Operating fuse deflector and method of use

Shields or deflectors are supported on fuse barrels and positioned to protect power linemen and other electrical workers on high voltage distribution lines against injuries resulting from the ejection of sparks and fuse debris that occurs when a fuse melts or operates due to excessively high electrical currents, by securing the deflectors on the fuse barrels in a position immediately below the fuse barrels where the deflectors can effectively direct the dangerous materials away from the workers.

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fuse cutout as used in electrical distribution is primarily used to protect distribution transformers from current surges and overloads. An overcurrent, caused by a fault in a transformer, for example, will cause the fuse to melt, or operate, thus disconnecting the transformer from the line. It can also be opened manually.

A cutout consists of three major components. The cutout body provides a frame that supports the fuse holder and an insulator that electrically isolates the conductive portions of the support to which the insulator is fastened; the fuse holder or barrel, which contains the interchangeable fuse element or fuse; and, the fuse element, which is the replaceable portion of the assembly that melts or operates due to excessively high electrical currents. Fuses are provided to operate at suitable ampere ratings ranging from 1 to 200 amperes.

A fuse cutout is usually mounted about 20 degrees off vertical so that the center of gravity of the fuse holder is displaced when the fuse element operates, and the fuse holder will rotate by its own weight away from the cutout body when the fuse blows. Each fuse holder will have an attached pull ring or other structure that can be engaged by a hook to manually open the switch.

Overhead high voltage electrical distribution lines in the United States use fuses to protect the integrity of the delivery system from electrical current surges and overloads. These fuses typically are in 100 amp or 200 amp models. When the fuse is triggered, the bottom portion of the fuse barrel explodes and the fuse link is destroyed. This explosion causes a large spark as well as other fuse debris to be discharged downwardly from the bottom portion of the fuse barrel. Once the fuse is blown, the fuse barrel hangs in a downward fashion from the overhead line and visual inspection can verify the blown fuse.

A common safety problem occurs with fuses when the fuse is triggered while an electrical worker (typically referred to as a “linesman”) is in close proximity to the fuse. The linesman can be seriously injured by the sparks and debris that shoot out of the bottom of the fuse barrel. The present invention is directed to providing a fuse deflector or shield that will deflect away from the lineman, the sparks and debris typically released from the bottom of the fuse barrel when there is an electrical surge and/or overload to high voltage overhead electrical lines.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a deflector or shield to direct the sparks and debris that are ejected from the bottom of a fuse barrel upon the event of an electrical surge or overload that activates the fuse.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device to protect linemen from the sparks and debris that are ejected when a fuse operates while the linemen are performing their work on high voltage overhead electrical lines.

It is a further object of the present invention to direct the sparks and debris that are ejected upon actuation of the fuse in a direction away from the lineman working nearby.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a clip member to facilitate the use of a hot stick to remove blown fuse tubs and to install new fuse tubes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuse deflector that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and simple and efficient to use.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To protect electrical line workers, the present invention is directed to a one or two piece fuse deflector having a deflecting member and a clip member.FIG. 1provides an isometric view of a first side of the deflecting member10. Said deflecting member10is comprised of a deflecting plate12attached by an angle mount13adjacent to a connector14and a long member15attached by a cross member16which serves to reinforce the attachment between the long member15and the housing17. Said deflecting portion12is angled at an effective position to deflect sparks and debris via said angle mount13. The housing17is formed with two angled portions18on either side of said housing17which are then attached on each side to two clip constituents23. Said clip constituents23have a front ridged side19and a smooth side21. A member22is connected to the angled portion18between the two clip constituents23. The underside of the housing contains grips20, which keeps the deflecting member10from slipping when engaged with a clip member on a fuse barrel as contemplated by the within invention.

FIG. 2is an isometric view of a second side of the deflecting member10which provides a better view of the grips20as well as the formation of the clip constituents23with their ridged side19and smooth side21on either side of the member22.

FIG. 3is an isometric view of a first side of the clip member50. Said clip member50is comprised of an attaching member51attached to a housing member59. One side of said attaching member51is attached to an angled member54which is further attached to a top member52. Said top member52and angled member54are further supported and attached with a reinforcement member53. The housing member59is attached on both sides to curved areas57which are then attached to the joining members56on each side. Said joining members56contain cavities55which run the length of said joining members56. The cavities55contain ridged walls60on the outermost walls and smooth walls61on the innermost walls. The housing member59is attached to the grips58on its underside. Said grips58keep the clip member50from slipping when engaged with a deflecting member on a fuse barrel.

FIG. 4is an isometric view of a second side of the clip member50which provides a clearer view of the grips58as well as the ridged walls60and smooth walls61contained in the cavities55.

