AU2018295693B2

AU2018295693B2 - Trolley wire bending tool

Info

Publication number: AU2018295693B2
Application number: AU2018295693A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shinya Iwata; Makoto NAKASO; Takashi Ogura; Kentarou SATOU; Akira Sekine; Gento UEMURA
Original assignee: Nagaki Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nagaki Seiki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-03
Filing date: 2018-06-26
Publication date: 2020-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-26
Also published as: JP6934648B2; CN110546033B; TW201907633A; KR102296707B1; CN110546033A; KR20190141718A; TWI675523B; MY197683A; AU2018295693A1; JP2019011025A; WO2019009137A1

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to improve the workability of a trolley wire bending tool. To this end, the trolley wire bending tool is provided with: a pair of handles 21, 22 which are linked rotatably to one another and into which a rotation operation is input from a rotating end portion thereof; a first contacting portion 30 and a second contacting portion 40 which come into contact from one side of the outer periphery of a trolley wire T; and a third contacting portion 50 which comes into contact from the opposite side of the outer periphery of the trolley wire; wherein the pair of handles are moved by means of a lever construction in such a way that the first contacting portion and the second contacting portion move relatively toward or away from the third contacting portion, the rotating end portions of the pair of handles are positioned toward one end, in the longitudinal direction, of the tool, and the first to third contacting portions are positioned toward the other end, in the longitudinal direction, of the tool.

Description

TROLLEY WIRE BENDING TOOL TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a trolley wire bending tool.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be

considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general

knowledge in the field.

[0003] A trolley wire is a contact electric wire for supplying electric power to a vehicle through

a pantograph, which has two recessed grooves that extend in the longitudinal direction of the

electric wire at an upper part of the outer circumference. The trolley wire is suspended and

supported by a plurality of hangers that is hung from different parts of a messenger wire, in which

each of the hangers holds the two recessed grooves of the trolley wire between a pair of hooks

disposed at the lower end thereof. Since the trolley wire is suspended and supported in this

manner by using the two recessed grooves at the upper part, the approximately lower half of the

circumference can be used as a sliding contact area with the pantograph.

[0004] Since the trolley wire is in sliding contact with a pantograph during use, mechanical

and electrical abrasion occurs. It is therefore necessary to replace the trolley wire before the

trolley wire reaches the end of life due to the abrasion. A replacement new trolley wire, which

is wound around a drum for storage, sometimes gets a round curl by the time of use.

[0005] Further, since the trolley wire is in sliding contact with a pantograph during use, the

trolley wire is likely to be subjected to disturbance such as external impact or pressure, and the installed trolley wire sometimes has a deformed shape such as curl or unevenness caused by such disturbance.

[0006] Deformation of a trolley wire may sometimes cause separation of the trolley wire from

a moving pantograph of a train, which can generate a spark. Further, deformation of a trolley

wire may also cause local abrasion of the trolley wire. To avoid this, a tool for removing such

deformation is used to correct the shape of the trolley wire.

[0007] For example, a tool of Patent Document 1 includes an oval member disposed at the

tip of an operation bar, a pair of arms swingably disposed at opposite sides of the oval member

near the tip of the operation bar, a pair of movable rollers disposed respectively at the tips of the

arms, and handle arms for swinging the pair of arms.

[0008] The oval member is brought into contact with one side of a trolley wire while the pair

of movable rollers are brought into contact with the other side of the trolley wire. In this position,

the handle arms are operated to swing the pair of arms so that the movable rollers come in

pressure contact with the trolley wire to correct deformation.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: JP 2014-155231A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0010] However, the tool of Patent Document 1 requires a large force to operate the handle

arms for swinging the pair of arms. When a trolley wire is made of a hard material or has a

large outer diameter, it is very difficult to correct the trolley wire.

[0011] Even when using a machine power, the tool requires a large machine with high power

output.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a trolley wire bending tool that can

facilitate correction of a trolley wire.

Solution to Problem

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trolley wire

bending tool, comprising: a pair of handles that is swingably coupled to each other and that is

configured such that a swinging operation is input to swinging ends of the pair of handles; a first

contact portion and a second contact portion that contact one side of an outer circumference of

a trolley wire; and a third contact portion that contacts the other side of the outer circumference

of the trolley wire, wherein each of the first to third contact portions protrudes on both sides in a

direction of a swinging center axis of the pair of handles, wherein each of the first to third contact

portions includes a first contact member with a first recess and a second contact member with

a second recess, the first and second contact members being disposed respectively on one and

the other sides in the direction of the swinging center axis of the pair of handles, wherein a depth

of the second recess is deeper than a depth of the first recess so that the first and second

recesses fit trolley wires with different outer diameters, and wherein the pair of handles is moved

to move the first contact portion, the second contact portion and the third contact portion through

a two-stage leverage structure such that the first contact portion and the second contact portion

relatively get away from or close to the third contact portion.

