Improvements in and Connected with the Laying of Electrical Conductors in Subterranean Lines and in the Construction of such Lines.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with the Laying of Electrical
Conductors in Subterranean Lines and in the Construction
of such Lines.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
=
This invention relates to means for constructing sheathing and protecting
electrical conductors in subterranean lines; for this are employed certain tools,
apparatus and appliances which will hereinafter be described; and a pipe or conduit
composed of an upper and lower section fitted together combining longitudinal ribs
along the joints thereof, with spicket and sleeve ends and with suitable spouts or
branch tubes; the spicket end of one tube fitting loosely into the sleeve of the next
which is slightly contracted at the opening.
With the said pipe or conduit are combined non conducting holders for the
electrical conducting wires, in which the said wires are held in position without
contact with one another. These holders consist preferably of fusible superposed
block segments placed at intervals apart in the pipe and between the several series
of wires. These holders are arranged in the lower sections of the pipe; and, after
the wires are in position therein the upper sections are set in place thus completing
the pipe section.
Through openings in the upper section a non conducting composition is then
poured in, filling the interior of the pipe and surrounding the wires. When the
composition hardens, the wires are thus held in place and insulated from one
another as well as from external objects.
The sections of tube are cast with transverse ribs which greatly strengthen the
structure, and enable a comparatively thin pipe to be used.
Spouts or branches, surmounted by caps are formed upon the upper section, and
rough these, access may be had to all the wires in a given section. Studs are
med near the edges of both sections. These afford means whereby the upper

page_text: and lower sections can be locked together. This is accomplished by means of links
which can be made of sheet metal, and are driven tightly upon the studs. As soon
as the sections are placed in position they thus become clamps for forcing the
superposed grooved blocks tightly together (after the wires are placed in the grooves
thereof) by means of the pressure exerted by the clamps or links applied to the
pipe sections. The grooved blocks are made of a heighth which is a little more than
the internal vertical diameter of the pipe so that the joint thereof is not quite closed
until the blocks become slightly softened during the process of filling the pipe.
The filling while hot is poured in through a removable funnel which encircles the
end of the spouts. The blocks are of the same character as the filling being com-
pounded of asphalte which has been refined, and afterwards rendered permanently
viscous by an admixture of a small percentage of the residuum from a petroleum
still; usually ten per centum will be found sufficient. Such a filling will not
rupture or crack and the pipes containing this mixture may be laid near the surface
without danger of damage to the insulation from frost. These grooved superposed
wire holding blocks are preferably produced in the following manner.
The melted composition is run on to a table having longitudinal and transverse
sharpened ribs upon it at varying intervals apart.
The longitudinal ribs are made higher than the transverse ribs and a rim
surrounds the whole. This is made higher than the transverse ribs.
When the
melted composition is poured upon the table to a depth greater than the heighth of
the transverse ribs, the rim gives the whole the form of a block.
After the mass has cooled, so as to become hard it is lifted from the table and
broken into strips along the line of the longitudinal ribs. These strips are then
pressed between geared rolls. Each of the several widths of the severed strips
having a separate compartment in the rolls adapted to the width thereof. These
compartments are provided with corrugations which are so arranged as to form
suitable recesses in the wire holding blocks for the reception of the wires, when
they are laid in the conduits. The rolled strips are next divided into suitable
blocks by separating them along the lines formed by the transverse ribs; when
they are ready for use. They should be made of a composition slightly harder
than the material which is poured into the pipe so that they will retain their shape
while being handled.
When the hot filling is brought into contact with them in the conduits their
surface will soften sufficiently to allow of their cohesion.
The result is that the whole conduit is filled by a solid mass homogeneous in
character, combining high insulation with thorough seclusion from water or other
extraneous matter. After the filling is finally completed, heated caps are placed in
position upon the spouts the heat softening the composition around and upon the
orifices so that the caps become embedded and thus seal the openings. When it
becomes desirable to get at the wires, a little heat applied to the caps will soften
the joints and allow of their removal. For the purpose of getting at the wires
they are looped into the grooves of thin strips placed in the spout.
