Cable clamp with adjustment latch

Abstract

Two identical bracket halves are joined together to form a cable clip that secures at least one cable to a surface. Each bracket half has a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion. Each stent half has at least one stent portion with a compression insert and an attachment portion. The attachment portion has an adjustment latch with a post having a T-head and a tapered adjustment slot. The cable clip is formed by joining two bracket halves, wherein the top of one bracket half is positioned on the top of the second bracket half. The bracket portion and the attachment portion of one bracket half are positioned over the bracket portion and the attachment portion of the second bracket half, thereby forming a cable clamp.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to a cable clamp, more particularly, to a cable clamp with an adjustment latch. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known in the heavy truck transport industry that cable clamps are commonly used. Cable clamps must hold the cable without damaging the cable's soft silicone jacket.

[0003] There is a need for a smaller size cable clamp that fits into small frame designs where cable routing space is limited. There is also a need for a cable clamp that can be easily repositioned or released when needed. SUMMARY

[0004] A cable clamp for securing at least one cable to a surface in the heavy truck transport industry. The cable clamp is comprised of two identical bracket halves designed to hold the cable therebetween. Each bracket half has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and sides. Each bracket half includes at least one bracket portion and an attachment portion. The bracket portion includes a compression insert. The attachment portion has an adjustment latch with a post having a T-head and a tapered adjustment slot. The cable clamp is formed by joining the two bracket halves together with the top of one bracket half positioned on the top of the second bracket half and the bracket portion and attachment portion of the one bracket half positioned above the bracket portion and attachment portion of the second bracket half. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1a is a perspective view of a one position bracket half of the present utility model.

[0006] Figure 1b is a perspective view of a two position bracket half of the present utility model.

[0007] Figure 2 is an exploded top perspective view of FIG. 1A.

[0008] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a one position cable clamp formed by joining the two one position bracket halves of FIG. 1A.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a partially assembled cable clamp of Figure 3 wherein the first one position bracket half is partially secured to the second one position bracket half.

[0010] Figure 5 is a front view of the cable clamp of Figure 4

[0011] Figure 6 is​Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of cable clamp of

[0012] Figure 7 is Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of cable clamp of

[0013] Figure 8 is fully assembled Figure 4 Perspective view of assembled unit cable clamp of

[0014] Figure 9 is Figure 8 Front view of assembled unit cable clamp of

[0015] Figure 10 Perspective view of assembled unit cable clamp stacked on top of assembled dual position cable clamp.

[0016] Figure 11 is Figure 10 Front view of assembled unit cable clamp stacked on top of assembled dual position cable clamp.

[0017] Figure 12a is Figure 1a Perspective view of unit position bracket half of

[0018] Figure 12b is Figure 1b Perspective view of dual position bracket half of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention relates to a cable clamp for use in the heavy truck transportation industry to retain cables. The cable clamp can be secured to a surface by bolting or nutting to a threaded stud. The cable clamp is formed by joining two identical unit position bracket halves 20 or two identical dual position bracket halves 220 (see Figure 10 ). Figure 1a A unit position bracket half 20 of the present invention is shown. Figure 1b A dual position bracket half 220 of the present invention is shown.

[0020] As Figure 2As shown, the unit set cradle half 20 includes a front portion 22, a rear portion 24, a top portion 26, a bottom portion 28, a first flat side portion 30, an inner side portion 32, and a second curved side portion 34. The unit set cradle half 20 also includes a cradle portion 40 and an attachment portion 50. The cradle portion 40 is defined by the front portion 22, the rear portion 24, the first flat side portion 30, and the inner side portion 32. The cradle portion 40 is semi-circular in shape and has a rectangular opening 42 therethrough. As described below, the rectangular opening 42 is designed to receive the hook 130 extending from the compression insert 100.

