IMPROVEMENTS IN INSULATORS FOR ELECTRIC WIRES, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING THEM WITH SUPPORTS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lawrence Brickett Gray, of the City of Boston, and
state of Massachusetts in the United States of America for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN INSULATORS FOR ELECTRIC WIRES, AND MEANS FOR
CONNECTING THEM WITH SUPPORTS
"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Lawrence Brickett Gray at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th June 1883.
66
LAWRENCE BRICKETT GRAY, of the City of Boston, and State of Massachusetts,
in the United States of America IMPROVEMENTS IN INSULATORS FOR ELECTRIC
WIRES, AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING THEM WITH SUPPORTS,"
This Invention relates to Improvements in Insulators for Electric-Wires and
means for connecting them to their supports, whereby the same may be applied
and secured together in a very firm and expeditious manner.
In carrying out my invention I construct an insulator of glass, or other well
known material for the purpose, having an internal cavity extending from the
base toward the top of the same; being formed largest at the base, and then
contracted at or about midlength, forming a neck, then increased in size toward
the top, which may be arched or semi-dome shaped, so as to present an interior
annular rib or projection, which is adapted to fit within a corresponding groove or
neck formed circumferentially around or upon the opposite sides of the spring
support, constructed so as to fit within the said cavity of the said insulator, when
the insulator and spring support are forced together, bending or springing the side
portions of the support toward each other, so as to permit the head-end portions
of the spring support to pass through the contracted portion of the said interior
cavity of the said insulator, and then spring apart, so as to make contact with the
enlarged cavity and its neck.
And in order to prevent the said insulator and its support, from being turned
independently of each other when thus connected together, a rectangular cavity is
formed at some portion of the interior opening of the said insulator, the said spring
support having formed thereon, a corresponding portion to fit therein.

page_text: •
This spring support is shown as constructed of wood sawed and turned into
suitable form to fit within the cavity of the insulator; but I contemplate however
that the said spring-support may be constructed of metal and adapted to be sprung
into position within the cavity of the insulator having a similar or corresponding
formation to that first above described.
But that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe the
same more in detail, by aid of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1. Represents a perspective view of an insulator.
Figure 2. Represents a plan view of the lower end.
Figure 3. Represents a perspective view of the support.
Figure 4. Represents a longitudinal sectional view of the insulator and support
connected with each other.
A represents an insulator molded from glass or other suitable material, and
having formed within its base, or lower end portion, a square or rectangular
cavity B connecting with a smaller circular opening or cavity C, which connects
with an enlarged cavity E, whereby an inwardly projecting rib H, is formed therein
as shown.
Now in order to provide a spring support P, with the upper end of which the
said insulator A may be instantly and firmly connected, I provide the body
portion, with a central longitudinal opening forming prongs, or flat spring side
portions R, adapted to fit within the said rectangular cavity B, of the interior
opening of the said insulator A when placed thereon and forced together, so as to
• bend or spring the said side portions R toward each other, so as to permit the head-
end portions S, to pass through the said contracted circular cavity C, formed
within the said insulator, and when the said head end portions have passed through
the said contracted portion C of the said cavity and within the enlarged portion E
of the cavity, the said spring sides R, return to their normal positions within the
said cavity of the insulator, as shown in Fig., 4 of the drawings; wherein it will
be seen that the head end portions S fit within the said enlarged cavity E, the
. neck portions T within the contracted annular opening C, and the said spring
side portions R within the rectangular portion B of the cavity, whereby the said
insulator and support, are permanently locked together.
The base of the said insulator A has formed therein a curved or conical cavity L
which contacts with the rounded head portions S of the said support, so that, when
pressure is applied to the said insulator A to force it upon the oval head end of
the said support, its spring sides R yield or spring toward each other, so as to
permit said head end portions S to pass through the contracted portions C of the
Baid cavity of the insulator A, and then spring outwardly to their normal positions
within the insulator A, and thus firmly unite the insulator and support together,
and prevent one part from turning independent of the other.
This construction of the insulator and support permits them to be instantly
connected together, and an electric wire to be fastend or bent around the neck or
within the exterior groove D of the said insulator, in a very convenient and
expeditious manner.
The said support P I have shown as constructed of wood by sawing and turning
the same into the desired form and size; but I contemplate however that the said
support may be constructed of suitable metal, so formed as to fit within the said
insulator, or one of corresponding or similar formation, as above described.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim :-
1. An insulator for electric wires, having a cavity provided with an annular
projecting rib, and a rectangular opening within its base, as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
2. An insulator for electric-wires, having a cavity provided with an annular
projection, and a square opening in the base connecting with a conical opening, as,
and for the purposes, set forth.

page_text: 3. A forked spring support adapted to be connected with the interior opening
of an insulator, as described, and for the purposes set forth.
4. The combination of the insulator, having an inwardly projecting rib within
a cavity, adapted to be connected with a forked support having spring side
portions, substantially as described, as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I, the said Lawrence Brickett Gray, have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twenty second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
LAWRENCE BRICKET ORAV
LAWRENCE BRICKET CRAY