[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to apply a larger pressing force to the trolley wire

through the first to third contact portions than a force applied on the pair of handles by means of

the two-stage leverage structure.

[0015] In a preferred configuration, each of the first to third contact portions protrudes on both

sides in a direction of a swinging center axis of the pair of handles, each of the first to third

contact portions includes contact members with recesses for fitting the trolley wire that are

disposed on both sides in the direction of the swinging center axis of the pair of handles, and

the recesses of the contact members of the first to third contact portions are formed in such a

size as to fit trolley wires with different outer diameters between recesses of contact members

disposed on one side in the direction of the swinging center axis of the pair of handles, and

recesses of contact members disposed on the other side in the direction of the swinging center

axis of the pair of handles.

[0016] With this configuration, it is possible to readily fit trolley wires with different outer

diameters between one protruded side and the other protruded side of the first to third contact

portions. Therefore, it is possible to suitably correct trolley wires with different outer diameters.

[0017] In a preferred configuration, each of the first to third contact portions includes a contact

member with a recess for fitting the trolley wire, and at least one of the first to third contact

portions is held such that a direction of the recess is not changeable.

[0018] With this configuration, it is possible prevent the trolley wire from moving from the right

position when any of the first to third contact portions is rotated.

[0019] In a preferred configuration, further included is a stand that is detachable from the tool.

[0020] With this configuration, when a trolley wire is corrected on the ground after being

reeled out from a drum, it is possible to correct the trolley wire while the tool is supported by the

stand. This can reduce burden caused by the weight of the trolley wire T.

[0021] Further, since the stand is detachable, it is possible to use the stand according to need.

[0022] In a preferred configuration, the stand has a pivoting structure that makes the tool

pivotable.

[0023] With this configuration, when a trolley wire is corrected while tool is supported by the

stand, it is possible to readily tilt the tool. Therefore, it is possible to perform correction

according to the position of the trolley wire.

[0024] In a preferred configuration, further included is an adjuster for adjusting a swinging

range of the pair of handles.

[0025] With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the degree of correction of the trolley

wire by using the adjuster.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, a swinging operation is input at the swinging ends

of the pair of handles, and the first to third contact portions that contact a trolley wire are provided

at one end of the tool. Therefore, the tool is easy to handle, and it is possible to readily correct

a trolley wire that is in any position.

[0027] Further, the trolley wire bending tool of the present invention corrects a trolley wire by

the first to third contact portions. Therefore, it is possible to correct trolley wires that are

deformed in various shapes such as local unevenness as well as large curl.

[0028] Further, with the two-stage leverage structure, the trolley wire bending tool can apply

a large pressing force to a trolley wire through the first to third contact portions. Therefore, it is

possible to correct trolley wires that are made of a hard material or have a large diameter. Even

when using a machine power, this eliminates the necessity of a large machine with high power

output and enables using a small machine.

[0029] Therefore, with the present invention, it is possible to provide a trolley wire bending

tool with high workability.

[0030] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the

claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense

as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but

not limited to".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a trolley wire bending tool according to an embodiment of the

present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a side view of the trolley wire bending tool.

[0033] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a third contact portion.

[0034] FIG. 3B is a side view of the third contact portion.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an overall view of a stand.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a partial enlargement of the stand.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Overall Configuration of Trolley Wire Bending Tool

[0037] An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

This embodiment is an example of a trolley wire bending tool 10.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the trolley wire bending tool 10, and FIG. 2 is a side view

thereof.

[0039] The trolley wire bending tool 10 includes: a pair of handles 21, 22 that is swingably

coupled to each other and that is configured such that a manual swinging operation is input to

the swinging ends thereof; a first contact portion 30 and a second contact portion 40 that contact

one side of a trolley wire T; a third contact portion 50 that contacts the other side of the trolley

wire T; a first lever 60 supporting the first contact portion 30; a second lever 70 supporting the

second contact portion 40; adjusters 80 for adjusting the swinging range of the pair of handles

21, 22; and a stand 90.

[0040] In the following description, the plane that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the

pair of handles 21, 22 and that includes the trajectory of the mutually swinging pair of handles

21, 22 is referred to as a "swinging plane".

Handles

[0041] Each of the pair of handles 21, 22 has the same structure, which is made of rigid metal

such as stainless steel. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the pair of handles 21, 22 includes a

bar main body 211, a coupler 212 extending from an end of the main body 211, and a grip 213

disposed at the other end of the main body 211.

