US2220314A - Tool for connecting service and main lines - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 5, 1940. J BLACKBURN 2,220,314

TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l IJYUENTO HTTOPLJUZY- Nov. 5, 1940- J. BLACKBURN TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m TO M w R Bl C if)! (377%7 Nov. 5, 1940 J. BLACKBURN TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I'MENTOR ATT Nov. 5, 1940. J. BLACKBURN TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINES Filed July 15, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M [)1 T m Tm M N wm w S T M M .T B

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES TOOL FOR CONNECTING SERVICE AND MAIN LINE Jasper Blackburn, Webster Groves, Mo.

Application July 15, 1938, Serial No. 219.367

12 Claims.

This invention relates to tools for the use of linemen in connecting or installing electric tap or service lines upon the main or pole to pole lines, or for disconnecting such service lines. Such main lines are usually live and are also extended in somewhat unhandy or inaccessible locations, so that it would ordinarily be a matter of considerable hazard for a lineman to attempt to join a tap or service line to the live main line, without the use of some special tool for the purpose.

It is the prime purpose of the present invention therefore to provide a connecter applying tool whereby a workman'may conveniently and safely connect ordisconnect a tap or service line Still another object is to provide a tool of the kind referred to, the same including a rod having an insulated handle at one end, an adjuste able chuck or tap holder at the opposite end, an elongated open frame slidably and rotatably mounted on the shank of the rod below the chuck, the said frame including off-set head and foot portions through the latter of which the shank of the rod has its slidable and rotatable mounting, means for releasably locking the chuck to the foot portion of the frame, and means upon the head portion for releasably engaging and holding a bifurcated and threaded wire connecter with a service line supported in the slot thereof, whereby the connecter and inserted service line may be positioned over the main line and the chuck or tap holder then manipulated for threading the tap up onto the bolt and clamping the service and main lines together, after which the tool may be released and removed from the work, and whereby the reverse of this operation may likewise be accomplished.

Still another object is to provide an insulated tool having means for releasably supporting a bifurcated and threaded bolt connecter and service line inserted through the slot thereof and a nut supported in a spaced or open relation to the slotted end of the bolt for admitting a main line into said slot, and means for closing the nut over the slotted end and turning same up against the wires passed through the slot of the bolt, for the purpose of connecting the wires, after which the tool may be removed from the work, the tool being adapted also for the reverse of the said operation, to-wit: the disconnecting of a service line from a main line.

With the foregoing objects and purposes in view, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings constituting a part of the specification, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the tool, the lower end of the handle being broken off.

Figure 2 is a frontal elevation of the tool, showing a hinged nut type of connecter supported therein in open position and a service line extended through the slot of the connecter, ready for locating the connecter and service line over the main line shown below the end of the conthe purpose of clamping the service line and main line firmly together.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the tool alone.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the tool.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the vertical clamp.

Figure '7 is a similarly enlarged detail of the horizontal clamp, showing however a modified form of rotary cam in lieu of the lever cam of preceding form, for operating the clamp plates of the device.

Figure 8 is a detail of a unitary form of connecter including a hingedly connected nut or tap, same being the form exemplified in Figure 2 as supported upon the tool.

The tool comprising the subject matter of this invention includes an insulated handle I of suitable length and upon the outer end of which is rotatably and slidably. mounted an elongated open frame 2. This frame is formed with an open, oblong back portion 2a and head and foot portions or plates 2b2c. A round hole or aperture 5 is formed through the foot plate 20, and a ring or ferrule 6 is welded or otherwise secured in place over this hole at the outer face ofthe plate. The shank la of the handle I is rotatably and slidably mounted through the ferrule and aperture, the parts being nicely turned and fitted so that the ferrule will serve to maintain the handle in an operative axial alignment with the frame 2 as a whole.

Upon the inner face of the foot plate and at opposite margins of the aperture 5, are'rigidly mounted by welding or the like, a pair of elongated stops 8 which are undercut or slotted longitudinally as shown at 9, at their oppositely turned ends, so that the slots open in an anti-clockwise direction with reference to a circle drawn through them concentrically with the aperture 5, and regarding the structure from above or at the inner side of the foot-plate 20. This arrangement is for a purpose later to be pointed out.

