APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING CONDUCTORS

A set of components for assembling a temporary wire suspender includes in the set a yoke plate, a plurality of J-hook assemblies, a plurality of linkage members, and a plurality of removable couplers configurable to handle an expandable number of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors. Positive control of the suspended and/or supported energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors is achieved by using releasable latches on the J-hook assemblies.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to the field of devices and methods for temporarily suspending and supporting powerline conductors or wires, including sub-conductors in a conductor bundle, and in particular to a set of components which, once modularly assembled, provides for simultaneously suspending different arrangements of single or multiple sub-conductors in proximity to one another.

BACKGROUND

High voltage transmission and distribution lines are typically strung between a series of spaced-apart support structures such as towers or poles. The conductors or wires are connected to insulators mounted on the towers or poles. Periodically it is necessary to replace or repair components on the towers or poles, such as cross arms and insulators or the support structure itself, to maintain the electrical circuit in good working order. It is preferable if this maintenance and repair work, referred to as hot line work, can be performed without de-energizing the conductors in order to avoid, for example, an interruption of service. Hot line work is a potentially hazardous undertaking. Safety regulations require that linemen maintain minimum work clearances or “limit of approach distance” from energized conductors. The limit of approach distance varies depending upon the voltage of the conductors. The higher the voltage, the larger the limit of approach distance required.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,535,132, alternating current is generated in a three-phase configuration. The three phases, A phase, B phase and C phase, are all transported over separate conductors, cables or wires. Each such separate single conductor may be referred to in the industry as a phase. It is appreciated by one skilled in the art, that in some systems, more than one conductor, referred to herein as sub-conductors, carry the power load for a particular phase. This may be done in instances when a load is greater than a single conductor can accommodate. In such cases, multiple, so-called bundled, sub-conductors are often located adjacent to one another and may hang from the same insulator. The sub-conductors may be separated by spacers. Insulators may be configured to carry for example double sub-conductors, two sub-conductors per phase, under a yoke plate attached to the insulator or insulators. Conductor bundles may have two, three, four, five or six or more sub-conductors per bundle.

A manipulator for manipulating multiple sub-conductors in a single phase conductor bundle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,573,562. The manipulator supports the sub-conductors in an energized single-phase conductor bundle and includes a rigid support member and first and second actuators mounted on the support member, wherein each actuator is independently actuable of the other. Insulators are mounted on each actuator. A selectively releasable coupler is mounted on each insulator for selectively releasable coupling of each insulator to a corresponding sub-conductor. The actuators extend corresponding insulators independently of one another from the support member to thereby separate from each other, by an optimized separation distance, the distal ends of each insulator.

PCT/US2021/022141, filed Mar. 12, 2021, and published as WO 2021/183906 on Sep. 16, 2021 describes a bundle lifter for supporting sub-conductors in a single conductor bundle.

As seen inFIG.1, it is known in the prior art to support the sub-conductors in a conductor bundle using hooks2suspended by cables from a yoke plate4, such apparatus as supplied for example by Ningbo Huaxiang Dongfang Machinery and Tools of Power Co., Ltd., Zhejiang, China (www.nbdf-stringingequipments.com).

