US3330588A

US3330588A - Life saving device

Info

Publication number: US3330588A
Application number: US511907A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr Louis R Alfano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-12-06
Filing date: 1965-12-06
Publication date: 1967-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1984-07-11

Description

y 11, 1957 R. ALFANO, SR 3,33

LIFE SAVING DEVICE Filed Dec. 6, 1965 4 01+ I IIIIIIHHI w I INVENTOR.

' I LOWS R. ALFANO, SR. B

F|G.l FIG.2 W M ffforncy United States Patent M 3,330,538 LIFE SAVING DEVICE Louis R. Alfano, Sr., 8314 Delgany, Playa Del Rey, Calif. 90291 Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 511,907 3 Claims. (Cl. 294-16) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A life saving implement for grasping a body portion of a person in contact with an energized electric wire, including first and second elongated gripping members made of insulating material, a pivotal connection of the members near their longitudinal centers, gripping portions forming handles on the rearward ends of the members, the first member being substantially straight throughout its length and having a laterally recessed face adjacent its forward end, the second member having its forward end portion curved to form a hook with the extremity thereof engaging in the recessed face of the first member in the closed position, so that a pulling load which is laterally imposed on the curved portion of the second member is transferred as a longitudinal stress into the first member, and means for locking the members together in their closed position.

This invention relates to a life saving device, hereinafter termed a Man Puller or Man Saver for reasons which will become more fully apparent from the following description.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a device of insulating material adapted to secure the body of an individual in contact with a high voltage wire or the like for the purpose of removing the individual to prevent further discharge of current through the individuals body to avoid, if possible, electrocution.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it is pointed out that electrical workers, as for example, linemen, electricians and others, who work in close contact with high voltage wiring are subject to the constant danger of electrocution through inadvertent contact with such high voltage wires. Frequently, the discharge of current through the body of such a worker or other individual results in unconsciousness, with the body still in contact with the hot wire, and a continuous circuit established through the body which renders touching the body highly dangerous to a rescuer.

The primary object of this invention is therefore, to 0 provide a device comprised of insulating material which will gently but firmly grasp the body of such an individual to permit removal thereof without subjecting the potential rescuer to thepossibility of electrocution.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of an implement in the form of a pair of grasping pincers, a grasping surface of which is of yieldable material, and thoroughly insulated to prevent the infliction of injury to the body of the person to be rescued by the implement, and which is of suflic-ient size and strength to permit the manipulation and movement of a body of average size.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this nature which is extremely strong for heavy duty application, which is provided with handles of sufficient strength to be grasped by two or more individuals, if necessary, is sufliciently strong to preclude the possibility of breakage, and is constructed of a non-conductive material.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this nature which may be simply and inexpensively manufactured in order that the same may be provided at a low cost as standard equipment for power 3,330,533 Patented July ll, 1967 repair trucks, rescue squad vehicles, fire trucks, and the like.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the disclosure of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there are disclosed preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the presently preferred form of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the gripping members of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view showing the pivoting and locking means;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of that portion of the device shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view of the hooked end of one of the gripping members.

Referring now to the drawings, the device of the present invention includes a first elongated gripping member 10 and a second elongated gripping member 20 which are made of insulating material, and are pivotally connected by connecting means which include a bolt 30 and nut 35. An additional feature of the device is the provision of locking means associated with the pivotal connection means, the locking means consisting mainly of a tightening member 40.

The first elongated gripping member 10 is substantially straight, and has a laterally extending gripping portion 12 formed at the rearward end thereof. The forward end is designated as 11. Adjacent the forward end 11 is a gripping face 14 having a recess 15 provided therein, the recess being of substantially rectangular configuration. Near its longitudinal center the member 10 has a recess 13 which permits the pivotal interconnection of gripping member 20 thereto. Intermediate the central recess 13 and recess 15 is a pad 16, whose function is to soften the gripping action of the device upon the arm, leg, neck, or other body portion of a person whose life is being saved by the device.

The gripping member 20 includes a straight rearward portion 23 and a straight forward portion 24, which are disposed at an angle of approximately 150 relative to each other. Extending forwardly of the straight portion 24 is a curved hook portion 21, whose forward extremity is designated 22. The hook curves through an angle of approximately 120".

Member 20 at its rearward end has a laterally extending gripping portion 25 formed thereon. In about the longitudinal center of the straight portion 24 there is a recess 26 which permits the operative pivotal inter-engagement of the two gripping members, as best shown in FIGURE 2. The interior of the hook 21 is covered with the resilient cushioning pads 27, as illustrated in detail in the fragmentary cross-sectional view shown in FIG- URE 6 of the drawings. Thus, the arm, leg, neck, or other body portion of the person being saved by the aid of the device is protected from injury, by the pads 16 v and 27.

The bolt 30 has a head 31 and extends through a cylindrical opening in the member 10, not specifically shown, in rotatable relationship therewith. The bolt 30 also has a keyway 32 formed in that longitudinal portion on the bolt which passes through the member 20, which keyway may preferably also extend into the threaded end 33 of the bolt. Threaded end 33 extends from the outer surface of member 20 through the nut 35 and also projects beyond the nut 35, as shown in FIGURE 3. As shown in FIGURE 5, the keyway 32 is occupied by a key 34, rigidly fastened to the bolt 30, and the necessary opening formed in the member 20 has a keyway or slot formed therein for receiving the key 34. Therefore, the bolt 30 passes through the member 20 in a longitudinal sliding relationship, but is non-rotatable relative to the member 20.

