Remote closing power load pickup device

Claim 2

A remote closing power load pickup device adapted when closed to electrically interconnect an overhead power load line with other electrically conductive structure, said device comprising: an elongated, insulative support; an elongated, conductive member generally laterally spaced from said support; means pivotally interconnecting lower ends of said support and said member to allow rotation of the latter; interengageable electrical contacts on said support and said member spaced from said lower ends thereof, said member being rotatable from an open position wherein said cOntacts are disengaged to a closed position with said contacts in latching interengagement; clamp means secured to said support and adapted to electrically connect said contact on the support with the overhead power line and to fasten said support in depending relationship from the overhead power line at a location above the ground; means electrically connected to said lower end of the member and adapted to be connected with said other electrically conductive structure whereby rotation of the member to said closed position thereof closes the device to electrically interconnect the overhead power line and said structure; a lever secured to said member adjacent said lower end thereof and extending radially outwardly from said pivot means; and an actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spaced from said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyard rotates said member from said open position to said closed position thereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillation thereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending away from the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from a remote location.

Claim 3

A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lever extends radially outwardly from said pivot means generally oppositely from said member.

Claim 4

A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said clamp means includes a rigid line clamp secured to an upper end of the support in electrical connection with said contact on the support, said clamp being configured to grip the overhead power line to electrically connect same with said contact on the support and to fasten said device in depending relationship from the overhead power line.

Claim 5

A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member comprises a fuse holder and a severable, conductive, current responsive fuse carried therewithin.

Claim 6

A device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pivot means includes toggle linkage connected with said support and said fuse holder and operably connected with said fuse to urge said fuse holder to drop out to said open position thereof in response to destruction of said fuse, sad lever being configured and disposed in noninterfering relationship to said toggle linkage allowing free movement of said fuse holder upon severing of the fuse.

Claim 7

A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein both ends of said fuse holder are constructed for discharge of an arc induced gas therethrough whereby gases generated inside said fuse holder upon severing of said fuse are exhausted through both said upper and lower ends of the fuse holder to restrain said device against oscillation relative to the overhead power line.

Claim 8

A device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said support and said member are arranged with longitudinal axes thereof lying in a common, generally vertical plane, said clamp locating the device with said vertical plane disposed at a slight acute angle relative to the overhead line whereby said upper end of the member is transversely offset to one side of the overhead power line.

Claim 9

A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said line clamp is disposed in generally vertical alignment with the center of gravity of said support to provide stability for the device when depending from the overhead power line.

Claim 10

A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said member and said support are arranged with longitudinal axes thereof lying in a common, generally vertical plane, said pivot means being configured and arranged whereby said member and said lever rotate about an axis extending generally transversely to said vertical plane and at an angle relative to the overhead power line to restrain the device against oscillation relative to the overhead power line upon closing of the device.

Claim 11

A device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said pivot means includes a bracket secured to said lower end of the support having a transverse opening therein, and a trunnion operably secured to said lower end of the member And received in said opening for rotation about said axis extending generally transversely to said vertical plane.

Claim 12

A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein is provided second electrical contacts adjacent said lower ends of the member and the support which are in electrical contact when said member is in said closed position, said conductor having one end connected with said second contact at the lower end of the support.

Claim 13

A remote closing power load pickup device adapted when closed to electrically interconnect an overhead power load line with other electrically conductive structure, said device comprising: an elongated, insulative support; an elongated, conductive member generally laterally spaced from said support; means pivotally interconnecting lower ends of said support and said member to allow rotation of the latter; interengageable electrical contacts on said support and said member spaced from said lower ends thereof, said member being rotatable from an open position wherein said contacts are disengaged to a closed position with said contacts in latching interengagement; means secured to said device and adapted to fasten said support to prop means in a desired relationship relative to the overhead power line; electrical connection means secured to said support adapted to electrically connect said contact on the support with the overhead power line; means electrically connected to said lower end of the member and adapted to be connected with said other electrically conductive structure whereby rotation of the member to said closed position thereof closes the device to electrically interconnect the overhead power line and said structure; a lever secured to said member adjacent said lower end thereof and extending radially outwardly from said pivot means; and an actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spaced from said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyard rotates said member from said open position to said closed position thereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillation thereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending away from the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from a remote location.

Claim 14

A remote closing power load pickup device adapted when closed to electrically interconnect an overhead power load line with other electrically conductive structure, said device comprising: an elongated, insulative support; an elongated, conductive member generally laterally spaced from said support; means pivotally interconnecting lower ends of said support and said member to allow rotation of the latter; interengageable electrical contacts on said support and said member spaced from said lower ends thereof, said member being rotatable from an open position wherein said contacts are disengaged to a closed position with said contacts in latching interengagement; means secured to said device and adapted to fasten said support to prop means in a desired relationship relative to the overhead power line; electrical connection means secured to said support adapted to electrically connect said contact on the support with the overhead power line; means electrically connected to said lower end of the member and adapted to be connected with said other electrically conductive structure whereby rotation of the member to said closed position thereof closes the device to electrically interconnect the overhead power line and said structure; a lever secured to said member adjacent said lower end thereof and extending radially outwardly from said pivot means; and an actuating lanyard secured to said lever at a point radially spaced from said pivot means whereby downward displacement of the lanyard rotates said member from said open position to said closed position thereof to close the device without inducing substantial oscillation thereof relative to the overhead power line, said lanyard extending away from the member to an extent to allow closing of the device from a remote location.