Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1 3 3 0 8 2 2 SC-5207-1-C
CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Inventi _
The present invention relates generally to the field of
clamping arrangements and more particularly to a clamping arrangement for
an electrical switch pole-unit that is clamped to a support member.
Description of the Related Art
Various clamping arrangements are known for affixing elec-
trical switch pole-units to support members. For example, the Side-Break
Integer Style Alduti-Rupter Switch available from S&C Electric Company,
! ; Chicago, Illinois, utilizes a clamping arrangement designated "Quadri-
form" that applies clamping force to all four sides of the support
member. The clamp elements, two generally L-shaped members that are
formed with 85 corner angles, are elastically tensioned by conformance
to the contour of the rectangular support member when clamped to each
other by fasteners. While this arrangement does effectively clamp the
switch pole-unit to the support member, it does not lend itself to
accommodating tolerances in the dimensions of the support member.
Another clamp arrangement utilizes two U-shaped members that
include fastening flanges that are bolted together about a rectangular
support member; for example, the Type D-7 switch available from A. B.
Chance Company, Centralia, Missouri. While this arrangement may be
generally useful, it does not lend itself to both providing secure
clamping action and accepting tolerances in the dimensions of the support
member.
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Thus, neither of these clamp arrangements provide a simple,
economical design that satisfies all requirements.
SUMMARY OF TH,E INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a princlpal object of the present invention
to provide a clamp arrangement for securely clamping a switch pole-unit
to a support member that is relatively simple both to manufacture and to
assemble, and that can accommodate tolerances in dimensions and various
types of material for the support member while meeting the rather
demanding clamping stability required for switch pole-units.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
clamping arrangement for a switch pole-unit that prevents displacement of
the switch pole-unit along a support member or in any other way with
respect to the support member.
These and other objects of the present invention are effi-
ciently achieved in a clamping arrangement that clamps a switch pole-unit
(or portion thereof) to a support member. In a preferred embodiment, the
clamping arrangement includes a first member that functions as a
pole-unit base to support the switch pole-unit, a second member, and
facilities for clamping the first and second members about the support
member. The first member includes notches that each have a length that
is greater than or equal to the dimension o a predetermined portion of
the support member that is assembled to the first member. The clamping
arrangement further includes provisions operative during or after
assembly that apply a force to secure the support member in the notches
so as to prevent any movement of the support member relative to the
notches of the first member; e.g., by forcing the support member into
engagement with a first end of each of the notches. The force-applying
provisions in one arrangement include tangs which extend from the first
member and are positioned so as to extend ad;acent to the second end of
each of the notches. The tangs are effective to accommodate a predeter-
mined range of dimensions for the support member and also provide self-
alignment of the clamping arrangement during assembly. In a preferred
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arrangement, the second member also includes a notch that is dimensioned
to accommodate a predetermined portion of the support member that is
assembled to the second member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention, both as to its organization and method of
operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will
best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like reference char-
acters refer to like elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the clamping arrangement of
the present invention when assembled to clamp a switch pole-unit to a
support member;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the clamping arrangement illus-
trating the component parts and their assembly;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and side elevational views, respec-
tively, of a spacer element that is utilized in the preferred embodiment
of the clamping arrangement;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and side elevational views, respec-
tively, of an alternate first member for use with the clamping arrange-
ment of FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are partial front elevational views of addi-
tional alternate first members for use with the clamping arrangement of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamping arrangement 10 of
the present invention is particularly suited for the affixing of an elec-
trical interrupter switch or the like to a support member 11 functioning
as a switch base. The cla~ping arrangement 10 includes a first member 12
which also functions as a pole-unit base for switch pole-unit 15, a
second member 14 which also functions as a dead-ending bracket, and a
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.~ U-bolt 16 for clamping the first and second members 12 and 14 about the
support member 11. As is known to those skilled in the art, the function
. of this dead-ending bracket is to provide a convenient attachment point
for dead-ending the line while relieving the switch pole-unit 15 from
forces exerted by the direct connection of power lines to the switch
pole-unit 15.
The U-bolt 16 is inserted through holes 18,20 in the first
member 12, around the support member 1l., and through holes 22,24 of the
~* second member 14. Nuts 26,28 are threaded onto the lower threaded
f~ 10 portions of the legs 30,32 of the U-bolt 16. Accordingly, when the
~ clamping arrangement 10 is assembled, the bight 34 of the U-bolt 16
k clamps the first member 12 against the support member 11 and the nuts
26,28 draw the second member 14 against the support member 11.
Specifically, the first member 12 is a channel having a base
or web 36 and downwardly extending flanges 38,40. A notch referred to
generally at 42 is provided in each of the flanges 38,40 and includes an
overall length 44 that is greater than or equal to the expanse or width
46 of the support member 11. Notch 42 includes slightly rounded corners
at the first 48 and second 50 ends thareof which generally conform to the
radius of curvature of the support member 11. Additionally, the depth of
the notch 42 includes a stepped increase at 52 which serves to define the
region of contact between the support member 11 and the first member 12.
