NZ239872A - Support/spacer for wires or cables - Google Patents

Description

239 87 2 Priority Date(s): Complete Specification Filed: .7& Class: .H.Q?r§7./j2-r^.tV.7/j.Z 2^ FEB 1995 Publication Dats: P.O. Journal, (\'c: . • 1$^ Patents Form No 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION WIRE OR CABLE SUPPORT AND SPACER SYSTEM We, GRANT WAYNE QUINN of 188 Knights Road, Lower Hutr, New Zealand and RAYMOND TREGURTHA of 29 Magnolia Grove, Maungaraki, Lower Hutt, New Zealand, both citizens of New Zealand, hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by page la) 239 8 This invention relates to cable and wire support and anchor devices; and, whilst applicable to the support and anchoring of a single wire or cable relative to a fixture, the invention is more particularly and usefully applicable to the support and maintenance of a plurality of separate cables or wires in spaced relationship eg as for overhead electric power transmission and telecommunication line systems, and in such as multiple strand wire fencing systems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple but effective means for securing at least one cable or wire in desired relationship relative to a support and in a manner providing for ease of fitment without the need for special tools, and ensuring securement against accidental displacement of the cable or wire relative to the support, or vice versa; and in the case of a plurality of cables or wires ensuring that they are maintained in a desired spaced relationship.

Other and more particular objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description.

According to a first aspect of this invention therefore, there is provided a cable or wire support and anchor means comprising a support member having a longitudinal wall part with at least one open transverse slot within which a cable or wire is locatable to lie transversely relative to said wall -lei- 239 8 part, and an anchoring clip member having an at least partially resilient divided inner end part which is insertable within the bounds of the support wall part in proximity to said slot to engage as a close fit over the adjacent cable or wire part located therein, said clip member having at least one medial laterally projecting outer side part defining an abutment engageable with an inner surface portion of said wall part when the clip divided inner end part is forced into engagement with the cable or wire to lock said clip and cable or wire in their desired location relative to said support member.

According to a second aspect of this invention, the support member for the cable or wire support and anchor means of the preceding paragraph has a plurality of similar ones of said at least one slot located in longitudinal spaced relationship in said longitudinal wall part for the receipt and anchoring of a plurality of cables or wires in spaced relationship; and there being a corresponding plurality of similar ones of said anchoring clip member each arranged for securing the respective cables or wires in the respective slots in which they are located.

Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from below illustrating the application of the invention to the 239 8 anchoring and support of a plurality of overhead cables or wires, such as electric or telecommunications cables or wires; FIGURE 2 is a side view of one preferred form of the clip member of the invention before fitment to a cable and support member; FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view of a tubular support member with a cable or wire fitted in a slot therein and secured by the clip member of figure 2; FIGURE 4 is an end view in the direction of arrows IV-IV of the assembly shown in figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a sectional view in the direction of arrows V-V of the assembly shown in figure 3; FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side view illustrating an alternative squared channel support member with one arrangement of cable receiving slot; FIGURE 7 is a view similar to figure 6 illustrating a squared channel support member but with an alternative cable receiving slot; FIGURE 8 is an end view applicable to either of the figure 6 and figure 7 arrangements, as viewed in the direction of arrows VIII-VIII; FIGURE 9 is a plan view applicable to either of the figure 6 and figure 7 arrangements, as viewed in the direction of arrows IX-IX; FIGURE 10 is an end view similar to figure 8, but illustrating an alternative L section support member; and FIGURE 11 is an end view similar to figure 10, but illustrating an alternative inverted T section support member.

One preferred application of the invention is, as depicted in figure 1 of the drawings, in the securement and support of a plurality of similar electric power transmission or telecommunication cables or wires 1 in desired spaced substantially parallel relationship over lengthy spans to prevent contact between the cables or wires 1 due to lateral movement in such as high wind conditions; and, by interlinking, to provide a generally more stable assembly of cables or wires 1 with intermediate support preventing any broken cable or wire falling to the ground and creating a hazard.

Whilst for a short span between fixed posts or pylons, or between such as a post and a building, a single intermediately positioned spacer support member 2 may be sufficient; for lengthy spans a plurality of similar ones of the support members 2 will be normally employed in longitudinally spaced disposition, and secured or anchored relative to the cables or wires 1 with appropriate numbers of similar clip members 3. Preferably, for insulated sheath as well as for non-insulated sheath cables or wires intended for electricity transmission or telecommunications, the support members 2 and the clip members 3 are formed from strong durable electrically insulating i' plastics materials; the support U c. 2398 members 2 being substantially rigid and the clip members 3 having some inherent resilience for cable or wire engagement as hereinafter described.

In one form of the invention, and with reference now to figures 2 to 5 of the drawings, each support member 2 is of elongate tube form (the illustrated support member 2 is of cylindrical tube form, but it will be appreciated that square or other cross section tubing can be employed) and is provided along its length with a plurality of equally spaced (but other spacing can be provided if required) similar transverse slots 4 opening to one side wall part and extending partway into the support for the transverse location of a cable or wire 1 in any one of the slots 4. A cable or wire 1 located in a slot 4 is arranged to be secured therein by means of a retaining clip member 3 which can be of generally rectilinear external form with a square outer base part 5, from which divided opposed inner arm parts 6 extend in initially substantially parallel relationship with external dimensions such that the said inner arm parts 6 are insertable as a close fit within a selected slot 4.

The inner opposing faces of the clip member inner arm parts 6 can be shaped to define a substantially keyhole shaped transverse slot or channel 7 as illustrated particularly in figures 2 and 3, with a closed end 7a adjacent the clip member outer base part 5 and arcuate recesses 8 conjoining splayed or 239 8 bevelled inner faces 9 at the open inner end of the clip member 3; the shape and dimensions of the clip member arm parts 6 enabling insertion through the slot 4 to engage the cable or wire 1 located therein and, on exerting inward pressure or force on the clip member base part, to spread or splay the clip arm parts 6 and locate the cable or wire 1 within the inner opposing recesses 8 as a spring snap fit under the inherent resilience of the material employed in manufacture of the clip member 3, as illustrated particularly in figure 3; the cable or wire 1 being held against the inner opposite closed ends 4a of the support member slot 4 whilst inward force is applied to the clip member 3. Simple hand/thumb pressure by a linesman user of the invention may be sufficient in many instances to force a clip member 3 'home' into a slot 4 and in snap fit engagement with the cable or wire 1 located therein, or final forcing of the clip member 3 into its cable or wire securing or anchoring position can be with a sharp blow from a hammer or other heavy tool. To secure the cable or wire engaged clip member 3 against movement (which may cause wear and loosening) and accidental disengagement from the support member 2, the base part 5 is preferably slightly wider than the slot 4 eg opposite outer side faces 5a may taper inwardly towards the medial parts thereof; and the opposite outer side faces 6a of the clip member arm parts 6 may be stepped inwardly or rebated at such 239 8 medial parts to define abutment face part 6b which located in juxtaposition with inner wall surfaces parts of the support member 2 at opposite sides of the slot 4 when the clip member is located in the fully 'home' cable or wire securing position,and the inner arm parts 6 spread by the cable or wire located therebetween as shown. For a cylindrical tube support member 2 the stepped abutment face parts 6b can be of conforming arcuate form. Also, clip members 3 for the accommodation of different diameter cables or wires 1 can be provided as required with appropriate variation in the size and/or shape of the opposing recesses 8; and if required the recesses 8 can be formed with a plurality of transverse serrations or ribs and grooves for improved cable or wire grip.

It will be appreciated that once a plurality of cables or wires 1 are secured in their desired relationship relative to a support member 2 of the tubular kind described, the secured cables or wire 1 can only be disengaged therefrom by breaking of the securing clip members 3 or by severing of the respective cable(s) or wire(s) for lateral withdrawal from the securing clip member(s) and support member 2. In some cases and where occasional or frequent servicing and cable or wire replacement or re-location is necessary, it may be preferable to have the inner arm parts 6 of the clip members 3 (and adjacent secured cable or wire parts) more readily accessible for detachment.

