Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
INSULATED BOOM KNUCKLE COVER FOR HIGH VOLTAGE LINE TRUCK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an insulated boom knuckle cover for high
voltage
line truck that is expediently attachable to a boom arm of a high voltage line
truck. The
present invention enables securement or an upper section to a boom arm in a
position
appropriate to orient an arched knuckle cover section overlying the knuckle of
the boom
arm when the boom arm is disposed in a lowered, folded position, whereby
motorized
travel of the truck does not effect displacement of the insulated boom knuckle
cover for
high voltage line truck. Moreover, extension of the boom arm to raise the
associated
bucket lift for action at an overhead line is not impeded as the arched
knuckle cover
section is not directly attached to the boom arm itself, but accommodates
movement of
the boom arm pivoting at the knuckle and maintains a position overtop the
knuckle to
shield the knuckle from inadvertent contact with, or unexpected arcing from, a
proximally located high voltage line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Working on high voltage lines is a dangerous job. Despite many precautions
enforced by the profession, lethal accidents still occur. Due to the location
of high
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voltage transmission lines spanning the landscape removed from contact with
ground
surfaces, linemen typically drive vehicles to specific locations where an
outage is
determined or where maintenance or repair is required. Resultantly, linemen
are mobile
operators, and are typically raised towards a targeted high voltage
transmission line by
mechanical action of an articulated boom arm drivable from manual controls
disposed in
a bucket lift connected to a vehicle. To protect the lineman, this bucket lift
is typically
insulated, often wrought of fiberglass or another non-conducting material.
Additionally,
insulating shields connectable to the bucket lift directly are sometimes
employed to
protect the operator from direct contact with high voltage lines.
However, problems nonetheless result and lethal accidents still occur. High
voltage lines are often proximal additional lines, some at various heights
relative one
another. This means that targeting some lines, or any particular line, may
inadvertently
bring the operator, the bucket lift, and/or the boom arm itself, into
proximity to other
lines.
Additionally, the controls by which the lineman may direct the bucket lift
must
string electrical circuits and hydraulic lines through the boom arm to effect
the
necessary mechanical action. In some circumstances, these conduits can become
conductors and channel current actually into the bucket lift whereat the
lineman is
directing the controls.
While portions of the boom arm and the bucket lift itself are often insulated,
either
with appropriate surface materials or by construction out of insulating
materials
themselves, portions of the boom arm (which must exhibit tensile strength and
rigidity to
maintain the bucket lift aloft) typically include conducting materials, such
as metals.
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Particularly, the knuckle of the boom arm ¨ that is, the articulated joint
enabling pivotal
action of the boom arm ¨ is often wrought of metal hinged together. Due to the
movement of the boom arm around this knuckle, covering of the knuckle itself
is
problematic. Thus, especially when directing the bucket lift to particular
lines above
additional lines, the knuckle can be subject to arcing from proximal lines
and, in some
instances, inadvertent contact with the lines themselves. This can cause a
lethal
accident.
What is needed is an insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck
that enables expedient attachment to the boom arm of a variety of trucks,
without
impeding the movement of the boom arm, and enables shielding of the knuckle
from
contact with, or arcing from, proximal high voltage transmission lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck has been
devised to increase safety for line repair crews tending to maintenance and
repair of
high voltage transmission lines. While bucket lifts associated with such high
voltage line
trucks are typically well insulated, being rendered of fiber glass, for
example, portions of
the boom arm itself, which are articulated to enable raising and lowering of
the bucket
lift, are sometimes exposed, particularly at the knuckle of the boom ¨ that
is, the hinged
section enabling articulation of the boom arm between a lowered, folded
position, and
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positions extended away from said lowered, folded position, as when the bucket
lift is
raised and oriented towards a targeted line.
Bolts and fasteners, and other conductors, can enable inadvertent arcing of
current from proximal high voltage lines to ground through the boom arm, which
presents a danger to linemen operating the bucket lift, where hydraulic lines
and
circuitry enabling manipulation of the bucket lift may also act as conduction
pathways
for current. Since the lineman typically has his hands engaged upon the
controls of the
bucket lift during operation of the lift, this presents a hazard and potential
danger not
addressed in current embodiments of line trucks seen in the art.
Further, many linemen are dispatched to tend to fallen lines in inclement and
even stormy weather. Precipitation during such weather may enable conduction
along
insulated surfaces or materials, more especially when these surfaces are
integrated and
congruent with the boom arm. Thus, even insulated sections of the boom arm can
become pathways for current to ground, and thereby endanger linemen operative
in the
bucket lift.
The present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck,
therefore,
enables taut and secure attachment of an insulated sheathing unit to the
articulated
boom arm in a position appropriate to depend an arched knuckle cover section
over the
knuckle of the boom and thereby shield potentially otherwise exposed
conductors from
proximity to, and direct contact with, high voltage lines around which the
bucket lift is
subsequently directed.
