EP4482773A1

EP4482773A1 - Apparatus for telecommunications cables

Info

Publication number: EP4482773A1
Application number: EP23700759.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Darren Willis
Original assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Current assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Priority date: 2022-02-23
Filing date: 2023-01-11
Publication date: 2025-01-01
Also published as: GB202202460D0; WO2023160899A1; GB2616010A; GB2616010B

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for winding telecommunications cable into a figure-of-eight flake (1 10), the apparatus comprising: a free-standing base (120); a pair of supports (130), wherein each support is suitable for winding a telecommunications cable therearound such that the pair of supports are suitable for forming a figure-of-eight flake across the pair of supports; and an engagement formation (140) for engaging the pair of supports to the base so as to extend from the base.

Description

APPARATUS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLES

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing telecommunications cables.

Background

Telecommunications cables may be wound into a so-called figure-of-eight flakes (also referred to as a “fake” or “fleet’) such an arrangement is advantageous because, compared to spooled cable, both terminal ends of the cable can be unwound simultaneously (for example, at any intervention point of a cable pull) and, with both terminal ends free (and apart), the risk of kinking, twisting or knotting during uncoiling is reduced.

Telecommunications cables may, however, be constructed in a manner that renders them difficult for a user to manipulate, at least owing to the resilience, weight, elasticity and frangibility of such cables. Accordingly, creating a figure-of-eight flake (also referred to an “fleeting” or “flaking”) from telecommunications cables may in turn require multiple users. Furthermore, equipment (e.g. traffic cones) may be used ad hoc to assist with flaking, but such equipment may cause the telecommunications cable to be damaged, form ineffective flakes, or otherwise be unsuitable for use manipulating telecommunications cables.

It is an aim of the present invention to at least alleviate some of the aforementioned problems.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided: an apparatus for winding telecommunications cable into a figure-of-eight flake, the apparatus comprising: a free-standing base; a pair of supports, wherein each support is suitable for winding a telecommunications cable therearound such that the pair of supports are suitable for forming a figure-of-eight flake across the pair of supports; and an engagement formation for engaging the pair of supports to the base so as to extend from the base.

Preferably, the apparatus is a guide, and more preferably a cable winding guide. Preferably, the engagement formation is configured to engage the pair of supports, substantially, perpendicularly relative to the free-standing base.

Preferably, in use, the free-standing base is arranged so that the pair of supports extend substantially vertically or horizontally. Preferably, the base is flat. Preferably, the base forms a majority of the mass of the apparatus. Preferably, the base envelopes at least a footprint, upon the base, of the pair of supports. Preferably, the width and/or length of the base is/are greater than the width and/or length of each support together. Preferably, the width and/or length of the base is/are greater than the height of each support. Preferably, each support is suitable for receiving the telecommunications cable in abutment against each such support thereby to form the figure-of-eight flake. Preferably, each support is spaced apart from the other, and more preferably there is provided a void or only free space between each of the pair of supports. Preferably, the pair of supports are exposed such that the telecommunications cable, when in situ, is outwardly unsupported. Optionally, the pair of supports are set around a perimeter of the base. Each support defines a perimeter (or envelope) in the shape of an arc.

Preferably, each of the supports is dimensioned no smaller than a minimum bend radius of the telecommunications cable, thereby to support a coil of telecommunications cable with a bend radius no less than said minimum bend radius.

Preferably, the engagement formation comprises a locking mechanism for locking each of the supports in place and/or to the base. Preferably, the locking mechanism is in the form of a rigid brace for receiving a free terminal end of each of the pair of supports, for rigid interconnection therewith, so as to help prevent movement of the pair of supports.

Preferably, the engagement formation comprises at least one pivotable joint, and wherein at least one of the supports is coupled therewith. Preferably, the at least one pivotable joint is configured to allow said at least one support to rotate to an extent such that a free terminal end of said support contacts the base, so that the support may (substantially) lie flat against the base.

Preferably, at least one of the supports comprises a plurality of posts. Preferably, the plurality of posts comprises at least four posts, and more preferably six posts. Preferably, for a given support, all, or only adjacent, posts of the plurality of posts are all equally spaced apart. Preferably, the plurality of posts are each set around a perimeter of the base.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of posts is coupled to the at least one pivotable joint such that said post is movable so as to reduce an envelope of the plurality of posts. In this way, the figure-of-eight flake may more easily be lifted (vertically) from the apparatus. Preferably, the at least one post is movable inwardly, and more preferably towards the other plurality of posts of the same support. Preferably, the pair of supports (and more preferably, the plurality of posts) are parallel to one another, and more preferably when locked in position by the locking mechanisms. Preferably, for a given one of the pair of supports, at least two pivotable joints are provided, and wherein at least two of the plurality of posts are coupled to a separate one of said pivotable joints, such that the at least two posts are configured to collapse towards a common point.