[0021] The attachment portion 50 of the unit set cradle half 20 is defined by the front portion 22, the rear portion 24, the inner side portion 32, and the second curved side portion 34. The attachment portion 50 includes a central opening 52 for receiving a fastener (not shown), an alignment post 54 positioned on one side of the central opening 52, and an alignment hole 60 positioned on the opposite side of the central opening 52 opposite the alignment post 54. The alignment hole 60 is complementary in shape to the alignment post 54. The front portion 22 of the attachment portion 50 includes an internal adjustment latch 70. The rear portion 24 of the attachment portion 50 includes an adjustment slot 90.

[0022] The adjustment latch 70 includes a post 72 extending from the top portion 26 of the unit set cradle half 20. The post 72 has a T-shaped head 74 with two capture members 76 and a tab 78 extending outwardly. The capture members 76 are positioned on either side of the tab 78, respectively. The distal end of the tab 78 is designed to extend through the adjustment slot 90 when the unit set cradle halves 20 are joined together to form the cable clip. Thus, a portion of the tab 78 is accessible from the outside of the unit set cradle halves 20. A push pad 80 is positioned on the outer surface of the T-shaped head 74.

[0023] The adjustment slot 90 tapers from a wide opening 91 at the top portion 26 of the unit set cradle half 20 to a narrow path 92 at the bottom of the adjustment slot 90. The capture members 76 of the T-shaped head 74 are curved so as to engage the tapered adjustment slot 90 as the adjustment latch 70 slides within the adjustment slot 90. Thus, the adjustment latch 70 is captured as it travels within the adjustment slot 90 from the wide opening 91 at the top portion 26 of the unit set cradle half 20 to the narrow path 92 at the bottom of the adjustment slot 90.

[0024] As Figure 1bAs shown, the two-position bracket half 220 includes a front portion 222, a rear portion 224, a top portion 226, a bottom portion 228, a first side portion 230, a first inner side portion 232, a second inner side portion 234, and a second side portion 236. The two-position bracket half 220 also includes two bracket portions 240, 244 and an attachment portion 250. The first bracket portion 240 is defined by the front portion 222, the rear portion 224, the first side portion 230, and the first inner side portion 232. The second bracket portion 244 is defined by the front portion 222, the rear portion 224, the second inner side portion 234, and the second side portion 236. Each bracket portion 240, 244 is semi-circular. The bracket portions 240, 244 also include a rectangular opening (not shown) identical to the rectangular opening 42 in the one-position bracket half 20 for receiving the hook 130 extending from the compression insert 100.

[0025] The attachment portion 250 of the two-position bracket half 220 is defined by the front portion 222, the rear portion 224, the first inner side portion 232, and the second inner side portion 234. The attachment portion 250 includes a central opening 252 for receiving a fastener (not shown), an alignment post 254 positioned on one side of the central opening 252, and an alignment hole 260 positioned on the opposite side of the central opening 252 opposite the alignment post 254. As with the one-position bracket half 20, the alignment hole 260 is complementary in shape to the alignment post 254. The front portion 222 of the attachment portion 250 includes an internal adjustment latch 270. The rear portion 224 of the attachment portion 250 includes an adjustment slot 290.

[0026] The adjustment latch 270 includes a post 272 extending from the top portion 226 of the two-position bracket half 220. The post 272 has a T-shaped head 274 with two capture members 276 and a tab 278 extending outwardly. The capture members 276 are positioned on either side of the tab 278, respectively. The distal end of the tab 278 is designed to extend through the adjustment slot 290 when the two-position bracket halves 220 are joined together to form a cable clamp. Thus, a portion of the tab 278 is accessible from the outside of the two-position bracket halves 220. A push pad 280 is positioned on the outer surface of the T-shaped head 274.

[0027] The adjustment slot 290 tapers from a wide opening 291 at the top portion 226 of the two-position bracket half 220 to a narrow path 292 at the bottom of the adjustment slot 290. The capture members 276 of the T-shaped head 274 are curved so as to engage the tapered adjustment slot 290 as the adjustment latch 270 slides in the adjustment slot. Thus, as the adjustment latch 270 travels in the adjustment slot 290 from the wide opening 291 at the top portion 226 of the two-position bracket half 220 to the narrow path 292 at the bottom of the adjustment slot 290, the adjustment latch 270 is trapped.

