Gear type cable protection system including embedded fasteners

Abstract

A cable protection system is provided that includes mating features to enable the protection of an efficient and effective assembly around a cable. The mating features provide a specific retaining strength and provide releaseable features so that the installer can subsequently release the mating features as desired if needed.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Cross-reference to related application(s)

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 754,194 filed February 5, 2025 and U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 884,039 filed September 18, 2025, the entire contents of all such applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] This application relates to a cable protection system that provides a more effective and efficient installation and assembly process by featuring a gear-type design and other mating features. The cable protection system can be used to protect cables used in harsh environments, such as submarine applications. Background Technology

[0005] Offshore energy production has been ongoing for decades and, until recently, was primarily associated with oil and gas production. However, with the recent increase in the use of renewable energy sources, offshore facilities are gaining popularity in regions where land prices are too high or land acquisition is difficult. Regardless of the type of offshore facility, power and data transmission are essential, and cables are used for this purpose. Cables used in offshore facilities must be protected from abrasion, sharp objects, twisting, and other environmental issues that can degrade cable integrity. Generally, cable protection systems are known to utilize segmented bell and ball cast iron systems. This type of protective sleeve has proven effective for cable protection and is suitable for facilities where assembly machines are used to automate at least part of the process of assembling bell and ball systems along an assembly line. However, bell and ball cast iron systems have several disadvantages; for instance, the cast iron itself is heavy and requires fasteners, which increases the time and resources required for installation. Furthermore, the cast iron material has a limited lifespan in saltwater, and its heavy weight and bulk can also lead to worker safety issues. means of solving the problem

[0006] The present specification discloses a cable protection system and a method for assembling the cable protection system. The cable protection system includes features that enable a more efficient installation process, which may include features that automate at least a part of the overall installation process by utilizing the cable protection system in an assembly machine and supplying the cable protection system to an assembly line.

[0007] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system comprising a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, wherein the cable protection sleeve comprises a male coupling fastener comprising a first anchoring section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the first protection sleeve; a female coupling fastener comprising a second anchoring section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the second protection sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to be mated with the first coupling section; and a shield configured to form a protection housing around the second coupling section.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system comprising a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, wherein the cable protection sleeve comprises a male coupling fastener comprising a first anchoring section and a first coupling section—the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded in a part of the first protection sleeve—; a female coupling fastener comprising a second anchoring section and a second coupling section—the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded in a part of the second protection sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to be mated with the first coupling section—; and a two-piece shield comprising a shield body and a shield cap—the two-piece shield is configured to form a protective housing around the second coupling section.

[0009] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system comprising a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, wherein the cable protection sleeve comprises a male component comprising a first anchoring section and a pin locking member, wherein the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded in a portion of the first protection sleeve; a female component comprising a shield housing comprising a second anchoring section, a locking opening, a tool opening, and a locking loop and a tool loop, wherein the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded inside a portion of the second protection sleeve, and the pin locking member is configured to pass through the locking opening and be locked within the locking loop; and a tool configured to pass through the tool opening and engage with the tool loop to release the pin locking member from the locking loop.

[0010] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system comprising a cable protection sleeve is disclosed, wherein the cable protection sleeve comprises a male component comprising a first anchoring section and a retaining tab—the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the first protection sleeve—; and a female component comprising a second anchoring section and a torsion ramp—the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a portion of the second protection sleeve, and the retaining tab is configured to be pressed along the torsion ramp until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface of the torsion ramp and reaches a locked state, and an increasing torsion force is applied to the retaining tab as the retaining tab moves along the torsion ramp until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface.

