WO2024028244A1

WO2024028244A1 - Cable anchoring device

Info

Publication number: WO2024028244A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/071117
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Luc Couvert; Ludovic RICHARD
Original assignee: Telenco Networks
Priority date: 2022-08-01
Filing date: 2023-07-31
Publication date: 2024-02-08
Also published as: FR3138581A1

Abstract

The present description relates to a cable anchoring device comprising: a body (1); an openable handle (2); and at least one first mandrel (4) for winding a portion of cable, the outer surface of the first mandrel being made of elastomer.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Cable anchoring device

This application claims the priority of French patent applications number 2207977 filed on August ¹ , 2022 and 2209727 filed on September 26, 2022, the respective contents of which are incorporated by reference within the limits authorized by law.

Technical area

[0001] The present description generally concerns electrical or telecommunications installations and, more particularly, the anchoring of a cable to a support.

Prior art

[0002] Various anchoring devices are known, whether for electrical or telecommunications cables.

[0003] An example of a known anchoring device in the form of a clamp (or anchoring clamp) of the type to which the present description applies is described in patent application FR-A-2958461.

Other cable winding devices are known without constituting an anchoring device.

[0005] For example, documents EP 3 035 098 and WO 2007/113522 describe devices for branching or installing an optical cable which do not constitute anchoring devices suitable for hooking in the manner of a pliers.

Summary of the invention

[0006] There is a need to improve cable anchoring devices.

[0007] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of known cable anchoring devices. [0008] One embodiment provides a cable anchoring device comprising: a body; an openable handle; and at least a first mandrel for winding a portion of cable, the external surface of the first mandrel being made of elastomer or the like.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the first mandrel comprises an external crown made of elastomer or the like, carried by a ring.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a second mandrel on which the first mandrel is mounted.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the second mandrel is integrated into the body.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the body is made of plastic, preferably thermoplastic.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first mandrel is interchangeable depending on the diameter and/or nature of the cable.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the external surface of the first mandrel is of decreasing diameter towards the bottom of the body.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the body includes a guide tab at the entry of a cable.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a bottom of the body has a slope.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the body incorporates a cable clamp for the output cable.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the body incorporates a groove for pinching the cable at the outlet. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures, among which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an anchoring device;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic rear view of the body of the anchoring device of Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the anchoring device of Figure 1 with a coiled cable;

[0023] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of an anchoring device;

[0024] Figure 5 represents, partially and schematically, an anchoring device associated with a support; And

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of an anchoring device.

Description of embodiments

The same elements have been designated by the same references in the different figures. In particular, the structural and/or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0027] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described have been represented and are detailed. In particular, the cables for which the anchoring device described is intended, as well as the supports for receiving the anchoring device described, have not been detailed, the embodiments described being compatible with the usual cables and supports.

Unless otherwise specified, when we refer to two elements connected to each other, this means directly connected without intermediate elements, and when we refer to two elements connected (in English "coupled") to each other, this means means that these two elements can be connected or be linked through one or more other elements.

[0029] In the description which follows, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "superior", "lower", etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc. ., unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orientation of the figures or to a case in a normal position of use.

Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "approximately", "approximately", "substantially", and "of the order of" mean within 10% or 10 degrees, preferably within 5% or 5 degrees.

The embodiments described relate to an anchoring device of the type comprising a hub, drum or mandrel around which the cable to be anchored is coiled. According to the embodiments described, the mandrel of the anchoring device comprises an external surface made of elastomer or the like against which the cable bears.

[0032] By elastomer material or the like, we mean a material of the rubber elastomer type, SEBS (Polystyrene Polyethylene-butylene) or other thermoplastic elastomer (TPE - Polystyrene Triblock Copolymer) or TPU (Polyurethane Thermoplastic), or even Silicone, and more generally any material providing sufficient adhesion to the external surface of the cable receiving mandrel or hub to prevent any slipping of the cable on the hub.

Preferably, the finished mandrel, that is to say with elastomer, has the shape of a truncated cone to improve the holding of the cable in the device. The cone then has a decreasing diameter towards the bottom of the device.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of one embodiment of an anchoring device.

Figure 2 is a schematic rear view of the body of the anchoring device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the anchoring device of Figure 1 with a wound cable.

[0037] Figures 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of an embodiment of an anchoring device.

[0038] The illustrated embodiment of the anchoring device comprises all or part of the following elements:

- a body 1, one-piece plastic material;

- an openable handle 2, preferably integrated into the body (in one piece with the body), lockable outside the winding zone;

- a fixed mandrel 3, preferably in one piece with the body;

- a mandrel 4, preferably interchangeable, the external peripheral surface of which, on which the cable C is coiled, is made of elastomer or the like;

- an outer wall 5 for holding and protecting the cable;

- a tongue 6 for guiding the entry of a cable, preferably integrated into the body; - a high cable entry 7;

- a low cable outlet 8;

- a cable outlet 9, specific to adjusting the range;

- fixed internal holding lugs 10;

- external holding lugs 11 that can be manipulated;

- a clamp 12, preferably integrated into the body, on the cable outlet side.

