Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to couplers for wires. More particularly, the present invention relates to a breakaway coupler suitable for connecting segments of powered and nonpowered wires. The coupler is configured to provide a “weakest link” connection point that is the first to fail upon the application of a substantial force to the wire segments connected by the coupler. Use of the coupler thus minimizes breakage of the wire segments or the structures from which they are suspended. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Wood and steel utility poles are consistently brought to the ground by destructive forces such as falling trees, ice buildup, and the effects of high winds, with falling trees being the predominant culprit of broken poles. As trees fall onto wires strung between utility poles, shearing forces congregate towards the bases of the utility poles. The leverage of one large tree is often enough to break two poles, or more. For 150 years or so, the phone and power utilities have focused attention to larger utility poles, larger bolts, and larger diameter wires. All of the industries&#39; attention has been on static strength, yet failure consistently occurs. The practice of stringing multiple wires between utility poles exacerbates this problem. A falling tree that catches on multiple wires strung between utility poles will have its weight distributed across the multiple wires, which will then be far less likely to break. However, the total force remains aggregated on the utility poles, and when the weight of the tree exceeds the breaking strength of the poles, though not of the wires or the connections between the wires and the poles, the poles break. Often there is a domino effect of many poles being broken in a row. Downed utility poles can have a devastating effect on the electrical infrastructure of a power grid. It is far more difficult, costly, and time consuming to replace a utility pole than a broken wire. If the energy of trees and ice and other forces could be passed through breakaway devices placed on the wires, the security and dependability of the poles as well as rapid grid recovery would be enhanced. Even if some wires are not fitted with breakaway couplers, if the majority of the wires strung between utility poles are fitted with breakaway couplers the remaining few wires would be unable to resist the destructive forces and would break, thereby sparing the utility poles. 
         [0005]    There are presently known in the art various configurations of breakaway devices that enable the destructive force of a falling tree or ice to cause wires to separate, sparing the utility poles. However, these are complicated devices, requiring substantial installation time, and are costly to purchase and install. They are therefore not conducive to being prophylactically installed on all wires in a system. What is therefore needed is a breakaway coupler device for wires that is easy and quick to use and inexpensive. 
         [0006]    It is thus an object of the present invention to present a breakaway coupler that connects two lengths of wire, and which has a breakaway strength less than the breakaway strength of either length of wire or the structures to which they are connected. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to present a breakaway coupler that is easy to use. 
         [0008]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a breakaway coupler that can be installed quickly. 
         [0009]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a breakaway coupler that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0010]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a breakaway coupler that is suitable for prophylactic installation across an entire grid. 
         [0011]    Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention discloses a breakaway coupler that is installed inline between the ends of two wire segments suspended from structures, such as utility poles or buildings. The wire segments may be powered lines, such as electrical transmission lines or phone lines, or unpowered lines such as messenger lines or guy wires or the like. The breakaway coupler is designed to come apart when a sufficient force is placed on it and/or either of the two wire segments attached to it, such as from a falling tree. This minimizes that risk that the wire segments or the structures to which the wire segments are attached will be broken when a sufficient force is applied to one or both wire segments. 
         [0013]    The breakaway coupler of the present invention comprises a first receptacle, which is substantially cylindrical, hollow, and tapered, with openings at each end, a second receptacle, which is configured substantially the same as the first receptacle, and a coupling member joining the first receptacle to the second receptacle. The first receptacle is adapted to securely retain the end of one wire segment and the second receptacle is adapted to securely retain the end of the other wire segment. The coupling member is sacrificial, configured to fail upon the application of a disconnecting force upon it. The disconnecting force necessary to break the coupling member is less than the force needed to separate the wire segments from the first and second receptacles, less than the force needed to break either of the two wire segments, and less than the force needed to break the utility poles from which the wire segments are suspended. Thus, the coupler represents the “weak link” in the configuration and allows for the early separation of the first and second receptacles. 
