Transmission cable outlet device

Abstract

A transmission cable outlet device (1) comprises a sleeve (2) having an outer end (3) for engagement with a conduit of a trunking assembly. An inner end (4) of the sleeve (2) terminates in an enlarged hollow end portion (5) comprising an intermediate funnel portion (6) and an outer cylindrical housing (7). An open end of the cylindrical housing (7) is closed and sealed by a removable end plate (8). A number of spaced-apart glands (9) are mounted on the end plate (8) for reception and through passage of cables (10). Each gland (9) is mounted on an inside face (23) of the end plate (8). Thus, advantageously, all of the glands (9) are housed within the enlarged hollow end portion (5) of the transmission cable outlet device (1) in use.

Description

[0001] “Transmission Cable Outlet Device”

[0002] Introduction

[0003] This invention relates to a transmission cable outlet device for use in a trunking assembly.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] A trunking assembly for transmission cables is described in GB 2351333A, which includes a transmission cable outlet device comprising a sleeve communicating with an enlarged end portion which terminates in an end plate. A number of glands are mounted on the end plate to grip and hold cables so as to provide a clean take-off from the trunking. It will be noted that the glands project outwardly from an outer face of the end plate and each gland has an irregular and very uneven outer surface which readily collects dust and makes it difficult to properly and fully clean the glands, which is often required on a regular basis.

[0006] Another cable outlet device is disclosed in EP 1215792 A1 . This document discloses a device having a cylindrical plate with a plurality of spaced-apart, outwardly projecting ports and / or threaded bushes mounted on an outer face of the plate. These also give rise to difficulties with dust accumulation and cleaning as mentioned above. Other examples of known cable outlet devices are to be found in WO 2016 / 123092 A1 , US 2015 / 355429 A1 and WO 2014 / 139102 A1 .

[0007] The term “cable” as used herein includes electrical cables, fibre optic cables, air lines, fluid lines and the like conduits and pipework.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved transmission cable outlet device which addresses problems associated with existing transmission cable outlet devices.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] The invention is set out in the appended set of claims. According to the invention, there is provided a transmission cable outlet device for use in a trunking assembly for transmission cables, comprising a sleeve having an outer end for engagement with a conduit of the trunking assembly, the sleeve having an inner end terminating in an enlarged hollow end portion having an open end closed and sealed by a removable end plate, at least one gland mounted on the end plate for reception and through passage of a cable, characterised in that the or each gland is mounted on an inside face of the end plate such that the or each gland is housed within the enlarged hollow end portion when the end plate is engaged with the open end of the enlarged hollow end portion. Advantageously the glands are housed within the device providing the device with a smoother exterior which is less prone to collecting dust and is much easier and quicker to properly clean in use.

[0011] In another embodiment, at least one cable through-passage location is indicated at an outer face of the end plate.

[0012] In another embodiment, the cable through-passage location is indicated by a mark or indentation in the outer face of the end plate.

[0013] In another embodiment, the cable through-passage location is indicated by a through- hole extending through the end plate.

[0014] In another embodiment each through-hole extends through a flanged outer end of the end plate and communicates with an enlarged gland receiving socket in a cylindrical body of the end plate, a bore of each gland receiving socket being threaded to receive a threaded inner end of a gland.

[0015] In another embodiment, a bore of the through-hole corresponds to a standard cable outer diameter, a standard cable being one which is required to meet manufacturing standards legislation.

[0016] In another embodiment, at least one cable guide insert is mounted on the end plate, the cable guide insert comprising a tubular sleeve with a flanged end, the sleeve being demountably engagable within a complementary opening in the end plate.

[0017] In another embodiment, an annular recess is provided in the end plate at the outer face for reception of the flanged end of the cable guide insert. In another embodiment, a bore of the sleeve is threaded for reception of a gland.

[0018] In another embodiment, a cable through-passage location is centrally indicated at an outer face of the flanged end of the cable guide insert.

[0019] In another embodiment, the cable through-passage location is indicated by a mark or indentation in the outer face of the flanged end of the cable guide insert.

[0020] In another embodiment, the cable through-passage location is indicated by a through- hole extending centrally through the flanged end of the cable guide insert.

[0021] In another embodiment the cable guide insert comprises a cylindrical tubular sleeve with a flanged end. each sleeve being demountably engagable within a complementary opening in the end plate, an annular recess provided in the end plate at an outer end of each opening at an outer face of the end plate for reception of the flanged end of the cable guide insert such that an outer face of the cable guide insert is flush with the outer face of the end plate when the cable guide insert is mounted on the end plate.

[0022] In another embodiment, a bore of the through-hole corresponds to a standard cable outer diameter.