FIG. 5shows the present invention engaged with a fuse barrel on a typical fuse100. The fuse switch body103is connected to the fuse barrel101. The deflector plate12is placed just below the fuse link102. The housing17and angled portion18of the deflecting member10are engaged with the curved areas57of the clip member50with the ridged sides19of the clip constituents23viewable as they protrude the cavities55. The entire deflector is engaged with the circumference of the fuse barrel101and can be moved up and down said fuse barrel101to allow the proper distance between the deflector plate12and the fuse link102.

FIG. 6provides an isometric view of a first side of the deflecting member30of a one-piece deflector showing the integral positioning member, according to the invention. Said one piece deflecting member30is comprised of a deflecting plate31at a first distal end of the deflecting member30. The deflecting plate31is integrally attached to an angle mount32, which positions the deflecting plate in an effective position to protect a lineman in the event of a fuse operating. The angle mount32is also integrally attached to the long member33, which member is reinforced along its length by a cross member34. Flexible attaching members35are attached to housing36and angled portions37, and extend outwardly therefrom to engage a fuse barrel101loaded with a fuse100. A fuse barrel101loaded with a fuse100may have a deflecting member30snapped into a secure operative position by means of the flexible attaching members35. With deflector shield31positioned below said fuse barrel101, and may be placed in service as contemplated by the invention.

FIG. 7is an isometric view of a second side of a one-piece deflector member30showing the fuse barrel attaching structure35the grips43, and the deflector31.FIG. 7shows the reverse of deflector plate31, angle mount32, the long member33and the smap in fit of flexible attaching members35and the deflector.

FIG. 8is an isometric view of a first side of a one-piece deflector70without a positioning member. The one piece deflector comprises deflecting plate71integrally attached to a long member73, which is integrally attached to housing76and angled portions77, from which flexible attaching members78extend outwardly to grip fuse barrel101containing the fuse100.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of a fuse100inside the fuse barrel101. As shown, the fuse has operated according to the invention and is illustrating the deflector directing the sparks and debris away from a lineman.

Operation

The present invention is a one or two-piece implement formed from hard plastic with flame retardant properties, including, but not limited to sycolac resin MG 47-F and ABS (acrylonitrile butadine styrene).

To utilize the present invention, a linesman attaches the deflecting member10such that the area with the grips20is engaged with the fuse barrel101of the fuse100. The clip member50is then raised to engage via the grips58with the area opposite the circumference of the fuse where the deflecting member10is being held. The clip member50is then connected to the deflecting member10such that the clip constituents23are joined through the cavities55and such that the ridged walls60are secured with the ridged sides19to join both the deflecting member10and the clip member50around the circumference of the fuse barrel101. The deflecting plate12is to be adjusted such that it is positioned under the bottom of the fuse barrel101.

To utilize the one piece structure of the present invention, a lineman attaches the deflecting member30by snapping the fuse barrel into engagement with the flexible attaching members35, along the length of the fuse barrel101with the deflecting plate positioned just below and extending under the lower end of the fuse barrel101to redirect the sparks and fuse debris in the event that the fuse operates.

As shown inFIG. 5, with the deflector plate12in place, should a burst of electricity run through the fuse100, the sparks that usually discharge from the bottom of the fuse barrel101at the fuse link102are deflected by the deflector plate12so that there is no shower of sparks and/or debris which could potentially injure a worker near the fuse100. The instant invention is designed such that after a triggering event, the fuse barrel101can still disengage from the rest of the fuse housing and hang in a downward fashion to allow visual inspection of the blown fuse.

Another feature of the disclosed invention includes the engagement of the deflecting member10and the clip member50to allow for different sized fuse barrels, which typically are between 1 inch and 1 and 3/16 inches.

In another feature of the invention, the clip member50is formed such that a lineman can lift said member into place using what is known in the industry as a “hot stick.” A hot stick is a long insulated pole with a metal end. The lineman engages the hot stick with the clip member50such that the hot stick fits in between the space formed by attaching member51, the angled member54and the top member52. The hot stick is then raised from the ground (or the utility pole) and engaged around the fuse barrel circumference with the deflecting member10to provide the fuse blow out prevention as described above.

From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the fuse deflector become evident:

1. An easy, efficient and cost-effective way to protect workers in close proximity to overhead fuses associated with high voltage electrical lines;

2. An easily placed safety system which does not interrupt the flow of electricity of high voltage electrical lines;

3. A removable safety device to protect workers in close proximity to overhead fuses; and,

4. Adjustable devices which can fit on a number of different circumferences fuse barrels to protect workers in close proximity to overhead fuses.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred, practical forms but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.