These strips may be made of dry wood or of any suitable insulating material.
They are held in position by the wires which are inserted into the grooves, and
after the composition is poured in, and becomes solid, they become embedded
therein.
When the wires are severed, connections can be made with branch pipes as
required.
If the circuit is formed by means of a tube, and say a single wire enclosed
therein, the wire is looped through a strip of wood or insulating material, and the
tubes are connected together by a loop of wire connected with a plug in the end of
each tube, the main wire being run around the grooves of the strip where it may
be severed and connections made with it as desired; another advantageous form of
using the fusible block segments is as follows; two semi-cylindrical conductors are
separated from one another and from the pipe or conduit by these fusible segment
which occupy the space between the flat surfaces of the same, and also the spr

page_text: between said conductors and the pipe, or four conductors arranged in regular order
may be insulated and in a corresponding manner. For laying the wires in the
sectional pipe or conduit a spool holding carriage is employed the spools are
mounted upon axles supported in journal boxes upon the frame of the carriage.
Springs attached to the frame prevent the free rotation of the spools, and put
tension on the wires whenever the carriage is moved forward, this is accomplished
by means of a drum around which a rope anchored or secured at some distant point
is wound, the turning of a crank connected to the drum drawing forward the
carriage. Guides to prevent chafing contact of the wires with the spools are
employed when required. An adjustable guiding lever gives the wires the proper
alignment for the conduit. A steel disc having perforations of a suitable size for
the passage of the straight wires, is placed at the mouth of the last section of
conduit laid down, where it serves as a means for obtaining the proper adjustment
of the several wires of the series in their proper order at the point where the fusible
wire holding block segments will be afterwards inserted in the conduit. After the
upper section of the pipe has been clamped down, and the wires thus fastened into
their respective grooves, the disc can be moved towards the carriage, to the end of
the next length of the pipe. The process of moving along upon the wires straightens
them, and thus ensures the parallelism of the wires. In addition to this a further
guide is employed.
It is composed of a series of superposed steel bars strung on bolts which are
provided with handled nuts by means of which the bars may be pressed firmly
together; the bars have holes drilled in their joints of a size which would allow
the wires to pass freely therethrough. After the holes are drilled however, the
bars are taken apart and enough of the parallel surfaces in the joints is removed
to enable the bars when re-adjusted, to grip the wires, whenever the nuts are
tightened. By this means the wires already in the conduit can be held taut,
whenever it becomes necessary to slacken them at the spools. When it is desired
to join two lines in one, or sever one line into separate conduits, a forked branch
pipe is employed. The fusible block segments are located in the spicket at end of
the straight pipe.
They thus fulfil the purpose of preventing contact with the conduit walls at any
change of direct either because of the use of the branch pipe or because of any
slight deflection of the conduit caused in any manner. At the end of the conduits,
terminal boxes or chambers are employed, or similar boxes may be placed at
intervals along the conduits.
These line boxes may be inserted in the conduit line at any point where it is
desirable to obtain access to all the wires of a series. The objects of these boxes
are to preserve the insulation of the conductors, and to prevent the access of
moisture to the conduits in an economical manner.
These results are obtained by using with the conduit containing a number of
conductors, a terminal box into which the end of the conduit projects and closing
the end of the conduit by a stuffing box to exclude moisture.
The conductors are carried through the stuffing box to insulated binding posts,
and from thence up through the box to instruments, or to any points desired.
The terminal box is constructed with double walls with an intervening packing of
insulating material. It is preferred to form the box in one piece with the lower
pipe section, by casting or moulding, although it may be formed independently as
will hereafter appear. The side of the box above the junction of the conduit
section is cut away and the box is also formed with a recess slightly wider than
the slot or cut away portion. On the upper section and near the end of the same
is cast or secured a plate that enters and fills the recess in the box, which when the
two sections are brought together closes the side of the box, and completes its
structure. The internal wall of the box is formed of wood or other like substance
saturated with any moisture repellant composition. It is inserted in the box and
lowered until a hole in its side comes in line with the end of the conduit. It is
then drawn over the end of the conduit so that the latter projects slightly into it;

page_text: the space between the two boxes is then filled in with insulating material preferably
such as hereinbefore described'; this fills all the space between the boxes and seals
the joints between.