         [0014]    The present invention further discloses various configuration of the components of the breakaway coupler, including different means for securing the wire segments to the receptacles and for attaching the receptacles to each other. It also discloses different configurations of the sacrificial coupling member. 
         [0015]    It is to be understood that the foregoing and following description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and exemplary rather than restrictive of the invention as claimed. These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the entire specification, accompanying figures, and claims incorporated herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1A , assembled and in use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the conductive collar component of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 2A , assembled and in use. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1A , assembled and in use, with cutaways and ghost lines to show internal components. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sacrificial coupling member of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sacrificial coupling member of the present invention, having two opened ends. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the sacrificial coupling member of the present invention, having one opened end and one closed end. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the sacrificial coupling member of the present invention, having two closed ends. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the sacrificial coupling member of the present invention, being made of a flexible material and having two closed ends. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising an anchor member having a hinged retaining device, with the hinged retaining device in insertion mode ready for deployment into the receptacle of the coupler. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5A  with the hinged retaining device inserted into the receptacle of the coupler and manipulated to securing mode. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention in use. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6A , showing a tree falling onto a wire and the sacrificial coupling member breaking to allow the first and second receptacles of the coupler to separate, thereby relieving the force on the structure to which to wire is attached. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The breakaway coupler  1  of the present invention comprises a first receptacle  100 , a second receptacle  200 , and a coupling member  300 . See  FIG. 1B . The first and second receptacles  100 , 200  are each configured to removably attach to the respective ends of the two separate wire segments  10 , 20 , and the coupling member  300  connects the first receptacle  100  to the second receptacle  200 . The coupling member  300  is sacrificial, configured to fail upon the application of a sufficient disconnecting force upon it, such as from a falling tree  50  landing on one or more wire segments  10 , 20 , resulting in the first receptacle  100  and the second receptacle  200  being separated from each other. See  FIG. 6B . The coupling member  300  may be configured to withstand varying levels of force, dependent upon the configuration of the wire segments  10 , 20  and structures  40 . For example, a coupling member  300  used in a breakaway coupler  1  to connect heavier wire segments  10 , 20  will have to withstand a greater force before failing, to account for the greater weight of the wire segments  10 , 20 . Similarly, a coupling member  300  used in a breakaway coupler  1  to connect wire segments  10 , 20  to smaller utility poles will have to fail upon being subjected to a lesser force, to prevent the smaller utility poles from breaking. 
         [0031]    The first receptacle  100  of the breakaway coupler  1  is elongated and has an outer surface  110  defining a substantially hollow interior space  130 . The first receptacle  100  has a first wire retaining end  140  and a first coupling end  150  located opposite the first wire retaining end  140 . The first receptacle  100  may have any suitable shape and size. In the preferred embodiments the first receptacle  100  is substantially cylindrical in shape. In the most preferred embodiments the cylindrical shape of the first receptacle  100  terminates at the first wire retaining end  140  in a taper, with the opening  142  at the first wire retaining end  140  having a smaller inside diameter than the inside diameter of the first receptacle  100  at its midpoint. See  FIG. 1A . The first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100  will have an opening  152  with an inside diameter that is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the first receptacle  100  at its midpoint, or slightly larger. In some embodiments the inside diameter of the opening  152  of the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100  may be slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the first receptacle  100  at its midpoint. The largest inside diameter of the first receptacle  100  will be between one half inch and four inches, and the smallest inside diameter of the first receptacle  100  will be between an eighth of an inch and three inches. The length of the first receptacle  100 , from the first wire retaining end  140  to the first coupling end  150 , will be between two inches and twenty-four inches. The first receptacle  100  may be made of any suitable material, as long as it is substantially rigid, durable, and resistant to environmental degradation. The first receptacle  100  may be made of metals, such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and the like, alloys, composites, polymers, and other materials. Where the coupler  1  is to be used to connect electrically conducting wire segments  10 , 20 , the material that the first receptacle  100  is made from must be electrically conductive. In the preferred embodiments the first receptacle  100  is made of aluminum. 
