IE42590B1 - Cable suspension assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

1512493 Suspending cables PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO 2 June 1976 [2 June 1975] 22841/76 Heading D1T [Also in Division H2] A cable suspension assembly comprises a housing made up of separable mating parts 12, 14 which together form an open-ended passage to receive a cable, means e.g. straps 20 to attach the assembly to a suspension structure 22 e.g. an insulator or cross bar and means 16 on the outside of the housing to retain the dead-end of a helically preformed element 18 which in use extends from the housing and along the cable in gripping relationship. As shown the housing comprises two members 12, 14, lugs 24 on member 12 extending through slots 26 in member 14 to be engaged, by a pin 27 thus locking the housing on the cable. A split tube 28 e.g. of neoprene may be placed on the cable before the housing is mounted on it. Member 12 has studs 25 with end flanges 29 over which elongate orifices in the plates 20 can be placed and secured thereto by twisting. The recess 13 in member 12 is curved downwardly towards its ends so that the stress on the cable is more evenly spread.

Description

The present invention relates generally to the reinforcement and suspension of linear bodies, such as electrical transmission lines or cables and, more specifically, to a nevz and improved cable suspension assembly. 3 Numerous devices have been developed and utilized in the past for suspending linear bodies. While these prior devices have met with some success they have been found in a few instances to have certain shortcomings which are undesirable and which limit their applicability and use. For example, certain of these prior devices are so complex in design and the arrangement of their individual parts is such that they are cumbersome and complicated to assemble in the field. In addition, other of these prior devices have been found to transmit stress forces to the linear body suspended therefrom such that its useful service life may be unduly shortened.

According to the invention, there is provided a cable suspension assembly comprising a support housing having an openended passage therethrough to receive, support and locate a cable therein, said housing comprising a plurality of mating parts which are separable to provide access to the passage so that a cable may be positioned therein, attachment means for attaching the assembly to a suspension structure and anchoring means on the exterior of the housing to which, in use, the S 5 9 0 dead-end of a helically preformed cable attachment element may be attached so that said element extends away from the housing along and around the cable in gripping relationship thereto.

Preferably the support housing comprises a support member having an axially extending recess in the upper surface thereof and an elongate cover engaging and positively locating with said support member to form the passage.

Conveniently the attachment means comprises a pair of suspension straps each pivotally secured to a lateral side of the support member.

A preferred embodiment of a cable suspension assembly of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a typical installation of the improved cable suspension assembly of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing in greater detail the interrelationship of the various component parts of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the cable suspension assembly having the suspension straps and helical rod elements removed therefrom.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4, and 2 5 3 0 Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing certain of the component parts of the present invention prior to their assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, the improved cable suspension 5 assembly of the present invention, designated generally as , is shown in a typical installation providing vertical loading support for a cable C. The assembly 10 comprises a separable support housing, designated as 11, which encompasses the cable and which includes an elongate Support member 12 and a cover 14. The Support member 12 has an axially extending recess in its upper surface which with cover 14, defines a generally cylindrical shaped passage 13 through which the cable C passes and the surface of the passage acts as a cable supporting bearing. The cover member 14 engages and positively locates with the support member 12 and has a plurality of anchoring elements 16, at least one anchoring element being positioned at each end thereof. Each anchoring element engages and interlocks with the deadend of a preformed helical element 18 which extends therefrom into gripping relationship around cable C.

A pair of suspension straps 20, having one end pivotally secured to the support member 12, are utilised to mount or affix the assembly to any suitable support structure, such as the depending arm 22 of an Insulator or cross bar (not shown). In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suspension straps 20 pivotally engage both the support member 12 and the support structure 22. This arrangement ensures that the housing 11 will maintain a substantially horizontal alignment when the assembly is subjected to axial displace30 ment due to axial loading of the cable C. This, in turn, minimizes bending and the resultant development of stress forces along the cable C.

As may be clearly seen in Figures 2 and 6, the support member 12 includes a pair of vertically extending ears 24 which mate with parallel slots 26 in the cover 14 and which provide the 2 59ο positive location necessary to avoid displacement or shifting of the individual component parts during use. Means are also provided for locking the cover 14 in its engaged position with support 12 to prevent accidental disassembly of the device when the cable C is galloping or experiencing extreme vibration. In accordance with one preferred embodiment this locking means comprises a pin 27 which extends through apertures 39 in ears 24 and bridges the space between the ears 24.

