Improvements in and relating to Couplings or Joints for Wires, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec, 1898-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Couplings or Joints for Wires,
and the like.
Rods,
We, WILLIAM BAYLIFF and THOMAS DUTTON BAYLIFF, both of the Wirral
Foundry, Beaufort Road, Birkenhead, Engineers, and BENJAMIN DRAPER, of 2,
Knowsley Grove, Everton, Liverpool, Engineer, 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:-
A device for connecting wires, rods, and the like, according to this invention,
is particularly applicable for the joining of telegraph and telephone wires, over-
head electrical conductors, strained wire fencing, and analogous uses.
In its most simple and preferred form, the said device consists of a rectangular
'trough or
metallic plate which is given a
"saddle" cross-section in the
stamping press, and in whose centre is punched, or otherwise formed, a hole or
slot. The ends of two abutting wires or rods are bent or turned up a distance
approximating their own diameter or thereabouts. The saddle-shaped plate is
then laid over the abutting wire or rod ends the turned up ends of the latter
passing through the hole in the plate. The sides of the plate are then clinched
around and clasp the two wires, so as to retain their turned up ends in the hole
of the plate. The turned up ends thus prevent the wire or rod ends from escaping
from the coupling.
In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a wire
coupling according to our invention; and of this coupling Figure 2 is a cross-
section. Figure 3 an outside plan; and Figure 4 is a plan, and Figure 5 is an
end view of the coupling before it is clinched around the wire or rod ends.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of a modified coupling.
Figure is a longitudinal section, and Figure 8 a cross-section of another
modified coupling, Figure 9 being a plan of the lower half thereof.
Figure 10 is a plan and Figure 11 a side view of another modified coupling,
Figure 12 being a side view, partly in section, shewing the two halves thereof
before they are closed around the wire or rod ends.
Upon reference to Figures 1 to 5, it will be seen that the coupling consists
of a metal plate a, in the centre of which is formed a slot b, of just sufficient size
to receive the two wire ends c. After such turned up ends c are inserted in the
slot b, the plate a is clinched around the wires d in any suitable manner, but
preferably by means of tweezers, whose jaws are specially shaped for the purpose.
The clinched plate thus retains the turned up ends c in the slot 6 and such turned
up ends prevent withdrawal of the wires d from the coupling. In order to fill
the triangular space formed by the curved ends c, triangular projections e are
formed upon the plate a which projections serve to jam the said ends and to
prevent them from being straightened by tension on the wires d; and in order
to further secure the wires in the coupling the latter possesses ridges f, which
embed themselves in the wires; or the inner surface of the plate a may be cross-
cut, like the jaws of a vice, or be otherwise roughened or serrated for the same
purpose, and is by preference electro-tinned.

page_text: Previously to placing the plate a on the wire ends, it may be coated with a
plastic metallic amalgam such as bronze powder and size, or any other well
known and suitable amalgam which will dry hard and be a good electrical con-
ductor. The function of this amalgam is mainly to exclude moisture and
corrosion from the coupling.
The slot may be inclined to the direction of the wires d as shewn in Figure 4,
so that when tension is put upon said wires their ends have a tendency to bind
against each other, and so make a good electrical contact.
An indent may take the place of the slot b, as shewn in Figure 6.
Instead of the coupling a consisting of a single plate, it may be in two halves
as shewn in Figures 7 to 9. On reference to these figures it will be seen that
the two halves of the coupling are dovetailed together. The dovetail g also tapers
longitudinally, as shewn in Figure 9. The upper half of the coupling possesses
the slot b, before mentioned, and is placed over the up-turned ends of the wires d.
The lower half of the coupling is then placed in the dovetail of the upper half
and is driven along such tapered dovetail until the two halves wedge themselves
together.
"
In order to prevent any tendency of the two halves slacking apart, a groove
may be formed around the coupling for the reception of a wire binding; or one
half coupling may possess a tongue. h which may be clinched around the other
half coupling which latter is provided with a groove /² for the reception of such
tongue, or other locking means may be used.
"
Figures 10 to 12 illustrate a form of coupling adaptable for use where four
wires converge. This coupling is in two halves, each half possessing a hole b
for the reception of the upturned ends of two wires, or the hole may receive
all four wires. The two halves are clinched by the tongues h, which are bent
over the opposite half of the coupling, as shewn in Figure 11, by any suitable
tool. Figure 12 shews the two halves before they are clinched. The half
couplings are given a trough shape in the stamping press, as shewn in Figure 12.
The upper and lower halves of the coupling shewn in Figure 10 may have upon
their inner surface projections equivalent to the projections è of Figure 4, and
for serving the same purpose.
In some cases a slight beading may be formed around the hole or slot b, in
order to strengthen the edge thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our. inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be parformed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
1. A coupling for two wires or rods whose ends are turned at right angles
to their length consisting of a plate, having a central aperture for, the reception
of said ends, and projections which fill the cavity between such ends, said plate
being clinched around said wires, whereby the turned-up ends of the wires are
prevented from withdrawing from the aperture in the plate, substantially as
described and illustrated.
2. Modified constructions of the coupling referred to in Claim 1, substantially
as described with reference to Figures 6.to 12 of the drawings hereto annexed.
3. The employment in wire or rod joints or couplings, of a metallic amalgam,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
0f
Lacan han
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Chartered Patent Agent, 10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.