Shotgun Stick

Abstract

A shotgun stick for applying and removing devices, such as clamps, to and from electrical lines or conductors. The stick includes an elongated support rod having an insulated head at one end and a movable actuating handle at the other end. An operating rod extends from the handle and is slidably received within the insulated head. The operating rod is connected to a clamping mechanism which is slidably disposed within the head whereby actuation of the handle causes linear movement of the operating rod for causing a corresponding movement and actuation of the clamping mechanism. The support rod and the operating rod are both of sectional construction and include a plurality of intermediate sections which can be individually inserted into or taken out of the stick for permitting selective adjustment in the overall stick length. Locking devices are provided for releasably locking together the sectional parts of the support rod and the operating rod.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to my copending application Ser. No. 55 372, filed July 16, 1970. now U.S. Pat. No. 3,666,311.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus, commonly referred to as a clamp stick or shotgun stick, for applying devices, such as clamps, to electrical conductors and removing the devices therefrom. Particularly, the invention relates to an improved shotgun stick which includes connectible base and head sections and one or more substantially identical intermediate sections which can be releasably connected between the base and head sections permitting the overall length of the stick to be varied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Service personnel for power companies often utilize an apparatus referred to as a clamp stick or a shotgun stick for installing hot line clamps and for manipulating various other tools when working on or around an energized electrical distribution line. While the known sticks of this type are satisfactory, so far as I am aware, no one has previously devised a successful and satisfactory stick of this type (except for the stick disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 55, 372) in which the length of the stick can be selectively and easily adjusted.

As is well known, the accessibility of electrical distribution lines varies substantially because the lines are installed not only above the ground at various elevations, but also many lines are disposed below the ground in underground distribution systems. Because of the widely diverse and nonuniform manner in which electrical distribution lines are positioned and mounted, the access distances from the working positions of the maintenance personnel to distribution lines vary over a substantially wide range. For example, when a service man is working on an overhead line, the line may be 12 feet or more from the service man and thus the service man must have a stick of at least approximately 12 feet in length in order to reach the line. On the other hand, when the service man is working in an underground installation wherein space is limited, then the service man is generally much closer to the electrical line and, therefore, he requires a substantially shorter stick, such as one of approximately 4 to 6 feet in length.

In order to work under the widely diverse access distances encountered at various locations, it is often necessary for maintenance personnel to have available a series of clamp sticks of different lengths. For example, a maintenance crew might possess five different sticks having lengths of 4 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet and 12 feet to permit them to operate within the 4 to 12 foot range. While this permits the maintenance crew to operate under most of the expected access conditions, nevertheless the necessity of carrying about a large number of different length sticks is undesirable, not only because it substantially increases the equipment cost, but also because it requires additional storage space and often results in inefficient utilization of working time because in many working situations the service man may not have initially selected a stick of the correct length.

In order to overcome the necessity of providing a number of sticks of different lengths, some of the prior clamp sticks have permitted an extension piece to be coupled to the stick to permit the overall length thereof to be selectively increased. However, all of the prior clamp sticks of this type have, to the best of my knowledge, utilized a separate extension piece having a clamping mechanism provided thereon, with the extension piece being coupled to the clamping head of the stick to thus increase the overall stick length. This type of stick construction is obviously undesirable since it substantially increases the mechanical complexity of the stick and the cost thereof, inasmuch as the head structure of the stick is duplicated in the extension section. Also, use of the extension results in the clamp stick being extremely heavy and bulky, and thus makes manipulation of same extremely tiring and difficult.

The telescopic shotgun stick disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 55,372 has proven highly successful and storage ease is one advantage of the shorter model but can be more difficult on the longer model since the minimum length of the short and long models are approximately 5 feet and 6 feet, respectively. Also, when the telescopic stick is fully extended, the stick is subject to flexing. The sections of the telescopic stick also tend to collect contamination therein. Thus, the stick of the present invention possesses advantages not possessed by the stick of my copending application. Particularly, the stick of the present invention has a shorter overall packaged length, greater rigidity, and has no tendency to collect contamination in the interior thereof. The stick of the present invention also is less expensive since it is possible to buy shorter length sections, with extension sections being purchased as necessary. Further, it is less expensive to replace broken parts in the stick disclosed in this application and, by utilizing shorter sections, the guide devices for the operating rod assembly can be disposed closer to the tip of the individual sections.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shotgun stick which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by constructing the stick so that the overall length thereof can be easily and selectively varied over a substantially wide range. The stick includes separable base and head sections which can be coupled directly together and also includes one or more intermediate extension sections which can be connected between the head and base sections for permitting the overall length of the stick to be varied.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which has both a sectional support rod assembly and a sectional operating rod assembly for permitting the overall length of the stick to be easily and selectively varied.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which has easily releasable locking devices associated with both the sectional support rod assembly and the sectional operating rod assembly for maintaining the sections of the stick fixedly connected and for permitting the stick sections to be easily released and disconnected for varying the axial length of the stick.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which can be efficiently and safely utilized on or around energized electrical distribution lines, is of relatively light weight, can have the axial length thereof easily and quickly varied over a relatively wide range, is strong and durable to minimize maintenance and repair, and can be economically manufactured and sold.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which is constructed of a plurality of sections which are all of relatively short length, thereby greatly facilitating storage of the stick, while permitting a selected number of sections to be coupled together to thus provide a stick of desired length, which length may be varied over a substantial range. For example, the present invention contemplates providing a stick having a handle section of approximately 4 feet and a head section of approximately 1 foot, which sections can be directly coupled to provide an operating stick having a length of approximately 5 feet. Alternately, one, two, three or more intermediate sections can be coupled between the head and handle sections, which intermediate sections have, for example, a length of approximately four feet whereby the length of the stick can thus be easily increased to approximately 9, 13, 17 or more feet. The rod thus can be utilized over substantially long distances, while at the same time compact storage of the rod is made possible since all of the sections are of rather small length, thereby greatly facilitating handling and storage of same.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved shotgun stick, as aforesaid, which can be readily adapted for use in situations requiring rods of long length even though the rod, when initially purchased, did not possess this length capability. This is made possible according to the present invention by utilizing a rod which has a plurality of separable extension sections which are identical, so that additional extensions can be purchased at a later time and coupled into the rod to permit the length of the rod to be increased when desired.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, side elevational view of a shotgun stick constructed according to the present invention, same being illustrated with two extension sections disposed intermediate the head and base sections for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of the assembled shotgun stick, same being illustrated with the clamp mechanism retracted within the insulating head.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional, elevational view of the handle section.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line III--III in FIGS. 1A and 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line IV--IV in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line V--V in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, elevational, sectional view of the head section of the stick.

