Tap Clamp Handwheel Drive
OwnerGreg Nolan YOUNGinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tap clamp handwheel drive installs to an existing tap clamp bolt head. In one embodiment, the tap clamp handwheel drive installs to a bolt head. In another, the tap clamp handwheel drive installs to a hot stick loop. In another embodiment, the tap clamp bolt is forged or manufactured with a handwheel drive installed thereto. The tap clamp handwheel drive increases the outer diameter of the tap clamp bolt head enabling increased prehensility for line men operating in glove mode. Additionally, insulating, non-conductive materials may render the tap clamp lighter and provide additional insulating, non-conductive materials between the lineman and the conductor with which the tap clamp is applied.
Claims16
In a tap clamp for use with line conductors, a tap clamp handwheel drive comprising:
- a threaded member having:
- an engagement end disposed operationally coupled with the tap clamp, said engagement end engaging the tap clamp between an open position and a closed position when the threaded member is rotated in each of a corresponding first direction and a second direction;
- an exposed end distally oriented relative to the tap clamp;
- and
- a handwheel disposed upon the threaded member more proximal the exposed end;
- wherein the handwheel presents an enlarged outer diameter proximal the exposed end whereby a user can more easily engage the tap clamp between the open position and the closed position by manual engagement with the handwheel, especially when operating in glove mode.
In a tap clamp for use with line conductors, a tap clamp handwheel drive devised for securement to an existing tap clamp bolt, said tap clamp handwheel drive comprising:
- a handwheel member configured to secure around a tap clamp bolt head disposed endwise upon the tap clamp bolt, said handwheel member comprising:
- a first portion connectable to one side of the tap clamp bolt head;
- a second portion connectable to the other side of the tap clamp bolt head;
- a first seat disposed upon an interior surface of the first portion, said first seat configured to house at least a portion of the tap clamp bolt head therein;
- and
- a second seat disposed upon an interior surface of the second portion, said second seat configured to house at least the remaining portion of the tap clamp bolt head therein;
- wherein the handwheel member is securable to the tap clamp bolt when the tap clamp bolt head is encased in the first and second seats and the first portion is secured to the second portion.
In a tap clamp for use with line conductors, a tap clamp handwheel drive devised for securement to an existing tap clamp bolt, said tap clamp handwheel drive comprising:
- a handwheel member configured to secure around a tap clamp bolt head disposed endwise upon the tap clamp bolt, said handwheel member comprising:
- a first portion connectable to one side of the tap clamp bolt head;
- a second portion connectable to the other side of the tap clamp bolt head;
- a first seat pocket disposed upon an interior surface of the first portion, said first seat configured to house a first seat therein;
- a second seat pocket disposed upon an interior surface of the second portion, said second seat pocket configured to house a second seat therein;
- a first seat devised to secure into the first seat pocket, said first seat configured to house at least a portion of the tap clamp bolt head therein;
- and
- a second seat devised to secure into the second seat pocket, said second seat configured to house at least the remaining portion of the tap clamp bolt head therein;
- wherein the handwheel member is securable to the tap clamp bolt when the tap clamp bolt head is encased in the first and second seats and the first portion is secured to the second portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.