Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards a self-closing bracket ( 20 ) for use in mounting an object, such as a perch guard, on elevated structures, such as power lines. The self-closing bracket ( 20 ) has an upper member ( 24 ) and a lower member ( 28 ). The lower member ( 28 ) is rotatably connected to the upper member ( 24 ) and has a closure member ( 60 ) that extends into the interior of the bracket ( 20 ) when the bracket ( 20 ) is in an open position. As the bracket ( 20 ) is moved towards the object to be clamped, the lower member ( 28 ) pivots relative to the upper member ( 24 ) as the closure member ( 60 ) engages the object to be clamped, thereby urging the bracket ( 20 ) to an at least partially closed position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/077,746, filed Mar. 12, 1998, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/104,630, filed Oct. 15, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for mounting objects on structures for supporting utility lines and specifically to a bracket for mounting objects, such as a raptor perch guard, on structures for supporting power lines. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Each year, hundreds of raptors and other large birds worldwide, many of which are endangered, are electrocuted by power lines. The birds are attracted to elevated structures supporting the power lines as locations to perch on during their search for prey. Many countries now require perch guards to be employed on power poles to discourage raptors and other large birds from landing on the poles and/or prevent them from contacting exposed power components. Such perch guard systems typically employ one or more electrically insulative structural members located on the cross-arms of the poles to obstruct access of large birds to the cross-arms. 
     Existing perch guard systems can have many problems. Perch guard systems can be relatively complicated and difficult to use and install. They can be relatively heavy and have numerous parts that must be interconnected by the user prior to installation on the power pole. Existing attachment systems for engaging the perch guards with the poles can be difficult and time consuming for personnel to engage with the cross-arms, especially on high power poles. Attachment systems commonly require two-handed operation and are therefore difficult to install with a hotstick. As will be appreciated, a hotstick is a long pole composed of an electrically insulating material such as fiberglass having a tool such as a socket wrench mounted on one end of the pole. Some perch guards are fiberglass and readily splinter during installation, creating a health hazard for personnel. They can require power to be shut off during installation, thereby causing power outages for customers. They can degrade rapidly outdoors due to the combination of sunlight and adverse weather conditions and require relatively frequent replacement. Finally, they can be relatively heavy and/or expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a perch guard and attachment system that is lightweight and simple to use and install, do not splinter during installation, can be installed without shutting down power, have relatively long service lives in outdoor applications, are relatively inexpensive, and can be quickly and easily installed with a hotstick. 
     One aspect of the present invention is directed to a bracket for mounting objects on an elevated structure supporting a line for transmitting electrical energy. The bracket includes: 
     (a) first and second members connected by a hinge member and 
     (b) a fastener for engaging the members. At least one of the members is connected to a closure member for engaging the elevated structure. As the bracket is moved towards the elevated structure, the closure member engages the elevated structure and at least partially closes the bracket to permit the fastener to engage the first and second members. When the bracket is open, the closure member preferably extends interiorly of the bracket below an upper surface of the upper member to permit the closure member to engage the elevated structure and thereby close the bracket. 
     In one bracket configuration, the closure member is connected only to a bottom member and not to the upper member. Stated another way, the closure member is discrete from the upper member. This configuration permits the closure member to move the bottom member independently of the upper member. 
     The fastener can be any suitable fastening device, with a threaded bolt being most preferred. 
     The bracket is relatively simple to operate. Mounting of the bracket on the utility structure includes the following steps: 
     (a) opening the bracket; 
     (b) moving a member of the opened bracket towards a structural member of the elevated structure; 
     (c) engaging the closure member, which is commonly connected to the other member of the opened bracket, with the structural member to at least partially close the opposing distal ends of the opened bracket; and 
     (d) fastening the distal ends of the two members after the closure member is engaged with the structural member. 
