Cable support

• US 5,435,507 A
• Filed: 03/17/1994
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Morgan Crucible Company PLC
• Inventors: Murphy, Maurice W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada, Rinaldi I.
• Application Number:
  US08/210,069
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 248/74.4, 248/74.5, 248/74.1, 248/68.1, 248/316.6, 174/40 R, 174/169, 24/135 K
• US Class Current: 248/74.4
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/10 divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/1033 with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, the two members being joined only on one side of the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3962 Tangential bolt

Abstract

An easily-installable support capable of accommodating a wide variety of fiber optic cables is disclosed. The fiber optic cable support uses a one-piece, variable diameter mechanism for cushioning and spacing the supported cable. The support is also contoured to increase the surface area available to contact a utility pole or other structure and includes one or more cleats or gains which provide additional contact strength by biting into and gripping wooden or similar poles. The support is designed to provide approximately constant compressive pressure to the supported sections of a length of cable and sufficient pressure to avoid the need to apply grit or other loose friction-increasing substances to the cushion interior. Because it is of relatively constant or slowly varying cross-section, the support can be die formed with minimal disruption of the fluid flow within the die.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable support comprising:

a body defining;

i. a channel; and

ii. a bore;

b. a keeper defining an opening and comprising an arcuate section, the channel and arcuate section defining therebetween a space of adjustable diameter to receive and accommodate fiber optic cable of a variety of sizes;

c. means, having a variable shape and adapted to conform to the received fiber optic cable, for surrounding and cushioning at least a portion of the fiber optic cable; and

d. adjustable means, received by the bore and opening, for mounting the keeper on the body so that it can pivot in relation to the body, thereby defining an alterable angle between the keeper and the body and so that adjustment of the adjustable means adjusts the diameter of the space of adjustable diameter by altering said alterable angle.

2. A support according to claim 1 in which the body further defines a curved back including at least one gain, for complementing and gripping a curved structure.

3. A support according to claim 1 in which the surrounding and cushioning means comprises an elastomeric split tube capable of forming tubes of varying diameters.

4. A support according to claim 1 in which the adjustable means comprises a bolt having a head designed to break away when the fiber optic cable has been subjected to a preselected compressive force.

5. A support according to claim 1 in which the body further defines an aperture for receiving a bolt when installing the fiber optic cable support to a structure.

6. A support according to claim 1 in which the body is of approximately constant cross section to facilitate its formation within a die.

7. A cable support comprising:

a. a body defining;

i. a channel;

ii. a bore;

iii. a first surface surrounding a portion of the bore; and

iv. a second surface from which at least one gain protrudes;

b. a keeper defining an opening and comprising;

i. means, comprising a rear section, for contacting the first surface of the body and forming an alterable angle with the body; and

ii. an arcuate section connected to the rear section, the channel and arcuate section defining therebetween a space of adjustable diameter to receive and accommodate cable of a variety of sizes, the diameter of the space being adjustable by altering the angle formed between the rear section and the body;

c. an elastomeric split tube, having a variable diameter and adapted to conform to the received cable, for surrounding and cushioning at least a portion of the cable; and

d. adjustable means, comprising a two-headed bolt received by the bore and opening, one of its heads being a break-away head, for connecting the keeper to the body so that it can pivot in relation to the body, such that adjustment of the two-headed bolt alters the angle formed between the rear section and the body, thereby adjusting the diameter of the space and securing the cable under a predetermined and limited compressive force.

8. A support according to claim 7 in which the channel has flared ends, for facilitating receipt of the cable.

9. A support according to claim 8 in which the body is of approximately constant cross section to facilitate its formation within a die.

10. A support according to claim 9 in which the rear section of the keeper and first surface of the body form an angle between 0°

-90°

.

11. A support according to claim 10 in which the rear section of the keeper and first surface of the body form an angle between 10°

-45°

.

12. A fiber optic cable support capable of supporting fiber optic cable of a variety of sizes and comprising:

a. a body defining a channel for receiving a fiber optic cable;

b. a keeper comprising an arcuate section and means for contacting and forming an alterable angle with the body;

c. cushioning means having a variable shape and adapted to conform to and surround at least a portion of the length of the fiber optic cable and to conform to the channel and arcuate section; and

d. adjustable means for securing the keeper to the body so that it can pivot in relation to the body, the arcuate section and channel providing a space of adjustable diameter to receive the fiber optic cable and cushioning means, the space of adjustable diameter being adjustable by using the adjustable means to alter said alterable angle between the keeper and the body.

13. A support according to claim 12 in which the cushioning means comprises a jacket of the fiber optic cable.

14. A support according to claim 13 in which the body comprises:

a. a curved back for complementing a curved structure; and

b. a through aperture to receive a bolt when fastening the support in complementary relationship to the curved structure.

15. A cable support comprising:

a. a body defining;

i. a channel;

ii. a bore;

iii. a first surface surrounding a portion of the bore, the bore intersecting the first surface of the body at an angle other than 90°

; and

iv. a second surface from which at least one gain protrudes;

b. a keeper defining an opening and comprising;

i. a rear section for contacting the first surface of the body; and

ii. an arcuate section, the channel and arcuate section defining therebetween a space of adjustable diameter to receive and accommodate cable of a variety of sizes;

c. an elastomeric split tube, having a variable diameter and adapted to conform to the received cable, for surrounding and cushioning at least a portion of the cable; and

d. a two-headed bolt, received by the bore and opening, one of its heads being a break-away head, for fastening the keeper to the body and securing the cable under a predetermined and limited compressive force.

16. A fiber optic cable support comprising:

a. a body defining;

i. a channel; and

ii. a bore;

b. means for defining with the channel a space of adjustably variable diameter to receive and accommodate fiber optic cable of a variety of sizes, which means comprises a keeper defining an opening and having an arcuate section, the keeper and the body being relatively moveable to vary the diameter of the space of adjustably variable diameter;

c. means, having a variable shape and adapted to conform to the received fiber optic cable, for surrounding and cushioning at least a portion of the fiber optic cable; and

d. adjustable means, received by the bore and opening, for connecting the keeper to the body so that it can pivot in relation to the body, such that adjustment of the adjustable means adjusts the diameter of the space of adjustably variable diameter.

17. A fiber optic cable support adapted to be secured to a structure and comprising:

a. a body defining;

i. a channel;

ii. a bore; and

iii. a surface having a first location;

b. a keeper defining an opening, comprising an arcuate section, and contacting the surface at the first location when in use, the channel and arcuate section defining therebetween a space of adjustable diameter to receive and accommodate fiber optic cable of a variety of sizes;

c. adjustable means, received by the bore and opening, for pivotally connecting the keeper to the body so that, as adjusted, the adjustable means adjusts the space of adjustable diameter by pivoting the keeper about the first location;

d. means for securing the body to the structure without rotation of the body; and

e. means for restraining the body from rotation with respect to the structure.

18. A fiber optic cable support according to claim 17 further comprising means, having a variable shape and adapted to conform to the received fiber optic cable, for surrounding and cushioning at least a portion of the fiber optic cable.