Gear-type cable protection system including embedded fasteners

Abstract

To enable efficient and effective assembly of cables to be protected. [Solution] A cable protection system is provided that includes a mating function to enable efficient and effective assembly surrounding the cables to be protected. The mating mechanism provides a specific retention strength and a release function that allows the installer to later release the mating function as needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 754,194, filed on February 5, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 884,039, filed on September 18, 2025, and incorporates these in their entirety by reference herein.

[0002] This application relates to a cable protection system having a gear type design and other mating features to provide a more effective and efficient installation and assembly process. The cable protection system can be used to protect cables intended for use in harsh environments such as undersea applications.

Background Art

[0003] Offshore energy production has been carried out for decades. Until recently, offshore energy production was usually associated with the production of oil and gas. However, in recent years, renewable energy sources have become more common, and offshore facilities are common in areas where available land is too expensive or inaccessible. Regardless of the type of offshore facility, power and data transmission are required, and cables are used for power and data transmission. Cables used in offshore facilities need to be protected from abrasion, sharp objects, twisting, and other environmental problems that can reduce the integrity of the cable. Typically, cable protection systems are known to utilize segmented bell and ball cast iron systems. This style of protective sleeve has been found to be effective in protecting cables, and assembly machines are used in facilities that automate at least part of the installation process for assembling the bell and ball system along an assembly line. However, the bell and ball cast iron system has several weaknesses, such as the weight of the cast iron, the need for fasteners, resulting in increased time and resources for installation, and the limited lifespan of the cast iron material itself in seawater, as well as safety issues for workers due to its heavy and bulky nature. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0004] This specification discloses a cable protection system and a method for assembling such a cable protection system. The cable protection system includes features that enable a more efficient installation process, and the installation process may include utilizing the cable protection system in an assembly machine that feeds the cable protection system into an assembly line in order to automate at least part of the overall installation process.

[0005] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system including a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, the cable protection sleeve includes a male coupling fastener including a first anchor section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the first protection sleeve; a female coupling fastener including a second anchor section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the second protection sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to mate with the first coupling section; and a shield configured to form a protective housing around the second coupling section.

[0006] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system including a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, the cable protection sleeve includes a male coupling fastener including a first anchor section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the first protection sleeve; a female coupling fastener including a second anchor section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the second protection sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to mate with the first coupling section; and a two-piece shield including a shield body and a shield cap, configured to form a protective housing around the second coupling portion.

[0007] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system including a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, the cable protection sleeve includes a male component including a first anchor section and a pin lock, the first anchor section being configured to be embedded within a portion of the first protection sleeve; a female component including a second anchor section and a shield housing with a locking opening, a tool opening, and a spring lock including a locking loop and a tool loop, the second anchor section being configured to be embedded within a portion of the second protection sleeve, the pin lock being configured to pass through the locking opening and lock into the locking loop; and a tool being configured to pass through the tool opening and engage with the tool loop and release the pin lock from the locking loop.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system including a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, the cable protection sleeve includes a male component comprising a first anchor section and a retaining tab, wherein the first anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the first protection sleeve; and a female component comprising a second anchor section and a torsion ramp, wherein the second anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the second protection sleeve, and the retaining tab is configured to be pushed down along the torsion ramp until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface of the torsion ramp and reaches a locked state, wherein an increasing torsional force is applied to the retaining tab as it descends the torsion ramp until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface.