The mandrel 4 is preferably bi-material and consists of a ring 42 of rigid plastic material mounted on the fixed mandrel 3 and carrying a crown 44 of elastomer. The crown 44 comprises, for example, internal vertical grooves 443 cooperating with corresponding external ribs 423 of the ring 42 to prevent rotation of the crown on the ring 42. Similarly, the ring 42 comprises, for example, internal vertical ribs 424 cooperating with corresponding external ribs 34 of the mandrel 3.

Preferably, the mandrel 4 is interchangeable depending on the diameter of the cable for which the anchoring device is intended.

Preferably, the section of the elastomer crown 44 is inclined so as to have an increasing diameter from the bottom of the body to the visible face of the mandrel 4. This contributes to blocking the cable in the anchoring device.

Preferably, the visible face of the fixed mandrel 3 is flat and parallel to the bottom of the body. Likewise, the visible edge of the ring 42 is preferably planar and coplanar with the visible face of the fixed mandrel 3.

Preferably, the ring 42 has a shoulder in the upper part, masking the top of the elastomer crown 44. [0044] Figure 5 represents an anchoring device associated with a support S.

The handle 2 is intended to be engaged in an opening of the support S, itself fixed to a wall or to a post.

[0046] An advantage of providing an elastomer surface to receive the cable loops is that this makes the anchoring device particularly suitable for cables that are fragile, particularly susceptible to crushing, such as optical fiber cables. Another advantage is that the elastomer helps prevent the cable from slipping.

[0047] As a particular example of embodiment, the adhesion of the material by its nature, combined with its surface appearance, is chosen to prevent the cable from sliding under pressure against the mandrel 4, despite a traction force of approximately 100 Newtons, preferably of a value between approximately 100 Newtons and approximately 2000 Newtons, depending on the application.

[0048] In the embodiments shown, the body 1 defines a space 13 for winding the cable around the mandrel 4, itself attached around the mandrel 3 molded in one piece with the body 1. As illustrated by the Figure 3, the height of the mandrel 4 is chosen according to the diameter of the cable C and the desired number of turns of winding the cable around the mandrel (typically between two and five turns).

[0049] Here we see an advantage of providing an interchangeable mandrel 4. This allows, from the same body 1, to have several versions of the anchoring device depending on the mandrel 4 used. We can then provide mandrels 4 of different diameters and different heights depending on the application.

[0050] Furthermore, the fact of providing a mandrel 4 in two parts, namely a ring 42 for mounting the mandrel 4 on the mandrel 3 of body 1 and an elastomer crown 44 attached to ring 42 makes it possible to change only crown 44 to adapt the device to several types of cables.

According to another embodiment, the elastomer crown 44 is manufactured with the ring 42. In this case, it is the mandrel 4 as a whole which provides modularity to the device by remaining interchangeable on the same base 1.

Preferably, the ring 42 has a sleeve 421 for receiving the crown 44, surmounted by a disc 422 of greater external diameter. The disc 422 has the particular function of blocking the crown 44 in order to prevent it from coming out of the ring 42, once the assembly is attached to the body.

[0053] The assembly of the mandrel 4 assembled on the body 1 is carried out by engaging the ribs 424 of the ring 42 in the grooves 34 of the mandrel 3. Although this is not visible in the figures, the ribs preferably have one or several lugs or the like cooperating with one or more lights of the mandrel 3 to lock or block the mandrel 4 on the mandrel 3 by rotation (for example in the direction of the arrows illustrated in Figure 1. Any other locking system adapted to be provided, for example for example by clipping the crown 42 into a groove provided on the mandrel 3 of the body 1, by a horizontal screw thread in place of ribs 424 and vertical grooves 34, etc.

[0054] When vertical ribs/grooves pairs 424/34 and/or 423/443 are provided, the number of ribs/grooves can vary depending on the application, manufacturing constraints in particular of the elastomer crown 44, the type of lock chosen, etc.

[0055] An advantage of providing a few winding turns of the cable is that this makes the device particularly suitable to fragile cables, such as optical fibers, which cannot withstand excessive tension. In fact, the loops reduce or cushion the direct tension on the cable. The number of turns thus makes it possible to distribute the pressure forces of the cable on the hub or mandrel 4 by also increasing the length of the cable.

[0056] The adhesion of mandrel 4 can be adjusted not only according to the nature of the material constituting it, but also according to its surface condition. We can thus choose to modify the surface condition (grains, grooves, ribs, etc.) of the mandrel 4 depending on the desired adhesion.

Preferably, the nature, hardness and surface condition of the mandrel 4 for receiving the cable are chosen as a function of the nature of the cable, more precisely of the material constituting the sheath of the cable.

[0058] In the embodiments shown, the body 1 is in one piece, for example made of molded plastic (preferably thermoplastic). The loop 2 for attaching the anchoring device to a support S (figure 5), for example a pierced metal plate, carried by a post or a wall (not shown), is formed outside the winding zone of the body 2, preferably opposite the cable entry 7. The handle 2 has a fixed end 21, linked to the body 1 (typically molded with the body 1) and a free end 22. The free end 22 ends with a lug 24 intended to cooperate with (engage in) a cavity 14 of opposite shape formed in the body 1, to close the handle 2 after having engaged it in a hole S2 of a support S.

