Modular cable support apparatus, method, and system

• US 6,892,990 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Preformed Line Products Company
• Original Assignee: Preformed Line Products Company
• Inventors: Pisczak, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Baxter, Gwendolyn
• Application Number:
  US10/114,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20030183733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 242/79, 24/24, 163/88, 403/344, 285/420, 285/367, 248/218.4, 248/219.3, 248/219.4, 248/74.4, 248/63, 248/61, 248/62, 248/67.5, 174/45.R, 174/41, 174/149.R, 174/40.R
• US Class Current: 248/74.4
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/053 Suspension clamps and clips for electric overhead lines not suspended to a supporting wire

Abstract

A cable support system includes a plurality of first components (12) and a plurality of second components (14). Each first component (12) has a hinge edge (16), a tightening region (18) disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge (16), a cable channel (20) arranged between the hinge edge (16) and the tightening region (18), and an interconnecting structure (22). Each second component (14) has a hinge edge (24), a tightening region (26) disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge (24), and a cable channel (28) arranged between the hinge edge (24) and the tightening region (26). A first cable support device (10) is constructable by hingeably combining selected first and second components (12, 14) via the hinge edges (16, 24). A second cable support device (100) is constructable by hingeably combining selected two second components (14) via the hinge edges (24).

Claims

1. A cable support comprising:

a first clamp base including a projecting structure on a first side and a receiving structure on an opposite side, the receiving structure adapted to receive the projecting structure of an identical associated second clamp base, the first clamp base further including a base hinge edge including a base curved tab and a base slot; and

a first clamp keeper having a keeper hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge, the first clamp keeper and the first clamp base together defining a cable cavity for receiving an associated cable, the first clamp keeper further cooperating with the first clamp base to selectively clamp the associated cable therebetween, the keeper hinge edge including a keeper curved tab and a keeper slot adapted to cooperate with the base slot and the base tab, respectively, of the base hinge edge with a mechanical interference fit to maintain a uniform clamping force on the associated cable over a range of drawing forces between the base and keeper.

2. The cable support as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first clamp base further includes:

a fastener opening passing through the projecting structure and the receiving structure.

3. The cable support as set forth in claim 2, further including:

a second clamp base having at least one of a projecting structure and a receiving structure that is substantially identical to the corresponding structure of the first clamp base and further having a second fastener opening; and

a fastener arrangeable in the fastener opening and the second fastener opening, the fastener adapted to cooperate with the first and second clamp bases to connect first and second clamp bases.

4. The cable support as set forth in claim 2, further including:

a second clamp base substantially identical with the first clamp base and including a second projecting structure and a second receiving structure, the second clamp base defining a second fastener opening extending between the second projecting structure and the second receiving structure; and

a fastener arrangeable in the fastener openings of the first clamp base and the second clamp base for connecting the first and second clamp bases.

5. The cable support as set forth in claim 4, further including:

a third clamp base substantially identical with the first clamp base and including a third projecting structure and a third receiving structure, the third clamp base defining a third fastener opening extending between the third projecting structure and the third receiving structure; and

a fastener arrangeable in the fastener openings of the first clamp base, the second clamp base, and the third clamp base for rigidly connecting the clamp bases.

6. The cable support as set forth in claim 2, including:

a second clamp base substantially identical with the first clamp bases and defining a second fastener opening passing through the second clamp base; and

a fastener selectively received in the fastener openings of the first and second clamp bases for connecting the first and second clamp bases.

7. The cable support as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a second clamp keeper arranged to hingeably attach to the first clamp keeper and cooperating therewith to form an overhead suspension clamp.

8. The cable support as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the keeper curved tab and the keeper slot of the keeper hinge edge are adapted to cooperate with a second curved tab and a second slot of a second substantially identical clamp keeper to hingeably attach therewith, the first and second clamp keepers cooperatively defining a cable cavity for clamping an associated cable therebetween.

9. A cable support comprising:

a first clamp base including a projecting structure on a first side, a receiving structure on an opposite side, and a fastener opening passing through the projecting structure and the receiving structure, the receiving structure being adapted to receive the projecting structure of an identical associated second clamp base, the first clamp base further including a base hinge edge; and

a first clamp keeper having a keeper hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge, the first clamp keeper and the first clamp base together defining a cable cavity for receiving an associated cable, the first clamp keeper further cooperating with the first clamp base to selectively clamp the associated cable therebetween.

