is coiled on a rotary drum, wherein a radially inner end of the cable length coiled on the drum is provided with an insulated, electrically conducting swivel connector for connecting an outer end of the cable portion end and the axis thereof coinciding with the rotational axis of said drum.

10. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container

wherein a rotational shaft defines the horizontal rotational axis of the hatch cover, the rotational shaft being placed such in relation to the circumference of the combined cable guide pulley member and the ratchet wheel member such that the rotational shaft forms a guide means for the cable in the intermediate, sloping positions of the hatch cover.

11. An apparatus for keeping an electrical, live cable in a protected, inoperative storage position, the cable having a free end including a first contact means adapted to be received within a second contact means belonging to a device operated by means of electrical power transferred thereto through the cable, the apparatus comprising:

a protection container;

a biased cable withdrawal device internally positioned within the protection container, the cable withdrawal device adapted to provide an inwardly directed tractive force to withdraw the cable into the protection container whenever the cable occupies an outside position while in a released condition and no external forces are acting thereon, wherein the cable withdrawal device allows the cable and the first contact means to be pulled out of the protection container by an outwardly directed tractive force that overcomes the inwardly directed tractive force generated by the cable withdrawal device;

a hatchway formed in a sidewall of the protection container to provide access to the interior of the protection container, wherein the cable can be pulled out of the protection container through the hatchway;

a hatch cover cantileveredly mounted at an axial end about a laterally extending horizontal rotational axis extending through an upper portion of the protection container, the hatch cover being pivotable about the rotational axis through a plurality of intermediate, sloping positions between a closed position in which the hatch cover is vertically suspended from the axial end and covers the hatchway and a horizontal, end position in which the hatch cover provides access to the open interior of the protection container through the hatchway, the hatch cover including a ratchet segment; and

a combined cable guide pulley member and ratchet wheel member positioned within the protection container adjacent to the hatch cover, the cable guide pulley member guiding the cable, wherein during a portion of the pivotal movement of the hatch cover between the closed position and the horizontal end position, the ratchet segment of the hatch cover is in engagement with the ratchet wheel member such that the hatch cover is locked in one of the plurality of intermediate, sloping positions of use and rotation of the cable guide pulley member is blocked such that cable is prevented from being paid out of the protection container

wherein the hatch cover includes an angulated handle portion which, in the vertically downwardly suspended closed position of the hatch cover, slants in a downward and outward direction away from an adjacent outer mantle face of the protection container.