US2319587A - Dead-end tool - Google Patents

Description

May 1.8, 1943 J. W. CONRAD DEAD END TOOL File@ Aug. e, 1941 2 Sheets-Shelet 1 ATTORNEY /NVEN TOE,

May 18 1943 J. w. CONRAD 2,319,587

' DEAD END frooL Filed Aug. 8, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 /N vE/vTo/B JOHN n/. CON/EA@ Patented May 18, 1943 DEAD-END rroot,

John W. Conrad, Zanesville, Ohio, assignor to James R. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, M0., a corporation of Missouri K Application August 8, 1941, Serial No. 406,609

15 Claims. (Cl.'254-67) 'IIhis invention relates generally to tools adapted for use in the maintenance of overhead electrical conductors, and more specifically to tools intended for service in removing and replacing insulators of dead end assemblies oi electricalV conductors, the predominant object of the invention being to provide a tool of the type referred to above which is of simple construction and arrangement and is capable of performing its intended function in a highly efficient manner.

Most of the apparatus employed prior to this invention for aiding in putting slack in dead end assemblies in order to permit removal of insulators therefrom, were adapted to lift the full tension of a conductor associated with a dead end assembly being operated upon by such previously known apparatus. However, many conductors are dead ended by dead end assemblies which comprise each a, pair of insulator strings arranged n spaced parallelism and attached to yoke members, and in connection with such dead end assemblies it has been discovered that it is not necessary to lift the full line tension in order to remove an insulator from one or the other of the strings of insulators of the dead end assembly.

The prime purpose of this invention. therefore, is to provide an improved tool which is so constructedv and is capable of such use that one string of insulators of a dead end assembly ofthe double strain type is permitted to remain in tension when the improved tool is being emloyed to put slack in the other of the insulator strings ofthe dead end assembly, theresult being that.

the insulator string of the dead end assembly that remains in tension supports one-half of the line tension, while the tool supports the other half of the line tension and puts slack in the untensioned insulator string to permit removal of insulators therefrom and replacement ofinsulators therein.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved tool showing same in association with a dead end assembly of the double strain type, said dead end assembly.

being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the improved tool, viewed from the location of the line 2-2 of Fig. l,

and showing associated therewith in dotted lines` dead end assembly being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary inverted plan view of a portion of the improved tool with a part of an associated dead end assembly shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in elevation, and partly in section, showing one of a pair of latches forming parts of the improved tool.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing an adjusting means forming a part of the improved dotted lines in Fig. 1.` A dead end assembly ofA the double strain type usually comprises a pair of strings of insulators B and C suitably assembled to connect the insulators thereof together,

'said strings of insulators being arranged in spaced-parallelism and being attached at their.

opposite ends to yoke members D and Ewhich are frequently shaped in plan as shown in Fig. l.

, The yoke member D of the particular double strain dead end assembly shown in Fig. 1 includes spaced ears F between which a link G is engaged, said link in turn being engaged by a clevis H which is suitably connected to an element J extended from a tower, pole or other support. At the opposite end of the dead end assembly the yoke member E thereof is also provided wth spaced ears K between which isv engaged a link L, said link in turn being engaged by a clevis M which is suitably connected to a member N that engages the conductor W supported by the dead end assembly.

The improved tool A comprises a pair of opposed elements I and 2 which are shaped in plan as shown in Fig. 1, each of said elements including a substantially curved portion 3 and a tapered extension 4, and said elements being suitablyV webbed and ribbed as will be presently pointed out herein, to give them the required strength and rigidity. At an end of each of the elements l and 2 a hook-shaped portion 5 is provided which extends downwardly and inwardly relative to the element on which it is formed,

said hook-shaped portion being provided with a.

rib 5 which provides said hook-shaped portion with the required strength. Also at the end of each of the elements I and 2 at which the hookshaped is provided said element has formed thereon a downwardly extended lug 6 which is arranged in spaced relation with respect to the hook-shaped portion 5, the downwardly extended length of said lug 6 preferably being less than the downwardly extended dimension of said hook-shaped portion 5.