[0009] A detailed description of these and other non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the cable protection system is given below, along with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This is a partial perspective view of an exemplary cable protection system, including an upper half-sleeve and a lower half-sleeve, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged sub-view of the male end of a half-sleeve included in the cable protection system shown in Figure 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged sub-view of the female end of a half-sleeve included in the cable protection system shown in Figure 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] This is a perspective view of a coupling fastener system, including a male coupling fastener, a female coupling fastener, and a two-piece shield, which are included in the cable protection system shown in Figure 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] This is a perspective view of a female fastener included in the fastening system shown in Figure 4A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] This is a perspective view of the shield body included in the two-piece shield shown in Figure 4A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a fastening system shown in which a male fastening is attached to a female fastening, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4E] This is a perspective view showing a portion A of a female fastener, as shown in Figure 4A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, installed within a half-sleeve of the cable protection system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5A] This is a perspective view of a coupling fastener system, including a male coupling fastener, a female coupling fastener, and an integrated shield, which may be included in a cable protection system, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] This is a perspective view of the integrated shield shown in Figure 5A according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5C] Figure 5A is a perspective view of the fastening system shown in the second embodiment, where the male fastening is attached to the female fastening and in a mated state. [Figure 5D]This is a perspective view showing portion B of the second embodiment, in which the female fastener shown in Figure 5A is installed inside the half sleeve of an exemplary cable protection system. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of an exemplary releaseable fastener system, including a male fastener, a female fastener, and a release tool, which may be included in a cable protection system, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view of the female fastener shown in Figure 6, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the releasable fastener system shown in Figure 6, in a mated state in which a male fastener is attached to a female fastener, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a releaseable fastener system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the male fastener is released from its mated state with the female fastener using a release tool. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing a portion of a half-sleeve of an exemplary cable protection system to which the female fastener shown in Figure 6 may be attached, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of a torsion fastening system including male and female fasteners that may be included in an exemplary cable protection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of a torsion fastening system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a male fastener is partially attached to a female fastener in a partially mated state. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of a torsion fastening system in another partially mated state, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a male fastener is partially attached to a female fastener at its maximum twist position. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of a torsion fastening system in a fully mated state, in which the male fastener is fully attached to the female fastener, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]Perspective view showing a part of an exemplary cable protection system in which an upper half sleeve including a male fastener is not yet in a mated state with a female fastener included in a lower half sleeve, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] Perspective view showing a part of an exemplary cable protection system in which an upper half sleeve including a male fastener is in a fully mated state with a female fastener included in a lower half sleeve, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] Perspective view of a fixing system including a male fastener and a female fastener in a mated state, which can be included in an exemplary cable protection system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] Perspective view of the fixing system shown in FIG. 17 with the outer protective sleeve removed, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] Exploded view of the fixing system shown in FIG. 18, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] Perspective view of a female part included in the fixing system shown in FIG. 17, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] Perspective view of a releasable locking spring included in the fixing system shown in FIG. 17, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] Perspective view of a male part included in the fixing system shown in FIG. 17, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] Perspective view of a release tool that can be used to release the fixing system shown in FIG. 17 from a mated state, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] Perspective view showing a state in which a release tool is used to release the fixing system shown in FIG. 17 from a mated state, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0011] This specification discloses a novel cable protection system, including an embedded fastener system, and a method for installing the same, which offers improved installation efficiency and physical characteristics compared to conventional cable protection systems. Where necessary, detailed, non-limiting embodiments of the cable protection system are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative and may take various alternative forms. Figures are not necessarily to a fixed proportion, and features may be exaggerated or minimized to illustrate details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should be interpreted not as limitations, but merely as representative grounds for teaching those skilled in the art.

[0012] Figure 1 shows an exemplary cable protection system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable protection system 100 includes an upper section 110 of a half sleeve 200 and a lower section 120 of a half sleeve 200, the half sleeve 200 including a gear-type structural design for interlocking with each other to cover and protect a cable or other elongated object. According to some embodiments, the cable protection system 100 including the half sleeve 200 may be assembled manually to cover and protect an object (e.g., a cable) from environmentally challenging locations such as submarine facilities. According to other embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the half sleeve 200 may be assembled at least in part using mechanical machinery to automate, or at least semi-automate, the process of covering and protecting a cable as the cable moves along the assembly line by powering an assembly line with rollers to move the half sleeve 200. The half sleeve 200 may be made of polyurethane or other similar polymer material. According to some embodiments, part of the half sleeve 200 may include a metal component. For example, metal components may be embedded within certain parts of the half sleeve 200 to provide additional structural safety and / or to increase the weight of the half sleeve 200.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the upper half sleeve 200 110 and the lower half sleeve 200 120 can be fitted together to form a cable protection system 100. For example, the upper half sleeve 200 110 can be fitted together with the lower half sleeve 200 120, and a portion of the cable can be covered and protected within the internal housing 260 formed by the fitting of the two half sleeves 200 together.

[0014] The half sleeve 200 is typically configured in a semi-tubular shape having gear-shaped projections (i.e., teeth) and openings (i.e., gaps for receiving the corresponding teeth). For example, the half sleeve 200 has trapezoidal projections 210 and trapezoidal openings 220 along its wall. The mating process may then include mating the projections 210 of the half sleeve 200 in the upper section 110 with the corresponding openings 220 of the half sleeve 200 in the lower section 120, and mating the projections 210 of the half sleeve 200 in the lower section 120 with the corresponding openings 220 of the half sleeve 200 in the upper section 110. The trapezoidal shape of these mating features on the half sleeve 200 (e.g., projections 210 and openings 220) is one exemplary solution provided by the cable protection system 100 to enable faster and more efficient installation. Although the mating function is illustrated and / or described as having a trapezoidal shape, other mating shapes (e.g., rectangular or triangular) are also available for the projection 210 and opening 220 that constitute the exemplary mating function.

[0015] The half sleeve 200 may also include a recessed channel 201 for attaching cable ties or straps to two mated half sleeves 200. The half sleeve 200 also includes a female end 240 and a male end 250 having a mating function, as will be described in more detail below.