FIG. 7 is a broken, horizontal, sectional view of a portion of the insulating head and illustrating the clamp mechanism in the extended, open position.

FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the clamping mechanism in a partially retracted, closed position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional, elevational view taken substantially along the line VIII--VIII in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, sectional view illustrating the operating rod locking mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line X--X in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating the lock mechanism in the released position.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the operating rod lock mechanism and showing in solid lines the locked position illustrated in FIG. 9 and showing in broken lines the released position illustrated in FIG. 11.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words "upwardly," "downwardly," "rightwardly" and "leftwardly" will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words "front" and "rear" will refer to the right and left sides of the stick and designated parts thereof as appearing in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The word "forwardly" will refer to rightward movement of the handle and operating rod as appearing in FIGS. 1 and 1A, and the word "rearwardly" will correspondingly refer to leftward movement of the handle and operating rod as appearing in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the stick and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a shotgun stick having a head assembly adjacent one end thereof and a handle assembly adjacent the other end thereof. The handle and head assemblies are interconnected by substantially parallel, elongated support and operating rod assemblies. The shotgun stick is formed from a plurality of elongated rodlike sections which can be selectively axially coupled together to permit the rod length to be selectively varied over a rather wide range. One of the stick sections has the handle assembly mounted thereon, and another of the stick sections has the head assembly mounted thereon. The stick also includes a plurality of intermediate sections which can be releasably connected between the head and handle sections. Each stick section, including the head, handle and intermediate sections, has substantially parallel portions of the operating and support rod assemblies, with the portions being releasably connectible when said sections are coaxially aligned. The head and handle sections can be directly releasably connected together when a stick of short length is desired, or one or more intermediate extension sections can be connected coaxially between the head and handle sections for increasing the length of the stick according to the specific use situation encountered. The head assembly includes a slidable clamping mechanism receivable therein and extendible from the forward end thereof, and the handle mechanism includes an actuating member which is slidable relative to the support rod assembly and causes a corresponding movement of the operating rod assembly for causing the clamping mechanism to be slidably moved relative to the insulating head. The structure of the handle and head assemblies are substantially identical to the structure disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 55 372, filed July 16, 1970.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate an improved shotgun stick 10 constructed according to the present invention, which stick comprises an elongated support rod assembly 11 having an insulating head 12 mounted on one end thereof and a handle assembly 13 slidably mounted thereon adjacent the other end thereof. The head 12 has a clamping mechanism 14 (FIGS. 6 and 7) slidably mounted therein which is actuated by an operating rod assembly 16 connected between the clamping mechanism 14 and the handle assembly 13.

The shotgun stick 10 of the present invention comprises a plurality of rodlike sections which can be releasably connected together to permit the length of the stick to be selectively varied. The stick 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a rodlike base or handle section 17 and a head section 18. The head and base sections can be directly coupled together or they can be interconnected by means of one or more substantially identical intermediate extension sections 19 to permit variation in the stick length. While FIG. 1 illustrates the use of two intermediate extension sections 19, it will be recognized that the present invention encompasses a shotgun stick which may have the head and handle sections directly connected to one another, or may have one, two, three or more intermediate extension sections coaxially interconnected between the head and handle sections.

Considering first the handle section 17, same includes a rear support rod segment 21 which coacts with the handle assembly 13 in a manner to be described hereinafter. The rod segment 21 is of substantially tubular construction and the interior thereof, except for the recess 21A at the forward end thereof, is filled with a suitable lightweight electrical insulating material, such as a foamed polyurethane plastic 22. The handle section 17 also includes an operating rod segment 23 disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with the rear support rod segment 21. A guide member 24 is fixedly secured to the rear support rod segment 21 and has an elongated guide opening 26 formed therein for loosely but slidably supporting the forward end of the rear operating rod segment 23.