By referring particularly to Fig. 4 it will be noted that the curved portion 3 of each of the elements I and 2 is elevated with respect to the tapered extension 4 of the element. In other words the bottom face of the curved portion 3 of each of said elements I and 2 is located at the approximate vertical center of the extension 4, this bottom face being provided by a horizontal web of material 3a from which spaced upwardly projected ribs 3b are extended and these upwardly projected ribs are joined by cross ribs 3c. Also the portion 3 of each of the elements I and 2 is additionally strengthened by a horizontally arranged rib 3d which extends along the concave side face of the curved portion 3 of the element and joins the hook-shaped portion 5 to additionally strengthen said hook-shaped portion. Likewise the extension 4 of each of the elements I and 2 is produced by a horizontal web of material 4a from which upwardly. and downwardly extended ribs 4b are projected, the ribs 4b at the top of the extension being continuations of the ribs 3b of the curved portion 3 of the element and being joined by cross ribs 4c and the ribs 4b at the bottom of said extension 4 being shaped as shown in Fig. 5. Each of the elements Iv and 2 has formed thereon a horizontally disposed lug l which is located approximately at the junction of the curved portion 3 and the extension 4, `said lug being formed on and extendedfroma portionl of the rib 4by at the bottom of the extension and at the side of the element Yat which the concave face of the curved portion 31s located, and said lug V'I being provided with a rib to give the required strength thereto.

At itsouter end the extension 4 of each of the elements'I and ,2 is provided with a bifurcated portion 8, as shown to the best advantage in Figs. 2, 4, and 6, the vertically spaced portions of said-bifurcated portionsbeing shaped as shown to good vadvantage in Figs. ,-1 vand 5. The vertically spacedportions of the bifurcated end portion 3 -of each of the elements I and 2 are provided with vertically alined slots 9, each of said slots being open at an end thereof at an edge of the spaced portion Vin which itis formed and being closed-atits-opposite end as shown to good advantage in Fig. 5.

Disposed between the spaced portions of the bifurcated endportion of the extension 4 of the element 2 is a clamp Iii which embraces a pole II formed of wop'd or other suitable material, said clamp comprising a pair of clamping members Illa and IIlh which are pivoted together atA |00 (Fig. 4) andare drawn into clamping engagement with the poleII by bolts Id that extend through ears formed on the clampingmembers I0a and lilo.V Extended upwardly from the clamping. member Ia is pin I2 .and extended downwardly .from the clamping member Ibv is a similarpin I3, saidpins I2 and I3 being extended vthrough and disposed at the bases of the slots 9 in the vertically spaced vportions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the element 2. vertically spaced .portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the element I is `a Likewise, Adisposed between the block I4 through which is formed a screwthreaded opening I5. As shown in Fig. 6 the top and bottom surfaces of the block I4 contact with the inner faces of the spaced portions of the bifurcated end portions of the element I, and extended upwardly from said block is a pin I6 and downwardly therefrom is a pin I'I. The pins I6 and I'I of the block i4 are extended through the slots 9 formed in the vertically spaced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension 4 of the element I and are disposed at the bases of said slots.

The pole Il at the end thereof which is located.. adjacent to the element I has mounted thereon a head I 8 which, as shown in Fig. '7, is of generally cylindrical formation and is provided with an end wall I8' through which an opening I9 'is formed. The cylindrical portion of the head embraces an end portion of the pole II andthe end wall thereof is spaced from the end of the pole located within the head to provide a space 25, and the head is secured to the end portion of 'the Vpole by pins 2l. Associated with the head I8 is a screwthreaded rod 22 which is provided at one end with an enlarged head portion 23 and at its opposite end with a tool-receiving extension ,24 of noncircular crosssectional shape. The screwthreaded rod is alined with the pole II, the enlarged head portion 23 thereof being 'disposed in the space 26 within the head I8 and said screwthreaded rod being extended through the opening I 9 formed -through the end wall I8 of said head L8. Also said screwthreadedy rod extends through the opening I5 of the block `I4 in screwthreaded engagement with the screwthreaded -wall thereof. As will presently appear herein the screwthreaded rod 22 is rotated relative to the pole VII in the use of the improved tool, and in order to facilitate such rotation of the screwthreaded rod the enlarged head portion 23 thereof has associated therewith a ball raceway 25, the balls of which contact with the inner face of the end wall I 8 of the head I8.

