Aerial cable spacer

Abstract

A cable spacer which comprises a modular design so that it can be easily adapted to a wide variety of cable quantities and types while maintaining ready access to individual wires without disturbing adjacent wires is disclosed. The cable spacer comprising of a rectangular block body having a C-shaped carrier member and a cable retaining insert member detachably mountable into said C-shaped carrier member. The rectangular block body could be interconnected and interlocked to create multiple cable holders and could be provided with a hanger member for supporting on a messenger wire or other mounting arrangements.

Description

AERIAL CABLE SPACER

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0002] The present utility model relates in general to a spacing device, more particularly to an aerial cable spacer.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0004] Aerial cable spacers support power, telecommunication, CATV and similar cables in organized arrays while attached to a supporting messenger cable. Variations of this device can be adapted to secure other materials besides just wires, such as surgical tubing or other generally linear materials, can accommodate a large variety of different materials in a single configuration (e.g., different wire sizes and / or types), and can be mounted by other means than a messenger cable or utilized without mounting hardware.

[0005] In placing aerial mounted cables as in the case of installing electrical cables and telephone and other communication systems elevated on poles, it is necessary or desirable to provide a spacing mechanism for holding several cables in fixed position relative to one another both vertically and horizontally. This is generally accomplished by use of plastic or metal spacers which mount to a messenger wire (steel tensioning cable) and provide receptacles for holding cables discretely separated from each other. One such system has been identified in Philippine Patent No. 1-2018-000118. While the system described therein provides a means for ready access to suspended wires, it does not provide the key features of the present application and hence does not address the primary concerns for which the present application is designed. Philippine Patent No. 1-2018-000118 requires end-users to manually disengage and open a closure device in order to place cables into the device or to remove cables from the device. This action leads to restrictions on the speed and ease with which installers can install the product and provide subsequent maintenance on the cables contained therein. To resolve its drawbacks, there is a need for a cable spacer which retains the ability to be rapidly and cost-effectively manufactured to suit a wide variety of cable sizes and shapes and that can be readily adapted to field conditions on the fly, but that is also faster and easier to install and use so that costs of system implementation and maintenance can be lowered and effectiveness and efficiency of installation crews can be optimized. This improved cable spacer should utilize all the unaffected elements of the existing Pat No. 1-2018-000118 design in order to optimize rapid adoption and utilization.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0007] The present utility model serves to secure up to hundreds of cables at a time of varying sizes and types, in discreet bundles, with individual wires readily accessible without the removal or addition of any loose components in service and without the need to manually operate a closure mechanism to do so.

[0008] It is therefore the main object of the present application to provide for a cable spacer which comprises a modular design patterned after Patent No. 1-2018-000118 and utilizing a specialized insert so that it can be easily adapted to a wide variety of cable quantities and types while maintaining ready access to individual wires without disturbing adjacent wires, which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools, and which cables can be placed therein or removed thereform without operating any form of closure device.

[0009] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable spacer which has vertical connectors that allow for connecting either a pair of cable holding modules or a single module in a centered manner.

[0010] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable spacer capable of resisting long-term exposure to high levels of ultraviolet radiation, heat, rain and high winds.

[0011] Another object of the present application is to provide a spacing device that can be adapted to hold a wide variety of linear materials in a variety of applications.

[0012] Another object of the present application is to provide a cable spacing system that can accommodate a variety of cable types and sizes either uniformly or in a combined state.

[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present application will be highly appreciated and be easily understood upon reading the detailed description taking into consideration the appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable spacer with its cable retaining insert member in place;

[0015] is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the aerial cable spacer showing the parts thereof in disassembled manner;

[0016] Figures 3A-3Care front view, top view, and perspective view, respectively of the cable retaining insert member used for the aerial cable spacer;

[0017] Figures 4A-4Dare perspective views of different variations of a hanger member used for the aerial cable spacer;

[0018] is a perspective view of an aerial cable spacer with its insert members;

[0019] is an illustrative front view showing a pair of aerial cable spacer rectangular block bodies in assembled manner with insert members in place;