The second member 14 has a generally Z-shaped cross section with a base
section 54 in which the holes 22,24 are provided. A first flange 56
extends downwardly at right angles to the base 54. Two flange portions
58,60 extend upwardly at approximately right angles to the base 54 so as
to define a notch 62. The notch 62 has a length 64 to allow for the
overall expanse or width 47 of the support member ll in accordance with
any tolerances thereof.
After the clamping arrangement lO is assembled about the
support member 11 as shown in FIG. 1, it should be noted that the support
member 11 engages the first end 48 of the notch 42 while there is a
clearance between the support member ll adjacent the second end 50 of the
notch 42. The first member 12 is provided with two or more tangs 70
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`~ which, for example in the specific illustrative embodiment, are lanced
from the base 36 of the first member 12. The tangs 70 extend downwardly
and are located along the base 36 such that when the clamping arrangement
10 is assembled about the support member 11, the tangs contact the
support member 11 in the vicinity of the second end 50 of the notch 42.
The tangs 70 are sufficiently stiff to provide a desirable securing force
when contacted and deformed by the support member 11. As the nuts 26,28
are tightened on the U-bolt 16, the tangs 70 provide a force to secure
the support member 11 against the first end 48 of the notch 42 such that
positive and secure alignment of the first element 12 is achieved with
respect to the support member 11 to ensure the precise, rigid, and
positive positioning of the switch pole-unit 15. Thus, the clamping
arrangement 10 with the provision of the tangs 70 (or equivalent) is
effective to prevent slippage of the switch pole-unit 15 along and/or
about the support member 11. In a specific embodiment, the first member
12 is fabricated from 1/4" hot rolled steel. Due to the properties of
materials, the tangs 70 are elastically tensioned. It should also be
noted that during assembly, the tangs 70 provide for self-aligning of the
first member 12 relative to the support member 11.
In the preferred embodiment, the tangs 70 are positioned as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and extend at approximately a 45 angle. Of
course, it should be understood that the tangs 70 could be arranged at
various other angles, although angles in the range of 30-60 are most
suitable. In a~y case, the provision of the tangs 70 with respect to the
first end 48 of the notch 42 is selected so as to position the tangs 70
to contact the support member 11 before the support member 11 contacts
the notch 42 at 74 adjacent the second portion 50 of the notch 42. Thus,
some elastic deformation of the tangs 70 is accomplished to provide the
desired securing force and to accommodate for variations in the expanse
46 of the support member 11. As the nuts 26,28 are tightened, the tangs
70 deflect upwardly and to the left in FIG. 1, with t~he support member 11
being urged into contact with the notch 42 a~ 74. The depth of the notch
42 at 48,50 is selected to be large enough to encompass the rounded
corners of the support member 11. In this regard, it should be noted
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that the clamping arrangement 10 is applicable to support members of
various cross sections including circular. The length and depth of the
notch 42 are determined to cooperate with the particular cross section of
` the support member 11.
In another specific embodiment, the tangs 70 are provided by
the attachment of tang members to the base 36. In yet other embodiments,
~!, the tangs 70 are either fabricated from other portions of the first
member 12 or provided as separate elements. For example, FIG. 7 illus-
trates a tang 90 that is fabricated from the first member 92 to provide a
notch 94 where the tang 90 defines one end of the notch 94. Of course,
it should be realized that if the tangs 70 are not carried by the first
member 12, assembly is rendered more complex.
It can be seen that the larger expanse 44 of the notch 42 of
the first element 12 with respect to the expanse 46 of the support member
11 along with the force applied by the tangs 70 prevents any looseness
and potential movement of the first member 12 with respect to the support
member 11 that might result if the tangs 70 or similarly functioning
equivalents were not provided and the notch 42 were dimensioned to
accommodate the maximum expanse of the support member 11 accounting for
tolerances. Additionally, the provision of the notch 42 and the tangs 70
avoid the instabillties that might result if the expanse 44 of the notch
42 were dimensioned to tightly fit with a particular-dimensioned support
member 11; i.e., support members having various tolerances and finish
surfaces could result in incorrect positioning of the support member 11
with respect to the notch 42, such that skewing of the components and
resultant slippage might occur. It should also be noted that the flanges
58,60 which define the notch 62 provide additional rigidity and security
to the overall clamping. The expanse 46 of the support member 11 repre-
sents the predetermined width of the one or more surfaces or portions of
the support member 11 which may be arranged to face the first member 12.
Similarly, the expanse 47 of the support member 11 represents the pre-
determined width of the one or more surfaces or portions of the support
member 11 which may be arranged to face the second member 14. Of course,
the expanse 47 represents the maximum width of the support member 11 that
is to be accommodated by the notch 62 of the second member 14.