[0016] Figure 2 shows an enlarged sub-view of the half sleeve 200 including the male end 250, and Figure 3 shows an enlarged sub-view of the half sleeve 200 including the female end 240. The male end 250 includes a male body 251, which includes both a hook 253 and a through-hole 252. The hook 253 may be a chamfered projection located at the far end of the male body 251, and the through-hole 252 is located at the inner end of the male body 251 closest to the body of the half sleeve 200. The male end 250 also includes a ramp 254 which can be used to guide the hook 243 on the female end 240 into the through-hole 252, as will be described in more detail below. The male end 250 also includes a groove 270 adjacent to the male body 251, in which a tie or strap can be attached around the half sleeve 200. The groove 270 is shown adjacent to the male body 251, and additional grooves are located along the length of the half sleeve 200.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the male body 251 may have a straight cylindrical side wall as shown in Figure 2, or according to some alternative embodiments, the male body 251 may have a tapered dovetail shape where the outer end is wider than the inner end.

[0018] Figure 3 shows the underside of the female body 241 including the female end 240 of the half sleeve 200, the underside of the female body 241 including a hook 243 and a through hole 242. In this embodiment, the hook 243 may be a chamfered projection located at the far end of the female body 241, and the through hole 242 is located at the inner end of the female body 241 closest to the body of the half sleeve 200. The female end 240 may also include a chamfered face 244.

[0019] An exemplary assembly process may include configuring the female end 240 of a first half sleeve 200 to descend onto the male end 250 of a second half sleeve 200, thereby mating the first half sleeve 200 and the second half sleeve 200 (for example, the upper half sleeve 200 of the 110th and the lower half sleeve 200 of the 120th). To form a mating connection, the hook 243 of the female end 240 is configured to descend into a through-hole 252 of the male end 250, and the hook 253 of the male end 250 is configured to settle into the through-hole 242 of the female end 240 as the female end 240 descends onto the top of the male end 250 during the assembly process described.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the female body 241 may have a straight cylindrical side wall as shown in Figure 3, or according to some alternative embodiments, the female body 241 may have a tapered dovetail shape that matches the tapered dovetail shape of the male body 251, with the width of the female body 241 being narrower at the far end and wider at the opposite end near the inner end.

[0021] According to different embodiments of this specification, the half-sleeve 200 used in the cable protection system 100 is configured to include an embedded fastener. For example, Figure 1 shows a female coupling fastener 230 molded within a projection 210 and a male coupling fastener 280 molded within an opening 220. This disclosure first describes an embedded coupling fastener system according to a first embodiment, which includes a female coupling fastener 230 and a male coupling fastener 280. However, other types of embedded fastener systems are also included within the scope of this disclosure, as will be described in more detail.

[0022] Figure 4A shows a separated perspective view of the fastening system 4200, which includes a female fastener 230 and a male fastener 280, as shown in Figure 1 to be molded within the half sleeve 200. The fastening system 4000 further includes a two-piece shield 310, 320, which consists of a shield body 310 and a shield cap 320.

[0023] The male coupling fastener 280 includes a fastener tip 283, which includes a window 285 having a projection called a retaining tab 286. The male coupling fastener 280 also includes a stop ear 284 and an anchor section 281. The anchor section 281 includes one or more openings 282a, 282b, which may include two or more openings of different sizes, where the first opening 282a is smaller than the second opening 282b. According to some embodiments, the openings 282a, 282b may be the same size. The openings 282a, 282b are shown as circular, but according to other embodiments, they may be made of different shapes (e.g., square or triangular, or irregular shapes). The anchor section 281 is embedded within the material (e.g., polyurethane) of the half sleeve 200, and the molded material enters the openings 282a and 282b, providing anchoring strength to secure the male fastener 280 embedded within the molded opening 220 of the half sleeve 200. Thus, the openings 282a and 282b are included to improve the pull-out strength to the male fastener 280.

[0024] The female fastener 230 includes an upper collar 233, reinforcing ribs 231, a positioning spring 236, and an anchor section 234. As shown in the detailed view of the female fastener 230 from the rear side in Figure 4B, the female fastener 230 further includes louvers 235 that project toward the front side of the female fastener 230 where the positioning spring 236 is located. To complete the coupling function between the male fastener 280 and the female fastener 230, the fastener tip 283 is inserted downward through the upper collar 233 until the retaining tab 286 overcomes the louvers 235, and the retaining tab 286 is positioned below the lower end of the louvers 235 that project into the window 285, thereby forming a locking function. Once the fastener tip 283 is fully inserted into the female fastener 230, the fastener tip 283 can contact the positioning spring 236 and prevent it from advancing any further.