The present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck,
therefore,
includes an insulated sheathing unit disposed for securement to a boom arm.
The
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insulated sheathing unit includes an upper section and an arched knuckle cover
section
disposed depending from the upper section, said knuckle cover section thereby
oriented
over the knuckle of the boom arm when the boom arm is disposed in the lowered,
folded position, and also when the boom arm is extended away from said
lowered,
folded position, without said knuckle cover section inhibiting movement of the
boom
arm.
The upper section includes a convex exterior surface, a concave interior
surface,
and each of a pair of side wall sections disposed sideways bounding said upper
section.
A plurality of corrugations is disposed longitudinally along the upper section
between
io each of the pair of side wall sections, whereby direct contact between
the upper section
and the underlying boom arm is limited at each of the plurality of
corrugations and
contact, therefore, between the interior surface and the boom arm is prevented
between
each of the plurality of corrugations.
Each of the plurality of corrugations enables position of the upper section
is secured to a boom arm oriented such that any bolts or fasteners as may
be protruding
upon the surface of the boom arm are accommodated between the corrugations.
Additionally, passage of water between the corrugations prevents pooling of
liquid
during work in inclement weather, as when restoring lines downed in a storm.
Thus
inadvertent surface conduction effected through standing water is limitable.
Further, any
20 surface conduction along wet portions of the boom arm are less likely to
occur over the
upper section.
A plurality of strap members is disposed upon the interior surface, each of
said
plurality of strap members connected to the interior surface at an attachment
point upon
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the upper section. Each of the plurality of strap members is thereby
unconnected to
either of the pair of side walls, and taught engagement of each of the
plurality of strap
members to effect taut securement to the boom arm does not affect the shape or
lie of
either of the pair of side wall sections upon the boom arm. Each of the pair
of side walls
are thus enabled parallel situation bounding each side of the boom arm.
Each of the plurality of strap members includes a first strap part and a
second
strap part securable together in taut engagement by action of a ratchet clamp.
The
upper section is thereby adjustably securable between a variety of boom arms
having
varying shapes, diameters, and dimensions.
io The
arched knuckle cover section is disposed endwise depending from the upper
section. The knuckle cover section includes a first portion, disposed
congruently
extended from the upper section, and a lowermost portion disposed at an obtuse
angle
relative the first portion. The lowermost portion is angled towards the
interior surface of
the upper section and thus overlies the knuckle when the boom arm is disposed
in the
lowered, folded position. Operating the truck in travel between locations with
the
present device attached to the boom arm, therefore, does not effect separation
of the
device from the boom arm. Furthermore, the lowermost section shields the
knuckle
when the boom arm is deployed to extend the bucket lift to a targeted position
proximal
high voltage lines.
The present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck,
therefore,
enables a cost effective means of increasing safety for linemen operating
various
models and makes of trucks, by preventing accidental contact of conducting
portions of
an articulated boom arm with nearby high voltage lines (especially in
locations where
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multiple lines present obstacles to a targeted line, as when there are higher
and lower
lines present) and, furthermore, prevents arcing to conducting portions of the
boom arm
during work on high voltage transmission lines.
Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present
insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck so that the detailed
description
thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present
contribution
to the art may be better appreciated.
Objects of the present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line
truck,
along with various novel features that characterize the invention are
particularly pointed
io out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better
understanding of the
insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck, its operating
advantages and
specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a cross-section view of an example embodiment of an upper section.
Figure 2 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a concave surface of
the upper section.
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of an example embodiment.
Figure 4 is an top elevation view of an example embodiment.
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Figure 5 is an in-use detail view of an example position attached to a boom
arm,
said boom arm disposed in a lowered, folded position.
Figure 6 is an in-use detail view of an example embodiment disposed upon a
boom arm extended away from the lowered, folded position.
Figure 7 is an exploded view illustrative of correct attachment of an example
embodiment to the boom arm.
Figure 8 is an in-use view of an example embodiment.
lo DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 8
thereof,
example of the instant insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line
truck
employing the principles and concepts of the present insulated boom knuckle
cover for
high voltage line truck and generally designated by the reference number 10
will be
described.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 a preferred embodiment of the present insulated
boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck 10 is illustrated.
The present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck 10 has
been
devised to enable shielding of the knuckle 70 of the boom arm 100 of a high
voltage line
truck 500 and thereby prevent inadvertent direct contact between said knuckle
70 of the
boom arm 100 with high voltage lines 700 during extension of a bucket lift 750
and,
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also, to prevent arcing from the lines 700 to conductors present upon the boom
arm 100
as may otherwise occur when oriented into dangerous proximity to the lines
700.
