Conductor interface grabbing tool

The present disclosure provides a tool that grips a conductor interface of a wedge type electrical connector so that the conductor interface can be installed between a main conductor and a tap conductor being electrically and mechanically connected by the wedge type electrical connector. The tool includes a body, a carriage adjuster and a gripping carriage. The body has a first arm, a second arm and a back pad between the first arm and the second arm. The carriage adjuster is operatively coupled to the body, and the gripping carriage is coupled to the carriage adjuster. The second arm and the gripping carriage are used to grip the conductor interface in response to the operation of the carriage adjuster.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates generally to tools for installing electrical connectors. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tool that grips an interface of a wedge type electrical connector so that the interface can be installed between main conductors and tap conductors being connected by the wedge type electrical connector.

Description of the Related Art

Wedge type electrical connector assemblies are known in the art. Electrical connectors may be adapted to electrically and mechanically connect conductors within a transmission or distribution circuit. For example, a typical electrical connector may be used to connect a main conductor to a tap conductor. An electrical connector adapted to connect a main conductor or a tap conductor to another conductor may be referred to as a tap connector. Wedge type tap connectors typically include a C-shaped body having a curved top wall adapted to fit over a main conductor. A bolt-operated wedge is carried by the bottom of the C-shaped body and may include an elongated recess in the top for supporting the tap conductor. A conductor interface has a handle thereon which allows the interface to be placed within the C-shaped connector body between the conductors. A bolt positively moves the wedge both in and out of the C-shaped body so that a clamping action of the connector can be tightened or loosened as desired.

Placing the interface within the C-shaped connector body between the conductors may be time consuming during a hot stick installation because current hot sticks do not tightly grip the interface. As a result, the position of the interface relative to the hot stick may easily and unintentionally change which makes it difficult to place the interface between the conductors.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of a tool that grips an interface of a wedge type electrical connector so that the interface can be installed between main conductors and tap conductors being connected by the wedge type electrical connector. In an exemplary embodiment, the tool includes a body, a carriage adapter and a gripping carriage. The body has a first arm, a second arm and a back pad between the first arm and the second arm. The first arm has a bore, e.g., a threaded or smooth bore, therethrough and at least one stabilizing leg extending from a bottom surface of the first arm. The second arm has a free end with a tapered surface. The carriage adjuster extends through the bore in the first arm and is movable, e.g., rotatable, relative to the bore. The gripping carriage is coupled to the carriage adjuster such that the carriage adjuster can move the gripping carriage between a loading position and a gripping position. The gripping carriage has a tapered surface having substantially the same taper as the tapered surface of the free end of the second arm.

In another exemplary embodiment, the connector interface gripping tool includes a body, a carriage adjuster and a gripping carriage. The body is a substantially C-shaped body having a body gripping surface. The carriage adjuster has at least a portion extending through the body and is movable relative to the body. The gripping carriage is coupled to the carriage adjuster such that the carriage adjuster can move the gripping carriage between a loading position and a gripping position relative to the body. The gripping carriage has a carriage gripping surface, wherein a shape of the carriage gripping surface is configured to align with a shape of the body gripping surface so that the carriage gripping surface and the body gripping surface can grip and hold an adapter portion of a connector interface.

In another exemplary embodiment, the connector interface gripping tool includes a body, a carriage adjuster and a gripping carriage. The body has a first arm, a second arm and a back pad between the first arm and the second arm. The first arm has a bore therethrough and at least one stabilizing leg extending from a surface of the first arm. The second arm is spaced apart from the first arm and has a free end with a body gripping surface. The carriage adjuster has at least a portion extending through the bore in the first arm and is movable relative to the bore. The gripping carriage is coupled to the carriage adjuster such that the carriage adjuster can move the gripping carriage between a loading position and a gripping position relative to the body. The gripping carriage has a carriage gripping surface, wherein a shape of the carriage gripping surface is configured to align with a shape of the body gripping surface such that the carriage gripping surface and the body gripping surface can grip and hold an adapter portion of a connector interface.

