Abstract:
A pivoting connection is described that uses an H-shaped connector secured within the X-shaped opening of a base. One end of the H shaped connector can be inserted into the X-shaped opening at an angle corresponding to one leg of the X but is secured in the opening when twisted to a vertical position. This pivoting connection provides a reliable connection that is durable, weather resistant, and does not readily seize.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     A durable pivot mechanism with bearing surface is described that provides for smooth planar travel perpendicular to the pivot axis. The absence of ball bearings, sealed joints, or the need for lubrication makes the pivot mechanism of the invention well suited for outdoor applications in inaccessible locations. The pivot mechanism of the invention is particularly well suited for use on utility poles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In certain situations, there is a need for a durable pivot connection that is able to withstand cyclic weather extremes with little or no maintenance yet provide a reliable pivot action after extended inaction. Additionally, the pivot connection must be able to move smoothly in a plane despite significant twisting and other nonplanar forces. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a pivoting connection that is durable with little need for maintenance. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a pivot mechanism that will move smoothly in a plane and will resist torsional and other forces outside the plane of travel. 
     In accordance with these and other objects of the invention that will become apparent from the description herein, a pivoting connection according to the invention includes: 
     a. a first connector member extending in a first plane and having a first end with a first pin opening transverse to said first plane and a second end with a first pair of projections spaced from a second pair of projections in substantially an H shape, 
     b. a second connector member having a first end with transverse pin openings for mating with the pin openings of the first connector member to receive a pin therethrough and pivotably secure said first connector member and said second connector member, and a second end for connection to a movable member that can displace in a second planar direction, and 
     c. a base member having first and second coplanar ends with an offset section therebetween, said offset section having an X-shaped opening therein made of two diagonal lengths and a second support surface therebetween for receiving one pair of said projection of the H-shaped end of said first connector member when inserted along a nonvertical position and retain said first connector member in a vertical position. 
     The pivoting connection of the invention provides a simple, durable pivoting connection for guidance in a plane of motion with little maintenance and high reliability. One leg of the H-shaped end of the connector member fits through the X-shaped opening in the base member along one leg of the X shape and is twisted to a vertical position to secure the H-shaped end within the base member. The first support surface of the H-shaped end of the connector member rests directly on and is supported by the second support surface of the base member in a low friction, metal point-to-point bearing relationship that is essentially immune to the adverse effects of weathering or rusting. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a pivoting connector secured to a support pole. 
     FIGS. 2A-4 show alternate embodiments of a pivoting connection to a movable control rod. 
     FIGS. 5-7 illustrate ranges of angular motion and lateral displacement for the pivoting connector of the invention as well as additional embodiments for connection to a movable control arm. 
     FIGS. 8-12 depict the connector member as formed with integral lateral walls and then as bent to final shape with various views thereof. shaped opening therein. 
     FIGS. 13-15 show details of the base member that can be mounted to a support structure with an X-shaped opening to receive and hold the H-shaped end of the connector member illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 and  12 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The pivoting connection  1  of the invention is made with a first connector member  2  having an H-shaped end  3  dimensioned to fit into an X-shaped opening  4  in a base member  5  at a nonvertical insertion angle  6  and be secured therein at a vertical angle  7 , and a second connector member  8  pivotably connected to the other end of the first connector member  2 . The second connector member  8  is attached to a movable member  9 , such as a control linkage for operating a high voltage overhead power switch, that requires intermittent lateral movement without twisting outside the plane of motion. The base member  5  is secured to a support  11 , such as a utility pole  10 . 
     Alternate configurations for second connector member  8  are shown in FIGS. 2A-4,  6  and  7 . FIG. 3 shows the use of a pipe  30  with pin  20  passing through the entire diameter of pipe  30  to provide a rigid connection between pipes  33 ,  34 . FIGS. 2A,  2 B,  2 C and  4  illustrate offset arms  31 ,  32  secured within each end of pipes  33 ,  34  with pin  20  passing through the opposite mated openings in each for a pivoting connection of pipes  33 ,  34  that will allow angular movement within a common plane as well as lateral planar displacement. This offset arrangement can be used in connection with an external connection shown in side view in FIG.  6 . In this figure, each of the offset arms  31 ,  32  is laterally displaced from the longitudinal displacement axis of control rods  33 ,  34  but is secured to their respective rods by an external frictional or mechanical fit around each of rods  33 ,  34 . 
