AU2005234662A1

AU2005234662A1 - Cable Coupling Device

Info

Publication number: AU2005234662A1
Application number: AU2005234662A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Alan Boyd; Michael Dixon
Original assignee: AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL MARINE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL MARINE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-18
Filing date: 2005-11-18
Publication date: 2006-06-01

Description

Regulation 3.2A

ORIGINAL

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "CABLE COUPLING DEVICE" Applicant: AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL MARINE PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: O "CABLE COUPLING DEVICE" Field of the Invention

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Z The present invention relates to a coupling device for coupling an article to a 00 cable and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to such a coupling device for coupling shell fish panels to a long line used in the commercial cultivation of shell fish such as oysters.

Background to the Invention In commercial cultivation of shell fish in a marine environment the individual shells are usually housed in frames or panels, which are attached by ropes to a main cable or long line, which is suspended horizontally near the surface by a series of floats. The main cable is anchored at each end to a secure anchor embedded in the sea floor. Intermediate each end a series of floats are attached, and between these are attached smaller lines or "droppers", which suspend the panels holding the shells a prescribed distance, typically about 3 metres, below the main cable.

Periodically the panels are raised out of the water to check the health of the shellfish and to remove barnacles and other marine growth from the oyster shells.

The main cables are typically 20 to 30 mm in diameter, whereas the dropper lines are typically about 10 mm in diameter. The conventional method for assembling a complete long line is to manually tie both the floats and the dropper lines to the main cable. This conventional method has a number of undesirable aspects.

Manually tying the floats and droppers is very labour intensive, and the quality of the attachment is dependent on the skill of the workers performing the task. An inherent characteristic of the rope used for the main cable is that it reduces in diameter slightly when put under tension, which is a common occurrence in situations of high winds, strong wave action, and tidal flows. Therefore, the task of attaching the droppers and floats securely to the main cable requires the application of considerable manual force when tying knots. It is easy for the knots to work loose in situ. Furthermore, the tedious and stressful nature of this manual labour may in some instances lead to repetitive strain injury in the workers employed to perform this task.

O Even when the tying of knots is consistently done to a high standard, there is a Stendency for undesirable wear to occur between the main cable and the lines tied O thereto. Due to the constant movement of the floats and panels as a result of wind Z and wave action, the ropes rub against each other at the point of attachment. This 00 wear due to friction is exacerbated by water borne sand and grit. As filaments in the main cable progressively get worn through, the tensile strength of the cable is

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Ndegraded until it will ultimately fail.

Finally, the manual tying of floats and panels has to be carried out in a land-based assembly facility as it is not practical to perform this task on board the deployment vessel or in situ. The completed long line is then transported to its site of deployment by boat, which is a very awkward and messy process as the large number of floats and droppers makes it a very unwieldy and difficult item to handle. It is also easy to get lines, floats and panels tangled during the deployment process.

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a coupling device and system for coupling articles such as floats and droppers to a long line that overcomes at least some of the aforementioned problems of the prior art method of attachment. It will be understood that the coupling device may have wider application wherever an article is required to be coupled to a cable.

References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling device for coupling an article to a cable, the device comprising: a tubular collar adapted to be fitted to a cable; and, an attachment means to which an article can be attached, said attachment means having a sleeve adapted to be slidably received on said tubular collar whereby, in use, said attachment means swivels freely on said collar whilst the article remains coupled to the cable.

Preferably said tubular collar has an annular projection adapted to engage with an edge of said sleeve of the attachment means, to inhibit axial movement of said 0 sleeve relative to the collar. Advantageously said annular projection is provided centrally of the collar, and said sleeve is formed in two sections with a central,

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annular gap there between, within which said annular projection is rotatably received.

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IIn a preferred embodiment said tubular collar is adapted to be fixed to the cable.

For this purpose said tubular collar preferably has a locking pin, said collar having a transversely extending bore provided therein in which said pin is received so 0 10 that, in use, the locking pin interlocks the collar to the cable.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable coupling system for coupling a plurality of articles at spaced intervals to a cable, the coupling system comprising: a plurality of tubular collars fitted at spaced intervals along the cable; and a corresponding plurality of attachment means, to each of which one of said articles can be attached, each said attachment means having a sleeve adapted to be slidably received on one of said tubular collars whereby, in use, each said attachment means swivels freely on its respective collar whilst the articles remain coupled to the cable; and wherein said plurality of tubular collars can be fitted to the cable prior to deployment of the cable in situ, and said attachment means can subsequently be connected to its respective collar in situ.

