AERIAL CABLE SPACER

The present application relates in general to spacing device but more particularly to an aerial cable spacer which will 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. In placing aerial mounted cables as in the case of installing electrical cables and telephone and other communication systems on elevated 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 spacers which mount to a messenger wire (steel tensioning cable) and provide receptacles for holding 3-4 cables discretely separated from each other. Such spacers are generally designed for use with medium to high voltage cables. One such system has been identified in the literature specifically designed for use with low voltage power cables and telephone cables. This is described in US 4,646,433A issued on March 3, 1987 entitled "Devices for Attaching One or a Number of Aerial Cables Thereto" which describes a cable-attachment spacer for securing one or a number of suspended cables to a suspension cable. While this system does provide a means for individual access to suspended wires, it does not provide the key features of the present l application and hence does not address the primary concerns for which the present application is designed. US 4,646,433A only provides for a limited number of cables at a time, typically from 1 to 5 cables per suspension cable, and requires removal of separate component to gain access to suspended wires for placement or removal. Extending this design concept to allow for large numbers of cables as in the present requirement is not feasible or practical. To resolve its drawbacks, there is a need for a cable spacer which will provide the ability to discretely mount a large number of such cables in a manner which allows ready access to individual cables without disturbing adjacent wires. The present application serves to secure up to 60 cables at a time, in discreet bundles, with individual wires readily accessible without the removal or addition of any loose components in service.

It is therefore the main object of the present application to provide for 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.

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.

Another objective 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. Another objective 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.

Another objective 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.

Still another object of the present application is to provide a cable spacer wherein the design of which allows for an anti-vandal version that resists being opened except when using a special tool.

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 wherein;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an aerial cable spacer in open position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the parts of the aerial cable spacer showing the manner of interconnection thereof;

Figure 3 is an illustrative perspective view showing a pair of spacer block body in assembled manner; Figure 4 is an illustrative front view showing four spacer block body in assembled manner;

Figure 5 is an illustrative front view showing four spacer block body in assembled manner and in close position;

Figure 6 is an illustrative front view showing four spacer block body in assembled manner and in open position;

Figure 7 is an illustrative view showing a cable spacer in a state of use;

Figure 8A-8D shows another preferred embodiment of the subject cable spacer and showing examples of different wire types and sizes, independently and combined two or more together. Figure 9-12 shows perspective views of different embodiments of the modular aerial cable spacer;

Figure 13A-13C is a perspective view of different variation of the hanger used for the modular aerial cable spacer;

Figure 14 shows a perspective views of different embodiments of a unitary hanger but with modular aerial cable spacer; and

Figure 15-19 shows perspective views of different embodiments of the fixed or non-modular aerial cable spacer;

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown the present application 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 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP) or Polycarbonate (PC), 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.

The aerial cable spacer 10 defined by a generally rectangular block body 11 comprising of a generally C-shaped cable holding member 20 and a cable retaining member 30 hingedly attached on said C-shaped cable holding member. Said C-shaped cable holding member 20 having top wall 21, 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 and open side portion 24 opposing said vertical sidewall 23 wherein said retaining member 30 being mounted thereon closing said open side portion 24. 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 of said top wall 21. 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). As shown in the Figures, said T-shaped protrusions 25 is being alternatively aligned with the T-shaped receptacles 26a. The inner portion 231 of said vertical sidewall 23 is being provided with equidistantly spaced outwardly protruding fins 28 that are disposed on said opposing open side portion 24 and defining thereon plurality of cable receiving concavities 29. Preferably, the end portion of each fin 28 is curved downwardly. The plurality of cable receiving concavities 29 and 32 are adapted to support and receive thereon cables "C" in the state of use as shown in Figure 6 or other materials and configurations as earlier described.