Within the inner box are arranged a number of binding posts, and to these, the
several wires are led and secured the object being to separate the wires as much as
possible so that they may be taken out with less liability of making contact. In
order to exclude moisture from the wires contained in the conduit, the end of the
conduit is filled around the wires with an insulating material or packing. This
packing or stuffing box may be formed in various ways: for example a number of
bars or blocks are placed at the end of the conduit and held in place by rabbits
formed in supports, placed within the inner box or lining.
The wires pass through grooves in the faces of these bars, and when the hot
insulating material is poured into the conduit and the box, it solidifies the blocks
forming a tight seal. Instead of the box being formed as described it may be made
with a sleeve which is filled with the hot composition, and thereby secured to the
conduit. When an underground line is to be used for any purpose wherein the
inductions between neighbouring wires produce deleterious effects, such wires may
be separately covered with a layer of insulating material, upon which a metallic
sheath is superposed. The effect of this however is to cause internal retardation,
by reason of the inductions set up between the wire and its metallic envelope.
This may be partially overcome by short circuiting the current induced in the
sheath, and this is effected by connecting a cross wire to the metallic sheath and to
the conduit. Such wires may be placed at distances of one hundred feet or more
apart on each line wire. The spouts situated on the upper section of the conduit,
afford convenient means of fastening them to the same, which may be done by
winding the wires around the spout such wires being brought out of the opening
and laid into the corrugations formed around the top thereof, so as to allow the
cap to be fitted on; the conduit may also be used as a return conductor in cases
where the larger uses of electrical energy are employed.
In such cases however, it is preferred to send the current from the pipe to a
small dynamo-machine as an exciter or regulator, before receiving it in the main
generator of electricity. This steadies the current and makes it more regular,
where the return pipe is employed as a conductor.
Dated this twenty ninth day of Sentember 1995

page_text: Conductors in Subterranean Lines and in the Construction
of such Lines.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (a communication to me from abroad by Henry Curtis Spalding
of Boston Massachusetts and Peter M Mackin of Lonsdale Rhode Island both in
the United States of America, Electricians) and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to means for constructing sheathing and protecting
electrical conductors in subterranean lines. For the first of these purposes we
employ certain tools apparatus and appliances which will hereinafter be described
in detail. For the second we use a pipe or conduit composed of an upper and
lower section fitted together combining longitudinal ribs along the joints thereof
with spicket and sleeve ends and with suitable spouts or branch tubes as will
presently appear. With the said pipe or conduit we combine non conducting
holders for the electrical conducting wires in which the said wires are held in
position without contact with one another. These holders consist preferably of
fusible superposed block segments placed at intervals apart in the pipe and between
the several series of wires. These holders are arranged in the lower sections of the
pipe and after the wires are in position therein the upper sections are set in place
thus completing the pipe section.
Through openings in the upper section a non conducting composition is then
poured in filling the interior of the pipe and surrounding the wires. When the
composition hardens, the wires are thus held in place and insulated from one
another as well as from external objects.
To clearly explain the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings
which form part of this specification and in which―
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a portion of the conduit when enclosed.
Fig. 2 is a plan or top view thereof.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the lower section of the pipe fitted together and with the
wires in place therein.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the conduit as completed.
In these and the remaining figures like letters of reference indicate like parts.
A. B. represent the upper and lower sections of the conduit. a indicates the
spicket ends and b the sleeve ends thereof, c are longitudinal ribs formed upon the
outer corners of section B at its junction with section A, which latter fits loosely
between them. The sleeves b are formed with an annular enlarged space between
the sleeves and spicket ends and then contracted at their outer extremity so as to
fit loosely around the spicket ends. The sections are cast with transverse ribs c¹,
which greatly strengthen the structure and enable a comparatively thin pipe to be
used. Spouts or branches d surmounted by caps d' are formed upon section A, and
through these access may be had to all the wires in a given section. Studs e, e.
