Cable protection device configured to provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable

Abstract

A cable protection device may have a clip portion that may mount a cable to a planar surface portion and a cover portion that may attach to the clip portion. The clip portion may have a retention region that may hold a region of a cable to space a portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion from the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted. The cover portion may contact the planar surface portion where the clip portion is mounted on a lateral side of the clip portion such that the cover portion covers the portion of cable adjacent the clip portion and to block access to a space adjacent to the first clip portion between the portion of cable and the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted so as to provide tamper proof protection of the portion of cable.

Description

CABLE PROTECTION DEVICE CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE TAMPER PROOF PROTECTION OF A SURFACE-MOUNTED CABLECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 657,351 , filed June 7, 2024, which is currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a cable protection device and, more particularly, to a cable protection device configured to cover a cable so as to provide tamper-proof protection of the cable.BACKGROUND

[0003] Although wireless signal pathways may be employed for some computing devices and mobile electronics, wired signal pathways remain as foundational aspects of many signal networks. Installation of cabling that provides wired signal pathways in a facility, such as a building, residence, office, or other structure, may result in hidden and / or exposed cables. For instance, retrofitting a building with cabling, or replacing existing cabling, may position portions of a cable in areas hidden from view and access while other portions of the cable are exposed to public view and access. Hence, use of cables to provide signal pathways may correspond with positioning a cable in public spaces that may allow for inadvertent physical contact and pose a risk for tampering.

[0004] A cable may be partially, or completely, enclosed within a conduit to protect the cable from environmental conditions and diminish the risk of tampering. However, many cable conduits are physically large, difficult to install, and / or expensive, which pose challenges for implementation in different facilities, particularly sites with relatively complex geometries, spaces, or surfaces. Forthese reasons, there is an emphasis on providing tamper protection and aesthetically pleasing cable conduit that is cost effective and easy to install.

[0005] Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a cable protection device configured to provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable.SUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a cable protection device may provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable with a clip portion and a cover portion. The clip portion may mount a cable to a first planar surface portion and a second planar surface portion. The cover portion may attach to the clip portion. The clip portion may have a retention portion that may hold a region of a cable such that a first portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the first planar surface portion and a second portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the second planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted. The retention region may have a retention portion that may extend into a retention portion receiving portion of a cable so as to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable. The clip portion may have a first clip portion and a second clip portion spaced apart from the first clip portion. The first clip portion may mount a first cable portion to the first planar surface portion. The second clip portion may mount a second cable portion to the second planar surface portion. The first clip portion may have a first retention portion and the second clip portion may have a second retention portion. The first retention portion and the second portion may each hold a respective region of the cable. The cover portion may continuously and linearly extend from the first clip portion to the second clip portion. The cover portion may continuously extend from a first lateral side of the first clip portion to a second opposite lateral side of the first clip portion and from a first lateral side of the second clip portion to a second opposite lateral side of the second clip portion. The cover portion may physically contact the first planar surface portion to which the first clip portion is mounted and the second planar surface portion to which the second clip portion is mounted on each lateral side of the first clip portion and on each lateral side of the second clip portion such thatthe cover portion may cover the first cable portion and the second cable portion such that the cover portion blocks access to spaces adjacent to the first clip portion and the second clip portion between the first cable portion and the first planar surface portion to which the first clip portion is mounted and between the second cable portion and the second planar surface to which the second clip portion is attached so as to provide tamper proof protection of the first and second cable portions.

[0007] In some embodiments, a cable protection device may provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable with a clip portion and a cover portion. The clip portion may mount a cable to a planar surface portion. The cover portion may attach to the clip portion. The clip portion may have a retention region structurally configured to hold a region of a cable such that a portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted. The retention region may prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable. The cover portion may continuously and linearly extend from the clip portion to a second clip portion. The cover portion may continuously extend from a first lateral side of the clip portion to a second opposite lateral side of the clip portion. The cover portion may physically contact the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted on each lateral side of the clip portion such that the cover portion may cover the portion of cable adjacent the clip portion and to block access to spaces adjacent to the first clip portion between the portion of cable and the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted so as to provide tamper proof protection of the portion of cable.