[0042] The coupler 212 includes a cylindrical portion 214 to which one end of the main body

211 can be inserted, and a plate extension 215 extending from the cylindrical portion 214.

[0043] The cylindrical portion 214 is open at one end, through which the main body 211 can

be inserted. The other end is closed, and the extension 215 extends from an end face of the

closed end. The cylindrical portion 214 has two screw holes that penetrate the cylindrical

portion from the outer periphery to the inside, and the cylindrical portion 214 is fixed to the main

body 211 by fixing screws that are screwed in the screw holes.

[0044] The extension 215 extends in a slightly inclined direction with respect to the extending

direction of the main body 211, and the extended end thereof is overlapped with the extended

end of an extension 215 of the other handle 21 or 22 where the extensions 215 are coupled to

each other by a bolt 216.

[0045] The bolt 216 serves as a support shaft to couple the handles 21, 22 to each other in a

swingable manner about the axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handles

21, 22. This allows the swinging ends of the pair of handles 21, 22 to be moved closer to or

away from each other.

[0046] The position in which the pair of handles 21, 22 is close and parallel to each other is

referred to as a standard position of the trolley wire bending tool 10, and the longitudinal direction

of the pair of handles 21, 22 in the standard position is referred to as the longitudinal direction

of the trolley wire bending tool 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one side (the end coupled by the

bolt 216) in the longitudinal direction is referred to as "front", and the other side (the grips 213)

in the longitudinal direction is referred to as "back". Further, one side in the direction that is

parallel to the above-described swinging plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of

the pair of handles 21, 22 in the standard position is referred to as "left", and the other side in

the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is referred to as "right".

[0047] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, one side in the direction perpendicular to the above

described swinging plane is referred to as "up", and the other side in the direction perpendicular

to the swinging plane is referred to as "down".

[0048] The grips 213 are disposed to cover the swinging ends of the pair of handles 21, 22.

The grips 213 are held by the hands when a worker swings the swinging ends of the pair of

handles 21, 22. The grips 213 are made of a non-slip elastic material such as rubber or resin.

First and Second Levers

[0049] The first lever 60 includes one end that is swingably coupled to a middle part of the

extension 215 of the handle 21, and the other end supporting the first contact portion 30.

[0050] Further, the first lever 60 includes an arm 61 that extends from the vicinity of the other

end toward the second lever 70 (described below) in the direction approximately perpendicular

to the longitudinal direction of the first lever 60. The arm 61 is swingably coupled to an arm 71

(described later) of the second lever 70.

[0051] The first lever 60 is of U-shape cross section in a view from the longitudinal direction

thereof, which is formed by bending a metal plate of rigid metal such as stainless steel.

[0052] The one end of the first lever 60 is coupled to the extension 215 of the handle 21 by a

bolt 62, where the extension 215 is inserted in the structure having an approximately U-shape

cross section.

[0053] The bolt 62 serves as a support shaft to couple the first lever 60 to the extension 215

of the handle 21 in a swingable manner about the axis in the up-down direction.

[0054] The second lever 70 is symmetrical to the first lever 60 in a plan view. The second

lever 70 includes one end that is swingably coupled to a middle part of the extension 215 of the

handle 22, and the other end supporting the second contact portion 40.

[0055] Further, the second lever 70 includes an arm 71 that extends from the vicinity of the

other end toward the first lever 60 in the direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal

direction of the second lever 70. As described above, the arm 71 is swingably coupled to the

arm 61 of the first lever 60.

[0056] The second lever 70 is of U-shape cross section in a view from the longitudinal

direction, which is formed by bending a metal plate of rigid metal such as stainless steel.

[0057] The one end of the second lever 70 is coupled to the extension 215 of the handle 22

by a bolt 72, where the extension 215 is inserted in the structure having an approximately U

shape cross section.

[0058] The bolt 72 serves as a support shaft to couple the second lever 70 to the extension

215 of the handle 22 in a swingable manner about the axis in the up-down direction.

[0059] The tip of the arm 61 of the first lever 60 vertically overlaps the tip of the arm 71 of the

second lever 70, and they are swingably coupled to each other by a bolt 63 that vertically

penetrates them. The bolt 63, which is a shoulder screw, serves as a support shaft to couple

the arm 61 of the first lever 60 to the arm 71 of the second lever 70 in a swingable manner about

the axis in the up-down direction. The bolt 63 and the above-described bolts 216, 62, 72 are

parallel to one another.