:

page_text: .
are formed near the edges of both sections. These afford means whereby the upper
and lower sections can be locked together. This is accomplished by means of the
links e¹. These can be made of sheet metal and are driven tightly upon the
studs &
As soon as the sections are placed in position they thus become clamps
for forcing the superposed grooved blocks f, Fig. 5 tightly together after the wires
are placed in the grooves thereof by means of the pressure exerted by the clamps
or links applied to the pipe sections.
These blocks are made of a height which is a little more than the internal
vertical diameter of the pipe so that the joint thereof is not quite closed until the
blocks become slightly softened during the process of filling the pipe. The filling
while bot is poured in through the removable funnel g, which encircles the end of
the spouts d. The blocks are of the same character as the filling, being compounded
of asphalt which has been refined and afterwards rendered permanently viscous by
an admixture of a small percentage of the residuum from a petroleum still.
Usually ten per centum will be found sufficient. Such a filling will not rupture or
crack and the pipes containing this mixture may be laid near the surface without
danger of damage to the insulation from frost. The grooved superposed wire
holding blocks f, are preferably produced by means of the appliances shown in
Figs. 6, 7, 8, while separated pieces are shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 6 represents a plan
view of a table, and Fig. 7 a section thereof into which sharpened ribs h, h¹, are
fastened. The longitudinal ribs h, are made higher than the transverse ribs h¹,
and a rib surrounds the whole. This is made higher than the ribs h, h¹.
When the melted composition is poured upon the table to a depth greater
than the height of the ribs h, h¹, the rim h³, gives the whole the form of a
block. After the mass has cooled, so as to become hard, it is lifted from the
table and broken into strips along the line of the ribs h. These are then ready
for the geared rolls D, shown in Fig. 8. Each of the several widths of the
severed strips has a separate compartment in the rolls adapted to the width
thereof. These compartments are provided with. corrugations which are 80
arranged as to form suitable recesses in the wire holding blocks for the reception
of the wires when they are laid in the conduits. The rolled strips are next
divided into the blocks f, by separating them along the lines formed by the ribs h¹
when they are ready for use. They should be made of a composition slightly
harder than the material which is poured into the pipe, so that they will retain
their shape while being handled. When the hot filling is brought into contact with
them in the conduits their surface will soften sufficiently to allow of their cohesion.
The result is that the whole conduit is filled by a solid mass, homogeneous in
character combining high insulation with thorough seclusion from water or other
extraneous matter. After the filling is finally completed, the caps d¹ are heated
and placed in position. The heat softens the composition around and upon the
orifices so that the caps become embedded and thus seal the openings. When it
becomes desirable to get at the wires, a little heat applied to the caps will soften
the joints and allow of their removal. For the purpose of getting at the wires we
loop them into the grooves of the thin strips E, as shown in Figs. 4, 10, 11 and 12
while a modified arrangement is shown in Fig. 13. These strips may be made of
dry wood or of any suitable insulating material. They are held in position by the
wires which are inserted into the grooves and after the composition is poured in
and becomes solid, they become embedded therein. When the wires are severed as
at F, Fig. 4, connections can be made as illustrated in Figs. 14, 15.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 13 is used where the circuit is formed by means
of a tube j and a wire k enclosed therein. The wire is looped through the strip E
and the tubes are connected together by the loop and the plugs m, m'.
Further illustrations of the manner of using the fusible block segments in a
sectional conduit are found in Figs. 16, 17. In the former, two semi-cylindrical
conductors n, n¹ are separated from one another and from the pipe A, B. In the
latter four conductors o, o¹, o³, o³, are arranged in regular order and in a corte-
sponding manner.

page_text: Fig. 18 is an elevation and Fig. 19 is a plan view of a spool holding carriage,
illustrating the process of laying the wires in the sectional conduit. In one
portion of each, the conduit is closed, and in the other it is open. The spools are
mounted upon axles, supported in journal boxes upon the frame of the carriage.