[0008] Embodiments of a cable protection device may provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable with a clip portion and a cover portion. The clip portion may mount a cable to a planar surface portion and the cover portion may attach to the clip portion. The clip portion may have a retention region that may hold a region of a cable such that a portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted. The cover portion may physically contact the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted on a lateral side of the clip portion such that thecover portion may cover the portion of cable adjacent the clip portion and to block access to a space adjacent to the first clip portion between the portion of cable and the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted so as to provide tamper proof protection of the portion of cable.

[0009] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the cover portion may extend a distance of more than ten feet from the first clip portion to the second clip portion.

[0010] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the first clip portion and the second clip portion may separate the first cable portion and the second cable portion from the first planar surface portion and the second planar surface portion, respectively.

[0011] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the first retention portion, or cover portion, may extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable.

[0012] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the first retention portion may have an access portion that may allow selective insertion, and removal, of the region of cable from the first support clip portion.

[0013] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the retention region may have a retention portion that may extend into a retention portion receiving portion of a cable so as to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable.

[0014] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the retention portion may have a protrusion that may extend into an annular groove of the region of cable.

[0015] In some exemplary aspects of the cable protection device, the retention region may prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made.

[0017] FIG. 1 a line representation of portions of a network environment in which assorted embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a line representation of portions of a cable assembly that may be employed in the environment of FIG. 1 in some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a line representation of portions of a cable assembly configured in accordance with assorted embodiments of this disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a line representation of portions of a cable conduit system that may be utilized in the environment of FIG. 1 in various embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a line representation of portions of a cable conduit system arranged in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a line representation of a cable conduit system configured in accordance with various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a line representation of a cable conduit system arranged in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Embodiments provide a cable protection device that covers a cable to provide cost effective, and aesthetically pleasing, protection from environmental conditions and physical tampering.

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of thepresent disclosure and / or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0026] It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0027] The installation of cables may be facilitated in a number of different manners. For instance, cables may pass through pipes, tubes, and clips that provide structural support. Yet, the use of one or more structural supports may pose installation, cost, and / or aesthetic challenges during initial fitting and subsequently pose tampering risks for any exposed portions of a cable. Accordingly, various embodiments are directed to a cable conduit system that provides efficient installation and cable protection with reduced tampering risk.

[0028] A line representation of a network environment 100 is shown in FIG. 1 and conveys how one or more cables 110 may provide signal pathways between digital sources 120 and digital destinations 130. Any number of sources 120 may be connected to any number of destinations 130 via a single continuous cable 110, or multiple cables 110. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a source 120 is connected to a destination 130 with cables 110 joined with one or more interconnects 140, such as an adapter, connector, splice, cassette, tray, or electronic device.

[0029] While the use of one or more cables 110 to provide a consistent signal pathway between sources 120 and destinations 130 may be straightforward in theory, the practical installation of cabling in a physical site may be wrought with installation challenges and operational risks over time. In contrast to a wireless signal pathway 150, as illustrated in segmented lines in FIG. 1 , that allows connections through physical obstructions, such as walls, floors, and ceilings, a cable 110 may continuously extend from a source 120 to a destination 130 around, and potentially through, physical obstructions. The physical presence of a cable 1 10, however, may correspond with physical support along its length and protection from conditions posed by the environment, people, and animals.

[0030] FIG. 2 displays a line representation of a cable assembly 200 portion that may be employed in the network environment 100 of FIG. 1 to provide physical support of a cable 110 in accordance with various embodiments. The cable 110 is arranged with a series of separated grooves 210 that, individually and collectively, provide increased surface area, edges, and friction resistance to sliding compared to a smooth jacketed cable. It is noted that the size, shape, and position of the assorted cable grooves 210 are not limited to a particular configuration but may define regions that are physically engaged by features of a support clip portion 220.