         [0032]    The first wire retaining end  140  of the first receptacle  100  has a first wire retaining aperture  142  which allows access into the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100 . The first wire retaining aperture  142  is configured to allow the insertion end  12  of the first wire segment  10  to be inserted at least partially into the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100 . In the preferred embodiments the first wire retaining aperture  142  is round, though in other embodiments it may have an oval shape, or a polygonal shape, or even an irregular shape. In the most preferred embodiments the inside diameter of the first wire retaining aperture  142  is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the insertion end  12  of the first wire segment  10 . 
         [0033]    The first receptacle  100  further comprises a first wire retaining member  160  and a first anchor member  190 . See  FIG. 1A . The first wire retaining member  160  is located within the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100  at the first wire retaining end  140 . It is configured to retain the insertion end  12  of the first wire segment  10  within the first receptacle  100 . The first anchor member  190  is located at the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100 . It provides a point of connection for the coupling member  300  to connect to the first receptacle  100 . 
         [0034]    The second receptacle  200  is configured substantially identically to the first receptacle  100 , in size, shape, material of construction, and components. It thus also has an outer surface  210  defining a substantially hollow interior space  230 , a second wire retaining end  240 , a second wire retaining aperture  242 , a second coupling end  250 , a second wire retaining member  260 , and a second anchor member  290 . These elements and components are configured substantially identically to those of the first receptacle  100  and perform the same functions (although in the case of the second wire retaining member  260  it is configured to retain the insertion end  22  of the second wire segment  20  within the second receptacle  200 , and in the case of the second anchor member  290  it is configured to provide a point of connection for the coupling member  300  to connect to the second receptacle  200 ). 
         [0035]    The sacrificial coupling member  300  is configured to be connected to the first anchor member  190  of the first receptacle  100  and to the second anchor member  290  of the second receptacle  200 . When so connected, the first receptacle  100  and the second receptacle  200  are attached to each other. As explained previously, the coupling member  300  is configured to release from at least one of the first anchor member  190  and the second anchor member  290  when a disconnecting force is exerted on it. This may occur by the coupling member  300  breaking, if it is made of a non-deformable material, or by the coupling member  300  deforming its shape, if it is made of a deformable material. In different embodiments the amount of force needed to cause the coupling member  300  to release from either or both of the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  can be varied by changing one or more of the shape, dimensions, and materials from which the coupling member  300  is made. The breaking strength of the coupling member  300  should be calculated as a function of the breaking strength of the wire segments  10 , 20  to be joined by the coupler  1 , the length of the wire segments  10 , 20  (and thus their weight), and the strength of the attachment points of the wire segments  10 , 20  to their supporting structures  40 . See  FIG. 6A . 
         [0036]    The coupling member  300  may be of any suitable shape. The coupling member  300  must be able to remain connected to the first and second anchor members  190 , 290  of the first and second receptacles  100 , 200 , respectively, until a disconnecting force is applied to it. It may be shaped as a closed ring, a partially opened ring, a double ended member having a closed ring at each end, a doubled ended member having partially opened rings at each end, a double ended member having one closed ring at one end and one partially opened ring at the other end, or any other suitable shape. See  FIGS. 4A-4E . The rings may be circular, ovoid, polygonal, or irregularly shaped. The partially opened rings may take the form of hooks. In the preferred embodiments the coupling member  300  is a closed ring. In the most preferred embodiments the coupling member  300  has an ovoid shape. The coupling member  300  may be made of any suitable material, as long as it is durable and resistant to environmental degradation. The coupling member  300  may be made of metals, such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and the like, alloys, composites, polymers, and other materials. The coupling member  300  may be substantially rigid, or it may be substantially flexible, constructed out of wire, cable, chain links, rubber, or the like. In the preferred embodiment the coupling member  300  is constructed of aluminum. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments of the present invention the breakaway coupler  1  is electrically conductive. That is, electricity is capable of flowing from the first wire segment  10  to the second wire segment  20  through the breakaway coupler  1 , and vice versa. In such embodiments a minimum number of components of the breakaway coupler  1  must also be electrically conductive. In a preferred embodiment, the first receptacle  100  is electrically conductive, the first wire retaining member  160  is electrically conductive, the first anchor member  190  is electrically conductive, the second receptacle  200  is electrically conductive, the second wire retaining member  260  is electrically conductive, the second anchor member  290  is electrically conductive, and the coupling member  300  is electrically conductive. The first wire segment  10  is in contact with the first wire retaining member  160 , which is in contact with the first receptacle  100 , which is in contact with the first anchor member  190 , which is in contact with the coupling member  300 , which is in contact with the second anchor member  290 , which is in contact with the second receptacle  200 , which is in contact with the second wire retaining member  260 , which is in contact with the second wire segment  20 . There is thus an unbroken connection of electrically conductive components between the first wire segment  10  and the second wire segment  20 , allowing an electric current to pass between the wire segments  10 , 20 . 
