WO2003049232A1

WO2003049232A1 - Cable securing arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2003049232A1
Application number: PCT/IN2001/000212
Authority: WO
Inventors: Salil Shri Singhal; Bhargawa Shri. Mistry; Surendra Shri. Jhalora; Sanjaya Shri. Singhal
Original assignee: Salil Shri Singhal
Priority date: 2001-12-04
Filing date: 2001-12-04
Publication date: 2003-06-12
Also published as: AU2002217417A1

Abstract

A cable securing arrangement comprising: a substantially compressible first hollow body with at least a first end section being tapered towards said first end to produce at least one first angled surface, said body being further provided with a plurality of parallel slots. A substantially rigid second hollow body with, at least one internal wall forming a second angled plane, said second hollow body being arranged to receive said first hollow body therein and securing means arranged to secure said first body within said second body such that said second angled surface acts against said first angled surface to compress at least said first end section of said first body thereby securing said cable and said first body is further provided with at least one sprung piercing means, arranged such that when said second angled surface acts upon said first angled surface, said piercing means pierce the cable.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

Cable securing arrangement

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an arrangement for securing cables or other such lines to an object. The arrangement may be used for providing cable strain relief and/or cable fixing and may be applied to cables or lines of varying diameter.

There are many applications where a cable is required to pass through a wall of a container or other such object in order to be terminated. In such cases it is common to provide a means for providing strain relief of the cable in order to protect any terminating connections inside the container.

Other applications may require a cable or line to pass through a container without any terminations, an example of such an application being an electricity meter of the 'thread-through' type. In such a meter an incoming electric cable pass through the current transformers without being terminated inside the meter. As the cables pass through the meter the consumed current is metered by puncturing the cable insulation to tap the voltage for measurement. In order to prevent tempering with such a meter it is essential that the cable is gripped firmly at the entry and exit point to the meter to ensure strain relief. Furthermore, no cracks or crevices must be apparent where the cable exits or enters the meter through which a thin wire may be passed to pass reverse current and hence produce a false reading. PRIOR ART :

There are some strain relief arrangements which grip the cable to ensure strain relief, examples of which are given below.

European Patent Application No. EP1037325 describes the strain relief as "the connector has a cable guide sleeve with a plug-side section for mechanically connecting to the cable-side end of the connector and with a cable-side section which is radially compressible and has at least one region on the inside of reduced inside diameter. A locking piece is provided on the cable-side section of the cable guide sleeve and is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position in which it radially compresses the cable-inside section of the cable guide sleeve until it presses the region of reduced inside diameter into the sheath of the cable".

U.S. Patent Application No. US 4306698 describes "the new device comprising an internally threaded bushing which slips over the cable. The bushing has an external cylindrical portion which is sized to fit with clearance for rotation in a hole in a support member. A collet is slipped over the cable on the side opposite of the hole from the bushing. The collet has an external thread which turns into the internal thread of the bushing. The collet also has a conical portion adjacent to the threaded portion which is slotted longitudinally so that when the collet turns into the bushing it is compressed radially inwardly to effect a gripping force on the cable, thereby providing longitudinal strain relief. When torque is applied to the cable, the bushing and collet rotate together so as to relieve torsional strain".

Yet another U.S. Patent Application No. US 4319802 describes the strain relief means as "the device include the cable securing means cooperating with the gripping means in the operative position to restrain the gripping means against rearward movement. The gripping means includes a retaining ring and a crimp ring cooperable so that the strength members can be crimped between the retaining ring and the crimp ring. The cable securing means once again, includes a rearwardly extending segment being deflectable inwardly to captivate the gripping means. The rearwardly extending segment once again, includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots defining a plurality of inwardly deflectable fingers having tapered outer surfaces which can be cooperably engaged by the moving means to deflect the fingers inwardly. The inwardly deflectable fingers define a cylindrical opening in the rearwardly extending segment of the body with the opening having a first diameter in the inoperative position and a second, smaller diameter in the operative position. Of course, the moving means once again, cooperably causes the inwardly deflectable fingers to move such that the diameter of the opening moves between the first diameter and the second diameter.