[0028] The compression insert 100 shown in the present utility model is a separately molded component. However, the compression insert can also be formed with the unit position bracket half 20 or dual position bracket half 220 through a molding process. The compression insert 100 is bracket shaped having a front portion 102, a rear portion 104, a top portion 106, a bottom portion 108, a first side portion 110 and a second side portion 112. A plurality of ribs 120 extend from the top portion 106 of the compression insert 100. The ribs 120 are parallel to the side portions 110, 112 of the compression insert 100 and parallel to the cable installed in the unit position bracket half 20 or dual position bracket half 220 (see Figure 10 ). The compression insert 100 with parallel ribs 120 has many advantages compared to a compression insert with ribs that extend perpendicular to the side portions of the insert and cable. The parallel ribs 120 provide more deformation within the cable clamp, extending the range of cable diameters that can be used with the same cable clamp. The extension of the range of cable diameters reduces the inventory required by the end user. The parallel ribs 120 require less installation force when securing the assembled bracket half to a frame or surface. The parallel ribs 120 also make it easier to adjust the cable during installation of the unit position or dual position bracket half around the cable.

[0029] The front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 of the compression insert 100 each include a catch 130 that extends downward and away from each other. The catches 130 engage with the rectangular opening 42 in the bracket portion 40 of the unit position bracket half 20 or the rectangular opening (not shown) in the bracket portion 240, 244 of the dual position bracket half 220 to secure the compression insert 100 in the bracket half 20, 220.

[0030] The unit position cable clamp is formed by joining two unit position bracket halves 20 such that the top portions 26 of each unit position bracket half 20 are adjacent to each other. Figure 3 An exploded view of the unit position bracket clamp is shown. The compression insert 100 is aligned to be positioned within the bracket portion 40 of each unit position bracket half 20.

[0031] The bracket portion 40 and the attachment portion 50 are positioned on top of each other. Figures 4 to 5 A partially assembled unit position cable clamp is shown. As Figure 6 shown, the alignment post 54 of each unit position bracket half 20 is positioned within the alignment hole 60 of the opposing unit position bracket half 20. The internal adjustment latch 70 of each unit position bracket half 20 is positioned within the adjustment slot 90 of the opposing unit position bracket half 20.

[0032] The internal adjustment latch 70 is designed to reduce the force required to attach the bracket halves 20 to each other to form a cable clamp. When the two bracket halves 20 are slid together, the internal adjustment latch 70 will flex and snap into place in the tapered adjustment slot 90. Once the bracket halves are snapped together around the cable, the internal adjustment latch 70 allows the operator to pull the bracket halves apart to a distance of 4.5 mm while remaining connected. In this position, the bracket halves 20 and the cable positioned therein (not shown) can be adjusted relative to each other if necessary. This allows for final adjustment of the bracket halves 20 along the cable before bolting the bracket halves together and to the surface for final installation.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7 The internal adjustment latch 70 is also designed to allow the bracket halves 20 to be separated from each other. The push pad 80 makes removal of the bracket halves 20 easy. Using the thumb and index finger, the push pad 80 on the T-shaped head 74 of the internal adjustment latch 70 is pressed inward and the top unitized bracket half 20 is pulled upward to release it from the bottom unitized bracket half 20. No tools are required to remove the top unitized bracket half 20 from the bottom unitized bracket half 20. Furthermore, the user can release the bracket halves 20 from each other while wearing thick insulating gloves as safety requires.

[0034] The internal adjustment latch 70 is located at the front 22 and rear 24 of the bracket halves 20 to optimize the removal process. Thus, the push pad 80 is easily accessible and the bracket halves 20 can be released with a single hand without the use of tools.