     The bracket has a number of benefits particularly in utility applications. The bracket is relatively lightweight and simple to use and install. It can be mounted on a structural member of a power pole, telephone pole, and the like in a matter of minutes using a hotstick. Because the bracket is readily employable using a hotstick, power can be transmitted by the lines during employment of the bracket. The bracket can be relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture due to its relatively simple design. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a perch guard that is readily mounted on a utility structure using the bracket. As will be appreciated, a perch guard limits the wingspan of a bird standing on the elevated structure. The perch guard preferably includes a plurality of tubular members that are composed of a UV-resistant, weather-resistant (e.g., non-corrosive), lightweight, and electrically insulative material. Preferably, the material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, fiberglass, wood, polypropylene and all forms and types of plastics and composites thereof. The perch guard can have a relatively long service life due to the use of such materials and be relatively inexpensive. Because the guard can be manufactured from plastics instead of fiberglass, it can be nonsplintering during installation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a bracket according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a right side view taken from another side of the bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a upper view of the bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is another front view of the bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is another right side view of the bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is another upper view of the bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a view of the bracket of FIG. 1 when engaged with a structural member of a utility structure; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of a bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a right side view of the bracket of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a upper view of the bracket of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 depicts the bracket of FIG. 8 in an open position, before engagement with a structural member; 
     FIG. 12 depicts the bracket of FIG. 8 during engagement with the structural member; 
     FIG. 13 depicts the bracket of FIG. 8 after engagement with the structural member; 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 depict the bracket of FIG. 1 engaged with a perch guard; 
     FIG. 16 depicts the bracket of FIG. 8 engaged with a perch guard; 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 depict differing configurations of perch guards according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 depicts tubular members of a perch guard; 
     FIG. 20 depicts the side view of a tubular member; 
     FIG. 21 depicts another perch guard configuration; 
     FIG. 22 is a side view of another embodiment of a bracket according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is a upper view of the bracket of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 25 is a rear view of the bracket of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 26 is a view of the detached lower hinged member of the bracket of FIG. 22; 
     FIGS. 27-28 are side and front views respectively of another embodiment of a bracket; and 
     FIG. 29A is rear view of the upper member of the bracket; and 
     FIG. 29B is a rear view of the lower member of the bracket. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment of a self-closing bracket according to a first aspect of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 1-7. The bracket  20  includes an upper member  24  and a lower member  28  connected by a hinge  32 . The upper and lower members  24  and  28  rotate about the hinge  32  to permit the distal ends  36  and  40  to open and close. As will be appreciated, the hinge  32  can be replaced by any suitable attachment device. In this manner, the bracket can be clamped about an object, such as a cross-arm on a utility pole. The bracket is preferably composed of a UV-resistant, lightweight, and weather-resistant material such as stainless steel, poly(vinyl chloride), galvanized metals, all forms and types of plastics and the like. 
     A fastener  44  includes a threaded member  48  connected to the upper member  24 , such as by welding, and a rotatable threaded nut  52  that screws onto the threaded member  48 . As will be appreciated, the fastener can be any suitable fastening system, including a clip, cam latch, hood latch, over center latch and the like. 
     The lower member  28  is slotted to permit the threaded member  48  to pass through the slot  56 . The width of the slot  56  is larger than the width of the threaded member  48  but less than the width of the nut  52  to permit the nut  52  to engage the lower member  28 . 
     The process for opening and closing the bracket is relatively straightforward. By screwing the nut upwardly relative to the threaded member, the nut engages the lower member and moves the distal end of the lower member closer to the distal end of the upper member. Conversely, by screwing the nut downwardly relative to the threaded member, the nut moves away from the upper member and thereby lowers the distal end of the lower member away from the distal end of the upper member. 
     The bracket further includes a closure member  60  attached to the lower member  28  and preferably not to the upper member  24 . The tip  64  of the closure member  60  extends below the upper surface  68  of the upper member  24  when the bracket is open. In other words, the closure member  60  is located interiorly of the longitudinal axis of the hinge while a lower portion of the lower member  28  is located exteriorly of the longitudinal axis of the hinge. The closure member  60  engages the structural member during positioning of the bracket over the structural member and moves the distal end of the lower member  28  closer to the distal end of the upper member  24 , thereby causing the slotted portion of the lower member  28  to receive the threaded member  48  so that the nut  52  can move the lower member into a closed position. Stated another way, the structural member contacts the closure member and as the upper member of the bracket moves closer to the upper surface of the structural member the closure member (and lower member) is rotated into a more vertical orientation, with the tip of the closure member being closer to the upper member. After rotation and full engagement of the bracket with the structural member, the plane of the closure member is substantially aligned with (substantially parallel to) the adjacent portions of the upper member. 
     The bracket can further include devices, such as screws  72   a,b  for mounting objects, such as a perch guard, on the bracket. As explained in detail below, FIG. 14 depicts the bracket engaging a plurality of members defining a perch guard. 