[0025] The anchor section 234 includes one or more notches 234a and one or more holes 234b configured to be embedded in the molded material of the half sleeve, and the shape and configuration of the notches 234a and holes 234b provide anchoring strength for fixing the female fastener 230 embedded in the molded projection 210 of the half sleeve 200 as the molded material enters the notches 234a and holes 234b. Thus, one or more notches 234a and one or more holes 234b can improve pull-out strength. The holes 234b are shown to be circular, but according to other embodiments, they may be made of different shapes (e.g., square or triangular, or irregular shapes). The notches 234a are shown to form a rectangular sawtooth shape, but according to other embodiments, other shapes (e.g., semicircular, triangular, or other usable shapes) can be used.

[0026] The shield body 310 includes a shield housing 311, an overflow reservoir 312, an alignment tab 313, a lower fastener seal 314, an upper ridge 315, and a retaining ridge 316. The shield cap 320 includes a lower opening 325, a retaining shelf 322, an alignment groove 323, and an upper cap ridge 324. As shown in Figure 4D, when the coupling fastener system 4000 is mated, the shield body 310 and the shield cap 320 are configured to connect with each other to form a shield that covers the female coupling fastener 230. The alignment groove 323 is configured to fit into the alignment tab 313 to assist in the mating of the shield body 310 and the shield body 320, and guides the shield cap 320 and the shield body 310 to align. Furthermore, the upper ridge 315 is configured to fit securely into the lower opening 325 of the shield cap 320 so as to ensure that a proper seal is formed at the connection point formed when the shield body 310 and the shield cap 320 are mated.

[0027] The female fastener 230 is configured to fit into the shield body 310. For example, the anchor section 234 is pushed through the shield housing 311 and pushed out from the lower fastener seal 314. The lower fastener seal 314 may be an opening of a size that prevents material (e.g., polyurethane) from entering the shield housing 311 through the lower fastener seal 314 during the molding process of the half sleeve 200, as the anchor section 234 is pushed through the lower fastener seal 314 and forms a tight seal around the anchor section 234 of the female fastener 230. The tight fit of the opening including the lower fastener seal 314 is shown by the view looking inside the shield housing 311 shown in Figure 4C.

[0028] Once the female fastener 230 is fully inserted into the shield body 310, the reinforcing rib 231 fits within the shield housing 311, and the upper collar 233 of the female fastener 230 fits within the retaining ridge 316 of the shield body 310. The shield cap 320 is further fitted to cover a portion of the upper collar 233 of the female fastener 230, so that when the half sleeve 200 is fully formed, the shield cap 320 is positioned at the same height as, or slightly higher than, the level of the half sleeve 200 in which the female fastener 230 is installed (e.g., the projection 210), preventing material from entering the cavity formed by the two-piece shield 310, 320.

[0029] Thus, the two-piece shields 310, 320 can help maintain the coupling mechanism of the female fastener 230 (e.g., the louvers 235 and positioning spring 236) from being disturbed or obstructed during manufacturing processes such as molding the half sleeve 200 and / or embedding the female fastener 230 into the half sleeve 200. For example, the protective two-piece shields 310, 320 can prevent molten and / or fluid resin / polymer / plastic / polyurethane constituting the half sleeve 200 from entering during the molding manufacturing process. Even if a small amount of material enters the shield body 310, that amount can be retained in the overflow reservoir 312, as detailed in the internal view of the shield body 310 shown in Figure 4C. In this way, the material remains in the overflow reservoir 312 and does not interfere with the coupling mechanism of the female fastener 230, resulting in a state where it can accept and lock the male fastener 280.

[0030] Figure 5A shows a perspective view of an alternative coupling fastener system 5000 according to a second embodiment. The coupling fastener system 5000 uses an integrated shield body 400 to protect the same female coupling fastener 230, and the female coupling fastener 230 is configured to mate with the same male coupling fastener 280 as described above.

[0031] The integrated shield body 400 includes an upper flange 401, a retaining ridge 403, a shield housing 404, an overflow reservoir 405, and a lower fastener seal 402. As shown in Figure 5C, when the coupling fastener system 5000 is mated, the integrated shield body 400 is configured to connect with each other to form a shield that covers the female coupling fastener 230.

[0032] The female fastener 230 is configured to fit into the integrated shield body 400. For example, the anchor section 234 is pushed through the shield housing 404 and pushed out from the lower fastener seal 402. The lower fastener seal 402 may be an opening of a size that prevents material (e.g., polyurethane) from entering the shield housing 404 through the lower fastener seal 402 during the molding process of the half sleeve 200, as the anchor section 234 is pushed through the lower fastener seal 402 and forms a tight seal around the anchor section 234 of the female fastener 230. The tight fit of the opening including the lower fastener seal 402 is shown by the view looking inside the shield housing 404 shown in Figure 5B.