[0031] Although not required or limiting, the cable assembly 200 embodiment shown in FIG. 2 illustrates how the support clip portion 220 continuously extends around some, but not all, of the cable 110 while occupying grooves 210. The structural configuration of the support clip portion 220 may facilitate efficient installation, and removal, of the cable 110 while retention protrusion portions 230 extend towards the cable 110 to engage and occupy portions of the grooves 210 to prevent movement of the cable 110 along the cable’s longitudinal axis. While not required or limiting, the support clip portion 220 may grip a fiber optic cable 110 and, more particularly, a grooved fiber optic cable, such as the MiniFlex® cable, where protrusion portions 230 may occupy grooves 210 to prevent, at least, longitudinal movement of the cable 210 relative to the support clip portion 220.

[0032] As illustrated in the side view line representation of the cable assembly 200 of FIG. 3, the support clip portion 220 may be constructed as a single, unitary piece of material that is attached to a rigid planar surface 240, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or window. The support clip portion 220 may be secured to the planar surface 240 permanently, or temporarily, with one or more fastening aspects, such as with adhesives, fasteners, and / or magnets, that provide secure physical retention of the cable 110 relative to the surface 240.

[0033] However, the structural configuration of the support clip portion 220 may position the cable 110 away from the planar surface 240, as illustrated by distance 250. In contrast to other cable retention mechanisms, such as staples, tie downs, or brackets, that force the cable 110 into constant contact with the surface 240, the support clip portion 220 is arranged to be agnostic with respectto the cable 110. That is, the support clip portion 220 is structurally configured to remain at a single attachment point with the planar surface 240 regardless of whether the cable 110 is present. Such stand-alone characteristics of the support clip portion 220 allow for efficient placement prior to cable installation as a technician may place and attach support clip portions 220 at desired locations along the planar surface 240, or multiple different surfaces, before bringing the cable 110 into contact with the retention protrusion portions 230 of the respective clip portions 220 to suspend and retain the cable 110.

[0034] Through the separate installation of a series of support clip portions 220, one or more cables 110 may be maintained in position relative to the surface 240 over selected distances, such as several feet or several hundred yards. Yet, the separation distance 250 of the cable 1 10 from the surface 240 may promote inadvertent physical contact and / or physical tampering over time. For instance, the separation distance 250 may allow an object, or appendage, to physically access the cable 110 and utilize the surface 240 to apply leveraged force onto the cable 110 in a vector that poses risk of removal of the cable 110 from one or more support clip portions 220. The ease of physical access to the separation distance 250 may allow force to be applied to a cable 110 to enable a nefarious actor to tap, join, or otherwise disturb operational aspects of the cable 110, which jeopardizes the integrity of nodes, sources 120, and destinations across a distributed network.

[0035] Some embodiments of the support clip portion 220 may structurally provide an attachment portion 260 that allows a cover or cover portion 270 to protect a section of the cable 110. The cover portion 270 is not limited to a particular material, shape, size, or attachment mechanism with a support clip portion 220, but may continuously extend from a first section of the planar surface 240 to a second section of the planar surface 240 to surround both the clip portion 220 and portions of the cable 110. The cover portion 270, in various embodiments, prevents physical access to the space corresponding with the separation distance 250 between the planar surface 240 and cable 110, which may decrease the risk of tampering and inadvertent physical engagement with the cable 110.