     Another embodiment of a bracket according to the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 8-13. The bracket  100  is the same as the bracket  20  except that the interior surfaces of the upper and lower members  102  and  103  are shaped differently to accommodate a structural member  104  that has a different shape than the structural member  90  of FIG.  7  and the bracket  100  includes a projection  73  that is received in a suitably sized and shaped recess or hole (not shown) in the structural member to provide lateral stability (i.e., inhibit slipping and sliding) of the bracket on the structural member. As will be appreciated, the shape of the interior surface commonly has the same shape as the exterior surface of the structural member. 
     The operation of the bracket is relatively straightforward. As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the bracket  100  is opened and placed over the structural member  104  (FIG. 11) typically using a hotstick. As the bracket  100  engages the structural member  104 , the tip  64  of the closure member  60  engages the upper surface  108  of the structural member  104  and causes the distal ends  112  and  116  of the bracket to move (e.g., rotate) towards one another. The distances between the distal ends and between the closure member and hinged rear surface of the upper member progressively decrease as the upper surface of the bracket  100  moves closer to the upper surface of the structural member  104  (FIG.  8 ). When the bracket is resting on upper of the structural member  104 , the closure member  60  has caused the distal ends  112  and  116  to move close enough together for the threaded member  48  to be received in the slot  56  of the slotted portion (FIG.  13 ). The nut can then be moved clockwise (or tightened) using the hotstick to force the lower member  103  and upper member  102  of the bracket against the structural member  104 . 
     The bracket is operated easily by a hotstick. Accordingly, the transmission of power by the wires supported by the structural member does not need to be interrupted during installation of the bracket on the utility structure. 
     FIGS. 15-20 depict a perch guard  200  according to a second aspect of the present invention. In FIGS. 17-20, the perch guard is depicted without the bracket of the previous aspect of the invention. As can be seen from FIG. 17, the interconnected tubular members  204   a  prevent a bird from extending its wingspan to contact adjacent insulators  208   a,b . In this manner, the bird is not electrocuted. The tubular members are composed preferably of a UV-resistant and weather-resistant material, such as poly(vinyl chloride), fiberglass, wood, polypropylene, all forms and types of plastics and the like. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15 depict a number of interconnected tubular members  204   a-c  mounted on the bracket  20  of the first aspect of the invention. The bolts  72   a  and  72   b  penetrate (pass through) the lower member of the perch guard and hold it in position. As will be appreciated, any suitable attachment device may be used to attach the perch guard to the bracket, such as a clamp, and the like. 
     FIG. 21 depicts another perch guard configuration. The members  300   a-c  are formed by a continuous length of tubular member formed preferably from a plastic such as polylvinyl chloride) that has been deformed into a series of bends  308   a-c  and straight sections to define a triangle. The free ends  304   a,b  of the perch guard  316  are preferably connected with cement via a tubular coupling  312  that telescopically receives the free ends  304   a,b.    
     Another embodiment of a bracket for mounting a perch guard is depicted in FIGS. 22-26. The bracket  200  includes a hinged upper member  204  and a hinged lower member  208  connected by the hinge pin  212 . The closure member  218  on the inside of the lower member  208  has the same function of engaging the crossarm as the closure member  60  noted above to facilitate closing of the bracket about the crossarm. The backside  222  of the closure member  218  is in a nested relationship with the recessed member  226  on the upper member  204  to permit the lower member  208  to close fully when an object such as a crossarm is received in the bracket  200 . When the bracket closes, the backside  222  of the lower member is received in the recessed member  226 . The upper surface  230  of the upper member  204  includes two interconnected passages  234   a,b  which engage the ends of a perch guard. For structural support, the lower member  208  includes a plurality of gussets  246 . As can be seen from FIG. 24, the gussets on the backside  222  of the closure member  218  are received in similarly shaped recesses on the recessed member  226 . The bracket  200  can be fabricated from any suitable material with UV-resistant plastic being more preferred for reasons of cost. The perch guard can also be fabricated from any suitable material with UV resistant electrical conduit being more preferred. 
     Referring to FIG. 22, when the bracket is opened (and before the closure member is engaged with the structural member), the closure member  60  forms a first angle ⊖ with the vertical axis  61  and, when the bracket is engaged with the structural member, the closure member forms a second angle ⊖ (not shown) with the vertical axis  61 . The first angle is more than the second angle. 
     Yet another embodiment of a bracket is depicted in FIGS. 27-28 and  29 A and  29 B. The bracket  400  has upper and lower members  404 ,  408  connected by a hinge member  412 . The lower member  408  has a closure member  416  that extends upwardly above the hinge member  412  and is received in a slot  420  in the upper member  404  when the bracket is fully closed. In all other respects the operation of the bracket is substantially the same as the brackets described above. 
     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.