[0033] Once the female fastener 230 is fully inserted into the integrated shield body 400, the reinforcing rib 231 fits into the shield housing 404, and the upper collar 233 of the female fastener 230 fits into the retaining ridge 403 of the integrated shield body 400. The upper flange 401 is configured to cover a portion of the upper collar 233 of the female fastener 230, so that when the half sleeve 200 is fully formed, the upper flange 401 is positioned at the same height as, or slightly higher than, the level of the half sleeve 200 in which the female fastener 230 is installed (e.g., the projection 210), preventing material from entering the cavity formed by the integrated shield body 400.

[0034] Thus, the integrated shield body 400 can help maintain the coupling mechanism of the female fastener 230 (e.g., the louvers 235 and positioning spring 236) from being disturbed or obstructed during manufacturing processes such as molding the half sleeve 200 and / or embedding the female fastener 230 into the half sleeve 200. For example, the protective integrated shield body 400 can prevent molten and / or fluid resin / polymer / plastic / polyurethane constituting the half sleeve 200 from entering during the molding manufacturing process. Even if a small amount of material enters the integrated shield body 400, that amount can be retained in the overflow reservoir 405, as detailed in the internal view of the integrated shield body 400 shown in Figure 5B. In this way, the material remains in the overflow reservoir 405 and does not interfere with the coupling mechanism of the female fastener 230, and as a result, is able to accept and lock the male fastener 280. Figure 5D shows part B of the half sleeve 200 according to a second embodiment, in which the integrated shield body 400 is used to shield the female fastener 230.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary releasable fastener system 500 that may be included in a half sleeve 700 instead of a male fastener 280 and a female fastener 230 according to a third embodiment, in which case the half sleeve 700 is the same as the half sleeve 200 described herein, but the releasable fastener system 500 is used instead of the fastener system 4000.

[0036] The releaseable fastener system 500 includes a male component 510, a female component 530, and a tool 520. The tool 520 includes a lever 521 and a tool head 522. The male component 510 includes an anchor 511 and a pin latch 515. The anchor 511 includes a plurality of anchor openings 512 and a stop opening 513. The anchor 511 is configured to be embedded within a half sleeve 700, and the anchor openings 512 are configured to improve pull-out strength by forming the material of the half sleeve 700 around and inside the anchor openings 512. The anchor openings 512 are configured to be circular in shape, but in other embodiments, the anchor openings 512 may be provided in different shapes (e.g., square or triangular, or irregular shapes).

[0037] The pin latch 515 includes a pin top 514, a pin column 516, a pin head 518, and a locking section 517. The pin head 518 includes a ridge 519 formed by the section 517, which has a smaller diameter than the pin column 516 and the pin head 518, and the pin head 518 includes an inclined conical shape. The pin top 514 is configured to have a larger diameter than the stop opening 513. In this way, the pin column 516 and the pin head 518 can be inserted through the stop opening 513 until the pin top 514 strikes the stop opening 513, thereby preventing the pin latch 515 from slipping through the stop opening 513 and holding the pin latch 515 in the mounting position during the molding process of the half sleeve 700.

[0038] The releaseable fastener system 500 includes a female component 530. As shown in the exploded view of the female component 530 in Figure 7, the female component 530 includes a locking plate 534, a locking spring 535, and a shield 536. The locking plate 534 includes press-fit openings 541 at both ends, a pin opening 531 having a diameter through which a pin head 518 can pass, and a tool opening 532 having a diameter through which a tool head 522 can pass.

[0039] The lock plate 534 also includes a plurality of circularly arranged anchor openings 533, although in other embodiments the anchor openings 533 may be provided in different shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes). When the female part 530 is embedded in the material (e.g., polyurethane) of the half sleeve 700, the anchor openings 533 provide anchoring strength to hold the female part 530 within the half sleeve 700 by allowing the molding material to enter the anchor openings 533. Thus the anchor openings 533 are included to improve the pull-out strength of the female part 530.

[0040] The shield 536 includes walls 545a, 545b, 546a, 546b, a bottom surface 547, a pin housing 538 opening from the bottom surface 547, a tool housing 539 opening from the bottom surface 547, and a press-fit projection 537 protruding from the bottom surface 547. The shield 536 is configured to press-fit with the lock plate 534 by pushing the press-fit projection 537 into the press-fit opening 541 of the lock plate 534, as shown in Figure 6. When the shield 536 and the lock plate 534 are pressed together in this manner, the walls 545a, 545b, 546a, 546b and the bottom surface 547 of the shield 536 help to form a sealed housing together with the lock plate 534. Within this sealed housing, the lock spring 535 is housed and aligned by an alignment loop 544 fitting into one of the press-fit projections 537. The lock spring 535 also includes a lock loop 542 and a tool loop 543. When installed in the shield, the lock spring 535 is aligned such that the lock loop 542 is positioned between the pin opening 531 of the lock plate 534 and the opening of the pin housing 538 of the shield 536, and the tool loop 543 is positioned between the tool opening 532 of the lock plate 534 and the opening of the tool housing 539 of the shield 536.