In another exemplary embodiment, the connector interface gripping tool includes a body, a carriage adjuster and a gripping carriage. The body has a back pad, a first arm having a bore therethrough extending from the back pad, and a second arm extending from the back pad in the same direction as the first arm. The second arm is spaced apart from the first arm and has a tapered body gripping surface at a free end of the second arm. The carriage adjuster has at least a portion extending through the bore in the first arm and is movable relative to the first arm. The gripping carriage includes a carriage gripping surface having substantially the same taper as the body gripping surface. The gripping carriage is coupled to the carriage adjuster such that the carriage adjuster can move the gripping carriage between a loading position and a gripping position. When the gripping carriage is in the loading position there is a gap between the carriage gripping surface and the body gripping surface sufficient to permit an adapter portion of a connector interface to be positioned between the carriage gripping surface and the body gripping surface, and when the gripping carriage is in the gripping position the carriage gripping surface and the body gripping surface grip and hold the adapter portion of the connector interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of an interface gripping tool used to grip a conductor interface of an electrical cable connector so as to steady the conductor interface when installing the conductor interface between main and tap conductors. A conductor interface is a separate component of, for example, a wedge type electrical cable connector. Examples of wedge type electrical cable connectors include wedge type tap connectors that electrically and mechanically connect a main conductor to a tap conductor. The interface gripping tool according to the present disclosure is adapted to grip a conductor interface and to be coupled to an extendable reach tool, such as a hot stick. The interface gripping tool is used to install a conductor interface between a main conductor and a tap conductor positioned within a wedge type electrical cable connector. The extendable reach tool can then be used to raise and manipulate a conductor interface gripped by the interface gripping tool toward an electrical cable connector being connected to a main conductor and a tap conductor. For ease of description, the interface gripping tool contemplated by the present disclosure may also be referred to herein as the “tools” in the plural and the “tool” in the singular. The conductor interfaces referenced herein may also be referred to herein as the “interfaces” in the plural and the “interface” in the singular. The wedge type electrical cable connector referenced herein may also be referred to herein as the “tap connectors” in the plural and the “tap connector” in the singular. The main conductors referenced herein include, for example, transmission line conductors, and the tap conductors referenced herein include, for example, branch and run conductors. For general reference purposes, a main conductor supplies power from either a transmission circuit or a distribution circuit, and a tap conductor distributes power to a distribution circuit or a load.