         [0038]    In other embodiments where the breakaway coupler  1  is electrically conductive, the breakaway coupler  1  further comprises a conductive collar  400 . See  FIG. 2A . The conductive collar  400  is made from an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or steel. The conductive collar  400  has a first end  410  and a second end  420 . The first end  410  of the conductive collar  400  is suitably configured to engage with the outer surface  110  of the first receptacle  100  proximate to the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100 . The second end  420  of the conductive collar  400  is suitably configured to engage with the outer surface  210  of the second receptacle  200  proximate to the second coupling end  250  of the second receptacle  200 . See  FIG. 2B . In this configuration, the conductive collar  400  is electrically conductive, the first receptacle  100  is electrically conductive, the first wire retaining member  160  is electrically conductive, the second receptacle  200  is electrically conductive, and the second wire retaining member  260  is electrically conductive. There is no need for the first anchor member  190 , the second anchor member  290 , or the coupling member  300  to be electrically conductive (though they may be electrically conductive, if desired). The first wire segment  10  is in contact with the first wire retaining member  160 , which is in contact with the first receptacle  100 , which is in contact with the conductive collar  400 , which is in contact with the second receptacle  200 , which is in contact with the second wire retaining member  260 , which is in contact with the second wire segment  20 . There is thus an unbroken connection of electrically conductive components between the first wire segment  10  and the second wire segment  20 , allowing an electric current to pass between the wire segments  10 , 20 . 
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiments where a conductive collar  400  is used, the conductive collar  400  is substantially cylindrical, as are the first receptacle  100  and the second receptacle  200 . The conductive collar  400  has a first opening proximate to its first end  410  with an inside diameter which is substantially the same as the first outer diameter of the first receptacle  100  proximate to the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100 . The conductive collar  400  has a second opening  422  proximate to its second end  420  with an inside diameter which is substantially the same as the second outer diameter of the second receptacle  200  proximate to the second coupling end  250  of the second receptacle  200 . So configured, the conductive collar  400  is placed over the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100  and over the second coupling end  250  of the second receptacle  200 , such that that first and second coupling ends  150 , 250  of the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  are positioned within the substantially hollow interior space  430  of the conductive collar  400 . See  FIG. 2B . To facilitate installation of the conductive collar  400 , the conductive collar  400  may be configured with a longitudinal slot  440  running from its first end  410  to its second end  420 , oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the conductive collar  400 . If the conductive collar  400  is made of a deformable material, its longitudinal slot  440  may be forced open to allow for insertion of the first and second coupling ends  150 , 250  of the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  into the interior of the conductive collar  400 , thereafter returning to its original shape. Alternatively, the conductive collar  400  may have a longitudinal hinge located opposite the longitudinal slot  440  and substantially parallel thereto, to facilitate the opening and closing of the conductive collar  400 . 