Yet another U.S. Patent Application No. US 6220888 has disclosed a combined quick disconnect cable connector together with strain relief as "a quick disconnect cable connector device including an elongated body made of a rigid molded material and having opposite first and second ends, and a strain relief structure integrally connected to the first end of the body and made of the same molded material. The body can have a conical-shaped configuration tapering from the second to the first end. The body defines an interior chamber extending between and open at the first and second ends and receiving an end of a cable therethrough from the first to the second end such that the body provides an overmold encasing the end of the cable and supporting at the second end of the body a contact termination on the end of the cable. The strain relief structure includes a framework having an annular shape and forming a passage extending along a longitudinal axis of the framework and aligned with the first end of the body. The framework surrounds and receives through its passage a portion of the cable extending from the first end of the body. The framework has a configuration which distributes away from the cable portion at the first end of the body any bending forces imposed on the cable. The framework has a plurality of windows defined therethrough and spaced apart from each other which provide bending flexibility to the strain relief structure sufficient to aid in the distribution of bending forces away from the cable portion at the first end of the body.

It can be seen that all the above methods of the strain relief are effected by providing one ended taper together with slots in the tapered member to allow for the radial compression, to grip the cable by frictional force.

Present invention not only uses two conical ends to the radially compressing body to enhance frictional force but also provides for additional grip and/or provision for current sensing by using sprung piercing members to extend through guide slots on conical portion of the compression member, thus enhancing grip as well as doing additional function of facilitating current tapping.

PRESENT INVENTION :

In order to address the above requirements, the present invention provides a compressible sleeve which is first thread onto a cable to be secured, the walls of the sleeve at least one end being tapered to provide an angled surface extending around the cable. In addition, a rigid hollow body is also provided through which the cable is thread, the rigid body being adapted to receive the sleeve therein, and having an angled inner surface which contacts the angled surface of the sleeve. In use, the cable to be secured is thread through the rigid body, and the sleeve then thread onto the cable. A securing mechanism is then used to secure the sleeve within the rigid body such that the two angled surfaces act against each other to compress the end of the sleeve around the cable, the compressed end thereby gripping the cable and securing the cable therein.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable securing arrangement comprising; a substantially compressible first hollow body arranged to be threaded onto a cable to be secured, at least a first end section of said first hollow body being tapered towards said first end to produce at least one first angled surface, said first hollow body being further provided with a plurality of parallel slots in the walls of said body;

a substantially rigid second hollow body through which said cable is arranged to be thread, at least one internal wall of said second hollow body forming at least one second angled plane, said second hollow body being arranged to receive said first hollow body therein such that said second angled surface contacts said first angled surface; and

securing means arranged to secure said first hollow body within said second hollow body such that said second angled surface acts against said first angled surface to compress at least said first end section of said first hollow body thereby securing said cable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a sleeve member for use in a cable securing arrangement, said sleeve member comprising; a bore to allow said sleeve member to be threaded onto a cable to be secured, at least a first end section tapered towards said first end to produce at least one first angled surface, and a plurality of parallel slots in the walls of said member, wherein the walls of said sleeve member are made of substantially compressible material whereby to allow said member to be compressed in use to grip and secure said cable.

The first hollow body / sleeve member may also be tapered at the opposite end to the first end, thereby providing a third angled surface. In this case, the securing means comprises a substantially rigid third hollow body arranged to receive both the first and second hollow bodies therein, the third hollow body being provided with an internal fourth angled plane arranged to contact the third angled surface of the first hollow body, and being provided with engagement means to engage with the second hollow body and exert a compressing force upon said first hollow body such that the second angled surface acts on the first angled surface to compress at least the first end of the first hollow body, and the fourth angled surface acts on the third angled surface to compress at least the second end of the first hollow body, the compressed ends thereby gripping the cable and securing the cable therein.

In order to allow for cables of smaller cable diameters to be secured using the arrangement of the present invention, a second compressible sleeve insert is provided arranged to be thread onto the cable and inserted within the first hollow body, thus filling any superfluous space within the hollow of the first hollow body when thread upon the cable.