Said cable retaining member 30 is disposed on said open side portion 24 of the C-shaped cable holding member 20 and being hingedly attached on the outer end portion 221 of said bottom wall 22. The inner portion 301 of said cable retaining member 30 is being provided with equidistantly spaced inwardly protruding retaining fins 31 and defining thereon plurality of corresponding cable receiving concavities 32. The number and shape of fins can and will vary depending on the specific wire or tube type and quantity to be contained. This includes a variant with no fins in order to accommodate a single large cable or tube. Preferably, the end portion of each retaining fins 31 is curved upwardly and adapted to abut with the downwardly curved end portion of fins 28 to define plurality of ovate cable passageways "P". The upper end portion 302 of said cable locking and retaining member 30 is provided with complementary male and female locking member, preferably said male locking means defined flexible snap-on locking means 33 that is provided with locking protrusion 34 on the inner upper portion thereof adapted to insertably lock and engage on the female locking means in the form of a lock receiving notch 27 provided on the outer top wall 21 of the C-shaped cable holding member 20. Said flexible snap-on locking means 33 is being provided with an extended arm member 35 adapted to be pushed downwardly to disengage said locking protrusion 34 from said lock receiving notch 27 and lateral lock notches (not shown). In another embodiment as shown in Figure 9, wherein plurality of blocks 11f are interconnected wherein each of said block 11f having an upwardly extended block portion 60 disposed on the inner corner portion of the cable holding member, and on said upwardly extended portion 60 disposed the plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means. Said blocks 11f employs a male locking means defined by pair of opposing biasing clipping members 50a and 50b having a locking frontal end portion 51 and pressing handle 52 pivotally disposed on the opposing side portions of said cable retaining member. Said locking frontal end portion 51 having an inwardly projecting protrusion 511 adapted to lock and engage on complementary receiving lugs 53 disposed on the upper edge portion of said cable holding member.

In another embodiment as shown in Figure 10, plurality of blocks 11 g, are interconnected wherein each of said block 11 g having an upwardly extended panel 61 disposed on the inner corner portion of the cable holding member, and on said upwardly extended panel 61 disposed the plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means. The blocks 1 g employs male locking means defined by a fulcrum-type clipping member 54 wherein the inner portion thereof having a retaining lug 541 adapted to mate and lock on a complementary limiting protrusion 542 disposed on the edge portion of the top wall of said cable holding member. The fulcrum-type clipping member 54 being disposed proximate the edge portion of said cable retaining member and having an outwardly extending pressing handle 543 adapted to lock and unlock said cable retaining member on said cable holding member.

In another embodiment as shown in Figure 11, plurality of blocks 11 h are interconnected wherein the male locking means defined by a lifting locking member 55 having a fulcrum central portion disposed on the edge portion of said cable retaining member. Said lifting locking member 55 having a locking lug (not shown) on the inner upper portion thereof adapted to engage with a receiving slot (not shown) disposed on the inner lower portion of said cable holding member, a protruding handle member 551 , such that when said protruding handle member is lifted, said locking lug disengaged from said receiving slot. In another embodiment as shown in Figure 12, plurality of blocks

11 i are interconnected wherein the male locking means defined by a U- shaped rod 56 having its opposing free end portion 561 being pivotally mounted on a mounting post 562 disposed on the opposing side portions of said cable holding member. The horizontal portion 563 of said U- shaped rod 56 adapted to be mounted on a pair of adjacent bars 564 having curved surface and defining thereon a mounting space 565.

As shown in Figures 2-5 and 6-7, plurality of rectangular block body 11 , 11a, 11c and 11d could be interconnected to produce an interconnected aerial cable spacer 100. The block bodies 11 , 11a and 11c, 11d are interconnected through the corresponding T-shaped protrusions 25, 25a and complementary T-shaped receptacles 26, 26a. The block bodies 11 and 11a are further provided with outwardly projecting protrusion "L" provided on the upper portion of said vertical sidewall 23 of the C-shaped cable holding 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 cable holding member 20 of the block bodies 11c and 11d. To hang the interconnected aerial cable spacer 100 to a suspending support cable "M", a removable hanger block body 40 is being connected on the T-shaped protrusions 25 and complementary T-shaped receptacles 26. Said hanger block body 40 defined by an inverted T-shaped hanger 41 with corresponding plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means preferably in the form of T-shaped protrusions 25b and receptacles 26b on its bottom surface portion. Preferably, said inverted T-shaped hanger 41 having a hinged upper portion 42 that projects and curved downwardly forming a through opening 43 thereon. On said through opening 43 is where suspending support cable "M" is being insertably mounted. There is a fastener, preferably a stainless steel pin 44 with chamfered ends in said hinged upper portion 42, connecting the hinge halves 41a and 41 b of the T-shaped hanger 41. The hinged hanger block can alternatively be shaped with a fixed hooked opening on the top rather than the hinged opening. This entire hanger mechanism can alternatively be substituted with a hanger utilizing the same lower interconnecting shapes (T-shaped, V-shaped, C-shaped, etc), but with upper sections that are designed to be bolted, screwed, welding, riveted or otherwise attached to walls, ceilings, beams and similar structures, mounted horizontally, vertically or in any other orientation.

