Patent ID: 6245991
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: E04H,H02G

Abstract:
A breakaway connector for use in connection with a utility pole guy wire, the breakaway connector comprising:(a) a first terminal member having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the first terminal member having a longitudinal axis and a side surface extending along the longitudinal axis, the side surface having a cavity therein, the first terminal member having a shear surface within the cavity adjacent the distal ends and facing toward the proximal end at a first predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis, the shear surface having a shear hole therein;(b) a second terminal member having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the second terminal member having a longitudinal axis and an appoximately cylindrical side surface extending along the longitudinal axis, the side surface having a cavity therein, the second terminal member having a shear surface within the cavity adjacent the distal end and facing toward the proximal end, the first and second terminal members being mutually engaged with the longitudinal axes generally collinear and the proximal ends opposed, the first terminal member shear surface being disposed within the second terminal member cavity, the second terminal member shear surface being disposed within the first terminal member cavity, the terminal member cavities facing inward toward one another to define a connector cavity;(c) a first pivot element disposed within the connector cavity and extending along the longitudinal of the first terminal member axis between opposite first and second ends, the first pivot element first end having a beveled surface beveled at the first predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis and juxtaposed against the first terminal member shear surface, the beveled surface having a hole therein aligned with the shear hole, the first pivot element second end being directed toward the second terminal member shear surface;(e) a first shear pin disposed within the first terminal member shear hole and the first pivot element beveled surface hole; (f) a sheath slideably engaging the side surfaces of the first and second terminal members so as to retain the mutual engagement; and(g) connecting means for connecting the guy wire to the first and second terminal member proximal ends; so that(h) in the event of a vehicle impacting the guy wire above or below the breakaway connector, tensile force will cause the first pivot element to slide upon the first terminal member shear surface, shearing the first shear pin, the first and second terminal members will move apart laterally, breaking the sheath and thereby separating the terminal members, and in the event of a vehicle impacting the guy wire directly upon the breakaway connector, the first and second terminal members will pivot against one another and move apart laterally, breaking the sheath and thereby separating the terminal members.