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, a set of components for assembling a temporary wire suspender for temporarily suspending or supporting a plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors, separated from each other by a pre-set clearance, is provided. The set includes a yoke plate having left and right yoke plate conductor cradles. The yoke plate also includes an engagement structure for carrying, along a centroidal vertical axis of the yoke plate, the loading from the weight of the sub-conductors. The engagement structure may preferably be upper and lower suspension apertures formed in the yoke plate and the set also includes a plurality of J-hook assemblies. Each J-hook assembly has a corresponding conductor cradle and a corresponding J-hook engagement structure, for carrying, along a centroidal vertical axis of the J-hook, the loading from the weight of the corresponding conductor or sub-conductor. The set further comprises a plurality of elongate linkage members. Each linkage member has a corresponding engagement structure. The set also comprises a plurality of removable couplers adapted to releasably, selectively and mechanically couple the yoke plate, the plurality of J-hook assemblies, and the plurality of linkage members through their corresponding engagement structures into multiple wire suspender assembled combinations to temporarily suspend or support the plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors. The assembled combinations is an assembled combination chosen from the group comprising: (a) a two sub-conductor horizontally disposed wire suspender comprising the yoke plate, and wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles, separated by the pre-set clearance, (b) a two sub-conductor vertically disposed wire suspender comprising first and second J-hook assemblies of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled vertically one above the other through at least one linkage member of the plurality of linkage members, and wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are suspended in conductor cradles of the first and second J-hook assemblies, separated by the pre-set clearance, (c) a three conductor vertically disposed wire suspender comprising first, second and third J-hook assemblies of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled vertically one above the other through the plurality of linkage members, and wherein first, second and third conductors of the plurality of conductors are suspended in conductor cradles of the first, second and third J-hook assemblies, separated from each other by the pre-set clearance, (d) a two up, one down three sub-conductor wire suspender comprising the yoke plate and a J-hook assembly of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled to a bottom end of the yoke plate through at least one linkage member of the plurality of linkage members, and wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles and a third sub-conductor of the plurality of sub-conductors is suspended in a conductor cradle of the J-hook assembly, separated from each other by the pre-set clearance, (e) a one up, two down three sub-conductor wire suspender comprising a J-hook assembly of the plurality of J-hook assemblies and the yoke plate coupled to a bottom end of the J-hook assembly through at least one linkage member of the plurality of linkage members, and wherein a first sub-conductor of the plurality of sub-conductors is suspended in a conductor cradle of the J-hook assembly and second and third sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles, separated from each other by the pre-set clearance, or (f) a four sub-conductor wire suspender comprising the yoke plate and first and second J-hook assemblies of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled to ends of the yoke plate through the plurality of linkage members such that the first and second J-hook assemblies depend downwardly from the yoke plate, and wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles and third and fourth sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are suspended in corresponding conductor cradles of the first and second J-hook assemblies, separated from each other by the pre-set clearance.

In another aspect, a method for temporarily suspending or supporting a plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors, separated from each other by a pre-set clearance is provided. The method comprises providing the set of components described above. The method further comprises assembling a temporary wire suspender having one of the assembled combinations described above. The temporary wire suspender comprises a plurality of conductor cradles. The method further comprises moving the plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors from their primary location. Finally, the method comprises locating the plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors in the plurality of the conductor cradles such that a weight of the plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors is suspended or supported by the temporary wire suspender, and the plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors are secured in the temporary wire suspender and are separated from each other by the pre-set clearance.