     The first connector member  2  has one end pivotally supported by the base member  5  and the other end pivotally connected to a movable member  9 . The pivot axes of these ends are parallel and allow the first connector member  2  to move around each axis within a range of motion  12  in the displacement plane  13  of the movable member  9 . Such a motion is useful in many applications but particularly so in connection with high voltage interrupter switch assemblies of the type described in copending application Ser. No. 09/457,593, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The distance  14  traversed by movable member  9  from a first position  15  to a second position  16  is intended to be adequate to open or close an electrical connection associated with the position of moveable arm member  17 . 
     The first connector member  2  extends longitudinally in a first plane and has a first end  18  with a transverse first pin opening  19  for establishing a pivotal connection with a second connector member  8  that is preferably secured to a moveable arm member  17 . Second connector member  8  allows movement within a plane but stabilizes moveable arm member  17  against transplanar motion. 
     If desired and the structure of the moveable arm member  17  permits, the first pin opening  19  of the first connector member  2  can be pivotally secured directly to the moveable arm member  17  by a pin  20  inserted through the first pin opening  19  and a transverse opening through the moveable arm member  17 . In such a direct connection embodiment, the moveable arm member  17  is equivalent in function to the second connector member  8 . 
     The H-shaped end  3  of the first connector member  2  is roughly in the form of the capital letter “H” with leading projections  37  and trailing projections  36  extending transverse to the longitudinal axis  22  of the first connector member  2 . Each pair of projections  36 ,  37  is longitudinally separated by a flat distance  23  that will act as a pivotal support surface when first connector member  2  is inserted into an appropriately sized opening within base member  5 . 
     First connector member  2  and base member  5  may be made by molding, forging, and stamping and forming techniques of durable, weather resistant, workable material. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, first connector member is stamped as a blank unit  24  from formable material. Blank  24  is symmetrical about longitudinal axis with trailing projections  36  separated by a distance from leading projections  37  to form an “H”-shaped end. Along each side of blank  24  is an extended midsection  25  and a terminal end  26  with first pin opening  19 . Blank  24  is formed into first connector  2  by bending midsection  25  and terminal end  26  along parallel axes  27 ,  28  into first connector  2  (FIG.  12 ). 
     The bending operations on blank  24  can occur by way of any forming technique. Examples include the use of a punch, die, or some combination of these so that midsection  25  and terminal end  26  are rotated roughly 90° relative to planar surface  29 . Preferably, the bottom  30  of planar surface  29  forms a plane  31  that passes through the center of first pin opening  19 . This orientation maximizes the leverage forces of and minimizes the shearing forces on first connector member  2  when pin  20  is connected to a movable arm member. 
     Base member  5  is shown in more details in FIGS. 13 and 14. As illustrated, base member  5  has first and second coplanar ends  40 ,  41  with an intermediate support section  42  therebetween having an X-shaped opening  43  in support section  42 . Preferably, the coplanar ends  40 ,  41  are used to secure the base member to the outer surface of a support member, such as a utility pole or wall, with bolts passing through bolt holes  44 ,  45 . Angled edges  46  can rise from coplanar ends  40 ,  41  at an obtuse angle  47  that is adequate to apply continuous force on any bolts used to secure base member  5  to a support. Angled edges  46  are also intended to pierce into the mounting surface to maintain stability against twisting as well as dimensional shrinkage in the support surface. 
     Generally, support surface  42  is elevated relative to coplanar ends  40 ,  41  to provide clearance for the lead pair of projections  37  on first connector  2 . If the support surface is cut or shaped to provide clearance under the base member  5  beneath the X-shaped opening  43 , the support section  42  may lie on the same or substantially the same plane as the coplanar ends  40 ,  41  of the base member  5 . 
     The X-shaped opening  43  is shaped and dimensioned to allow insertion of the lead projections  37  when inserted along angle  47  but retain the first connector member when twisted to a vertical position  48 . Preferably, angle  47  is within the range from about 5° to about 180° relative to vertical position  48 . The length  52  of opening  43  along angle  47  will correspond to the length  53  of lead projections  37 . 
     Flat bearing support surfaces  49 ,  50  are formed into opening  43  along the top and bottom between each leg of the X-shape. The vertical height  51  between bearing surfaces  49 ,  50  corresponds to the vertical height  54  of the flat space between lead projection  37  and trailing projections  36  on the first connector member  2 .