The intermediate extension sections 19 are adapted to be coaxially aligned between and fixedly connected to the head and handle sections and, since the sections 19 are identical, only one section will be described in detail. The section 19 includes an elongated intermediate support rod segment 27 which has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the rear support rod segment 21. The intermediate support rod segment 27 has a reduced diameter portion 28 projecting axially from the rear end thereof, which portion 28 is adapted to be snugly slidably received within the recess 21A formed in the forward end of the rear support rod segment 21 to permit the segments 21 and 27 to be telescopically axially aligned and connected. The intermediate support rod segment 27 also has a pair of guide members 29 fixedly mounted adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The guide members 29 are substantially identical to the above-described guide member 24 and freely slidably support thereon an elongated intermediate operating rod segment 31 which is disposed adjacent to and parallel with the intermediate support rod segment 27. The rearward ends of the intermediate support and operating rod segments 27 and 31 are adapted to be coupled to the forward ends of the rear support and operating rod segments 21 and 23, respectively, in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The interior of the intermediate support rod segment 27, except for the forward end thereof, is also preferably filled with a lightweight electrical insulating material, such as a foamed polyurethane plastic 22. The forward end of intermediate support rod segment 27 is open and defines a recess 27A for snugly and slidably receiving therein a projection of a further rodlike section, such as the projection 28 of a further intermediate extension section 19, or the projection 32 which extends rearwardly of the head section 18.

The head section 18, as noted above, has a rodlike projection 32 extending rearwardly thereof, which rodlike projection 32 is identical to the reduced diameter portion 28 formed on the intermediate sections 19. The rodlike projection 32 is fixedly connected to the insulating head 12, which head also slidably supports thereon a front operating rod segment 33 which is disposed closely adjacent and substantially parallel with the rodlike projection 32.

The rodlike sections of the shotgun stick 10 are adapted to be axially secured together by means of releasable lock devices, generally designated 36, disposed for coaction between the overlapping front and rear ends of axially adjacent rodlike sections. One said releasable lock device 36 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5 ane includes a plunger member 37 slidably received within an opening 38 formed in the reduced diameter portion 28 adjacent the rearward end of the intermediate section 19. The plunger 37 is normally resiliently urged radially outwardly by means of a spring 39. The plunger 37 is adapted to extend outwardly through an opening 41 formed through the wall of the rear support rod segment 21 adjacent the forward end thereof. Thus, when the reduced diameter portion 28 of the intermediate section 19 is slidably inserted into the forward end of the rear support rod segment 21, the plunger 37, when aligned with the opening 41, is resiliently urged radiallly outwardly through the opening 41 by the spring 39 to axially lock the handle section 17 and the intermediate section 19 together.

While FIG. 5 illustrates only a single releasable lock device 36 disposed for coaction between the handle section 17 and one of the intermediate sections 19, it will be recognized that identical releasable lock devices 36 are provided for coaction between all of the sections to thus permit any desired number of sections to be axially interconnected. For this purpose, the reduced diameter portion 28 of each intermediate extension section 19 and the rearwardly projecting rodlike portion 32 of the head section 18 are all provided with an identical plunger 37 movably mounted thereon. Also, the forward end of the support rod segment in the head section 17 and in each of the intermediate sections 19 is also provided with an identical opening 41 extending through the wall thereof to thus permit a plunger 37 to be resiliently urged therethrough. In this manner, the rearward end of any intermediate section 19 can be slidably inserted into and axially connected to the forward end of either the handle section 17 or any other intermediate section 19. Likewise, the rodlike projection 32 of the head section 18 can be slidably inserted into and axially connected to the forward end of any intermediate section 19 or the handle section 17.

The operating rod segments as provided on the individual rodlike sections of the stick are also selectively but releasably connectible together in axially aligned relationship by means of releasable lock mechanism 42. The releasable lock mechanism 42 which coacts between the forward end of the rear operating rod segment 23 and the rearward end of the intermediate operating rod segment 31 is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12.

The operating rod lock mechanism 42 comprises a cylindrical locking sleeve 43 fixedly secured to the rear operating rod segment 23 and a cylindrical clamping sleeve 44 slidably disposed in surrounding relationship on the cylindrical locking sleeve 43. The cylindrical locking sleeve 43 includes a first sleeve portion 46 disposed in surrounding relationship and fixedly secured to the forward end of the rear operating rod segment 23. The cylindrical locking sleeve 43 also includes a second sleeve portion 47 which extends forwardly of the rear rod segment 23 and has a bore 48 therein which is coaxially aligned with and is of substantially the same diameter as the rod segment 23 for permitting the rearward end of the intermediate operating rod segment 31 to slidably extend therein.

The cylindrical locking sleeve 43 is provided with one or more radial openings 49 extending therethrough, which openings 49 each have a detent ball 51 positioned therein. The balls 51 are adapted to coact with and be seated within an annular recess 52 formed around the periphery of the intermediate operating rod segment 31 adjacent the rearward end thereof. The balls 51, when seated within the recess 52, are lockingly maintained therein by means of the cylindrical clamping sleeve 44 which surrounds and is slidably supported on the locking sleeve 43. The clamping sleeve 44 includes a front sleeve portion 54 which is slidably guided on the front sleeve portion 47 of the locking sleeve 43. The clamping sleeve 44 also includes an intermediate sleeve portion 56 which has a reduced diameter internal bore formed therein and is interconnected to the front sleeve portion 54 by means of an annular cam ramp 57, which cam ramp is designed for coaction with the balls 51 for camming the balls 51 into the recess 52 when the locking device is moved to the locking position illustrated in FIG. 9.

