Cable anchoring device

Abstract

Cable anchoring device. This description relates to a cable anchoring device comprising: a body (1); an openable loop; and at least one first mandrel (4) for winding a portion of cable, the external surface of the first mandrel being made of elastomer. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cable anchoring device technical field

[0001] This description relates generally to electrical or telecommunications installations and, more particularly, to the anchoring of a cable to a support. Previous technique

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

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

[0004] 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 that do not constitute anchoring devices suitable for hooking in the manner of a clamp. Summary of the invention

[0006] There is a need for improvement in cable anchoring devices.

[0007] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of known cable anchoring devices.

[0008] One embodiment provides a cable anchoring device comprising: a body; an openable handle; and at least one first winding mandrel for a portion of cable, the external surface of the first mandrel being made of elastomer or similar material.

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

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

[0011] According to one embodiment, the second chuck 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 chuck is interchangeable depending on the diameter and / or nature of the cable.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the external surface of the first mandrel has a diameter that decreases 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 at the output.

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

[0019] These features and advantages, as well as others, will be described in detail in the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the accompanying figures, among which:

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

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

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

[0023] [Fig.4A] and [Fig.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] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of an anchoring device. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] The same elements have been designated by the same reference numerals in the different figures. In particular, structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

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

[0028] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements connected together, this means directly connected without intermediate elements, and when referring to two elements connected (in English "coupled") together, this means that these two elements can be connected or linked through one or more other elements.

[0029] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "superior", "inferior", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or to a housing in a normal operating position.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "approximately", "roughly", and "in the order of" mean within 10% or 10 degrees, preferably within 5% or 5 degrees.

[0031] The described embodiments 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 described embodiments, the mandrel of the anchoring device comprises an external surface made of elastomer or similar material against which the cable bears.

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

[0033] Preferably, the finished mandrel, i.e. with elastomer, has a truncated cone shape to improve cable retention in the device. The cone then has a diameter that decreases towards the bottom of the device.

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

[0035] Fig. 2 is a schematic rear view of the body of the anchoring device of Fig. 1.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the anchoring device of Fig. 1 with a coiled cable.

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

[0038] The embodiment shown of the anchoring device comprises all or part of the following elements: - a body 1, one-piece made of plastic; - an openable handle 2, preferably integrated into the body (one piece with the body), lockable outside the winding area; - a fixed chuck 3, preferably one piece with the body; - a chuck 4, preferably interchangeable, whose external peripheral surface, on which the cable C is coiled, is made of elastomer or similar; - an outer wall 5 for retaining and protecting the cable; - a guide tab 6 for cable entry, preferably integrated into the body; - a high cable entry 7; - a low 8 cable outlet; - a cable output 9, specific to range adjustment; - 10 fixed internal retaining lugs; - 11 external retaining lugs that can be manipulated; - a 12mm hose clamp, preferably integrated into the body, on the cable exit side.

[0039] The chuck 4 is preferably made of two materials and consists of a ring 42 made of rigid plastic for mounting on the fixed chuck 3 and carrying a ring 44 made of elastomer. The ring 44 has, for example, internal vertical grooves 443 cooperating with corresponding external ribs 423 of the ring 42 to prevent rotation of the ring on the ring 42. Similarly, the ring 42 has, for example, internal vertical ribs 424 cooperating with corresponding external ribs 34 of the chuck 3.

[0040] Preferably, the chuck 4 is interchangeable depending on the diameter of the cable for which the anchoring device is intended.

[0041] Preferably, the section of the elastomer crown 44 is inclined so as to present a diameter increasing from the bottom of the body to the apparent face of the mandrel 4. This contributes to locking the cable in the anchoring device.

[0042] Preferably, the visible face of the fixed chuck 3 is flat and parallel to the bottom of the body. Similarly, the visible edge of the ring 42 is preferably flat and coplanar with the visible face of the fixed chuck 3.

[0043] Preferably, the ring 42 has a shoulder in the upper part, masking the top of the elastomer crown 44.

[0044] Fig. 5 represents an anchoring device associated with a support S.

[0045] The handle 2 is intended to be engaged in an opening of the support S, itself fixed to a wall or a post.

[0046] One advantage of providing an elastomer surface to receive the cable loops is that it makes the anchoring device particularly suitable for fragile cables, especially those susceptible to crushing, such as fiber optic cables. Another advantage is that the elastomer helps prevent cable slippage.

[0047] As a particular embodiment, the adhesion of the material by its nature, combined with its surface appearance, is chosen to prevent the cable from slipping under pressure against the mandrel 4, despite a tensile force of about 100 Newtons, preferably of a value between about 100 Newtons and about 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 [Fig.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 of the cable around the mandrel (typically between two and five turns).

[0049] Here we see an advantage in providing an interchangeable chuck 4. This allows, from the same body 1, several versions of the anchoring device to be available depending on the chuck 4 used. Chucks 4 of different diameters and heights can then be provided depending on the application.

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

[0051] 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 the modularity of the device by remaining interchangeable on the same base 1.

[0052] Preferably, the ring 42 has a sleeve 421 for receiving the crown 44, surmounted by a disc 422 with a larger outer diameter. The disc 422 serves, in particular, to lock the crown 44 in place to prevent it from coming out of the ring 42 once the assembly is mounted on the body.