In another aspect, a set of components for assembling a temporary wire suspender for temporarily supporting a plurality of energized or de-energized conductors or sub-conductors is provided. The set comprises a yoke plate having: first and second, correspondingly upper and lower, suspension apertures formed therein along a centroidally located vertical axis of symmetry of the yoke plate. The yoke plate further comprises oppositely disposed left and right yoke plate conductor cradles formed in the yoke plate and symmetrically spaced apart in the yoke plate from the vertical axis of symmetry of the yoke plate, and third and fourth suspension apertures formed in the yoke plate below the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles respectively. The set also comprises a plurality of J-hook assemblies. Each J-hook assembly of the plurality of J-hook assemblies has a hook so as to form a corresponding conductor cradle at a lower end thereof and has fifth and sixth, correspondingly upper and lower, suspension apertures formed therein respectively above and below the J-hook assembly conductor cradle along a centroidal vertical axis of the J-hook assembly. The set also comprises a plurality of elongate linkage members. Each linkage member of the plurality of linkage members has seventh and eighth suspension apertures formed therein at opposite ends thereof. The set finally comprises a plurality of removable couplers which are adapted to releasably couple the yoke plate, the plurality of J-hook assemblies, and the plurality of elongate linkage members, using, respectively, the corresponding second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth suspension apertures into multiple wire suspender assembled combinations to temporarily support the plurality of conductors or sub-conductors. The assembled combinations is chosen from the group of assembled combinations comprising: (a) a two sub-conductor horizontally disposed wire suspender, wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles, (b) a two sub-conductor vertically disposed wire suspender, wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are suspended in the conductor cradles of first and second J-hook assemblies of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled vertically one above the other, either to each other or with at least one intervening linkage member of the plurality of elongate linkage members therebetween, (c) a three conductor vertically disposed wire suspender, wherein first, second and third conductors of the plurality of conductors are suspended in the conductor cradles of first, second and third J-hook assemblies of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled vertically one above the other through the plurality of elongate linkage members, (d) a two up, one down three sub-conductor wire suspender wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles and wherein a third sub-conductor of the plurality of sub-conductors is suspended in a J-hook assembly of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled by its fifth suspension aperture to the second suspension aperture in the yoke plate, (e) a one up, two down three sub-conductor wire suspender wherein a first sub-conductor of the plurality of sub-conductors is supported in a J-hook assembly of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled by its sixth suspension aperture with at least one intervening linkage member of the plurality of elongate linkage members therebetween first suspension aperture in the yoke plate, and wherein second and third sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles, or (f) a four sub-conductor wire suspender wherein first and second sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles, and wherein third and fourth sub-conductors of the plurality of sub-conductors are suspended in first and second J-hook assemblies of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled by their fifth suspension apertures to the third and fourth suspension apertures in the yoke plate by intervening linkage members, the seventh suspension apertures of the intervening linkage members coupled to the third and fourth suspension apertures of the yoke plate, the eighth suspension apertures of the intervening linkage members coupled to the fifth suspension apertures of the first and second J-hook assemblies.

In another aspect, a single wire conductor wire suspender comprising a J-hook assembly of the plurality of J-hook assemblies coupled vertically to a top link, and wherein first conductor is suspended in the conductor cradle of the J-hook assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, for temporarily supporting and suspending conductors or multiple, spaced apart sub-conductors of a conductor bundle, may be assembled using a set or kit of components matched to one another for interchangeability of components so that a lineman may quickly and easily tailor and construct a temporary wire suspender to match the immediate needs of a job such as to temporarily simultaneously support or suspend a single conductor or two, three, four, six, eight, etc. spaced-apart sub-conductors of a conductor bundle. The set or kit (collectively herein a set) of components may be regarded as a set of components for assembling a temporary wire suspender for suspending and supporting multiple conductors or multiple, spaced-apart sub-conductors, which includes in the set a yoke plate, a plurality of J-hook assemblies, a plurality of linkage members, and a plurality of removable fasteners, all as better described below. As used herein, support or suspend have been used interchangeably to define conductors or sub-conductors supported by the yoke plate, or conductors or sub-conductors suspended in the J-hook assemblies.

As seen in the figures, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts in each view, the set of components for the assembly of a wire suspender10includes a yoke plate12. Yoke plate12has an engagement structure such as upper and lower suspension apertures14aand14bshown inFIG.9, (alternatively referred to herein as first and second suspension apertures) formed therein along a centroidally located vertical axis of symmetry A. Oppositely disposed left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16aand16bare formed in yoke plate12and are symmetrically spaced apart in the yoke plate from the vertical axis of symmetry A. Third and fourth suspension apertures18aand18b(FIG.9) are formed in yoke plate12below left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16brespectively.

The set of components for the assembly of the wire suspender10also includes a plurality of J-hook assemblies20. Each J-hook assembly20has a hook20aat a lower end thereof so as to form a corresponding conductor cradle20bat a lower end of hook20a. Further, each J-hook assembly has a corresponding engagement structure such as upper and lower suspension apertures22aand22bshown inFIG.8A, (alternatively referred to herein as fifth and sixth suspension apertures). The upper and lower suspension apertures are formed in J-hook assembly20respectively above and below the conductor cradle20balong the centroidal vertical axis B of J-hook assembly20. Preferably hooks20aare selectively releasably closed by latches, better described below which assist in providing positive control of the supported or suspended conductors such that the conductors may be moved to positions allowing linemen their required minimum approach distance when repairing or replacing insulators or the like, while minimizing the possibility that a conductor suspended in the J-hook assembly20may fall out of its supporting hook20a.

