Installation fixture for installing devices on power lines

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9843176-B2
Application number	US-201514732992-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 8, 2015
Priority date	Dec 18, 2012
Publication date	Dec 12, 2017
Grant date	Dec 12, 2017

Abstract

An installation fixture for installing a device on a power line is disclosed. The fixture includes a lower cradle that may receive one part of the device, an upper cradle that may receive another part of the device, and a base. The installation fixture may be installed on a worker carrier for a boom truck or the like. The orientation of the lower cradle may be adjusted relative to the base to facilitate the installation on the power line. The upper cradle may be moved between an open position (where the parts may be loaded into the fixture) and a closed position (where the power line is captured between the two parts of the device) and at which time that parts can be secured together.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An installation fixture for installing a device on a power line, comprising:
a base;
a lower cradle movably interconnected with said base and comprising a lower receptacle that is configured to receive a lower section of a first device to be mounted on a power line;
an upper cradle comprising an upper receptacle that is configured to receive an upper section of a first device to be mounted on a power line, wherein said upper cradle is movable between open and closed positions, wherein said upper receptacle of said upper cradle is offset from said lower receptacle of said lower cradle when said upper cradle is in said open position, and wherein said upper receptacle of said upper cradle is aligned with and above said lower receptacle of said lower cradle when said upper cradle is in said closed position; and
a connector between said base and said lower cradle, wherein said connector provides at least 3 degrees of freedom, wherein said connector allows said lower cradle to be tilted relative to said base about a first reference axis, wherein said connector allows said lower cradle to be tilted relative to said base about a second reference axis that is perpendicular to said first reference axis, and wherein said connector allows said lower cradle to be rotated relative to said base about a third reference axis that is perpendicular to a plane that contains said first reference axis and said second reference axis.

2. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said connector is a spherical radial bearing.

3. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said base comprises at least one base connector for detachably mounting said base to a worker carrier.

4. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said base comprises first and second frame sections and a platform, wherein said lower cradle is movably interconnected with said platform, wherein said first and second frame sections extend from said platform and are spaced from one another to define a mounting receptacle, wherein said first and second frame sections are disposed on one side of said platform, and wherein said lower cradle is disposed on an opposite side of said platform.

5. The installation fixture of claim 4 , wherein a sidewall of a worker carrier is disposable in said mounting receptacle of said base, wherein said first frame section of said base is disposed on an interior side of said sidewall of said worker carrier, wherein said second frame section of said base is disposed on an exterior side of said sidewall of said worker carrier, and wherein said second frame section extends further away from said platform than said first frame section.

6. The installation fixture of claim 5 , wherein said second frame section comprises at least one tightening fixture and at least one screw clamp, and wherein each said screw clamp is at a lower elevation than each said tightening fixture.

7. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said lower cradle is rotatable relative to said base and is tiltable relative to said base in any direction.

8. The installation fixture of claim 7 , wherein a range of motion between said lower cradle and said base is at least 3° measured relative to a reference plane.

9. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said lower cradle comprises a base section and a first sidewall and a second sidewall that each extend upwardly from said base section and that are spaced from one another, wherein said base section and said first sidewall and second side wall collectively define said lower receptacle.

10. The installation fixture of claim 9 , wherein said first sidewall comprises first and second side sections on one side of said lower receptacle, wherein said second sidewall comprises third and fourth side sections on an opposite side of said lower receptacle, wherein said first and second side sections are spaced along a length dimension of said lower receptacle, and wherein said third and fourth side sections are spaced along said length dimension of said lower receptacle.

11. The installation fixture of claim 9 , wherein each surface of each of said base section, said first sidewall, and said second sidewall that collectively define said lower receptacle is flat.

12. The installation fixture of claim 9 , wherein said base section comprises at least one lower cradle pad, wherein each of said first and second sidewalls comprises at least one said lower cradle pad, and wherein contact between said lower cradle and a lower section of a first device, positionable within said lower receptacle, is limited to each said lower cradle pad.

13. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said lower cradle comprises a plurality of lower retention members that are each extendable into said lower receptacle.

14. The installation fixture of claim 13 , wherein each said lower retention member comprises a threaded member that is threadably connected with said lower cradle and that comprises a free end that is disposable within said lower receptacle.

15. The installation fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:
a positioning mechanism between said base and said lower cradle, said positioning mechanism being disposable in a first configuration to allow an orientation of said lower cradle to be adjusted relative to said base, said positioning mechanism being disposable in a second configuration to maintain said lower cradle in a fixed orientation relative to said base.

16. The installation fixture of claim 15 , wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a hydraulic circuit.

17. The installation fixture of claim 16 , wherein said first configuration for said positioning mechanism accommodates flow throughout said hydraulic circuit, and wherein said second configuration for said positioning mechanism at least substantially precludes flow throughout said hydraulic circuit.

18. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said upper cradle is movably interconnected with said lower cradle.

19. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said upper cradle is pivotally connected to said lower cradle.

20. The installation fixture claim 1 , wherein said lower receptacle of said lower cradle and said upper receptacle of said upper cradle each project at least generally upwardly when said upper cradle is in said open position, and wherein said upper receptacle of said upper cradle projects toward said lower receptacle of said lower cradle when said upper cradle is in said closed position.

21. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower cradles collectively define an enclosure when said upper cradle is in said closed position.

22. The installation fixture of claim 1 , wherein said upper cradle comprises first and second cradle sections that are spaced along a length dimension of said upper receptacle.

23. The installation fixture of claim 22 , wherein contact between said upper cradle and an upper section of a first device, positionable within said upper receptacle, is limited to said first and second cradle sections.

24. The installation fixture of claim 22 , wherein each of said first and second cradle sections comprises at least one upper cradle pad, wherein contact between said upper cradle and an upper section of a first device, positionable within said upper receptacle, is limited to each said upper cradle pad.

25. The installation fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one upper retention member as

Assignees

• Smart Wires Inc

Inventors

• Gibson Woody J
• Timmer Michael L
• Ayers David L
• Couillard Julie A

Classifications

• H02J11/00

  Circuit arrangements for providing service supply to auxiliaries of stations in which electric power is generated, distributed or converted · CPC title

• Y10T29/53265

  with work-holder for assembly · CPC title

• H02G7/14

  Arrangements or devices for damping mechanical oscillations of lines, e.g. for reducing production of sound {(damping spacers H02G7/125)} · CPC title

• Y10T29/4902

  Electromagnet, transformer or inductor · CPC title

• G01R15/183

  using transformers with a magnetic core · CPC title