When the cable to be secured is an electrical cable having an insulating sleeve or coating, and the current flowing through the cable is to be tapped for measurement purposes, the present invention is further provided with guide slots extending through at least the first angled surface of the first hollow body/sleeve member, and with sprung piercing means arranged to extend through said guide slots to pierce at least an outer layer of the cable when the first end section is compressed. Similar piercing means may also be provided at the second end of the first hollow body, and which act when the second end section is compressed.

The sprung piercing means may be provided with connections to facilitate the current being tapped. The connections may be provided on the first hollow body, or on either of the two rigid bodies.

The first hollow body / sleeve member may be parallel sided, or may be wider at one end than the other. In the case of the latter, the shape aids in correct assembly of the arrangement as it would not be possible to insert the first hollow body in the rigid body the wrong way round. Furthermore, in the case of the latter, both of the rigid bodies are respectively adapted to receive their respective end of the first hollow body.

Finally, the cable securing arrangement of the present invention may be used with any type of cable, line, cord, filament, rope, hawser, strand, string, thread, wire, or wisp which requires securing without termination. The scale and dimensions of the components of the present invention and the materials out of which they are constructed may be adapted accordingly.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptions of a number of embodiments thereof, presented by way of example only, and further by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 shows an example of the compressible sleeve used in the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates an example of a compressible insert which may be used with the arrangement of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrate a spring knife and accompanying guide slots used within a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic of a first arrangement for the spring knives usable with the arrangement of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a schematic of an alternative arrangement for the spring knives usable with the arrangement of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 shows a sleeve 2 made of compressible or partly elastic material such as, for example, nylon or delrin. The sleeve 2 is hollow so as to allow the sleeve to be threaded on to a cable or line to be secured (not shown), and has at least a first end section 4 where the walls of the sleeve are tapered towards the end of the sleeve to produce an angled surface 6 extending around the sleeve.

The sleeve may be further incorporate one or more slots 8 in the wall of the sleeve, the slots acting to enhance the compressibility of the sleeve in a radial direction towards the centre of the cable. The slots may alternate around the sleeve as to which end of the sleeve each slot opens to or may instead open at one end only. In the latter case, the slots will open at the tapered end, to improve the compressibility of the sleeve.

Furthermore, the sleeve may further comprise one or more collapsible or soft plastic ribs provided around a circular section of the inner surface of the sleeve bore. When the sleeve is compressed in use, the ribs are arranged to collapse radially inwards so as to press against the outer surface of the cable, thus forming a complete barrier around the entire circumference of the cable which is capable of preventing the ingress of small particles or wires along the cable.

In Figure 2, a rigid ring 10 is arranged to fit over the sleeve 2 to receive the sleeve therein. The ring 10 has an internal wall 12 which forms an angled surface 12 arranged to contact the angled surface 6 of the sleeve when the sleeve is inserted in the ring. The angled surface 12 need not necessarily be at the same angle to the horizontal as the sleeve angled surface 6, but superior results are achieved if the two angles are similar. The rigid ring 10 may be fixed _Q in place, such as, for example, by being fixed to or forming part of a wall of a container such as a thread-through meter.

In use, the cable or line to be secured is thread the rigid ring 10, and then the sleeve is thread over the free end of the line such that the tapered end of the sleeve faces the ring. This order of assembly is not exclusive, however, and it may be possible, for example, to place the sleeve within the rigid ring and then thread the cable through both the ring and the sleeve simultaneously. Other orders of assembly will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Howsoever the ring 10 and sleeve are assembled together, a securing means 20 is then used to secure the sleeve within the rigid ring such that the angled surfaces 6 and 12 press together, thus producing a reaction force, a first component of which is in a direction transverse to the cable, and a second component of which is in a direction parallel to the cable. In the case of a cylindrical sleeve and ring, a radial first component is produced around the sleeve acting towards the centre of the cable. The first transverse component causes the tapered section of the sleeve to compress towards the cable, thus gripping the cable and securing the cable within the sleeve.

The securing means may be any suitable means for securing the sleeve 2 within the ring 10 and which are capable of exerting a force on the sleeve in a direction parallel to the cable and towards the rigid ring 10 so that the angled surfaces press together.