[0011] A detailed description of these embodiments and other non-limiting embodiments of the cable protection system is presented below together with the accompanying drawings. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of an exemplary cable protection system including an upper side half sleeve and a lower side half sleeve according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a male end of a half sleeve included in a cable protection system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a female end of a half sleeve included in a cable protection system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a coupling fastener system comprising a male coupling fastener, a female coupling fastener, and a two-piece shield included in the cable protection system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a female coupling fastener included in the coupling fastener system illustrated in FIG. 4a according to some embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4c is a perspective view of a shield body included in a two-piece shield illustrated in FIG. 4a according to some embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4d is a perspective view of a coupling fastener system illustrated in FIG. 4a, in which a male coupling fastener according to some embodiment of the present disclosure is installed on a female coupling fastener. FIG. 4e is a perspective view showing part A in which the female coupling fastener illustrated in FIG. 4a is installed within a half sleeve from the cable protection system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to some embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a coupling fastener system comprising a male coupling fastener, a female coupling fastener, and a one-piece shield, which may be included in a cable protection system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a 1-piece shield illustrated in FIG. 5a according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5c is a perspective view of a coupling fastener system illustrated in FIG. 5a, in which a male coupling fastener according to a second embodiment is installed on a female coupling fastener. FIG. 5d is a perspective view showing part B in which the female coupling fastener shown in FIG. 5a is installed within a half sleeve from an exemplary cable protection system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary releaseable fastener system comprising a male fastener, a female fastener, and a release tool that may be included in a cable protection system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the female fastener illustrated in FIG. 6 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a releaseable fastener system illustrated in FIG. 6, in which a male fastener according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is installed on a female fastener. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a releaseable fastener system illustrated in FIG. 6, which releases a male fastener in a mated state with a female fastener using a release tool according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a half sleeve from an exemplary cable protection system in which the female fastener illustrated in FIG. 6 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a torsional fastening system including a male fastener and a female fastener that may be included in a cable protection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a torsion fastening system in a partially mated state in which a male fastener is partially installed on a female fastener according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another partially mated torsion fastening system in which a male fastener is partially installed on a female fastener at the maximum torsion position according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a torsion fastening system in a fully mated state in which a male fastener according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is fully installed on a female fastener. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a cable protection system in which an upper side half sleeve including a male fastener according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is not yet mated with a female fastener included in a lower side half sleeve. FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a part of a cable protection system in which an upper side half sleeve including a male fastener according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is fully mated with a female fastener included in a lower side half sleeve. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fastening system including a male fastener and a female fastener, illustrated in a mated state, included in an exemplary cable protection system according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fastening system shown in FIG. 17 with the outer protective sleeve removed according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 18 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a female component included in the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 17 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a releaseable locking spring included in the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 17 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a male component included in the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 17 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a release tool that can be used to release the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 17 from a mated state according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a release tool used to release the fastening system illustrated in FIG. 17 from a mated state according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0013] This specification discloses a new cable protection system comprising an embedded fastening system with improved installation efficiency and physical properties compared to previously known cable protection systems, and a method for installing such a cable protection system. As necessary, this specification discloses non-limiting detailed embodiments of the cable protection system. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative and may take various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features may be exaggerated or reduced to show details of specific components. Accordingly, specific structural and functional details disclosed in this specification should not be interpreted as limiting and should be considered only as representative examples to aid understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cable protection system (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable protection system (100) comprises an upper row (110) of a half sleeve (200) and a lower row (120) of a half sleeve (200), and the half sleeve (200) has a geared structural design for mating with each other to cover and protect a cable or other slender object. According to some embodiments, the cable protection system (100) including the half sleeve (200) may be manually assembled to cover and protect an object (e.g., a cable) from an environmentally harsh location, such as a submarine facility. According to other embodiments, the half sleeve (200) may be at least partially assembled using a mechanical machine to power the assembly line using rollers, thereby automating or at least semi-automating the movement process of the half sleeve (200) covering and protecting the cable moving along the assembly line, which is described in more detail below. The half sleeve (200) may be made of polyurethane or a similar polymer material. According to some embodiments, a portion of the half sleeve (200) may include a metal component. For example, the metal component may be embedded in a specific part of the half sleeve (200) to provide additional structural stability and / or increase the weight of the half sleeve (200).

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a half sleeve (200) from the upper row (110) and a half sleeve (200) from the lower row (120) can be mated together to form a cable protection system (100). For example, the half sleeve (200) from the upper row (110) can be mated with the half sleeve (200) from the lower row (120) to cover and protect a portion of the cable within the inner housing (260) formed when the two half sleeves (200) are mated together.

[0016] The half sleeve (200) is generally configured in a half-tube shape and has a gear-shaped protrusion (i.e., a tooth) and an opening (i.e., an empty space that accommodates the corresponding tooth). For example, the half sleeve (200) includes a trapezoidal protrusion (210) and a trapezoidal opening (220) along the wall. The mating process may include a corresponding opening (220) from the half sleeve (200) of the lower row (120) and a protrusion (210) from the half sleeve (200) of the upper row (110) mated with the corresponding opening (220) from the half sleeve (200) of the upper row (110) and a protrusion (210) from the half sleeve (200) of the lower row (120) mated with the corresponding opening (220). The trapezoidal shape of these mating features (e.g., protrusions (210) and openings (220)) on the half sleeve (200) is one of the exemplary solutions provided by the cable protection system (100) to enable faster and more efficient installation. Although the mating features are shown and / or described as having a trapezoidal shape, other interlocking shapes (e.g., rectangular or triangular shapes) may also be utilized for the protrusions (210) and openings (220) containing the exemplary mating features.