As recited above, the blocks are designed to accommodate plurality of cables, however, it is an intention of the applicant not to limit it for plurality of cables but each block could accommodate one large cable that could be interconnected with blocks that could accommodate plurality of cables. As shown in Figures 8A-8D, the rectangular block body 111 accommodates one cables "C1" only, as such, the cable holding and retaining member have no projecting fins. Said block 111 could be interconnected to another block 111a and 111b as shown in Figures 8A and 8C, or said block body 111 , 111a, and 1 b could be interconnected to block bodies 11 d, 11e that accommodates plurality of cables "C".

Said hanging member 40 could be of different configuration as recited above. As shown in Figure 13A, hanging member 401 defined by an L-shaped hanger body 401a having plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means 25b and 26b disposed on the lower portion thereof and a mounting plate 401c disposed on the lateral end portion of its horizontal member 401b and having a plurality of mounting holes 401 d. In another embodiment as shown in Figure 13B, the hanging member 402 defined by an l-shaped hanger body 402a having plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means 25b and 26b disposed on the lower portion thereof and a mounting plate 402b having mounting holes 402c disposed on the upper end portion of a vertical support member 402d. In another embodiment as shown in Figure 13C wherein the hanging member 403 defined by hook-shape hanger body 403a having plurality of spaced and alternating male and female interlocking means 25b and 26b disposed on the lower portion thereof and a hook member 403b disposed on the upper portion thereof. The preferred embodiments as shown in Figures 1-12 are modular type whereby plurality of blocks could be interconnected depending on the number and type of cable to be spaced. Alternatively the CHM's can be permanently fixed together (non-modular) as depicted in Figures 15-18. In these fixed versions the number of modules is not readily variable, but otherwise the device functions much the same. This has the advantage of simplifying the mechanism, however this advantage is generally more than offset by the reduced ability to vary the number and type of cable retaining openings, a desirable feature. As such the hanging member 41a being unitarily formed on said block bodies or adjacent block bodies that could be disposed on the upper portion of said block bodies or adjacent block bodies as shown in Figures 15-16, and 19 or on the middle portion of said block bodies or adjacent block bodies as shown in Figures 17-18. Further, another variation of a unitary hanging member 41a but with attachable or removable block bodies is disclosed in Figure 14.

As disclosed in Figure 14, the spacer 200 comprising a unitary body 201 with a pair of spaced parallel vertical panels 202 with the unitary hanger 41a interconnecting the upper end portions of said panels 202. Said panels 202 having corresponding mounting slots 203 such that the mounting post with retaining head 204 integrally projected on the inner portion of said cable holding members 20 capable of slidably and insertably mounted thereon. Disposed in between said panels 202 are spaced of interlocking complementary bridge 205. The spacer 200 having a locking means defined by a locking wedge-shaped protrusion 206 disposed on the free end portion of said cable retaining member 30 adapted to insertably received and mate to a complementary receiving lug 207 disposed on the free end portion of the top wall of said cable holding member 20.

As disclosed in Figure 15, the spacer 300 comprising a unitary body 301 with a pair of spaced parallel vertical panels 302 with the unitary hanger 41a interconnecting the upper end portions of said panels 302. Disposed in between said panels are interlocking complementary bridge 303. Integrally projecting on the outer portion of said panels are spaced plurality of cable holding member 20 wherein the cable retaining member 30 being lockably provided thereon. The locking means employed on said spacer 300 is defined by a locking wedge-shaped protrusion 304 disposed on the free end portion of said cable retaining member 30 adapted to insertably received and mate to a complementary receiving lug 305 disposed on the free end portion of the top wall of said cable holding member 20.

In another embodiment as shown in Figure 16, the spacer 400 comprising a unitary body 401 with a pair of spaced parallel vertical panels 402 with the unitary hanger 41a interconnecting the upper end portions of said panels 402. Said panels 402 having ribs 403 disposed on the inner and outer portions thereof. Integrally projecting on the outer portion of said panels are spaced plurality of cable holding member 20 wherein the cable retaining member 30 being lockably provided thereon. The spacer 400 having a locking means defined by a unitary swinging bent metal clip 404 having a first rectangular-shaped rod member 405 pivotally mounted on a mounting means 406 disposed on the upper portion of said cable holding member 20. Said rod member 405 having its distal end 407 abuts the outer upper end portion of said cable retaining member 30 wherein its end portion projecting inwardly and downwardly projecting to second rod member 408 and with the end portion of said second rod member having an inwardly projecting member 409, such that in lock position, said first rod member 405 being disposed along the upper portion of said cable holding member 20 and cable retaining member 30, said second rod member 408 abuts the outer side surface of said cable retaining member 30 and said inwardly projecting member 409 being forcibly mounted on the lower end portion of said cable retaining member 30.