The clamping sleeve 44 further includes a rear sleeve portion 58 which is radially spaced outwardly from the locking sleeve 43 to define an annular space therebetween in which is positioned a compression spring 59, which spring at its rearward end bears against a spring retainer 61 fixedly seated on the locking sleeve 43. The forward end of the spring 59 is seated against an internal shoulder formed on the clamping sleeve 44 for normally urging the clamping sleeve forwardly so as to abut against a shoulder 62 formed on the locking sleeve 43.

The locking sleeve 43 also has a pin 63 (FIG. 12) extending radially therefrom, which pin is adapted to extend into an axial slot 64 which extends inwardly through the sidewall of the clamping sleeve 44 adjacent the forward end thereof. The pin 63 functions as a means for permitting the clamping sleeve 44 to be maintained in a released position in opposition to the urging of the spring 59 merely by rotating the sleeve 44 relative to the sleeve 43 to the position illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 12. In the released position shown in FIG. 11 and by broken lines in FIG. 12, the rod segment 31 can be slid longitudinally relative to rod segment 23, whereas in the locked position illustrated in FIG. 9 and by solid lines in FIG. 12, the rod segments 23 and 31 are locked against relative longitudinal movement.

Thus, the releasable lock mechanism 42 permits the operating rod segments as provided on the handle, head and intermediate sections to be axially secured in aligned relationship with one another when the rodlike sections of the stick are axially connected. Thus, the forward end of the rear operating rod segment 23 and the forward end of each intermediate operating rod segment 31 is thus provided with identical locking and clamping sleeves 43 and 44 thereon, and the rearward end of each intermediate operating rod segment 31 and the rearward end of the front operating rod segment 33 is likewise provided with identical annular recesses 52 thereon. This structure thus enables the rearward end of the front operating rod segment 33 to thus be axially connected either directly to the rear operating rod segment 23 or to the forward end of one of the intermediate operating rod segments 31. Likewise, the rearward end of an intermediate operating rod segment 31 can be axially connected to either the forward end of the rear operating rod segment 23 or to the forward end of a further intermediate operating rod segment 31.

The front operating rod segment 33 and each of the intermediate operating rod segments 31 is also provided with a transverse stop pin 66 extending radially thereof, which stop pin is disposed adjacent the rearward end of each respective operating rod segment and is disposed slightly forwardly of the adjacent annular recess 52.

Considering now the head section 18, same includes the insulating head 12 which comprises an elongated, one-piece hollow member 67 (FIG. 6). The rear portion 68 of member 67 is keyhole-shaped in cross section and the front portion 69 of member 67 is cross-shaped in cross section. The rear portion 68 has a first bore 71 formed therein which fixedly receives the forward end of the front support rod segment 33. The rear portion 68 of the head 12 also includes a further bore 72 which is substantially parallel to the bore 71 and slidably receives therein the forward end of the front operating rod segment 33. The head 12 has an elongated cross-shaped opening 73 extending throughout the length of the front portion 69, which cross-shaped opening 73 slidably receives therein the clamping mechanism 14. The clamping mechanism 14 is fixedly interconnected to the forward end of the front operating rod segment 33 by means of an intermediate rod adapter 74.

The forward end of the head 12 has notches or slots 76 therein for receiving portions of the clamps or other tools being manipulated.

The clamping mechanism 14 includes a cross-shaped guide 77 slidably positioned within the cross-shaped opening 73 and fixedly, here threadedly, connected to the forward end of the rod adapter 74. A hook or jaw member 78 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of guide 77. The rearward or inner end of the jaw member 78 is positioned within a recess 79 formed in one of the cross webs 81 of the guide 77. A pivot pin 82 extends through the web 81 and the jaw member 78 for pivotally connecting same. A conventional tension spring 83 is connected between the guide 77 and the jaw member 78 for normally resiliently urging the jaw member 78 toward its open position wherein it bears against the end wall 84 of the head 12 when the clamping mechanism is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 7. The jaw member 78 coacts with a projection or fixed jaw 86 which extends outwardly from the guide member 77 to define a substantially closed loop when the guide 77 is retracted axially inwardly as illustrated in FIG. 7A.

While the clamping mechanism 14 as illustrated uses only a single movable jaw, it will be readily apparent that the clamping mechanism could be provided with a conventional double pivotal jaw structure if desired.

Considering now the handle assembly 13, same includes a sleevelike handle member 87 (FIG. 2) positioned in slidable and surrounding relationship on the rear support rod segment 21. The handle member 87 has a generally keyhole-shaped internal opening 88 (FIG. 4) extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening 88 has a substantially cylindrical central portion 89 slidably receiving therein the rod segment 21. The opening 88 also includes a substantially rectangular recess 91 disposed in continuous communication with the central portion 89 and designed for slidably receiving therein an elongated slide member 92.