[0020] Figures 7A-7Bare perspective views of a C-shaped carrier member used for the aerial cable spacer, whereinshows a front perspective view of a C-shaped carrier member without an insert member andshows a rear perspective view of a C-shaped carrier member without an insert member;

[0021] is a front view showing the combination of aerial cable spacers of the present utility model combined with a hanger and cable spacer of PH Patent No. 1-2018-000118; and

[0022] is an illustrative perspective view showing a set of aerial cable spacers in a state of use.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present utility model will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown an embodiment of the present utility model for a cable spacer generally designated as reference numeral 10 made preferably by means of injection molding, although other means such as transfer molding, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining and casting can be employed depending on specific application requirements, and made of plastic material preferably Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), or Polypropylene (PP), with or without fiber fill, although alternative materials such as other polymers or suitable metals, can be utilized depending on specific locations and applications of use.

[0024] is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable spacer with an insert member in place. The aerial cable spacer 10 defined by a generally rectangular block body 11 includes a generally C-shaped carrier member 20, and an insert member 30 which also acts as a cable retaining element, detachably mountable into said C-shaped carrier member.

[0025] As illustrated in, the C-shaped carrier member 20 having a top wall 21, a vertical sidewall 23 unitarily projecting downwardly from the inner end portion of said top wall 21, a bottom wall 22 unitarily projecting outwardly from the end portion of said vertical side wall 23 with upwardly curved end portion 221 unitarily projecting outwardly from said bottom wall 22 and open side portion 24 opposing said vertical sidewall 23. Said top wall 21 having plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means, preferably in the form of T-shaped protrusions 25 and defining in-between thereof complementary T-shaped receptacles 26. The T-shaped protrusions can alternatively be made angular, like V-shaped, rounded like circular or C-shaped or ribbed as may suit varying materials and applications. Said top wall 21 further having a lock receiving notch 27 provided on the outer edge portion 211 thereof. Said bottom wall 22 also having plurality of spaced T-shaped protrusions 25a and defining in-between thereof complementary T-shaped receptacles 26a adapted to receive thereon corresponding T-shaped protrusions 25 (or other variety of connector shape choices as delineated above). The T-shaped protrusions 25 is being alternatively aligned with the T-shaped receptacles 26a. Both sides of the lower edges of the outer and middle T-shaped protrusions 25a are provided with chamfers 251a. The outer portion of said bottom wall 22 is also provided with a notch 222 that engages with a locking mechanism of the insert member 30. The inner portions of said top wall 21, vertical wall 23 and bottom wall 22 are provided with a C-shaped vertical support member 231 and a 45 degree slanted reinforcing member 232, wherein said 45 degree slanted reinforcing member is provided with a notch 232a on one side, Said notch 232a is adapted to retain the insert member 30 in position once placed within the C-shaped carrier member 20.

[0026] The insert member 30 is manually insertable to and removable from the said C-shaped carrier member 20 but cannot unintentionally disengage while in inserted position.

[0027] As illustrated in Figures 3A-3C, the insert member 30 is provided with a two-element locking mechanism located on the upper portion thereof. The first element is a flexible element 31a of the insert member 30 that compresses when the insert member 30 is inserted and returns to its original shape after a protruding element 31 passes a retaining edge 212 (shown in) disposed on the top wall of the C-shaped carrier member 20 thereby creating an interference lock. This keeps the insert member 30 fixedly retained within the C-shaped carrier member 20 while in service but makes said insert member 30 readily removable as needed without the use of any tools. The second element is a protruding element 31 provided on a top surface of the insert member 30, which engages with the receiving notch 27 provided on the outer top wall 21 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 and simultaneously with another receiving notch 47 disposed on an outermost T-shaped protrusion 42 of a hanger member 40 or notch 222 disposed on the bottom wall 22 of a C-shaped carrier member 20 of a vertically adjacent rectangular block body. This engagement prevents the rectangular block body and hanger member 40, or rectangular block body and vertically adjacent rectangular block body, from being slid apart while in locked position.