Preferably said attachment means further comprises a pair of substantially planar members which are fixed in parallel, facing relation to each other and substantially perpendicular to the sleeve. The sleeve is preferably split longitudinally, with the planar members fixed to the respective longitudinal edges of the split in both sections of the sleeve. Preferably the internal diameter of the sleeve is slightly larger that the external diameter of the collar, so that when the planar members return to their original position the sleeve remains free to rotate on the collar.

In one embodiment said planar members are in the form of ear-shaped projecting tabs, each having a plurality of holes provided therein to permit the attachment of 0a dropper line thereto. In another embodiment said planar members are in the form of projecting tabs, each provided with a rimmed circular aperture therein to z permit the attachment of a float thereto.

00 Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to Nimply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of Nany other integer or group of integers.

OBrief Description of the Drawings The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of several preferred embodiments of the long line coupling device, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a cable coupling system according to the present invention used in commercial shell fish cultivation; Figure 2 is an enlarged section view of two preferred embodiments of a cable coupling device according to the present invention used in the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tubular collar employed in the coupling devices illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an attachment means employed in one of the coupling devices illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the coupling devices illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an attachment means employed in the other one of the coupling devices illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the other one of the coupling devices illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a bracket that can be employed with the coupling device of Figures 6 7; and,

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Z Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket of Figure 8 in use 00 with the coupling device of Figures 6 7.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

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NFigure 1 shows part of a long line used in commercial shell fish cultivation in which two preferred embodiments 10 and 12 of the coupling device in accordance with the present invention are illustrated fixed to a main cable 14. The first Sembodiment of the coupling device 10 is used for coupling a dropper line 16 to the main cable 10, and the second embodiment of the coupling device 12 is used for coupling a float 18 to the main cable 14. The main cable 14 would be anchored at each end in the conventional manner, and each dropper line 16 would have a shell fish panel or frame (not shown) attached thereto. The long line is shown in situ with the floats and droppers already coupled thereto, however in accordance with the cable coupling system of the present invention the floats and droppers can be attached to the long line at the time of deployment in situ, as will be described in more detail below.

The first embodiment of the coupling device 10, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 to 5, comprises a tubular collar 20 adapted to be fitted to the cable 14. The coupling device 10 further comprises an attachment means 22 to which an article, (in this case a dropper line 16), can be attached. The attachment means 22 has a sleeve 24 adapted to be slidably received on the tubular collar 20 so that, in use, the attachment means swivels freely on the collar 20 whilst the dropper line 16 remains coupled to the main cable 14.

The tubular collar 20 preferably has an annular projection 26 adapted to engage with an edge of the sleeve 24 of the attachment means 22, to inhibit axial movement of the sleeve 24 relative to the collar 20. In the illustrated embodiment the annular projection 26 is in the form of a ring provided centrally of the collar The sleeve 24 is formed in two sections with a central, annular gap 28 there between, within which the projecting ring 26 is rotatably received. This arrangement permits the attachment means 22 to rotate 3600 around the axis of the collar 20, and hence of main cable 14.

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Z In this embodiment the attachment means 22 is designed for attaching a dropper o00 line 16 to the main cable 14. Preferably the attachment means 22 further comprises a pair of substantially planar members in the form of ear-shaped projecting tabs 30 which are fixed in parallel, facing relation to each other and Isubstantially perpendicular to the sleeve 24. Sleeve 24 is preferably split longitudinally, with the projecting tabs 30 fixed to the respective longitudinal edges o of the split in both sections of the sleeve. By moving the two projecting tabs apart, the sleeve can thus be opened along the split. Sleeve 24 is preferably made from a resiliently deformable plastics material. Hence when the two projecting tabs 30 are separated, they will return to their original position when released. This arrangement allows the attachment means 22 to be connected to the collar 20, by separating the projecting tabs 30 and pushing the two sections of the sleeve 24 onto the collar either side of the projecting ring 26. The internal diameter of the sleeve 24 is slightly larger that the external diameter of the collar so that even when the projecting tabs 30 return to their original position, in facing contact with each other, the sleeve 24 of attachment means 22 remains free to rotate on the collar 20. The two sections of sleeve 24 are also joined by a bridging piece 36, located diametrically opposite the position of the projecting tabs Both projecting tabs 30 of the attachment means 22 have a plurality of holes provided therein to permit the attachment of the dropper line 16 thereto. In this embodiment three holes 32 are provided in a triangular pattern as can be seen most clearly in Figure 4. This arrangement of the holes 32 facilitates the attachment of the dropper line 16 to the projecting tabs 30 by means of a simple half hitch knot as shown in Figure 5. No force is required to tie this knot, and the weight of the panel filled with shell fish, pulling downwards on the dropper line 16, will lock the end of the line in the bight 34 of the rope. This knot also serves the dual function of keeping the two projecting tabs 30 in close facing contact, when the sleeve has been received on the collar In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular collar 20 is adapted to be fixed to the cable 14 so as to be immovable along the axis of the cable 14. For this purpose O the tubular collar 20 preferably has a locking pin 40 for fixing the collar to the cable. The collar 20 has a transversely extending bore 42 provided therein, as 00 can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, in which the locking pin 40 is received, so that, in use, the locking pin interlocks the collar to the cable. Locking pin 40 typically Ipasses between the fibres of the cable 14, and has an enlarged point 44 that engages with a lip provided at the end of bore 42 to secure the pin. Alternatively, 1 the end of the locking pin is secured in the bore 42 using ultrasonic welding. In an alternative form, the locking pin may be tapered to a pointed end for ease of Spositioning through the fibres of the cable 14.

The second embodiment of the coupling device 12, as shown more clearly in Figures 2, 6 and 7, also comprises a tubular collar 50 adapted to be fitted to the cable 14. Tubular collar 50 of this embodiment is identical to tubular collar 20 of the first embodiment and will not be described again. The coupling device 12 further comprises an attachment means 52 to which an article, (in this case a float 18), can be attached. The attachment means 52 has a sleeve 54 adapted to be slidably received on the tubular collar 50 so that, in use, the attachment means swivels freely on the collar 50 whilst the float 18 remains coupled to the main cable 14.

An annular projection 56 provided on the tubular collar 50 is adapted to engage with an edge of the sleeve 54 of the attachment means 52, to inhibit axial movement of the sleeve 54 relative to the collar 50. As with the first embodiment, the sleeve 54 is preferably formed in two sections with a central, annular gap 58 there between, within which the projecting ring 56 is rotatably received. This arrangement permits the attachment means 52 to rotate 3600 around the axis of the collar 50, and hence of main cable 14.

In this embodiment the attachment means 52 is designed for attaching a float 18 to the main cable 14. Preferably the attachment means 52 further comprises a pair of substantially planar members in the form of projecting tabs 60 which are fixed in parallel, facing relation to each other and substantially perpendicular to the sleeve 54. Sleeve 54 is preferably split longitudinally, with the projecting tabs fixed to the respective longitudinal edges of the split in both sections of the sleeve. By moving the two projecting tabs 60 apart, the sleeve can thus be 0 z opened along the split. As with the previous embodiment, sleeve 54 is preferably made from a resiliently deformable plastics material, so that when the two projecting tabs 60 are separated, they will return to their original position when released. This arrangement allows the attachment means 52 to be connected to I the collar 50, by separating the projecting tabs 60 and pushing the two sections of the sleeve 54 onto the collar either side of the projecting ring 56.

t't In this embodiment, the projecting tabs 60 in their original position are arranged in parallel, facing relation to each other but spaced from each other by a predetermined gap. This gap is sized to receive a lug 62 of the float 18 therein.

Both projecting tabs 60 of this embodiment are provided with a rimmed circular aperture 64 therein, for receiving tube key 66. One end of tube key 66 is designed to pass through the aperture 68 provided in the lug 62 of the float, and through the rimmed apertures 64 in the projecting tabs 60, and has a bayonet fitting 70 that engages with an internal rim 72 provided in one of the rimmed apertures 64, (see Figure 6) when the key is twisted in the apertures 64. In this manner the float 18 is conveniently attached to the attachment means 52 of this embodiment. The internal diameter of the sleeve 54 is slightly larger that the external diameter of the collar 50, so that even when the projecting tabs 60 return to their original position, in facing contact with either side of the lug 62 of the float 18, the sleeve 54 of the attachment means 52 remains free to rotate on the collar Some larger floats are provided with two lugs 78 as shown in Figure 9. The same attachment means 52, of the second embodiment of the coupling device 12, may be employed. However, in this instance, a special bracket 80 is provided, as shown in Figure 8, for attaching the float to the attachment means 52. Bracket comes in two complementary halves 80a and 80b, which clip together by means of interconnecting hubs 82. Hubs 82 pass through respective apertures on the lugs 78 of the float. Bracket 80 has two arms 84 extending from a common, central aperture 86, through which the tube key 66 passes to interconnect the bracket 80 with the attachment means 52 as shown in Figure 9.