Preferably, the engagement formation comprises an urging member for urging one of the supports away from the other support.

Preferably, the engagement formation comprises a release mechanism for releasing the pair of supports so as to detach the free-standing base. Optionally, each of the supports are removable from the base, and replaceable upon the base by means of the locking mechanism.

Preferably, the free-standing base comprises: two separate portions; a hinge, wherein the two separate portions are connected by the hinge such that said portions are transformable between lying in the same plane and folded upon one another. Preferably, said hinge is located, when the two separate portions are (entirely) in the same plane, at a midpoint of the: free-standing base; and/or between the supports.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a channel, wherein said channel is coupled to the base by means of the engagement formation and disposed between the pair of supports, and wherein the channel is configured to receive and constrain a waist of the figure-of-eight flake. Preferably said channel flares outwardly towards the direction of each of the pair of supports, and more preferably said channel is funnel-shaped. Preferably, the telecommunications cable is resilient and/or elastic. Optionally, the telecommunications cable comprises a metal conductor, and more preferably copper. Optionally, the telecommunications cable comprises a strength member, and preferably a metal, Kevlar^RTM, Aramid, and/or fibreglass strength member. Optionally, the telecommunications cable comprises a fibre optic cable. Preferably, the telecommunications cable has a gauge of at least 0.5mm, and at most 20mm, or more preferably at most 15mm, and still more preferably at most 12mm. Preferably, the telecommunications cable has a length of at least 5m, more preferably at least 15m and still more preferably at least 50m. Preferably, at least one of the pair of supports has a cross-sectional shape in the form of: a circle; squircle; triangle; stadium; square; teardrop; pentagon; hexagon; polygon; and/or aerofoil. Preferably, at least one of the pair of supports comprises a convex surface, and more preferably said convex surface faces away from the other support. Optionally, each support and/or the freestanding base is formed of a tubular frame. Optionally, the tubular frame is configured to be dissembled into constituent tubes, and reassembled by means of a push-fit mechanism. Optionally, each support and/or the free-standing base is formed of plastic, metal or any composite material. The invention includes any novel aspects described and/or illustrated herein. The invention also extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any apparatus feature may also be provided as a corresponding step of a method, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may alternatively be expressed in terms of their corresponding structure, for example as a suitably-programmed processor.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied, in any appropriate combination, to other aspects of the invention. Any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. Particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

As used throughout, the word 'or' can be interpreted in the exclusive and/or inclusive sense, unless otherwise specified.

The invention extends to an apparatus as described herein and/or substantially as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is now described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figures 1 a and 1 b show an example of an apparatus for winding telecommunications cable into a figure-of-eight flake;

Figures 2a and 2b show the apparatus with a wound telecommunications cable in situ;

Figure 3a and 3b show the apparatus, with the wound telecommunications cable in situ, transformed into a dispensing state;

Figure 4a and 4b show a further example of an apparatus for winding telecommunications cable into a figure-of-eight flake; and

Figure 5a and 5b show yet a further example of an apparatus for winding telecommunications cable into a figure-of-eight flake.

Figures 1 to 5 show an apparatus 100, or guide, for winding telecommunications cable so as to form a figure-of-eight flake 110. Throughout, figures suffixed with an ‘a’ (e.g. Figure 1 a) are side elevation views, whereas those suffixed with a ‘b’ (/.e. Figure 1 b) show top elevation views. The apparatus 100 comprises: a free-standing base 120; a pair of supports 130, in turn comprising first 130-1 and second 130-2 supports; and an engagement formation 140.

The free-standing base 120 is a flat, rigid and stable frame for resting on ground, form which the pair of supports 130 each project perpendicularly and are rigidly attached to the base by means of the engagement formations 140.

Each of the pair of supports 130 are configured to define a structure around, and against, which a telecommunications cable may be tightly wound, and successive windings stacked.

To do so, in the example of Figures 1 to 3, each support comprises a set of four posts 150, with each post being set around a perimeter of a rectangle and defining a corner of said rectangle. Correspondingly, in an alternative example, as shown in Figures 4, each support is in the form of a cylinder 160. In the example of Figure 5, each support of the apparatus comprises a set of six posts 150, set around a perimeter of the base, and therefore define a rectangular perimeter.

In each of the examples of Figures 1 to 5, the first 130-1 and second 130-2 supports are arranged apart from one another along the free-standing base, and are separated by free space, such that the telecommunications cable may be alternated between being wound around each support 130.

The engagement formation 140 for each support is therefore configured to resist compliance of the supports against the tension of the winding of the telecommunications cable.