Referring toFIGS.1-4, an exemplary embodiment of a tool10according to the present disclosure is shown gripping an adapter portion102of an interface100of a tap connector110, seen inFIG.5. The tool10includes a body20, a gripping carriage40and carriage adjuster80. The body20may be of unitary or monolithic construction and is preferably formed into a U-shaped like or C-shaped like structure having two arms22and24joined by a back pad26. The first arm22extends from one end26aof the back pad26and ends at a free end22a, and the second arm24extends from another end26bof the back pad26and ends at a free end24a. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first arm22is a substantially flat member having a length “L1” and a width “W1.” The length “L1” of the first arm22helps with the attachment of the tool10to an extendable reach tool, e.g., a hot stick. The length “L1” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches. The width “W1” is preferably less than a width “W” of the interface100. For example, the width “W1” of the first arm22may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the width “W1” of the first arm22is greater than or equal to a width “W” of the interface100. The arm22includes a bore28therethrough used to couple the carriage adjuster80to the body20. The bore28may be a threaded bore or a smooth bore. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bore28is a threaded bore. Extending from a bottom surface22bof the first arm22is one or more stabilizing legs30. The stabilizing legs30are provided to interact with a head portion of an extendable reach tool400, e.g., a hot stick, as shown inFIGS.5and6and described in more detail below.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.1-4, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the second arm24is a substantially flat member having a length “L2” and a width “W2,” seen inFIG.3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the length “L2” of the second arm24is less than the length “L1” of the first arm22. For example, the length “L2” may be in the range of about 0.25 inches and about 2 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the length “L2” of the second arm24is greater than or equal to the length “L1” of the first arm22. The width “W2” of the second arm24is preferably less than a width of the interface100. For example, the width “W2” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the width “W2” of the second arm24is greater than or equal to the width “W” of the interface100. The free end24aof the second leg24provides a body gripping surface as shown inFIG.3. The body gripping surface24amay be a tapered surface relative to the back pad26of the body20, a flat surface to the back pad26of the body20or another shaped surface. In the embodiment shown, the body gripping surface24ais a tapered surface relative to the back pad26of the body20. More specifically, the tapered body gripping surface24aat the free end of the second arm24starts at the upper surface24bof the second arm24and extends inwardly toward the back pad26. The angle “a” of the taper is preferably set so that when the tool10grips an adapter portion102of an interface100, a center axis “C” of the interface100is at an angle “β” relative to a longitudinal axis “A” of the back pad26, as seen inFIG.1. As a non-limiting example, the angle “β” may be in the range of about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, the gripping carriage40is a unitary or monolithic structure having an upper surface42, a bottom surface44, a front surface46, a rear surface48, a carriage gripping surface50, a first side surface52and a second side surface54. The gripping carriage40has a length “L3” and a width “W3.” In the exemplary embodiment shown, the length “L3” of the gripping carriage40is less than the length “L1” of the first arm22and greater than the length “L2” of the second arm24. For example, the length “L3” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the length “L3” of the gripping carriage40is greater than or equal to the length “L1” and/or less than or equal to the length “L2.” The width “W3” of the second arm24is preferably less than the width of the interface100. For example, the width “W3” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the width “W3” of the gripping carriage40is greater than or equal to the width “W” of the interface100. It is also noted that the width “W1” of the first arm, the width “W2” of the second arm and the width “W3” of the gripping carriage40may be the same or they may differ. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the widths “W1,” “W2” and “W3” are substantially the same.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.3and4, the carriage gripping surface50of the gripping carriage40extends from the front surface46to the upper surface42. The shape of the carriage gripping surface50of the gripping carriage40is preferably configured to match the shape of the body gripping surface24aof the second arm24. The carriage gripping surface may be an angled or tapered surface relative to the back pad26of the body20, a flat surface relative to the back pad26of the body20or another shaped surface. In the embodiment shown, the carriage gripping surface50is a tapered surface relative to the back pad26of the body20, where the angle “α” of the taper of the carriage gripping surface50may be in the range of about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees. The gripping carriage40includes a keyway56configured and dimensioned to receive a key86of the carriage adjuster80. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the keyway56has a narrow portion56aand a wide portion56b. Having a keyway56with a narrow portion56aand a wide portion56bpermits the key86of the carriage adjuster80positioned within the keyway56to freely rotate relative to the gripping carriage40. The gripping carriage40also includes one or more plugs60that are configured and dimensioned to secure the key86of the carriage adjuster80within the gripping carriage40, as shown inFIGS.1-3. Extending through the bottom surface44of the gripping carriage40may be an opening57that intersects with the keyway56so that the key86of the carriage adjuster80can be inserted into the gripping carriage40through the opening57.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.3and4, the carriage adjuster80is configured and dimensioned to adjust the distance between the carriage gripping surface50of the gripping carriage40and the body gripping surface24aof the second arm24. The carriage adjuster80adjusts the distance between the carriage gripping surface50and the body gripping surface24aat the free end of the second arm24between a loading position and a gripping position. When the carriage adjuster80is in the loading position, there is a sufficient gap between the carriage gripping surface50and the body gripping surface24aso that an adapter portion102of an interface100can be positioned between the gripping surfaces24aand50. When the carriage adjuster80is in the gripping positioned, the gripping surfaces24aand50grip and hold the adapter portion102of the interface100, as seen inFIGS.1and2. It is noted that the gripping surfaces24aand50may include knurling or other surface texture to enhance the grip of the gripping surfaces24aand50on the adapter portion102of the interface100.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the carriage adjuster80is an eye stem82having and eye84, the key86and a threaded portion88between the eye84and the key86. The eye84is used for coupling the tool10to an extendable reach tool400, seen inFIG.5. A non-limiting example of an extendable reach tool400is a hot stick. The key86is configured and dimensioned fit within the keyway56of the gripping carriage40. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the key86has the narrow portion86aand the wide portion86b. As described above, the narrow portion86aof the key86is configured and dimensioned to fit within the narrow portion56aof the keyway56, and the wide portion86bof the key86is configured and dimensioned to fit within the wide portion56bof the keyway56. As noted above, the gripping carriage40includes one or more plugs60that are configured and dimensioned to secure the key86of the carriage adjuster80within the gripping carriage40. The threaded portion88of the eye stem82is threaded into the bore28in the first arm22, which in this exemplary embodiment is a threaded bore. Rotation of the eye84moves the gripping carriage40at least between the loading position and the gripping position.

