US3755614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed underground wiring test station
Assignee: BARLOW CORP
•
Filing: 1972-01-21
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1992-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A test station is provided for underground wiring which comprises a housing having a planar circular base and a cap. The lateral surface of the base has an annular flange which extends around the base. An annular resilient gasket is disposed on the flange. The cap has an annular lip which is aligned with the flange. Means are provided for securing the cap to the base with the gasket being interposed between the lip and the flange and in communication with the interior of the housing to seal the housing. A pressure increase within the housing causes the gasket to be urged outwardly of the housing. When a pressure approximately twice that of atmospheric pressure is present in the housing, the gasket is completely removed from between the lip of the cap and the flange of the base to enable the escape of gas from the housing. After the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the housing has decreased, the resiliency of the gasket enables the gasket to close off the opening between the cap and the base to provide a fluid seal. The station also includes a plurality of terminals disposed within respective flared openings in the base of the housing. Each terminal includes a threaded member soldered to an electrically conductive wire. A tapered collar is provided about the collar. Each terminal also includes a threaded nut which, when tightened on the threaded member, causes the sleeve to be compressed within the associated flared opening in the base of the housing to seal same.
Inventors
- 👤 W Jakacki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:23
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/26; H02B1/28; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/088; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/91; Y10S277/928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A test station for underground wiring comprising a housing have an interior, a planar circular base and a cap, the lateral surface of said base having an annular flange which extends around said base, an annular resilient gasket disposed on said flange, said cap having an annular lip which is aligned with said flange, and means securing said cap to said base with said gasket being disposed between said lip and said flange to tightly seal the interior of said housing, a portion of said gasket being in communication with the interior of said housing, whereupon a pressure increase in the interior of said housing causes the gasket to be urged outwardly of said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A test station for underground wiring comprising a housing have an interior, a planar circular base and a cap, the lateral surface of said base having an annular flange which extends around said base, an annular resilient gasket disposed on said flange, said cap having an annular lip which is aligned with said flange, and means securing said cap to said base with said gasket being disposed between said lip and said flange to tightly seal the interior of said housing, a portion of said gasket being in communication with the interior of said housing, whereupon a pressure increase in the interior of said housing causes the gasket to be urged outwardly of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The test station of claim 1 wherein the resiliency of said gasket enables said gasket to be removed from between said lip and said flange yet provide a fluid seal after the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of said housing has decreased.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The test station of claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of removable terminals and wherein said base includes a plurality of openings for the reception of said terminals, each of said terminals being secured in said openings for sealing the openings when secured in place.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The test station of claim 1 wherein said means securing the cap to said base comprises a centrally disposed rod secured to the base of said housing, and a nut, said rod having a threaded portion which extends through the end of said cap, said nut being secured to said threaded portion to thereby secure said cap to said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The test station of claim 4 wherein said cap is cylindrical and includes an opening having a flared upper end portion and said nut secured to said threaded portion of said rod includes a tapered lowermost end which fits into said flared portion of said opening for sealing said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
A test station for underground wiring comprising a sealed housing, a plurality of terminals secured to said housing, said terminals each having a threaded conductive portion which is permanently secured to the end of a wire within a conductive collar, said conductive collar having a tapered forward edge and a thermoplastic sleeve provided over said collar and the insulated portion of said wire, said housing having an opening for each of said terminals, each of said openings including a flared shoulder, said tapered portion of said collar being drawn against said flared shoulder of said opening to provide a fluid-tight seal in said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
A test station for underground wiring comprising a sealed housing, a plurality of terminals secured to said housing, said terminals each having a threaded conductive portion which is permanently secured to the end of a wire within a conductive collar, said conductive collar having a tapered forward edge and a thermoplastic sleeve provided over said collar and the insulated portion of said wire, said housing having an opening for each of said terminals, each of said openings including a flared shoulder, said tapered portion of said collar being drawn against said flared shoulder of said opening to provide a fluid-tight seal in said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The test station of claim 6 wherein said threaded portion is secured to a nut within said housing to tighten said tapered portion to said flared shoulder, said nut being removable so that said terminals can be replaced by similar terminals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
The test station of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a planar circular base and a cap, the cylindrical surface of said base having an annular flange which extends around said base and an annular resilient gasket disposed on said flange, said cap having an annular lip which is aligned with said flange, and means securing said cap to said base with said gasket being disposed between said lip and said flange to tightly seal the interior of said housing, said gasket being in communication with the interior of said housing, whereupon a pressure increase in the interior of said housing causes said gasket to be urged outwardly of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The test station of claim 8 wherein said means securing the cap to said base comprises a centrally disposed rod secured to the base of said housing, and a nut, said rod having a threaded portion which extends through the end of said cap, said nut being secured to said threaded portion to thereby secure said cap to said base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |