Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
HOT STICK ADAPTER, COMBINATION, AND METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to a hot stick adapter, combination, and
method.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various tools may be used to position or manipulate a part. In the
electrical
power transmission industry, a dielectric hot stick may be used to manipulate
a part. For
example, a shotgun hot stick, also known as a clamp stick, may be used to
remotely tighten
or loosen the bolt of a duckbill clamp or to deploy a clamp pin. Torque
controlled clamp
stick adapters are known from US patent no. 4,242,930, and such extend the
length of the
clamp stick while restricting the maximum torque transfer from the clamp stick
to the clamp
to prevent over tightening.
[0003] Dielectric protectors, such as covers, may be used to insulate
components of
electrical power systems from animals and birds. Examples of such protectors
are disclosed
in US patent no. 7,834,269. Some of these protectors may be positioned and
secured in place
using hot stick tools.
SUMMARY
[0004] An adapter for a dielectric hot stick, the hot stick having a hook,
the hook
being movable along an axis of travel that includes a retracted position where
the hook is
within an axial passage in the hot stick, and an extended position where the
hook is extended
past a work end of the hot stick, the adapter comprising: a frame with a hot
stick seat shaped
to be mounted on the work end of the hot stick, the frame defining a lever
passage positioned
to at least partially align with the axial passage in use; and a lever
assembly pivotally
connected to the frame, the lever assembly having a first end with a connector
for the hook
and being at least partially within the lever passage, and the lever assembly
having a second
end defining or connected to a tool part to move the tool part relative to the
frame to carry
out a function when the hook moves along the axis of travel.
1
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
[0005] A combination comprising: a dielectric hot stick having a hook, the
hook
being movable along an axis of travel that includes a retracted position where
the hook is
within an axial passage in the hot stick, and an extended position where the
hook is extended
past a work end of the hot stick; and a frame base with a first end mounted on
the work end
of the hot stick, and a second end shaped to define a tool mounting part; the
frame base
defming an actuator passage at least partially aligned with the axial passage
and extended
from the first end to the second end.
[0006] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of
the
following features: The frame comprises a base and a lever mounting part, the
base defining
the hot stick seat at a first end and a seat for the lever mounting part at a
second end. The
base comprises a collar. The collar comprises a gate. The collar comprises a
first collar
portion and a second collar portion axially spaced from the first collar
portion, one of the
first collar portion and the second collar portion containing the gate. An
inner surface of the
collar comprises a first set of one or more lateral protuberances and a second
set of one or
more lateral protuberances axially spaced from the first set, in which the
gate shares the same
axial position as at least the first set. A lock for securing the frame to the
work end. The lock
comprises a latch. The tool part comprises a fastener mount moveable relative
to the frame
between a first position and a second position to at least partially define a
fastener drive path.
The tool part comprises a first jaw and the frame comprises a second jaw, in
which
respective ends of the first and second jaw relatively converge when the hook
moves. The
lever assembly comprises a first arm defining the first end and a second arm
defining the
second end, the first arm is pivotally connected to the second arm, and the
second arm
pivotally connects the lever assembly to the frame. The adapter is connected
to the hot stick.
The base has a collar at the second end and the hook has an opened position,
while extended,
where the hook is pivoted about a pivot axis perpendicular to a hot stick
axis, and in which
the collar has a radial slot aligned to permit the hook to move into the
opened position. The
tool mounting part has a seat shaped to mate with a tool whose shape does not
permit
mounting on the work end of the dielectric hot stick. The tool is mounted on
the tool
mounting part, the tool having a lever assembly pivotally connected to the
tool and having at
least a first arm and a second arm, the first arm having a hook connector and
being at least
2
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
partially within the lever passage, and the second arm having a part that in
use carries out a
function by moving relative to the tool when the hook moves. Assembling the
adapter or
combination. Operating the combination within an electrical power transmission
system.
During operation the tool is positioned within a safe Limit of Approach and
the tool is
operated by a user who is positioned outside the safe Limit of Approach. The
function
comprises manipulating a protector for a component of the electrical power
transmission
system. Replacing the lever mounting part of the combination or the tool with
a different
lever mounting part or tool, respectively. The actuator passage is sized to
permit user access
to the hook from the second end when in the extended position. The actuator
passage is
sized such that the hook extends at least to the second end when in the
extended position.
[0007] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the
claims,
which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in
which
like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in
which:
[0009] Figs. 1A-G are a sequence of perspective views that illustrate a
hot stick
adapter and a method of installing the adapter to a hot stick.
[0010] Figs. 2 and 3 are top and bottom perspective views of the base of
the adapter
of Figs. 1A-G.
[0011] Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the base of Figs. 2 and 3.
[0012] Fig. 5 is a section view taken along the 5-5 section lines from
Fig. 4.
[0013] Figs. 6A-B illustrate the operation of an embodiment of an adapter
for
gripping the flange hole of a dielectric cover.
[0014] Figs. 7A-B illustrate the operation of an embodiment of an adapter
for
applying a fastener through aligned holes in the flanges of a dielectric
cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described
here
without departing from what is covered by the claims.
3
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
[0016] Elongated, insulated clamp sticks are used by linemen for work in
and around
energized and de-energized electrical lines or equipment. For example, certain
types of
clamp sticks are designed to mount and dismount electrical transmission and
distribution
equipment and, for this purpose, are provided with manually shiftable
operating machanism
for axially rotating the tool from a safe, remote position. In addition, such
clamp sticks are
normally provided with a mechanism for axially sliding a hook at a work end of
the stick
into and out of the insulative body of the clamp stick for reasons of safety
and ease of
operation. Common names for such clamp sticks include shot gun sticks, grip
all sticks, AB
Chance sticks and others.
[0017] Referring to Figs. 1A, 1B, and 7B, a dielectric hot stick 14 is
illustrated. The
hot stick 14 has a hook 16 at a work end 18 of the hot stick 14 (Fig. 1A). The
hook 16 is
movable along an axis of travel 22 that includes a retracted position (Fig.
7B) where the
hook 16 is within an axial passage 20 (Fig. 1A) in the hot stick 14, and an
extended position
(Fig. 1B) where the hook 16 is extended past socket 18. Referring to Fig. 1E,
the hook 16
may have an opened position, while extended, where the hook 16 is pivoted
about a pivot
axis 47 perpendicular to hot stick axis 22. Movement between an extended
closed and
extended open position is a conventional feature of a clamp stick and occurs
using a spring
or other biasing element (not shown) connected between a hook actuating rod 23
and hook
16. Thus, when the hook 16 extends sufficient past work end 18 where the
confining walls of
passage 20 are no longer present to resist the opening bias force. Referring
to Fig. 7B, a
shiftable slider 15 or other mechanism may be positioned at a user end 17 of
hot stick 14 for
a user 98 to remotely translate hook 16.
[0018] Clamp sticks are useful for applications that require the use of
the hook at the
work end of the stick. For example, a clamp stick is useful for tightening an
eye bolt located
high up above the ground. However, clamp sticks may be less useful and
sometimes useless
for other applications. For example, it may be difficult to use a clamp stick
alone to remotely
install or manipulate a dielectric cover used to protect a component of an
electrical power
transmission system. Electrical equipment is commonly retrofitted with such
dielectric
protectors in order to protect birds, animals, and lineman from electrical
shock, and to
4
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
prevent power outages at substations and other electrical equipment. Such
protectors may be
of the variety disclosed in the inventor's own US patent no. 7,834,269.
[0019] Referring to Fig. 7B, a dielectric protector 90 for a component 88
of such a
system may have holes 93 in corresponding flanges 92. Such holes 93 may be
difficult or
impossible to grip with a hot stick hook 16 depending on the hole size and
spacing from
flange edges, among other factors. Thus, specialized tools are used to
manipulate such
protectors 90.
[0020] Referring to Figs. lA and 1G, an adapter 10 is illustrated for
mounting on hot
stick 14. Adapter 10 comprises a frame 33 and a lever assembly 54. Frame 33
may include a
base 12 (Figs. lA and 1G) and a tool or lever mounting part, which may include
the lever
assembly 54 (Fig. 1G). Frame 33 includes a hot stick seat 38 shaped to be
mounted on the
work end 18 of the hot stick 14 (Fig. 1A). Thus, if frame 33 is a collar as
shown, the collar
dimensions, such as inner diameter, are sufficient to fit hot stick seat 38
over and around
work end 18, accommodating any lateral or axial protrusions and recesses in
work end 18.
[0021] Base 12 may define the hot stick seat 38 at a first end 41 of base
12, and a
seat 36 for the lever mounting part 54 at a second end 39. Referring to Figs.
IA and 5 the
frame 33 may define an actuator or lever passage 52 positioned to at least
partially align with
the axial passage 20 in use. Lever passage 52 extends from the first end 41 to
the second end
39 of base 12 (Fig. 1A).
[0022] Lever assembly 54 is pivotally connected to the frame 33, for
example at
pivot point 72 (Fig. 1E). The lever assembly 54 has a first end 73 with a
connector 74 such
as a hook or eyelet as shown, for the hook 16. The first end 73, which may be
defmed by a
first arm 58, is at least partially within the lever passage 52, as in the
example shown where
the first arm 58 is able to reciprocate within passage 52. The lever assembly
54 also has a
second end 75, which may be defmed by a second arm 62, defining or connected
to a tool
part, in this case defining a jaw 66, to move the jaw 66 relative to the frame
33, in this case a
first jaw 68. Movement of jaw 68 relative to jaw 66 carries out a function, in
this case to
open and close jaws 66 and 68, when the hook 16 moves along the axis of travel
22 (Figs.
1E, 6A, and 6B). Other functions may be carried out, for example as shown in
Figs. 7A-B
discussed further below. The translation force provided by reciprocation of
hook 16 may be
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
converted by lever assembly 54 into various useful forms, for example sliding
or translation
force along an axis distinct from axis 22, swinging force, or rotational
force.
[0023] The first arm 58 may be pivotally connected to the second arm 62 as
shown at
pivot point 64. The second arm 62 may pivotally connect the lever assembly 54
to the frame
33 as shown at pivot point 72. Such a mechanical linkage permits opening and
closing of
jaws 66, 68 on extension and retraction, respectively, of hook 16. Opening and
closing of
jaws 66, 68 results in convergence and divergence, respectively, of respective
ends of jaws
66,68 as shown. A tooth 70 may extend from one jaw, in this case jaw 68, for
positioning
within a hole 93 of a flange 92 of a protector 90 to position the flange 92 as
is disclosed in
US patent publication no. 20120284997, which is incorporated by reference.
[0024] Referring to Figs. 7A-B, the tool part may comprise a fastener
mount 82
moveable relative to the frame 33 between a first position (Fig. 7A) and a
second position
(Fig. 7B) to at least partially defme a drive path for a fastener 80. A
fastener 80 may include
a Christmas tree fastener as shown, for example for the purpose of fastening
together
corresponding flanges 92 with aligned holes 93, of a protector 90 of a
component 88 of an
electrical power transmission system. A backing arm 86 may be provided on
frame 33 for
retaining the flanges 92 in the drive path to facilitate fastener
installation. The embodiment
of Figs. 7A-B is an example of the translation force of hook 16 being
converted into
translation force in another axis, in this case the fastener drive path along
which piston 84
travels to translate fastener mount 82. Piston 84 may be connected to second
arm 62 for
displacement by second arm 62. Examples of such tools are shown in US patent
publication
no. 20120151742, which is incorporated by reference.
[0025] Referring to Figs. lA and 2-3, the base 12 may comprise a collar
40, for
example with a diameter shaped to permit work end 18 of hot stick 14 to fit
within collar 40.
Collar 40 may have a first collar portion 51 and a second collar portion 53
axially spaced
from the first collar portion 51 (Figs. 2-3). A gate 34 may be provided on
collar 40.
Referring to Fig. 1A, one of the first collar portion 51 and the second collar
portion 53 may
contain gate 34, which may be a radially swing gate rotating about hinge 35 as
shown. An
inner surface 37 of the collar 40 comprises a first set 32 of one or more
lateral protuberances
and a second set 30 of one or more lateral protuberances axially spaced from
the first set 32.
6
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
The gate 34 may share the same axial position as at least one of the sets, in
this case both sets
30 and 32. Thus, when the gate 34 is closed, sets 30 and 32 radially slide
into position, in this
case above and below a flange 28 of hot stick 14, to lock base 12 to work end
18 (Fig. 1A-
B).
[0026] Referring to Figs. 1A, 1C, 1D, and 5, a lock may be provided for
securing the
frame 33 to the work end 18 of hot stick 14. The lock may comprise a latch 42,
which may
be of a suitable variety such as an over the center latch as shown (Figs. lA
and 5), having a
handle 43 pivotally mounted to collar 40. Pivotally mounted to the handle 43
may be a tab
45 shaped to latch a hook 50 when handle 43 is pressed. The closing sequence
of latch 42 is
shown from Figs. 1B-D. First, the gate 34 is closed (Figs. 1B-C). Next, the
tab 45 is hooked
on hook 50 of gate 34 (Fig. 1C). Finally, the handle 43 is depressed to put
the tab 45 under
sufficient tension against hook 50 to retain gate 34 in the closed position
shown (Fig. 1D).
[0027] Referring to Fig. 1E, as discussed above the hook 16 may have an
opened
position where the hook 16 is pivoted outwards. In the example shown collar 40
would be
positioned to interfere with hook 16 opening, but for a radial slot 44 cut out
of collar 40 and
aligned to permit the hook 16 to open as shown. Radial slot 44 allows collar
40 to axially
extend from work end 18 while still permitting opening. The lever passage 52
may also be
generally sized to permit user access to the hook 16 from the second end of
base 12 when in
the extended position. The hook 16 may extend at least to the second end of
base 12 when in
the extended position.
[0028] Referring to Fig. 1F, second end 39 of base 12 may be shaped or
otherwise
configured to mate with a tool, such as lever assembly 54, whose shape does
not permit
mounting directly on the work end 18 of the dielectric hot stick 14. Thus, in
the example
shown a base mounting end 93 of part 54 has a pair of ledges 56 depending from
an
underside 95, the ledges 56 being positioned to fit within a correspondingly
shaped recess 97
in second end 39. Such a configuration would not mate with the protrusion 24
and recess 25
pattern of work end 18 found on most hot sticks 14 (Fig. 1A). Thus, the
provision of base 12
allows greater flexibility in the type of tool that may be attached to a hot
stick 14, as well as
facilitating a mechanism for transferring the translation force of hook 16
into useful
applications with such tools.
7
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
[0029] In some cases a variety of tools may be provided with base mounting
ends 93
shaped to fit seat recess 97 in base 12. Examples are shown in Figs. 6A-B and
7A-B,
although other types of tools may be used. In some cases a method may include
replacing
one such tool for another tool, while the base 12 is installed or separate
from hot stick 14.
Thus, instead of carrying a set of full length hot stick tools, a user may
bring a single hot
stick 14 to site with a variety of adapters 10.
[0030] Referring to Figs. 1A-G a method of assembling the adapter 10 with
hot stick
14 is illustrated. First, the base 12 is mounted on work end 18 (Figs. 1A-B),
so that the first
and second sets 30 and 32 are axially below and above the flange 28 of hot
stick 14. Next,
gate 34 is closed and latched as discussed above (Figs. 1B-D). Next, lever
mounting part 54
is connected to hook 16, for example by securing connector 74 with hook 16 in
the opened
position as shown (Fig. 1E). In some cases the connector 74 may be connected
with or
without the parent part 54 attached before base 12 is installed. Next, once
hook 16 is closed
around connector 74, hook 16 is retracted and part 54 sits within recess 97 of
base 12 (Fig.
1G). The part 54 may be secured in place using one or more fasteners, for
example bolts (not
shown) passed through holes 46 in base 12 (Fig. 1G). Adapter 10 is now ready
for remote
use.
[0031] Referring to Figs. 7A-B, adapter 10 may be operated in an electrical
power
transmission system, for example containing component 12. In the example shown
adapter
is shown installing a fastener 80 through aligned holes 93 in corresponding
flanges 92 of
a protector or cover 90 for a component 12 of the system. In other cases the
adapter 10 may
be used to manipulate such as position the protector 90.
[0032] The adapter 10 may be positioned within a safe Limit of Approach 92C
and
the tool operated by a user 98 who is positioned outside the safe Limit of
Approach 92C
(Fig. 7B). As discussed above, the electrical power transmission system may be
energized.
This allows protector 90 to be remotely installed or manipulated. Standard
limits of approach
92 are generally set by the IEEE for live electrical systems. It should be
understood that the
limits of approach may vary according to region. The limits of approach 92
around energized
equipment generally widens as the voltage increases. In Fig. 7B, the limits of
approach 92
correspond to increasing voltages, and thus increasing radii, from limits of
approach 92A-C.
8
CA 02832833 2013-11-12
For this purpose, hot stick 14 may be provided in a length that is suitable
for the various
limits of approach standards in all jurisdictions.
[0033] Frame 33 is rigidly connected to work end 18 of hot stick 14 to
remain
stationary relative to hot stick 14 during use. A direct mechanical linkage
between hook 16
and lever assembly 54 may be provided, such that positive control of assembly
54 is
provided in response to hook 16 movement. Retracted and extended may not mean
fully
retracted or extended depending on the context. Suitable mechanisms for
affixing the base 12
to work end 18 may be used, including clamps, wires, and fasteners.
[0034] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense
and does
not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim
feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of
the individual
features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by
virtue only
of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as
defined by the
claims.
9
