Improvements in Wire Joints.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
Improvements in Wire Joints.
1 CHARLES H. MCINTIRE residing 13 Franklin Street in the City of Newark,
County of Essex United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a joint of increased tensile strength for
connecting telephone and telegraph wires for cables, or any use to which wire can be
used in lengths, and in which a joint is necessary; and further, to secure a joint for
electric wires in which the conductivity of said wires is not obstructed, but assisted
and maintained.
The invention is also designed to reduce the cost of constructing wire-joints, and
to simplify the operation of uniting the wires by the linemen in putting up the
wires.
The invention consists of a torsion-joint formed of a twisted covering, turough
which the ends of the wires are inserted oppositely before the covering is twisted.
and conform to the twist of the covering, substantially as indicated in the drawings,
described herein, and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.
Figure 1 in the drawings is a plan of one form of the joint-covering.
Figure 2 is a transverse section thereof.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the covering before being twisted with the wires inserted
oppositely therein.
Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the completed twisted joint, and,
Fig. 5 is a plan of the completed joint and insulated wire.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views illustrating different methods of forming the
joint-coverings.
Similar reference letters are used to designate corresponding parts in each of the
above described views.
In said drawings, A indicates the joint-covering, which may be formed in a variety
of ways.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is shown one form of construction, in which the joint is
formed from two tubes of the proper length and diameter, soldered or otherwise
united together. The method considered preferable is shown in Fig. 2, in which the
tubes are soldered together.
Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate another method of constructing the covering, in which an
oval tube is used, which is grooved or creased, as indicated in Fig. 7, either before or
after the wires are inserted therein.
Fig. 8 indicates still another formation of the covering, in which a plate is drawn
or bent into the shape shown, similar to the Figure 8.
These various forms are designed to illustrate some of the ways of construction,
however, the invention is not intended to be limited.
Into the covering thus formed the wires B are inserted from opposite directions,
as indicated in Fig. 3, and the projecting short ends b c are bent around and under
the wires as shown, to prevent their catching.
After the wires are inserted oppositely the covering and enclosed wires are twisted
greater or less number of times, as may be desired, either as indicated in Fig. 4 or
as in Fig. 5.
As will be understood, the joint is equally applicable whether the wires are plain,
as in Figures 3 and 4, or covered with insulating material D as in Fig. 5.
As constructed according to the views shown in the drawings, and described, the
conductivity of the wires is not only not impaired, but is rather increased at the

page_text: joint, the contact being perfectly made and maintained not only temporarily, but for
a long time.
When uncovered wires are united by twisting the ends or by binding them together
because of their exposure to air and moisture they soon corrode and spread apart,
which breaks the contact at the joint and destroys the conductivity of the wire; but
when protected by the covering the contact is preserved indefinitely. The strength
of the joint is, moreover, greatly increased, as in twisting the covering the wires are
held tightly in the same, and cannot be withdrawn by any force that would be liable
to effect the wires when "put up."
One great advantage of the improved joint is the ease and rapidity with which it
can be made in putting up the lines, only requiring the insertion of the wires and
covering by ordinary" pliers or tools conforming to the shape of the tubes or
covering.
This joint is not only applicable for wires employed for electrical purposes, but may
be used in uniting cables, wires used in fencing, and in all the variety of ways in
which wire is employed where it is necessary to make a joint.
As will be understood, the covering is made of metal sufficiently pliable to be
readily twisted, and when applied to electrical purposes is made of metals possessing
high conductivity.
Joints for electric wires in which the wires are soldered within a covering are well
known but in the present joint the solder is rendered unnecessary, and a much
stronger joint secured at less expense and labour, and for electrical purposes possessing
more perfect conductivity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
1. A joint for uniting electric or other wires, consisting of a covering having
longitudinal perforations therein, into which the said wires are inserted oppositely
and said covering and the inserted wires twisted, as and for the purposes set forth.
2. A joint for uniting electric or other wires, consisting of a covering composed of
two tubes soldered together, into which the said wires are inserted oppositely, and
said covering and the inserted wires twisted spirally, for the purposes set forth.
3. A covering for telegraph or other wires, having therein a series of separaic bent
or twisted passages formed longitudinally to receive the ends of the wires, for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 11th day of November 1890.
C. R. BONNE & Co.,
41, Eastcheap, E.C., Authorized Patent and Trade Mark Agents.