Stringing messenger clamp and methods of using the same
First Claim
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1. A stringing messenger clamp for overhead transmission and distribution systems, the stringing messenger clamp comprising:
- a bracket;
an assembly body supported by the bracket, wherein the assembly body has a cable channel sized to receive a portion of a messenger cable;
an assembly clamp movable with respect to the assembly body and closable upon the cable channel, wherein the assembly clamp in a closed position retains in place the portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel;
at least one threaded portion on the assembly clamp, wherein the at least one threaded portion on a first side of the cable channel and retains the assembly clamp in a connected position on the assembly body via at least one fastener configured to mate with the threaded portion;
a slot and guide system having a slot formed through a sidewall of the cable channel and a guide structure integrally formed within the assembly clamp, wherein the slot and guide structure are positioned on a second side of the cable channel, wherein the second side substantially opposes the first side; and
a ball and socket joint positioned between the bracket and the assembly body, the ball and socket joint having a ball portion and a socket portion, wherein a fastener is positioned through a first aperture defined in the ball portion and a second aperture defined in the socket portion, wherein one of the ball portion and the socket portion is formed in the assembly body, andwherein the bracket includes an inner portion, a pocket defined in the inner portion and a side access opening giving access to the pocket, wherein an axial length of the fastener is less than an axial length of the pocket, and wherein the pocket is adapted to allow insertion of the fastener through the first aperture defined through the ball portion and the second aperture defined through the socket portion.
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Abstract
A stringing messenger clamp for use in overhead transmission and distribution systems and method of installing a messenger cable is provided. The stringing messenger clamp includes a bracket and an assembly body supported by the bracket, wherein the assembly body has a cable channel sized to receive a portion of a messenger cable. An assembly clamp is movable with respect to the assembly body and closable upon the cable channel. When the assembly clamp is in a closed position, it retains in place the portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A stringing messenger clamp for overhead transmission and distribution systems, the stringing messenger clamp comprising:
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a bracket; an assembly body supported by the bracket, wherein the assembly body has a cable channel sized to receive a portion of a messenger cable; an assembly clamp movable with respect to the assembly body and closable upon the cable channel, wherein the assembly clamp in a closed position retains in place the portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel; at least one threaded portion on the assembly clamp, wherein the at least one threaded portion on a first side of the cable channel and retains the assembly clamp in a connected position on the assembly body via at least one fastener configured to mate with the threaded portion; a slot and guide system having a slot formed through a sidewall of the cable channel and a guide structure integrally formed within the assembly clamp, wherein the slot and guide structure are positioned on a second side of the cable channel, wherein the second side substantially opposes the first side; and a ball and socket joint positioned between the bracket and the assembly body, the ball and socket joint having a ball portion and a socket portion, wherein a fastener is positioned through a first aperture defined in the ball portion and a second aperture defined in the socket portion, wherein one of the ball portion and the socket portion is formed in the assembly body, and wherein the bracket includes an inner portion, a pocket defined in the inner portion and a side access opening giving access to the pocket, wherein an axial length of the fastener is less than an axial length of the pocket, and wherein the pocket is adapted to allow insertion of the fastener through the first aperture defined through the ball portion and the second aperture defined through the socket portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of stringing and retaining a messenger cable comprising the steps of:
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affixing a bracket to a utility holding structure; supporting an assembly body with the bracket with a ball and socket joint, wherein the ball and socket joint has a ball portion and a socket portion, wherein a fastener is positioned through a first aperture defined in the ball portion and is positioned through an aperture defined in the socket portion, wherein one of the ball portion and the socket portion is formed in the assembly body, wherein the assembly body has a cable channel, wherein the bracket includes an inner portion, a pocket defined in the inner portion and a side access opening giving access to the pocket, wherein an axial length of the fastener is less than an axial length of the pocket, and wherein the pocket is adapted to allow insertion of the fastener through the first aperture defined through the ball portion and the second aperture defined through the socket portion; receiving a portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel;
closing an assembly clamp on the cable channel by engaging at least one threaded portion of the assembly clamp to the assembly body, the at least one threaded portion positioned on a first side of the cable channel;guiding the assembly clamp over the cable channel with a slot and guide system, wherein the slot and guide system has a slot formed through a sidewall of the assembly body and a guide structure integrally formed within the assembly clamp, wherein the slot and guide structure are positioned on a second side of the cable channel, wherein the second side substantially opposes the first side; and retaining the portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel and holding the portion of the messenger cable for an indefinite period of use. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of installing a messenger cable comprising the steps of:
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affixing a messenger clamp to a utility pole with a bracket, the messenger clamp having at least two descending threaded portions connected together at a ceiling; adjusting a cable channel within the messenger clamp to linearly receive a portion of the messenger cable, wherein the adjusted cable channel is circumferentially closed thereby preventing radial displacement of the portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel, and wherein a guide structure formed on a side face of the ceiling of the messenger clamp is at least partially positioned within a slot formed laterally through a sidewall of the cable channel; stringing the portion of the messenger cable through the cable channel, thereby placing the messenger cable in a retention position; locking the messenger cable in a stationary position within the cable channel; and supporting the messenger cable with the messenger clamp while the messenger cable is in use with a transmission cable. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A stringing messenger clamp for overhead transmission and distribution systems, the stringing messenger clamp comprising:
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a bracket; an assembly body supported by the bracket, wherein the assembly body has a cable channel sized to receive a portion of a messenger cable; an assembly clamp movable with respect to the assembly body and closable upon the cable channel, wherein the assembly clamp in a closed position retains in place the portion of the messenger cable within the cable channel, the messenger clamp having at least two descending threaded portions connected together at a ceiling; at least two descending threaded portions connected together at a ceiling on the assembly clamp, wherein the at least two descending threaded portions on a first and second side of the cable channel, respectively retain the assembly clamp in a connected position on the assembly body via at least two fasteners; and a slot and guide system having a slot formed through a sidewall of the cable channel and a guide structure integrally formed within the assembly clamp, wherein the slot and guide structure are positioned on a second side of the cable channel, the guide structure is formed on the side face of the ceiling of the messenger clamp, wherein the second side substantially opposes the first side.
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Specification