Utility power-line-jumper apparatus with external venting

A line-jumper apparatus, comprising:

• a first connector;
• a second connector;
• and
• a housing attached to said first connector and said second connector, said housing being capable of transitioning between a closed position and an open position, said housing comprising:
• an outer housing;
• an inner housing;
• an intermediate assembly movably positioned within said housing, said intermediate assembly comprising (i) an engaging assembly, (ii) a nonconductive portion, and (iii) a venting structure having vents;
• a retractable contact assembly movably positioned within said housing and within at least a portion of said intermediate assembly, said retractable contact assembly being engageable by said engaging assembly;
• and
• a safety key in communication with said intermediate assembly and said retractable contact assembly;
• wherein, when said housing is in the closed position, a low-resistance current path extends from said first connector to said inner housing, said inner housing to said intermediate assembly, and said intermediate assembly to said second connector;
• wherein, when said housing is in the closed position, a high-resistance current path extends from said first connector to said inner housing, said inner housing to said retractable contact assembly, said retractable contact assembly to said intermediate assembly, and said intermediate assembly to said second connector;
• wherein, when said housing is in the open position, said low-resistance current path and said high-resistance current path are open, thereby inhibiting current from flowing between said first connector and said second connector;
• wherein said housing is configured so that, when said engaging assembly is engaged with said retractable contact assembly, said intermediate assembly remains in electrical communication with said retractable contact assembly in a way that said high-resistance current path remains closed;
• wherein, when said housing is transitioned from the closed position to the open position, said engaging assembly engages then releases said retractable contact assembly, said engaging assembly releasing said retractable contact assembly after said low-resistance current path has opened, said retractable contact assembly, upon being released by said engaging assembly, automatically retracting within said housing so that said intermediate assembly is not in electrical communication with a conductive portion of said retractable contact assembly;
• and
• wherein said safety key is configured to prevent said intermediate assembly from moving within said housing in a way that would allow said low-resistance current path to open unless said engaging assembly is engaged with said retractable contact assembly.

A line-jumper apparatus, comprising:

• a first connector;
• a second connector;
• and
• a housing attached to said first connector and said second connector, said housing defining a primary axis between said first connector and said second connector, said housing being capable of transitioning between a closed position and an open position, said housing in the closed position providing a low-resistance current path and a high-resistance current path between said first connector and said second connector, said housing in the open position inhibiting current from flowing between said first connector and said second connector, and said housing being configured so that, when said housing is transitioned from the closed position to the open position, said low-resistance current path is opened before said high-resistance current path is opened;
• wherein said housing comprises a venting structure having vents for allowing gases to escape said housing;
• wherein, when said housing is in the open position, said vents are configured to (i) extend out of said housing and (ii) release hot gases that occur during electric arcing primarily in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to said primary axis.

A line-jumper apparatus, comprising:

• a first connector;
• a second connector defining a cavity therethrough, said second connector comprising an internal pin connector that protrudes into said cavity;
• and
• a housing attached to said first connector and said second connector, said housing being capable of transitioning between a closed position and an open position, said housing in the closed position providing a low-resistance current path and a high-resistance current path between said first connector and said second connector, said housing in the open position inhibiting current from flowing between said first connector and said second connector, and said housing being configured so that, when said housing is transitioned from the closed position to the open position, said low-resistance current path is opened before said high-resistance current path is opened;
• wherein said housing comprises a venting structure configured to (i) slidably engage said second connector's cavity and (ii) at least partially extend out of said second connector when said housing is in the open position, said venting structure comprising (i) vents for allowing gases to escape said housing in the open position and (ii) a guide rail;
• wherein said internal pin connector, when said housing is transitioned from the closed position to the open position, is configured to slidably engage said guide rail to (i) prevent the rotation of said venting structure and (ii) maintain an electrical connection between said housing and said second connector.