         [0040]    In the most preferred embodiments using the conductive collar  400 , the conductive collar  400  has a longitudinal slot  440  as described above, as well as a first flange  450  and a second flange  460 . The first flange  450  is substantially planar and extends outward from one side of the longitudinal slot  440 , and the second flange  460  is substantially planar and extends outward from the other side of the longitudinal slot  440 . The first and second flanges  450 , 460  are oriented substantially parallel to each other and may be slightly spaced apart from each other or in contact with each other. There may be one or more securing members  470  present, configured to secure the first flange  450  to the second flange  460 . In one embodiment the first flange  450  of the conductive collar  400  has one or more flange apertures  480 , each flange aperture  480  corresponding to a securing member  470 . Similarly, the second flange  460  of the conductive collar  400  has one or more flange apertures  480 , each flange aperture  480  corresponding to a securing member  470 . Each flange aperture  480  of the first flange  450  is substantially aligned with a corresponding flange aperture  480  of the second flange  460 . Each of the securing members  470  may be comprised of a threaded bolt and a threaded nut, with each bolt configured to pass through a flange aperture  480  of the first flange  450  and a corresponding flange aperture  480  of the second flange  460  and to be secured by a corresponding threaded nut being threaded onto the threaded bolt. Other configurations of the securing members  470  are also contemplated, for example, the securing members  470  could be cotter pins. Alternatively, the flange apertures  480  may be threaded and the threaded bolts are threaded into the flange apertures  480  without need for retaining nuts. So configured, the flanges  450 , 460  facilitate the opening of the longitudinal slot  440  to allow for insertion of the first and second coupling ends  150 , 250  of the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  into the conductive collar  400 ; thereafter, the securing members  470  tightly secure the conductive collar  400  to the first and second receptacles  100 , 200 . Notwithstanding the secure fit of the conductive collar  400  to the first and second receptacles  100 , 200 , however, the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  are capable of sliding out of the conductive collar  400  if the coupling member  300  releases due to a disconnecting force acting upon it. In yet other embodiments, the conductive collar  400  provides a tight enough fit to the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  so that a separate coupling member  300  and the first and second anchor members  190 , 290  are not required. Instead, the conductive collar  400  serves as the coupling member, holding together the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  until a sufficient force applied to the wire segments  10 , 20  causes either or both of the first and second receptacles  100 , 200  to slide out of the conductive collar  400 . 
         [0041]    In other embodiments, a non-conductive collar may be used, to increase the stability of the breakaway coupler  1 . The non-conductive collar is configured the same as the conductive collar  400 , with the exception that it is made of a non-conducting material. The non-conductive collar is intended for use where the wire segments  10 , 20  attached to the breakaway coupler  1  are not electrically conductive. (Of course, a conductive collar  400  may be used with a breakaway coupler  1  even if the wire segments  10 , 20  are not electrically conductive.) If the breakaway coupler  1  is intended to be used with electrically conducting wire segments  10 , 20 , then if a non-conductive collar is used, the first anchor member  190 , the second anchor member  290 , and the coupling member  300  must be electrically conductive. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the first receptacle  100  comprises a pair of lateral circular apertures  154  located proximate to its first coupling end  150 . See  FIG. 1A . Each of these lateral circular apertures  154  passes through the outer surface  110  of the first receptacle  100  and provides access into the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100 . The lateral circular apertures  154  have substantially similar diameters and are oriented on opposite sides of the first receptacle  100  from each other, such that a straight line passing through their centers is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first receptacle  100 . In these embodiments, the first anchor member  190  is a substantially cylindrical rod having an outside diameter just slightly smaller than the diameter of each lateral circular aperture  154 . The first anchor member  190  has a first end  192 , a second end  196 , and a middle portion  198  located between the first and second ends  192 , 196 . The length of the first anchor member  190  from its first end  192  to its second end  196  is greater than the distance between the pair of lateral circular apertures  154 . The first anchor member  190  is configured to be placed into and through the pair of lateral circular apertures  154  such that the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  extends beyond the outer surface  110  of the first receptacle  100 , the second end  196  of the first anchor member  190  extends beyond the outer surface  110  of the first receptacle  100 , the middle portion  198  of the first anchor member  190  is located within the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100 , and the first anchor member  190  is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first receptacle  100 . The coupling member  300  is configured such that a portion of the coupling member  300  is capable of being inserted through the coupling end aperture  152  at the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100  and into the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100 , wherein the coupling member  300  is placed in connection with the middle portion  198  of the first anchor member  190 . 