Springs p attached to the frame prevent the free rotation of the spools, and produce
tension of the wires whenever the carriage is moved forward. This is accomplished
by means of the drum q, the crank and the rope t, which is secured by any
suitable anchorage. Guides prevent chafing contact of the wires, with spools
when required. An adjustable lever G, gives the wires the proper alignment for
the conduit. The steel disc Fig. 20 (represented in edge view in Fig. 21) has
perforations of a suitable size for the passage of straight wires. When in use it is
located at H, where it also serves as a means for obtaining the proper adjustment
of the several wires of the series in their proper order; at the point where the
fusible wire holding block segments are inserted in the conduit.
After the upper
section has been clamped down and the wires thus fastened into their respective
grooves, the disc can be moved towards the carriage to the end of the next length
of the pipe. The process of moving along upon the wires straightens them and
thus ensures the parallelism of the wires. The clamping guide Fig. 22 is shown
at J in the general views. It is composed of a series of superposed steel bars
strung on bolts u, u¹ which are provided with handled nuts by means of which
the bars may be pressed firmly together. The bars have holes drilled in their
joints of a size which would allow the wires to pass freely therethrough. After
the holes are drilled however the bars are taken apart and enough of the surfaces
in the joints is removed, to enable the bars when readjusted to grip the wires
whenever the nuts are tightened. By this means the wires already in the conduit
can be held taut whenever it becomes necessary to slacken them at the spoole.
When it is desired to join two lines in one, or sever one line into separate conduits,
the branch pipe shown in Fig. 23 is used, which is a plan view with the upper
sections of the conduit removed. The closed conduit is shown in Fig. 24. It will
be observed that the fusible block segments are located in the spicket at end of
the pipe. They thus fulfil the purpose of preventing contact with the conduit
walls at any change of direction, either because of the use of the branch pipe, or
because of any slight deflection of the conduit, such as may be made at any
junction of two pipe lengths by reason of the annular chamber hereinbefore
described.
Fig. 25 is a plan and Fig. 26 is an elevation of terminal boxes, such as we prefer
to attach to our system of conduits. Fig. 27 is a plan view of a line box of
similar character which may be inserted in the conduit line at any point where it
is desirable to obtain access to all the wires of a series, either of these forms may
be used for the conduit ends. Fig. 28 is an elevation of a terminal box of similar
character but with some variation in the method of joining it to the pipe. Fig. 29
is an end elevation with the conduit shown in section.
The objects of this part of the invention are to preserve the insulation of the
conductors to prevent the access of moisture to the conduits and to reduce the cost
of the devices rendered necessary. These results are obtained by using with the
conduit containing a number of conductors a terminal box into which the end of.
the conduit projects and closing the end of the conduit by a stuffing box to exclude
moisture. The conductors are carried through the stuffing box to insulated binding
posts and from thence up through the box to instruments, or to any points desired..
The terminal box is constructed with double walls with an intervening packing of
insulating material. Other parts will be hereinafter set forth. K, is a box which
we prefer to form in one piece with the lower pipe section B, by casting or
moulding, although it may be formed independently, as will hereafter appear.
The side of the box K, above the junction of the conduit section is cut away as
indicated at K. Figs. 25, 26, 27 and the box is also formed with a recess slightly
wider than the slot or cut away portion. On the section A and near the end of
the same is cast or secured a plate A¹, that enters and fills the recess in box-K,-

page_text: which when the two sections are brought together closes the side of the box
and completes its structure. L, is a box of wood or other like substance saturated
with any moisture repellent composition. It is inserted in the box K and lowered
until a hole in its side comes in line with the end of the conduit. It is then
drawn over the end of the conduit so that the latter projects slightly into it. The
space between the two boxes is then filled in with insulating material, preferably
such as herein before described. This fills all the space between the boxes and
seals the joints between the part K³, and the box K. Within the box L, are
arranged a number of binding posts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and to these the several wires
are led and secured, the object being to separate the wires as much as possible so
that they may be taken out with less liability of making contact. In order to
exclude moisture from the wires contained in the conduit, the end of the conduit
around the wires is filled with an insulating material or packing.