[0060] That is, the pair of handles 21, 22 and the first and second levers 60, 70 are coupled

such that they are swung in the same plane (swinging plane).

[0061] Each of the handles 21, 22 forms a leverage in which the bolt 216, the grip 213 at the

swinging end and the bolt 62 or 72 correspond respectively to the fulcrum, the point of effort and

the point of load.

[0062] Further, each of the first and second levers 60, 70 forms a leverage in which the bolt

63, the bolt 62 or 72 and the first or second contact portion 30 or 40 correspond respectively to

the fulcrum, the point of effort and the point of load.

[0063] In each of the handles 21, 22, the distance from the fulcrum (bolt 216) to the point of

effort (grip 213) is sufficiently longer than the distance from the fulcrum (bolt 216) to the point of

load (bolt 62 or 72).

[0064] Further, in each of the first and second levers 60, 70, the distance from the fulcrum

(bolt 63) to the point of effort (bolt 62 or 72) is sufficiently longer than the distance from the

fulcrum (bolt 63) to the point of load (first or second contact portion 30 or 40).

[0065] Accordingly, the pair of handles 21, 22 and the first and second levers 60, 70 form

two-stage leverages that individually enhance a force input at the grips 213 of the handles 21,

22. Therefore, it is possible to apply a large bending load to the trolley wire T at the first and

second contact portions 30, 40.

First and Second Contact Portions

[0066] The first contact portion 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the first lever 60, and

the second contact portion 40 is disposed on the upper surface of the second lever 70.

[0067] The first contact portion 30 includes: a first bit (small piece) member 31 that protrudes

upward from the upper surface of the first lever 60 to serve as a contact member; a second bit member 32 that protrudes downward from the undersurface of the first lever 60 to serve as a contact member; and a bolt 33 that rotatably supports the first bit member 31 and the second bit member 32 as a shaft.

[0068] The second contact portion 40 includes: a first bit member 31 that protrudes upward

from the upper surface of the second lever 70 to serve as a contact member; a second bit

member 32 that protrudes downward from the undersurface of the second lever 70 to serve as

a contact member; and a bolt 33 that rotatably supports the first bit member 31 and the second

bit member 32 as a shaft.

[0069] The first bit member 31 is a pulley with a recessed groove 311 as a recess in the outer

periphery. The first bit member 31 is rotatably supported by the bolt 33 that penetrates the

center thereof.

[0070] The second bit member 32 is a pulley with a recessed groove 321 as a recess in the

outer periphery, having a smaller diameter than the first bit member 31. The second bit member

32 is rotatably supported by the bolt 33 that penetrates the center thereof.

[0071] The recessed groove 311 of the first bit member 31 and the recessed groove 321 of

the second bit member 32 are provided to hold the outer circumference of the trolley wire T so

that the trolley wire T does not move in the up-down direction.

[0072] For this purpose, the first bit member 31 and the second bit member 32 are made of

hard resin. This can reduce damages on the trolley wire T that can occur during correction.

In the first bit member 31 and the second bit member 32, only the outer peripheries that contact

the trolley wire T may be made of resin while the insides may be made of metal having higher

strength.

[0073] Both the recessed grooves 311, 321 in the outer peripheries of the first bit member 31

and the second bit member 32 are of arc cross section that is concave toward the center, and

the arc shape of the recessed groove 311 of the first bit member 31 has a larger diameter than

that of the recessed groove 321 of the second bit member 32.

[0074] The bolt 33 vertically penetrates the first bit member 31, the first or second lever 60 or

70 and the second bit member 32. The bolt 33 rotatably and concentrically supports the first

bit member 31 and the second bit member 32, and the first or second lever 60 or 70 is intervened

between them.

[0075] The bolt 33 serves as a support shaft to support the first bit member 31 and the second

bit member 32 in a rotatable manner about an axis in the up-down direction.

[0076] In the second contact portion 40, a spacer 34 is intervened between the first bit

member 31 and the upper surface of the second lever 70 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the first bit

member 31 of the second contact portion 40 is adjusted to the same height as the first bit

member 31 of the first contact portion 30.

[0077] Similarly, a spacer (not illustrated) is intervened between the second bit member 32

of the first contact portion 30 and the undersurface of the second lever 70, and the second bit

member 32 of the first contact portion 30 is adjusted to the same height as the second bit

member 32 of the second contact portion 40.

Third Contact Portion

[0078] The third contact portion 50 includes: a first bit member 51 that protrudes upward from

the upper surface of the arm 61 of the first lever 60 to serve as a contact member; and a second

bit member 52 that protrudes downward from the undersurface of the arm 71 of the second lever

70 to serve as a contact member. The first and second bit members 51, 52 are supported by

the above-described bolt 63 that couples the arms 61, 71 to each other.