The set of components for the assembly of the wire suspender10also includes a linkage assembly24including, in one embodiment, a plurality of long elongate linkage members24cand short linkage members24d(FIG.11A). Each linkage member24cand24dhas corresponding engagement structures such as seventh and eighth suspension apertures26aand26brespectively formed at opposite ends of the linkage members24cand24d.

The set of components for the assembly of the wire suspender10also includes a plurality of removable couplers, such as fasteners, adapted to releasably, selectively and mechanically couple combinations of the yoke plate12, the plurality of J-hooks assemblies20, and the plurality of elongate linkage members24cand24dthrough their corresponding engagement structures into multiple wire suspender assembled combinations to temporarily support and suspend, for example, conductors or two, three or four sub-conductors. In some embodiments, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth suspension apertures of the yoke plate, the J-hook assemblies and the linkage members are selectively, releasably and mechanically fastened into various assembled combinations of the wire suspender desired to meet the immediate job requirements. Examples, not intended to be limiting, of the group of assembled combinations for supporting and suspending conductors or sub-conductors include:Example 1: for a two sub-conductor horizontally disposed conductor bundle, first and second sub-conductors30are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16bin yoke plate12.FIGS.4A-4Dillustrate a horizontal two bundle wire suspender adapted for this.FIG.2Ashows an example of this arrangement in use, wherein a crane boom8is used to pick the two sub-conductors30so that they rest in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16bin yoke plate12, whereafter the sub-conductors may be temporarily supported and moved away from the pole7and its corresponding insulators7afor repair or maintenance of the insulators or pole. The crane cable8aand hook8bare separated and isolated or insulated from the yoke plate by an insulator9.Example 2: for a two sub-conductor vertically disposed conductor bundle, first and second sub-conductors30are suspended in the conductor cradles20bof first and second J-hook assemblies20fastened vertically one above the other with at least one intervening linkage member24cor24dtherebetween.FIGS.5A to5Cillustrate a vertical two bundle wire suspender adapted for this. This arrangement is shown in use inFIG.2B. If, as seen inFIG.2C, instead of two sub-conductors, it is desired to temporarily suspend three vertically aligned conductors, for example where the three conductors are three phases, one end of an insulator9is fastened to a first J-hook assembly and a second J-hook assembly20is fastened to the other end of the first insulator. A second insulator9is fastened at its one end to the second J-hook assembly and at its other end to a third J-hook assembly. In this case, the J-hook assemblies are separated and electrically isolated or insulated by insulators9instead of linkage members24cand24d. As one skilled in the art will understand, two J-hook assemblies separated by one insulator may be used to suspend two conductors, such as two phase conductors in a DC environment.Example 3: for a two up, one down three sub-conductor bundle, first and second sub-conductors30are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16band a third sub-conductor30is suspended in a J-hook assembly20fastened by fifth suspension aperture22ain J-hook assembly20to the second suspension aperture14bin yoke plate12.FIGS.6A-6Cillustrate a three bundle wire suspender adapted for this. This arrangement is shown in use inFIGS.2D and2E. A linkage member24cor24dbetween the yoke plate12and J-hook assembly20may be used to increase the separation between the upper and lower sub-conductors.Example 4: for a one up, two down three sub-conductor bundle (FIG.7A), a first sub-conductor30is suspended in a J-hook assembly20linked above a yoke plate12. In particular, a top link32is mounted at the upper end of the J-hook assembly in upper suspension aperture22aand the lower end of the J-hook assembly is fastened by suspension aperture22bto the upper end of linkage members24cand24d, which are themselves fastened at their lower end to upper suspension aperture14ain yoke plate12. Second and third sub-conductors are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16bof yoke plate12.FIGS.7A to7Cillustrate a three bundle wire suspender adapted for this.Example 5: for a four sub-conductor bundle, first and second sub-conductors30are supported in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16b. Third and fourth sub-conductors30are suspended in first and second J-hook assemblies20fastened by their fifth suspension apertures22ato the third and fourth suspension apertures18a,18bin yoke plate12by intervening linkage members24cor24d. The seventh suspension apertures26aof the intervening linkage members24cor24dare fastened to the third and fourth suspension apertures18a,18bof yoke plate12. The eighth suspension apertures26bof the intervening linkage members24cor24dare fastened to the fifth suspension apertures22aof the first and second J-hook assemblies20.FIGS.8A-8Dillustrate a four bundle wire suspender adapted for this. An example of this arrangement is shown in use inFIGS.2F and2G.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, other examples exist; for example for supporting or suspending five, six or eight sub-conductors in a conductor bundle. In those further examples and others, the various components of the set are expanded to hold further sub-conductors. Using the example of a six sub-conductor bundle, a further pair of J-hook assemblies20would be added to the four bundle wire suspender in Example 5 above, intervening linkage members24cor24d, for example short linkage members24din the arrangement as seen inFIGS.8A-8C, would be added, linked to and below, in a daisy-chain fashion, the existing pair of J-hook assemblies20being used to suspend the third and fourth sub-conductors. A further pair of J-hook assemblies20would then be linked to and below the further intervening linkage members24cor24dto suspend fifth and sixth sub-conductors. Removable fasteners such as bolts48and lock nuts48amay be used to join the components together modularly by bolting the bolts through the suspension apertures in the various components of the set as required to support the desired number of conductors in the desired arrangement.