Referring now toFIGS.5and6, the installation of an interface100between a main conductor300and a tap conductor310positioned within a tap connector110using the tool10will be described. Initially, the gripping carriage40of the tool10is moved to the loading position using the carriage adjuster80. The adaptor portion102of the interface100is then positioned between the body gripping surface24aof the second arm24and the carriage gripping surface50of the gripping carriage40, as shown. The carriage adjuster80, which in this exemplary embodiment is an eye stem82, is then rotated clockwise moving the gripping carriage40toward the gripping position. The eye stem82is rotated until the body gripping surface24aof the second arm24and the carriage gripping surface50of the gripping carriage40grip and hold the adapter portion102of the interface100. With the gripping surfaces24aand50gripping and holding the adapter portion102of the interface100, the gripping carriage40is in the gripping position. It is noted that in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.1, the entire surface area of the gripping surfaces24aand50grip the adapter portion102of the interface100. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS.2and5, a portion of the surface area of the gripping surfaces24aand50grip a portion, e.g., a corner portion, of the adapter portion102of the interface100. With the adapter portion102of the interface100being gripped by the tool10, the eye stem82is then coupled to an extendable reach tool400, which in this exemplary embodiment is a hot stick. More specifically, a head portion402of the hot stick400has intersecting channels404and406that form four tabs408. Each channel404and406includes an opening (not shown) that extends into a hollow portion of the hot stick400. Each channel opening is configured and dimensioned to receive the eye84of the eye stem82. A technician can then insert the carriage adjuster80into one of the channel openings in the head portion402of the hot stick400until the one or more stabilizing legs30extending from the bottom surface22bof the first arm22are positioned within respective channels404or406, as shown inFIG.5. The channel openings in the hot stick400may be configured so that when the carriage adjuster80is inserted into a channel opening, the carriage adjuster80is temporarily held in place by a friction fit, or a hook410within the hot stick400can capture the eye84of the eye stem82, as seen inFIG.5.

A technician can then attach a frame112of a tap connector110to the main conductor300using a second hot stick450, as shown inFIG.5, and position a tap conductor310on a wedge114of a wedge assembly116of the tap connector110. The technician can then maneuver the hot stick400so that the interface100is positioned within a gap “G” between the main conductor300and the tap conductor310typically at a point away from a center of the frame112of the tap connector110. The interface100is then moved between and along the conductors300and310until the interface100is generally centered on the frame112of the tap connector110, as shown inFIG.6. The conductors300and310are then electrically and mechanically secured to the tap connector110by tightening a fastener118of the wedge assembly114using a third hot stick500, as is known. With the conductor300and310secured to the tap connector110, the technician can then remove the tool10from the adapter portion102of the interface100by rotating the hot stick400counter-clockwise so that the gripping carriage40moves to the loading position. With the gripping carriage40in the loading position, the adapter portion102of the interface100can be removed from the tool10.

The body20, gripping carriage40and the carriage adjuster80of the tool10are made of a rigid material sufficient to grip and hold the adapter portion102of the interface100, and to be coupled to an extendable reach tool400so that the tool10can be hoisted into close proximity to a tap connector110resting on an above-ground main conductor300. As such, the body20, gripping carriage40and the carriage adjuster80may be made of a rigid metallic material, such as aluminum, cast aluminum and stainless steel, or the body20, gripping carriage40and the carriage adjuster80may be made of a rigid non-metallic material, such as rigid thermoplastic material, e.g., Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), or thermoset rigid composite materials.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, another exemplary embodiment of a tool200according to the present disclosure is shown gripping an adapter portion102of an interface100of a tap connector110, seen inFIG.12. The tool200includes a body220, a gripping carriage240and carriage adjuster280. The body220may be of unitary or monolithic construction and is formed into a U-shaped like or C-shaped like structure having two arms222and224joined by a back pad226. The first arm222extends from one end226aof the back pad226and ends at a free end222a, and the second arm224extends from another end226bof the back pad226and ends at a free end224a. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first arm222is a substantially flat member having a length “L1” and a width “W1.” The length “L1” of the first arm222helps with the attachment of the tool200to an extendable reach tool, e.g., a hot stick. The length “L1” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches. The width “W1” is preferably less than a width “W” of the interface100. For example, the width “W1” of the first arm222may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the width “W1” of the first arm222is greater than or equal to a width “W” of the interface100. The arm222includes a bore228therethrough used to couple the carriage adjuster280to the body220. The bore228may be a threaded bore or a smooth bore. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bore228is a threaded bore. Extending from a bottom surface222bof the first arm222is one or more stabilizing legs230. The stabilizing legs230are provided to interact with a head portion of an extendable reach tool400, e.g., a hot stick, as shown inFIGS.12and13and described in more detail below.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.7-13, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the second arm224is a substantially flat member having a length “L4” and a width “W4,” seen inFIG.7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the length “L4” of the second arm224is less than the length “L1” of the first arm222. For example, the length “L4” may be in the range of about 0.25 inches and about 2 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the length “L4” of the second arm224is greater than or equal to the length “L1” of the first arm222. The width “W4” of the second arm224is preferably less than a width of the interface100. For example, the width “W4” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the width “W4” of the second arm224is greater than or equal to the width “W” of the interface100. The second arm224includes a pin receiving notch225configured to receive an interface aligning member258of the gripping carriage240, seen inFIG.8aand described in more detail below.