[0079] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the third contact portion 50, and FIG. 3B is a side view thereof.

[0080] The first bit member 51 and the second bit member 52 have an approximately sector

shape in a plan view. The first bit member 51 and the second bit member 52 have respective

through holes 513, 523 in the up-down direction in which the bolt 63 is inserted.

[0081] At the front ends of the first and second bit members 51, 52, recessed grooves 511,

521 are formed as recesses along the peripheral surfaces.

[0082] The first and second bit members 51, 52 are made of metal. However, as long as

sufficient strength is secured, they may be made of hard resin as with the above-described first

and second bit members 31, 32. Alternatively, only the peripheral parts that contact with the

trolley wire T may be made of hard resin.

[0083] The recessed groove 511 of the first bit member 51 is provided to hold the outer

circumference of the trolley wire T in cooperation with the recessed grooves 311 of the first bit

members 31 so that the trolley wire T does not move in the up-down direction.

[0084] Further, the recessed groove 521 of the second bit member 52 is provided to hold the

outer circumference of the trolley wire T in cooperation with the recessed grooves 321 of the

second bit members 32 so that the trolley wire T does not move in the up-down direction.

[0085] The recessed grooves 511, 521 of the first bit member 51 and the second bit member

52 are both of arc cross section that is concave backward.

[0086] The recessed groove 511 of the first bit member 51 is of arc cross section that has the

same radius with the recessed grooves 311 of the above-described first bit members 31, and

the recessed groove 521 of the second bit member 52 is of arc cross section that has the same

radius with the recessed grooves 321 of the above-described second bit members 32.

[0087] As described above, since the recessed groove 311 of the first bit member 31 of the

first contact portion 30, the recessed groove 311 of the first bit member 31 of the second contact

portion 40 and the recessed groove 511 of the first bit member 51 of the third contact portion 50

all have an arc shape with the same radius, these recessed grooves can be suitably used to

correct deformation of the trolley wire T that has an outer diameter corresponding to the radius

of the arcs.

[0088] Further, since the recessed groove 321 of the second bit member 32 of the first contact

portion 30, the recessed groove 321 of the second bit member 32 of the second contact portion

40 and the recessed groove 521 of the second bit member 52 of the third contact portion 50 all

have an arc shape with the same smaller diameter, the recessed grooves 321, 521 with a greater

depth define a greater distance between the bottoms of the recessed grooves. Therefore,

these recessed grooves can be suitably used to correct deformation of the trolley wire T that has

a greater outer diameter.

[0089] At the back ends of the first and second bit members 51, 52, flat surfaces 512, 522

perpendicular to the front-back direction are formed.

[0090] The first bit member 51 and the second bit member 52 are coupled to each other by a

flat restriction plate 53 that is in close contact with both flat surfaces 512, 522.

[0091] The restriction plate 53 is screwed to the first bit member 51 and the second bit

member 52 individually. Further, between the first bit member 51 and the second bit member

52, the restriction plate 53 is in contact with the back end surface of the tip of the arm 61 of the

above-described first lever 60 and the back end surface of the tip of the arm 71 of the above

described second lever 70. The back end surfaces fix the restriction plate 53 so as to maintain

the flat surface of the restriction plate 53 perpendicular to the front-back direction. Since the

tips of the arms 61, 71 have an arc shape about the bolt 63, the restriction plate 53 in contact

with the tips can be maintained in a certain direction even when the arms 61, 71 are swung.

[0092] Accordingly, while the first bit member 51 and the second bit member 52 are supported

by the bolt 63, the restriction plate 53 restricts their rotation about the bolt 63.

[0093] As a result, the direction of the first and second bit members 51, 52 can be maintained

such that the respective recessed grooves 511, 521 are opposed to the first and second bit

members 31, 32 of the first contact portion 30 and the first and second bit members 31, 32 of

the second contact portion 40.

Adjuster

[0094] The pair of handles 21, 22 are provided with respective adjusters 80.

[0095] Each of the adjusters 80 includes an adjustment screw 81 that is screwed in a screw

hole in the outer peripheral surface of each cylindrical portion 214, and a butterfly nut 82 that is

disposed in a middle part of the adjustment screw 81.

[0096] The screw hole of the handle 21 is formed in the outer peripheral face of the cylindrical

portion 214 at the side facing the handle 22, and the screw hole of the handle 22 is formed in

the outer peripheral face of the cylindrical portion 214 at the side facing the handle 21.