In order to prevent unintended ydisplacement of the pins I2and Iii-of` the clamp I 0 and the pins I6 and I1 of the block I4 from the slots of the spaced portions of the bifurcated end portionsof the extensions of the elements I and 2, latching structures of like -construction land arrangement are associated with the extensions 4 of said elements I and 2. The latching structure associated with the element I is shown in detail in Fig. 6 and this latching structure includes a spacer 26 which is secured to the web of the extension 4 of the element I by a fastening device 21. Supported by the spacer 26 is an elongated plate 28, said plate having an enlarged opening formed therethrough through which is extended the shank of a bolt 29 which is screwthreadedly seated in the spacer 26. The bolt 29 is provided with a head at its upper end which is spacedupwardly from the plate 28, and interposed betweenA the head of said bolt and said-plate 28 is a coil spring 30. The plate 28 has .fixed thereto an upstanding, yoke-shaped operating element 3| .and said plate rests upon the top face of the uppermost spaced portion of the :bifurcated end portion'of the extension of the element I so that one side edge of said plate contacts with the circumferential lface of the pin I6 and the opposite side edge of said plate contacts with -a xed pin 32 extended upwardly from said-top face of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of said element I. Because the pin I6 is confined between the base of the slot in which it is disposed and an edge of the plate 28, the block I4 is :prevented from moving relative to the bifurcated portion with which it is associated to free the pins I6 and I'I fromthe slots 9. When it is desired to remove the block I4 from the bifurcated portion with which it is associated, the plate 28 may be elevated against the action of the coil spring 30 with the aid of the element 3|, to a point above the upper ends of the pins I6 and 32, whereupon the plate may be swung about the bolt 29 to a displaced position to permit Withdrawal of the pins I6 and II from their slots and removal of the block from the associated bifiurcated portion.

As has been previously stated the latching structure associated with the bifurcated portion of the extension of the element 2 corresponds in construction and operation with the latching structure of the element I Ias just described; therefore the latching mechanism of said element 2 need not be described in detail herein, and corresponding parts `of both latching structures are designated by like reference characters.

The improved tool of the present invention includes a pair of spaced, parallel poles 33 and 34 which are formed of wood or other suitable material and extend longitudinally of the pole I I previously referred to herein. Corresponding end portions of the poles 33 and 34 are secured together by a pair of clamping members 35 and 35 which are suitably channeled to receive said poles and are secured together and to the poles 33 and 34 by bolts 31 that pass through the clamping members and the poles and are provided at their upper ends with eyes 38. provide a cradle structure which is supported in its proper position at one end by a rope 39 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is turned about the element I and is tied at its opposite ends to the eyes of the bolts 3'I. At the opposite end of the cradle structure the poles 33 and 34 rare supported by a supporting structure 4I] (Fig. 4), said supporting structure 40 comprising an element so shaped as to provide an eye por-tion 4I at which said supporting structure is secured to the element 2 by a 'bolt 42. Also, the element that provides the supporting structure 40 includes divergent portions 43 which are extended downwardly and outwardly from the eye portion 4I and are provided at their lower ends with hook-shaped portions 44 which receive and support the poles 33 and 34.

In assembling the improved tool A with a dead end :assembly `of the double strain type the elements I and 2 are associated with the yoke members' D and `E as shown to the vbest advantage in Figs. 1 and4; that is to say, the at, bottom faces ofthe lportions 3 of said elements contact with and rest upon top surfaces of said yoke members D and E. Also the hook-shaped portions of said elements I and 2 extend around the yoke members D and E and engage lower portions thereof, and the lugs 6 engage the inclined faces Da and Ea of said yoke members D and E. Furthermore the inclined faces 45 of the portions 46 of the ribs 4b located at the bottoms of the extensions 4 of the elements I and 2 contact with correspondingly inclined faces Db and Eb of the yoke members D and E, and the lugs 1 of said elements l and 2 extend beneath and contact with lower surfaces of portions of the yoke members D and E (see Fig. 5). Y

With the assembly made up of the pole I I and the screwthreaded rod 22 associated with the elements I and 2 as has been previously described The poles 33 and 34 herein, and with the cradle structure produced by the poles 33 and 34 supported in position with respect to said elements I and 2, the screwthreaded rod 22 is rotated *with the aid of a suitable tool (not shown) which is applied to the tool-receiving extension 24 thereof, and such rotation of said screwthreaded rod causes it to travel through the block I4 whereby the pole II is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and the extension of the element 2 is drawn toward the extension of the element I. This has the effect of `canting the yoke member E from its normal position to the position in which it is shown in Fig. l, with the result that slack will be put in the string of insulators B `which will permit insulators to be removed therefro'm and new insulators introduced in said string of insulators. When slack is put in the string oi insulators B as has been described the cradle structure provided by the poles 33 and 34 receive and support the sagging insulator string so that work thereon will be facilitated.