[0017] The half sleeve (200) may also include a recessed channel (201) for installing a cable tie or strap for two mated half sleeves (200). The half sleeve (200) also includes a female end (240) and a male end (250) that also include a mating feature, which will be described in more detail below.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged partial view of a half sleeve (200) including a male end (250), and FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged partial view of a half sleeve (200) including a female end (240). The male end (250) includes a male body (251), and the male body (251) 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) that can be used to guide the hook (243) in the female end (240) into the through hole (252), which is described in more detail below. The male end (250) also includes a channel (270) adjacent to the male body (251), and a tie or strap may be installed around the half sleeve (200) located inside the channel (270). The channel (270) is depicted as being adjacent to the male body (251), and additional channels are arranged along the length of the half sleeve (200).

[0019] According to some embodiments, the male body (251) may have straight cylindrical side walls as illustrated in FIG. 2, or according to some alternative embodiments, the male body (251) may have a tapered dovetail shape in which the outer end is wider than the inner end.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the lower side of a female body (241) including a female end (240) of a half sleeve (200), wherein the lower side of the female body (241) includes a hook (243) and a through hole (242). According to the present embodiment, the hook (243) may be a chamfered protrusion 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 beveled surface (244).

[0021] An exemplary assembly process may include the female end (240) of the first half sleeve (200) falling over the top of the male end (250) of the second half sleeve (200) so that the first and second half sleeves (200) (e.g., the top row (110) half sleeve (200) and the bottom row (120) half sleeve (200)) are mated together. To form the mating connection, during the described assembly process, the hook (243) from the female end (240) is configured to fall into the through hole (252) of the male end (250), and when the female end (240) falls over the top of the male end (250), the hook (253) from the male end (250) is configured to be inserted upward into the through hole (242) of the female end (240).

[0022] According to some embodiments, the female body (241) may have straight cylindrical side walls as illustrated in FIG. 3, and according to some alternative embodiments, the female body (241) may have a tapered dovetail shape to match the tapered dovetail shape of the male body (251), so that the width of the female body (241) is narrow at the far end and wide at the opposite end near the inner end.

[0023] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a half sleeve (200) used in a cable protection system (100) is configured to include an embedded fastener. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a female coupling fastener (230) formed in a protrusion (210) and a male coupling fastener (280) formed in an opening (220). The present disclosure first describes an embedded coupling fastener system according to a first embodiment comprising 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 the present disclosure, which are described in more detail.

[0024] FIG. 4a shows an exploded perspective view of a coupling fastener system (4000) comprising a female coupling fastener (230) and a male coupling fastener (280) previously shown as formed in a half sleeve (200) in FIG. 1. The coupling fastener system (4000) also includes a two-piece shield (310, 320) composed of a shield body (310) and a shield cap (320).

[0025] The male coupling fastener (280) includes a fastener tip (283), and the fastener tip (283) includes a window (285) having a protruding portion referred to as a retaining tab (286). The male coupling fastener (280) also includes a stop ear (284) and an anchoring section (281). The anchoring section (281) includes one or more openings (282a, 282b), and the openings may include two or more openings (282a, 282b) of different sizes, with the first opening (282a) being smaller than the second opening (282b). According to some embodiments, the openings (282a, 282b) may be of the same size. Although the openings (282a, 282b) are depicted as circular, they may be manufactured in various shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes) according to other embodiments. An anchoring section (281) is embedded within the material (e.g., polyurethane) of the half sleeve (200) and provides an anchoring force that allows the male coupling fastener (280) to be embedded and maintained within the molded opening (220) of the half sleeve (200) as the molded material acts through the openings (282a, 282b). Thus, the openings (282a, 282b) are included to provide increased pull-out strength to the male coupling fastener (280).

[0026] The female coupling fastener (230) includes an upper collar (233), a strengthening rib (231), a locating spring (236), and an anchoring section (234). As illustrated in more detail from the rear side view of the female coupling fastener (230) in FIG. 4b, the female coupling fastener (230) further includes a louver (235) protruding toward the front side of the female coupling fastener (230) where the locating spring (236) is located. To complete the coupling function between the male coupling fastener (280) and the female coupling fastener (230), the fastener tip (283) is inserted downward through the upper collar (233) until the retaining tab (286) passes over the louver (235), so that the retaining tab (286) is seated under the lower edge of the louver (235) protruding into the window (285) to form a locking function. When the fastener tip (283) is fully inserted into the female coupling fastener (230), the fastener tip (283) may come into contact with the locating spring (236) and may not go beyond it.

[0027] The anchoring section (234) comprises one or more notches (234a) and one or more holes (234b) configured to be immersed in the molding material of the half sleeve, and the shape and structure of the notches (234a) and holes (234b) provide an anchoring force that allows the female coupling fastener (230) to be embedded and maintained within the molded protrusion (210) of the half sleeve (200) as the molding material acts through the notches (234a) and holes (234b). Thus, one or more notches (234a) and one or more holes (234b) can enhance the pull-out force. Although the holes (234b) are depicted as circular, they may be manufactured in various shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes) according to other embodiments. Although the notches (234a) are depicted as rectangular sawtooth shapes, they may be manufactured in other shapes (e.g., semicircular, triangular, or other available shapes) according to other embodiments.