[0023] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a transmission cable outlet device according to the invention;

[0026] Fig. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the transmission cable outlet device of the invention, shown in use;

[0027] Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view showing an end plate portion of the transmission cable outlet device, shown in use with cables mounted thereon;

[0028] Fig. 4 is a detail elevational view of the end plate forming portion of the transmission cable outlet device;

[0029] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another transmission cable outlet device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Fig. 6 is a sectional perspective view of the transmission cable outlet device shown in Fig. 5, shown in use;

[0031] Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing an end plate portion of the transmission cable outlet device of Fig. 5, shown in use with cables mounted thereon;

[0032] Fig. 8 is a detail elevational view of the end plate forming portion of the transmission cable outlet device of Fig. 5;

[0033] Fig. 9 is a detail sectional elevational view of a cable guide insert forming portion of the transmission cable outlet device of Fig. 5;

[0034] Fig. 10 is a detail end elevational view of the cable guide insert shown in Fig. 9;

[0035] Fig. 11 is a detail elevational view of another end plate for use in a transmission cable outlet device of the invention;

[0036] Fig. 12 is a detail elevational view of an alternative end plate for use in a transmission cable outlet device of the invention;

[0037] Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12;

[0038] Fig. 14 is a detail elevational view of another cable guide insert for use in a transmission cable outlet device of the invention;

[0039] Fig. 15 is a detail elevational view of an alternative cable guide insert for use in a transmission cable outlet device of the invention; and

[0040] Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 15.

[0041] Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0042] Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 thereof, there is shown a transmission cable outlet device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The transmission cable outlet device 1 comprises a sleeve 2 having an outer end 3 for engagement with a conduit of a trunking assembly. An inner end 4 of the sleeve 2 terminates in an enlarged hollow end portion 5 comprising an intermediate frustum funnel portion 6 and an outer cylindrical housing 7. An open end 12 of the cylindrical housing 7 is closed and sealed by a removable cylindrical end plate 8. A number of spaced-apart glands 9 are mounted on the end plate 8 for reception and through passage of cables 10. In accordance with the present invention, the transmission cable outlet device 1 of the invention has an end plate 8 with each gland 9 mounted on an inside face 23 of the end plate 8. It will be noted that with this construction, each gland 9 is housed within the enlarged hollow end portion 5 when the end plate 8 is engaged with the open end 12 of the cylindrical housing 7 of the enlarged hollow end portion 5, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, advantageously, all of the glands 9 are housed and sealed within the enlarged hollow end portion 5 of the transmission cable outlet device 1 in use.

[0043] An O-ring seal 29 sits within a complementary circumferential groove 36 in the end plate 8 to seal between the end plate 8 and a bore of the cylindrical housing 7. Thus, the end plate 8 engages with and seals the open end 12 of the cylindrical housing 7 of the enlarged hollow end portion 5.

[0044] A number of cable through-passage locations are indicated at a flat outer face 25 of the end plate 8. In this case, the cable through-passage locations are indicated by through-holes 26 which extend through the end plate 8. These through-holes 26 may be sized to receive a particular cable 10 size or different cable 10 sizes. Alternatively, they may simply be through holes 26 of relatively small diameter to indicate the location for through passage of a cable 10, which through-hole 26 can be bored out to the required cable size before delivering cables 10 through the transmission cable outlet device 1. Each through-hole 26 extends through a flanged outer end 27 of the end plate 8 and communicates with an enlarged gland receiving socket 28 in a cylindrical body 31 of the end plate 8. A bore of each gland receiving socket 28 is threaded for complementary reception of and inter-engagement with a threaded inner end 30 of a gland 9.

[0045] A cable 10 passes through the hole 26 and centrally through a bore 32 of the gland 9 and out through a threaded cap 34 of the gland 9 which causes an internal threaded nose of the gland 9 to grip and seal against an outer surface of the cable 10.

[0046] It will be noted that the glands 9 are housed and sealed within the enlarged hollow end portion 5 of the transmission cable outlet device 1 and an exposed outer face 25 of the end plate 8 is a relatively smooth flat surface.

[0047] Referring now to Fig. 5 to Fig. 10, there is illustrated another transmission cable outlet device according to a second embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, a number of cable guide inserts 41 are mounted on the end plate 8, each cable guide insert 41 comprising a cylindrical tubular sleeve 42 with a flanged end 43. Each sleeve 42 is demountably engagable within a complementary opening 45 in the end plate 8 and is a snug push fit, that is, the sleeve 42 can be manually pushed into and out of engagement within the opening 45. An annular recess 46 is provided in the end plate 8 at an outer end of each opening 45 at an outer face 25 of the end plate 8 for reception of the flanged end 43 of the cable guide insert 41 . Thus, an outer face 44 of the cable guide insert 41 is flush with the outer face 25 of the end plate 8 when the cable guide insert 41 is mounted on the end plate 8, and together the outer faces 44 of the cable guide inserts 41 and the outer face 25 of the end plate 8 form a relatively smooth continuous flat surface or planar face.

[0048] A bore 48 of the tubular sleeve 42 is threaded for complementary inter-engagement with, and reception of, the threaded inner end 30 of the gland 9. Thus, when a gland 9 is mounted on the inside face 23 of the end plate 8, it engages within the bore 48 of the tubular sleeve 42 and pulls the cable guide insert 41 inwardly into the opening 45 and firmly anchors the cable guide insert 41 on the end plate 8. In this case, the through hole 26 indicating the position for through passage of a cable 10 is centrally located on the flanged end 43 of the cable guide insert 41 to correctly position a cable 10 for passage through an associated gland 9 mounted on the inside face 23 of the end plate 8 and engaging within the associated cable guide insert 41 .