Referring toFIGS.7,10and10a, a bottom surface224bof the second arm224provides a body gripping surface, shown inFIG.10. The body gripping surface224bmay be an angled or tapered surface relative to the back pad226of the body220, seen inFIG.10, a flat surface to the back pad226of the body220, seen inFIG.10a, or another shaped surface. This embodiment will be described herein with the body gripping surface224bas a tapered surface relative to the back pad226of the body220. The body gripping surface224bof the second arm224starts at the free end224aof the second arm224and extends inwardly toward an inside surface of the back pad226. The angle “α” of the taper is preferably set so that when the tool200grips an adapter portion102of an interface100, a center axis “C” of the interface100is at an angle “β” relative to a longitudinal axis “A” of the back pad226, as seen inFIG.7. As a non-limiting example, the angle “β” may be in the range of about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees.

Referring toFIGS.7and11, the gripping carriage240is a unitary or monolithic structure having an upper surface242, a bottom surface244, a front surface246, a rear surface248, a carriage gripping surface250, e.g., a tapered surface, a first side surface252and a second side surface254. The gripping carriage40has a length “L3” and a width “W3.” In the exemplary embodiment shown, the length “L3” of the gripping carriage240is less than the length “L1” of the first arm222and greater than the length “L4” of the second arm224. For example, the length “L3” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the length “L3” of the gripping carriage240is greater than or equal to the length “L1” and/or less than or equal to the length “L4.” The width “W3” of the second arm224is preferably less than the width of the interface100. For example, the width “W3” may be in the range of about 0.5 inches and about 3 inches. However, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments where the width “W3” of the gripping carriage240is greater than or equal to the width “W” of the interface100. It is also noted that the width “W1” of the first arm222, the width “W4” of the second arm224and the width “W3” of the gripping carriage240may be the same or they may differ. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the widths “W1,” “W2” and “W3” are substantially the same.

Referring toFIGS.7,10,10aand11, the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240extends from the front surface246to the upper surface242. The shape of the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240is preferably configured to match the shape of the body gripping surface224bof the second arm224. The carriage gripping surface250may be an angled or tapered surface relative to the back pad226of the body220, seen inFIG.10, a flat surface to the back pad226of the body220, seen inFIG.10a, or another shaped surface. In this embodiment, the carriage gripping surface250is described with a tapered surface relative to the back pad226of the body220, where the angle “α” of the taper of the carriage gripping surface250may be in the range of about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees. The gripping carriage240includes one or more plug holes256configured and dimensioned to receive one or more plugs260. The one or more plugs260are configured and dimensioned to secure a key286of the carriage adjuster280within the gripping carriage240, as shown inFIG.11. Extending from the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240is an interface aligning member258. The interface aligning member258is configured and dimensioned to fit within an aperture104in the adapter portion102of the interface100, as seen inFIG.8a. In the embodiment shown, the interface aligning member258may be a solid or hollow pin like structure that is press fit into an opening257in the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240. As shown inFIG.8, when the gripping carriage240is in the gripping position, described in more detail below, the interface aligning member258is received within the pin receiving notch225of the second arm224. With the interface aligning member258within the pin receiving notch225a positive interconnection between the gripping carriage240and the interface100is provided. This positive interface prevents the interface100from being removed from the tool200. In addition, this positive interface permits the interface100to be rotated to adjust the positioning of the interface relative to the body220of the tool200, as seen inFIG.9.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.7,8and11, the carriage adjuster280is configured and dimensioned to adjust the distance between the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240and the body gripping surface224bof the second arm224. The carriage adjuster280adjusts the distance between the carriage gripping surface250and the body gripping surface224bbetween a loading position and a gripping position. When the carriage adjuster280is in the loading position, there is a sufficient gap between the carriage gripping surface250and the body gripping surface224bso that an adapter portion102of an interface100can be positioned between the gripping surfaces224band250. When the carriage adjuster280is in the gripping positioned, the gripping surfaces224band250grip and hold the adapter portion102of the interface100, as seen inFIG.8a. It is noted that the gripping surfaces224band250may include knurling or other surface texture to enhance the grip of the gripping surfaces224band250on the adapter portion102of the interface100.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the carriage adjuster280is an eye stem282having and eye284, the key286and a threaded portion288between the eye284and the key286. The eye284is used for coupling the tool200to an extendable reach tool400, seen inFIG.12. A non-limiting example of an extendable reach tool400is a hot stick. The key286is configured and dimensioned fit within an opening259in the bottom surface244of the gripping carriage240. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the opening259intersects with the one or more plug holes256. As noted above, the gripping carriage240includes one or more plugs260that are configured and dimensioned to secure the key286of the carriage adjuster280within the gripping carriage240. The threaded portion288of the eye stem282is threaded into the bore228in the first arm222, which in this exemplary embodiment is a threaded bore. Rotation of the eye284moves the gripping carriage240at least between the loading position and the gripping position.