The slide member 92 is fixedly secured to and extends axially along the external periphery of the support rod segment 21 and includes a pair of identical cam grooves 93 formed in the opposite sides thereof. One of the cam grooves 93 is disclosed in side elevation in FIG. 2 and it includes a pair of straight groove portions 94 and 96 which are laterally offset but have their adjacent ends longitudinally overlapped and communicating with one another by means of an intermediate transverse groove portion 97. The forward end of groove portion 94 is defined by a shoulder 98 formed integrally on the slide member 92, and the rearward end of groove portion 94 is defined by an end stop 99 fixedly secured to the slide 92. The forward end of the other groove portion 96 is also defined by a shoulder 101, while the rearward end of groove portion 96 is defined by an inclined cam surface 102.

The handle member 87 is provided adjacent its forward end with a recess 103 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in which is movably positioned a manually depressable trigger member 104. The trigger member 104 is provided with a pair of side leg portions 106 which project downwardly adjacent the opposite sides of the slide member 92. The leg portions 106 are each provided with an inturned flange or projection 107 which is slidably received within the adjacent cam groove 93. A spring 108 is disposed below the trigger member 104 and urges same outwardly relative to the handle member 87, the outward movement of the trigger member 104 being restrained by the projections 107 being disposed in slidable engagement with the upper walls 109 of the cam grooves 93. The lower end of the spring 108 is seated on a rib 111 which is positioned between the leg portions 106 of the trigger and extends across the recess 103. The purpose of the trigger 104 will be explained hereinafter.

The handle member 87 is also provided with a lever or pawl 112 pivotally mounted thereon, which lever has a tooth 113 adjacent its forward end adapted for coaction with a toothed rack 114 which extends along the upper surface of the slide 92. The forward end of the lever 112 is adapted to extend through an opening 116 formed in the sidewall of the handle member 87 for permitting the tooth 113 to contact the rack 114. The handle member 87 is provided with a pair of upstanding tabs 117 (FIG. 4) disposed on opposite sides of the opening 116, and a pivot pin 118 extends between the tabs 117 for pivotally supporting the lever 112. A torsion spring 119 extends around the pivot pin 118 and has its opposite free ends disposed for coaction with the external periphery of the handle member 87 and the free end of the lever 112 for normally resiliently urging the tooth 113 into engagement with the rack 114. The one end of the spring 119 is normally retained between a pair of projections 121 (FIG. 4) which are fixedly secured to and extend upwardly from the handle sleeve member 87.

The sleevelike handle member 87 also has a further bore 122 (FIG. 2) in the forward end thereof for receiving the rearward end of the rear operating rod segment 23. The rear end of the operating rod segment 23 is fixedly positioned within an adapter sleeve 123 which is positioned within the bore 122 and is fixedly retained therein by a transverse screw member 124.

With respect to the materials of which the essential components of the shotgun stick are made, the segments of the support rod assembly and the segments of the operating rod assembly are made of an electrically nonconductive material, such as resin-impregnated fiberglass, and the head 12 is also constructed of an insulator material, such as polycarbonate resin.

OPERATION

The operation of the shotgun stick embodied in the present invention will be described in detail to insure a complete understanding thereof.

It will first be assumed that the stick 10 is in its disassembled condition wherein all of the sections are disconnected from one another. The user of the stick will first make a determination as to the length of stick desired, and for purposes of explanation, it will be assumed that the user determines that it will be necessary to utilize a stick having two intermediate extension sections 19 therein, substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The user will then substantially coaxially align the handle section 17 and the rearmost intermediate section 19 and, by manually depressing the plunger 37, the reduced diameter portion 28 formed on the rearward end of the intermediate support rod segment 27 can then be slidably inserted into the recess 21A of the rear support rod segment 21. The two support rod segments are slidably moved together until the plunger 37 aligns with the opening 41 formed in the forward end of the rear support segment 21, whereupon spring 39 urges plunger 37 outwardly through the opening 41 to axially lock the support rod segments 21 and 27 together. The user of the shotgun stick will then relatively slidably move the intermediate operating rod segment 31 toward the rear operating rod segment 23 until the end of the intermediate rod segment 31 extends into the bore 48 formed within the locking sleeve 43. Assuming that the clamping sleeve 44 is or already has been moved into its released position (as illustrated in FIG. 11), the end of the intermediate rod segment 31 is inserted into the bore 48 until the bottom of rod 31 abuts the end surface 23' of rod 23 (FIG. 9), in which position the annular recess 52 is substantially radially aligned with the balls 51. The clamping sleeve 44 will then be released whereupon the spring 59 will urge same into the locking position illustrated in FIG. 9, whereupon the cam ramp 57 causes the balls 51 to be cammed into engagement with the recess 52 to axially lock the rod segments 23 and 31 together.

The frontmost and rearmost intermediate extension sections 19 then have their adjacent ends axially connected and locked together in substantially the same manner as described above. Likewise, the head section 18 is axially connected and locked to the front end of the frontmost intermediate section 19 in substantially the same manner as described above. This results in the handle section 17, the two intermediate sections 19, and the head section 18 being axially aligned and fixedly connected with one another to thus place the shotgun stick in condition for operation.