An elongated chuck head I I is rigidly mounted at the upper end of the shank la, transversely thereof, and this chuck head is formed at either end thereof with integral, inset and upstanding lugs Ha upon which are pivotally mounted the chuck jaws l2. For this mounting the jaws are slotted out medially through their, lower ends, as

shown at 12a, so as to fit nicely yet freely over the lugs, to which they are then pivotally secured by means of pins l3. The jaws [2 are hollowed out longitudinally on their inner faces, as shown at. 22), while theirouter extremities are formed angularly on a transverse plane, as shown at l2c, in order to facilitate the engagement of a nut or tap. Stops l2d are formed on the inner faces of the jaws below the extremities, to limit the inward movement of a nut or tap between the jaws. An adjustment screw I5 is journaled through the bases of the jaws [2, the head I51: and nut [5b thereof being seated within sockets or recesses |2e formed in the outer sides ofthe jaws, and an expansion coil spring I6 is then seated over this screw inside the jaws and is braced at its ends against the jaws so as normally tend to throw the jaws open or asunder. The degree of separation or opening of the jaws may thus be readily regulated by means of this screw 5, for adapting the tool to taps of various size.

Thin and fiat lugs I! are extended at opposite sides of the opposite ends of the chuck head II,

and at the lower face thereof, in which location the lugs are adapted to engage the slots 9 .of the stops 8, as the handle I and attached chuck head H are rotated in a clock-wise direction, regarding the assembly from above the foot plate 20. By this operation the lugs I1 become wedged firmly within the slots 9, and the handle and chuck are operatively locked to the frame 2, as is necessary in the operation of the tool, as will later appear. I

From the under side of the inturned head portion 212 there is depended'by means of screws I8l8a, an elongated, rectangular head block l9, out out medially through its rear upper corner to provide a spring and lug recess l9a, and the head plate 2b is formed with a slot 2d opening down into this recess and extended diagonally towards a rear corner of the head plate. Also a pair of spaced bores lab are formed perpendicularly through the head block Hi, from top to bottom thereof, the said bores also piercing through the headplate 2b. Bolts 2| are slidably passed down through these bores, the lower ends of the bolts being rigidly anchored in a press plate 22,,

' turned onto the threaded ends above the bridge plate. The bolts 2| are reduced at their upper portions, whereby medial shoulders 2|b are provided, and expansion coil springs 24 are seated over these upper ends of the bolts their ends being braced between the shoulders 2lb and the under side of the head block I9, as clearly shown in Figure 6. Thus the normal-action of the springs is to force'the press plate 22 downward. A slender latch lever 26 is pivoted at one end 26a to the screw I 8 while the other end is extended across the top of the head plate 2b, the extremity of the lever being upturned to provide a finger piece 26b. A latch lug 260 extends upwardly from the lever 26, spaced inwardly from the pivoted end 26a and being so located and dimension as to pass in under the bridge piece 23 and between the upper ends of the bolts 2| when the bridge piece is raised upward from the plate 21). Thus the lug 26c normally functions tomaintain the bridge piece 23, as well as the press plate 22 in an elevated position, until these elements are released by pulling the latch 26 rearwardly and so withdrawing the lug 260 from under the .bridge piece 23. When this is done the plate 22 of course flies downward to the extent of its limit of movement as determined by the length of the bolts 2|. In order to facilitate the withdrawal of the latch lug 260 from beneath the bridge piece a lug 26d is depended from the lower side ofthe lever 26 through the slot 212 of the plate- 2b and down into the recess l9a of the head block 19. A retractile coil spring 29 is then stretched between this lug'and the rearcorner off the plate. 2b 'inalignment with the slot 2d; By this arrangement although the frictional hold of the bridge piece ,23 under the action of the springs 24' upon the lug 26cwillnormally serve to hold same in p'lace'under the bridge piece, only a veryfslight' pressure of the finger? willsufiice to release same when desired.

A pair ofwide thin clamping plates 3 I3 la are depended from the rear. and frontal sides of the head block l9. These'plates are'cutout medially in a stepped mannerso as to provideupper and relatively narrow openings- 32 and .lower and relatively wide openings 3211., the openingsbei'ng defined by the' laterally aligned shoulders 321), the latter being convexed outwardly as shown to form wire gripping jaws, while the pendant margins 33 of the lower and wider openings ar'e'fiared apart as shown, to facilitate the operation of the tool as will appear'in' the description of the mode of operation. .The upper'. opening 32 of the rear plate 3|v extends somewhat higher than water the frontal plate am, for a purpose later to ap pear. The rear plate 3| is rigidly secured by welding or otherwise to the head block, the me'thodhere shown being by means of screws 35, while the-'frontal plate 3la. is loosely mounted thereon by the screws 35a passed freely through apertures 3lb formed through the upper margin of this plate in a laterally spaced relation. 'Thus the frontal clamp plate may be moved towards or from the rear plate in the use of the tool and for the purpose of engaging and gripping thewires, and as will be later more fully pointed out.