[0028] 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 holding 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 illustrated in FIG. 4d, when the coupling fastener system (4000) is in a mated state, the shield body (310) and the shield cap (320) are combined together to form a shield covering the female coupling fastener (230). To assist in mating the shield body (310) and the shield cap (320), the alignment groove (323) is configured to fit the alignment tab (313) and is configured to guide the shield cap (320) and the shield body (310). Furthermore, the upper ridge (315) is configured to fit firmly into the lower opening (325) of the shield cap (320), ensuring that a proper seal is formed between the connection points formed when the shield body (310) and the shield cap (320) are mated together.

[0029] The female coupling fastener (230) is configured to be fitted into the shield body (310). For example, the anchoring section (234) is pressed out of the lower fastener seal (314) through the shield housing (311). The lower fastener seal (314) may be an opening sized such that, as the anchoring section (234) is pressed through the lower fastener seal (314), the lower fastener seal (314) forms a hermetic seal around the anchoring section (234) of the female coupling fastener (230), thereby preventing any material (e.g., polyurethane) from entering the interior of the shield housing (311) through the lower fastener seal (314) during the molding process of the half sleeve (200). The hermetic fit of the opening containing the lower fastener seal (314) can be seen in the view looking into the interior of the shield housing (311) provided in FIG. 4c.

[0030] When the female coupling fastener (230) is fully inserted into the shield body (310), the reinforcing rib (231) is seated inside the shield housing (311), and the upper collar (233) of the female coupling fastener (230) is placed inside the holding ridge (316) of the shield body (310). A shield cap (320) is additionally installed to cover a portion of the upper collar (233) of the female coupling fastener (230), so that when the half sleeve (200) is fully formed, the shield cap (320) is level with or slightly above the half sleeve (200) on which the female coupling fastener (230) is installed (e.g., the protrusion (210)), thereby preventing material from falling into the cavity formed by the 2-piece shield (310, 320).

[0031] As such, the 2-piece shield (310, 320) can help keep the coupling features of the female coupling fastener (230) (e.g., louver (235) and positioning spring (236)) from being damaged or hindered during manufacturing processes such as the molding of the half sleeve (200) and / or the embedding of the female coupling fastener (230) within the half sleeve (200). For example, the protective 2-piece shield (310, 320) can block the inflow of molten and / or fluid resin / polymer / plastic / polyurethane containing the half sleeve (200) during the molding manufacturing process. A small amount of material flowing into the shield body (310) can be contained in the overflow reservoir (312), as can be seen in the internal view of the shield body (310) shown in detail in FIG. 4c. In this way, the material is maintained within the overflow reservoir (312) so as not to interfere with the coupling feature of the female coupling fastener (230), which can freely accommodate and lock the male coupling fastener (280).

[0032] FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective view of another coupling fastener system (5000) according to a second embodiment. The coupling fastener system (5000) utilizes a one-piece shield body (400) to form the same female coupling fastener (230), and the female coupling fastener (230) is configured to be mated with the same male coupling fastener (280) as previously described.

[0033] The 1-piece shield body (400) includes an upper flange (401), a holding ridge (403), a shield housing (404), an overflow reservoir (405), and a lower fastener seal (402). As shown in FIG. 5c, when the coupling fastener system (5000) is mated, the 1-piece shield body (400) is configured to come together to form a shield covering the female coupling fastener (230).

[0034] The female coupling fastener (230) is configured to be fitted into the one-piece shield body (400). For example, the anchoring section (234) is pressed out through the shield housing (404) to the outside of the lower fastener seal (402). The lower fastener seal (402) may be an opening sized such that, as the anchoring section (234) is pressed through the lower fastener seal (402), the lower fastener seal (402) forms an airtight seal around the anchoring section (234) of the female coupling fastener (230), thereby preventing 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). The airtight fit of the opening including the lower fastener seal (402) can be seen in the view from inside the shield housing (404) provided in FIG. 5b.

[0035] When the female coupling fastener (230) is fully inserted into the 1-piece shield body (400), the reinforcing rib (231) is seated inside the shield housing (404), and the upper collar (233) of the female coupling fastener (230) is placed inside the holding ridge (403) of the 1-piece shield body (400). The upper flange (401) is configured to cover a portion of the upper collar (233) of the female coupling fastener (230), so that when the half sleeve (200) is fully formed, the upper flange (401) is positioned horizontally or slightly above the half sleeve (200) on which the female coupling fastener (230) is installed (e.g., the protrusion (210)), so that material does not fall into the cavity formed by the 1-piece shield body (400).