In order to utilize the stick 10, and assuming the stick is in its inoperative retracted position as illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 1A, 2 and 6, the user will manually grasp the stick by placing one hand on the front end of the support rod segment 21, the other hand being placed on the handle member 87. The lever 112 will then be manually depressed to release the tooth 113 from engagement with the rack 114, whereupon the handle assembly 13 will be manually axially slidably moved forwardly relative to the support rod segment 21 until the projections 107 formed on the trigger 104 contact the abutment surfaces 98 so as to prevent further forward movement of the handle assembly. This last-mentioned movement of the handle assembly also causes a corresponding forward movement of the operating rod assembly 16 which in turn causes a forward sliding movement of the clamp mechanism 14 into the dotted line position designated A in FIG. 6 (and as shown in solid lines in FIG. 7A). The clamping mechanism 14, when in position A, is disposed closely adjacent the free end of the head 12 but is still fully retracted within the head so that the jaw 78 is still in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 7A. The trigger 104 will then be manually depressed to move the projections 107 downwardly past the abutment surfaces 98 so as to be disposed within the second straight groove portion 96, whereupon the trigger will be maintained in its depressed condition and the handle assembly 13 will again be slidably moved axially forwardly until the projections 107 contact the forward abutment surfaces 101. This subsequent axial movement of the handle assembly also causes a further corresponding axial movement of the operating rod assembly 16, which in turn causes the clamping mechanism 14 to be moved from position A of FIG. 6 into the fully open position designated as position B. This latter movement causes the hook 78 to move outwardly beyond the end of the head 12, whereupon the spring 83 pivotally swings the hook 78 into its open position (FIG. 7) so that the hook bears against the forward end wall 84 of the head 12. In this position, the hook 78 is now adapted to be hooked over the clamp or other tool to be manipulated.

After the hook 78 has been suitable engaged with a clamp or other tool, then the handle assembly 13 will be axially moved rearwardly along the length of the straight groove portion 96, which rearward axial movement will cause the hook guide 77 to be slidably moved into the head 12, and in so doing the hook 78 will cam against the end wall 84 so as to be swung from open position B into closed position A. The clamp or tool is now held in the aperture defined by jaws 78 and 86. The clamping mechanism is then in the advanced closed position A.

In this condition, in some instances, a part of the clamp or tool extends into one or more of the notches 76 and prevents further retraction of the clamping mechanism. Thus, in effect, the clamp or tool is fixedly held so that it can be easily manipulated as needed.

In other instances, it will be possible and desirable to move the clamp or tool further rearwardly at least in part into the head 12. When the projections 107 and the trigger 104 reach the intermediate cam groove portion 97, the spring 108 will resiliently move the projections 107 up into the upper straight cam groove portion 94. This will permit the handle assembly 13 to be moved rearwardly along the support rod assembly 11, whereupon the closed clamping mechanism 14 will likewise be retracted axially into the head 12 from position A toward the fully retracted position as illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 6. During the rearward sliding movement of the handle assembly 13, the tooth 113 on the lever 112 will freely cam over the teeth of the rack 114, which rack has rearwardly sloped teeth thereon so as to function as a one-way locking device. When the handle assembly has been axially retracted to the desired extent, the lever 112 will engage the rack 114 so as to lock the handle assembly in the desired retracted position and prevent same from being axially moved forwardly.

Thus, by suitable manipulation of the lever 112, the jaws 78 and 86 in a closed position can be moved axially as needed in the head 12 and can be releasably locked in an adjustable axially fixed position by engaging tooth 113 with a tooth on the rack 114. The jaw 78 can be opened only by releasing lever 112 and moving the handle mechanism forwardly until projections 107 engage surfaces 98, then depressing the trigger 104 and then further moving the handle mechanism forwardly until projections 107 engages surfaces 101.

When the users has completed his work, the shotgun stick 10 can again be easily disassembled merely by manually moving each clamping sleeve 44 into its released position (as illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 12) and by manually depressing each of the plungers 37, whereupon the adjacent sections of the stick can then be axially pulled apart. The individual separated sections of the stick can thus be compactly and conveniently stored.

The stick of the present invention is thus readily adapted for use in many situations requiring a stick having widely varying lengths. For example, when only a rather short length stick is necessary, the handle and head sections 17 and 18 can be directly connected together to thus provide a stick having a length of approximately 5 feet. On the other hand, by utilization of the intermediate sections 19 which preferably have a length of approximately 4 feet, and by selectively inserting either one, two or three intermediate sections 19 between the handle and head sections, the length of the stick can be easily and selectively increased to approximately 9, 13 and 17 feet, respectively. This thus permits the shotgun stick of the present invention to be readily usable in almost any use situation encountered. At the same time, the resultant stick is relatively light in weight, compact in structure, and easy to manipulate.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A clamp stick especially adapted for use with energized electrical distribution lines or equipment and having means for permitting the overall operational length of the stick to be selectively varied, said stick comprising:

a head section including a front support rod segment and head means fixedly secured to said front support rod segment;

said head section also including a clamping mechanism slidably mounted on said head means and a front operating rod segment slidably supported on said head means and operatively connected to said clamping mechanism for permitting actuation of same, said front operating rod segment being positioned closely adjacent and substantially parallel to said front support rod segment;

an elongated rodlike handle section separate from said head section and including an elongated rear support rod segment;