This packing or stuffing box may be formed in various ways, for example, a
number of bars or blocks may be laid as shown in Fig. 30, at the end of the
conduit, holding them in place by rabbets formed in supports N, placed within the
box L. The wires pass through grooves in the faces of these bars and when
the hot insulating material is poured into the conduit and box K, it solidifies the
blocks, forming a tight seal. Instead of the box K, K', a modification thereof may
be used, such as that shown in Fig. 28, wherein the box O is made with a sleeve P,
which is filled with the hot composition and thereby secured to the conduit.
Figs. 1, 4, 5, also illustrate a method of preventing retardation in underground
conductors. When an underground line is to be used for any purpose wherein the
inductions between neighbouring wires produce deleterious effects, such wires may
be separately covered with a layer of insulation upon which a metallic sheath is
superposed as at w Fig. 4. The effect of this however is to cause internal
retardation by reason of the inductions set up between the wire and its metallic
envelope. This may be partially overcome by short circuiting the current induced
in the sheath. We effect this by connecting a cross-wire x to the metallic sheath
and to the conduit. Such wires may be placed at distances of one hundred feet
or more apart, on each line wire. The spouts d afford convenient means of
fastening them to the conduit, as illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein the cross-wire * is
wound around the spout, being brought out of the opening and laid into one of the
corrugations thereof, so as to allow the cap d¹ to be fitted on (see Figs. 1 and 4).
The conduit may also be used as a return conductor in cases where the larger uses
of electrical energy are employed. In such cases, however, we prefer to send the
current from the pipe to a small dynamo, as an exciter or regulator, before
receiving it in the main generator of electricity. This steadies the current and
makes it more regular where the return pipe is employed as a conductor in the
manner shown in Fig. 31, which needs no further elucidation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the Baid
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is-
1. A sectional conduit, wherein are combined the spicket and sleeve with longi-
tudinal ribs along the joints thereof substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
2. The combination with a pipe composed of two longitudinal sections adapted
to be fitted together, substantially as described, of electrical conductors, supports
placed at intervals for receiving and holding said conductors in position, and a
filling of insulating material as set forth.
3. In combination with a pipe for conveying electric wires and divided into
longitudinal sections, the wire supports constituted of superposed grooved segmental
blocks, the said supports being each of a height greater than the internal diameter
of the pipe, so that when the sections are fitted together, the upper shall rest and
press upon the said supports instead of upon the lower section, as and for the
nurmoses specified

page_text: 4. The combination with a pipe for conveying electric wires and divided into
longitudinal sections, of the wire supports formed of superposed grooved segments
contained and enclosed within said pipe and supporting the upper section thereof,
and the stud and link clamping devices whereby the sections are held in place for
the purpose specified.
5. The sectional pipe lengths formed with sleeve ends enlarged as described to
form an annular chamber around the spigot end of the adjoining length, in combi-
nation with the wire supports, wires, and a filling of non conducting composition
all substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of the pipe formed of sections A and B; the non conducting
wire supports composed of superposed grooved segments placed at intervals in the
pipe, the wires or electrical conductors and the non conducting filling, all sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
7. The combination of the pipe formed of sections A and B, and provided with
orifices in the section A, the non conducting wire supports of superposed grooved
segments of fusible non conducting material placed at intervals in the pipe, the
wires or conductors, and the filling of fusible insulating material, all substantially
as described.
8. The combination of the pipe formed of sections A and B, the non conducting
wire supports composed of superposed grooved segments of insulating material, the
wrappers surrounding the supports, the wires or conductors, and the filling of
insulating material substantially as described.
9. The combination with a pipe or. conduit composed of sections A and B, and
means for locking the same together, of wire supports placed at intervals in the
pipe and composed of non conducting block segments grooved upon their contiguous
faces, all substantially as set forth.
10. The combination with the main pipe composed of the sections A and B, and
means for locking the same together, of sectional wire supports placed at intervals
within the pipes, and branch pipes as d extending from the main pipe between two
of the wire supports, as and for the purpose specified.
11. The combination with the main pipe composed of the sections A and B, and
means for locking the same together, of sectional supports placed at intervals
within the pipe, and branch pipes, as d extending from the main pipe between two
of said supports and containing one or more loops from the conductors within the
pipe, all substantially as set forth.