[0028] The hanger member 40 which will be described further below maintains the vertical connection between the components while the interlocking protruding element 31 and notches maintains the lateral orientation wherein pairs of rectangular block bodies, or rectangular block body and hanger member 40, can only be detached from each other when the flexible element 31a is depressed using two small moveable tabs 33 which will be described further below.

[0029] The insert member 30 is also provided with a T-shaped connector 32 which protrudes roughly half the width of the insert member 30 on an outer lower quadrant thereof that engages with the notch 232a on the 45 degree slanted reinforcing member 232 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 to lock and maintain said insert member while in inserted position, which together with the locking mechanism ensures that the insert member 30 will be retained in the C-shaped carrier member 20 at all times when in use.

[0030] The insert member 30 is further provided with two small moveable tabs 33 located alongside the two-element locking mechanism adapted to be pushed downwardly to disengage the locking mechanism from the receptacles on the bottom of a hanger or another cable spacer assembly by depressing the two small moveable tabs 33. The insert member 30 is further provided with outwardly and inwardly protruding fins 34 disposed on the end portions thereof and defining thereon a cable passageway "P" adapted to support and receive thereon cables in the state of use. The shape and orientation of the outwardly and inwardly protruding fins 34 allow for easy insertion of cables vertically without the need to open the insert member 30 and to help retain cables once inserted from unintentional removal. The insert member 30 is further provided with a reinforcing rib 35 disposed on the outer side portion thereof adapted to provide additional strength preventing breakage of the insert member, the geometry of which can be adjusted to provide a desirable retention force on the locking mechanism.

[0031] Figures 4A-4D are perspective views of different variations of the hanger member used for the aerial cable spacer, wherein Figures 4A and 4C show hanger member in open position and Figures 4B and 4D show hanger member in closed position. To hang interconnected aerial cable spacer rectangular block bodies to a suspending support cable, a removable hanger member 40 is being connected on the T-shaped protrusions 25 and complementary T-shaped receptacles 26 of the C-shaped carrier member 20. Said hanger member 40 defined by an inverted T-shaped hanger 41with corresponding plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means preferably in the form of T-shaped protrusions 42 and T-shaped receptacles 43 on its bottom surface portion. Both sides of the lower edges of the outer T-shaped protrusions 42 are provided with chamfers 421. Preferably, said inverted T-shaped hanger 41 having a hinged upper portion 44 that projects and curved downwardly forming a through opening 45 thereon. On said through opening 45 is where a suspending support cable is being insertably mounted. There is a fastener, preferably a stainless steel pin 46 with chamfered ends in said hinged upper portion 44, connecting hinge halves 41a and 41b of the T-shaped hanger 41.

[0032] The middle T-shaped protrusion 42 is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the hanger member 40 onto a suspending support cable in the form of interlocking complementary T-shaped protrusion halves 42a and 42b. Said interlocking complementary T-shaped protrusion halves 42a and 42b provide a means of securely locking the hanger member in closed position without the use of any separate component. The hanger member locking mechanism is engaged by pressing said T-shaped protrusion halves 42a and 42b together and disengaged by utilizing a twisting motion of each T-shaped protrusion halves 42a and 42b relative to each other. The outermost T-shaped protrusion 42 is provided with a notch 47 that engages with the locking mechanism of the insert member 40.

[0033] shows a perspective view of an assembly of two C-shaped carrier members 20 with insert members 30 conjoined together and attached to a hanger member 40.

[0034] is an illustrative front view showing a pair of aerial cable spacer rectangular block bodies 11a and 11b in assembled manner with insert members 30 in place. The outer portion of block body 11a is provided with outwardly projecting protrusion “L” provided on the upper portion of the vertical sidewall 23 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 that is adapted to be insertably mounted on an opening “O” provided on the upper portion of the vertical sidewall 23 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 of block body 11b.