said handle section also including handle means movably mounted on said rear support rod segment and a rear operating rod segment disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with said rear support rod segment, said rear operating rod segment being slidably supported on said rear support rod segment and being connected to said handle means for movement therewith;

elongated rodlike intermediate extension section means separate from said head and handle sections and being adapted to be connected coaxially therebetween, said intermediate extension section means including elongated intermediate support rod segment means and elongated intermediate operating rod segment means disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with said intermediate support rod segment means, said intermediate operating rod segment means being slidably supported on said intermediate support rod segment means;

said support rod segments and support rod segment means having interengageable abutment portions for positioning adjacent ends thereof in a selected position relative to each other, the abutment portions between the forward end of said rear support rod segment and the rearward end of said intermediate support rod segment means being identical to the abutment portions between the forward end of said intermediate support rod segment means and the rearward end of said front support rod segment;

first releasable locking means coacting between the forward end of said handle section and the rearward end of said intermediate extension section means for releasably fixedly connecting said handle section and said intermediate extension section means in coaxial alignment with one another wherein said intermediate support and operating rod segment means are coaxially aligned with and fixedly connected to said rear support and operating rod segments, respectively; and

second releasable locking means coacting between the forward end of said intermediate extension section means and the rearward end of said head section for releasably fixing said intermediate extension section means and said head section in coaxial alignment with one another wherein said intermediate support and operating rod segment means are coaxially aligned with and fixedly connected to the front support and operating rod segments, respectively;

said second releasable locking means being identical to said first releasable locking means for permitting the rearward end of said head section to be directly fixedly connected to the forward end of said handle section whereby said stick can be used with or without said intermediate extension section means to thus permit the length of the stick to be selectively varied;

said head means, said support rods, said support rod segment means, said operating rods and said operating rod segment means being made of electrical insulating material.

2. A clamp stick according to claim 1, wherein said first releasable locking means includes a first releasable lock device coacting between the forward end of the rear support rod segment and the rearward end of the intermediate support rod segment means for releasably axially fixing same in said selected position in aligned relationship with one another;

said first releasable locking means also including a second releasable lock device coacting between the forward end of said rear operating rod segment and the rearward end of said intermediate operating rod segment means for releasably axially securing same in aligned relationship;

said second releasable locking means including a third releasable lock device coacting between the forward end of said intermediate support rod segment means and the rearward end of said front support rod segment for fixedly but releasably connecting same in aligned relationship in said selected position; and

said second releasable locking means including a fourth releasable lock device coacting between the forward end of said intermediate operating rod segment means and the rearward end of said front operating rod segment for releasably but fixedly securing same in axially aligned relationship;

said first and second releasable lock devices being identical to said third and fourth releasable lock devices, respectively.

3. A clamp stick according to claim 2, wherein one of the adjacent ends of said rear support rod segment and said intermediate support rod segment means is provided with a coaxially aligned recess therein and wherein the other of the adjacent ends of said rear support rod segment and said intermediate support rod segment means is adapted to be slidably inserted into said recess and has a shoulder for abutting against the end of said recess, whereby the adjacent ends of said rear support rod segment and said intermediate support rod segment means axially overlap one another in telescopic relationship when said support rod segments are axially aligned and connected;

said first releasable lock device including a plunger radially movably mounted within said other support rod segment and spring means normally resiliently urging said plunger radially outwardly through an opening formed in the peripheral wall of said one support rod segment for axially releasably fixedly securing said rear support rod segment and said intermediate support rod segment means to one another when the adjacent ends thereof are axially overlapped, said plunger being manually depressible in opposition to the urging of the spring means to release said rear support rod segment and said intermediate support rod segment means.

4. A clamp stick according to claim 3, wherein the adjacent ends of said intermediate support rod segment means and said front support rod segment are structurally identical to the adjacent ends of the rear support rod segment and said intermediate support rod segment means and axially telescopically overlap one another to permit the intermediate extension section means and head section to be axially fixedly connected to one another in aligned relationship.

5. A clamp stick according to claim 2, wherein said second releasable lock device coacts between the adjacent ends of said rear operating rod segment and said intermediate operating rod segment means and includes an annular recess formed on one of said segments adjacent the end thereof, and detent means movably mounted on said other operating rod segment adjacent the end thereof and disposed for engagement with said annular recess when said operating rod segments are disposed adjacent one another in axially aligned and overlapped relationship for axially fixedly releasably connecting said segments together.

6. A clamp stick according to claim 5, wherein said second releasable lock device includes release means coacting with said detent means for permitting said detent means to be maintained in a released position for permitting said rear and intermediate operating rod segments to be selectively axially moved relative to one another.

7. A clamp stick according to claim 6, wherein said detent means includes a first sleeve fixedly secured to and disposed adjacent the free end of said other operating rod segment for slidably receiving therein the free end of said one operating rod segment, and said release means including a second sleeve disposed in surrounding relationship to said first sleeve and movable relative thereto in a direction substantially axially thereof.