12. In a pipe for carrying or conveying electrical conductors, the combination,
with a straight section of a forked section adapted to fit the straight section and
tapered into two branches of smaller diameter, a series of superposed segmental
blocks placed in the end of the straight section and conducting wires laid between
said blocks and carried into the branches of the forked section, as set forth.
13. In a pipe or tube for carrying or conveying electric conductors, the combi-
nation with a straight section composed of upper and lower parts suitably joined,
of a longitudinally divided forked or branch section adapted to fit the end of the
straight section and tapered on the upper side into branches of smaller size, each
part of the forked section being provided with lugs for securing the two parts
together, all substantially as described.
14. The combination with a sectional pipe or conduit of hexagonal form, of
insulated wires laid in a group of hexagonal form, each wire being separated from
the next adjacent wire and the outer wires being separated from the inner surface
of the pipe by equal spaces, as set forth.
15. A pipe or tube for conveying electric wires, provided with the transverse
strengthening ribs and with transversely elongated openings d together with
suitable caps or covers d¹ therefor, substantially as described.
16. A pipe or tube for conveying electric wires, divided longitudinally into the
upper and lower sections A and B, the said sections being adapted to be clamped
together when the wires are laid therein; each section being provided with the
transverse strengthening ribs o' and the upper section with transversely elongated

page_text: openings & whereby the enclosed wires may be inspected or manipulated, together
with caps or covers d' therefor, substantially as specified.
17. As a filling for underground conduits, containing electric conductors, an
insulating compound consisting of refined asphalt and petroleum residue, substan-
tially as herein set forth.
18. The method of making insulating block segments for electrical conductors,
which consists in first forming the insulating compound into strips of proper width
by casting or moulding, substantially as described, then pressing said cast or
moulded strips, so that they shall have a cross section of the requisite shape and
dimension, with grooved faces for reception of the conductors, and subsequently
dividing said strips into blocks or segments, substantially as set forth.
19. The two rolls constructed with strip forming or shaping compartments,
grooves and ribs; in combination for joint operation as hereinbefore set forth.
20. The casting or moulding table C provided with partitions h and lower cross
partitions h¹, as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
21. As a means for laying and stretching wires in underground conduits, the
combination, with the travelling reel or spool holding carriage, of the perforated
guide disc Fig. 20, constructed and adapted to be used in conjunction with the
wires, and their enclosing pipe, substantially as set forth.
22. The combination with the travelling reel or spool holding carriage of the
clamping guide composed of a pile of superposed grooved bars and means for
clamping the same together, these devices being constructed and adapted for
co-operative use in laying and stretching the wires in an underground conduit,
substantially as herein set forth.
23. The spool holding carriage, combined with the spools, their guides and
supporting arms or axles, and the draft mechanism for stretching the wires when
laid, arranged and adjusted to be used in connection with the wire, clamping guide
and wires, as, and for the purpose herein before set forth.
24. In an apparatus for laying underground conductors the combination with
the reel or spool holding frame or carriage, of an adjustable lever for delivering the
wires, connected adjustably to the frame, in substantially the manner set forth.
25. In an apparatus for laying underground conductors the combination with
the reel or spool holding frame or carriage; of a pivoted guide bar or lever for
delivering the wires, and a means for adjusting the vertical position of said bar
with a reference to the frame, as set forth.
26. In an apparatus for laying underground conductors the combination with
a travelling frame or carriage of reels or spools carried thereby, a guide for the
wires of the upper spools and an adjustable guide bar for delivering the wires,
substantially as herein described.
27. The combination with the wheeled reel or spool frame or holder, of the
adjustable bar G, extending downwards from the frame and provided with a guide
for the wire at its extremity as set forth.
28. The combination of the conduit with the metallic sheath surrounding an
insulated wire and the cross wire connecting the sheath and conduit substantially
as set forth.
29. The combination of the conduit and an insulated conductor enclosed therein,
together, in such a manner as to complete the circuit, substantially as set forth.