Modular guiding device

• US 6,554,540 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Original Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Inventors: Corsan, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, JONG SUK
• Application Number:
  US09/763,155
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 405/156,184,184.1,154.1,184.4 254/134.3 R,134.3 PA,134.3 CL,134.3 FT,134.3 SC,415,413 29/241 242/388.6,388.7,390.6,397.1,615.2 226/180,189,194
• US Class Current: 405/184.4
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 57/14 Pulleys, rollers, or rotary bars
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/08 through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 9/10 in cable chambers, e.g. in manhole or in handhole

Abstract

A modular guidance device for routing cable through an underground chamber includes a plurality of rollers positioned in adjacent relation. End plates hold the rollers in position. A support leg is connected to the end plates and a support member is secured to the support leg and is movable in different positions within the underground chamber. The support leg is further connected to articulation means for allowing the modular guidance device to be oriented according to the position of the support member during routing of the cable between inlet and outlet orifices of the underground chamber. The articulation means further includes two plates placed at right angles to a main axis of the support leg, the plates and respective support leg portions thereof facing each other and capable of rotating relative to each other and then fixed in position.

Claims

1. A modular guidance device for routing cable through an underground chamber, comprising:

a plurality of rollers positioned in adjacent relation;

end plates holding the rollers in position;

a support leg connected to the end plates;

a support member secured to the support leg and orientable in different positions within the underground chamber;

the support leg further connected to articulation means for allowing the modular guidance device to be oriented according to the position of the support member during routing of the cable between inlet and outlet orifices of the underground chamber;

the articulation means further including two plates placed at right angles to a main axis of the support leg, the plates and respective support leg portions thereof facing each other and capable of rotating relative to each other;

the plates having a plurality of holes formed therein to allow a relative rotation of the plates to be fixed by a collaboration means passed through preselected aligned holes in the plates.

2. A modular guidance device for routing cable as described in claim 1, wherein the support leg has a free end provided with a yoke having two parts cooperating with clamping members for securing the support member to the support leg.

3. A modular guidance device for routing cable through an underground chamber, comprising:

a plurality of rollers positioned in adjacent relation;

end plates holding the rollers in position;

a support leg connected to to the end plates;

a support member secured to the support leg and orientable in different positions within the underground chamber;

the support leg further connected to articulation means for allowing the modular guidance device to be oriented according to the position of the support member during routing of the cable between inlet and outlet orifices of the underground chamber;

the articulation means further including two plates placed at right angles to a main axis of the support leg, the plates and respective support leg portions thereof facing each other and capable of rotating relative to each other;

at least one of the plates of the articulation means having a slot formed therein for receiving a guide member projecting there through to allow a relative rotation of the plates to be fixed.

4. A modular guidance device for routing cable as described in claim 3, wherein the support leg has a free end provided with a yoke having two parts cooperating with clamping members for securing the support member to the support leg.