8. A clamp stick according to claim 1, wherein said handle means includes a handle member movably mounted on said rear support rod segment and movable therealong through a predetermined distance from a first retracted position in the direction toward said head means to a second advanced position;

control means coacting between said handle member and said rear support rod segment for controlling the advancing movement of said handle member from said first to said second position;

said control means including first means coacting between said handle member and said rear support rod segment for controlling advancing movement of said handle member from said first position to a third position disposed intermediate said first and second positions, said first means permitting said handle member to be locked relative to said rear support rod segment when disposed between said first and third positions for preventing further advancing movement of said handle means; and further advancing

said control means further including second means coacting between said handle member and said rear support rod segment for controlling the advancing movement of said handle means from said third position toward said second position, said second means including a stationary stop member fixedly secured relative to said rear support rod segment and a movable stop member movably mounted on said handle member and disposed for coaction with said stationary stop member when said handle member is advanced to said third position for normally preventing advancing movement of said handle member.

9. A clamp stick according to claim 1, wherein the rear support rod segment is hollow and the interior thereof is filled with a foamed plastic.

10. A clamp stick according to claim 1, wherein said elongated rodlike intermediate extension section means comprises a plurality of identical sections adapted to be coaxially aligned between and fixedly releasably connected in series between said head and handle sections.

11. A clamp stick for use with energized electrical distribution lines or equipment and having means for permitting the overall operational length of the stick to be selectively varied, said stick comprising:

an elongated rodlike handle section including an elongated support rod segment, a handle slidably mounted on said support rod segment for movement longitudinally thereof, and an operating rod segment disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with said support rod segment and being fixedly interconnected to said handle for movement therewith;

a head section including a head member, a clamping mechanism slidably supported on said head member, and a front operating rod segment slidably supported on said head member and interconnected to said clamping mechanism for slidable movement therewith;

the forward end of said support rod segment of said handle section and the rearward end of said head section having cooperating coupling means formed thereon for permitting said ends to be axially overlapped in telescopic relationship with one another to permit said head and handle sections to be axially interconnected in aligned relationship with one another, said coupling means including an axially aligned recess and a cooperating axially extending projection adapted to be snugly but slidably received within said recess, one of said handle and head sections having said recess formed therein and the other of said handle and head sections having said projection formed thereon and also having a shoulder for abutting against the end of said one section; and

elongated rodlike extension means adapted to be disposed in coaxial alignment with and between said head and handle sections and fixedly interconnected thereto for permitting the length of said stick to be selectively varied, said extension means including a plurality of substantially identical rodlike extension sections, each including an elongated intermediate support rod segment and an elongated intermediate operating rod segment disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with said intermediate support rod segment and slidably supported thereon;

one end of each said extension section having an axially extending recess formed therein substantially identical to said above-mentioned recess, and the other end of each said extension section having an axially extending projection and shoulder formed thereon substantially identical to said above-mentioned projections and shoulder, whereby one or more of said extension sections can be axially interconnected between said handle and head sections.

12. A clamp stick according to claim 11, wherein said one end of each said extension section has a radially directed opening formed in the wall thereof and communicating with said axially extending recess, and said one of said handle and head sections also having a radially directed opening formed therein in communication with the respective recess; and

said other end of each said extension section having a radially movable member supported on the axially extending projection, and the axially extending projection associated with said other of said handle and head sections also having a radially movable member supported thereon, whereby said sections when axially aligned and connected are thus fixedly axially locked relative to one another due to said radially movable member being disposed so as to extend through a respective radially directed opening.

13. A clamp stick according to claim 12, wherein said axially extending recesses, said axially extending projections, said radial openings and said radially movable members are all associated with said support rod segments.

14. A clamp stick according to claim 13, further including releasable locking means coacting between the adjacent ends of each coacting pair of operating rod segments for permitting said adjacent pairs of operating rod segments to be axially fixedly connected to one another.

15. A clamp stick for use with energized electrical distribution lines or equipment, comprising:

an elongated rodlike handle section including an elongated support rod segment and a handle slidably mounted on said support rod segment adjacent the rearward end thereof, said handle being movable longitudinally of said support rod segment;

said handle section also including elongated rear operating rod segment disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with said support rod segment, said rear operating rod segment having the rearward end thereof fixedly interconnected to said handle for movement therewith;

a head section including a head member, a clamping mechanism slidably supported on said head member, and a front operating rod segment slidably supported on said head member and connected to said clamping mechanism for slidable movement therewith;

cooperating coupling means coacting between the forward end of said support rod segment of said handle section and the rearward end of said head section for permitting said ends to be axially overlapped in telescopic relationship with one another to permit said head and handle sections to be axially interconnected in aligned relationship with one another, said coupling means including an axially aligned recess and a cooperating axially extending projection adapted to be snugly but slidably received within said recess, one of said recess and projection being formed within the forward end of said support rod segment and the other of said recess and projection being formed on the rearward end of said head section;

connecting means coacting between the forward end of said rear operating rod segment and the rearward end of said front operating rod segment for permitting said ends to be axially interconnected in aligned relationship with one another; and

releasable lock means associated with said coupling means for fixedly axially securing said head and handle sections together in axially aligned relationship with one another when said projection is received within said recess.

16. A clamp stick according to claim 15, wherein said support rod segment comprises an elongated tubular member, said recess being formed in the forward end of said tubular member, the remaining interior of said tubular member being filled with an insulating material;

said projection being secured to and extending rearwardly from said head member; and

said head section including shoulder means spaced forwardly of said projection and disposed for abutting engagement with the forward end of said hollow member when said projection is disposed within said recess.