[0049] Conveniently, if required, cable guide inserts 41 with different diameter holes 26 may be provided to accommodate cables 10 of different outer diameter on the end plate 8. The cable guide inserts 41 allow the end plate 8 to be modified and changed, if required, to accommodate cables 10 of different outer diameter.

[0050] It will be noted that instead of providing cable through holes 26 in the end plate 8 or insert 41 , marks or indentations may be provided on the end plate 8 or insert 41 as drilling guides to facilitate drilling through holes 26 of the required diameter for through passage of selected cables 10. Various arrangements are possible for indicating the correct cable through-passage location. Some examples of these are shown in Fig. 11 - Fig. 16, in which parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.

[0051] Fig. 11 - Fig. 13 show alternative end plates 8 for use with the transmission cable outlet device 1 shown in Fig. 1 - Fig. 4.

[0052] Fig. 14 - Fig. 16 show alternative cable guide inserts 41 for use with the transmission cable outlet device 40 shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 10.

[0053] Fig. 11 shows an end plate 8 in which a plurality of spaced-apart surface marks 50 are provided on the outer face 25 of the end plate 8 to indicate the correct cable 10 through-passage locations which can be drilled out to the required snug cable 10 receiving diameter.

[0054] Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show an end plate 8 in which a plurality of spaced-apart countersunk indentations 55 are provided on the outer face 25 of the end plate 8 to indicate the correct cable 10 through-passage locations which can be drilled out to the required snug cable 10 receiving diameter.

[0055] Fig. 14 shows another cable guide insert 41 in which a central surface mark 60 is provided on the outer face 44 of the cable guide insert 41 to indicate the correct cable 10 through-passage location which can be drilled out to the required snug cable 10 receiving diameter. Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 show another cable guide insert 41 in which a central countersunk indentation 65 is provided on the outer face 44 of the flanged end 43 of the cable guide insert 41 to indicate the correct cable 10 through-passage location which can be drilled out to the required snug cable 10 receiving diameter. The terms “comprise” and “include", and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation.

[0056] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

- 9 -CLAIMS1. A transmission cable outlet device (1) for use in a trunking assembly for transmission cables (10), comprising a sleeve (2) having an outer end (3) for engagement with a conduit of the trunking assembly, the sleeve (2) having an inner end (4) terminating in an enlarged hollow end portion (5) having an open end (12) closed and sealed by a removable end plate (8), at least one gland(9) mounted on the end plate (8) for reception and through passage of a cable(10), characterised in that the or each gland (9) is mounted on an inside face (23) of the end plate (8) such that the or each gland (9) is housed within the enlarged hollow end portion (5) when the end plate (8) is engaged with the open end (12) of the enlarged hollow end portion (5).

2. The transmission cable outlet device (1) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one cable through-passage location (26) is indicated at an outer face (25) of the end plate (8).

3. The transmission cable outlet device (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cable through-passage location is indicated by a mark (50, 60) or indentation (55, 65) in the outer face (25) of the end plate (8).

4. The transmission cable outlet device (1 ) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cable through-passage location is indicated by a through-hole (26) extending through the end plate (8).

5. The transmission cable outlet device (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each through-hole (26) extends through a flanged outer end (27) of the end plate(8) and communicates with an enlarged gland receiving socket (28) in a cylindrical body (31) of the end plate (8), a bore of each gland receiving socket (28) being threaded to receive a threaded inner end (30) of a gland(9).

6. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cable guide insert (41 ) is mounted on the end plate (8), the cable guide insert (41) comprising a tubular sleeve (42) with a flanged end (43), the sleeve (42) being demountably engagable withina complementary opening (45) in the end plate (8).

7. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in claim 6, wherein an annular recess (46) is provided in the end plate (8) at the outer face (25) for reception of the flanged end (43) of the cable guide insert (41).

8. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein a bore (48) of the sleeve (42) is threaded for reception of a gland (9).

9. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a cable through-passage location (26) is centrally indicated at an outer face (44) of the flanged end (43) of the cable guide insert (41).

10. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cable through-passage location is indicated by a mark (60) or indentation (65) in the outer face (44) of the flanged end (43) of the cable guide insert (41).

11. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cable through-passage location is indicated by a through-hole (26) extending centrally through the flanged end (43) of the cable guide insert (41 ).

12. The transmission cable outlet device (40) as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the cable guide insert (41 ) comprises a cylindrical tubular sleeve (42) with a flanged end (43). each sleeve (42) being demountably engagable within a complementary opening (45) in the end plate (8), an annular recess (46) provided in the end plate (8) at an outer end of each opening (45) at an outer face (25) of the end plate (8) for reception of the flanged end (43) of the cable guide insert (41 ) such that an outer face (44) of the cable guide insert (41 ) is flush with the outer face (25) of the end plate (8) when the cable guide insert (41) is mounted on the end plate (8).

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