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

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/245,935 filed Sep. 27, 2011, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/387,063 filed Sep. 28, 2010. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A fuse cutout as used in electrical distribution is primarily used to protect distribution transformers from current surges and overloads. An overcurrent, caused by a fault in a transformer, for example, will cause the fuse to melt, or operate, thus disconnecting the transformer from the line. It can also be opened manually. 
     A cutout consists of three major components. The cutout body provides a frame that supports the fuse holder and an insulator that electrically isolates the conductive portions of the support to which the insulator is fastened; the fuse holder or barrel, which contains the interchangeable fuse element or fuse; and, the fuse element, which is the replaceable portion of the assembly that melts or operates due to excessively high electrical currents. Fuses are provided to operate at suitable ampere ratings ranging from 1 to 200 amperes. 
     A fuse cutout is usually mounted about 20 degrees off vertical so that the center of gravity of the fuse holder is displaced when the fuse element operates, and the fuse holder will rotate by its own weight away from the cutout body when the fuse blows. Each fuse holder will have an attached pull ring or other structure that can be engaged by a hook to manually open the switch. 
     Overhead high voltage electrical distribution lines in the United States use fuses to protect the integrity of the delivery system from electrical current surges and overloads. These fuses typically are in 100 amp or 200 amp models. When the fuse is triggered, the bottom portion of the fuse barrel explodes and the fuse link is destroyed. This explosion causes a large spark as well as other fuse debris to be discharged downwardly from the bottom portion of the fuse barrel. Once the fuse is blown, the fuse barrel hangs in a downward fashion from the overhead line and visual inspection can verify the blown fuse. 
     A common safety problem occurs with fuses when the fuse is triggered while an electrical worker (typically referred to as a “linesman”) is in close proximity to the fuse. The linesman can be seriously injured by the sparks and debris that shoot out of the bottom of the fuse barrel. The present invention is directed to providing a fuse deflector or shield that will deflect away from the lineman, the sparks and debris typically released from the bottom of the fuse barrel when there is an electrical surge and/or overload to high voltage overhead electrical lines. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a deflector or shield to direct the sparks and debris that are ejected from the bottom of a fuse barrel upon the event of an electrical surge or overload that activates the fuse. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a safety device to protect linemen from the sparks and debris that are ejected when a fuse operates while the linemen are performing their work on high voltage overhead electrical lines. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to direct the sparks and debris that are ejected upon actuation of the fuse in a direction away from the lineman working nearby. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a clip member to facilitate the use of a hot stick to remove blown fuse tubs and to install new fuse tubes. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuse deflector that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and simple and efficient to use. 
     With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first side of the deflecting member showing the deflector and the first side of the attaching structure of the two-piece deflector. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a second side of the deflecting member showing the second side of the attaching structure of the two-piece deflector. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a first side of the clip member of the two-piece deflector showing the positioning hook and the first side of the attaching structure. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a second side of the clip member of the two-piece deflector showing the second side of the attaching structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the two-piece deflector engaged with a fuse barrel on a typical fuse. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a first side of the deflecting member of a one-piece deflector showing the integral positioning member. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a second side of a one-piece deflector showing the fuse barrel attaching structure and the deflector. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the bottom side of a one-piece deflector without a positioning member. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fuse which has operated according to the invention illustrating the deflector directing the sparks and debris away from a lineman. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     To protect electrical line workers, the present invention is directed to a one or two piece fuse deflector having a deflecting member and a clip member.  FIG. 1  provides an isometric view of a first side of the deflecting member  10 . Said deflecting member  10  is comprised of a deflecting plate  12  attached by an angle mount  13  adjacent to a connector  14  and a long member  15  attached by a cross member  16  which serves to reinforce the attachment between the long member  15  and the housing  17 . Said deflecting portion  12  is angled at an effective position to deflect sparks and debris via said angle mount  13 . The housing  17  is formed with two angled portions  18  on either side of said housing  17  which are then attached on each side to two clip constituents  23 . Said clip constituents  23  have a front ridged side  19  and a smooth side  21 . A member  22  is connected to the angled portion  18  between the two clip constituents  23 . The underside of the housing contains grips  20 , which keeps the deflecting member  10  from slipping when engaged with a clip member on a fuse barrel as contemplated by the within invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a second side of the deflecting member  10  which provides a better view of the grips  20  as well as the formation of the clip constituents  23  with their ridged side  19  and smooth side  21  on either side of the member  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a first side of the clip member  50 . Said clip member  50  is comprised of an attaching member  51  attached to a housing member  59 . One side of said attaching member  51  is attached to an angled member  54  which is further attached to a top member  52 . Said top member  52  and angled member  54  are further supported and attached with a reinforcement member  53 . The housing member  59  is attached on both sides to curved areas  57  which are then attached to the joining members  56  on each side. Said joining members  56  contain cavities  55  which run the length of said joining members  56 . The cavities  55  contain ridged walls  60  on the outermost walls and smooth walls  61  on the innermost walls. The housing member  59  is attached to the grips  58  on its underside. Said grips  58  keep the clip member  50  from slipping when engaged with a deflecting member on a fuse barrel. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a second side of the clip member  50  which provides a clearer view of the grips  58  as well as the ridged walls  60  and smooth walls  61  contained in the cavities  55 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the present invention engaged with a fuse barrel on a typical fuse  100 . The fuse switch body  103  is connected to the fuse barrel  101 . The deflector plate  12  is placed just below the fuse link  102 . The housing  17  and angled portion  18  of the deflecting member  10  are engaged with the curved areas  57  of the clip member  50  with the ridged sides  19  of the clip constituents  23  viewable as they protrude the cavities  55 . The entire deflector is engaged with the circumference of the fuse barrel  101  and can be moved up and down said fuse barrel  101  to allow the proper distance between the deflector plate  12  and the fuse link  102 . 