It is therefore apparent that rotating the nut 35 causes the bolt 30 to hold the members and 20 more tightly or loosely together, and the twisting or rotating action for the nut 35 is imparted relative to the member 20 rather than to the member 10.

The nut 35 has a number of teeth formed about its entire circumference. These teeth, designated 36, have a double function or purpose. One purpose is to more tight- -ly engage the member 20 by cutting into the surface of the member, at least to some limited extent, as the nut is tightened. The other function of the teeth is to be inter-engaged in a driving relationship with the tightening member 40.

The tightening member 40 includes an elongated handle portion 41 for controlling the movement of a fan-shaped operative end portion 42 having teeth 43 formed thereon. An opening formed in the member at the focal point of the fan-shaped end 40 receives a fastening screw 46, which in turn engages a suitable threaded opening formed in the outer surface of member 20.

In the operation of the device, the locations of the

recesses

13 and 26 and the associated openings for receiving the bolt 30, is such that the extremity 22 of the hook 21 is received in the recess 15 when the gripping members are in their closed position. An advantage of this structural arrangement is that a locking action is achieved whereby the full strength of both members 10 and may be utilized in pulling the person from the hot wire. More specifically, a lateral load on the forward end of hook 21 is transmitted to member 10 as a longitudinal load. In the absence of this arrangement for engaging the end of the hook within the recess 15, the book could break off when attempting to move a heavy load. The illustrated arrangement, however, prevents this breaking of the hook, and permits the full strength of both gripping members to be applied usefully to the load.

Furthermore, the locking means associated with the pivotal connection means facilitates the locking of the device in order to provide the maximum pulling force. Thus, when the hook has been placed about a body portion of the person to be rescued, and the gripping members are brought together in their closed position as shown in FIGURE 1, it is then possible to further lock the gripping members by use of the tightening device 40. The rotation of the tightening device 40 causes the nut 35 to be tightened against the member 20, pulling the bolt longitudinally and forcing the

members

10 and 20 more tightly together. Then after the person has been rescued, the tightening device 40 may be used to loosen the nut so as to release the hook 21.

While my device may be made of any suitable size, I prefer an overall length of about 4 which results in providing an opening inside the hook 21, which is large enough to go about the arm, leg, or neck of a fairly large person.

The invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing a full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the invention, or the scope of patent monopoly to be granted.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

1. A lift saving implement for grasping the body of an individual in contact with a hot wire, comprising:

first and second elongated gripping members of insulating material,

means pivotally connecting said members together near their longitudinal centers,

said first member being substantially straight throughout its length and having a laterally recessed face adjacent its forward end,

and a flat load-engaging face between the recessed face and said pivotal connection;

said second member having a curved forward portion whose concave side forms a load-engaging surface which is opposed to the load-engaging surface on the first member, the forward end of the second member being received in the recessed face in the closed position of said members, whereby a lateral load on the curved portion of said second member is transmitted to said first member as a longitudinal load; and

means cooperatively associated with said pivotal connecting means for selectively locking the same so as to retain said members in their closed position.

2. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the rearward ends of said members have laterally extending gripping portions formed thereon.

3. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said pivotal connecting means includes a bolt rotatably received in an opening in said first member, said second member having an opening with associated keyway adapted to receive said bolt, said bolt having a keyed portion received by said opening of said second member in non-rotating relationship therewith, said bolt 'having a threaded end which protrudes from said second member; and

wherein said locking means includes a circumferentially toothed nut received on said protruding end of said bolt, and a tightening member pivotally carried on said second member and having a handle end and a toothed end for tightening said nut when said handle end is rotated in a plane perpendicular to said bolt.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 651,121 6/1900 Potterton 294-l18 X 2,404,991 7/1946 Senk 2941l8 X FOREIGN PATENTS 72,520 4/1951 Denmark.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

G. F. ABRAHAM, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A LIFT SAVING IMPLEMENT FOR GRASPING THE BODY OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN CONTACT WITH A HOT WIRE, COMPRISING: FIRST AND SECOND ELONGATED GRIPPING MEMBERS OF INSULATING MATERIAL, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID MEMBERS TOGETHER NEAR THEIR LONGITUDINAL CENTERS, SAID FIRST MEMBER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH AND HAVING A LATERALLY RECESSED FACE ADJACENT ITS FORWARD END, AND A FLAT LOAD-ENGAGING FACE BETWEEN THE RECESSED FACE AND SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTION; SAID SECOND MEMBER HAVING A CURVED FORWARD PORTION WHOSE CONCAVE SIDE FORMS A LOAD-ENGAGING SURFACE WHICH IS OPPOSED TO THE LOAD-ENGAGING SURFACE ON THE FIRST MEMBER, THE FORWARD END OF THE SECOND MEMBER BEING RECEIVED IN THE RECESSED FACE IN THE CLOSED POSITION OF SAID MEMBERS, WHEREBY A LATERAL LOAD ON THE CURVED PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER IS TRANSMITTED TO SAID FIRST MEMBER AS A LONGITUDINAL LOAD; AND MEANS COOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY LOCKING THE SAME SO AS TO RETAIN SAID MEMBERS IN THEIR CLOSED POSITION.