US1846444A

US1846444A - Cable clamp

Info

Publication number: US1846444A
Application number: US486713A
Authority: US
Inventors: Birkenmaier Theodore
Original assignee: MATTHEWS W N CORP
Current assignee: MATTHEWS W N CORP; W N MATTHEWS Corp
Priority date: 1930-10-06
Filing date: 1930-10-06
Publication date: 1932-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1949-02-23

Description

Feb. 23, 1932. T. li-,IRKENMAIERv CABLE CLAMP Filed oct. 6, 1930 Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THEODORE BIRKENMAIER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO W. N. MATTHEWS CORPORATION, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI CABLE CLAMP Application led October 6', 1930. Serial No. 486,713.

This invention relates to clamps, and with reference to certain more specific features, to cable clamps.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a cable clamp which does not require prior bending of a cable in order to effect clamping of the saine; the provision of a clamp of the class described in which the cable is definitely and positively held throughout its traverse through the clamp, holding being effected along channels which are of a sinuous shape laterally to the direction of applied clamping force; the provision of a device of the class described in which said channel is formed so as to produce minimum strain on the holding means for the clamp when stresses are applied to the cable; and the provision of a device described which is economical to manufacture and simple to operate. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the struc-` ture hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a pair of clamping blocks laid open;

36 Fig. 2 is a plan view of the left-hand block of Fig. 1 with cable laid therein, prior to closing;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the left-hand block of Fin'. 1 with a cable laid therein and surrounded by the right-hand block of Fig. 1, prior to applicationof clamping bolts;

Fig. 4 1s a view similar to Fig. 8 showing r a clamping bolt applied and drawn up;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a pair of blocks laid open, showing another form of the invention,

the lower part of the figure showing in dotted lines the application of a cable;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the alternative form of Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 4, showing said alternative form of Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated at numerals 1 and 3 a pair of blocks, the upturned faces of which are adapted to cooperate when faced toward one another'. In said faces of the blocks 1 and 3 are formed waveshaped or sinuous grooves 5 arranged in pairs on the respective blocks 1 and 3 and formed so as to be juxtaposed when the blocks are assembled as in clamping a cable.

Projections 7 having inclined faces 9 are arranged in staggered relationship on opposite sides of said grooves 5. The faces 9 of the lugs of projections 7 are so arranged that in the projection of Fig. 3 they form a V- shape for cradling a straight length of cable. As is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the straight length of cable is cradled between oppositely disposed, staggered lugs 7, and above the respective sinuous grooves 5.

The mate 8 of the pair of blocks is provided with recesses 11 which are adapted to receive the respectivelugs 7 as clamping takes place. These recesses 11 are also positioned in a staggered relationship with respect to the sinuous groove 5.

In order that the blocks 1 and 3 may `be drawn together, there is provided a pair of openings 13 in each, the respective pairs being juxtaposed for accommodating through bolts 15. The theory and operation of the device is as follows:

A length of cable or cables 17 is laid in the cradle formation provided by the sloping faces 9 of the staggered projections 7. This does not require any change in shape of the cable, Which, it will be appreciated, is relatively stiff if it be a metal cable such as is usually the case. Next the block 3 is laid on the cradled cable 17 as shown in Fig. 3 and then the bolts 15 are passed through the juxtaposed openings 13 and nuts 19 applied. The nuts may then be drawn up with a Wrench, thus drawing together the blocks 1 and 3. Under these conditions the then straight cable 17 is forced down between the projections 7, and inasmuch as said projections 7 are staggered, the alternate faces 9 force the cable 17 to slide down into position in the respective sinuous grooves 5. It will be seen that the mechanism for accomplishing the bending of the cable is basically that of the inclined plane, the purpose of which is to provide a high mechanical advantage between the clamping action of the bolts 15 and the cable which is being bent. In other words, the full stress caused by producing a bending strain is not applied directly and longitudinally on the bolts, such as was the case in the prior art where the sinuous grooves 5 were placed in a plane substantially parallel to the bolt. y In the present invention the sinuous shape of the groove is in a plane which is substantially at right angles or lateral to the bolt.

As the blocks 1 and 3 are drawn together, the projections 7 enter the recesses 11 and thus provide a guiding action. After the cable 17 has finally seated in the grooves 5, the stress due to the action of bending is not appreciably exerted against the inclined plane 9 but mainly on the sides of the grooves.

One of the advantages of the invention is that only a small force is required to draw up the nut 19 in order to provide a great force for bending the cable. Furthermore, the tendency of the cable to straighten under longitudinal stresses when underload exerts a force which is not in the direction tending to 'l shear the threads of the nuts 19. It is substantially at right anglesto, or lateral of the center lines of the bolts. Another feature is that the cable is constrained along its entire length within the confines of the clamp so as to take the sinuous position. It thus The fact that the cable is gripped all along each sinuous groove effects a high frictional holding quality.