[0036] In this way, the 1-piece shield body (400) can help keep the coupling features of the female coupling fastener (230) (e.g., louvers (235) and locating springs (236)) from being damaged or hindered during manufacturing processes such as the molding of the half sleeve (200) and / or the embedding of the female coupling fastener (230) within the half sleeve (200). For example, the protective 1-piece shield body (400) can block the inflow of molten and / or fluid resin / polymer / plastic / polyurethane containing the half sleeve (200) during the molding manufacturing process. A small amount of material flowing into the 1-piece shield body (400) can be contained within the overflow reservoir (405), as can be seen in the internal view of the 1-piece shield body (400) shown in detail in FIG. 5b. In this way, the material is maintained within the overflow reservoir (405) so as not to interfere with the coupling feature of the female coupling fastener (230), allowing the male coupling fastener (280) to be freely accommodated and locked. FIG. 5d illustrates part B from the half sleeve (200) according to the second embodiment, in which a 1-piece shield body (400) is used to shield the female coupling fastener (230).

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a releaseable fastener system (500) that may be included in a half sleeve (700) to replace a male coupling fastener (280) and a female coupling fastener (230) according to a third embodiment, wherein the half sleeve (700) is identical to the half sleeve (200) described herein except for the releaseable fastener system (500) that replaces the coupling fastener system (4000).

[0038] 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 anchoring openings (512) and stop openings (513). The anchor (511) is configured to be embedded inside the half sleeve (700), and the anchoring openings (512) are configured to provide increased pull-holding force as the material of the half sleeve (700) is formed to wrap around and penetrate the anchoring openings (512). The anchoring openings (512) are configured to be circular, but according to other embodiments, the anchoring openings (512) may be provided in various shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes).

[0039] The pin latch (515) comprises a pin top (514), a pin column (516), a pin head (518), and a locking section (517). The pin head (518) comprises a ridge (519) formed by a section (517) having a diameter smaller than that of the pin column (516) and the pin head (518), and the pin head (518) is inclined conical. The pin top (514) is configured to have a diameter larger than that of 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) contacts the stop opening (513), thereby preventing the pin latch (515) from sliding into the stop opening (513) and holding the pin latch (515) in the installed position during the forming process for the half sleeve (700).

[0040] The releaseable fastener system (500) also includes a female component (530). As can be seen in the exploded view of the female component (530) shown in FIG. 7, the female component (530) includes a locking plate (534), a locking spring (535), and a shield (536). The locking plate (534) includes a press-fit opening (541) at the opposite end, 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.

[0041] The locking plate (534) also includes a plurality of anchoring openings (533) configured in a circular shape, but according to other embodiments, the anchoring openings (533) may be provided in various shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes). When the female component (530) is embedded inside the material (e.g., polyurethane) of the half sleeve (700), the anchoring openings (533) provide an anchoring force to maintain the female component (530) embedded inside the half sleeve (700) as the molded material operates through the fixed openings (533). Thus, the anchoring openings (533) are included to provide increased pull-out force to the female component (530).

[0042] The shield (536) includes walls (545a, 545b, 546a, 546b), a bottom surface (547), a pin housing (538) open upward from the bottom surface (547), a tool housing (539) open upward from the bottom surface (547), and a press-fit protrusion (537) protruding upward from the bottom surface (547). As shown in FIG. 6, the shield (536) is configured to press-fit the press-fit protrusion (537) upward into the press-fit opening (541) on the locking plate (534) so ​​as to be press-fitted with the locking plate (534). When the shield (536) and the locking plate (534) are joined in this manner, the walls (545a, 545b, 546a, 546b) and bottom surface (547) of the shield (536) help to form a sealed housing together with the locking plate (534). Inside this sealed housing, the locking spring (535) is housed and aligned by fitting the alignment loop (544) around one of the press-fit protrusions (537). The locking spring (535) also includes a locking loop (542) and a tool loop (543). When installed inside the shield, the locking spring (535) is aligned such that the locking loop (542) is positioned between the pin opening (531) from the locking plate (534) and the opening for the pin housing (538) from the shield (536), and the tool loop (543) is positioned between the tool opening (532) from the locking plate (534) and the opening for the tool housing (539) from the shield (536).

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a releaseable fastener system (500) in a fully mated state. In this mated state, a pin head (518) is inserted through a pin opening (531) so that a section (517) is locked within a locking loop (542) and the pin head (518) is seated at least partially inside a pin housing (538).

[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a releaseable fastener system (500) that uses a tool (520) to release a pin head (518) from a locking loop (542). To achieve this release function, a tool head (522) is inserted into a tool loop (543) of a locking spring (535) through a tool opening (532). By pushing the tool head (522) into the tool loop (543), the locking loop (542) is sufficiently extended so that the pin head (518) is released from the locking loop (542) and can be pulled back up through the pin opening (531).

