Feb. 14, 1939. E. O.

WAHLSTROM 2,146,923
DEWICE FOR MAKING HOLLOW STRAND TERMINAL INSTALLATIONS
Original Filled April 24, 1936

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 Patented Feb. 14, 1939 2,146,923
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,146,923
DEVCE FOR MAKING EOLLOW STRAND
TERMINAL INSTALLATIONS
Evald O. Wahlstrom, Worcester, Mass, assignor
to The American Steel and Wire Company of
New Jersey, a corporation of New Jersey
original application April 24, 1936, serial No.
76,256. Divided and this application March 15,
1937, Seria No. 13,075
3 claims. (CL 1-47)
This invention relates to hollow or tubular is illustrated as having a gas expansion cham
strands, such as hollow conductors of the type ber 4 arranged between the muzzle of the guide
used in the transmission of high-voltage elec way 4 and the plug 3 and provided with ports 4r,
tricity, one of the objects being to join lengths While the breech mechanism 4c may consist sim
5 of such strand together in a Secure but easy ply of a plug that is screwed into this end of the
manner. Other objects may be inferred from the tool 4 so that it may be removed to provide for
following disclosure of a specific example of the the insertion of the cartridge 5, and which is
invention. provided with a firing pin 48. Firing of the car
The present application is a division from my tridge 5 may be effected by striking the externally
O co-pending application entitled "Hollow strand protruding end of the firing pin 48 with a ham O
terminals', bearing Serial No. 76,256 and filed mer. It will be noted that the tool 4 is con
April 24, 1936. , m structed along relatively massive lines, this being
Referring to the accompanying drawing: both in the interests of safety and to provide a
Figure 1 is a side elevation of this example. relatively large mass whose inertia will absorb
5 . Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of Figure 1. most of the recoil resulting when the tool is used. s
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the details Returning to the sleeve 2, it will be noted that
shown by Figure 2 and illustrating the results this element is provided with a recess 2d, and
obtained. the plug 3 is provided with a flange 3c that fits
Figure 4 is a side elevation of Figure 3. in this recess 2d. This serves to properly posi
20 The above show the end portion of a hollow tion the plug. 3 in the end of the strand and to SO
strand f, a sleeve 2 having an inside 2 that prevent it from being driven further into the
tapers toward its ends to diameters substantially Same by the expander 5. It is also to be noted
the same as the outside diameter of the strand , that when the tool 4 is removed after having
a plug 3 adapted to fit inside of the strand , performed its function that the external threads
25 and a tool 4 having an end 4 adapted to be 2 on the sleeve 2, now firmly attached to the
attached to the outside of the sleeve 2 and hav strand , may be used to function as a connect
ing a guideway 4 leading centrally toward the ing means when the strand is placed in service.
latter and which is provided with a breech mech This may be done by providing an internally
anism 4 adapted to fire a Suitable ball cartridge threaded coupling 6 that is of sufficient length
30 5 down the same and into the plug 3 when the to be screwed completely over the exteriorly
sleeve 2 is positioned over the outside and when threaded ends of both the sleeve being described
the plug 3 is positioned inside of the end portion and another that has been similarly applied to
of the strand f. another length of strand,
More specifically, the sleeve 2 may have ex Although not previously mentioned, it is to be
35 ternal threads 2b and the end Aa of the tool 4 understood that the expander. 5a fired into the
may be internally threaded as at 4d, whereby plug 3 by firing of the cartridge 5 remains in the
these two may be screwed together. The plug. 3 plug and is not extracted. Therefore, the end
may be solid but is preferably longitudinally Split of the strand is provided with what is in effect
and provided with a centering recess 3 which a Solid integral unit, the extreme pressures cre
aids in the initial penetration of the ball of the ated by the penetration of the pin expander being AO
cartridge 5. Also, the Outside of the plug 3 and sufficient to cold forge the various units together.
the inside of the sleeve 2 may be respectively pro The cartridge 5 carries a sufficient charge to pro
vided with teeth. 3b and 2, these teeth becoming pel the pin expander at such an extreme velocity
embedded in the strand when the plug is ex as to effect the desired penetration into the
45 panded by the ball from the cartridge 5 so as plug 3. 45
to force the strand into continuous contact with
the inside of the sleeve 2 in the manner illus from Because of the great force available resulting
trated by Figure 3. the manner of the insertion of the plug 5a
The cartridge 5 has been described as being a the present invention provides for the applica
ball cartridge, this terminology being used to tion of end fittings not only to hollow strands
indicate that the cartridge is not merely a blank. but to Wire ropes as well. In Cases where the . 50
Actually, the ball of this cartridge is in the form rope is provided with a hemp core, a portion of
of a long pointed pin expander 5a, which is di this core may be removed, and in case it is pro
mentioned to produce the result described spe vided with a steel core there is sufficient power
cifically in connection with Figure 3. The tool 4 available to defect the steel core and thus Secure
 2 2,146,923
expansion by the plug. Other types of strands the outside and said plug is positioned inside of
may also be accommodated. an end portion of said strand.
I claim: 3. Apparatus for providing a strand with an
1. Apparatus for providing a strand with an end connector including the combination of a
end connector including the combination of a sleeve in which said strand is insertable and hav
sleeve in which said strand is insertable, a plug ing means on its outside adapted to function as
inside of Said strand and an expander for Said a connecting means when applied to said strand
plug, said apparatus comprising a tool having and the latter placed in service, and a plug
an end adapted to be attached to the outside of adapted to fit inside of said strand, said appa
0 said sleeve and provided with means for forcing ratus comprising a tool having an end adapted O
said expander into said plug when said sleeve is to be attached to the Outside of said sleeve and
positioned over the outside and said plug is posi having a guideway leading centrally toward the
tioned inside of an end portion of said strand. latter, and provided with a breech mechanism
2. Apparatus for providing a strand with an adapted to fire a suitable ball cartridge so its
s end connector including the cumbination of a projection travels down the same into said plug s
sleeve in which said Strand is insertable, and a when said sleeve is positioned over the outside
plug adapted to fit inside of said strand, said and said plug is positioned inside of an end por
apparatus comprising a tool having an end tion of Said strand, the inside of said end of said
adapted to be attached to the Outside of said tool being provided with attaching means co
sleeve and having a guideway leading centrally Operating with said means on said sleeve adapted
toward the latter and provided with a breech to function as a connecting means when said
mechanism adapted to fire a suitable ball car sleeve is applied to said strand and the latter
tridge So its projectile travels down said guidewayplaced in service,
into said plug when said sleeve is positioned over EVAD O, VASTROM.