Each of the supports 130 is dimensioned to have a height that is many multiples of the gauge of the telecommunications cable; in this way, windings of the telecommunications cable can be stacked to form the flake 1 10, and to allow formation of multiple separate flakes, from separate lengths of telecommunications cable, with the same apparatus 100. For example, the height of each support is 1 meter. Each support 130 also comprises parallel external walls, which allows the flake 100 to have evenly sized lobes across the height of the flake.

Telecommunications cables may have advised minimum bend radii to help prevent damage. Accordingly, each of the supports 130 are dimensioned and are separated from one another to help prevent, for a given telecommunications cable, bends below the advised minimum bend radii. In the example of Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the rectangles defined by the posts, lie on, or envelope, a notional circle (not shown) defining the minimum bend radius of the telecommunications cable. Correspondingly, in the example of Figure 4, the cylinder 160 lies on, or envelopes, this circle. In use, a single user is available to unspool a length of telecommunications cables and tightly to ‘slalom’ the cable around and between each of the supports, thereby forming the flake 110, as best shown in Figures 2.

In the specific example of Figures 1 to 3, the apparatus 100 is transformable between a flaking state (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) and a dispensing state (as shown in Figures 3).

In the flaking state, the posts are rigidly supported in vertical parallel alignment to allow for winding of the telecommunications cable thereagainst, and therefore allow for formation of the flake 110. Once the flake has been formed, a user may bind the flake to ensure it maintains form.

With reference to Figures 3, each of the posts, for a given support, are pivotable so that an upper free terminal end of each post inclines inwardly toward one another, thereby effectively forming a frame of a pyramid. The movement of the posts in this way transforms the apparatus into the dispending state. To allow for such movement of the posts, the engagement formation for each post comprises an appropriate lockable movable joint (not shown), such as a hinge comprising a locking abutment mechanism. By angling the posts in this way, the posts may be released from abutment against the flake, which in turn allows a user to remove the flake. In a corresponding manner to the example of Figures 1 to 3, the example of Figure 5 is also available to transform between the flaking and dispensing states.

Alternatives and Modifications

In an alternative, the apparatus comprises a waist support, arranged between the first and the second supports, which defines an aperture through which to receive and constrain the telecommunications cable at a crossover point (or “waist”) of the flake between each lobe, thereby helping further support the formation of the flake, and limit widening of the waist.

In an alternative, the lockable movable joint is lockable (optionally, only) by means of a removable brace for receiving, and rigidly interconnecting, the free terminal ends of each support or a plurality of the posts of each support.

In an alternative to the examples of Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the lockable movable joint allows movement of the posts through ninety degrees relative to the base, such that each of the posts may be laid flat against the base, thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the apparatus for more convenient transportation. Furthermore, the base is available to comprise a hinge along a longitudinal midpoint, thereby to allow for folding-up of the base, and a further reduction in the overall dimensions of the apparatus. Each feature disclosed herein, and (where appropriate) as part of the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination. Any reference numerals appearing in the claims are for illustration only and shall not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for winding telecommunications cable into a figure-of-eight flake, the apparatus comprising: a free-standing base; a pair of supports, wherein each support is suitable for winding a telecommunications cable therearound such that the pair of supports are suitable for forming a figure-of-eight flake across the pair of supports; and an engagement formation for engaging the pair of supports to the base so as to extend from the base.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein each of the supports is dimensioned no smaller than a minimum bend radius of the telecommunications cable, thereby to support a coil of telecommunications cable with a bend radius no less than said minimum bend radius.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement formation comprises a locking mechanism for locking each of the supports in place and/or to the base.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement formation comprises at least one pivotable joint, and wherein at least one of the supports is coupled therewith.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the supports comprises a plurality of posts.

6. An apparatus according to Claim 5 when dependent upon Claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of posts is coupled to the at least one pivotable joint such that said post is movable so as to reduce an envelope of the plurality of posts.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, when dependent upon Claim 4, wherein for a given one of the pair of supports, at least two pivotable joints are provided, and wherein at least two of the plurality of posts are coupled to a separate one of said pivotable joints, such that the at least two posts are configured to collapse towards a common point.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement formation comprises an urging member for urging one of the supports away from the other support.

9. An apparatus according the any preceding claim, wherein the engagement formation comprises a release mechanism for releasing the pair of supports so as to detach the freestanding base.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the free-standing base comprises: two separate portions; a hinge, wherein the two separate portions are connected by the hinge such that said portions are transformable between lying in the same plane and folded upon one another.

1 1. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a channel, wherein said channel is coupled to the base by means of the engagement formation and disposed between the pair of supports, and wherein the channel is configured to receive and constrain a waist of the figure-of-eight flake.