10. The cable support as set forth in claim 9, further including:

a second clamp base having at least one of a projecting structure and a receiving structure that is substantially identical to the corresponding structure of the first clamp base and further having a second fastener opening; and

a fastener arrangeable in the fastener opening and the second fastener opening, the fastener adapted to cooperate with the first and second clamp bases to connect first and second clamp bases.

11. The cable support as set forth in claim 9, further including:

a second clamp base substantially identical with the first clamp base and including a second projecting structure and a second receiving structure, the second clamp base defining a second fastener opening extending between the second projecting structure and the second receiving structure; and

a fastener arrangeable in the fastener openings of the first clamp base and the second clamp base for connecting the first and second clamp bases.

12. The cable support as set forth in claim 11, further including:

a third clamp base substantially identical with the first clamp base and including a third projecting structure and a third receiving structure, the third clamp base defining a third fastener opening extending between the third projecting structure and the third receiving structure; and

a fastener arrangeable in the fastener openings of the first clamp base, the second clamp base, and the third clamp base for rigidly connecting the clamp bases.

13. The cable support as set forth in claim 9, further including:

a second clamp base substantially identical with the first clamp bases and defining a second fastener opening passing through the second clamp base; and

a fastener selectively received in the fastener openings of the first and second clamp bases for connecting the first and second clamp bases.

14. A cable support system comprising:

a first clamp base including a projecting structure on a first side and a receiving structure on an opposite side, the receiving structure being adapted to receive the projecting structure of an identical associated second clamp base, the first clamp base further including a base hinge edge;

a first clamp keeper having a keeper hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge, the first clamp keeper and the first clamp base together defining a cable cavity for receiving an associated cable, the first clamp keeper further cooperating with the first clamp base to selectively clamp the associated cable therebetween; and

a second clamp keeper arranged to hingeably attach to the first clamp keeper and cooperate therewith to form an overhead suspension clamp.

15. A cable comprising:

a first clamp base including a projecting structure on a first side and a receiving structure on an opposite side, the receiving structure being adapted to receive the projecting structure of an identical associated second clamp base, the first clamp base further including a base hinge edge having a curved tab and a slot; and

a first clamp keeper having a keeper hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge, the first clamp keeper and the first clamp base together defining a cable cavity for receiving an associated cable, the first clamp keeper further cooperating with the first clamp base to selectively clamp the associated cable therebetween, the keeper hinge edge including a curved tab and a slot adapted to cooperate with the slot and the curved tab, respectively, of the base hinge edge to form a hinge.

16. A cable support comprising:

a first clamp base including a projecting structure on a first side and a receiving structure on an opposite side, the receiving structure being adapted to receive the projecting structure of an identical associated second clamp base, the first clamp base further including a base hinge edge having a curved tab and a slot; and

,

a first clamp keeper having a keeper hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge, the first clamp keeper and the first clamp base together defining a cable cavity for receiving an associated cable, the first clamp keeper further cooperating with the first clamp base to selectively clamp the associated cable therebetween, the keeper hinge edge including a curved tab and a slot adapted to cooperate with the slot and curved tab, respectively, of the base hinge edge to form a hinge, wherein the curved tab and slot of the keeper hinge edge are adapted to cooperate with the curved tab and slot of a second substantially identical clamp keeper to hingeably attach therewith, the first and second clamp keepers cooperatively defining a cable cavity for clamping an associated cable therebetween.

17. A method for attaching a plurality of cables to a pole, the method comprising:

providing a cable support including;

a first clamp base having a projecting structure on a first side, a receiving structure on an opposite side, and a fastener opening passing through the projecting structure and the receiving structure, the receiving structure being adapted to receive the projecting structure of an identical associated second clamp base, the first clamp base further including a base hinge edge; and

a first clamp keeper having a keeper hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge, the first clamp keeper and the first clamp base together defining a cable cavity for receiving an associated cable, the first clamp keeper further cooperating with the first clamp base to selectively clamp the associated cable therebetween;

connecting the first support base to the pole;

supporting a first cable by the first support base;

connecting a second support base to the first support base; and

supporting a second cable by the second support base.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the supporting of the first cable includes supporting the first cable above the first support base relative to earth ground and the supporting of the second cable includes supporting the second cable below the second support base relative to earth ground.

19. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the supporting of the first cable includes supporting the first cable below the first support base relative to earth ground and the supporting of the second cable includes supporting the second cable above the second support base relative to earth ground.

20. The method as set forth in claim 17, further including:

repeating the connecting and supporting steps to support at least a third cable by a third support base.