[0035] Figure 8 And Figure 9 A fully assembled unitized cable clamp is shown. As shown, the unitized cable clamp half 20 defines a channel 96 for the cable. The bottom 28 of each bracket half includes at least one anti-rotation pad 94. The anti-rotation pad 94 properly positions and secures the cable clamp during installation, thereby preventing the single location bracket half 20 from rotating during installation.

[0036] Figure 10 And Figure 11 A scenario is shown in which a unitized cable clamp is stacked on a dual location cable clamp. The anti-rotation pad 94 enables the operator to stack cable clamps of different sizes. The bracket halves are designed to have a specific height that maintains the diameter distance between the cables when the cable clamps are stacked on each other.

[0037] Figure 12a And 12bThe unit mount half 20 and the dual position mount half 220 are shown with the alternative compression insert 300 installed therein. The alternative compression insert 300 accommodates cables ranging in diameter from 11 mm to 15 mm. The alternative compression insert 300 includes a larger mount shape and shortens the distance between two smaller cables. The alternative compression insert 300 also includes parallel ribs 320 and a catch (not shown). The alternative compression insert 300 snaps into the mount portion of the unit mount half 20 or the mount portion of the dual position mount half 220 in the same manner as the compression insert 100 described above.

[0038] Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that certain changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the intended scope of the present application. The descriptions and drawings herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The present application is intended to cover any alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cable clamp for securing at least one cable to a surface, the cable clamp comprising: Two identical bracket halves for holding the at least one cable between the bracket halves, each bracket halves having a front, rear, top, bottom and side; Each of the aforementioned support halves includes at least one support portion with a compression insert and an attachment portion; and The attachment portion includes an adjusting latch with a post, the post having a T-shaped head and a tapered adjusting groove. Thus, a cable clamp is formed by connecting the two bracket halves together, with the top of one bracket halves positioned on top of the second bracket halves, and the bracket portion and the attachment portion of the one bracket halves positioned on top of the bracket portion and the attachment portion of the second bracket halves.

2. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compression insert has: a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion, as well as a rib extending from the top portion of the compression insert; The rib is parallel to the side of the compression insert.

3. The cable clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bracket portion is semi-circular and has a rectangular opening extending through it; and wherein hooks extend from the bottom of the compression insert at the front and rear portions of the compression insert, the hooks engaging with the rectangular opening in the bracket portion to secure the compression insert to the bracket half.

4. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the adjusting latch of one support half slides within the tapered adjusting groove of the second support half, the adjusting latch is captured to fix the support halves to each other.

5. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tapered adjustment groove includes a wide opening at the top of the support half, the wide opening extending to a narrow path at the bottom of the adjustment groove.

6. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The T-shaped head has two capturing members and outwardly extending tabs, wherein the capturing members are respectively positioned on both sides of the outwardly extending tabs.

7. The cable clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the bracket halves are connected together, the distal end of the outwardly extending tab extends through the adjustment groove.

8. The cable clamp according to claim 6, characterized in that, As the adjusting latch slides within the adjusting groove, the capturing member bends to engage with the tapered adjusting groove.

9. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The attachment portion further includes a central opening for receiving a fastener, an alignment post positioned on one side of the central opening, and an alignment hole positioned on the opposite side of the central opening and opposite to the alignment post, wherein the alignment hole and the alignment post have complementary shapes.

10. The cable clamp according to claim 9, characterized in that, The alignment post of the first bracket half is positioned within the alignment hole of the second bracket half; and wherein the adjustment latch of the first bracket half is locked within the adjustment groove of the second bracket half.

11. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, A push pad is installed on the T-head to facilitate engagement of the adjusting latch.

12. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the bracket half has an anti-rotation pad for properly positioning the cable clamps during installation and for stacking multiple cable clamps.

13. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket half is a single-position bracket half.

14. The cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket half is a dual-position bracket half with two bracket parts.

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