U.S. patent application number 09/985732 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-08 for blasting block connector.
Invention is credited to Perry, Garnet.
Application Number | 20030084812 09/985732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25531756 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030084812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perry, Garnet |
May 8, 2003 |
Blasting block connector
Abstract
A connector block having an elongated body with an end wall at
one end. A resilient, cantilever arm extends from one side of the
end wall over the wall to the other side of the wall and terminates
in a free end at the other side of the end wall. The arm is spaced
from the outer face of the end wall to define, with the outer face,
a slot that snugly receives signal lines. The cantilevered arm is
tapered in thickness toward its free end in a manner to have the
end wall curl back over itself when the block is used by exploding
a detonator carried by the block.
Inventors: |
Perry, Garnet;
(Ste-Anne-De-Bellevue, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACK PAAVILA
BOX 1151
ALEXANDRIA
KOC IA0
CA
|
Family ID: |
25531756 |
Appl. No.: |
09/985732 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/275.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C06C 5/06 20130101; F42D
1/043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/275.7 |
International
Class: |
C06C 005/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A connector block having an elongated body, the body having an
end wall at one end, the end wall having an outer face; an opening
in the end wall extending through the end wall to the outer face;
the body adapted to support a detonator with a leading explosive
end of the detonator extending into the opening in the end wall and
at least close to the outer face of the end wall; a cantilever arm
extending from one side of the end wall over the outer face of the
end wall to the other side of the end wall and terminating in a
free end at the other side of the end wall; the arm spaced from the
outer face to define, with the outer face, a slot that snugly
receives signal lines so as to locate the signal lines adjacent the
opening; the free end of the arm and the end wall forming an
entrance to the slot; the cantilevered arm tapered in thickness,
from a point spaced along its length from its connection to the end
wall determined by where the arm will curl rearwardly over itself
rather than separate from the end wall when the detonator is
exploded, to adjacent its free end where it is thinnest.
2. A connector block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cantilevered
arm is tapered from at least the center of the arm, where the
longitudinal axis of the opening intersects the arm, to adjacent
its free end where it is thinnest.
3. A connector block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cantilevered
arm is resilient.
4. A connector block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cantilevered
arm is resilient
5. A connector block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of
the slot that receives the signal lines is of uniform width.
6. A connector block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the portion of
the slot that receives the signal lines is of uniform width.
7. A connector block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the portion of
the slot that receives the signal lines is of uniform width.
8. A connector block as claimed in claim 4 wherein the portion of
the slot that receives the signal lines is of uniform width.
9. A connector block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer face
of the end wall is curved to have a generally semicircular portion
extending toward the arm, the portion centrally located with
respect to the opening, the arm curved to follow the curved portion
to provide a slot of substantially uniform width.
10. A connector block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outer face
of the end wall is curved to have a generally semicircular portion
extending toward the arm, the portion centrally located with
respect to the opening, the arm curved to follow the curved portion
to provide a slot of substantially uniform width.
11. A connector block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the outer face
of the end wall is curved to have a generally semicircular portion
extending toward the arm, the portion centrally located with
respect to the opening, the arm curved to follow the curved portion
to provide a slot of substantially uniform width.
12. A connector block as claimed in claim 4 wherein the outer face
of the end wall is curved to have a generally semicircular portion
extending toward the arm, the portion centrally located with
respect to the opening, the arm curved to follow the curved portion
to provide a slot of substantially uniform width.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is connected toward an improved connector
block.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art including Information
Disclosed under CFR .sctn..sctn.1.97-1.99
[0004] A connector block is used in blasting operations to connect
a detonator to at least one signal transmission line. An example of
such a block is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,319.
[0005] A connector block has an elongated body member for holding a
detonator therein with the explosive end of the detonator at one
end of the block. Means are provided at this one end of the block
for holding signal transmission lines adjacent the explosive end of
the detonator. Several of the new connector blocks use a
cantilevered arm on the end wall of the block at the one end to
hold the signal lines adjacent to the explosive end of the
detonator at the one end wall of the block. The signal lines are
located in a narrow space or slot formed between the arm and the
one end wall of the block and are inserted into that space through
an entrance between the free end of the arm and the end wall. The
slot is shaped and sized to hold the lines quite firmly, closely
adjacent to the end of the detonator.