' A fiat leaf spring 31 is secured at its widened upper end to'the upper margin of the back of the open' frame 2 .bymeans of spaced plates 38 secured by screws 39 over the'lateral margins of:

clearly shown in Figure 5 at: 31w, this 'end being convexed forwardly or outwardlyas shown. This spring is primarily designedfor use in'a unitary typeof bifurcated conneoter having a nut and washer assembly hingedlyconnected by one margin to' one-leg of the'connecter, and the spring would not benecessaryfexcept with this type, or

one substantially similar. An operating aperture:3'|b-is cut through the upper end ofxthe leaf' spring, inside ofrthem'a'rg'ins of the openback' 2a of the frame, and a box housing. 4t is mounted over this aperture at the inner and forward face of the frame, there beinga bore. 49a formed through the forward wall of this housing. Av bore 3| c is formed medially, throughthe upper margin of the plate 3 la immediately over the upper opening 32 and in fore and aft alignment with the bore 40a of the housing 40, and an expansion coil spring 4| is thenbraced between the housing 4i] and plate 3 la, the ends of the spring being positioned over the said bores 3 lo and41la, the normal action of which spring is to force'the plates 3i3ia asunder.

A bolt 42 is provided, the same having a bifurcated and elongated shank 43 rigidlyjoin'ed to and extended axially from the rear end of the bolt, with the prongs or forks 43a thereof opening rearwardly in axial alignment-with the bolt. A plate 44 of a width to fit betweenthe plates 38, and pierced with a pair of parallel slots 4411 defined by a central rib 44b and thus adapted to slidably engage the said prongs 43a, is mounted by its slots over the said prongs of the bolt shank. A reversible cam and lever unit 45, having a substantially rectangular cam head 45a, and curved handle 45?) is pivotally mounted between the prongs 43a of the shank 43 by means of a pin 45c passed through the outer ends of the prongs and the predetermined inner margin of the cam head 45a when the handle 4% is turned downwardly, as shown in full lines in Figure 5. The adjacent outer or upper corn r of the cam head is rounded off as shown at 45d to facilitate the action of the head. With the elements thus assembled the bolt 42 is thrust from the rear of the frame, through the housing 4i bore dim, spring fill and bore Sic, and the plate 44 is seated between the spaced side plates 38.

A sleeve nut 47 with kerfed head 41a and having a heavy coil spring 48 mounted thereon, is threadedly turned upon the forward protruding end of the bolt 42, the ends of the spring 48 being braced between the head 41a and the face of the frontal clamping plate am, at the margin of the bore Bic. Thus by turning up or loosening the nut 41, the tension of the cam head 45a upon the rear clamp plate 3! may be regulated as desired. It will be noted that with the cam unit 45 mounted as shown in Figure 5, with the handle 45?) turned downwardly, an upward push upon this handle operates to press the rounded corner 55d of the cam head inwardly against the rib 44b of the slotted plate 44, thereby drawing the bolt 42 and frontal clamping plate 3la inwardly'toward the rear plate 3|, for the purpose of clamping together wires positioned between the jaws 3%. In this arrangement the handle 45?) would be pulled inwardly or downwardly for the purpose of opening the jaws and releasing the wires by of a cord 49 attached to and extended from the handle to the hand of the operator.

On the other hand, by merely reversing the mounting of the cam and lever unit 45, by withdrawing the pin 45c and turning the handle 4% cedure in the process of making connection-of a service line to a main line, and the latter procedure in theprocess of disconnecting a service line from the main line. The applying positioning of the elements is indicated in full lines in Figure 5,v and the disconnecting positioning is shown in dotted lines in thesame figure.