[0036] In contrast to other conduits in which a cable 110 may occupy, the cable assembly 200 provides a smaller physical footprint that is easier to install and is aesthetically more pleasing while being tamper proof by covering and securing both the support clip portion 220 and cable 110. For instance, a pipe conduit may be relatively large, aesthetically unpleasant, and difficult to access during installation and rework operations, such as for repair or replacement, which may produce relatively long installation times to feed cable. As another example, modular conduits may be difficult to run around surface features, such as corners, slopes, and fixtures, and may not be aesthetically pleasing due to size, shape, material, or an inability to be painted.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of aspects of a cable assembly 400 that may be employed as part of a network environment 100 in a residential, commercial, or industrial facility. The cable assembly 400 is shown as a partial cut-out that conveys how a cable 110 may be secured within a cover portion 410 that continuously extends along a longitudinal axis of the cable 110. Some embodiments of the cover portion 410 contact one or more planar surfaces 240 on opposite sides of the cable 110 to encapsulate the cable 110 and any supporting clip portions 220.

[0038] The physical contact of the cover portion 410 on opposite sides of the cable 1 10 may be supplemented by one or more coupling portions or locking features that prevent unwanted access to the cable 110 or supporting clip portions 220. That is, the cover portion 410 may physically secure to the surface 240 and / or support clip portions 220 in a manner that prevents physical access to the cable 110 and clip portions 220 without a key, tool, or predetermined physical action. For instance, a cover portion 410 may attach to a support clip portion 220 with a key mechanism, a security fastener, or a locking tab that may be engaged by a key, security tool, or finger of a technician to release the cover portion 410 and allow access to a support clip portion 220.

[0039] The ability to physically secure the cover portion 410 to a support clip portion 220 is not required but can provide additional tamper protection and physical retainment for the cable 110. However, the ability to lock, and / or otherwise physically secure, the cover portion 410 in place about a cable 110does not prevent selected accessibility to the cable 110 and support clip portions 220. In operation, the cover portion 410 may be physically attached to one or more support clip portions 220 for any amount of time, such as until the cable 110 is to be replaced, altered, or supplemented with an additional, separate cable 110.

[0040] In accordance with various embodiments, the cover portion 410 is structurally configured to provide a stylistic shape that is aesthetically pleasing and may be painted. For example, the sidewalls 412 and / or top section 414 of the cover portion 410 may be structurally configured with a contour, texture, and / or pattern that provides aesthetic value. In contrast, other cable conduits may be constructed of a material that will not accept paint and / or has a generic shape, which may not be aesthetically pleasing or complement the stylistic environment in which the assembly 400 is installed.

[0041] The cable assembly 400, in some embodiments, separates the cable 110 and support clip portions 220 with a continuous back plate portion 420, as illustrated in FIG. 5, that serves to fully encompass an interior space in which the cable 110 passes. That is, the support clip portions 220 may contact a back plate portion 420 instead of a separate planar surface 240, which may provide additional physical connections for the cover portion 410. The ability to structurally configure the cable assembly 400 with a back plate portion 420 or with separated clip portions 220 contacting the surface 240 directly allows the depth of the cable assembly 400 to be customized.

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view line representation of aspects of the cable assembly 400 structurally configured in accordance with various embodiments. As shown by the cut-out of the cable assembly 400, the cover portion 410 continuously extends on the planar surface 240 to surround the support clip portion 220. Contact of the cover portion 410 with the planar surface 240, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of a back plate portion 420 shown in FIG. 5, may provide a shallower depth distance, as measured from the surface 240 to the top of the cover portion 410, than the distance 510 that corresponds to use of the back plate portion 420.

[0043] The relatively small depth of the cable assembly 400, without the presence of the back plate portion 420, may increase the aesthetic appeal byreducing the physical footprint of the assembly 400 on the planar surface 240. It is noted that the cover portion 410 may be structurally configured to contact assorted aspects of a support clip portion 220. For instance, the cover portion 410 may contact, with or without connection to the attachment portion 260, a side surface 222 and / or a top surface 224 of the clip portion 220, which may add physical strength and retention of the cover portion 410 in place about the cable 110 along the length of the cable 110.