The securing means may be further arranged so that once the sleeve has first been secured within the ring 10, thus securing the cable for a first time, it is not then possible to release the securing means in a manner whereby the arrangement may be re-used. An example of such a mechanism which may achieve such a result is the use of a ratchet mechanism to allow the securing means to be, for example, screwed onto the rigid ring 10 in one direction, but to disengage the screw mechanism when it is attempted to unscrew the securing means.

Alternatively, the securing means may be arranged such that re-use is possible, but that evidence of such re-use is provided, such as, for example the provision of a seal which is broken when the securing means are first released. Either of the above-described arrangements may provide for tamper-proof cable securing, and can allow for inspection of the cable securing arrangement by interested parties for evidence of tamper at a later date.

A particularly preferred securing means is shown in Figure 2, wherein the securing means comprise a second rigid ring 20 arranged to mutually engage with the first rigid ring 10 by means of respective and corresponding screw threads 24 and 26. In this case, as the securing ring 20 is screwed onto the rigid ring 10, an inner wall 22 of the securing ring presses against the end 9 of the sleeve opposite to the tapered end 4, thus forcing the angled surfaces 6 and 12 to act against each other to compress the end 4 of the sleeve. Other such securing means which produce a similar effect will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any or all of which means may be adequately employed within the engagement of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the measurements shown in Figure 2 are for illustrative purpose only, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. The specific dimensions and or materials from which the components are made may be altered at will within the scope of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims, and any specific dimensions or materials mentioned herein or shown in the drawings should not be regarded as limiting.

A second particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 2.

As a modification to the first embodiment, the walls of the end section 9 of the sleeve may also be tapered to produce a third angled surface 7. When this is the case, the internal walls 22 of the securing ring 20 are also angled to give a fourth angled surface 22, arranged such that the third angled surface 7 and the fourth angled surface make contact. The fourth angled surface 22 need not be at the same angle to the horizontal as the third angled surface, but superior results will be obtained when the angels are similar. Furthermore, neither the third nor fourth angled surfaces need be the same angle as either of the first 6 or second 12 angled surfaces.

In use, the cable or line is fed through the rigid ring 10 and the sleeve 2 is thread thereon such that the first tapered end 4 faces the ring 10. The securing ring 20 is then thread onto the cable such that the fourth angled surface 22 contacts the tapered end 9 of the sleeves. It is to be understood, however, that the above order of assembly is presented by way of example only, and it may also be possible to assemble the arrangement in a different order, such as, for example, by assembling the rigid ring 10, the sleeve 2, and the securing ring 20 together, and then threading the cable through the entire arrangement prior to tightening the securing ring 20 onto the rigid ring 10. Other orders of assembly will also be apparent to those skilled in the art, and when may be used with the present invention.

Whatever the precise order of assembly, once assembled the securing ring is tightened along the screw threads 24 and 26 such that the fourth angled surface 22 acts against the third angled surface 7 to produce a second reaction force having components in the parallel and transverse directions to the cable. The transverse component acts to compress the angled surfaces 7 towards the cable thereby gripping the cable. The parallel component simultaneously acts to press the angled surface 6 at the opposite end 4 of the sleeve against the angled surface 12 of the rigid ring 10, thus generating a first reaction force as described previously. This first reaction force compresses the end 4 of the sleeve, thereby gripping the cable. With this arrangement, the cable is gripped at both ends of the sleeve, and hence improved cable strain relief and securing can be provided.

Furthermore, when the sleeve is under compression from both ends, the middle portion of the sleeve is forced outwards, thereby filling the internal cavity formed by the two rings 10 and 20 and preventing any cracks or cavities from appearing. The arrangement is thus highly suitable for use in a thread through meter where the possibility of feeding thin wires through the meter to carry reverse current must be prevented. At an optional modification to either of the first or second embodiments, Figure 3 shows a further compressible or elastic sleeve 28 which is designed to fit inside the main sleeve 2, and allows the arrangement of the present invention to be adopted to cables, lines or wires of various diameters. Where a cable, line or wire is too thin for the main sleeve 2 to be able to grip, the insert sleeve 28 is thread onto the line and then the main sleeve 2 thread over the top of the insert. The insert sleeve may be manufactured in various sizes to permit many sizes of cable to be gripped. Furthermore, to improve the compressibility of the insert sleeve, slots 8 may be provided along its length, and the insert sleeve may also be provided with collapsible or soft plastic ribs arranged around a circular section of the inner circumference of the insert sleeve bore, as described earlier for the main sleeve. The insert sleeve may be manufactured from the same material as the main sleeve, or may be made from a different material.