As may be seen, in the illustrated embodiments, the yoke plate may be a V-shaped flat plate so as to assist in giving sufficient separation between the upper conductors held in the left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16b, and a lower conductor held in a J-hook assembly20suspended, for example by a linkage member24cor24d, from the second suspension aperture14b.

As seen inFIGS.4A and6A, shackle28may be coupled to the first suspension aperture14ain yoke plate12for lifting of a conductor bundle using the present sub-conductor wire suspender by a crane or chain hoist, keeping in mind that the loading weight may be in the range of eight thousand or more pounds for the conductor bundle as each sub-conductor may weigh in the order of two or three thousand pounds. In the example of the first and second J-hook assemblies20supporting a two sub-conductor vertically disposed bundle (Example 2 above), a top link32is coupled to the fifth suspension aperture22aof an upper J-hook assembly20of the vertical pair of J-hook assemblies. Top link32(FIG.7A) couples the upper J-hook assembly20to the shackle28.

In one embodiment, such as the embodiment illustrated inFIG.10, each J-hook assembly20is made up of a parallel, spaced apart pair of hook-shaped plates20cseparated laterally by a latch assembly hook34having a thickness t between hook-shaped plates20c. Hook-shaped plates20care spaced apart in order to accept one end, for example a lower end24bof one of the linkage members24cor24d, either long linkage members24cor short linkage members24d, between upper ends of the hook-shaped plates20c, and to sandwich or clamp latch assembly hook34between lower ends of the hook-shaped plates20c. By way of example, as other dimensions would also work as would be known to one skilled in the art, yoke plate12, hook-shaped plates20c, linkage members24, and latch assembly hook34may have a thickness t of for example 1.250 inches, and latch assembly arms36and outside clamp plates38aand38b, both described below, may have a thickness of 1.125 inches. By way of further example, as other dimensions would also work as would be known to one skilled in the art, J-hook assembly20may have a length of approximately 11 inches measured along axis B, and a maximum width of approximately 8 inches measured perpendicular to axis B in the plane containing and parallel to hook-shaped plates20c.

As mentioned above, J-hook assemblies20each may advantageously further include a latch assembly having a latch assembly arm36and a latch assembly hook34. The latch assembly arm36releasably closes over the opening20dwhich opens into the conductor cradle20bof hook20a. In the illustrated embodiment,FIGS.3D and8A, not intended to be limiting, the latch assembly arm36is rotatably coupled at a first end36ato a distal end of hook20aso as to be selectively rotatable between an open position clear of the opening20dinto the hook20aso as to allow capture of a conductor30into the conductor cradle20b, and the closed position illustrated (e.g.,FIG.3B), closing across the opening20dinto the hook20aso as to positively retain, and thus secure conductor30once suspended in the hook20a.

