Abstract:
A device or apparatus that reduces the number of utility pole breakages occurring during severe weather events and facilitates quicker and more cost efficient repair of downed utility lines. The device secures utility lines such as power service lines to utility poles during normal operating conditions, but allow the lines to break free of the poles when severely stressed. This breakaway feature prevents the utility pole from breaking under high stress conditions such as storm damage, ice accumulation, felled trees and other unexpected emergency situations. Furthermore, the device allows for quick and efficient repair of downed power lines, thereby reducing the man hours and equipment necessary for repair. By protecting the utility pole, utility companies will realize significant cost savings by not having to replace the pole and, in some cases, having to replace expensive transformers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to the field of utility lines and poles suspending such lines above ground, and more particularly, an apparatus for connecting utility lines to utility poles. 
         [0005]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Utility lines such a power, telephone and cable television lines are commonly strung over long and short distances by suspending them in the air via a series of utility poles. Such utility line systems are subject to damage by falling debris such as trees or large tree branches. When, for example, a tree falls on a utility line, the force exerted by the tree on the utility line often can damage the utility poles suspending the line above ground or cause a break in the line itself. The costs and effort associated with repairing damaged utility poles often exceeds the costs of repairing the utility line and the costs of repairing or replacing a broken line often exceeds the costs that would be associated with simply re-attaching a fallen line to a series of utility poles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is a device or apparatus that reduces the number of utility pole breakages occurring during severe weather events and facilitates quicker and more cost efficient repair of downed utility lines. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment the present invention is a device or apparatus that will secure utility lines such as power service lines to utility poles during normal operating conditions, but allow the lines to break free of the poles when severely stressed. This breakaway feature will prevent the utility pole from breaking under high stress conditions such as storm damage, ice accumulation, felled trees and other unexpected emergency situations. Furthermore, the device allows for quick and efficient repair of downed power lines, thereby reducing the man hours and equipment necessary for repair. By protecting the utility pole, utility companies will realize significant cost savings by not having to replace the pole and, in some cases, having to replace expensive transformers. 
         [0008]    In addition to the significantly lower material and labor cost, the total recovery time per emergency event will be dramatically reduced. Rapid power restoration is not only desired by the consumer and advocated for by the U.S. Department of Energy, but it allows utility power service providers to resume profitable operations much sooner. This will convert a negative cash flow situation into a positive one in a fraction of the time. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, it is anticipated that it will contribute significantly to the overall health and well being of the general population by greatly reducing the time that it is exposed to the elements as a result of a lack of electricity after a disastrous event. It is anticipated that this will contribute greatly to our national security and level of preparedness as a direct result of the timeliness with which electric utility and other utility companies can restore power. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for releasably securing a utility line to a utility pole. The apparatus comprises a latch member having an opening at one end for securing the latch member to a utility line. A latching assembly releasably secures to the latch member, and a support member secures said latching assembly to a utility pole. The latch member may comprise a shaft having a bullet member on a first end and a cable clamp mounting portion on a second end, wherein the opening for securing the latch member to a utility pole is in the cable clamp mounting portion. The latching assembly may comprise a housing, a pivot block secured to the housing, a pawl rotatably secured to the pivot block and a compression assembly for biasing the pawl. The compression assembly may comprise a top spring plate, a bottom spring plate and at least one spring between the top and bottom spring plates for biasing them away from one another. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the latching assembly may comprise a housing, a plurality of pivot blocks secured to the housing, a plurality of pawls with each pawl being rotatably secured to one of the pivot blocks via a pivot pin, a first plate having an opening therein for receiving the latch member there through, a second plate having an opening therein for receiving the latch member there through; and at least one biasing member between the first and second plates. The latching member extends through the openings in the first and second plates and the bullet extends past the plurality of pawls and the first and second plates bias the pawls such that a substantial force is required to remove the latch member from said housing. One or both of the first and second plates may comprise a body having at least one stabilization surface. Further, the first and second plates each may have a lead-in surface adjacent their respective openings for receiving the latch member. The biasing member may comprise one or more springs and the first and second plates may have recesses therein for receiving the springs and holding them in place. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for releasably securing a utility line to a utility pole that comprises a housing assembly comprising means for securing to a utility pole and means for releasable securing to a latch means; and a latch means for securing a utility line to said housing assembly. 