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Where the cable to be secured is an electrical cable comprising a conducting core surrounded by an insulating sheath, it is often required that the current flowing in the cable be tapped to permit measurements to be made. For instance, within a thread through meter, the current flowing along the cable must be tapped to allow a measurement of the amount of electricity used, without the cable being terminated. In order to achieve this , the insulating sheath around the cable must be displaced to allow access to the conducting core.

As a modification to either of the previously described embodiments, the present invention also provides for a means by which the insulation may be displaced or pierced to allow access to the conducting core whilst simultaneously causing the cable to be gripped and secured.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the sleeve 2 may further be provided with guide slots 32 in each of the angled surfaces 6. The guide slots extend completely through the angled surfaces and open into the hollow in which the cable resides. Any convenient number of guide slots may be provided through the angled surface 6 from a single slot to a plurality of slots. The case where four slots are provided is shown in Figure 4 (a).

In the case, where the sleeve is tapered at both ends, as in the previously described second embodiment, then guide slots 32 may be provided in the angled surfaces at both ends of the sleeve 2.

The purpose of the guide slots 32 is to guide one or more sprung piercing means to pierce at least the outer layer of a cable over which the sleeve is thread. In the case of an electrical cable with insulating sheath, the piercing means should be sufficient to pierce the insulating sheath to contact the conducting core to allow current to be tapped.

Figure 4(b) and Figure 5 show one particular configuration of the sprung piercing means comprising an electrically conducting spring plate 30 arranged to be fastened to the outer surface of the sleeve 2. The plate has an angled section 33 angled at a slightly reduced angle than the angled surface of the sleeve end, and positioned to extend over this angled surface. A knife 34 is then further provided extending from the angled section 33 and through a corresponding guide slot 32 into the hollow of the sleeve 2. The knife may be curved or straight or any other convenient shape, but will preferably have a sharpened pointed tip to facilitate piercing of the electrical insulation sheath of an electrical cable. A shape similar to that of a cat's claw has been found to work particularly well.

Extending from the contact plate 30 are connection arms 36, which facilitate connection of the contact plate to any measuring devices. The sprung piercing means are preferably constructed from electrically conducting material.

As many sprung piercing means as their are guide slots may be provided, and similarly, a set or sets of sprung piercing means may be provided at each tapered end of the sleeve 2.

In use, when the sleeve 2 is thread upon the cable the knives 34 are pushed upwards through each of their respective guide slots by the cable, and do not penetrate the outer layer of the cable. In such a state each angled part 33 of each contact plate 30 is held away from the angled surface over which it is positioned by its respective knife. Upon the action of the securing means in compressing the sleeve 2, the respective angled sections 33 are caught between the respective angled surfaces of the sleeve 2, and the corresponding angled surfaces of the rings 10 and/or 20. The angled sections are therefore pressed upon by the respective angled surfaces of the rings, and the respective knives are each forced through their respective guide slots to pierce at least the outer insulating layer of the cable. As the knives are each constructed from electrically conducting material, it is possible for each knife to tap current from the conducting core for measurement purposes. The current is then fed to measurement equipment through the connection arms 36.

Figure 6 illustrates and alternative arrangement to the above. Herein, a nail or pin 42 is provided which extends through the guide slots in the tapered ends of the sleeve 2. Further spring means (not shown) are provided within the slots to enable the nail or pin 42 to spring in and out of the slot. In order for electrical contact to be made with the conducting core of the cable through the nail or pin, a contact plate 44 is provided on the angled surfaces 12 or 22 of the rings 10 or 20 respectively. Contact plates may be provided on every angled surface of the rings 10 or 20, or merely on a single angled surface of either of the rings, or on any combination in between. For each contact plate 44 a set of connections 46 are provided to allow current to be tapped off to suitable measuring equipment.