[0097] When the pair of handles 21, 22 is swung mutually closer to each other, heads of the

adjustment screws 81 of the adjusters 80 abut each other to regulate the swinging range so that

the pair of handles 21, 22 is not further swung closer.

[0098] Since the amount of projection of the adjustment screws 81 is changeable by turning

them, it is possible to adjust the swinging range of the pair of handles 21, 22 in terms of how

close they can get to each other.

[0099] After the amount of projection of the adjustment screws 81 is selected by turning them,

the position of the adjustment screws 81 can be fixed by fastening the butterfly nuts 82 to prevent

rotation of the adjustment screws 81.

Stand

[00100] FIG. 4 is an overall view of the stand 90, and FIG. 5 is a partial enlargement of the

stand 90.

[00101] The stand 90 can be detachably attached under the trolley wire bending tool 10 in the

vicinity of the front end thereof, specifically to the upper end of the bolt 63 or the lower end of a

nut 64 for fastening the bolt 63. FIG. 2 illustrates the state in which the stand 90 is attached to

hang down vertically from the bottom end of the nut 64.

[00102] As illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the stand 90 includes a round bar pole 91

that supports the entire trolley wire bending tool 10, a non-slip cap 92 attached to the lower end

of the pole 91, a boss member 93 to be inserted in an insertion hole (not illustrated) at the lower

end of the nut 64, a coil spring 94 that couples the lower end of the boss member 93 to the upper

end of the pole 91, and a cylindrical joint member 95 that covers the coupling portion between

the boss member 93 and the pole 91.

[00103] The pole 91 is made of a metal material, such as steel or stainless steel, that is strong

enough to bear the weight of the entire trolley wire bending tool 10 and the trolley wire T to be

corrected.

[00104] The cap 92 is made of rubber, resin or the like.

[00105] The boss member 93 has a cylindrical shape, and a pin 931 projects from the outer

periphery thereof. The boss member 93 and the pole 91 have the same outer diameter. The

lower end of the boss member 93 is inserted in one end of the joint member 95, and the upper

end of the pole 91 is inserted in the other end of the joint member 95.

[00106] Thinner portions are formed at the lower end of the boss member 93 and the upper

end of the pole 91, which are inserted respectively in opposite ends of the coil spring 94. Inside

the joint member 95, the coil spring 94 thus couples the lower end of the boss member 93 to the

upper end of the pole 91.

[00107] The pin 931 of the boss member 93 comes in contact with the upper end of the joint

member 95 to serve as a stopper.

[00108] The joint member 95, which is made of an elastic material such as rubber, is flexible.

[00109] The boss member 93 and the pole 91 are coupled to each other by the joint member

95 at the periphery thereof as well as by the coil spring 94. They form a pivoting structure.

[00110] The pivoting structure allows flexure between the pole 91 and the boss member 93 so

that the boss member 93 can pivot in any direction over 360 degrees around the pole 91.

[00111] When the trolley wire bending tool 10 with the stand 90 is used to correct deformation

of the trolley wire, the tip of the trolley wire bending tool 10 can be tilted in any direction.

Therefore, it is possible to perform the correction in a suitable position according to the shape

and position of the trolley wire T.

[00112] Near the upper end of the boss member 93 in the outer periphery, a circular bottomed

hole 932 is formed in the radial direction of the outer periphery, and a metal ball 96 is housed

therein. The opening of the bottomed hole 932 is narrowed by swaging or the like so that the

ball 96 housed therein does not pop out.

[00113] Behind the ball 96, a presser spring 97 is disposed to press the ball 96 outward.

[00114] This structure keeps the ball 96 partly projected from the outer periphery of the boss

member 93. Further, the ball 96 can be pushed in against the presser spring 97.

[00115] Instead of a ball, a cylindrical pin with a round or narrowed tip may be housed in the

bottomed hole 932.

[00116] The above-described insertion holes for the boss member 93, which are formed at the

upper end of the bolt 63 and the lower end of the nut 64, have respective inner circumferential

grooves. When the boss member 93 is inserted, the ball 96 projects outward into the

circumferential grooves so that the circumferential grooves serve as a lock. To detach the

stand 90, the stand 90 is pulled hard. Then, the ball 96 is temporarily retracted inward so that

the boss member 93 can be pulled out of the insertion hole of the bolt 63 or the nut 64.

[00117] To attach the stand 90 to the upper end of the bolt 63, the trolley wire bending tool 10

in FIG. 2 is flipped over (to use the second bit members 32, 52). Then, the stand 90 can be

attached to the insertion hole at the upper end of the bolt 63 to hang down vertically.