[0053] The mounting of the chuck 4 onto the body 1 is achieved by engaging the ribs 424 of the ring 42 into the grooves 34 of the chuck 3. Although not visible in the figures, the ribs preferably have one or more lugs or similar features cooperating with one or more slots in the chuck 3 to lock or secure the chuck 4 onto the chuck 3 by rotation (for example, in the direction of the arrows illustrated in [Fig. 1]). Any other suitable locking system may be provided, for example, by clipping the ring 42 into a groove formed on the chuck 3 of the body 1, by a horizontal thread instead of vertical ribs 424 and grooves 34, etc.

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

[0055] One advantage of using a few turns to wind the cable is that it makes the device particularly suitable for fragile cables, such as optical fibers, which cannot withstand excessive tension. Indeed, the loops reduce or dampen the direct tension on the cable. The number of turns thus allows for the distribution the pressure forces of the cable on the hub or chuck 4 by further increasing the cable length.

[0056] The adhesion of the mandrel 4 can be adjusted not only according to the nature of the material it is made of, but also according to its surface finish. It is therefore possible to modify the surface finish (grains, grooves, ribs, etc.) of the mandrel 4 according to the desired adhesion.

[0057] Preferably, the nature, hardness and surface condition of the cable receiving mandrel 4 are chosen according to the nature of the cable, more precisely the material constituting the cable sheath.

[0058] In the embodiments shown, the body 1 is a single piece, for example, molded from plastic (preferably thermoplastic). The loop 2 for attaching the anchoring device to a support S ([Fig. 5]), for example, a perforated metal plate supported by a post or wall (not shown), is formed outside the winding area of ​​the body 2, preferably opposite the cable entry 7. The loop 2 has a fixed end 21, connected to the body 1 (typically molded with the body 1), and a free end 22. The free end 22 terminates in a lug 24 designed to cooperate with (engage in) a cavity 14 of opposite shape formed in the body 1, to close the loop 2 after engaging it in a hole S2 of a support S.

[0059] The attachment device preferably comprises a single cable entry 7, but two cable exits depending on the nature of the on-site installation. A first cable exit 8 forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the cable entry 7 (the directions of the cable C at the entry 7 and exit 8 form an angle of approximately 90° with each other, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]). A second cable exit 9 forms an angle of approximately 180 degrees with the cable entry 7. Each cable entry or exit is formed by a groove open upwards (opposite the bottom of the body 1) leading, on one side (through one longitudinal end of the groove), into the winding space 13 and, on the other side (through the other longitudinal end of the groove), to the outside of the device.

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

[0061] The cable entry 7 is equipped with a tab 6, or lug, in a plane approximately parallel to the bottom of the body 1. The lug 6 allows the cable to be guided and the entry groove to be partially closed without preventing the cable from sliding in it.

[0062] The outlet groove 8 is also preferably equipped with a lug 82 in a plane approximately parallel to the bottom of the body 1.

[0063] The cable outlet 8 is preferably associated with a clamp 12 whose role is to secure the cable in the outlet groove. This clamp 12 has a tab, one fixed end of which is integral with the body 1 and one free end 122 of which is intended to engage in a locking slot 124. The slot 124 is provided in the body 1 opposite the tab 12 with respect to the outlet groove 8. The tab has, 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 slot 124 to lock the clamp 12. The direction of the tab is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outlet groove. The clamp 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 input 7 and the output 9 being approximately parallel to each other, there is less risk for the output 8 which is perpendicular to the input 7 that the cable will become misaligned once in place.

[0065] Without taking into account the handle 2 and the collar 2, the attachment device can be considered as fitting within a flattened polyhedron defined by two square surfaces (the bottom of the body and the top of the chuck 4) and by four rectangular lateral surfaces (the shorter sides defining the height of the attachment device). In the example shown in the figures, the handle 2 and the collar 12 then emerge from the same lateral face, opposite the face into which the outlets 7 and 9 open, with the outlet 8 emerging from the intermediate face on the collar 12 side.

[0066] Preferably, the base of the body has, in the portion 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 a step. This avoids any risk of breakage or bending, particularly if the cable contains optical fibers. More generally, the base surface on which the cable is intended to rest has a slope creating a difference in level at the inlet 6 to facilitate winding. This difference in level, i.e., the slope, is preferably sized according to the diameter of the cable for which the device is intended.

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

[0068] This figure illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the collar 12 is replaced by a groove 15 with a tongue 151 with elastic deformation allowing the cable C to be locked by pinching, ensuring a self-locking function to prevent the cable from returning to the hub 4.

[0069] Various embodiments and variations 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 an anchoring device has been described in which the mandrel is attached in the form of an elastomer ring carried by a bushing, itself engaged on the fixed core of the mandrel, an embodiment can be envisaged in which the elastomer ring is directly attached around a fixed mandrel, or even manufactured directly on the fixed mandrel.

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

Claims

Demands

1. Cable anchoring device comprising: a body (1); an openable loop (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, in which a bottom of the body has a slope (17).

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

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

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the second chuck (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) has a diameter decreasing towards the bottom of the body (1).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body (1) has a guide tab (6) for the entry of a cable.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body (1) incorporates a cable clamp (12) at the output.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body (1) incorporates a cable pinching groove (15) at the output.

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