In use, as the securing means compress the sleeve 2, the contact plate 44 presses on the head of the nail or pin 42 thereby forcing the opposite sharpened end of the nail or pin to pierce at least an outer layer of the cable, thereby making contact with the conducting core. Current may then be tapped from the core through the nail or pin. The nail or pin and the contact plate are all made from electrically conducting material.

The nail or pin may be of any convenient shape suitable for piercing the outer insulating layer of an electrical cable.

Further modifications to any of the embodiments of the present invention are described below.

The sleeve 2 may be parallel sided, or may instead be wider in diameter at one end than at the other. In the case of the latter arrangement, each of the rings 10 and 20 are adapted to receive their respective ends. This latter arrangement has the advantage that it is not then possible to insert the sleeve the wrong way round into the rings 10 and 20.

Furthermore, although the drawings have depicted the sleeve and rings of the arrangement of the present invention as being cylindrical in nature with a circular cross section, this need not necessarily be the case, and sleeves of any shape cross-section, and in particular of square or hexagonal cross section, are also envisaged. In this case the rings 10 and 20 are adapted accordingly. The shape to be used will depend upon the cross sectional shape of the cable or line ^« to be secured, and a corresponding shape sleeve and ring chosen accordingly.

The present invention therefore presents a reliable and effective means of providing line or cable strain relief and securing without terminating the line or cable. Furthermore, in the case of an electrical cable, a means of providing cable security and strain relief whilst simultaneously tapping the current flowing in ' the cable is also provided. The present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, suitable for use in electrical meters of the 'thread-through' type.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A cable securing arrangement comprising: a substantially compressible first hollow body arranged to be threaded onto a cable to be secured, at least a first end section of said first hollow body being tapered towards said first end to

5 produce at least one first angled surface, said first hollow body being further provided with a plurality of parallel slots in the walls of said body.

a substantially rigid second hollow body through which said cable is arranged to be thread, at least one internal wall of said second hollow body forming at least one second angled plane, said second hollow body being lø arranged to receive said first hollow body therein such that said second angled surface contacts said first angled surface; and

securing means arranged to secure said first hollow body within said second hollow body such that said second angled surface acts against said first angled surface to compress at least said first end section of said first hollow body

15 thereby securing said cable and said first hollow body is further provided with at least one guide slot extending through said at least one first angled plane, said guide slot arranged to guide at least one sprung piercing means, said sprung piercing means arranged such that when said second angled surface acts upon said first angled surface, said sprung piercing means are forced by said second

20 angled surface to extend through said guide slot and pierce at least an outer layer of the cable.

2. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a second end section of said first hollow body at an opposite end to said first end section is tapered towards said second end to produce at least one third angled surface, and wherein said securing means further comprises a substantially rigid third hollow body through which said cable is thread, at least one internal wall of said third hollow body forming at least one fourth angled surface, said third hollow body being arranged to received both said first hollow body and said second hollow body therein such that said fourth angled surface meets said third angled surface, said second and third hollow bodies being further provided with mutual engagement means arranged to mutually engage such that said second angled surface acts against said first angled surface, and said fourth angled surface acts against said third angled surface thereby to compress each end of said first > hollow body whereby to secure said cable.

3. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said mutual engagement means comprise a screw thread on the outer surface of said second hollow body, and a corresponding screw thread on the inner surface of said third hollow body.

4. A cable securing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein said plurality of parallel slots in the walls of said first hollow body are interdigitated with respect to each other, whereby each slot opens at the opposite end of said first hollow body to its respective neighbouring slots said interdigitated arrangement improving the compressibility of each end section of said first hollow body.

5. A cable securing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, further including a substantially compressible fourth hollow body arranged to be threaded onto side cable, and of such a diameter as to slot inside said first hollow body, whereby cables of different diameters less than the diameter of said first - hollow body may be secured.

