RESEARCH DIVISION Metal Brackets
Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", October 1973, page 16
The volume of letters received regarding H. P. Gavan's cast iron pin bracket
(Research Division, August issue, page 23) was really quite rewarding. I didn't
realize there the interest in collecting insulator pins that there seems to be.
Space prohibits printing all the responses, but mucho thanks to everyone who
wrote, It is sincerely appreciated. Below are two we elected to print.
Dora
Dear Dora,
In reference to H. P. Gavan's letter of 'research division' on the cast iron
pin bracket, I have some information that might be useful. I've collected them
most avidly along with the insulators now for ten years, and they have many
variations. You wonder how some of them ever stayed on the pin. They all have
basically the same style design on the arm that supports the threads, but the
threads vary greatly. They had some with only half the threads cut, some with it
cut all the way thru (like Mr. Gavan's diagram), or they were solid. They came
with one, two, three, and rarely four insulator mountings on one bracket.
The strange cuts thru the threads held onto a piece of felt, and are hard to
find with the brackets. The felt protected the insulator from the insulator
bracket that might break the glass, and to absorb expansions.
A very few of them were made for the angled top of poles and are in the shape
of an upside down "Y", with the threads in the large pin hole style
pointed up.
Also, there was a bracket used with only one insulator,- in the shape of an
"L", that was able to be pounded into the wood or mortar of houses or
mine shafts. Another variation, which is most uncommon, is a pin with a shape
like a straight angled "Z" with the threads pointing away from the
wall at a 90* angle.
As far as dates are concerned, I have the following embossing on them: 2-17-'07; Dec. 8
'08; Pat. Appl. For.; Dec. 13 '04; May 10, '04.
These are a few of the ones I've collected that I consider rather different.
Most all of these metal brackets weren't too hard to duplicate or have made at a
local foundry. So all sorts of names and dates associated with firms vary across
the country. Names like J. R. Fletcher and Mall seem most prominent on these
brackets. I haven't been able to dig up any information on either of the names.
The Dec. 8 '08 date is almost always attached to the name Mall (if that is any
help to fellow researchers).
Collecting these pins, as well as the wood pins, shows the trials they had
with keeping the glass mounted so it could do its job. Wouldn't it be a dream to
own "the" pin that Louis A. Cauvet brought to Mr. Brookfield that
started the idea of having threads on insulators!! Or to own an experimental pin
(Do any exist, Muncie diggers???).
I'd like any information available on pins of all kinds, as they are as
interesting as glass, and I believe we can learn a lot from this field. Hope
I've been of help. Keep up the GREAT job, Dora (We needed a magazine like this
in '65 to guide us.) Thanks!
Mike Bliss
2150 S Ogden
Denver Colo 80210
To Dora Harned from R. E. Cleland, subject Research Division, page 23, August
73. Attached please find a copy of page 130 Western Electric Company Catalog
Second Edition copyright 1908 in regard to bracket shown on page 23. Altho the
Fletcher name does not fit the CHUS, it is the same style bracket.
Bob Cleland
Large Image (204K)
Dear Don and Dora
Recently I picked up an insulator which I cannot find any information on.
Could you please help me. The insulator is wood with a metal cap. It is stuck to
the pin, so I cannot tell if it is threadless or not. The pin also has large
square nails in it. Is it valuable!
Thank you.
Glenn Polasik
1205 Canberbury Rd.
Green Bay, Wis. 54304
- - - - - - -
Dear Glenn,
I have no info on this insulator or patent, but perhaps some of our
subscribers can look up this patent in the patent gazettes at the local library
and send us the details.
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