GB2404288A

GB2404288A - Power cable restraint.

Info

Publication number: GB2404288A
Application number: GB0317318A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tiina Anna-Marzi Stanton; Kristian Leo John Stanton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-22
Filing date: 2003-07-22
Publication date: 2005-01-26
Also published as: GB0317318D0

Abstract

A light weight flexible pole 1 to which a standard 220/40 volt electrical cable is attached, that when fixed into the ground, or a suitable alternative anchor, applies a tension to the cable so as to allow the operator of mains electricity powered appliances, such as grass/hedge cutting equipment, to keep the cable clear of the operating area and thereby avoid the risk of accidents that may range from electrocution and strangulation to head injuries and broken limbs. The flexible pole is constructed in sections to allow ease of carriage and storage as well as adaptability to various operational requirements.

Description

POWER CABLE RESTRAINT

The invention takes the form of a flexible pole for supporting and restraining electrical power cables of the type attached to mobile electrical tools and implements, both of a domestic DIY type and for light industrial use.

Where tools and implements powered by mains electrical supply are used for such purposes as grass or hedge cutting, there is a constant risk of the power supply cable being severed or damaged by the cutting equipment with the associated risk of the operative's electrocution as well as other injuries, also to co-workers, such as tripping over the cable. Where used in a domestic situation this may include young children and pets.

The object of the invention, therefore, is to facilitate safe and efficient working practices by keeping the electrical power supply cable away from the active tool or implement through the application of a constant tension on the cable and physical separation of any surplus cable from the work area.

Made of a non-conducting composite material combining integral compression strength with a progressively flexible movement from its base to its head, the restraint, which can be fixed either by sinking the base into soft ground, such as a domestic lawn, or mounted in a heavy base unit, lifts the power cable above the working area to the prescribed/required height whilst enabling the tool/implement to be moved about within the circumference of the circle described by the flexibility of the pole, approximately 45 degrees from the vertical, and the length of the restrained cable, approximately equivalent to the height of the pole.

Drawing 1 shows a standard power cable restraint (1) for domestic garden use illustrating the sectional construction (2), the tapered base unit (3) for sinking into garden lawns or flower borders, the base unit cable retainer and brake (4) and the top section head ring (5) cable support.

Drawing 2 shows the base unit cable retainer and brake (4) with Figure A being a top-down view and Figure B being a side view.

Drawing 3 shows the head ring (5) cable support and its fixing to the top section of the pole, Figure A being a face view and Figure B being a side view.

Drawing 4 illustrates in diagrammatic form the use of the power cable restraint with an electric lawn mower, Figure A being a top-down view and Figure B a side view.

Using a small domestic garden lawn (say em x 6m) as an example, the power cable restraint sections are slotted together and the power cable is then fed through the head ring and the restraint is then sunk into the ground at the edge of the lawn (at the mid-point of its length) to provide a firm fixture and to leave approximately 4m of the restraint above ground. The lawn mower is then set at one of the opposite corners of the lawn, the power cable is attached to the lawn mower and the cable then tensioned at the restraint so as to bend the restraint to the point of its optimum flexibility, thereby keeping the cable well above the lawn. The cable is then fixed in position through the base unit retainer and brake fitting and the other end plugged into the mains power supply. The lawn mower is then operated in the usual manner cutting the lawn along its length in rows, always turning the mower inwards at the end of each row to ensure the cable runs free to the restraint and is kept clear of the mower and lawn surface. In this example it should be possible to complete cutting the whole lawn with the one setting of the restraint. Whilst longer restraints will cope with larger areas on the same basis certain lawn shapes and sizes may require the restraint to be moved and/or the cable to be re-tensioned during the full cutting process.

Claims

POWER CABLE RESTRAINT CLAIMS

1) A power cable restraint taking IhC form of a carbon based polymer pole comprising four or more inter-locking tapered sections with a base diameter of at least 30mm and section lengths of at least 1300mm, which combined provide a tip/head flexibility of up to 90 degrees, when at least 200mm of the base section is secured in the ground (or a specialist anchor unit), with the ability to return to the rest position through its' integral strength when under load from an attached 220/40 volt standard electrical cable.

2) A power cable restraint as claimed in Claim I to which means are provided for the external attachmcut of 220/40 volt standard electrical cable.

3) A power cable restraint as claimed in Claims 1-2 to which means are provided for the external attachmcut of 22()/4() volt standard electrical cable so as to allow free rotational movemcat of the cable from the tip/head of the pole.

4) A power cable restraint as claimed in Claims 1-3 to which means are provided for the external attachment of 220/40 volt standard electrical cable so as to arrest any sliding movement of the cable at the base of the pole.

5) A power cable restraint as claimed in Claims 1-4 to which means are provided for the easy insertion of the tapered base section into ground cover of the consistency and composition found in a traditional UK domestic grass lawn.

6) A power cable restraint as claimed in Claims 1-5 to which means are provided for the securing of the pole sections into a compact unit for ease of carriage, display and storage.

7) A power cable restraint substantially described herein with reference to pages 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.