All of the components of the coupling device are preferably made from a suitable resilient plastics polymer, and can advantageously be mass produced using O injection moulding techniques.

0_ In a preferred embodiment of a cable coupling system according to the invention, a plurality of floats 18 and dropper lines 16 are coupled at spaced intervals to a N main cable 14 as shown in Figure 1. However, the manner in which the floats and Idropper lines are attached to the cable 14 is greatly simplified compared to the nprior art method. Typically a plurality the tubular collars 20 and 50 are fitted at 0 spaced intervals along the cable 14 in a land based production facility. Each of the collars is threaded onto the cable 14 and fixed at the prescribed intervals by inserting a locking pin through its transverse bore. The cable 14 with the collars fitted thereto is then transported by boat to the deployment location.

A corresponding plurality of attachment means 22 and 52, to each of which one of either a float 18 or dropper 16 can be attached, are then subsequently connected to their respective collars in situ. This can be done, either as the cable 14 is being deployed, or after the cable 14 has been anchored to the sea bed. Because of the ease with which both floats and dropper lines can be attached to the cable by means of the attachment means, it is a relatively simple operation to remove and replace damaged floats and dropper lines (or panels).

Now that several preferred embodiments of the cable coupling device according to the present invention have been described in detail, it will be apparent that is provides a number of advantages compared to the prior art, including the following: The coupling system does not require the labour intensive, manual tying of knots to attach articles to the main cable, and there obviates the attendant problems.

(ii) The provision of a sleeve in the attachment means, which swivels freely on the collar, prevents wear due to friction at the point of attachment to the main cable.

(iii) Since the collars can be fitted to the cable prior to deployment of the cable in situ, the cable can be transported in a compact, manageable coil.

B (iv) The floats and droppers can be connected to their respective collars on the Smain cable in situ either as, or after, the cable is deployed.

Z The coupling device and system can be fabricated or adapted to suit cables 00 and ropes of different thicknesses.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various

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IDmodifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive C concepts of the present invention. For example, the attachment means can be Sreadily modified to attach any other desired article to the cable. Therefore, it will S 10 be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.

Claims

2. A coupling device according to claim 1 wherein said tubular collar has an annular projection adapted to engage with an edge of said sleeve of the attachment means, to inhibit axial movement of said sleeve relative to the collar.
3. A coupling device according to claim 2 wherein said annular projection is provided centrally of the collar.
4. A coupling device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said sleeve is formed in two sections with a central, annular gap there between, within which said annular projection is rotatably received. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said tubular collar is adapted to be fixed to the cable.
6. A coupling device according to claim 5 wherein said tubular collar has a locking pin, said collar having a transversely extending bore provided therein in which said pin is received so that, in use, the locking pin interlocks the collar to the cable.
7. A cable coupling system for coupling a plurality of articles at spaced intervals to a cable, the coupling system comprising: a plurality of tubular collars fitted at spaced intervals along the cable; and a corresponding plurality of attachment means, to each of which one of said articles can be attached, each said attachment means having a sleeve adapted to be slidably received on one of said tubular collars whereby, in use, each said attachment means swivels freely on its respective collar whilst the articles remain coupled to the cable; O Z and wherein said plurality of tubular collars can be fitted to the cable prior to OO deployment of the cable in situ, and said attachment means can subsequently be connected to its respective collar in situ. (N D 8. A cable coupling system according to claim 7 wherein said attachment means further comprises a pair of substantially planar members which are fixed in (Ni parallel, facing relation to each other and substantially perpendicular to the Ssleeve.
9. A cable coupling system according to claim 8 wherein the sleeve is split longitudinally, with the planar members fixed to the respective longitudinal edges of the split in both sections of the sleeve. A cable coupling system according to claim 9 wherein the internal diameter of the sleeve is slightly larger that the external diameter of the collar, so that when the planar members return to their original position the sleeve remains free to rotate on the collar.
11. A cable coupling system according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said planar members are in the form of projecting tabs.
12. A cable coupling system according to claim 11 wherein the projecting tabs are each provided with a rimmed circular aperture therein to permit the attachment of a float thereto.
13. A cable coupling system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said planar members are in the form of ear-shaped projecting tabs.
14. A cable coupling system according to claim 13 wherein the ear-shaped projecting tabs each have a plurality of holes provided therein to permit the attachment of a dropper line thereto. A coupling device for coupling an article to a cable substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 14 o 16. A cable coupling system substantially as herein described with reference to C and as illustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings. 0 00 Dated this 18th day of November 2005 Australian Commercial Marine Pty Ltd by its Patent Attorney Janet Stead