Covers for distribution lines and insulators

• US 7,297,869 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Puigcerver, Luis O., Blue, Kenton A., Hiller, Laura Jackson, Glembocki, Robert Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US11/041,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20060162953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 174/1, 174/5.R, 174/40.R, 174/45.R, 174/138.F, 174/138.R, 174/139, 119/174
• US Class Current: 174/40.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 17/00 Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by their form

Abstract

A cover for a distribution line conductor includes a cover body defining a channel extending along a lengthwise axis and adapted to receive the conductor. A unitarily formed attachment structure adjoins the cover body. The attachment structure includes first and second jaws positioned adjacent the channel. The first and second jaws are positioned at different locations along a jaw axis parallel to the lengthwise axis and, in a closed position, overlap one another across the jaw axis. The first and second jaws are relatively deflectable from the closed position to an open position to permit passage of the conductor therebetween and into the channel and the first and second jaws can thereafter return toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel.

Claims

1. A cover for a distribution line conductor, the cover comprising:

a) a cover body defining a channel extending along a lengthwise axis and adapted to receive the conductor; and

b) a unitarily formed attachment structure adjoining the cover body, the attachment structure including first and second jaws positioned adjacent the channel, wherein the first and second jaws are positioned at different locations along a jaw axis parallel to the lengthwise axis and, in a closed position, overlap one another across the jaw axis;

c) wherein the first and second jaws are relatively deflectable from the closed position to an open position to permit passage of the conductor therebetween and into the channel and the first and second jaws can thereafter return toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment structure is unitarily formed with the cover body.

3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment structure is formed of a resilient material, the first and second jaws are biased toward the closed position when in the open position, and, when the first and second jaws are in the open position and the conductor is positioned in the channel, the first and second walls can thereafter passively recover toward the closed position.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the first and second jaws are adapted to recover toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel such that the first and second jaws overlap one another across the jaw axis with the conductor disposed in the channel.

5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the cover body and the first and second jaws are adapted to collectively surround a circumference of the conductor by at least 360 degrees.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein:

the cover body includes a main body portion and a lateral body extension;

the main body portion defines a chamber to receive an insulator body, the lateral body extension defines the channel to receive the conductor, and the main body portion and the lateral body extension each open to a receiving side of the cover; and

a stud bore is defined in the main body portion and is sized and configured to receive and engage a stud to provide an interference fit with the stud.

7. The cover of claim 6 wherein the cover is unitarily formed.

8. The cover of claim 6 wherein the main body portion includes a boss extending into the chamber, wherein the stud bore is defined in the boss.

9. A cover for an electrical device and a distribution line conductor coupled thereto, the electrical device including an insulator body and a stud extending from the insulator body, the cover comprising a cover body including a main body portion and a lateral body extension, wherein:

the main body portion defines a chamber to receive the insulator body, the lateral body extension defines a channel to receive the conductor, and the main body portion and the lateral body extension each open to a receiving side of the cover; and

a stud bore is defined in the main body portion and is adapted to receive and engage the stud to secure the cover to the electrical device; and

an attachment structure adapted to secure the conductor within the channel;

wherein;

the channel extends along a lengthwise axis;

the attachment structure includes first and second jaws positioned adjacent the channel, wherein the first and second jaws are positioned at different locations along a jaw axis parallel to the lengthwise axis and, in a closed position, overlap one another across the jaw axis; and

the first and second jaws are relatively deflectable from the closed position to an open position to permit passage of the conductor therebetween and into the channel and the first and second jaws can thereafter return toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel.

10. The cover of claim 9 wherein the attachment structure is unitarily formed.

11. The cover of claim 10 wherein the attachment structure is unitarily formed with the cover body.

12. The cover of claim 10 wherein the attachment structure is formed of a resilient material, the first and second jaws are biased toward the closed position when in the open position, and, when the first and second jaws are in the open position and the conductor is positioned in the channel, the first and second walls can thereafter passively recover toward the closed position.

13. The cover of claim 9 wherein the first and second jaws are adapted to recover toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel such that the first and second jaws overlap one another across the jaw axis with the conductor disposed in the channel.

14. The cover of claim 9 wherein the cover body and the first and second jaws are adapted to collectively surround a circumference of the conductor by at least 360 degrees.

15. A surge arrestor assembly for use with a distribution line conductor, the surge arrestor assembly comprising:

a) a surge arrestor adapted to operatively couple with the conductor and to redirect electrical current from the conductor in the event of an overvoltage event; and

b) a cover adapted to be mounted on the surge arrestor, the cover including a cover body including a main body portion and a lateral body extension, wherein the main body portion defines a chamber to receive the surge arrestor, the lateral body extension defines a channel to receive the conductor, and the main body portion and the lateral body extension each open to a receiving side of the cover; and

c) an attachment structure adapted to secure the conductor within the channel;

d) wherein;

the channel extends along a lengthwise axis;

the attachment structure includes first and second jaws positioned adjacent the channel, wherein the first and second jaws are positioned at different locations along a jaw axis parallel to the lengthwise axis and, in a closed position, overlap one another across the jaw axis; and

the first and second jaws are relatively deflectable from the closed position to an open position to permit passage of the conductor therebetween and into the channel and the first and second jaws can thereafter return toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel.

16. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 15 wherein the surge arrestor includes an upstanding stud and the cover includes a stud bore in the main body portion, wherein the stud bore receives and engages the stud to provide an interference fit with the stud, wherein the interference fit secures the cover to the surge arrestor.

17. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 16 wherein the main body portion includes a boss extending into the chamber, wherein the stud bore is defined in the boss.

18. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 15 wherein the cover is unitarily formed.

19. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 15 wherein the attachment structure is unitarily formed.

20. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 19 wherein the attachment structure is unitarily formed with the cover body.

21. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 19 wherein the attachment structure is formed of a resilient material, the first and second jaws are biased toward the closed position when in the open position, and, when the first and second jaws are in the open position and the conductor is positioned in the channel, the first and second walls can thereafter passively recover toward the closed position.

22. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second jaws are adapted to recover toward the closed position to secure the conductor in the channel such that the first and second jaws overlap one another across the jaw axis with the conductor disposed in the channel.

23. The surge arrestor assembly of claim 15 wherein the cover body and the first and second jaws are adapted to collectively surround a circumference of the conductor by at least 360 degrees.

24. A cover for use with an insulator body, the cover comprising:

a) a cover body defining a channel extending along a lengthwise axis and adapted to receive the insulator body; and

b) a unitarily formed attachment structure adjoining the cover body, the attachment structure including first and second jaws positioned adjacent the channel, wherein the first and second jaws are positioned at different locations along a jaw axis parallel to the lengthwise axis and, in a closed position, overlap one another across the jaw axis;

c) wherein the first and second jaws are relatively deflectable from the closed position to an open position to permit passage of the insulator body therebetween and into the channel and the first and second jaws can thereafter return toward the closed position to secure the insulator body in the channel.

25. The cover of claim 24 wherein the attachment structure is unitarily formed with the cover body.

26. The cover of claim 24 wherein the first and second jaw portions are adapted to receive a core portion of the insulator body, when in the open position, and to fit between a pair of skirts located on opposed sides of the core portion along a length of the insulator body to restrict movement of the cover along the length of the insulator body.