Hawken tree insulator to protect against rubbing of swaying tree limbs.

The Hawken Tree Insulator.

The accompanying illustration shows the Hawken tree insulator manufactured and sold by the Electric Railway Specialty Co., of 29 Broadway, New York. It is designed as a protector for insulated wires, when the wires come in contact with a tree or other foreign body whereby the insulation might become impaired.

The insulator is made in two sections and is fastened in position by wrapping a No. 12 or 14 wire about the groove at the end of the insulator and then winding the end about the wire as shown in the illustration.

In case of tree protection, should the sway of a limb be greater than the length of the insulator, the rounded ends of the blocks allow the limb to regain its former position, without strain on the wire.

As there is no positive connection between the wire and limb, the growth, its violent swaying or breaking will not impair the usefulness of the insulator.

The insulator was patented in 1886 and has been in constant use in some localities ever since, so that its usefulness has been thoroughy tested.