It is obvious that when the screwthreaded ro`d 22 is rotated to provide for relative movement between the outer ends of the extensions I and 2, as has been pointed out herein, the canting of the yoke member E is brought about by a pushing force exerted by the face 4'5 of the element 2 against the face Eb of the yoke member E, and by a pulling force exerted by the hook-shaped portion 5 of the element 2 against an opposite portion of the yoke member E. There may also be some canting of the element I when the screwthreaded rod 22 is rotated to put slack in the string of insulators B but perhaps not as much as the canting action to which the element 2 is subjected. Also it is important to note that because the clamp I0 may be adjustable longitudinally of the pole II to different xed positions thereon the tool A may be employed with dead end assemblies having insulator strings of different length. Likewise it is pointed out that each of the elements I and 2 is provided with an upstanding eye 4'! which serves to aid in the operation of raising the tool A to an elevated positi-on with respect to a tower or pole.

When the required work has been done on the string of insulators B, shown in Fig. 1 and it is desired to do workon the string of insulators C which requires slack to be put in said string of insulators C, the elements I and 2 are reversed; that is t0 say, the element 2 is associated with the yoke member D and the element I is associated with the yoke member E in the manner previously described herein, and with the extensions 4 of said elements land 2 extending in the opposite direction. With the assembly made up of the pole I I and the screwthreaded rod 22, and the cradle assembly produced by the poles 33 and 34 associated with the elements so arranged with respect to the yoke members D and E, the tool may be operated to put slack in the string of' insulators C as has been already explained herein.

From the foregoing it is plain that when the tool A is in use approximatelyone-half of the full tension of the conductor associated with a double'strain dead 'end assembly being operated on with the aid of the tool, is supported by the untensioned string of insulators While the other approximate one-half of said full tension of the conductor is supported by the tool. Thus a tool may be employed which is lighter and more convenient to handle and operate than would be a sion vof the conductor.

I claim: Y 4

l. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of stringsof insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arranged to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means at one side only of the tool for engaging portions of said opposed elements at corresponding ends thereof and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith.

2. VA tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portions formed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means at one side only of the tool for engaging portions of said opposed elements at corresponding ends thereof and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith.

3. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, parts formed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, the parts on said opposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a plurality of yoke-engaging parts formed on each of said opposed elements one of which yoke-engaging parts is in the approximate form of a hook which embraces a portion of an associated yoke member.

4. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, parts formed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, the parts on said opposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a plurality of yoke-engaging parts formed on each of said opposed elements one of which yoke-engaging parts is in the approximate form of a hook which embraces a portion of an associated yoke member and another of which yoke-engaging parts is in the form of an abutment which engages another remotely located portion of the associated yoke member.

5. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having l OL tool which would be required to lift the full ten' a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portions Aformed on said opposed elements adapted to vengage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to drawfsaid portions of said opposed elements toward each,

other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, the portions Ion said opposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements,V said plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements comprising -a hook-shaped portion which embraces a part of an associated yoke member, an adjacent lug that engages another part of the associated yoke member, and a remotely positioned abutment which engages yet another p art or the associated yoke member.

6. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end-assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portions formed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, the portions on said opposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements, said plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements comprising a hook-shaped portion formed adjacent to an end of the element and which `embraces a part of an associated ,yoke member, an adjacent lug that engages another part of the associated yoke member, and a remotely positioned abutment which `engages yet another part of the associated yoke member.

7. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the typehaving a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arranged to engage the yoke members of.

the dead end assembly, and means for drawing portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, said Ameans comprising an elongated member connected to said portion of one of said opposed elements, a screwthreaded adjusting elementassociated with said elongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, and a part associated with said portion of the other of said opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which'said screwthreaded adjusting element extends for screwthreadedadjustmentrelative thereto.

8. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the Vtype'having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed ,elements arranged to engage the Vyoke members of the dead end assembly, and means for ldrawing portions fo said opposed elements toward'each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, said means comprising an elongated member, a clamp` fixed to said elongated member and connected to said portion of one of said opposed elements, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongatend member for rotary movement with respect thereto, and a part associated with said portion of the other of said opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which said screwthreaded y adjusting element extends for screwthreaded adthereby put slack in one of the strings of insula- ,A

tors associated therewith, said means comprising an elongated member, a clamp adjustably fixed to said elongated member and connected to said portion of one of said opposed elements, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, and a part associated with said portion of the other of said opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which said screwthreadedY adjusting element extends for screwthreaded adjustment relative thereto.

l0. A tool for putting'slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arranged to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and having extensions provided with bifurcated end portions, and means for drawing the bifurcated end portions of the extensions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, said means comprising an elongated member, a clamp iixed to said elongated member, pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said clamp, spaced portions of said bifurcated portion of one of said spaced elements being provided with slots that receive the upwardly and downwardly extended pins of said clamp, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, a block supported by the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the other of said opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which said screwthreaded adjusting element extends for screwthreaded adjustment relative thereto, spaced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of said other opposed element being provided with slots, and pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said block which are disposed in the slots of the spaced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the last-mentioned opposed element.

11. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arranged to engagethe yoke members of the dead end assembly and havingk extensions provided with bifurcated end portions, and means for drawing the bifurcated end portions of the extensions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, saidmeans comprising an elongated member, a clamp fixed to said elongated member, pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said clamp, spaced poritons of said bifurcated portion of one of said spaced elements ybeing provided with slots that receive the upwardly and downwardly extended pins of said clamp, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, a block supported by the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the other of said opposed elements `and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which saidI screwheaded adjusting element extends for screwthreaded adjustment relative thereto, spaced portionsof the bifurcated end portion of the extension of said other opposed element being provided withrslots, pins extended upwardly anddownwardly from said block Awhich are disposed in the slotsl of the spaced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the last-mentionedopposed element, and releasable latching devices for retaining the pins of said clamp and said v block in the slots in which they are disposed.

12. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of thetype having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed ele- -ments arranged to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly and having extensions provided with 'bifurcated end portions, Iand means for drawing the bifurcated end portions of the extensions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the Vopposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, said means comprising an elongated member, a clamp adjustably fixed to said elongated member, pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said clamp, spaced portions of said bifurcated portion of one of said spaced elements being provided with slots that receive the upwardly and downwardly extend-ed pins of said clamp, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, a block supported by the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the other of said opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which said screwthreaded adjusting element extends or screwthreaded adjustment relative thereto, spaced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of said other opposed element -being provided with slots, pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said block which are disposed in the slots of the spa-ced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the last-mentioned opposed element, and releasable latching devices for retaining the pins of said clamp and said .block in the slots in which they are disposed. 13. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arranged to engage the yoke members of the dead endv assembly, means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby |put slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, and a pair of elongated poles supported by said opposed elements beneath the location of the slackened string of insulators of the dead end assembly and providing a cradle structure adapted to receive and support the slackened string of insulators.

14. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead end assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulators connected l to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, Iportions formed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly,` and means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in :one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, the portions on said opposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements, said Iplurality of engaging portions formed on each,

engages another part of the associated yoke member, a remotely positioned abutment Which engages yet another part of the associated yoke member, and an extension formed on said element which underlies a part of the associated yoke member.

l5. A tool for putting slack inl an insulator string of a dead end assembly of thety'pe having a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portions formed' on said opposed' elementsY adapted to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and' means engaging portions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and therebyput slack in one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, the portions on said opposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements, said plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said :opposed elements comprising a hookshaped portion which embraces a part of an associated yoke member, an adjacent lug that engages another part of the `associated yoke member, a remotely positioned abutment which engages yet another part of the associated yoke member, and an" extension formed on said element at the location of said abutment which underlies a part of the associated yoke member.

JOHN W. CONRAD.

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