Accordingly, and with reference now to figures 6 to 9 of the drawings, it is envisaged that support members 2' of open channel form can be employed (squared channel form being exampled) with transverse pairs of aligned cable or wire receiving slots 41 or 4' ' located in longitudinally spaced relationship as before. In the arrangement illustrated in figure 6 , the slots 41 are of substantially L shape with one leg of the L shape opening to the upper free edge of each longitudinally extending flange 2'a and the other inner leg extending longitudinally to provide inner opposite closed end parts 4' a at which a cable or wire 1 is locatable and secured by a clip member 3 of the kind previously described with reference to figures 2 to 5; but in this case inserted through a separate squared clearance aperture 10 provided medially in the conjoining base wall parr 21 b in transverse alignment with the said slot inner closed end parts 4'a. For a squared channel support member 2' the opposite stepped abutment face parts 6b of the clip member 3 will extend straight across the outer faces 6a for location over inner surface parts of the channel base wall part 2'b at opposite sides of the aperture 10; and in a rounded U shaped channel support member 2 (not shown) the clip member stepped abutment face parts 6b will be arcuate as before for the cylindrical tube support member 2.

An alternative arrangement of the pairs of slots 4' 1 is shown in figure 7 and comprises a pair 239 8 of transversely aligned inclined slots 411 terminating with inner closed end parts 4''a, similarly offset relative to the slot openings, and at which a cable or wire 1 is similarly securable by a clip member 3 located in and through an aligned medial aperture 10 in the channel base wall part 2'b.

Referring now to figures 10 and 11, if required the support members 2'' (figure 10) and 2'11 (figure 11) can alternatively be respectively of right angled L section or T section (shown inverted) with a single flange wall part 2' 'a, 2' ''a provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cable or wire receiving slots of either of the forms illustrated in figures 6 and 7; the remaining flange wall part 2'1b of the L section support member 2'' or one remaining flange wall part 2''^ of the T section support member 21'' being similarly provided with a separate clip member receiving aperture 10 transversely aligned with the respective slot inner end for cable or wire securement thereat as described with reference to figures 6 to 9.

Thus, in all of the arrangements described with reference to figures 6 to 11 the inner arm parts 6 of the clip members 3 and secured section of each cable or wire 1 are exposed to thus facilitate detachment with any suitable tool if and when required by a linesman or other person; whilst at the same time the cables or wires 1 will remain securely anchored 239 8 against accidental or unwanted movement or dislodgement by the securing clip members 3 and location of the cables or wires 1 at the respective slot closed inner end parts as described.

Whilst the invention has been so far described with particular reference to the support and maintenance of a plurality of overhead electric power transmission or telecommunication lines, and with horizontal disposition of the support members 2; the support members 2 and supported/secured cables or wires 1 can be vertically or otherwise disposed. Also the invention may be similarly applicable for the erection of such as strand wire fencing and/or strand wire vine support systems with the support members 2 defining fencing or like droppers or battens for location in spans between main fence or like upright support posts and/or the support members 2 can be arranged as upright support posts with their lower end parts engaged in the ground; in such arrangements for non-electric wire support the support members 2 ana/or the securing clip members can be manufactured from metal if required for added strength and durability.

Some preferred aspects of the invention have been described and illustrated by way of example, but it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to the invention can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (7)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS;

1. A cable or wire support and anchor means comprising a support member having a longitudinal wall part with at least one open transverse slot within which a cable or wire is locatable to lie transversely relative to said wall part, and an anchoring clip member having an at least partially resilient divided inner end part which is insertable within the bounds of the support wall part in proximity to said slot to be engagable as a close fit over an adjacent cable or wire part when located in the slot, said clip member having at least one medial laterally projecting outer side part defining an abutment engageable with an inner surface portion of said wall part when the clip divided inner end part is forced into engagement with a cable or wire when located in the slot, to lock said clip member and cable or wire together and relative to said support member.

2. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member has a plurality of similar ones of said at least one slot located in longitudinal spaced relationship in said longitudinal wall part for the receipt and anchoring of a plurality of cables or wires in spaced relationship; and there being a corresponding plurality of similar ones of said anchoring clip member each arranged for securing the respective cables or wires in the respective slots in which the cables or wires are located. ^39872

3. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said support member is a substantially rigid tubular member; the or each said slot extending from one side thereof and being dimensioned so as to enable location of a cable or wire transversely through opposite side wall parts of said tubular support member and enable a said anchoring clip member to have its inner divided end part insertable through the medial part of said slot for engagement with said cable or wire when located therein.

4. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support member is a length of cylindrical tubing with a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced slots therein for the receipt and anchoring of a plurality of cables or wires in spaced relationship by means of a said anchoring clip for each cable or wire.

5. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support member is a length of rectangular section tubing with a plurality of similar longitudinally spaced slots therein for the receipt and anchoring of a plurality of cables or wires in spaced relationship by means of a said anchoring clip for each cable or wire. 239872

6. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said support: member is a substantially rigid member of open channel form • opposite longitudinal flange wall parts of said channel section member being provided with transversely aligned pairs of said slots opening to the free edges of said flange wall parts and directed inwardly towards the conjoining longitudinal base wall part of the channel section to terminate in spaced relationship therefrom with the slot innermost ends longitudinally off-set relative to their outer open ends for location and securement of the respective cables or wires at said innermost ends, the base wall part being provided with an aperture intermediate the two opposite slots of each pair in alignment with the innermost ends thereof and dimensioned for close fit receipt of the inner end part of a said anchoring clip member. 7. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said support member is a substantially rigid member of L or T section; one flange part of the support member being -13- 239 8 provided with a plurality of spaced similar ones of said slots opening to the outer free edge of said one flange part and directed inwardly toward the remaining conjoining flange part(s) to terminate in spaced relationship therefrom with the slot innermost ends longitudinally offset relative to their outer open ends for location and securement of the respective cables or wires at said innermost ends, the remaining conjoining flange part(s) being provided with an aperture in transverse alignment with each said slot innermost end and dimensioned for close fit receipt of the inner end part of a said anchoring clip member. 8. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the or each said anchoring clip member is of unitary construction including an outer base part from which two similar arm parts defining the said divided inner end part extend initially in substantially parallel relationship and being externally shaped and dimensioned to be locatable as a close fit in and through the slot or any selected one of a plurality of the slots, the inner opposing faces of the two arm parts having similar medial opposing recesses which are locatable about a selected cable or wire on insertion of the clip member inner end part through the slot in which the selected cable or wire is located; and the outer face parts of the two arms being shaped to define similar medial stepped abutments engageable with inner wall surfaces -14- of the support member at the respective slot when the clip member is inserted therein and the inner arm parts are forced outwardly relative to each other on engagement with the cable or wire in the respective slot. 9. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the or each said anchoring clip member is of unitary construction including an outer base part from which two similar arm parts defining the said divided inner end part extend initially in substantially parallel relationship and being externally shaped and dimensioned to be locatable as a close fit in and through the apertures or any selected one of a plurality of the apertures, the inner opposing faces of the two arm parts having similar medial opposing recesses which are locatable about a selected cable or wire and the distal end inner face portions of the arm parts being bevelled or splayed outwardly from said recesses to facilitate location about said selected cable or wire on insertion of the clip member inner end part through a respective aperture for the slot in which the selected cable or wire is located; and the outer face parts of the two arm parts being shaped to define similar medial stepped abutments engageable with inner wall surfaces of the support member at the respective aperture when the clip member is inserted therein and the arm parts are forced outwardly relative to each other on engagement with the cable or wire in the respective slot. 239 8 10. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 and wherein the or each clip member is arranged and constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 11. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support member is formed from an electrically insulating material. 12. A cable or wire support and anchor means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each anchoring clip member is formed from an electrically insulating material. 13. A cable or wire support and anchor means for securing a plurality of cables or wires in spaced relationship, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or combination of the accompanying drawings. 14. A method of locating and supporting a plurality of cables or wires in spaced relationship, substantially as hereinbefore described and employing the support and anchor means according to any one of the preceding claims. GRANT WAYNE QUINN and

7. ; RAYMOND TREGURTHA By Their Authorised Attorneys JOHN A REMMINGTON & ASSOCIATES 20 SEP 1391 .^1