[0006] These known connector blocks can be dangerous however when
detonated. Often the cantilevered arm will blow off the block when
the detonator is detonated and the arm, as a small missile, could
injure someone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is the purpose of the present invention to provide
connector blocks of the type employing a cantilevered arm to hold
the signal lines that are safer in operation than the known blocks.
More particularly, it is the purpose of the present invention to
provide connector blocks in which the cantilevered arm remains
attached to the block when detonated.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
connector block having a cantilevered arm at least the front
portion of which is tapered from a thin front end to a thicker
middle section. As a result of this construction, the cantilevered
arm peels or rolls back from its free front end toward its
supported rear end, away from the end wall of the block, instead of
being blown off the connector block when the detonator is
detonated. With the arm remaining attached to the block during
detonation, the block is much safer in use.
[0009] The invention is particularly directed toward a connector
block having an elongated body, the body having an end wall at one
end, the end wall having an outer face. An opening in the end wall
extends through the end wall to the outer face. The body supports a
detonator with a leading explosive end of the detonator extending
into the opening in the end wall and at least close to the outer
face of the end wall. A resilient, cantilever arm extends from one
side of the end wall over the outer face of the end wall to the
other side of the end wall and terminates in a free end at the
other side of the end wall. The arm is spaced from the outer face
to define, with the outer face, a slot that snugly receives signal
lines so as to locate the signal lines adjacent the opening. The
free end of the arm and the end wall form an entrance to the slot
that is narrower than the slot. The cantilevered arm is tapered in
thickness, from a point spaced along its length from its connection
to the end wall determined by where the arm will curl rearwardly
over itself, instead of separating from the end wall, when the
detonator is exploded, to adjacent its free end where it is
thinnest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a known connector block;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the known block taken
along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a detail view of the entrance to the slot in the
known block;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a known detonator;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the known
detonator and signal lines mounted on the known block;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the improved
connector block; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the block
after the detonator has exploded.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A prior art connector block 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
has an elongated body 3 with side walls 5 joined by a bottom wall 7
defining an open, elongated channel 9. One end of the body 3 is
closed by an end wall 11. The other end of the body 3 could also be
partly closed by a second end wall 13 if desired. The channel 9
holds a detonator DE as will be described. The detonator DE can
rest on the bottom wall 7 of the body 3. Preferably, a detonator
support 15 is provided on the bottom wall 7 and supports the
detonator DE in the channel 9. A cover 17 can be provided to close
the body 3. The cover 17 can be attached to the body 3 to be on one
side of the body when not in use. The cover 17, in use, rests on
the top free edges 19 of the side walls 5. Cooperating locking
means (not shown) are provided on the cover 17 and the side walls 5
of the body 3 for locking the cover 17 to the body 3 when in use.
The cover 17 can also have retaining means 20 on its bottom surface
21 for cooperating with the detonator DE to retain the detonator in
place within the body 3 as will be described. The end wall 11 has a
cylindrical opening 23 there through which opening is aligned with
the detonator support 15.
[0018] The outer surface 31 of the end wall 11 has a
semicylindrical surface portion 33, generally overlying the opening
23 and extending across the height of the end wall 11. This curved
surface portion 33 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 35 of the
opening 23. A pair of stop members 37 within the opening 23
partially close the opening adjacent the surface portion 33, the
stop members 37 integral with the end wall 11.
[0019] The known connector block 1 includes a resilient,
cantilevered arm 41 extending from one side 43 of the end wall 11
over and across its outer surface 31, substantially covering the
outer surface 31. The arm 41 has a main body portion 45, the length
of which constitutes a substantial portion of the length of the
arm, and which extends from the one side 43 of the end wall 11. The
main body portion 45 is of the same thickness over its length and
is spaced from the outer surface 31 of the end wall 11 and curved
over the semicylindrical surface portion 33 in a manner to form a
narrow slot 47 which slot is of uniform width over at least a major
portion of its length. The arm 41 has a free end portion 49
extending from the main body portion 45 of the arm 41, which tapers
to a point.
[0020] The free end portion 49 of the arm 41 forms a v-shaped
entrance 51 with an entrance portion 53 of the outer surface 31 of
the end wall 11 adjacent the other side 55 of the end wall 11 as
shown in detail in FIG. 3. The entrance 51 provides access into the
slot 47. Preferably, the free end portion 49 of the arm 41 has its
inner surface 57 angled outwardly forming one slanted side of the
entrance 51. The entrance portion 53 on the end wall 11 has an
inwardly angled surface 59 forming the other slanted side of the
entrance 51. The end of the slot 47 near the other side 55 of the
end wall 11 undercuts the entrance portion 53 forming a resilient
finger 61 that, with the free end portion 49 of the resilient arm
41, substantially closes the entrance 51. This type of connector
block is known.