[0041] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the releaseable fastener system 500 in a fully mated state. In this mated state, the pinhead 518 is inserted through the pin opening 531, thereby locking the cross section 517 into the locking loop 542, and the pinhead 518 is at least partially housed within the pin housing 538.

[0042] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the releaseable fastener system 500, illustrating how the pinhead 518 is released from the locking loop 542 using the tool 520. To achieve this release function, the tool head 522 is inserted into the tool loop 543 of the locking spring 535 through the tool opening 532. By pushing the tool head 522 into the tool loop 543, the locking loop 542 is fully expanded, allowing the pinhead 518 to be released from the locking loop 542 and pulled back through the pin opening 531.

[0043] Figure 10 shows a partial view of a half sleeve 700 having a female component 530 embedded in a projection 710 of the half sleeve 700. The projection 710 is shown to include a conical pin insertion opening 711 and a conical tool insertion opening 712, the conical tool insertion opening 712 having a side notch that allows a tool 520 to be pushed into the tool opening 532, as shown. The conical pin insertion opening 711 and / or the conical tool insertion opening 712 may be molded to this shape during the molding process of the half sleeve 700. In addition or alternatively, a shield may be used to form the conical pin insertion opening 711 and / or the conical tool insertion opening 712. Although not shown, a male component 510 is embedded in the opening 720 of the half sleeve 700.

[0044] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary twisted fastener system 800 according to a fourth embodiment, which may be included in a half sleeve 900 instead of a male fastener 280 and a female fastener 230, in which case the half sleeve 900 is the same as the half sleeve 200 described herein, but the twisted fastener system 800 is used instead of the fastener system 4000.

[0045] The twist fastener system 800 includes a male component 810 and a female component 820. The male component includes an anchor section 811 comprising one or more anchor openings 814. The anchor openings 814 are configured to be circular in shape, but in other embodiments, the anchor openings 814 may be provided in different shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes). The anchor section 811 is configured to be embedded within a half sleeve 900, and the anchor openings 814 are configured to improve pull-out retention strength by forming the material of the half sleeve 900 around and inside the anchor openings 814. The male component 810 further includes a twist region 812 and a retaining tab 813.

[0046] Female part 820 includes a torsion ramp 821, which is configured in a sloping shape, thin at the top and gradually widening towards the bottom, with a retaining surface 822 at the bottom. Female part 820 also includes an anchor section 823, which includes one or more anchor openings 824. The anchor openings 824 are configured in a circular shape, but in other embodiments, the anchor openings 824 may be provided in different shapes (e.g., square or triangular, or irregular shapes). The anchor section 823 is configured to be embedded within a half sleeve 900, and the anchor openings 824 are configured to improve pull-out retention strength by having the material of the half sleeve 900 molded around and inside the anchor openings 824.

[0047] Figure 12 shows the torsion fastener system 800 in a first insertion state, where the retaining tab 813 of the male component 810 has begun to be inserted into the torsion ramp 821 of the female component 820. The inclined surfaces of the torsion ramp 821 are positioned opposite each other, so that the retaining tab 813 slides down between the two inclined surfaces of the torsion ramp 821.

[0048] Figure 13 shows the torsion fastener system 800 in a second insertion state, where the retaining tab 813 of the male component 810 reaches the bottom of the torsion ramp 821 of the female component 820 and is held between the retaining surfaces 822. In this position, the torsion ramp 821 applies maximum force to the retaining tab 813 just before it falls into a locked state.

[0049] Figure 14 shows the locked torsion fastener system 800, with the retaining tab 813 of the male component 810 reaching the bottom of the torsion ramp 821 of the female component 820 and held in a locked position below the retaining surface 822. In this position, the retaining tab 813 is locked below the retaining surface 822, and the retaining surfaces 822 bend back together, closing the release path above the retaining tab 813.

[0050] Figure 15 shows a twist fastener system 800 embedded within a half sleeve 900. For example, it is shown that the male component 810 is embedded within the half sleeve 900 located on the upper section 110, and the female component 820 is embedded within the half sleeve 900 located on the lower section 120. The twist fastener system 800 is not yet locked because the half sleeves 900 of the upper section 110 and the lower section 120 are not yet mated with each other.

[0051] Figure 16 shows the twist fastener system 800 embedded within the half sleeve 900, and the twist fastener system 800 is still locked because the upper half sleeve 900 110 and the lower half sleeve 900 120 are fitted together. For example, it is shown that the male component 810 is embedded in the opening 920 in the gear-shaped half sleeve 900 located on the upper 110, and the female component 820 is embedded in the protrusion 910 of the gear-shaped half sleeve 900 located on the lower 120.

