Utility Solutions, Inc.

David A Franklin

Eugene H Wood

Michael G Nolte

A portable circuit interrupting apparatus for use on a circuit isolating device and associated methods of formation and use are provided. The portable circuit interrupting apparatus includes a main housing body and a sleeve coaxially mounted therein. The sleeve is slidable between an extended and retracted position. A shunt circuit segment is connected between ring and hook engaging terminals which engage and form an electrical connection between ring-like and hook-like conducting parts of the circuit isolating device. A shunt circuit segment interrupts the electrical connection in response to movement of the sleeve from the retracted position to the extended position. At least portions of a reset plunger extend inwardly through an opening in a medial portion of the sleeve when in the extended position. An operation counter is connected to and responds to the inward extension of the reset plunger to count a number of circuit interrupting operations.

Interrupting apparatus having operations counter and methods of forming and using same

A portable utility power line pole and associated methods of assembly and use are provided. The portable utility power line pole includes a pole body adapted to be held in the hand of a user. The portable utility power line pole also can include a tool connector adapted to mount a utility power line tool for use in association with electrical power distribution lines. An alignment indicator in the form of a visible line is positioned on an outer surface of the pole body in alignment with the tool connector to provide the user visualization of a user selected orientation of the utility power line tool when mounted on the tool connector and when the user manipulates the portable utility power line pole at a proximal end of the pole body to select the orientation of the utility power line tool.

Utility line pole having alignment indicator and associated methods

A load-breaking and load-returning apparatus and method of breaking and returning a load are provided for quickly breaking and returning a load to portions of a power line. The apparatus preferably includes at least one power line jumper cable including first and second cable ends and a first connector connected to the first cable end of the at least one power line jumper cable for connecting the at least one power line jumper cable to a portion of a power line. A load-breaking and load-returning device is preferably connected to the second cable end of the at least one power line jumper cable for quickly breaking and returning a load to portions of a power line responsive to a user thereof. The load-breaking and load-returning device preferably includes a second connector for connecting the load-breaking and load-returning device to a portion of a power line.

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Morgantown, NC, United States of America

David A Franklin