The present insulated boom knuckle cover for high voltage line truck 10,
therefore, includes an insulated sheathing unit 20, disposed to shield the
boom arm 100
and knuckle 70 from direct contact with proximal high voltage lines 700. The
insulated
sheathing unit 20 includes an upper section 22 and an arched knuckle cover
section 42
disposed depended from the upper section 22 in appropriate array to overlie
the knuckle
70 of the boom arm 100 when the boom arm 100 is disposed in a lowered, folded
position (as shown in FIG. 5, for example), and shield the knuckle 70 when the
boom
m arm 100 is extended away from the lowered, folded position (as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 8
for example).
The arched knuckle cover 42 is disposed to depend from the upper section 22
unattached directly to the boom arm 100 whereby a lowermost portion 46,
disposed at
an obtuse angle relative a first portion 44, accommodates movement of the
knuckle 70
during extension of the boom arm 100 and enables shielding of the knuckle 70
thereat.
The upper section 22 is disposed to secure to the boom arm 100. As shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the upper section 22 is arched and fluted, having a convex
exterior
surface 24 and a concave interior surface 26. A plurality of corrugations 28
is disposed
longitudinally along the upper section 22, each of said corrugations 28
disposed to
directly contact the boom arm 100 while maintaining the upper section 22
removed from
contact with the boom arm 100 between each of said plurality of corrugations
28. Bolts
and fasteners 102 disposed upon the boom arm 100, as case may be, are thereby
accommodated underneath the upper section 22, without said fasteners 102
contacting
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the upper section 22 interior surface 26, whereby stress effected against the
upper
section 22 from such irregular contact with the boom arm 100 is avoidable.
Moreover,
water as may be present during precipitation (such as when effecting
maintenance or
repair during a storm, as is frequently required in the art) is enabled
passage along the
boom arm 100 between each of the plurality of corrugations 28 thereby limiting
pooling
or retention of liquid upon the boom arm 100 whereat conduction through wet
sections
of the boom arm 100 is likewise limitable.
A plurality of strap members 30 is disposed upon the interior surface 26 of
the
upper section 22 and attached at an attachment point 38 thereupon. Each of
said
io plurality of strap members 30 includes at least a first strap part 32
and a second strap
part 34 securable together around the boom arm 100 to effect taut attachment
of the
upper section 22 thereto. A plurality of ratchet clamps 36 may be included to
secure
each of the plurality of strap members 30 together, and enable taut engagement
of each
of the plurality of strap members 30 in position around the boom arm 100. Thus
the
present invention 10 is securable to a variety of boom arms extant in the art.
Each of a pair of side wall sections 40 is disposed longitudinally sideways
bounding the upper section 22. Each of the pair of side walls 40 is disposed
to overlie
side portions of the boom arm 100 (see for example FIGS. 5 through 8).
Significantly,
each of the plurality of strap members 30 is not directly attached to either
of the pair of
side wall sections 40, whereby each of the pair of side wall sections 40 is
enabled to
depend overtop the side portions of the boom arm 100 without tautness of each
of the
plurality of strap members 30 affecting the lie of each of the pair of side
wall sections 40
thereupon (see for example FIGS. 1 and 2).
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The arched knuckle cover section 42 is disposed extended from the upper
section 22 to overlie the knuckle 70 of the articulated boom arm 100. The
knuckle cover
section 42 includes a first portion 44, disposed coplanar with the upper
section 22 and
extended therefrom, and a lowermost portion 46 disposed at an obtuse angle
relative
the first portion 44. The lowermost portion 46 therefore rests overtop the
knuckle 70 of
the boom arm 100 when the boom arm 100 is disposed in a lowered, folded
position (as
when the truck is in motion, for example) and yet maintains shielding of the
knuckle 70
during extension of the boom arm 100 away from the folded position (see FIGS.
5
through 8, for example).
In the example embodiment herein illustrated, it is contemplated that the
upper
section 22 may be rendered of fiberglass or a non-conducting polymer, or
include a
fiberglass exterior surface 24 and a polymeric interior surface 26, for
example. The
knuckle cover section 42 is likewise contemplated as rendered of a
nonconductor such
as fiberglass, rubber, polymer, or another rubberlike, heavy-duty
nonconductive material
suitable to prevent conduction when contacting high voltage lines and to
prevent arcing
through to the underlying knuckle 70.
Thus the upper section 22 is securable to the boom arm 100 proximal the
knuckle 70 and the knuckle cover section 42 is maintainable in an appropriate
position
to shield the knuckle 70 from contact with high voltage lines 700 to which the
bucket lift
750 is oriented by a user, and arcing from proximity of the knuckle 70
relative any high
voltage line 700, and direct contact with any high voltage line 700 during
orientation of
the bucket lift 750, is thereby avoidable.
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