Still in another variation as shown in Figure 17, wherein the aerial cable spacer 500 is disclosed, wherein said spacer 500 comprising a unitary body 501 with a pair of spaced parallel vertical panels 502 with the unitary hanger 41a interconnecting the middle portion of said panels 502. Integrally projecting on the outer portion of said panels are spaced plurality of cable holding member 20 wherein the cable retaining member 30 being lockably provided thereon. The spacer 500 having locking means defined by pair of spaced half arrow-like locking member 505 outwardly disposed on the upper portion of said cable holding member 20 and adapted to lockably engage on a complementary mounting bridged slots 506 disposed on the end portion of said cable retaining member 30. Still in another variation as shown in Figure 18, wherein the aerial cable spacer 600 is disclosed, wherein said spacer 600 comprising a unitary body 601 with a pair of spaced parallel vertical panels 602 with the unitary hanger 41a interconnecting the middle portion of said panels 602. Integrally projecting on the outer portion of said panels are spaced plurality of cable holding member 20 wherein the cable retaining member 30 being lockably provided thereon. The spacer 600 having locking means defined by a pair of spaced locking wedge-shaped protrusion 603 disposed on the free end portion of said cable retaining member 30, said locking wedge-shaped protrusion 603 adapted to insertably received and mate to a complementary receiving lug 604 disposed on the free end portion of the top wall of said cable holding member 20. To ensure engagement of the locking means, a cable tie 605 being wrapped around said cable retaining member and cable holding member in each block.

In another embodiment as shown in Figure 19, the aerial cable spacer 700 comprising a unitary body 701 with a pair of spaced parallel interconnected vertical panels 702 with the unitary hanger 41a interconnecting the upper end portions of said panels 702. Integrally projecting on the outer portion of said panels are spaced plurality of cable holding member 20 wherein the cable retaining member 30 being lockably provided thereon. In said embodiment, said cable holding member 20 wherein the cable retaining member 30 could be made dual construction wherein said cable holding member 20 provided with plurality of spaced outwardly protruding fins 703 defining thereon plurality of cable receiving concavities 704 and said cable retaining member 30 being provided with plurality of spaced inwardly protruding retaining fins 705 being inwardly thereof and defining thereon plurality of corresponding cable receiving concavities 706. The inwardly protruding retaining fins 705 is adapted to abut corresponding outwardly protruding fins 703 to define a cable passageway 707. Further, said cable retaining member 30 further having an outwardly protruding retaining fins 708 adapted to complement to the fins 709 of another cable retaining cable member 30a.

Its locking member could be made of any or combination of locking means previously disclosed, but preferably just the same as those preferred embodiment.

In use, a hanger 41 is placed over a messenger wire or suspending support cable "M" and cable holding block bodies are interconnected to it, with the corresponding protrusions 25, 25a and receptacles 26, 26a being aligned and the components are pushed together forming an interconnected aerial cable spacer 100. When the hinged side of the block bodies is in its closed position the protrusion on the locking mechanism or means 33 prevents components from becoming misaligned or separating laterally. With such, the connected components provide a passageway "P" wherein the cable "C" to be held and spaced is being received thereon.

Said protrusion 25, 25a, 25b are being defined by a T-shaped rib having filleted edges all around. Said concavities 29, 32 opening also has filleted or chamfered edges at its openings on both sides. When a protrusion is aligned with a corresponding opening and pressed together the tapered edges of both components cause the protrusion to slide into the receptacle thereby creating an interlocking joint. The pressure caused by the compression within the material of the protrusion provides a grip such that the spacers tend to remain interlocked with their neighbors while the protrusion on the locking mechanism of the cable holding block when closed interlocks with the cavity on the bottom of the above hanger or other cable hanging mechanism (CHM) thereby preventing any lateral movement of the components. The shape and positioning of the protrusions 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 hinged side and slide the components laterally apart.

With such arrangement, a desired number and configuration of cable holding spaces could be conveniently formed by interconnecting a series of CHM's with their hanger.

Upon assembly, corresponding cables "C" are placed within the ovate passageways "P" and then the hinged side wall or cable locking and retaining member 30 is closed and locked. With a plurality of spacers placed upon the messenger wire at suitable intervals the cables are able to be supported while remaining easily accessible.

This entire hanger mechanism can alternatively be substituted with a hanger utilizing the same lower interconnecting shapes (T-shaped, V- shaped, C or circular shaped, etc), but with upper sections that are designed to be bolted, screwed, welding, riveted or otherwise attached to walls, ceilings, beams and similar structures, mounted horizontally, vertically or in any other orientation.

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.