1. A coupling system, comprising:
a base structure having a first aperture;
a bracket having a second aperture;
a bushing extending through the first and second apertures and coupling the base structure to the bracket, the bushing having a plurality of elongated protrusions circumferentially spaced about a central axis; and
a threaded fastener extending through the bushing, a portion of each of the elongated protrusions contacting the threaded fastener while an outer surface of each of the elongated protrusions is contacting an edge of the base structure encircling the first aperture and an edge of the bracket encircling the second aperture.
2. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the bushing includes at least three elongated protrusions equally spaced about the central axis.
3. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein an outer shape of at least a portion of the bushing is substantially conical.
4. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of each of the plurality of elongated protrusions of the bushing is substantially coextensive with a conical reference surface.
5. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein a notch separates each of the elongated protrusions, each notch extending at least half of a length of the bushing.
6. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the bushing includes a relief feature proximate a root portion of each of the elongated protrusions.
7. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the elongated protrusions collectively surround at least half a circumference of a through hole extending through the bushing.
8. The coupling system of claim 1, wherein the base structure is a tubular mast.
9. The coupling system of claim 8, further comprising:
a dish antenna coupled to the tubular mast.
10. A bushing to rigidly couple a first component to a second component comprising:
a base portion having a central axis;
a substantially circular aperture extending through the base portion along the central axis; and
a plurality of tapered fingers integral with and protruding from the base portion, each of the tapered fingers configured to deflect, when a collective outer surface of the bushing concurrently engages a substantially circular edge of each of the first and second components, from a first position in which an inner surface of each of the tapered fingers is substantially cordially aligned with the aperture of the base portion to a second position in which each of the tapered fingers is deflected from the first position inwardly towards the central axis.
11. The bushing of claim 10, wherein at least three tapered fingers protrude from the base portion.
12. The bushing of claim 10, wherein an outer shape of at least a portion of the bushing is substantially conical.
13. The bushing of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of tapered fingers has an outer surface that is substantially coextensive with a conical reference surface when in the first position.
14. The bushing of claim 10, wherein a notch separates each of the tapered fingers, each notch extending at least half of a length of the bushing.
15. The bushing of claim 10, wherein a relief feature is located proximate a root portion of each of the tapered fingers.
16. The bushing of claim 10, wherein the plurality of tapered fingers collectively surround at least half a circumference of a circular passageway extending through the bushing.
17. A method for rigidly securing two or more components together, comprising:
inserting a first bushing into a first aperture of a first component and a second aperture of a second component, the first bushing including a base portion, a plurality of elongated protrusions and a through hole extending along a central axis, each of the elongated protrusions being circumferentially spaced about the through hole and tapering from the base portion towards an end of the first bushing;
drawing the first bushing progressively into the first aperture and the second aperture with a threaded fastener; and
deflecting the elongated protrusions inwardly towards the central axis to a position in which the elongated protrusions constrict tightly around the threaded fastener while an outer surface of each of the elongated protrusions simultaneously contacts an edge of the first component encircling the first aperture and an edge of the second component encircling the second aperture.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
inserting a second bushing substantially identical to the first bushing into a first opposing aperture of the first component and a second opposing aperture of the second component; and
simultaneously drawing the second bushing into the first opposing aperture and the second opposing aperture while drawing the first bushing progressively into the first aperture and the second aperture.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A switching apparatus, comprising:
an electrical contactor including a set of main terminals per phase;
an auxiliary switch including a set of auxiliary terminals per phase, each set of the auxiliary terminals being electrically connected to a respective set of the main terminals via a resistance wire having a first end and a second end, such that each set of the auxiliary terminals is electrically connected in parallel with each respective set of the main terminals;
a first terminal connected to the first end of the resistance wire operative to engage one of the set of auxiliary terminals; and
a second terminal member having a connection tab portion connected to the second end of the resistance wire and a retention hook portion extending distally from the connection tab portion operative to slidably engage one of the set of main terminals with a compressive load self induced by the retention hook portion; wherein each main terminal comprises a connector having a wire clamp; and the retention hook portion is configured to slidably engage the wire clamp.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main terminals are each configured to receive a phase conductor, and flirt her wherein:
the second terminal comprises a contact surface disposed and configured to make contact with the phase conductor.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:
the contact surface comprises at least one of a flat contact surface and a concave contact surface.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the resistance wires each comprise a plurality of loops, the loops configured to reduce the overall length required for a specific length of wire.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:
the loops are each configured and disposed to provide unobstructed access to the main terminals.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
each resistance wire is electrically insulated.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
the electrical insulation comprises an insulation sleeve.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
each resistance wire is exposed to the same ambient as the auxiliary switch.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
each electrically insulated resistance wire is exposed to the same ambient as the auxiliary switch.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the retention hook portion is configured to slidably engage with the wire clamp with a compressive load.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
each main terminal comprises a connector having a wire clamp; and
the retention hook portion is configured to snap fit onto the wire clamp.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
each main terminal comprises a connection tab; and
the retention hook portion is configured to snap fit onto the connection tab with a compressive load.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
each main terminal comprises a connector having a wire clamp and a clamp screw.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retention hook portion includes a protrusion extending from a surface of the retention hook operative to engage the one of the set of main terminals.