[0059] The hanging device preferably comprises a single cable entry 7, but two cable outlets depending on the nature of the installation on site. A first cable outlet 8 makes an angle of approximately 90 degrees with cable entry 7 (the directions of cable C at entry 7 and exit 8 make an approximate angle of 90° between them as illustrated in Figure 3). A second cable outlet 9 makes an angle of approximately 180 degrees with the cable entry 7. Each cable entry or exit is materialized by a groove open upwards (opposite the bottom of the body 1) opening out into on the one hand (via one longitudinal end of the groove) in the winding space 13 and on the other hand (via the other longitudinal end of the groove) outside the device.

[0060] When installing the cable C, the operator winds it on the mandrel 4 (the latter is placed on the body 1 before winding the cable) preferably in a clockwise direction. shows, makes a few turns (for example between 1 and 5 complete turns, preferably two or three complete turns), and orients the cable on the one hand in the entry groove and on the other hand in one of the grooves of exit

The cable entry 7 is equipped with a tongue 6, or lug, in a plane approximately parallel to the bottom of the body 1. The lug 6 makes it possible to guide the cable and partially close the entry groove without prevent the cable from sliding in it.

The outlet groove 8 is also preferably equipped with a lug 82 in a plane approximately parallel to the bottom of the body 1.

The cable outlet 8 is preferably associated with a collar 12 whose role is to block the cable in the outlet groove. This collar 12 comprises a tongue, one fixed end of which is secured to the body 1 and one free end of which 122 is intended to be engaged in a locking slot 124. The slot 124 is provided in the body 1 opposite the tongue 12 relative to the outlet groove 8. The tongue bears on one of its faces (in the example, its rear face opposite the opening of the outlet groove, grooves or ribs 126 for cooperation with a lug of the light 124 to lock the collar 12. The direction of the tongue is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outlet groove . The collar 12 prevents the cable from leaving the outlet groove 8.

[0064] Such a collar can also, according to an alternative embodiment, equip the cable outlet 9. However, it is less important here because the inlet 7 and the outlet 9 being approximately parallel to each other, there is less risk for the outlet 8 which is perpendicular to inlet 7 that the cable shifts out of alignment once in place.

We can consider, without taking into account the handle 2 and the collar 2, the attachment device fits into a flattened polyhedron defined by two square surfaces (the bottom of the body and the top of the mandrel 4) and by four rectangular side surfaces (small sides defining the height of the hanging device). In the example of the figures, the handle 2 and the collar 12 then emerge from the same side face, opposite the face into which the outlets 7 and 9 open, the outlet 8 emerging from the intermediate face on the collar 12 side.

[0066] Preferably, the bottom of the body has, in the part of its circumference located between the outlet 9 and the inlet 6, an inclined or sloping surface 17 so that the cable can pass from the first turn to the second turn without walk. This avoids any risk of breakage or bending, particularly if the cable contains optical fibers. More generally, the bottom surface on which the cable is intended to rest has a slope generating a difference in level, at the level of the entry 6 to facilitate winding. This difference in level, therefore the slope, is preferably sized according to the diameter of the cable for which the device is intended.

[0067] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of an anchoring device

[0068] This figure illustrates a variant embodiment according to which the collar 12 is replaced by a groove 15 with elastically deformed tongue 151 making it possible to block the cable C by pinching while ensuring a self-tightening function to prevent the cable from returning towards the hub 4.

[0069] Various embodiments and variants have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art. In particular, although we have described an anchoring device in which the mandrel is attached in the form of an elastomer crown carried by a ring, itself engaged on the fixed core of the mandrel, we can provide an embodiment in which the elastomer crown is directly attached around a fixed mandrel, or is even manufactured directly on the fixed mandrel.

[0070] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of those skilled in the art based on the functional indications given above.

Claims

1. Cable anchoring device comprising: a body (1); an openable handle (2); and at least a first mandrel (4) for winding a portion of cable, the external surface of the first mandrel being made of elastomer or silicone.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the first mandrel (4) comprises an external crown (44) made of elastomer or silicone, carried by a ring (42) of rigid plastic material.

3. Device according to claim 2, comprising a second mandrel (3) on which the first mandrel (4) is mounted.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the second mandrel (3) is integrated into the body (1).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body (1) is made of plastic, preferably thermoplastic.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first mandrel (4) is interchangeable depending on the diameter and/or nature of the cable.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the external surface of the first mandrel (4) is of decreasing diameter towards the bottom of the body (1).

8. Device according to any one of the claims

1 to 7, in which the body (1) comprises a tongue (6) for guiding the entry of a cable.

Device according to any one of the claims

1 to 8, in which a bottom of the body has a slope (17).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the body (1) integrates a clamp (12) for tightening the cable at the outlet.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the body (1) incorporates a groove (15) for gripping the cable at the outlet.