Applicant has contemplated various ways of remotely operating the latch assembly for opening and closing of the conductor cradle20b. In a first contemplated embodiment, a tool, such as a hot stick having a hook attachment is used to hook onto an eyebolt44mounted on the upper side of latch assembly arm36, so that pulling or pushing the eyebolt opens or closes the latch assembly. In a second contemplated embodiment, a flexible member such as a length of rope or cable45, may be coupled to the latch assembly arm36for remote opening and closing of the latch assembly by the pulling on one end or the other of the rope or cable45.FIG.17Ashows coupling of a rope or cable45to the latch assembly arm36for its opening and closing. The following paragraphs also describe coupling of a hot stick to the latch assembly through eye bolt44for opening and closing of the latch assembly.

A pair of outermost U-shaped clamp plates38; in particular plate38afor the bolt end of bolts40(FIG.14A) and plate38bfor the nut or thread end of bolts40(FIG.14B), clamp together the pair of hook-shaped plates20cand latch assembly hook34by means of bolts40journalled in and through corresponding bolt-holes. For example, in clamp plates38b, the holes may be threaded to receive the threaded ends of bolts40to thereby tighten and clamp together the outside clamp plates38aand38b, hook plates20c, and latch assembly hook34.

In the illustrated embodiment, not intended to be limiting, the latch assembly arm36is rotatably coupled at first end36ato the distal end of hook20a, between the distal ends of hook-shaped plates20c. Bolt40′ is mounted through the ends of the outside clamp plates38aand38band hook-shaped plates20c, making up the distal end of hook20a, and in particular through corresponding bolt holes in the distal ends of the pair of hook-shaped plates20cand the pair of outside clamping plates38aand38bmounted on the opposite sides of hook-shaped plates20c. Outside clamping plates38aand38bclamp the pair of hook-shaped plates20cwhich clamp the latch assembly hook34therebetween.

With reference toFIG.13D, bolt40′ also passes through a slot36bformed in the first end36aof latch assembly arm36. A latch tooth36cis formed on the second end36dof latch assembly arm36, opposite the first end36a. Latch tooth36clies on the longitudinal axis C of slot36b. A spring42is mounted in slot36bso as to extend between slot end36b′ and bolt40′ and held in place by set screw36f(shown inFIG.13D). Spring42resiliently urges latch assembly arm36in direction D along axis C so as to drive latch tooth36cinto a correspondingly shaped notch or hook34aformed in the latch assembly hook34.

When latch assembly arm36is in its closed position, translation in direction D (FIGS.13A,13B and13D) of latch assembly arm36against the resilient return biasing force of spring42latches the latch assembly closed so that a conductor30held in the corresponding conductor cradle20bis prevented from falling out of the conductor cradle and out of the opening20dso as to fall from the J-hook assembly20. Again, the latch assembly arm36when closed and latched provides secure positive control of the conductor30, and thus increases safety. Translation of latch assembly arm36along slot36bin a direction opposite to direction D against the return biasing force of spring42releases the second end36dof latch assembly36from notch or hook34awhereafter latch assembly arm36is rotatable in direction E into its open position. In one embodiment, a hot stick eye bolt44is rotatably mounted on the upper surface of latch assembly arm36so that a lineman may employ a hot stick (having, for example, a length of four feet or more, and having a hook tool end) to actuate latch assembly arm36between its open and closed positions. Angling axis C, the translation axis, of latch assembly arm36slightly upwardly from its axis of rotation G by for example 13 degrees, provides an improved angle for access by a lineman's hot stick to hot stick eye bolt44.