[0035] As illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the outer portion of block body 11a is further provided with outwardly projecting protrusion “I” provided on the lower portion of the vertical sidewall 23 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 that is adapted to be insertably mounted on a notch “N” provided on inner T-shaped protrusion 25a of the C-shaped carrier member 20 of block body 11b.The overlapping outwardly projecting protrusion “I” and notch “N” are adapted to act as a counter-lock preventing the outwardly projecting protrusion “L” from disengaging unintentionally from the opening “O”. The block body 11a is further provided with a strengthening rib “R” disposed on the outer side portion thereof adapted to provide additional strength preventing breakage of the block body, the geometry of which can be adjusted to provide a desirable result.

[0036] As recited above, the rectangular block bodies are designed to accommodate plurality of cables, however, it is an intention of the applicant not to limit the same for plurality of cables but each rectangular block body could be interconnected with other rectangular block bodies from PH Patent Nos. 1-2017-000049 and 1-2018-000118 that could accommodate plurality of cables. As shown in, the rectangular block body 11e could be interconnected to another rectangular block body 11c and 11d that accommodates plurality of cables “C” of different sized and shapes.

[0037] In use, the hanger member 40 is placed over a messenger wire or suspending support cable, locked closed, and the cable holding rectangular block bodies with members 30 are interconnected to it, with the corresponding T-shaped protrusions 25 and T-shaped receptacles 26 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 being aligned to the corresponding T-shaped protrusions 42 and T-shaped receptacles 43 of the hanger member 40, and the components are pushed together forming an interconnected aerial cable spacer.

[0038] The interface of protruding element 31 with the chamfers 421 provided on the both sides lower edges of the outer T-shaped protrusions 42 of the hanger member 40 moves the flexible element 31a downwards when components are being pushed together, sufficiently to allow the two-element locking mechanism to engage itself without the need of depressing the insert member 30 and without the need of additional manual actions. In a similar manner, the chamfers 251a provided on both sides of the lower edges of the outer and middle T-shaped protrusions 25a of the C-shaped carrier member 20 serve the same purpose as the chamfers 421 provided on hanger member 40 when two vertically adjacent rectangular block bodies are interconnected.

[0039] When the locking member of the rectangular block bodies is in its closed position, the two-element locking mechanism provided on the insert member 30 prevents components from becoming misaligned or separated laterally. With such, the connected components provide a passageway "P" wherein the cable "C" to be held and spaced is being received thereon.

[0040] When the T-shaped protrusion 25 of the C-shaped carrier member 20 is aligned with a corresponding T-shaped receptacle 26 of a neighboring rectangular block body and pressed together, the tapered edges of both components cause the T-shaped protrusion 25 to slide into the T-shaped receptacle 26 thereby creating an interlocking joint. The two-element locking mechanism provided on the insert member 30 prevents lateral movement or unintended disengagement of the components while the T-shaped connector 32 provide vertical support. The shape and positioning of the T-shape protrusions 25 serve to hold the components in direct contact with each other without the need for any additional components. To separate components requires only to unlock the locking mechanism and slide the components laterally apart.

[0041] With such arrangement, a desired number and configuration of cable holding spaces could be conveniently formed by interconnecting a series of cable hanging mechanisms with their hanger.

[0042] Upon assembly, corresponding cables "C" are placed within the passageways "P". With a plurality of spacers placed upon the messenger wire at suitable intervals the cables are able to be supported while remaining easily accessible.

[0043] With the foregoing it is desired that the present application seeks to protect all novel features of the subject application as illustrated in the above embodiments including all modifications that may be obvious to those persons skilled in the art derived thereof.