[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates a partial view of a half sleeve (700) in which a female component (530) is embedded within a protrusion (710) portion of the half sleeve (700). The protrusion (710) portion is illustrated as including a conical pin entry (711) and a conical tool entry (712), and the conical tool entry (712) has a side cut-out so that a tool (520) can be pressed into the tool opening (532) as illustrated. The conical pin entry (711) and / or the conical tool entry (712) may be formed into these shapes during the forming process for the half sleeve (700). Additionally, or alternatively, a shield may be used to form the conical pin entry (711) and / or the conical tool entry (712). Although not shown in the drawing, the male component (510) will be embedded inside the opening (720) of the half sleeve (700).

[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary torsion fastener system (800) that may be included in a half sleeve (900) to replace a male coupling fastener (280) and a female coupling fastener (230) according to a fourth embodiment, and the half sleeve (900) is identical to the half sleeve (200) described herein except for the torsion fastener system (800) that replaces the coupling fastener system (4000).

[0047] The torsion fastener system (800) includes a male component (810) and a female component (820). The male component includes an anchoring section (811) composed of one or more anchor openings (814). The anchoring openings (814) are configured to be circular, but according to other embodiments, the anchoring openings (814) may be provided in various shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes). The anchoring section (811) is configured to be embedded inside a half sleeve (900), and the anchoring openings (814) are configured to provide increased pull-holding force by forming the material of the half sleeve (900) to wrap around and penetrate the anchoring openings (814). The male component (810) also includes a torsion area (812) and a retaining tab (813).

[0048] The female component (820) includes a torsion ramp (821) configured with an inclined shape, the top of which is thin and gradually widens toward the bottom, where a retaining surface (822) is provided. The female component (820) also includes an anchoring section (823), and the anchoring section (823) includes one or more anchor openings (824). The anchoring openings (824) are configured to be circular, but according to other embodiments, the anchoring openings (824) may be provided in various shapes (e.g., square, triangular, or irregular shapes). The anchoring section (823) is configured to be embedded inside the half sleeve (900), and the anchoring openings (824) are configured to provide increased pull-holding force as the material of the half sleeve (900) is formed to wrap around and penetrate the anchoring openings (824).

[0049] FIG. 12 illustrates a torsion fastener system (800) in a first insertion state in which a retaining tab (813) from a male component (810) begins to be inserted into a torsion ramp (821) of a female component (820). The inclined sides of the torsion ramp (821) are positioned to face each other so that the retaining tab (813) slides between the two inclined sides of the torsion ramp (821).

[0050] FIG. 13 illustrates a torsion fastener system (800) in a second insertion state in which a holding tab (813) from a male component (810) is lowered to the bottom of a torsion ramp (821) of a female component (820) and held between retaining surfaces (822). In this position, the torsion ramp (821) applies maximum force to the holding tab (813) just before the holding tab (813) is fully lowered into a locked state.

[0051] FIG. 14 illustrates a torsion fastener system (800) in a locked state in which a retaining tab (813) from a male component (810) descends to the bottom of a torsion ramp (821) of a female component (820) and is held in a locked position under a retaining surface (822). In this position, the retaining tab (813) is bent toward each other and is locked under a retaining surface (822) that blocks an unlocking path over the retaining tab (813).

[0052] FIG. 15 illustrates a torsion fastener system (800) embedded in a half sleeve (900). For example, a male component (810) is depicted embedded in the half sleeve (900) located in the upper row (110), and a female component (820) is depicted embedded in the half sleeve (900) located in the lower row (120). Since the half sleeves (900) from the upper row (110) and the lower row (120) are not yet mated to each other, the torsion fastener system (800) is not yet locked.

[0053] FIG. 16 illustrates a torsion fastener system (800) embedded in a half sleeve (900), wherein the half sleeves (900) from the upper row (110) and the lower row (120) are mated so that the torsion fastener system (800) is in a locked state. For example, a male component (810) is embedded in the opening (920) of the gear-shaped half sleeve (900) located in the upper row (110), and a female component (820) is embedded in the protruding part (910) of the gear-shaped half sleeve (900) located in the lower row (120).

[0054] FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a fastener system (1000) according to a fifth alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. The fastener system (1000) shown in FIG. 17 is configured in a locked state. The fastener system (1000) is configured as a releaseable spring-locking fastener system, as described in more detail below.

[0055] 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 FIG. 18 with the protective sleeve (1200) removed, the female component (1300) additionally includes a releaseable locking spring (1310). The releaseable locking spring (1310) includes a first locking segment (1311) and a second locking segment (1312), and the first locking segment (1311) and the second locking segment (1312) are configured to clamp over the notch (1120) of the male segment when the fastener system (1000) is in a locked state as shown in FIG. 18.