[0052] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the fastener system 1000 according to a fifth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The fastener system 1000 shown in Figure 17 is configured in a locked state. The fastener system 1000 is configured as a releasable spring-lock type fastener system, as will be described in detail below.

[0053] The fastener system 1000 includes a male component 1100, a female component 1300, and a protective sleeve 1200. As shown in the perspective view of Figure 18, which shows the protective sleeve 1200 removed, the female component 1300 further includes a releaseable lock spring 1310. The releaseable lock spring 1310 includes a first lock segment 1311 and a second lock segment 1312, and when the fastener system 1000 is in the locked state as shown in Figure 18, the first lock segment 1311 and the second lock segment 1312 are configured to clamp the notch 1120 of the male component from above.

[0054] Figure 19 shows an exploded perspective view of the female part 1300, the releaseable lock spring 1310, and the protective sleeve 1200, illustrating how the female part 1300 is configured to fit within the protective sleeve 1200. The female part 1300 includes a tab head 1320, which is formed by folding both sides and connecting the two sides with a dovetail-shaped seam 1321. In this way, the tab head 1320 includes a first side 1301 (for example, the first side 1301 includes the dovetail-shaped seam 1321) and a second side 1302 (for example, the second side 1302 does not include the dovetail-shaped seam 1321, as shown in Figure 20). The tab head 1320 includes a first pair of through slots 1323 and a second pair of through slots 1322. The first lock segment 1311 of the releaseable lock spring 1310 is configured to pass through a first pair of through slots 1323, and the second lock segment 1312 of the releaseable lock spring 1310 is configured to pass through a second pair of through slots 1322.

[0055] As shown, the protective sleeve 1200 consists of a first sleeve portion 1210 and a second sleeve portion 1220, which are configured to be attached to each other around the tab head 1320. The protective sleeve 1200 may also cover the top of the tab head 1320, thereby preventing the molding polyurethane material from dripping inside the protective sleeve 1200 and interfering with the locking mechanism of the female part 1300 during the molding process of the half sleeve 200.

[0056] Figure 20 shows a perspective view of the female part 1300 alone, with a second side view 1302 shown. The female part 1300 includes a tab head 1320, an anchor section 1340, and a bridge section 1330 connecting the tab head 1320 to the anchor section 1340. The anchor section 1340 is configured to be embedded in the half sleeve 200 at a projection 210 (or an opening 220 in other alternative embodiments). To help retain the anchor section within the half sleeve 200, the anchor section 1340 may include one or more anchor openings 1341, thereby increasing the retaining force that prevents the anchor section 1340 from being pulled out of the half sleeve 200 as polyurethane material flows through the anchor openings 1341 during the molding of the half sleeve 200.

[0057] The through slots 1323 and 1322 have a shape that allows the lock segments 1311 and 1312 to move along the horizontal axis, as will be described in more detail, and allow the releaseable lock spring 1310 to transition between the locked and unlocked states. The female part 1300 may be made from cut sheet metal or other similar material that allows for the construction of a single piece.

[0058] Figure 21 shows a perspective view of the releaseable lock spring 1310 alone. The releaseable lock spring 1310 includes lock segments 1311 and 1312, a first lock leg 1313, a first loop 1315 of the first lock leg 1313, a second lock leg 1314, a second loop 1316 of the second lock leg 1314, and a central loop 1317. As previously mentioned, as shown in Figure 18, the first lock segment 1311 is configured to fit into a first pair of through slots 1323, and the second lock segment 1312 is configured to fit into a second pair of through slots 1322.

[0059] The releaseable lock spring 1310 may be made of a metallic material or other suitable material capable of providing the desired locking force to the notch 1120 of the male component 1100, and at the same time may also have a flexible property that allows it to be bent into the unlocked state as needed and return to the locked state.

[0060] Figure 22 shows a perspective view of the male component 1100 alone. The male component 1100 includes a nose 1110 configured in a tapered shape with two inclined surfaces, notches 1120 formed at the ends of the two inclined surfaces of the nose 1110, an anchor section 1140, and a bridge section 1130 connecting the nose 1110 to the anchor section 1140. The nose 1110 is configured to be inserted into the tab head 1320 of the female component 1300, with lock segments 1311 and 1312 passing through their respective through slots 1322 and 1323.

[0061] The nose 1110 is tapered so that it can be pushed with a downward force beyond the lock segments 1311 and 1312 that protrude into the interior of the tab head 1320. When the notch 1120 is pushed beyond the lock segments 1311 and 1312 and the lock segments 1311 and 1312 are contained within the notch 1120, the male part 1100 locks with the female part 1300.