Correction of Trolley Wire by Using Trolley Wire Bending Tool

[00118] Correction of deformation of a trolley wire by using the trolley wire bending tool 10 with

the above-described configuration will be described.

[00119] In this example, the stand 90 is attached to the front end of the trolley wire bending

tool 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[00120] The stand 90 is erected such that the pole 91 is approximately in the vertical direction,

and the cap 92 is placed on the ground or a floor.

[00121] Then, the worker holds the grips 213 of the pair of handles 21, 22 and swings the

swinging ends of the handles 21, 22 away from each other in the right-left direction.

[00122] As a result, the first and second contact portions 30, 40 are moved forward while the

third contact portion 50 is moved backward, so that they are separated away from each other in

the front-back direction.

[00123] The trolley wire T is placed in a gap between the recessed groove 311 of the first bit

member 31 of the first contact portion 30 and the recessed groove 311 of the first bit member

31 of the second contact portion 40, and the recessed groove 511 of the first bit member 51 of

the third contact portion 50, which were thus separated away from each other. In this step, the

trolley wire T is placed such that a protruded portion or a convex curved portion thereof is

opposed to the recessed groove 511 of the first bit member 51 of the third contact portion 50.

[00124] Before or after placing the trolley wire T, the amount of projection of the adjustment

screws 81 of the adjusters 80 of the pair of handles 21, 22 is suitably adjusted so that the pair

of handles 21, 22 is not excessively closed.

[00125] Then, when the swinging ends of the pair of handles 21, 22 are swung close to each

other, the first and second contact portion 30, 40 are moved backward while the third contact

portion 50 is moved forward, so that they gets closer in the front-back direction.

[00126] As a result, between the first bit member 31 of the first contact portion 30 and the first

bit member 31 of the second contact portion 40, the convex portion of the trolley wire T is pushed

in and corrected by the first bit member 51 of the third contact portion 50.

[00127] If the amount of projection of the adjustment screws 81 of the adjusters 80 is correctly

adjusted, the swinging ends of the pair of handles 21 22 are swung close to each other until the

adjustment screws 81 abut each other.

[00128] To correct a trolley wire T with a larger outer diameter, the trolley wire bending tool 10

is placed with the second bit member 32 of the first contact portion 30, the second bit member

32 of the second contact portion 40 and the second bit member 52 of the third contact portion

50 up, and the stand 90 is attached to the insertion hole of the bolt 63. The trolley wire T is

placed in a gap between the recessed grooves 321 of the second bit members 32 of the first

and second contact portion 30, 40 and the recessed groove 521 of the second bit member 52 of

the third contact portion 50, and correction is performed in the same manner.

Advantageous Technical Effects of Embodiments of Invention

[00129] In the trolley wire bending tool 10, the first to third contact portions 30 to 50 are

disposed at the front end of the tool while the swinging ends of the pair of handles 21, 22 are

disposed at the back end of the tool. Accordingly, the worker can perform correction in the

position in which the worker holds the back end of the trolley wire bending tool 10 and points the

front end thereof at the trolley wire T.

[00130] Therefore, it is possible to point the trolley wire bending tool 10 in any arbitral direction

when performing correction. That is, the trolley wire T in any position can be corrected. This

can improve the workability.

[00131] Further, it is possible to readily correct the trolley wire T regardless of whether it is not

installed yet and laid on the ground or it is already installed and suspended.

[00132] The trolley wire bending tool 10 is configured such that the pair of handles 21, 22 is

moved to move the first to third contact portions 30 to 50 relative to each other in the front-back

direction through the two-stage leverage structure. Compared to a force that the worker applies

on the pair of handles 21, 22, the trolley wire bending tool 10 can apply a larger pressing force

to the trolley wire T through the first to third contact portions 30 to 50. Therefore, it is possible

to readily perform correction even when the trolley wire T is made of a harder material or has a

larger diameter than conventional trolley wires.

[00133] In the trolley wire bending tool 10, all the bit members 31, 32, 51, 52 of the first to third

contact portions 30 to 50 protrude in the direction of the swinging center axis of the pair of

handles 21, 22 (up-down direction). Therefore, it is possible to readily fit the trolley wire T to

the first to third contact portions 30 to 50 from above or below. This can further improve the

workability.

[00134] In the first to third contact portions 30 to 50, the recessed grooves are formed in such

a size as to fit trolley wires T with different outer diameters between the recessed grooves 311,

511 of the first bit members 31, 51 disposed on one side (upper side) in the direction of the

swinging center axis of the pair of handles 21, 22, and the recessed grooves 321, 521 of the

second bit members 32, 52 disposed on the other side (lower side) in the direction of the

swinging center axis of the pair of handles 21, 22.