Referring now toFIGS.12and13, the installation of an interface100between a main conductor300and a tap conductor310positioned within a tap connector110using the tool200will be described. Initially, the gripping carriage240of the tool200is moved to the loading position, seen inFIG.7, using the carriage adjuster280. The adaptor portion102of the interface100is then positioned between the body gripping surface224bof the second arm224and the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240so that the interface aligning member258is positioned in the aperture104of the adapter portion102of the interface100, as seen inFIGS.7and8a. The carriage adjuster280, which in this exemplary embodiment is an eye stem282, is then rotated clockwise moving the gripping carriage240toward the gripping position. The eye stem282is rotated until the body gripping surface224bof the second arm224and the carriage gripping surface250of the gripping carriage240grip and hold the adapter portion102of the interface100, as seen inFIG.12. With the gripping surfaces224band250and the interface aligning member258gripping and holding the adapter portion102of the interface100, the gripping carriage240is in the gripping position. As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.9, the interface100can be moved, e.g., pivoted or rotated, between the gripping surfaces224band250about the interface aligning member258acting as a pivot point to align the interface100for installation between the main conductor300and the tap conductor310. With the adapter portion102of the interface100being gripped by the tool200, the eye stem282is then coupled to an extendable reach tool400, seen inFIG.12, which in this exemplary embodiment is a hot stick. More specifically, a head portion402of the hot stick400has intersecting channels404and406that form four tabs408. Each channel404and406includes an opening (not shown) that extends into a hollow portion of the hot stick400. Each channel opening is configured and dimensioned to receive the eye284of the eye stem282. A technician can then insert the carriage adjuster280into one of the channel openings in the head portion402of the hot stick400until the one or more stabilizing legs230extending from the bottom surface222bof the first arm222are positioned within respective channels404or406, as shown inFIG.12. The channel openings in the hot stick400may be configured so that when the carriage adjuster280is inserted into a channel opening, the carriage adjuster280is temporarily held in place by a friction fit, or a hook410within the hot stick400can capture the eye284of the eye stem282, as seen inFIG.12.

A technician can then attach a frame112of a tap connector110to the main conductor300using a second hot stick450, as shown inFIG.12, and position a tap conductor310on a wedge114of a wedge assembly116of the tap connector110. The technician can then maneuver the hot stick400so that the interface100is positioned within a gap “G” between the main conductor300and the tap conductor310typically at a point away from a center of the frame112of the tap connector110. The interface100is then moved between and along the conductors300and310until the interface100is generally centered on the frame112of the tap connector110, as shown inFIG.13. The conductors300and310are then electrically and mechanically secured to the tap connector110by tightening a fastener118of the wedge assembly114using a third hot stick500, as is known. With the conductor300and310secured to the tap connector110, the technician can then remove the tool200from the adapter portion102of the interface100by rotating the hot stick400counter-clockwise so that the gripping carriage240moves to the loading position. With the gripping carriage240in the loading position, the adapter portion102of the interface100can be removed from the tool200as shown inFIG.13.