21. A modular cable support system comprising:

a plurality of bases each having a base body defining;

an interconnecting structure including a projection and a slot wherein the projection is adapted to insert into the slot of another base for connection therebetween,

a base hinge edge, and

a cable channel;

a plurality of clamping elements each having a clamping element body defining;

a clamping element hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge of a selected base with a mechanical interference fit to maintain a uniform clamping force on an associated cable over a range of drawing forces between the base and the clamping element, and

a clamping surface adapted to cooperate with the cable channel of the selected base for retaining the associated cable, and;

a plurality of fasteners, each fastener adapted to cooperate with the selected base and a selected clamping element to draw the selected base and the selected clamping element together about the base hinge edge of the selected base and the clamping element hinge edge of the selected clamping element.

22. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 21, wherein the bases and the clamping elements are formed of an aluminum material.

23. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 21, wherein the hinge edges of the clamping elements are further adapted to form a hinged attachment of two clamping elements, said clamping elements cooperating with a fastener to clamp the associated cable between the clamping surfaces of the two clamping elements.

24. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 21, further including:

a plurality of cable insert grommets adapted to cooperate with at least one of the cable channel and the clamping surface for reducing stress on an associated clamped cable selectively disposed in said cable channel.

25. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 21, wherein each base further includes:

a slot adapted for supporting the base on an associated pole by an associated banding strap.

26. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 21, wherein the interconnecting structure of each base defines an connector opening passing therethrough.

27. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 26, further including:

at least one securing shaft adapted to extend into the connector opening of at least two bases for selectively connecting the bases together.

28. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 27, wherein the at least two bases are arranged with the respective cable channels thereof alternatingly disposed on opposite sides of said at least one shaft for successive bases.

29. A modular cable support system comprising:

a plurality of base bodies each having;

an interconnecting structure including a projection and a slot wherein the projection is adapted to insert into the slot of another base for connection therebetween,

a base hinge edge, and

a cable channel;

a plurality of clamping element bodies each having;

a clamping element hinge edge adapted to hingably attach with the base hinge edge of a selected base body, and

a clamping surface adapted to cooperate with the cable channel of the selected base body for retaining an associated cable; and

,

a plurality of fasteners, each fastener adapted to cooperate with the selected base body and a selected clamping element body to draw the selected base body and the selected clamping element body together about the base hinge edge of the selected base body and the clamping element hinge edge of the selected clamping element body.

30. A modular cable support system comprising:

a plurality of bases each defining;

an interconnecting structure including a projection and a slot wherein the projection is adapted to insert into the slot of another base for connection therebetween,

a base hinge edge, and

a cable channel; and

a plurality of clamping elements each defining;

a clamping element hinge edge adapted to hingably attach with the base hinge edge of a selected base, and

a clamping surface adapted to cooperate with the cable channel of the selected base for retaining an associated cable, wherein the hinge edges of the clamping elements are further adapted to form a hinged attachment of two clamping elements, said clamping elements cooperating with a fastener to clamp the associated cable between the clamping surfaces of the two clamping elements.

31. A modular cable support system comprising:

a plurality of bases each having;

a base body defining;

i) an interconnecting structure including a projection and a slot wherein the projection is adapted to insert into the slot of another base for connection therebetween, ii) a base hinge edge, and iii) a cable channel;

a plurality of clamping elements each having;

a clamping element defining;

i) a clamping element hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge of a selected base, and ii) a clamping surface adapted to cooperate with the cable channel of the selected base for retaining an associated cable; and

,

a plurality of cable insert grommets adapted to cooperate with at least one of the cable channel and the clamping surface for reducing stress on an associated clamped cable selectively disposed in said cable channel.

32. A modular cable support system comprising:

a plurality of bases each forming;

an interconnecting structure including a projection and a slot wherein the projection is adapted to insert into the slot of another base for connection therebetween;

a base hinge edge,

a cable channel; and

,

a slot adapted for supporting the base on an associated pole by an associated banding strap; and

,

a plurality of clamping elements each forming;

a clamping element hinge edge adapted to hingably attach with the base hinge edge of a selected base, and

a clamping surface adapted to cooperate with the cable channel of the selected base for retaining an associated cable.

33. A modular cable support system comprising:

a plurality of bases each having;

an interconnecting structure including a projection and a slot wherein the projection is adapted to insert into the slot of another base for connection therebetween,

a base hinge edge coupled with the interconnecting structure, and

a cable channel coupled with the interconnecting structure and with the base hinge edge; and

a plurality of clamping elements each having;

a clamping element hinge edge adapted to hingeably attach with the base hinge edge of a selected base, and

a clamping surface coupled with the clamping element hinge edge, the clamping surface being adapted to cooperate with the cable channel of the selected base for retaining an associated cable, wherein the interconnecting structure of each base defines a connector opening passing therethrough.

34. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 33, further including:

at least one securing shaft adapted to extend into the connector opening of at least two bases for selectively connecting the bases together.

35. The modular cable support system as set forth in claim 34, wherein the at least two bases are arranged with the respective cable channels thereof alternatingly disposed on opposite sides of said at least one shaft for successive bases.

36. A cable clamp comprising:

a first clamp portion having;

a first hinge region including a first curved projection and a first receiving opening,

a first tightening region, and

a first cable channel region arranged between the first hinge region and the first tightening region; and

a second clamp portion having;

a second hinge region including a second curved projection and a second receiving opening,

a second tightening region, and

a second cable channel region arranged between the second hinge region and the second tightening region; and

,

a fastener operatively coupled with said first tightening region and said second tightening region, and adapted to selectively draw said first and second tightening regions together;

wherein the first and second hinge regions cooperatively form a hinge including the first curved projection arranged in the second opening and the second curved projection arranged in the first opening, and wherein said fastener and said first and second tightening regions collectively form a connection region of said cable clamp for suspending the cable clamp from overhead by an associated connecting element.

37. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 36, wherein:

said fastener includes threaded means for hingedly drawing the first and second tightening regions together to clamp an associated cable between the first and second cable channel regions.

38. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 36, wherein the first and second curved projections each include concave surfaces that adaptively contact surfaces of the second and first openings, respectively, to maintain uniform hinging over a range of drawing forces applied by the fastener and over a range of cable stresses within selected design tolerance ranges.

39. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 36, wherein the first and second clamp portions define second-class levers cooperatively acting on the associated cable responsive to a force applied by the drawing means.

40. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 36, wherein the first and second tightening regions include:

first and second ear members, each ear member including an opening adapted to receive the fastener.

41. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 36, wherein the first clamp portion further includes:

an interconnecting structure adapted for rigid connection with an associated third clamp portion of an associated second clamp wherein the associated third clamp portion is substantially identical with the first clamp portion.

42. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interconnecting structure includes a recess and a mating protrusion.

43. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interconnecting structure is adapted to effectuate stacking of three or more clamp portions each essentially identical with the first clamp portion.

44. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 36 wherein said first and second projections and the first and second openings form an interference fit to compensate for directional changes in the first and second clamp portions.

45. A cable clamp comprising:

a first clamp portion having;

a first hinge region including a first curved projection and a first receiving opening, a first tightening region,

a first cable channel region arranged between the first hinge region and the first tightening region, and

an interconnecting structure adapted for rigid connection with an associated second cable clamp; and

a second clamp portion having;

a second hinge region including a second curved projection and a second receiving opening,

a second tightening region, and

a second cable channel region arranged between the second hinge region and the second tightening region,

wherein the first and second hinge regions cooperatively form a hinge including the first curved projection arranged in the second opening and the second curved projection arranged in the first opening.

46. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 45, further including:

means for hingedly drawing the first and second tightening regions together to clamp an associated cable between the first and second cable channel regions.

47. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 46, wherein the first and second curved projections each include concave surfaces that adaptively contact surfaces of the second and first openings, respectively, to maintain uniform hinging over a range of drawing forces applied by the tightening means and over a range of cable stresses within selected design tolerance ranges.

48. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 46, wherein the first and second clamp portions define second-class levers cooperatively acting on the associated cable responsive to a force applied by the drawing means.

49. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 45, further including:

a tightening shaft having a threaded region arranged on at least a portion thereof and adapted to hingedly draw the first and second tightening regions together to form a hinged clamping of an associated cable arranged between the first and second cable channel regions.

50. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 49, wherein the first and second tightening regions include:

first and second ear members, each ear member including an opening adapted to receive the tightening shaft.

51. A cable clamp comprising:

a first clamp portion having;

a first hinge region including a first curved projection and a first receiving opening,

a first tightening region, and

a first cable channel region arranged between the first hinge region and the first tightening region, wherein the first clamp portion further includes an interconnecting structure adapted for rigid connection with an associated third clamp portion of an associated second clamp wherein the associated third clamp portion is substantially identical with the first clamp portion; and

,

a second clamp portion having;

a second hinge region including a second curved projection and a second receiving opening,

a second tightening region, and

a second cable channel region arranged between the second hinge region and the second tightening region, wherein the first and second hinge regions cooperatively form a hinge including the first curved projection arranged in the second opening and the second curved projection arranged in the first opening.

52. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 51, wherein the interconnecting structure includes a recess and a mating protrusion.

53. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 51, wherein the interconnecting structure is adapted to effectuate stacking of three or more clamp portions each essentially identical with the first clamp portion.

54. A cable support system comprising:

a plurality of first components each having a hinge edge, a tightening region disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge, a cable receiving channel arranged between the hinge edge and the tightening region, and an interconnecting structure; and

a plurality of second components each having a hinge edge, a tightening region disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge, and a cable receiving channel arranged between the hinge edge and the tightening region;

wherein a first cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a first set of selected first and second components at the hinge edges and developing a material interference at the hinge edges to compensate for size variations caused during manufacture, and

wherein a second cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a second set of selected two second components via the hinge edges.

55. The cable support system as set forth in claim 54, wherein the first and second cable support devices are each adapted to clamp an associated cable between the cable channels responsive to a drawing of the tightening regions together about a hinge defined by the hinge edges.

56. The cable support system as set forth in claim 54, wherein the first cable support device is adapted to connect an associated cable to an associated pole or other essentially vertical structure via the interconnecting structure.

57. The cable support system as set forth in claim 54, wherein the second cable support device comprises a suspension clamp for suspending an associated cable from an associated overhead support.

58. The cable support system as set forth in claim 57, wherein the second cable support device includes a shaft connecting the tightening regions of the two second components, said shaft cooperating with the tightening regions to define a connection region for the suspending.

59. The cable support system as set forth in claim 54, wherein the interconnecting structure includes a bracket for mounting the first cable support device to a pole.

60. A cable support system comprising:

a plurality of first components each having a hinge edge, a tightening region disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge, a cable receiving channel arranged between the hinge edge and the tightening region, and an interconnecting structure;

a plurality of second components each having a hinge edge, a tightening region disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge, and a cable receiving channel arranged between the hinge edge and the tightening region;

wherein a first cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a first set of selected first and second components via the hinge edges;

wherein a second cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a second set of selected two second components via the hinge edges;

wherein the first cable support device is adapted to connect an associated cable to an associated structure via the interconnecting structure; and

wherein a third cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a third set of selected first and second components, and wherein the third cable support device is arrangeable to connect an associated second cable to the first cable support device via cooperation of the interconnecting structures of the first and third cable support devices.

61. A cable support system comprising:

a plurality of first components each having a hinge edge, a tightening region disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge, a cable receiving channel arranged between the hinge edge and the tightening region, and an interconnecting structure;

a plurality of second components each having a hinge edge, a tightening region disposed on an opposite side from the hinge edge, and a cable receiving channel arranged between the hinge edge and the tightening region;

wherein a first cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a first set of selected first and second components via the hinge edges;

wherein a second cable support device is constructable by hingeably combining a second set of selected two second components via the hinge edges;

wherein the interconnecting structure includes a bracket for mounting the first cable support device to a pole; and

wherein the interconnecting structure further includes a projection and a slot wherein two first cable support devices are selectively interconnectable by inserting the projection of the one first cable support device into the slot of the other first cable support device.

62. A cable clamp comprising:

a first clamp portion having;

a first hinge region including a first curved projection and a first receiving opening,

a first tightening region,

a first cable channel region arranged between the first hinge region and the first tightening region, and

an interconnecting structure adapted for rigid connection with an associated third clamp portion of an associated second clamp wherein the associated third clamp portion is substantially identical with the first clamp portion; and

,

a second clamp portion having;

a second hinge region including a second curved projection and a second receiving opening,

a second tightening region, and

a second cable channel region arranged between the second hinge region and the second tightening region;

wherein the first and second hinge regions cooperatively form a hinge including the first curved projection arranged in the second opening and the second curved projection arranged in the first opening.

63. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 62, wherein the interconnecting structure includes a recess and a mating protrusion.

64. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 62, wherein the interconnecting structure is adapted to effectuate stacking of three or more clamp portions each essentially identical with the first clamp portion.

65. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 62 wherein said first and second projections and the first and second openings form an interference fit to compensate for directional changes in the first and second clamp portions.

66. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 62, further including:

a tightening shaft having a threaded region arranged on at least a portion thereof and adapted to hingedly draw the first and second tightening regions together to form a hinged clamping of an associated cable arranged between the first and second cable channel regions.

67. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 66, wherein the first and second tightening regions include:

first and second ear members, each ear member including an opening adapted to receive the tightening shaft.

68. The cable clamp as set forth in claim 67 wherein said first and second tightening regions collectively form a connection region of said cable clamp for suspending the cable clamp from overhead by an associated connecting element.