[00135] This allows trolley wires T with different outer diameters to be fit in the first to third

contact portions 30 to 50 between the upper side and the lower side of the trolley wire bending

tool 10. Therefore, it is possible to correct a wide variety of trolley wires T in terms of the outer

diameter.

[00136] The third contact portion 50 includes the restriction plate 53 that restricts rotation of

the recessed grooves 511, 521 of the first and second bit members 51, 52 so as to maintain the

direction thereof. Before the trolley wire T is held by the bit members 31, 32, 51, 52, the

rotatable bit members 31, 32 facilitate positioning of the trolley wire T. Once the correction is

started, the bit members 51, 52 hold the trolley wire T to prevent displacement. This improves

the workability, and it is possible to perform correction precisely.

[00137] The trolley wire bending tool 10 includes the stand 90 that extends downward at the

frontend. When a trolley wire is corrected on the ground after the trolley wire is reeled out from

a drum, it is possible to correct the trolley wire T while the tool is supported by the stand 90.

This can reduce burden relating to the weight of the trolley wire T.

[00138] Since the stand 90 is detachable, it is possible to use the stand 90 according to need.

[00139] Further, the stand 90 has the pivoting structure that allows the trolley wire bending tool

10 to be pivoted in any direction over 360 degrees around the stand 90. When the trolley wire

T is corrected, it is possible to readily tilt the entire trolley wire bending tool 10 except for the

stand 90 in any direction. It is therefore possible to perform correction in a suitable position.

[00140] The trolley wire bending tool 10 includes the adjusters 80 that adjust the swinging

range of the pair of handles 21, 22. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the degree of correction

of the trolley wire T. This can eliminate failures in correction.

Others

[00141] The above-described trolley wire bending tool 10 is an example in which the first bit

member 51 and the second bit member 52 of the third contact portion 50 are fixed by the

restriction plate 53 so as not to be rotated. Instead, the first and second bit members of the

first or second contact portion 30, 40 may be restricted so as not to be rotated, and the first bit

member of the third contact portion 50 may be configured as a pulley that is rotatable.

[00142] Further, the above-described trolley wire bending tool 10 is an example in which a

trolley wire is corrected by means of human power. Instead, the trolley wire bending tool 10

may be connected to machine power so that a swinging movement is input to the pair of handles

21,22.

[00143] For such configuration, a small machine with small power output can be used.

Industrial Applicability

[00144] The trolley wire bending tool of the present invention is industrially applicable in the

fields in which trolley wires for supplying electric power to vehicles such as trains are used.

Reference Signs List

Trolley wire bending tool

21,22 Handles

211 Main body

212 Connecting portion

213 Grip

214 Cylindrical portion

215 Extension

216 Bolt

First contact portion

31,51 First bit members (contact members)

32,52 Second bit members (contact members)

311, 321, 511, 521 Recessed grooves (recesses)

33 Bolt

Second contact portion

Third contact portion

512,522 Flat surface

53 Restriction plate

First lever

61,71 Arm

62,63,72 Bolts

64 Nut

Secondlever

Adjuster

Stand

91 Pole

94 Coil spring

Joint member

T Trolley wire

Claims

1. A trolley wire bending tool, comprising:

a pair of handles that is swingably coupled to each other and that is configured such

that a swinging operation is input to swinging ends of the pair of handles;

a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact one side of an outer

circumference of a trolley wire; and

a third contact portion that contacts the other side of the outer circumference of the

trolley wire,

wherein each of the first to third contact portions protrudes on both sides in a direction

of a swinging center axis of the pair of handles,

wherein each of the first to third contact portions includes a first contact member with

a first recess and a second contact member with a second recess, the first and second contact

members being disposed respectively on one and the other sides in the direction of the swinging

center axis of the pair of handles,

wherein a depth of the second recess is deeper than a depth of the first recess so that

the first and second recesses fit trolley wires with different outer diameters, and

wherein the pair of handles is moved to move the first contact portion, the second

contact portion and the third contact portion through a two-stage leverage structure such that

the first contact portion and the second contact portion relatively get away from or close to the

third contact portion.

2. The trolley wire bending tool according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of the first to third contact portions is held such that a direction of

the first and second recesses is not changeable.

3. The trolley wire bending tool according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a stand that

is detachable from the tool.

4. The trolley wire bending tool according to claim 3, wherein the stand includes a

pivoting structure that makes the tool pivotable.

5. The trolley wire bending tool according to any one of claims 1 and 2 to 4, further

comprising: an adjuster for adjusting a swinging range of the pair of handles.