The body220, gripping carriage240and the carriage adjuster280of the tool200are made of a rigid material sufficient to grip and hold the adapter portion102of the interface100, and to be coupled to an extendable reach tool400so that the tool200can be hoisted into close proximity to a tap connector110resting on an above-ground main conductor300. As such, the body220, gripping carriage240and the carriage adjuster280may be made of a rigid metallic material, such as aluminum, cast aluminum, and stainless steel, or the body220, gripping carriage240and the carriage adjuster280may be made of a rigid non-metallic material, such as rigid thermoplastic material, e.g., Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), or thermoset rigid composite materials.

Turning now toFIG.14, another exemplary embodiment of a tool300according to the present disclosure is shown. The tool300includes a body320, a gripping carriage340and carriage adjuster280. In this exemplary embodiment, the carriage adjuster280is the same as the carriage adjuster described above so that a description thereof is not repeated. The body320has two arms322and324joined by a back pad326. The first arm322extends from one end326aof the back pad326and ends at a free end322a, and the second arm324is operatively coupled to and extends from another end326bof the back pad226and ends at a free end324a. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first arm322is a substantially flat member that is substantially the same as the first arm222described above. The first arm322includes a bore328therethrough used to couple the carriage adjuster280to the body320. The bore328may be a threaded bore or a smooth bore. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bore328is a threaded bore. Extending from a bottom surface322bof the first arm322is one or more stabilizing legs330. The stabilizing legs330are provided to interact with a head portion of an extendable reach tool400, e.g., a hot stick, similar to the stabilizing legs30and230described above.

Continuing to refer toFIG.14, the second arm324is dimensionally similar to the second arms24and224described above, and may include a pin receiving notch325configured to receive an interface aligning member extending from a gripping carriage, similar interface aligning member258extending from the gripping carriage240described above. A bottom surface324bof the second arm324provides a body gripping surface. In this exemplary embodiment, the second arm324articulates relative to the body320so that the body gripping surface324bmay be an angled surface relative to the back pad226of the body220, or a flat surface to the back pad226of the body220. To articulate the second arm324, the second arm is operatively coupled to and extends from the end326bof the back pad226using, for example, a tilt lock assembly370. In one non-limiting example, the end326bof the back pad326includes a pair of spaced apart legs372each having a bore374therethrough. The spaced apart legs372form a channel376configured and dimensioned to receive a tongue378forming part of the second arm324. The spaced apart legs372and channel376form a portion of the tilt lock assembly370. An interior surface of each leg372includes a rosette member382aligned with a respective bore374, as shown. Each rosette member382may include a washer like plate secured to or formed into the leg372, and a plurality of teeth384are formed radially and annularly around a center opening of the plate. The center opening of each plate is positioned on the leg372to align with the respective bore374on the leg372. The tilt lock assembly370also includes the tongue378of the second arm324. The tongue378includes a bore380therethrough configured to align with the bores374in the legs372when the tongue378is positioned between the pair of legs372. Exterior sides of the tongue378include a rosette member386aligned with the bore380, as shown. Each rosette member386may include a washer like plate with a plurality of teeth388formed radially and annularly around a center opening. The center opening of the plate is positioned on the tongue378to align with the bore380through the tongue. When the tongue378is positioned within the channel376, the teeth384and388mesh, and a bolt390is passed through the bores374and380and springs392and secured with a nut394so that the meshed teeth are locked in the current meshed position. By loosening the nut394, the second arm224can be pivoted or rotated to adjust the position of the body gripping surface324aof the second arm224relative to the body320, as shown.

The gripping carriage340is a unitary or monolithic structure having different surfaces that may include an upper surface342, a bottom surface344, a front surface346, a rear surface348, a carriage gripping surface350, a first side surface352and a second side surface354. The dimensions of the gripping carriage340are similar to the gripping carriages40and240described above. In this exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface344of the gripping carriage340includes an opening, similar to opening259described above, that receives the key286of the carriage adjuster280. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the opening in the bottom surface344intersects with the one or more plug holes356in the side walls352and354of the gripping carriage340. In this embodiment, the one or more plug holes356are threaded holes configured to receive threaded machine screws360that are configured and dimensioned to secure the key286of the carriage adjuster280within the gripping carriage340. Using the machine screws360, permits the gripping carriage340to be removable so that different carriage gripping surfaces350can be used with the tool300. When a different gripping carriage340is coupled to the carriage adjuster280, the second arm324can be articulated or tilted so that the body gripping surface324bof the second arm324is substantially parallel to the carriage gripping surface350of the newly coupled gripping carriage340.

While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.