       FIG. 6  provides an isometric view of a first side of the deflecting member  30  of a one-piece deflector showing the integral positioning member, according to the invention. Said one piece deflecting member  30  is comprised of a deflecting plate  31  at a first distal end of the deflecting member  30 . The deflecting plate  31  is integrally attached to an angle mount  32 , which positions the deflecting plate in an effective position to protect a lineman in the event of a fuse operating. The angle mount  32  is also integrally attached to the long member  33 , which member is reinforced along its length by a cross member  34 . Flexible attaching members  35  are attached to housing  36  and angled portions  37 , and extend outwardly therefrom to engage a fuse barrel  101  loaded with a fuse  100 . A fuse barrel  101  loaded with a fuse  100  may have a deflecting member  30  snapped into a secure operative position by means of the flexible attaching members  35 . With deflector shield  31  positioned below said fuse barrel  101 , and may be placed in service as contemplated by the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a second side of a one-piece deflector member  30  showing the fuse barrel attaching structure  35  the grips  43 , and the deflector  31 .  FIG. 7  shows the reverse of deflector plate  31 , angle mount  32 , the long member  33  and the smap in fit of flexible attaching members  35  and the deflector. 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a first side of a one-piece deflector  70  without a positioning member. The one piece deflector comprises deflecting plate  71  integrally attached to a long member  73 , which is integrally attached to housing  76  and angled portions  77 , from which flexible attaching members  78  extend outwardly to grip fuse barrel  101  containing the fuse  100 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fuse  100  inside the fuse barrel  101 . As shown, the fuse has operated according to the invention and is illustrating the deflector directing the sparks and debris away from a lineman. 
     Operation 
     The present invention is a one or two-piece implement formed from hard plastic with flame retardant properties, including, but not limited to sycolac resin MG 47-F and ABS (acrylonitrile butadine styrene). 
     To utilize the present invention, a linesman attaches the deflecting member  10  such that the area with the grips  20  is engaged with the fuse barrel  101  of the fuse  100 . The clip member  50  is then raised to engage via the grips  58  with the area opposite the circumference of the fuse where the deflecting member  10  is being held. The clip member  50  is then connected to the deflecting member  10  such that the clip constituents  23  are joined through the cavities  55  and such that the ridged walls  60  are secured with the ridged sides  19  to join both the deflecting member  10  and the clip member  50  around the circumference of the fuse barrel  101 . The deflecting plate  12  is to be adjusted such that it is positioned under the bottom of the fuse barrel  101 . 
     To utilize the one piece structure of the present invention, a lineman attaches the deflecting member  30  by snapping the fuse barrel into engagement with the flexible attaching members  35 , along the length of the fuse barrel  101  with the deflecting plate positioned just below and extending under the lower end of the fuse barrel  101  to redirect the sparks and fuse debris in the event that the fuse operates. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , with the deflector plate  12  in place, should a burst of electricity run through the fuse  100 , the sparks that usually discharge from the bottom of the fuse barrel  101  at the fuse link  102  are deflected by the deflector plate  12  so that there is no shower of sparks and/or debris which could potentially injure a worker near the fuse  100 . The instant invention is designed such that after a triggering event, the fuse barrel  101  can still disengage from the rest of the fuse housing and hang in a downward fashion to allow visual inspection of the blown fuse. 
     Another feature of the disclosed invention includes the engagement of the deflecting member  10  and the clip member  50  to allow for different sized fuse barrels, which typically are between 1 inch and 1 and 3/16 inches. 
     In another feature of the invention, the clip member  50  is formed such that a lineman can lift said member into place using what is known in the industry as a “hot stick.” A hot stick is a long insulated pole with a metal end. The lineman engages the hot stick with the clip member  50  such that the hot stick fits in between the space formed by attaching member  51 , the angled member  54  and the top member  52 . The hot stick is then raised from the ground (or the utility pole) and engaged around the fuse barrel circumference with the deflecting member  10  to provide the fuse blow out prevention as described above. 
     From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the fuse deflector become evident: 
     1. An easy, efficient and cost-effective way to protect workers in close proximity to overhead fuses associated with high voltage electrical lines; 
     2. An easily placed safety system which does not interrupt the flow of electricity of high voltage electrical lines; 
     3. A removable safety device to protect workers in close proximity to overhead fuses; and, 
     4. Adjustable devices which can fit on a number of different circumferences fuse barrels to protect workers in close proximity to overhead fuses. 
     The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred, practical forms but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.