6. A cable securing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first hollow body is further provided with one or more substantially compressible rib members arranged within the bore of said first hollow body, and further arranged to collapse inwards upon compression of said first hollow body

5 whereby to form a seal extending around said cable.

7. A cable securing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said securing means is further arranged to be unreleasable.

8. A cable securing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein, said securing means further comprises a means for providing evidence lø of tamper with said cable securing arrangement.

9. A cable securing arrangement according to any of the preceding claims wherein said first hollow body is substantially parallel-sided.

10. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said first hollow body is substantially cylindrical in shape.

15 11. A cable securing arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said first hollow body is of greater diameter at one end than at the other.

12. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said sprung piercing means are made of conducting material, wherein when the cable is an electrical cable, with an insulating sleeve, said sprung means are arranged to

2ø pierce said insulating sleeve to contact the electrical cable, whereby the voltage on the electrical cable may be tapped by said means.

13. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said sprung piercing means are further provided with conducting arms extending along the outer surface of said first hollow body, said arms arranged to allow electrical

25 connection to external measurement means.

14. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said at least one second angled surface is provided with at least one contact plate arranged to act on said sprung piercing means to extend said means into said cable, said contact plate being made of an electrically conducting material and further provided with connections to permit electrical connection to external measurement means.

15. A cable securing arrangement according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein each angled surface of said first hollow body is provided with a set of sprung piercing means.

16. A cable securing arrangement according to claim 15 wherein each angled surface of said second and third hollow bodies is provided with at least one contact plate arranged to act on said sprung piercing means to extend said means into said cable, said contact plates each being made of an electrically conducting material and each further provided with connections to permit electrical connection to external measurement means.

17. A cable securing arrangement according to any of claims 13, 14 or 16 wherein said external measurement means is a thread-through electric meter.

18. A cable securing arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A sleeve member for use in a cable securing arrangement, said sleeve member comprising: a bore to allow said sleeve member to be threaded onto a cable to be secured; at least a first end section tapered towards said first end to produce at least one first angled surface; and a plurality of parallel slots in the walls of said member, wherein the walls of said sleeve member are made of substantially compressible material whereby to allow said member to be compressed in use to grip and secure said cable.

20. A sleeve member according to claim 19, wherein a second end section of said sleeve member at an opposite end to said first end section is tapered towards said second end to produce at least one second angled surface.

21. A sleeve member according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said plurality of parallel slots are interdigitated with respect to each other whereby each slot opens at the opposite end of said sleeve member to its respective neighbouring slots, said interdigitated arrangement acting to improve the compressibility of each end section of said sleeve member when in use.

22. A sleeve member according to any of claims 19 to 21 , further comprising one or more substantially compressible rib members arranged within the bore of said sleeve member, and further arranged to collapse inwards upon compression of said first hollow body whereby to form the seal extending around the circumference of said cable.

23. A sleeve member according to any of claims 19 to 22, wherein said sleeve member is substantially parallel-sided.

24. A sleeve member according to claim 23, wherein said sleeve member is substantially cylindrical in shape.

25. A sleeve member according to any of the claims 19 to 22 wherein said sleeve member is of greater diameter at one end than at the other.

26. A sleeve member according to any of claims 19 to 25, wherein said sleeve member is further provided with at least one guide slot extending through said at least one first angled plane, said guide slot arranged to guide at least one sprung piercing means, said sprung piercing means arranged to pierce at least an outer layer of said cable when in use.

27. A sleeve member according to claim 26, wherein said sprung piercing means are made of conducting material, wherein when the cable is an electrical

§ cable, with an insulating sleeve, said sprung means are arranged to pierce said insulating sleeve to contact the electrical cable, whereby the voltage on the electrical cable may be tapped by said means.

28. A sleeve member according to claim 27, wherein said sprung piercing means are further provided with conducting arms extending along the outer 0 surface of said sleeve member, said arms arranged to allow electrical connection to external measurement means.

29. A sleeve member according to any of claims 26 to 28 wherein each angled surface of said sleeve member is provided with a set of sprung piercing means.

S 30. A sleeve member for use in a cable securing arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying Figures.