[0062] Figure 23 shows a perspective view of an exemplary release tool 1400 that may be used to release a male part 1100 from a locked state with a female part 1300, according to several embodiments. The release tool 1400 includes a nose 1410 with a tapered shape and an inclined surface 1411. The release tool 1400 is formed to be thin, so that the nose 1410 can be pushed into the tab head 1320 while the notch 1120 of the nose 1110 of the male part 1100 is locked with the lock segments 1311 and 1312 in the releaseable lock spring 1310 of the female part 1300, as shown, for example, in Figure 24.

[0063] When the release tool 1400 is sufficiently pushed into the tab head 1320, the inclined surface 1411 of the release tool 1400 presses against the lock segments 1311 and 1312. When the release tool 1400 is further pushed with sufficient force (e.g., a predetermined release force), the lock segments 1311 and 1312 are pushed outward, thereby releasing them from within the notch 1120 of the male part 1100. Once the lock segments 1311 and 1312 are released from within the notch 1120, the male part 1100 can be pulled upward from the tab head 1320, releasing it from the locked state and into the unlocked state. After the release tool 1400 is removed from the tab head 1320, the lock segments 1311 and 1312 return to the locked position, providing a locking mechanism when the male part 1100 is next inserted, as described herein.

[0064] These mating functions of the cable protection systems described herein are utilized to provide an effective and efficient mounting for assembling half sleeves around the cables to be protected.

[0065] The technologies presented and claimed herein are applied to objects and specific examples of a practical nature that empirically improve the existing field of art, and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical.

[0066] Accordingly, this disclosure describes the cable protection system described above and a method for installing such a cable protection system. As will be readily apparent from the foregoing, various non-limiting embodiments of the system, device, and method have been described. Various embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, but they are merely illustrative and not intended to illustrate and describe all possible embodiments. Rather, the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and it should be understood that various modifications to these embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subsequent claims.

Claims

1. A male coupling fastener comprising a first anchor section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a first protective sleeve, A female fastener comprising a second anchor section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a second protective sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to engage with the first coupling section, A shield configured to form a protective housing around the second coupling section, A fastening system including a connecting fastener system.

2. The coupling fastener system according to claim 1, wherein the shield comprises an overflow reservoir.

3. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the shield includes an upper flange configured to cover at least a portion of the upper collar of the female fastening, and the upper flange is configured to be at least the same height as the surface of the second protective sleeve when the female fastening is formed within the second protective sleeve.

4. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the female fastener further comprises at least two reinforcing ribs configured to support the protective housing of the shield.

5. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein the shield further includes a lower fastener seal configured to allow the second anchor section to pass through while forming a seal with respect to the second anchor section.

6. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a projection and an opening, and the male fastener is positioned on the projection or opening.

7. The fastening system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a projection and an opening, and the female fastener is positioned on the projection or opening.

8. A male coupling fastener comprising a first anchor section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a first protective sleeve, A female fastener comprising a second anchor section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a second protective sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to engage with the first coupling section, A two-piece shield comprising a shield body and a shield cap, wherein the two-piece shield is configured to form a protective housing around the second joint, A fastening system including a connecting fastener system.

9. The fastening system according to claim 8, wherein the shield body is equipped with an overflow reservoir.

10. The fastening system according to claim 8, wherein the shield cap is configured to cover at least a portion of the upper collar of the female fastening, and the shield cap is configured to be at least the same height as the surface of the second protective sleeve when the female fastening is formed within the second protective sleeve.

11. The fastening system according to claim 8, wherein the female fastener further comprises at least two reinforcing ribs configured to support the protective housing of the two-piece shield.

12. The fastening system according to claim 8, wherein the shield body includes a lower fastener seal configured to allow the second anchor section to pass through while forming a seal with respect to the second anchor section.

13. The fastening system according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the first protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a projection and an opening, and the male fastener is positioned on the projection or opening.

14. The fastening system according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the second protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a projection and an opening, and the female fastener is positioned on the projection or opening.

15. A male component comprising a first anchor section and a retaining tab, wherein the first anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a first protective sleeve, A female component comprising a second anchor section and a torsion ramp, wherein the second anchor section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a second protective sleeve, and the retaining tab is configured to be pushed down along the torsion ramp until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface of the torsion ramp and reaches a locked state, and as the retaining tab descends the torsion ramp, an increasing torsional force is applied to the retaining tab until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface, A fastening system that includes a connecting fastener.

16. The fastening system according to claim 15, wherein the first anchor section includes an anchor hole.

17. The fastening system according to claim 15, wherein the second anchor section includes an anchor hole.

18. The fastening system according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the first protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a projection and an opening, and the male fastener is positioned on the projection or opening.

19. The fastening system according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the second protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a projection and an opening, and the female fastener is positioned on the projection or opening.

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