Of course, the reversing offthe'mounting of the cam and lever unit in the form described requires a little time, and to avoid this a rotary cam unit might be employed, such as illustrated in Figure 7. Here the housing 40 is dispensed with, as is also the bolt shank 43, thegrear end of the bolt 42 being journaled straight through a circular cam element 50 having a beveled rear face 534:, and being secured by screws 5! or otherwise to the rear face of the frame back 2a. A complemental cam element 52 is then rigidly anchored to the outer extended end of the bolt 42, this element having an inner beveled face 52a. exactly equal and corresponding to the beveled face 50a of the element 59. A wheel or pulley 53 is rigidly mounted concentrically at the outer side of the cam element 52, and the. cam elements are so closely associated that any rotation of the Wheel 53 in either direction will operate to cause the beveled faces of the elements to slide or climb up one over the other, thus drawing the bolt @2 back rearwardly and contracting and drawing together the clamp plates iii-3hr, similarly as already described. A cord tea is given a couple of turns around the pulley 53, whereby the rotary cam may be rotated in either direction for opening or closing the plates 3l--3|a, in the use of the tool.

Now describing the use of the tool with the hinged nut type of connecter 55 shown in Figure 8, the handle I and chuck head H are first rotated clock-wise for the purpose of wedging the lugs ll within the slots 9, whereby the handle press plate is held to its elevated position. The:

cam unit (l5 is also released for allowing the plates Lil-31a and the jaws 32b to open apart. The service line 56 is then inserted withinthe slot 55d of the connecter, the connecter 55 is next positioned within the lower openings of the plates 3l-3ia and back against the leaf spring 31 with the nut and washer unit 550 turned downward vertically or parallel with =thelongitudinal axis of the connecter, in which position this unit is held by the outward lateral pressure of the spring against the unit, pressing same against the leg of the connecter to which it is hinged, as illustrated in Figure 8, and the cam unit 45 is operated by pushing up the handle G5!) which forces the cam head 45a inwardly, thus drawing the jaws 32b inwardly and clamping the service line between them. Thus the entrance slot 55d is unobstructed for the entrance of the main line'5'l as will be explained. The latch lever 26 is next pulled rearwardly for releasing the press plate 22, which then drops down upon the head 55b of the connecter, forcing the head into firm contact with the service line held in the jaws 325. Thus the line of pressure of the plate 22 upon the head of the connecter is perpendicular to the line of pressure of the jaws 32b upon the service line, and both the connecter and line are firmly held in place on the tool. When the service line 56 is at both sides ready to be engaged by the jaws 3% as same are drawn together. The tool is then extended and the connecter positioned astraddle the main line which passes up through the slot 55d against the service line and simultaneously within the flared margins 33 of the plates 3 l-3 I a.

' Thus the service and main lines extend through the said flared margins 33 and are maintained in alignment thereby in the further operation of the tool, and kinking and twisting are prevented in the wires under the rotative torque of the tool in theoperation of turning the nut upon the bolt connecter.

The foregoing preliminaries being completed, the handle I of the tool is rotated in an anti clockwise direction, always regarding the assembly from above the bottom or foot plate 20, for the purpose of freeing the lugs I! from the stops 8. The handle I is then pushed upwardly through the frame 2 and one of the opened jaws I2 is brought into contact with the nut and washer assembly 550 and incidentally the leaf spring 31 also. The lateral pressure of this spring is thus removed from bearing upon the nut and washer assembly, whereupon the latter swings outwardly somewhat and permits the two jaws I2 to be worked thereunder for forcing same up against the end of the connecter and ready to be turned thereupon. In other words and as will be seen from an inspection of the assembly of Figure 8, the center of gravity of the nut and washer unit 550 would normally pull this unit angularly outward from the strictly vertical alignment shown in the drawing, and to which it is resiliently held by the pressure of the spring 31 against its upper margin. Thus,

when the spring 31 is pushed back by the upward movement of the jaws l2, the unit 550 swings angularly out partially over the jaws 12, one of which may then be worked under the unit to push it up into a horizontal position, after which the unit may be operatively engaged between the jaws for threading upon the connector. The handle of the tool is then rotated a turn or two in a clock-wise direction to enable the jaws l2 to engage the nut and washer assembly and for aligning the leading threads of the latter with the corresponding threads of the bolt connecter, after which by rotating the handle and jaws and the engaged nut in an anticlockwise direction (always regarding the assembly from above), the nut and washer assembly may be readily turned upon the bolt connecter, until the formeris pressed firmly up against the two wires 56-51, for locking them together and completing the electrical connection. A pull upon the cord 49 then releases the cam lever unit 45, permitting the spring 4| to force the plates 3 l3la asunder for releasing the tool from the joined wires and the connecter. This tool may then of course be readily withdrawn from the work.