         [0013]    Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a preferable embodiments and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an assembly drawing of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a housing of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   a  is a first perspective view of a pivot block of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   b  is a second perspective view of a pivot block of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4   a  is a first perspective view of a pawl of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4   b  is a second perspective view of a pawl of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   c  is a top view of a pawl of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4   d  is a cross-sectional view of a pawl of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   e  is an end view of a pawl of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4   f  is a side view of a pawl of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of a latch bullet of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   b  is a side view of a latch bullet of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5   c  is a cross-sectional view of a latch bullet of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 6   a  and  b  are top and bottom perspective views of a top spring plate of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7   a  and  b  are top and bottom perspective views of a bottom spring plate of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pawl pivot pin of a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of a utility line connected to a series of utility poles using a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of a tree that has fallen on a utility line connected to a series of utility poles using a releasable utility line suspension apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the releasable utility line retention apparatus in accordance with the present invention is made up of two parts, the first part being secured to the utility line and the second part being secured to the utility pole. The first part is coupled to the second part and remains connected during normal operating conditions. When the utility line is severely stressed, the first part will break free from second part to permit the utility line to drop to the ground and thereby relieving the stress and preventing damage to the utility line and/or utility pole. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, the first part is a “latch bullet”  500  such as is shown in  FIG. 5 . The latch bullet  500  has a shaft  510  with a cable clamp mounting portion  520  on one end and a “bullet tip” on the opposite end. The cable clamp mounting portion  520  has a cable clamp mounting hole  522  therein for securing the latch bullet  500  to a utility line. The bullet tip  530  is larger than the shaft  510  for securing the latch bullet  500  the second part of the apparatus. 
         [0035]    The second part of the apparatus is a housing assembly  100 . The housing assembly  100  has a cylindrical housing  200 . While the housing is cylindrical in this preferred embodiment, other shapes may be used for the housing  200 . The housing  200  has an “open” end and a “closed” end. The open end of the housing  200  has a retainer ring groove around its interior circumference. The closed end of the housing  200  has a swivel support mounting hole  230  therein. Around its circumference, the housing  200  has a plurality of sets of pivot block mounting holes  210 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each set of pivot block mount holes  210  is comprised of four holes. Other arrangements, such as one, two, three or more holes may be used. In the preferred embodiment, there are four sets of pivot block mounting holes  210 . Again, other arrangements are possible. 
         [0036]    A pivot block  300  is connected to each set of pivot block mounting holes  210  via, for example, shoulder screws. Other connecting means may likewise be used for securing the pivot blocks  300  to the housing  200 . In the preferred embodiment, there are four pivot blocks mounted to the housing  200 , but arrangements using more or less pivot blocks  300  are possible and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Each pivot block  300  has a body  302  having a link notch  310 , an engage positive stop  320 , a disengage positive stop  330 , a pair of pawl pivot pin holes  340 , a spring pin hole  350 , a back surface  360  and a plurality of mounting holes  370  in the back surface  360 . The mounting holes  370  are used to mount the pivot block  300  to the housing  200  via shoulder screws or other mounting means through the pivot block mounting holes  210 . The link notch  310  may also serve as a positive stop during disengagement. 
         [0037]    The housing assembly  100  further has a plurality of pawls  400  rotatably secured to the pivot blocks  300  via a pawl pivot pin  800 , which has a pivot surface  810  and a spring pin hole  820 . Each pawl  400  has a pivot pin hole  410  therein for rotatably securing the pawl to a pivot block  300 . Each pawl  400  further has an engagement surface  420 , a disengagement surface  430 , a bottom surface  440 , a disengagement stop  450  and an engagement positive stop  460 . 
