A cable retention device in a cable protector

Abstract

A flexible cable protection device incorporates a means to retain the cable or other longitudinal member within it. A cable 3 is inserted into a cavity 4 within an extruded cable protector body 1 thro

Description

Background The use of cable protection devices is well known, such devices being arranged to protect cables from the wheels of vehicles, prams, etc, to protect persons from 5 tripping and to provide easy transition over the cable for the likes of prams and scooters. Available protectors include flexible and rigid devices that allow the cable to be placed inside a protected cavity. Commonly available cable protectors are shaped to provide a tapered ramp each side of the cable protection cavity. The present invention seeks to improve on currently available cable protectors by io providing a means to prevent the cable from exiting the cable protector via a slot that is used to load the cable into the cable protector. This is of importance particularly when moving or coiling up the cable protector. It is common to position the cable in the cable protector through an opening, or slot that is provided along the length of the cable protector, this is because the cable 15 often has plugs or sockets attached to its ends preventing the cable from being threaded through a hole or cavity from one of the ends of the cable protector. The present invention. The present invention will now be described by referring to the attached Figures where- figs 1,2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the invention and figs 4,5 and 6 20 show a second embodiment of the invention. Fig # 1 is a section through a cable protector (1) showing a clamp member (2) preventing the cable protector cut slot (5) from opening to release the protected cable (3). Fig # 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a clamp member (2). Fig # 3 shows a section through a cable protector (1) with extruded holes (6). Fig # 4 shows a section through a cable protector (1) with a hole (8) drilled through a lower section of the cable protector. Fig # 5 shows a section through the cable protector (1) and with a retention device (9) fitted to prevent the slit (5) from opening. Fig # 6 shows a section through the cable protector (1) and with a different variant of the retention device (9) fitted. Description of the primary parts of the invention. The invention comprises a flexible cable protector (1) with a slit (5) that can be opened to make it wider by deforming the construction flexible material on the underside to allow the one or more cables that are to be protected to be positioned within a cable hole (4). The aim of the invention is to prevent the slot (5) from opening and allowing the protected cable to be released from the cable protector when the cable protector is moved or rolled up. Description of the invention A first embodiment of the invention comprises the arrangement shown in fig #1. An extrusion (1) has 2 holes (6) within its body, a hole (4) for retaining the cable (3) that is to be protected and a slot (5) to allow the cable (3) to be positioned in the hole (4). At the positions along the length of the extrusion that are to be restrained, holes (7) are drilled in the extrusion (1) such that they break into the extruded holes (6) forming L shaped cavities. Once the cable (3) has been positioned in the hole (4) a clamp member (2) is pushed in to the two drilled holes (7) until it engages the extruded holes (6), by the shape of the clamp member (2) once it engages with the extruded holes (6) it is locked in position by virtue of its shape. The clamp member (2) can be released by deforming the outer edges of the extrusion (1) upwards. A second embodiment of the invention is shown in fig #5 comprising an extrusion (1) that has a hole (4) to house a cable (3) that is to be protected and a slot (5) to allow the cable (3) to be positioned in the hole (4). At the positions along the length of the extrusion (1) that are to be restrained a hole (8) is drilled. A cable tie (9) is placed through the hole (8) and, the head of another cable tie (10) is then used to restrain the first cable tie (9) in position. The tail of cable tie (10) is then cut off. The cable (3) can be released either by cutting the cable tie (9) or by releasing a locking tab on the cable tie (10). In a third embodiment of the invention a longer single cable tie (9) can be used as shown in fig #6, in this case part of the tail of the cable tie is folded under the extrusion (1). In a fourth embodiment of the invention the cable tie (9) shown in fig #6 can be replaced with a wire tie, a string tie or other suitable means. In a fifth embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector (1) is made wide and a joining member is used to cover the gap used for inserting the cable (3) into the cable protector (1). In a sixth embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector is arranged to have overlapping edges as opposed to edge to edge touching edges with or without a gap. In this embodiment the edges can hold together by a fixing that can be placed through the two overlapping edges to prevent them parting and allowing the cable (3) to exit the cable protector (1). 16 1224 In a seventh embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector (1) can be held together by the nature of the extrusion design in that the 2 mating edges of the slot (5) can latch and unlatch using a shape such as 2 x “J” hooks or a tongue and groove feature to prevent them parting and allowing the cable (3) to exit the cable protector (1). In an eighth embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector (1) can be held together by the overlapping features of the slot (5) in the extrusion joined by an adhesive to prevent them parting and allowing the cable (3) to exit the cable protector (1). In a ninth embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector (1) can be held together by the overlapping features of the slot (5) in the extrusion joined by Velcro to prevent them parting and allowing the cable (3) to exit the cable protector (1). In a tenth embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector (1) can have a zip fastener fitted which, when closed prevents the cable (3) from exiting the cable protector (1). In an eleventh embodiment of the invention the slot (5) in the cable protector (1) can be prevented from opening to allow the protected cable from exiting using another fastening form such as screws, string, or other means. In any of the embodiments of the invention the slot (5) is preferably on the ground engaging surface of the cable protector (1), but it can be on any surface and in any position. Accordingly, the invention comprises a cable protector (1) made from a flexible material and being suitably shaped such that it can be laid on a surface used by 95 pedestrians or vehicles and said cable protector (1) providing a hole (4) within its structure and along its length suitable for housing at least one cable (3) or other longitudinal member that is to be protected and a means to insert at least one cable or other longitudinal member into the cable protector hole through an entry slot (5) that is available, or made available by temporarily deforming the cable protector (1) loo along its length, and means to temporarily or permanently retain the protected longitudinal member or members within the cable protector by means of a mechanical retention device in at least one position along the length of the cable protector (1) in order to prevent the longitudinal member or members leaving the protection of the cable protector (1) at positions where the mechanical retention 105 devices are fitted when the cable protector is manipulated or coiled up, and the said mechanical cable retention device being arranged to have attachment to the cable CM protector adjacent to each side of the cable entry slot and being arranged to prevent '1” the cable entry slot from opening. no 200 A Cable Retention Device in a Cable Protector

Claims

1 A cable protector made from a flexible material and being suitably shaped such that it can be laid on a surface used by pedestrians or vehicles and said cable protector providing a hole within its structure and along its length205 suitable for housing at least one cable or other longitudinal member that is tobe protected and a means to insert at least one cable or other longitudinal member into the cable protector hole through an entry slot that is available, or made available by temporarily deforming the cable protector along its length, and means to temporarily or permanently retain the protected longitudinal.210 member or members within the cable protector by means of a mechanicalC\l cable retention device in at least one position along the length of the cableprotector in order to prevent the longitudinal member or members leaving thei—¢0 protection of the cable protector at positions where the mechanical retentiondevices are fitted when the cable protector is manipulated or coiled up, and215 the said cable mechanical retention device being arranged to have attachment to the cable protector adjacent to each side of the cable entry slot and being arranged to prevent the cable entry slot from opening.2 A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the retention device comprises a clamp member (2) that is retained within the cable protector adjacent to each side of220 the cable entry slot.3 A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the mechanical retention devicecomprises of a cable tie that is attached to each side of the cable entry slot to prevent the cable entry slot from opening.4 A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the retention method comprises a means225 to temporarily or permanently retain the protected longitudinal member ormembers within the cable protector in at least one position.CM

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