[0044] While the cable assembly 400 may continuously extend to cover a cable 1 10 and support clip portions 220 for nearly any distance and around various obstacles, such as corners, ridges, and fixtures, some embodiments utilize an interconnect portion to provide cable 110 access to different aspects of a residential, commercial, or industrial site. For instance, a cable assembly 400 may employ multiple clip portions 220 that are separated along one or more planar surfaces 240 by a distance, such as ten feet or more. The ability to effectively tamper proof a portion of the cable 110 with a cover portion 410 that extends between clip portions 220 may provide efficient installation and a component that may be painted to integrate into an aesthetic design.

[0045] FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively illustrate line representations of aspects of a cable assembly 600 that allows for one or more secondary cables 610 to be connected to a trunk cable 110 via an interconnect enclosure portion 620. The interconnect enclosure portion 620 may be structurally configured with any size, shape, and material that is mounted to a planar surface 240 in line with the trunk cable 110, as shown in FIG. 6. A non-limiting embodiment arranges the interconnect enclosure portion 620 with a variety of interconnect features that allow a secondary cable 610 to be securely connected to the trunk cable 110.

[0046] An interconnect feature 630 may be one or more adapters, connectors, and splices, that fit within the enclosure portion 620. For instance, an interconnect feature 630 may provide wire routing portions 640, such as ridges, tabs, and other protrusions, to allow wires and / or cables 610 to be physically secured within the enclosure portion 620 and connected to one or more adapters, connectors, or splice components. Some embodiments of the interconnectenclosure portion 620 provide secure cable routing into the planar surface 240, such as into a different room, area, or region of a facility.

[0047] The structural configuration of the interconnect enclosure portion 620 may additionally allow for the secure enclosure of the assorted cables 110 / 610 and interconnect features 630 and routing portions 640, as illustrated in FIG. 7. A box cover portion 710 may, in various embodiments, physically attach to a wall plate portion 720 of the interconnect enclosure portion 620 to provide an aesthetically pleasing structure that is tamper-proof by preventing access to the assorted cables 110 / 610 and interior aspects of the interconnect enclosure portion 620. Such tamper proof arrangement may be facilitated by any number, and type, of physical connection, such as a lock, security fastener, or tool mechanism.

[0048] As a result of the structural configuration of the cover portion 710, along with the other cover portion 410, physical access to the cables 110 / 610 can be reliably restricted. The embodiments of the cable assemblies 400 / 600 further provide aesthetically pleasing components that have reduced physical footprints while being paintable. The ability to install support clip portions 220 prior to cable 110 and cover portion 410 allows for efficient, and minimalistic, installation that is conducive to a diverse variety of surfaces, surface shapes, and surface fixtures. Installation of the interconnect enclosure portion 620 further provides efficient installation of additional cables 610 without adding undue bulk or sources of physical access, which prevents tampering risk that can degrade the integrity of a distributed network.

[0049] Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages.It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

[0050] Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A cable protection device configured to provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable comprising: a clip portion configured to mount a cable to a first planar surface portion and a second planar surface portion; a cover portion configured to attach to the clip portion; wherein the clip portion includes a retention portion structurally configured to hold a region of a cable such that a first portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the first planar surface portion and a second portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the second planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted; wherein the retention region includes a retention portion configured to extend into a retention portion receiving portion of a cable so as to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable; wherein the clip portion includes a first clip portion and a second clip portion spaced apart from the first clip portion, and wherein the first clip portion is configured to mount a first cable portion to the first planar surface portion, and the second clip portion is configured to mount a second cable portion to the second planar surface portion; wherein the first clip portion includes a first retention portion and the second clip portion includes a second retention portion, and wherein the first retention portion and the second portion are each structurally configured to hold a respective region of the cable; wherein the cover portion is configured to continuously and linearly extend from the first clip portion to the second clip portion; wherein the cover portion is configured to continuously extend from a first lateral side of the first clip portion to a second opposite lateral side of the first clip portion and from a first lateral side of the second clip portion to a second opposite lateral side of the second clip portion; and wherein the cover portion is structurally configured to physically contact the first planar surface portion to which the first clip portion is mounted and the second planar surface portion to which the second clipportion is mounted on each lateral side of the first clip portion and on each lateral side of the second clip portion such that the cover portion is configured to cover the first cable portion and the second cable portion such that the cover portion blocks access to spaces adjacent to the first clip portion and the second clip portion between the first cable portion and the first planar surface portion to which the first clip portion is mounted and between the second cable portion and the second planar surface to which the second clip portion is attached so as to provide tamper proof protection of the first and second cable portions.