To open latch assembly from its closed position, with the latch assembly in its closed and latched position, the hook on the end of the hot stick (not shown) is hooked by the lineman into the eye44aof hot stick eye bolt44and the hot stick pulled in direction F (FIG.3). Pulling in direction F translates latch assembly arm36over bolt40′ in slot36bso as to compress spring42and simultaneously so as to disengage latch tooth36cfrom notch or hook34a. Once latch tooth36cclears notch or hook34a, latch assembly arm36is free to rotate in direction E under the continued tension by the hot stick in direction F. Once the conductor30is captured in the conductor cradle20b, the hot stick is pushed in a direction opposite to direction F so as to rotate latch assembly arm36in a direction opposite to direction E. Continued rotation of latch assembly36engages latch tooth36cwith notch or hook34a, and, once the two are aligned, the spring force of spring42urges the latch assembly arm36to secure latch tooth36cinto notch or hook34athereby releasably locking the latch assembly closed over opening20d. Thus, the translation, opening and closing of the latch assembly arm36is controlled remotely by the lineman using the hot stick to, respectively, pull and push on the hot stick eye bolt44.

The longitudinal axis of slot36bis aligned along the translation axis C of latch assembly arm36. Axis C may be substantially at right angles to the centroidal central axis B of the J-hook assembly20, but advantageously is angled slightly upward from horizontal about the axis of rotation G of latch assembly arm36. In the example of the illustrated embodiment, longitudinal axis C is inclined upwardly from horizontal by approximately 13 degrees as measured from the latch assembly axis of rotation G coinciding with bolt40′ which provides improved ease of access to a lineman using a hot stick to latch, unlatch and manipulate latch assembly arm36.

The underside surface36eof latch assembly arm36may be formed as approximately one half of a circle, and in particular the upper half of a full circle formed by the half-cylindrical surface of the conductor cradle20band the underside surface36ewhen the latch assembly is in its closed position. The latch assembly is curved so as to form a curved inner surface, opposite the upper surface, wherein the curved inner surface and an inner surface of the hook form a circular enclosure encircling a conductor30cradled in the conductor cradle20bin the hook20awhen the latch assembly is in the closed position.

Similar to the conductor cradles20bin J-hook assemblies20, yoke plate12has left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16bformed in opposite ends of the yoke plate. The left and right yoke plate conductor cradles include outside U-shaped clamp plates38aand38bmounted on opposite sides of the yoke plate sandwiching U-shaped spacer plates50therebetween. The outside clamp plates38aand38band U-shaped spacer plates50, when mounted on yoke plate12, collectively form the curvature of the yoke plate conductor cradles. The use of outside clamp plates38aand38band U-shaped spacer plates50extend in length the cradle support surface. Advantageously, the cradle support surface is covered by a liner46. Without intending to be limiting, liner46may be a ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene or other plastic or other wear resistant dielectric liner. The liner46may be secured by flathead screws46aand supports and protects conductor30when the conductor is in the conductor cradles16a,16b. The left and right yoke plate conductor cradles16a,16bare each also selectively closed by corresponding latch assemblies. The latch assemblies function as described above for latch assemblies on J-hook assemblies20. Instead of notch or hook34ain J-hook assembly20engaging latch tooth36con latch assembly arm36, a notch or hook12aformed in both ends of yoke plate12engages latch tooth36con latch assembly arm36, wherein the ends12b,12cof yoke plate12replace the latch assembly hook34used in J-hook assembly20. The latch assemblies on yoke plate12are pivotally mounted on the yoke plate ends12band12c.

Thus, in the example of the four sub-conductor bundle assembled combination, the intervening linkage members24include a parallel pair of the linkage members24dsandwiching the yoke plate12at an upper end of the pair of the linkage members24dand sandwiching the upper end of a third linkage member24between lower ends of the pair of the linkage members24d, wherein a lower end of the third linkage member is sandwiched between the upper ends of the pair of hook-shaped plates20cof J-hook assemblies20. A pair of outside U-shaped clamp plates38aand38bare mounted on opposite sides of the hook-shaped plates20cof each J-hook assembly20. The outside clamp plates38aand38bconform to the curvature of the hook-shaped plates20cso as to extend in length the support surface of the conductor cradle. The liner46protects and supports conductor30in hook20a. Adding additional U-shaped spacers (not shown) between outside clamp plates38aand38band hook plates20cwould allow the support length in conductor cradle20bto be lengthened so that heavier conductors may be supported in the cradles with reduced risk of damage to the conductor due to an upward concentration of force caused by the support surface in the cradle being too small.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.