The improved cable suspension assembly of the present invention also includes a means for absorbing stress forces which otherwise would be transmitted to the cable C. In accordance with the preferred embodiment , this stress absorbing means comprises an elongated and resilient, elastomeric sleeve 28 which covers and isolates cable C throughout the length of the housing 11.

As can he clearly seen in Figures 5 and 6 the support member 12 also includes a pair of laterally extending locking studs 25 which co-operate with the elongated slots 21 in the suspension straps 20. Each locking stud 25 includes at its outer end an elongated or elliptically shaped flange 29, The suspension strap 20 has a similarly shaped opening 21 adjacent one end thereof which enables the strap to be easily installed and locked in place by a 90 degree rotation.

As is shown in Figure 3, the generally cylindrical shaped passage 13 in housing 11 formed by the recess of support member 12 and cover 14 has a centrally raised central portion 30 and end portions 32 which extend downwardly at a slight angle therefrom. This arrangement also assists in minimising the bending of the cable C, particularly at the points where it emerges from the housing 11.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the described cable suspension assembly may be installed on a line conductor or other linear body easily and expeditiously in the field. First, the resilient, elastomeric sleeve 28, having a slit 33 extending throughout its length, is placed over the cable at the point at which the cable is to be suspended. Next, the support member 12 and the cover 14 are joined in positively locating relationship, thereby forming the cable receiving housing 11. The pin 27 and suspension straps 20 are then locked into place and the assembly is suspended from the depending support structure 22. Finally, the preformed helical elements 18 are each assembled onto an individual anchoring element 16 and wrapped into gripping relationship about the cable C. Thus, the finally assembled suspension device is secured against axial displacement on the cable C and is capable of maintaining a substantially horizontal alignment when the cable C is subjected to axial tension loads.

These features, together with the resilient, elastomeric sleeve and the positively indexing relationship of support member 12 and cover 14, result in a cable suspension assembly which substantially eliminates the concentration of stress forces along that portion of the cable C contiguous with and adjacent to the supporting device.

The cable suspension assembly may be manufactured from any number of suitable materials well-known in tho act. For example, the housing 11 may be made from cast aluminium, the suspension straps 20 and the preformed helical elements 18 may be made from steel, and the resilient elastomeric sleeve 28 may be manufactured from neoprene.

The cable suspension assembly, just described, features positive interlocking of the components, thereby greatly facilitating assembly of the devices in the field. Additionally, the assembly upon installation, provides a firm gripping force to the cable or other linear body and is free thereafter from slippage or shifting of the components Ί thereof, thereby preventing the possible disassembly of the device from the cable. The suspension assembly is also of comparatively light weight but exceptional strength and prevents the transmission of bending stress forces to the cable or linear body.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS:1. A cable suspension assembly comprising a support housing having an open-ended passage therethrough to receive, support and locate a cable therein, said housing comprising 5 a plurality of mating parts which are separable to provide access to the passage so that a cable may be positioned therein, attachment means for attaching the assembly to a suspension structure, and anchoring means on the exterior of the housing to which, in use, the dead-end of a helically 10 preformed cable attachment element may be attached so that said element extends away from the housing along and around the cable in gripping relationship thereto.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support housing comprises a support member having an axially ex15 tending recess in the upper surface thereof and a cover engaging and positively locating with said support member to form the passage.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said attachment means comprises a pair of suspension straps each piv20 otally secured to a lateral side of the support memeber.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each of said straps is constructed so that it may be pivotally attached to a suspension structure.

5. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims 25 wherein the anchoring means on the support housing comprise anchoring elements adjacent each end thereof.

6. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein stress absorbing means are disposed within said passage.

7. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said stress absorbing means comprises an elongated resilient elastomeric sleeve.

8. An assembly as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the length 5 of the elastomeric sleeve is substantially the same as the length of the passage in the support housing.

9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said passage includes a raised central portion and outer end portions which extend downwardly at a slight angle from said 10. Central portion.

10. An assembly as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 9 wherein said support member includes a pair of upright ears, each ear extending through a slot in said cover and means cooperating with said ears for locking said cover in said pos15 itively located engagement therewith.

11. A cable suspension assembly as claimed in Claim 1 when held in position on an electrical transmission cable by helically preformed cable attachment elements interlocked with the anchoring means on the housing and extending away from 20 the assembly along and around the cable in gripping relation therewith.

12. A cable suspension assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.