Safety device for live electrical wire
First Claim
1. A safety device for covering a bare end of an otherwise insulated electrical power wire, comprising:
- an inner member having a generally cylindrical tubular shape and an open bore through the inner member for receiving the wire in the bore, wherein the inner member has means for holding the wire in a fixed position with respect to the inner member such that an insulated portion of the wire is within the bore while the bare end of the wire protrudes from the inner member;
an outer member for covering the bare end of the wire and thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock, wherein the outer member has an opening through the outer member, wherein the inner member is moveably received in the opening in the outer member;
wherein an annular space is defined between an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member, anda spring element received in the annular space and engaged with the inner and outer members for moving the outer member with respect to the inner member between an uncovered position and a covered position, wherein the outer member surrounds the bare end of the wire in the covered position, and wherein the bare end of the wire is not completely surrounded while the outer member is in the uncovered position,wherein the inner member has a radially-outwardly-projecting flange, wherein the outer member has a radially-inwardly-projecting flange, wherein the movement of the outer member with respect to the inner member is limited by abutment of the flange on the outer member with the flange on the inner member.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a safety device for protecting a person from an electrical shock while working on a live electrical wire connected to a terminal within an electric meter or circuit breaker box. The safety device comprises an inner cylinder slideably engaged within an outer cylinder and a spring disposed between the two cylinders for extending the outer cylinder axially outwardly with respect to the inner cylinder. The cylinders are made of nonconducting material. The inner cylinder engages insulation that covers the wire proximate to a bare end of the wire, which is connected to the terminal by a screw. When the person loosens the screw and the wire becomes disconnected from the terminal, the spring forces the outer cylinder outwardly to cover the bare end of the wire, which helps to protect the person from electrical shock.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A safety device for covering a bare end of an otherwise insulated electrical power wire, comprising:
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an inner member having a generally cylindrical tubular shape and an open bore through the inner member for receiving the wire in the bore, wherein the inner member has means for holding the wire in a fixed position with respect to the inner member such that an insulated portion of the wire is within the bore while the bare end of the wire protrudes from the inner member; an outer member for covering the bare end of the wire and thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock, wherein the outer member has an opening through the outer member, wherein the inner member is moveably received in the opening in the outer member;
wherein an annular space is defined between an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member, anda spring element received in the annular space and engaged with the inner and outer members for moving the outer member with respect to the inner member between an uncovered position and a covered position, wherein the outer member surrounds the bare end of the wire in the covered position, and wherein the bare end of the wire is not completely surrounded while the outer member is in the uncovered position, wherein the inner member has a radially-outwardly-projecting flange, wherein the outer member has a radially-inwardly-projecting flange, wherein the movement of the outer member with respect to the inner member is limited by abutment of the flange on the outer member with the flange on the inner member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for covering a bare end of an otherwise insulated electrical power wire, comprising:
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a front cylinder for covering the bare end of the wire and thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock, the front cylinder having a tubular shape, opposing ends, a front portion and a back portion; an inner cylinder for receiving and engaging an insulated portion of the wire, the inner cylinder having a tubular shape, a front end and a back end, wherein the bare end of the wire protrudes from the front end of the inner cylinder while in use, wherein the front end of the inner cylinder slides in the back portion of the front cylinder, and wherein the inner cylinder has a radially outwardly projecting flange; a back cylinder received around the inner cylinder, the back cylinder having a forward end and a rear end, wherein the forward end of the back cylinder is fixed to the front cylinder, wherein the rear end of the back cylinder has a radially inwardly projecting flange, and wherein an annular space is defined between the inner cylinder and the back cylinder; and spring means received in the annular space, wherein an open longitudinal bore is defined from the back end of and through the inner cylinder to the front portion of and through the front cylinder, and wherein the radially outwardly projecting flange of the inner cylinder is trapped between one end of the front cylinder and the radially inwardly projecting flange of the back cylinder for limiting the axial movement of the inner cylinder with respect to the front and back cylinders. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device consisting of first, second and third members and a spring element,
wherein each of the first, second and third members has a length and an axial bore throughout its length, wherein the first member slides within the axial bore of the second and third members, wherein the third member is fastened to the second member and limits the movement of the first member, wherein the spring element is engaged with the first and second members for moving the second member with respect to the first member, wherein the first member has an outwardly-projecting flange, wherein the third member has an inwardly-projecting flange that abuts the outwardly-projecting flange for keeping the first member within the axial bore of the second and third members, wherein an annular space is defined between the first member and the second and third members, and wherein the spring element is in the annular space.
Specification