To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. ENGGREN, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Fastening Lightning-Conductors to their Insulators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which--

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a lightning-conductor attached to its insulators by my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the conductor, one of its insulators, and the fastening, taken in the line x x, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detached plan or top view of the spring-clasp. Fig. 4 is a detached horizontal central section of the caps placed on the ends of the insulators. Fig. 5 is a vertical central section of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention consists of an improved article of manufacture- viz., an insulator for lightning-rods composed of a glass standard, a spring-clasp having shanks and shoulders, and otherwise made as herein shown and described.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents glass insulators, which may be attached to the building in any proper way, and probably as desirable a mode as any would be to have the insulators cast with a conical flange, a, at their inner ends, said flange being covered by a metal rim, b, having its inner side of taper or beveled form, so as to fit over the flange of the insulators, the rim b being secured to the building by screws c c, (See Fig. 2.)

B is a metal cap which is fitted on or over the enter ends of the insulators A, one on each.  These caps are constructed of sheet metal so swaged or bent as to leave a vertical indentation, d, at its center, said indentations being transversely of V form, as shown plainly in Figs. 2 and 4.  The caps B are also swaged with a flange, e, all around them and projecting from them nearly at right angles, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5.  On each side of the caps B notches or recesses f are made, the use of which will be presently shown. The outer ends of the insulators A are molded or cast each with a V-shaped groove, g, to receive the indentations of the caps, and a rabbet is formed

all around the peripheries of the insulators to receive the flanges e of the caps B, so that they will be flush with the ends of the insulators.

C represents springs-clasps, which are Simply metal strips having their front parts bent in V shape, as shown at AX, corresponding to the indentations d of the caps B, Fig. 3.  The clasps are provided each with two shanks, i i, each shank having an anchor or shoulder, j, at its end, the form of which is plainly shown in Fig. 1.  The insulators A are cast or molded with recesses at each side to receive the shanks I and anchors or shoulders j. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)  From the foregoing description of parts it will be seen that the insulators A are first attached to the building and the caps B fitted over the ends thereof. The conductor D is then fitted in the indentations or recesses d of the caps, the conductor being of rectangular form, so that it may be fitted in said indentations, and the spring or elastic clasps C are then fitted over the outer side of the conductor, the shanks i i and anchors or shoulders j fitting in the recesses in the sides of the insulators, and the shanks i i by their own elasticity retaining the anchors or shoulders in the recesses of the insulators. The notches f in the sides or edges of the caps are to receive the shanks i i. The recesses in the sides of the insulators are made sufficiently deep to allow the outer surfaces of the shanks i i and anchors or shoulders to be flush with the insulators.

It will be seen that by this invention lightning conductors may be readily attached to buildings and a perfect insulation obtained.  The spring-clasp C cannot become casually detached, and both the caps and clasps may be cheaply constructed.

      I am aware that glass insulators A have been attached to buildings as herein shown—to wit, by means of the rim b and conical flange a.    I therefore do not claim such device, but having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, as an improved article of manufacture--

      An insulator for lightning-rods, composed of a glass standard, A, a spring-clasp, C, having shanks i and shoulders j, and otherwise made as herein shown and described. 

                  JOHN A. ENGGREN.

Witnesses:

S. H. WALES,

WM. TUSCH.