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The range of the dimension 46 of the support member 11 that
can be accommodated is quite large due to the expanse 44 of the notch 42
and the provision of the tangs 70. For example, support members 11 of
various expanses (ranges of dimensions), materials, and types can be
accommodated by the clamping arrangement 10. Thus, metallic and gl~ss-
reinforced support members of wide tolerances and finish variations can
be accommodated. For example, the expanse 44 of the notch 42 can be
selected so as to accommodate the maximum desired expanse 46 for the
support member 11 to be accommodated. Thus, the minimum expanse 46 that
could be accommodated would be defined by the placement and length of the
tangs 70 to ensure suitable contact and tensioning of the support member
11 by the tangs 70. It should also be understood that the tangs 70
accommodate the range of the expanse 46 of the support member 11 by
deformation.
In order to ensure against deformation and distortion of the
web or base 36 of the first member 12 due to the potential of excessive
clamping pressure and overtightening of the nuts 26,28 and referring now
additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, in a preferred embodiment, a spacer 80 is
positioned between the web 36 of the first member element 12 and the top
of the support member 11. The spacer 80 is of an appropriate height 82
to allow the proper range of clamping pressure while avoiding excessive
distortion or deformation of the web 36. For example, the difference
between the height 82 of the spacer 80 and the dimension 83 between the
web 36 and the notch 42 at 74 is approximately 1/64 to 1/16 inch. In a
specific embodiment, the spacer 80 is fabricated from cold rolled steel.
It is preferable that the spacer 80 as shown in FIG. 3 assume an S shape
so as to provide protection against deformation of the web 36 over a
large expanse of the web while utilizing minimum material and being both
held in position by and not interfering with the legs 30,32 of the U-bolt
16; i.e., the spacer 80 is oriented about the legs 30,32 as shown in FIG.
3, such that the spacer 80 is retained by the legs 30,32 during assembly.
Of course, the spacer 80 is not required if the thickness of the first
member 12 is sufficient to avoid excessive deformation.
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In a specific embodiment, the notch 62 and flanges 58,60 of
the second member 14 are omitted such that the support member 11 rests
directly on the base portion 54.
Considering an alternate embodiment for the first member 12
and referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first member 112 is similar to
the first member 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the web 136 of the first
member 112 includes a recessed central portion 137 arranged about the
apertures 18,20 so as to be centered about the position of the bight 34
of the U-bolt 16 after assembly of the clamping arrangement 10. The
depth 139 of the recessed central portion 137 is such so as to position
the lower surface 141 of the recessed central portion 137 a small pre-
determined dimension 143 above the height of the notch 142, corresponding
generally to the notch 42 of FIGS. 1 and 2. This predetermined dimension
143 (for example, on the order of 1/32 inch for a web 136 having a thick-
ness of 1/4 inch) permits a predetermined amount of controlled deforma-
tion of the web 136 when the clamping arrangement lO is assembled, yet
: avoids the bottoming-out or contacting of the lower surface 141 by the¦ support member 11 before the support member 11 contacts the notch 142 at
148 and 174. The alternate first member 112 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is also
useful to illustrate the tangs 70, including their placement and
dimensioning.
While there have been illustrated and described various
embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent that various
changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. For
example, it should also be realized that facilities other than the U-bolt
16 can be utilized to clamp the first and second members 12,14 about the
support member 11. In an alternative embodiment, the second member 14
can be deleted and the first member 12 clamped or attached to ~he support
member in other convenient fashions. In another alternate embodiment,
the tangs 70 are omitted and the expanse 44 of the notch 42 is approxi-
' mately equal to the maximum expanse 46 of the support member ll to be
accommodated. In yet other alternative embodiments, in lieu of the tangs
70, other equivalent provisions may be utilized that are operative during
or after the clamping together of the first and second members 12,14
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about the support member 11 so as to force the support member 11 into
,~. engagement with the first end 48 of the notch 42. For example, referring
d to FIG. 8, a bracket 96 is attached to (or formed from) the first member
98. A bolt 100 is threaded through the bracket 96. The bolt 100 is
5 tightened after assembly to engage the support member 11 and force the
<-~ support member 11 against the first end 48 of the notch 42. Of course,
the alternate arrangement of FIG. 8 is not self-aligning as the U-bolt 16
is tightened as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Considering another
alternate arrangement and referring now to FIG. 9, the first member 91
includes a notch 93 that includes an inclined edge 95 at one or both
ends. The support member 11 engages the inclined edges 95. Tangs g7 are
provided solely to provide the desired securing force. Alternatively, a
bolt 99 can be used in lieu of the tangs 97 to apply the securing force
to secure the support member 11. It is intended in the appended claims
to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true
spirit ~nd scope oi the present in~eDtion.
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