In Figs. 5 to 7 is shown another form of` the invention in which is used a pair of

blocks

21 and 23. These blocks are provided with sinuous, juxtaposed pairs of grooves 25.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. l to 4, the staggered sloping surfaces were provided by the lugs r. Sloping surfaces in Ithe Figs. 5 to 7 form are provided by the slopes in the

bodies

21 and 23, as indicated at numeral 27. From Figs. 6 and 7 it will be seen that the block 23 comprises a female member with which cooperates a male member of block 21 and that the projection on the male member Which carries the lower sloping faces 27 is accommodated by recesses 29 in the female block 21. Thus provision is made' for alignment. Operation of the form of Figs. 5 to 7 is as follows:

The cable 17 is laid above the sinuous groove 25, no attempt being made to bend it to shape. The block 21 is then applied from above as shown in Fig. 6 and pulled down to the position shown ink Fig. 7.Y lThis is d'one' rby means ofa bolt 31 which is appliedthrough juxtaposed cooperating openings 33, a. nut 35 being applied. By drawing up the nut the

blocks

21 and 23 are drawn together, thereby driving the cable 17 down the faces 27 of the block v23 (Fig. Y 6). As th'e cable 'is being driven down these facespit is also being further forced to take up the shape ofthe sinuous l groove by the upper sloping faces 27 ofthe lock 21.(see Fig. 6). Finally, the cableV assumes tlie position shown in Fig. 7 in which the sloping faces 27 have traversed theirl full range of action Von the cable. this time in the'sinuous groove 25, andany tendency for. it to straighten out, causedA either by springiness or applied longitudinal' loads, effects Aa stress laterally of the bolt 31" and not longitudinally.thereof. Therefore, the saine advantages will accrue to tliisform that accruedi to the form first described, namely, that little force is required at4 the nut 35 for dra-wing up purposes and little stress is applied to it through the bolt under working conditions. The same completeness Thelcableis at of gripping on the cable' is also effected. All

of the advantages arel obtained with a construction employing only one clamping bolt. Itis to be noted` that the advantageous niechanicaladvantage permits one bolt-to take 'care of the entire clamping act-ion andk holding.

several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changescould be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompany ing drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. A cable clamp comprising a pair,l of blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, juxtaposed sinuous grooves lin the `respective blocks,

means for drawing said blocks together, and means comprising an inclinedplane for forcing a. cable to conform to s 'aid grooves asvtheV blocks are drawn together.

2. A cable clamp comprising a pair vof In view of the above, it will be seen that theblocks adapted to be juxtaposed, juxtaposed sinuous grooves in the respective blocks, means for drawing said blocks together, and means comprising an inclined plane for forcing a cable to conform to said grooves as the blocks are drawn together, said grooves being in a plane which is laterally located with respect to the length of the drawing means.

3. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, juxtaposed sinuous grooves in the respective blocks, a bolt for drawing said blocks together, and means comprising an inclined plane for forcing a cable to conform to said grooves as the blocks are drawn together, said grooves being in a plane which is laterally located with respect to the length of said bolt, said inclined plane means also comprising a guide for aligning said block.

4. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, juxtaposed, sinuous grooves in said blocks, and at least one bolt for drawing said blocks together, said grooves being in a plane positioned laterally of said bolt.

5. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, juxtaposed sinuous grooves in said blocks, at least one bolt for drawing said blocks together, said grooves being in a plane positioned laterally of said bolt, and inclined-plane means for forcing a straight cable positioned between said blocks to assume the sinuous shapes of said grooves.

6. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, pairs of sinusoidal grooves in said blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, means for guiding a straight cable into each of the grooves as the blocks are drawn together, said guiding means being staggered with respect to said grooves, and a pair of holding bolts passing through said block between the grooves.

7. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, pairs o'l sinusoidal grooves in said blocks adapted to be juxtaposed, means for guiding a straight cable into each of the grooves as the blocks are drawn together, and at least one holding bolt passing through said block between the grooves.

8. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks, a single bolt adapted to draw said blocks together, juxtaposed sinusoidal grooves in said blocks formed in a plane substantially at right angles to said bolt, and inclined-plane means for forcing a straight cable to assume the sinusoidal shape of the groove as the blocks are brought together'.

9. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks, a single bolt adapted to draw said blocks together, juxtaposed sinusoidal grooves in said blocks formed in a plane sub stantially at right angles to said bolt, and

inclined-plane means for forcing a straight cable to assume the sinusoidal shape of the groove as the blocks are brought together, said bolt passing between said grooves.

l0. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks, a single bolt adapted to draw said blocks together, juxtaposed sinusoidal grooves in said blocks formed in a plane substantially at right angles to said bolt, and inclined-plane means for forcing a straight cable to assume the sinusoidal shape of the groove as the blocks are brought together, said bolt passing between said grooves, said grooves being sufficiently long to force at least two lengths of the cable to be positioned in a given plane.

l1. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be drawn together, juxtaposed sinusoidal grooves in said blocks, guiding means for forcing a cable into each of said grooves when the blocks are brought together, said guiding means serving to hold the cable in position between the blocks before said cable is bent to the sinusoidal shape of the grooves.

12. A cable clamp comprising a pair of blocks adapted to be drawn together, juxtaposed sinusoidal grooves in said blocks, guiding means for forcing a cable into each of said grooves when the blocks are brought together, said guiding means serving to hold the cable in position between the blocks before said cable is bent to the sinusoidal shape of the grooves, said guiding means for the cable also functioning as a guide for aligning said blocks as they are brought together.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 4th day of October, 1980.

THEODORE BIRKENMAIER.