         [0038]    The housing assembly  100  further has a top spring plate  600 , which is described with respect to  FIG. 6 . The top spring plate  600  has a plurality of spring recesses  610  in a front surface  602 . The top spring plate  600  further has a bullet access hole  640  with a lead in  630  adjacent the front surface  602 . In a preferred embodiment, the top spring plate  600  additionally has a plurality of angled surfaced  650  for providing stabilization, i.e., the stabilizing surfaces  650  keep the top spring plate  600  centered in the housing  200  in case of a sideward force on the utility line. 
         [0039]    The housing assembly  100  further has a bottom spring plate  700 , which will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7   a  and  b . The bottom spring plate has a front surface  702  and a rear surface  704 . The front surface  702  has a plurality of spring recesses  730  therein and a bullet access hole  720 . The bullet access hole  720  has a lead-in surface  710  adjacent the rear surface  704  of the bottom spring plate. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pivot blocks  300  are secured to the housing  200  via a plurality of mounting screws  140 . The pawls  400  are secured to their respective pivot blocks via pawl pivot pins  800 . A spring pin  130  secures the pawl pivot pin  800  in the pivot block  300 . A plurality of springs  110  are placed between the top spring plate  600  and bottom spring plate  700  with ends in the recesses in those two plates. The top and bottom spring plates are placed inside the housing  200  and held within the housing  200  via a retainer ring  120 . A swivel support  150  is secured to the housing  200  through hole  230 . One of skill in the art, however, will understand that the swivel support may be made in many other ways. 
         [0041]    In this embodiment, the latch bullet  500  is secured to the power line via the cable clamp hole  520 . The housing assembly  100  is secured to the utility pole via a swivel support  150 . The latch bullet  500  is connected to the housing assembly  100  by inserting the bullet tip  530  into the hole  720  in the bottom spring plate  700 . The bullet tip  530  passes through the hole  640  in the top plate  600  and makes contact with a set of two or more pawls  400  which are attached to their respective pivot blocks  300 . The bullet tip  530  pushes on the pawl&#39;s engagement surface  420  causing them to rotate upward in their pivot blocks  300 . As the pawls  400  rotate upward, the space between their tips increases to a point that allows the bullet tip  530  to move past them. Gravity then causes the pawls  400  to then rotate back downward until their tips surround the shaft  520  of the latch bullet  500 . As gravity continues to pull downward on the latch bullet  500 , the bullet tip  530  applies pressure to the “disengagement surface”  430  of the pawls  400 . The pawls  400  continue rotating downward until they come to rest against the top plate  600 . The two parts are now coupled to one another and remain so coupled during normal operating conditions as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0042]    During conditions when the power line is severely stressed, downward force is applied to the utility line such as is shown in  FIG. 10 , which, in turn, applies a downward force to the latch bullet  500 . This causes the bullet tip  530  to apply a downward force on the disengagement surface  430  of the pawls  400 . The pawls  400  then apply pressure to the top plate  600 . If the force is high enough to compress the springs  110  installed between the top and bottom plates  600 ,  700 , the top plate  600  will move downward allowing the pawls  400  to continue rotating downward as well. As the pawls  400  rotate downward, the space between their tips increases to a point that allows the bullet tip  530  to move past them. The latch bullet  500  and utility line then break free from the utility pole and fall safely to the ground and the pole is protected from breakage. 
         [0043]    The utility company can then send a modest sized crew out to remove the tree or other such obstruction and they can simply reinsert the latch bullet  500  into the housing assembly  100  and restore power. They do not need to set another new pole. 
         [0044]    The components used in the housing assembly may be chosen to adjust the force necessary to disengage the latch bullet from the housing assembly. For example, while 8 springs are shown between the top and bottom spring plates in the preferred embodiment, a different number of springs or different types of springs may be chosen to achieve different release tensions. 
         [0045]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.