[0056] FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a female component (1300), a releaseable locking spring (1310), and a protective sleeve (1200) to show a configuration in which the female component (1300) is installed to be housed inside the protective sleeve (1200). The female component (1300) includes a tab head (1320), which is formed by folding two sides of the tab head (1320) to connect two sides of a dovetail-shaped shim (1321). In this way, the tab head (1320) includes a first side (1301) (e.g., the first side (1301) includes the dovetail shim (1321)) and a second side (1302) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 20, the second side (1302) does not include the dovetail shim (1321)). The tap head (1320) includes a first pair of through slots (1323) and a second pair of through slots (1322). A first lock segment (1311) from a releaseable lock spring (1310) is configured to pass through the first pair of through slots (1323), and a second lock segment (1312) is configured to pass through the second pair of through slots (1322).

[0057] As described, the protective sleeve (1200) is composed of a first sleeve portion (1210) and a second sleeve portion (1220), and the first sleeve portion (1210) and the second sleeve portion (1220) are joined together to wrap around the tab head (1320). The protective sleeve (1200) can also cover the top of the tab head (1320), so that during the molding process of the half sleeve (200), the molded polyurethane material does not flow into the protective sleeve (1200) and interfere with the locking mechanism of the female component (1300).

[0058] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the female component (1300) alone, with the second side (1302) shown. The female component (1300) includes a tap head (1320), an anchor section (1340), and a bridge section (1330) connecting the tap head (1320) and the anchor section (1340). The anchor section (1340) is configured to be embedded in the half sleeve (200) at a protrusion (210) (or an opening (220) according to other alternative embodiments). To help keep the anchor section inside the half sleeve (200), the anchor section (1340) may include one or more anchor openings (1341), through which polyurethane material flows through the anchor openings (1341) during the molding of the half sleeve (200), thereby increasing the anchoring force and preventing the anchor section (1340) from coming out of the half sleeve (200).

[0059] The through slots (1323, 1322) are shaped so that the locking segments (1311, 1312) can move along a horizontal axis, thereby allowing the unlockable locking spring (1310) to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state, which will be described later. The female component (1300) is manufactured from cut sheet metal or a similar material that enables a single-piece structure.

[0060] FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of a single section of a releaseable locking spring (1310). The releaseable locking spring (1310) comprises a locking segment (1311, 1312), a first locking leg (1313), a first loop (1315) of the first locking leg (1313), a second locking leg (1314), a second loop (1316) of the second locking leg (1314), and an intermediate loop (1317). As previously described, the first locking segment (1311) is configured to be fitted into a first pair of through slots (1323), and the second locking segment (1312) is configured to be fitted into a second pair of through slots (1322), with reference to FIG. 18 in this regard.

[0061] The unlockable locking spring (1310) may be manufactured from a metal material or other suitable material, thereby providing the desired locking force for the notch (1120) of the male component (1100), while also providing a flexibility characteristic that allows it to be bent into an unlocked state and returned to a locked state as needed.

[0062] FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a male component (1100) alone. The male component (1100) comprises a nose (1110) configured in a tapered shape having two oblique sides, a notch (1120) formed at the ends of the two oblique sides of the nose (1110), an anchoring section (1140), and a bridge section (1130) connecting the nose (1110) to the anchoring section (1140). The nose (1110) is configured to be inserted into the tap head (1320) of the female component (1300), and the locking segments (1311, 1312) pass through individual through slots (1322, 1323).

[0063] The nose (1110) is configured with a tapered shape so that the nose (1110) can push the locking segments (1311, 1312) protruding into the tap head (1320) through downward force. When the notch (1120) is pushed past the locking segments (1311, 1312) and the locking segments (1311, 1312) are seated inside the notch (1120), the male component (1100) becomes locked with the female component (1300).

[0064] FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary release tool (1400) that may be used to release a male component (1100) from a locked state with a female component (1300) according to some embodiments. The release tool (1400) includes a nose (1410) having a tapered shape and an oblique side (1411). The release tool (1400) is formed with a thin profile so that the nose (1410) can be pushed into a tap head (1320) while the notch (1120) in the nose (1110) from the male component (1100) is locked with the lock segments (1311, 1312) in the releaseable lock spring (1310) from the female component (1300), for example, refer to FIG. 24.