         [0043]    In preferred embodiments the first anchor member  190  is removably attached to the first receptacle  100 . This enables use of a closed ring coupling member  300 , as follows: the first anchor member  190  is removed from the first receptacle  100 , a portion of the closed ring coupling member  300  is inserted into the coupling end aperture  152  of the first receptacle  100 , then the first anchor member  190  is replaced into the first receptacle  100 , with the middle portion  198  of the first anchor member  190  passing through the closed ring of the coupling member  300 . In these embodiments the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  comprises a first removable retaining device  193 , such that when the first removable retaining device  193  is removed from the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190 , the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  is capable of passing through both of the lateral circular apertures  154  of the first receptacle  100 . When the first removable retaining device  193  is engaged with the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190 , the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  cannot pass through either of the lateral circular apertures  154  of the first receptacle  100 . In addition, the second end  196  of the first anchor member  190  may comprise a stop member  197 . See  FIG. 1A . The stop member  197  has a dimension larger than each of the diameters of the lateral circular apertures  154  of the first receptacle  100  such that the second end  196  of the first anchor member  190  cannot pass through either of the lateral circular apertures  154  of the first receptacle  100 . The stop member  197  may be the head of a bolt. It may also be a threaded nut configured to be inserted onto threads formed onto the second end  196  of the first anchor member. Other configurations of the stop member  197  are also contemplated. 
         [0044]    In some configurations the first removable retaining device  193  is a cotter pin configured to be inserted into an aperture formed through the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190 . See  FIG. 1A . In other configurations the first removable retaining device  193  is a threaded nut configured to be inserted onto threads formed onto the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190 . In yet other configurations the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  comprises a hinged retaining device  194 . See  FIGS. 5A-5B . The hinged retaining device  194  is capable of being aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the first anchor member  190  and being capable of being aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first anchor member  190 . When the hinged retaining device  194  is aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the first anchor member  190 , the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  passes through both of the lateral circular apertures  154  of the first receptacle  100 . See  FIG. 5A . When the hinged retaining device  194  is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first anchor member  190 , the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  cannot pass through either of the lateral circular apertures  154  of the first receptacle  100 . See  FIG. 5B . Other configurations of the first removable retaining device  193  are also contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0045]    In alternative embodiments, the first anchor member  190  may be fixedly attached to the first receptacle  100 . In such embodiments, the length of the first anchor member  190  is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the coupling end aperture  152  of the first receptacle  100 . The first anchor member  190  is located within the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100  proximate to the first coupling end  150  of the first receptacle  100 , with the first end  192  of the first anchor member  190  fixedly attached to the inside surface of the first receptacle  100  and the second end  196  of the first anchor member  190  fixedly attached to the inside surface of the first receptacle  100 . The attachment may be by any suitable means; in the preferred embodiment, the first anchor member  190  is welded to the first receptacle  100 . Where a fixed first anchor member  190  is used, the coupling member  300  must have at least one opened ring configuration so as to be capable of being placed onto the middle portion  198  of the fixed first anchor member  190 . 
         [0046]    The second anchor member  290  is configured substantially identically to the first anchor member  190 , in size, shape, material of construction, and means of integration. It thus also has a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, and may be removably attached to the second receptacle  200  through lateral circular apertures  254  or fixedly attached thereto. Where the second anchor member  290  is removably attached to the second receptacle  200 , it comprises a second removable retaining device  293  configured substantially the same as the first removable retaining device  193  of the first anchor member  190 . Where a fixed second anchor member  290  is used, the coupling member  300  must have at least one opened ring configuration so as to be capable of being placed onto the middle portion of the second anchor member  290 . 