[0044] 10 Aerial cable spacer

[0045] 11 Rectangular block body

[0046] 11a, 11, 11c, 11d, 11e Aerial cable spacer rectangular block body

[0047] 20 C-shaped carrier member

[0048] 21 Top wall

[0049] 211 Top wall outer edge portion

[0050] 212 Retaining edge

[0051] 22 Bottom wall

[0052] 221 Bottom wall curved end portion

[0053] 222 Bottom wall outer portion notch

[0054] 23 Vertical sidewall

[0055] 231 C-shaped vertical support member

[0056] 232 45 degree slanted reinforcing member

[0057] 232a 45 degree slanted reinforcing member notch

[0058] 24 Open side portion

[0059] 25 Top wall T-shaped protrusions

[0060] 25a Bottom wall T-shaped protrusions

[0061] 251a Bottom wall T-shaped protrusion chamfers

[0062] 26 Top wall T-shaped receptacles

[0063] 26a Bottom wall T-shaped receptacles

[0064] 27 Top wall lock receiving notch

[0065] 30 Insert member

[0066] 31 Protruding element

[0067] 31a Flexible element

[0068] 32 T-shaped connector

[0069] 33 Two small moveable tabs

[0070] 34 Outwardly and inwardly protruding fins

[0071] 35 Reinforcing rib

[0072] 40 Hanger member

[0073] 41 Hanger member T-shaped hanger

[0074] 41a, 41b T-shaped hanger hinge halves

[0075] 42 Hanger member T-shaped protrusion

[0076] 42a, 42b Hanger member T-shaped protrusion halves

[0077] 421 Hanger member T-shaped protrusion chamfer

[0078] 43 Hanger member T-shaped receptacle

[0079] 44 T-shaped hanger hinged upper portion

[0080] 45 Hanger member through opening

[0081] 46 Hinged upper portion stainless steel pin

[0082] 47 Hanger member outermost T-shaped protrusion notch

[0083] “P” Insert member cable passageways

[0084] "C" Cables

[0085] “L” Rectangular block body upper portion outwardly projecting protrusion

[0086] “O” Rectangular block body opening

[0087] “I” Rectangular block body lower portion outwardly projecting protrusion

[0088] “N” C-shaped carrier member inner T-shaped protrusion notch

[0089] “R” Rectangular block body Strengthening rib

Claims

An aerial cable spacer defined by a generally rectangular block body, said rectangular block body comprising a C-shaped carrier member, an insert member detachably mountable into said C-shaped carrier member, and a hanger member provided on said rectangular block body;wherein said insert member is insertable to and removable from said C-shaped carrier member, and being provided with a T-shaped connector which protrudes roughly half the width of said insert member on an outer lower quadrant thereof that engages with said C-shaped carrier member to lock and maintain said insert member while in inserted position.The aerial cable spacer according to claim 1, wherein said insert member is provided with outwardly and inwardly protruding fins disposed on end portions thereof and defining thereon a cable passageway adapted to support and receive thereon cables in the state of use.The aerial cable spacer according to claim 1, wherein said C-shaped carrier member is provided with a C-shaped vertical support member and a 45 degree slanted reinforcing member, in which said 45 degree slanted reinforcing member is provided with a notch on one side to retain the insert member in position once placed within said C-shaped carrier member.The aerial cable spacer according to claim 1, wherein said C-shaped carrier member is further provided with outwardly projecting protrusions disposed on the upper and bottom portions thereof adapted to be insertably mounted on openings provided on the upper and bottom portions of another C-shaped carrier member of an adjacent rectangular block body.The aerial cable spacer according to claim 1, wherein an upper portion of said insert member is provided with a two-element locking mechanism, said two-element locking mechanism comprising:a flexible element that compresses when the insert member is inserted into the C-shaped carrier member and returns to its original shape after passing a retaining edge disposed on the top wall of said C-shaped carrier member thereby creating an interference lock, anda protruding element from the top of the flexible element which engages with a receiving notch provided on the outer top wall of said C-shaped carrier member and simultaneously with another receiving notch disposed on a hanger member or notch disposed on a bottom wall of a C-shaped carrier member of a vertically adjacent rectangular block body.The aerial cable spacer according to claim 1, wherein said insert member is further provided with moveable tabs adapted to be pushed downwardly to disengage the locking mechanism, and a reinforcing rib disposed on the outer side portion of said insert member adapted to provide additional strength preventing breakage of the insert member.The aerial cable spacer according to claim 1, wherein said hanger member and C-shaped carrier member are provided with chamfers disposed on the lower edges of T-shaped protrusions provided therein adapted to sufficiently allow the two-element locking mechanism to engage itself without the need of depressing the insert member.

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