Improvements in Splicing Ears and Terminals for Overhead Electric Trolley Wires employed on Electric Tramways.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 9th June, 1900-Accepted, 14th July, 1900 .
Improvements in Splicing Ears and Terminals for Overhead Electric
Trolley Wires employed on Electric Tramways.
I, JOSEPH SLACK, of 4, Heys Terrace, New Pellon, Halifax, in the County of
York, Linesman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct splicing ears and terminals for
overhead electric trolley wires, so as to make a more effective connection, dispense
with the sweating or soldering and reduce the wear and tear consequent upon
the trolley coming in contact with the irregularities or swells upon the existing
splicing ear and to present an even and smooth surface to such trolley upon it
passing the said joint.
My improved terminals dispense with the bolts employed in the ordinary
terminals, are much more durable, less costly, and the trolley wires are more easily
and quickly secured.
I construct my improved splicing ear in the form of a mechanical splicing ear,
having wings upon each side of the boss, one fixed the other loose, each wing
having semicircular grooves, and upon the fixed wing studs or bolts, within
these grooves is placed one end of each trolley wire, a loose wing of corresponding
section is then placed in position, the studs, bolts or rivets upon the fixed wing
passing through perforations in the loose wing the ends are then rivetted up,
the end of the trolley wire which is bent to a right angle as ordinary is now
turned down resting upon the top of the ear, suitable projections upon both wings
are turned over the trolley wire, the projections upon the loose wing in the
direction of the fixed wing and vice versa, thus having the appearance of a hinge,
by these means the grip upon the wire increases with the strain upon same.
Or in place of the aforesaid projections upon the wings, I may employ larger
vertical projections having a spiral groove and in place of bending the wire down
on to the wings it may be twisted round the projection as desired, also in place
of the rivets for securing the wings together I may employ screws, the heads of
which fit within countersunk holes in the wings, by this means the durability is
greatly increased.
In my improved terminal, 1 dispense with the bolts usually employed and
construct the same of a V shape, having three holes at one end for either single
or double insulation, in securing the trolley wires, I preferably employ a suitable
wedge having a grooved edge in which beds the trolley wire, this wedge has a
round end, the end of the trolley wire is bent round this wedge, and retains the
same in. position, the trolley wire is then drawn into the terminal, and the wire
heds against the inside of the terminal and is firmly secured.

page_text: Improvements in Splicing Ears and Terminals for Overhead Electric
Trolley Wires employed on Electric Tramways.
I, JOSEPH SLACK, of 4, Heys Terrace, New Pellon, Halifax, in the County of
York, Linesman, 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 my invention is to construct splicing ears and terminals for
overhead electric trolley wires, so as to make a more effective connection, dispense
with the sweating or soldering and reduce the wear and tear consequent upon
the trolley coming in contact with the irregularities or swells upon the existing
splicing ear and to present an even and smooth surface to such trolley upon it
passing the said joint.
My improved terminals dispense with the bolts employed in the ordinary
terminals are much more durable less costly, and the trolley wires are more easily
and quickly secured.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved splicing car for overhead electric
trolley wires, showing method of splicing the trolley wires.
Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1 with one loose wing detached.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1, but shows another method of fixing the ends
of the trolley wires.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross section of fast and loose wings of my improved splicing ear
showing trolley wire, and position of lugs before being turned down.
Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5 with the lugs turned down.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of wedge employed in connection with my improved
terminal, for securing the trolley wire.
Fig. 8 is a plan of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a sectional side elevation of my improved terminal showing method of
securing the trolley wire.
I construct my improved splicing ear A in the form of a mechanical splicing
car having wings B, C, upon each side of the boss D, one fixed the other loose,
cach wing having semicircular grooves E, and upon the fixed wings B studs
or bolts F, within these grooves E is placed one end of each trolley wire G, the
loose wing C of corresponding section is then placed in position; the studs, bolts,
or rivets F upon the fixed wings B, pass and project through corresponding holes
or perforations H in the loose wings, the said studs are then rivetted up, and the
ends of the trolley wire G which is bent to a right angle (see Fig. 1) as ordinary,
is afterwards turned down resting upon the top of the ear A, suitable lugs or pro-
jections J upon both wings are bent over the trolley wire G, the projections upon
the loose wing C in the direction of the fixed wing B, and vice versa, thus having
the appearance of a hinge; by these means the grip upon the wire increases with
the strain upon same.
Or in place of the aforesaid lugs or projections J upon the wings, I may employ
larger vertical projections K having a spiral groove L, and in place of bending
the wire G down on to the wings, it may be twisted round the projection as desired,
see Figs. 3 and 4; also in place of the rivets F for securing the wings together
I may employ screws, the heads of which fit within countersunk holes in the
wings, by this means the durability is greatly increased,

page_text: In my improved terminal, see Figs. 7, 8 and 9, I dispense with the bolts
usually employed, and construct the same with a V shaped chamber M, having
three holes N at one end for either single or double insulation, in securing the
trolley wires G, I preferably employ a suitable wedge P, having a grooved edge R
in which beds the trolley wire G, this wedge has a round end, the end of the
trolley wire is bent round this wedge, and retains the same in position, the trolley
wire is then drawn into the terminal, and the wire G beds against the inside
of the terminal M, and so is firmly secured.
It will thus be seen that the greater the tension or strain upon the wire, the
more the said wire is gripped between the sides of the terminal and the wedge P,
at the same time it can be easily and quickly released.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I. claim is:-
1. Constructing splicing ears of overhead electric trolley wires, with fast and
loose wings B, C, having grooves such as E; lugs or projections J, and studs
bolts or screws F; inserting, bending and securing the ends of said wires in the
manner and for the purposes set forth.
2. Constructing splicing ears of overhead electric trolley_wires, with fast and
loose wings B, C, having grooves such as E, projections K having a spiral or
other groove L, and studs, bolts, or screws F: inserting bending and securing
the ends of said wires, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
3. Constructing terminals for overhead electric trolley wires of the section
shown at Fig. 9 having holes N and a conical or wedge shaped chamber M,
bending the end of the trolley wire G round a grooved wedge P and drawing same
into the terminal in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
D
L
Tighth love of Luno 1900
-
JOHN E. WALSH,
Waterhouse Chambers, Crossley Street, Halifax,
Patent Agent for the Applicant.