Group operated circuit disconnect apparatus for overhead electric power lines

A group operated electric circuit disconnect apparatus for a plurality of overhead electric power distribution lines carried on poles, comprising:

• a base;
• means for mounting the base to a pole;
• and
• at least two disconnect switches mounted on the base,
• at least one of said disconnect switches having a pair of spaced apart terminals, a conductive blade pivoted to one of said terminals, and jaw means conductively associated with the other of said terminals for selectively receiving said conductive blade to alternately connect and disconnect said terminals, said jaw means comprising a first pair of electrical contacts for receiving said conductive blade therebetween, backup springs adjacent outer surfaces of said first contacts for urging said first contacts toward each other, and a second pair of electrical contacts for making electrical contact with said conductive blade without the blade making electrical contact with said first pair of contacts.

A method of assembling a group operated electric circuit disconnect apparatus for use with overhead electric power distribution lines carried on poles, the apparatus having a plurality of disconnect switches, a plurality of shafts journalled on an elongated box-like housing and operatively connected to the disconnect switches so that axial rotation of the shafts opens and closes the disconnect switches, and operating rod means with a mechanical connection inside the elongated housing between the shafts and the operating rod means so that axial translation of the operating rod means causes axial rotation of the upright shafts, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of spaced apart through openings in said elongated housing;
• inserting stub shaft means into said openings during assembly so that the stub shaft means extend outside the housing;
• positioning said operating rod means adjacent said housing exterior;
• providing a plurality of links for operatively connecting the shafts to the operating rod means, the links having an opening for receiving the shafts in a predetermined angular relationship therewith;
• aligning the links in said predetermined angular relationship with the stub shaft means outside the housing and pivotally connecting said aligned links to the operating rod means;
• removing said stub shaft means from the housing and link openings;
• inserting said operating rod means and links pivoted thereto lengthwise into the elongated housing so that the link openings are aligned with the housing openings;
• and
• inserting said shafts through said housing openings and said link openings to operatively connect the upright shafts and the operating rod means.

A group operated electric circuit disconnect apparatus for a plurality of overhead electric power distribution lines carried on poles, comprising:

• an elongated base;
• means for mounting the base to a pole;
• at least two disconnect switches;
• at least two operating shafts each journalled on the base for rotation about an axis generally transversely of the base and connected to one of the disconnect switches so that rotation of the operating shafts about their axes moves the disconnect switches between open and closed positions;
• a control shaft journalled on the base near one end thereof for rotation about an axis generally coaxially of the base;
• an articulated rotary operating mechanism operatively connected between the control shaft and one of the operating shafts for transmitting rotary motion from the control shaft to the one operating shaft;
• and
• means interconnecting the operating shafts for effecting conjoint rotation thereof.