2. The cable protection device of claim 1 , wherein the cover portion is configured to extend a distance of more than ten feet from the first clip portion to the second clip portion.

3. The cable protection device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first clip portion and the second clip portion are structurally configured to separate the first cable portion and the second cable portion from the first planar surface portion and the second planar surface portion, respectively.

4. The cable protection device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first retention portion is structurally configured to extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable.

5. The cable protection device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first retention portion includes an access portion that is structurally configured to allow selective insertion, and removal, of the region of cable from the first support clip portion.

6. The cable protection device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover portion is structurally configured to extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable.

7. A cable protection device configured to provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable comprising: a clip portion configured to mount a cable to a planar surface portion; a cover portion configured to attach to the clip portion; wherein the clip portion includes a retention region structurally configured to hold a region of a cable such that a portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted; wherein the retention region is configured to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable; wherein the cover portion is configured to continuously and linearly extend from the clip portion to a second clip portion; wherein the cover portion is configured to continuously extend from a first lateral side of the clip portion to a second opposite lateral side of the clip portion; and wherein the cover portion is structurally configured to physically contact the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted on each lateral side of the clip portion such that the cover portion is configured to cover the portion of cable adjacent the clip portion and to block access to spaces adjacent to the first clip portion between the portion of cable and the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted so as to provide tamper proof protection of the portion of cable.

8. The cable protection device of claim 7, wherein the retention region includes a retention portion configured to extend into a retention portion receiving portion of a cable so as to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable;9. The cable protection device of claim 8, wherein the retention region is structurally configured to extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable; andwherein the retention portion comprises a protrusion configured to extend into an annular groove of the region of cable.

10. The cable protection device of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cover portion is configured to extend a distance of more than ten feet from the clip portion to a second clip portion.

11. The cable protection device of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the retention region includes an access portion that is structurally configured to allow selective insertion, and removal, of the region of cable from the first support clip portion.

12. The cable protection device of any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the cover portion is structurally configured to extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable.

13. A cable protection device configured to provide tamper proof protection of a surface-mounted cable comprising: a clip portion configured to mount a cable to a planar surface portion; a cover portion configured to attach to the clip portion; wherein the clip portion includes a retention region structurally configured to hold a region of a cable such that a portion of the cable adjacent the clip portion is spaced from the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted; wherein the cover portion is structurally configured to physically contact the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted on a lateral side of the clip portion such that the cover portion is configured to cover the portion of cable adjacent the clip portion and to block access to a space adjacent to the first clip portion between the portion of cable and the planar surface portion to which the clip portion is mounted so as to provide tamper proof protection of the portion of cable.

14. The cable protection device of claim 13, wherein the retention region is configured to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable.

15. The cable protection device of claim 14, wherein the retention region includes a retention portion configured to extend into a retention portion receiving portion of a cable so as to prevent the cable from moving along a longitudinal axis of the cable.

16. The cable protection device of claim 15, wherein the retention region is structurally configured to extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable; and wherein the retention portion comprises a protrusion configured to extend into an annular groove of the region of cable.

17. The cable protection device of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the cover portion is configured to continuously and linearly extend from the clip portion to a second clip portion;18. The cable protection device of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the cover portion is configured to extend a distance of more than ten feet from the clip portion to a second clip portion.

19. The cable protection device of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the retention region includes an access portion that is structurally configured to allow selective insertion, and removal, of the region of cable from the first support clip portion.

20. The cable protection device of any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the cover portion is structurally configured to extend to less than all of a periphery of the cable.

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