         [0047]    The first wire retaining member  160  may be configured in any manner so long as it is capable of securely retaining an end  12  of the first wire segment  10  within the first receptacle  100 . In one embodiment, where the first receptacle  100  is tapered at its first wire retaining end  140 , the first wire retaining member  160  is comprised of a pair of mated jaws  170 , which when brought together form a substantially frustoconical shape. See  FIG. 1A . The first wire retaining member  160  has an outside diameter which is greater than the inner diameter of the first wire retaining aperture  142  and smaller than the inner diameter of the first receptacle  100 . As such, the first wire retaining member  160  cannot pass through the first wire retaining aperture  142  of the first receptacle  100 , but it can move freely within the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100  outside of the taper at the first wire retaining end  140 . When the first wire retaining member  160  is moved into the tapered end of the first receptacle  100  it becomes wedged therein. Each jaw of the mated pair of jaws  170  of the first wire retaining member  160  has an inner surface  172  and a substantially semi-cylindrical concave channel  174  inscribed within its inner surface  172 . When the pair of jaws  170  are placed together their respective inner surfaces  172  face each other and the channels  174  define a substantially cylindrical passageway  176  through the first wire retaining member  160 . This passageway  176  is configured to contain therein the end  12  of the first wire segment  10 . The inner surfaces  172  of the mated jaws  170  further comprise a plurality of unidirectional gripping members  178  which allow the end  12  of the first wire segment  10  to move over the gripping members  178  in a direction away from the first wire retaining end  140  of the first receptacle  100  but which impede movement of the end  12  of the first wire segment  10  in a direction toward the first wire retaining end  140  of the first receptacle  100 . See  FIG. 3 . 
         [0048]    Thus, when the end  12  of the first wire segment  10  is inserted into the first receptacle  100 , it moves into the passageway  176  defined by the pair of jaws  170  of the first wire retaining member  160 , pushing the jaws  170  apart somewhat while moving over the gripping members  178  and pushing the first wire retaining member  160  away from the first wire retaining end  140  of the first receptacle  100 . Then, the first wire segment  10  is pulled in the opposite direction. The gripping members  178  impede the wire segment&#39;s  10  movement within the passageway, thereby drawing the first wire retaining member  160  towards the tapered end of the first receptacle  100 , which in turn forces the jaws  170  closer together, increasing their hold on the wire segment  10 . In some embodiments the first wire retaining member  160  further comprises a biasing spring  180  to facilitate movement of the jaws  170  toward the tapered end. Where a biasing spring  180  is used, the first receptacle  100  further comprises an inside planar surface  120 , where the inside planar surface  120  is located within the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100  between the first wire retaining end  140  and the first coupling end  150 , with the inside planar surface  120  being oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first receptacle  100 . The biasing spring  180  is then located within the substantially hollow interior space  130  of the first receptacle  100  between the inside planar surface  120  and the first wire retaining member  160 . The biasing spring  180  is biased to move the mated jaws  170  of the first wire retaining member  160  towards the first wire retaining end  140  of the first receptacle  100 . This configuration of the first wire retaining member  160  allows for very easy use of the breakaway coupler  1 . A user simply takes the end of a wire segment and inserts it as far as it can go into the first receptacle  100  through its first wire retaining aperture  142 , then pulls on the wire segment until the first wire retaining member  160  is tightly wedged into the tapered end of the first receptacle  100 . The breakaway coupler  1  can thus be installed onto a wire segment in seconds. 
         [0049]    The second wire retaining member  260  of the second receptacle  200  is configured substantially identical to the first wire retaining member  160  of the first receptacle  100 . The second receptacle  200  may also have an inside planar surface to accommodate a biasing spring. The second wire segment  20  is inserted into the second receptacle  200  in the same manner as described above. 
         [0050]    Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Technology Category: f