[0065] When the unlocking tool (1400) is pushed sufficiently into the tap head (1320), the oblique side (1411) of the unlocking tool (1400) pushes out the locking portions (1311, 1312). When the unlocking tool (1400) is pushed further with sufficient force (e.g., a predetermined unlocking force), the locking segments (1311, 1312) are pushed outward, and the locking segments (1311, 1312) are released inside the notch (1120) of the male component (1100). When the locking segments (1311, 1312) are released inside the notch (1120), the male component (1100) can be pulled up from the tap head (1320) to unlock it from the locked state and switch to the unlocked state. After the release tool (1400) is removed from the tap head (1320), the lock segments (1311, 1312) return to the locked position and provide a locking mechanism when the male component (1100) is inserted next, as described below.

[0066] The mating feature of the cable protection system described in this specification is utilized to provide an effective and efficient installation for assembling a half sleeve around the cable to be protected.

[0067] The techniques presented and claimed in this specification are referenced and applied to concrete objects and actual examples capable of demonstrating practicality, and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical.

[0068] Accordingly, the present disclosure describes the cable protection system described above and a method for installing such a cable protection system. As previously described, various non-limiting embodiments of the system, device, and method have been described. Although various embodiments have been illustrated and described in this specification, they are merely illustrative and do not illustrate or describe all possible embodiments. Rather, the words used in this specification are descriptive rather than limiting, and it should be understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A coupling fastener system comprising: a male coupling fastener including a first anchoring section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a part of a first protective sleeve; a female coupling fastener including a second anchoring section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a part of a second protective sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to be mated with the first coupling section; and a shield configured to form a protective housing around the second coupling section. Claim 2 In claim 1, the coupling fastener system, wherein the shield includes an overflow reservoir. Claim 3 A coupling fastener system according to claim 1, wherein the shield comprises an upper flange configured to cover at least a portion of the upper collar of the female coupling fastener, and the upper flange is configured to be at least horizontal with the surface of the second protective sleeve when the female coupling fastener is formed in the second protective sleeve. Claim 4 A coupling fastener system according to claim 1, wherein the female coupling fastener further comprises at least two strengthening ribs configured to support the protective housing of the shield. Claim 5 A coupling fastener system according to claim 1, wherein the shield further comprises a lower fastener seal configured to form a seal for the second anchoring section while allowing the second anchoring section to pass through. Claim 6 A coupling fastener system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a protrusion and an opening, and the male coupling fastener is located in the protrusion or the opening. Claim 7 A coupling fastener system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a protrusion and an opening, and the female coupling fastener is located at the protrusion or the opening. Claim 8 A coupling fastener system comprising: a male coupling fastener including a first anchoring section and a first coupling section, wherein the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a part of a first protective sleeve; a female coupling fastener including a second anchoring section and a second coupling section, wherein the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a part of a second protective sleeve, and the second coupling section is configured to be mated with the first coupling section; and a two-piece shield including a shield body and a shield cap, wherein the two-piece shield is configured to form a protective housing around the second coupling section. Claim 9 In claim 8, the coupling fastener system wherein the shield body includes an overflow reservoir. Claim 10 A coupling fastener system according to claim 8, wherein the shield cap is configured to cover at least a portion of the upper collar of the female coupling fastener, and the shield cap is at least horizontal with the surface of the second protective sleeve when the female coupling fastener is formed in the second protective sleeve. Claim 11 A coupling fastener system according to claim 8, wherein the female coupling fastener further comprises at least two reinforcing ribs configured to support the protective housing of the 2-piece shield. Claim 12 A coupling fastener system according to claim 8, wherein the shield body comprises a lower fastener seal configured to form a seal portion for the second anchoring section while allowing the second anchoring section to pass through. Claim 13 A coupling fastener system according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the first protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a protrusion and an opening, and the male coupling fastener is located in the protrusion or the opening. Claim 14 A coupling fastener system according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the second protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a protrusion and an opening, and the female coupling fastener is located in the protrusion or the opening. Claim 15 A coupling fastener system comprising: a male component including a first anchoring section and a retaining tab, wherein the first anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a first protective sleeve; and a female component including a second anchoring section and a torsion ramp, wherein the second anchoring section is configured to be embedded within a portion of a second protective sleeve, and the retaining tab is pressed along the torsion ramp until the retaining tab moves past the lower retaining surface of the torsion ramp and reaches a locked state, and an increased torsion force is applied to the retaining tab as the retaining tab moves along the torsion ramp until the retaining tab passes the lower retaining surface. Claim 16 In item 15, the coupling fastener system wherein the first anchoring section includes an anchoring hole. Claim 17 In item 15, the coupling fastener system wherein the second anchoring section includes an anchoring hole. Claim 18 A coupling fastener system according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the first protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a protrusion and an opening, and the male coupling fastener is located in the protrusion or the opening. Claim 19 A coupling fastener system according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the second protective sleeve is configured in a gear shape including both a protrusion and an opening, and the female coupling fastener is located in the protrusion or the opening.

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