[0021] The known block 1 is used with a detonator DE. The detonator
DE, as shown in FIG. 4, has a casing C with a leading explosive end
LE and an open trailing end TE. The casing C is preferably
cylindrical in shape although it could have other shapes. The open
trailing end TE is closed by a resilient bushing B through which a
detonator signal line DSL is passed into the casing C. The casing C
is crimped about the bushing B as shown at CR. At least one crimp
and preferably two are employed. Detonators of this type are well
known.
[0022] To use the block 1, the detonator DE in placed in the
channel 9 of the block 1 with its leading end LE inserted into the
opening 23 in the end wall 11 and tight against the stops 37 as
shown in FIG. 5. The stops 37 serve to locate the explosive end LE
of the detonator DE relative to the semi-cylindrical surface 33 of
the end wall 11. The casing C rests on the support 15 in the
channel 9 and the detonator signal line DSL extends rearwardly out
of the body 3 through a slot 61 in the other end wall 13. The cover
17 is used to close the body 3 and retain the detonator DE tight
against the stops 37 and the support 15 with the retaining means 19
on the bottom of the cover 17. The retaining means 19 partly
encircle one of the crimps CR on the detonator casing C preventing
both lateral and longitudinal movement of the detonator.
[0023] The signal lines SL are passed through the entrance 51 into
the slot 47 between the resilient finger 61 and the free end
portion 49 of the resilient arm 41. The slot 47 is just wide enough
to snugly receive the signal lines SL which lines, when in the slot
47, extend transverse to the longitudinal axis 35 of the opening
23. The signal lines SL are placed in the slot 47 through the
entrance 51 one at a time. The resilient arm 41 helps hold the
signal lines SL in place within the slot. The signal lines SL lie
closely adjacent to the leading explosive end LE of the detonator
DE, all about the same distance therefrom. Detonation of the
detonator DE sends a signal through each signal line SL.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the cantilevered
arm 41' of the connector block 1', as shown in FIG. 6, is modified
to ensure that it remains with the body 3' of the block when the
detonator DE is detonated. To this end, the main body portion 45'
of the arm 41' is modified to taper in thickness, from a point
spaced from its connection to the end wall determined by where the
free end of the arm will curl back on itself when the detonator is
exploded, to the free end portion 49'. Preferably, the main body
portion 45' of the arm 41' is modified to taper in thickness at
least from about its mid-point 71, at about the longitudinal axis
35' of the opening 23' in the end wall 11', to the free end portion
49', tapering from a thick cross-section at the mid-point 71 to a
thin cross-section adjacent the free end portion 49'. The free end
portion 49' is also modified to have a thickness at its thick end
equal to the thickness at the thin end 73 of the body portion. The
tapered, forward portion 75 of the main body 45' of the arm 41'
allows the arm to curl backward, as shown in FIG. 7, when the
detonator DE is exploded, starting from its free end portion 49',
instead of being blown off. Thus the arm 41' stays connected to the
block during detonation making the block much safer in use. The
tapering of the arm 41' is done in a manner to leave the thickness
of the slot 47' unchanged.
[0025] If desired, the main body 45' of the arm can be tapered back
from its free end portion 49' to a point close to the location
where the arm is connected to the end wall. The arm would be
tapered for about three quarters of its length in this case
provided a longer tapered forward portion 75 of the arm 41' making
it still easier to curl the arm backward on itself during
detonation.
[0026] The cantilevered arm 41 has been described as being
resilient. The arm 41 could, in some cases, be rigid rather than
springy with the arm slightly squeezing the signal lines SL to
securely hold them in the slot 47 and with the resilient finger 61
in the entrance 51 designed to allow passage of the signal lines SL
into the slot without movement of the arm 41.
[0027] While one form of known connecting block has been described,
other similar types of known blocks, using a cantilevered arm to
hold the signal lines, can be employed, but with the arm modified
according to this invention. The cantilevered arm and entrance is
designed according to the present invention to securely retain all
the signal lines in position within the slot adjacent the
detonator, while still allowing entrance of the lines into the slot
and also ensuring that the arm is tapered in a manner allowing it
to curl starting from its front end when the detonator is
exploded.
* * * * *