For the purpose of reversing the described operation, as for disconnecting a service line from a main line, the positioning of the cam lever unit 45 would be reversed and the handle 45?) would be turned upwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5. In this position the plates 3l3la and jaws 32b would stand open, and by means of the handle the jaws 32b and flared margins are set over the-joined service and main lines im- 'mediately overthe connecter 55 and with the press plate 22 bearing on the'head of the connecter. The handle is then drawn downward or inward'causing the plate 22 to move outwardly and bringing the jaws 3217 into engagement with the service line 56 as same rests atop the mainline 51. When the elements are thus properly located with respect to each other, a pull upon the cord 49 serves to clamp the jaws 32b upon the service line, after which the handle and chuck ll may be manipulated to engage the nut and washer unit of the connecter for unturning same from the connecter and freeing the wires so that the service line may be withdrawn. An upward push by a pole or rod (not shown) against the lever handle 451) then serves to release the plates 3l-3la and jaws 32 and the service line may be pulled away and the tool'removed from the work. In lieu of the cam and lever unit 45 just described and which requires reversing in position-for installing or re.- moving a service line upon a main line, the form of rotary cam unit shown in Figure 7 might be employed, same comprising the circular, beveled and complemental cam elements 50 and 52, mounted and operated as already described.

While the foregoing description relates to a tool adapted for use with a bifurcated or slotted connecter having a nut and washer unit hingedly connected to one of the legs thereof, and which form of connecter requiresthe use of the spring 31 or some equivalent means for maintaining the nut and washer unit in open relation to the connecter to facilitate the entrance of the main line, it is .to be understood that the same tool may be used with other types of bifurcated and threaded connecters provided with taps or nuts to close over the slot of the bolt. In fact the tool may be used with the slotted form of bolt connecter wherein the nut is designed for complete removal and separation from the bolt for the purpose of admitting wires into the slot. In such case the nut would be separately positioned within the jaws of the chuck, ready for turning upon the connecter after the latter with service line inserted were properly looked upon the frame of the tool in the manner already described. It is obvious that in such use the spring 31 may be dispensed with entirely. Neither is the latch 26 an esentialfeature of the invention. The cardinal features of the invention consist of a suitable handle with a frame slidably and rotatably mounted at one end and with releasable means for locking the two against relative rotation, there being clamping means on the frame for looking a bifurcated connecter in substantial axial alignment with the handle the said clamping means being also releasable, the said clamping means including means for looking a service wire within the slot of the connecter, means at the end of the handle at the frame for supporting a tap in spaced axial alignment with the open end of the connecter ready for turning thereupon after the connecter and inserted service line have been hooked over the main line, and means upon the assembly for supporting same upon the main line with spaced bearings thereupon, for bracing the assembly and preventing the lines from turning or kinkingunder torque applied to the handle in the operation of turning the tap.

And while I have herein set forth and described a certain concrete embodiment of the invention, together with certain specific structural features thereof, it is understood that I may'make such changes or alterations as may elO be deemed expedient for the purpose ofperfecting the tooland renderingsame perhaps more practicable in use, not departing however from the essence of the invention as defined in the appended claims. I

I claim:

1. A tool for connecting or disconnecting a serivce line to a main line through use of a bifurcated or slotted,bolt connecter having a nut threadable over the slot of the bolt for clamping the wires together, the .tool: comprising a handle, a frame rotatably and slidably mounted at one end of the handle, releasable means for locking the two stifliy. together in utmost ex tended axial relation through relative rotation, releasable clamping means on the frame for supporting the connecter with the service line inserted in the slot thereof in substantial alignment with the handle, and a chuck head and jaws on the end of the handle for supporting a nut in operative and spaced alignment with the connecter, whereby the main line may be entered into the slot of the connecter against the service line and the handle then rotated to turn the nut upon the connecter for clamping the wires together, the reverse operation of the tool serving to disconnect the wires.

2. A tool for connecting or disconnecting a service and main line by use of a bifurcated or slotted bolt connecter having a nut threadable over the slot of the bolt for clamping the wires together, the tool comprising a handle, a frame rotatably and slidably mounted at one end of the handle, releasable means for locking the two stifliy together in utmost extended axial relation by relative rotation to facilitate its use, releasable clamping means on the frame for supporting the service line with the connecter positioned thereover, separate releasable clamping means on the frame for forcing the head of the connecter down upon the service line, and adjustable means on the end of the handle for supporting a nut in spaced and operative alignment with the open end of the connecter, whereby the main line may be entered into the slot of the connecter against the service line and the handle then shoved inwardly and rotated to turn the nut upon the connecter for clamping the wires together, the tool being reversibly operated for disconnecting the wires.

3. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, a supporting frame slidably and rotatably mounted at one end of the handle, the frame having head and foot portions turned to one side, means supported from the head portion for releasably clamping a bifurcated wire connecter with service line inserted in the slot thereof, in axial alignment with the handle, adjustable chuck jaws at the same end of the handle carrying the frame for adjustably and releasably supporting a nut in spaced and operative alignment with the open end of the connecter, latches operable through relative rotation of handle and frame for releasably locking same together in utmost axial extension, whereby the ccnnecter may be located over a main line, and then by rotation and inward movement of the handle the nut may be turned upon the connecter for clamping the wires together, this operation being reversed for the purpose of disconnecting the wires.

4. In a tool of the kind described, an elongate frame having head and foot portions turned right-angularly to one side thereof, the foot portion having a guide aperture therethrough, a handle passed slidably and rotatably through 5 theiaperturefan adjustable tap holder" at the inner end of 'thefhan'dle' and over-lying the margins of the ferrule, means dependent on relative rotation of handle and frame for rel'easably locking the twostifliy together with the handle drawn fully outward, means' depended inwardly from the head portion for releasably clamping a service line at two spaced points with a bifurcated'bolt connector suspended thereon between these points in operative axial alignment with thehandle and tap holder, separat'e releasable means for pressing the head of the connector upon-the inserted service line, and-means supported on the frame outwardly of and in alignment'with the service line clamping meansjfor engaging a main line for steadying the ,toolin use.

5. In a tool of thekind described, a handle, an elongate frame slidably and 'rotatably mounted at anend of the hand1e,means at the same end of the handle for releasably holding a tap, means functioning through rotation of the handle relative to the frame for releasably locking the two together, spaced service-wire clamping jaws extended inwardly at the opposite end of the frame, a spring set draw-bolt passed through the jaws and frame, means at the back of the frame enaging the protruded end of the bolt for drawing same back to close the jawsupon an inserted service line, and means for forcing down the head of a bifurcated bolt connector upon'the service line whereon it issuspended between the said wire clamping jaws.

6. In a structure as defined in claim 5, means supported on the frame for engaging a main line at lateral points for 'steadying to tool in operation.

7. In a tool of the kind described in claim 5, a leaf spring depended from the back of the frame, its lower end being extended inwardly and adapted to bear upon the hingedly connected tap of a unitary form of connector for holding same open for reception of a main line.

8. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, an elongated frame having inturned ends the same being rotatably and slidably mounted through one end upon an end of the handle,

a tap-holding chuck-head at the end of the handle within the frame, co-operating elements on the chuck-head and frame for releasably locking by relative rotation the handle and frame together in out-most extended, axial relation, pairs of superposed, laterally spaced, oppositely aligned and adjustable tap-wire gripping jaws depended from the opposite inturned end of the frame, releasable means for closing these jaws upon an inserted tap-wire, and releasable means for supporting a bifurcated bolt connector astraddle the tap-wire between the said jaws, for locating same by means of the handle, upon a main wire, whereby a tap releasably held by the chuck in alignment below may be raised and mounted upon the connector for joining the tap and main lines, and the tool then removed, and whereby an installed connector may be removed from the Wires by reversing the operation.

9. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, an elongate frame rotatably and slidably mounted at one side of the frame to slide longitudinally there along, a tap-holder at the end of the handle at the frame adapted to releasably hold, a tap, co-operating elements on the releasable means for closing the jaws upon an inserted tap-wire, and releasable means for supporting a bifurcated bolt connector astraddle the tap-wire between the jaws in operative alignment with a tap releasably held by the tap holder, whereby the tap line may be applied to a main line by setting the connector also astraddle the w main line, releasing the handle to slide the tap nector astraddle thetap-wire comprising a spring-setpress-plate movable mounted on the frame and adapted releasably to press down upon thehead of the connector for forcing it to the wire.

12. In a tool of the kind described, a handle, a frame slidably mounted at one end of the handle, means for releasably locking the frame and handle fixedly together, spaced service-wire clamping jaws extended inwardly at the opposite' end of the frame, a draw-bolt passed'slidably through the jaws and frame, means on the frame for forcing the bolt rearward for closing the jaws upon an inserted service line, and means for forcing down the head of a bifurcated bolt connector upon the service line whereon it is suspended between said wire clamping jaws.

- JASPER BLACKBURN.

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