This invention relates to a securing device for elongate members such as cables, wires or the like.

GB 2210517 discloses a connector for two wires in which the wires are urged together by spring loaded mechanisms so as to secure the wires to each other. Both wires must be in position before either wire is secured to the device. The device is very difficult to load. Furthermore, the springs are made from thin tensile material and are prone to rusting and breaking when in use.

The present invention seeks to provide a securing device for securing an elongate member to another item without these drawbacks.

According to the present invention there is provided a securing device for securing an elongate member to another item, said securing device comprising at least one body defining a passageway for receiving the elongate member, a gap being provided in the body or between adjacent bodies whereat elongate member deforming means is operable for deforming the elongate member such that, when deformed into the said gap, the elongate member cannot travel through the passageway.

The device is ideally suited for connecting two elongate members together such as wire, cable or rope.

The device could also be used to secure one or more elongate members to a tensioning device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the device comprises two connected bodies, the elongate member deforming means extending from the connection between the bodies. One or more elongate member deforming means may be provided. When more than one deforming means is provided, each deforming means may extend from a different connecting piece or alternatively more than one deforming means may extend from the same connecting piece.

The securing device may comprise a block of material having one or more passageways therethrough. The passageways are enlarged at a part thereof in order to provide a space into which the part of the elongate member adjacent thereto may be deformed. In such an embodiment the deforming means is preferably a wedge which may be inserted from one side of the block into an aperture defined on three sides by the block and on the fourth side by the elongate member. The dimensions of the block are such that it will outwardly deform the elongate member in order to be received in the aperture.

The deforming means need not necessarily be a conventional wedge. Any suitable means of deforming the elongate member may be used, such as a self tapping screw, or a roller.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood specific embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to

the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one securing device in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section through the line II-II of Fig. 1 when the deforming means is not in use;

Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2 showing the deforming means in use;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a second securing device in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a further securing device in accordance with the invention; and

Figs 6 to 13 show side elevations of still further securing devices in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 a securing device 10 comprises two tubular bodies 11,12 each having a passageway extending therethrough. The tubular bodies are connected by a bridge 13 which is welded at either end to a different tubular body 11,12.

The passageways of the respective bodies 11,12 are aligned so that elongate members 14,15 such as wires, cables, ropes or the like may extend between the passageways. A C-shaped wire deformer 16 is connected to the bridge 11.

When in use the first wire 14 is fed into the right-hand body 12 until the end of the wire 14 is received in the left-hand body 11. Similarly the second wire 15 is fed into the left-hand body 11 until the end

of the wire 15 is received in the right-hand body 12. The free end 17 of the C-shaped deformer 16 is then moved between the two wires 14,15 so as to urge the wires outwardly and thus deform the wires. Neither wire can now move a substantial distance either left or right as the deformed parts of the wires cannot move beyond the walls of the bodies 11,12.

Referring to Fig. 4 there is shown a further securing device 20 which is similar to that described with reference to Fig. 1 except in that two bridges 21,22 are provided, each bridge having a deforming means 23,23. Both deforming means 23,24 are received between the wires in order to deform the wires and restrict travel in/or out of the passageways.

Referring to Fig. 5 a further securing device 30 is illustrated which is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 except in that the two elongate member deforming means 31,32 are provided on the bridge 33.

Fig. 6 shows a securing device 34 which is used to attach a wire to a tensioning device 35 of the type typically used in the erection of barbed wire fencing. The tensioning device is connected to fencing posts in the usual fashion and the wire is subsequently secured to the tensioning device by deforming the wire in the manner described with reference to the previous diagrams.

Fig. 7 shows a securing device 36 comprising a

single metal tube having three apertures 37,38,39 therein. One aperture 39 is operative to receive a wedge shaped body 40 therein. This wedge shaped body 40 outwardly deforms the two wires 41,42 into the apertures 37 and 38 respectively. Substantial movement of either wire in either direction is thus prevented.

Fig. 8 shows a securing device 43 comprising a block having two parallel passageways 44,45 extending therethrough. Two square recesses 46,47 are provided in the top face 48 of the block. One passageway extends through each recess. In use wires 49,50 are located in the passageways. Wedge shaped bodies 51,52 are then inserted in each recess on either side of the wire extending therethrough. The wedge shaped bodies define the wires and thereby prevent substantial movement of the wires in the passageways in either direction.

Fig. 9 shows a securing device similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7 except in that a self tapping screw 53 is used in place of the wedge means 40. Fig. 10 shows a similar device in which two such screws are used.

Fig. 11 shows a securing device similar to that shown in Fig. 6 except in that a self tapping screw is used to secure the wire to the tensioning device.

Fig.12 shows a securing device for securing a wire 54 to a tensioning device 55 in which a roller 56 is used to deform the wire and then secure it in position.

The roller 56 is movable within the confines of an inclined channel 47 from a first position in which the roller is located at the base of the channel, that is the left side of the channel as illustrated, to a second raised position as shown in Fig. 12. Prior to locating the wire 54 in the tensioning device 55 the roller is located in the first position. The top of the roller engages the wire as it is passed into the tensioning device. If the wire is then pulled in direction "A" the roller is rolled up the channel by the wire because of friction between the roller surface and the wire. As the roller reaches the second raised position it deforms the wire through an aperture 58 at the opposite side of the tensioning device. Thus the wire cannot move relative to the tensioning device.

The roller described with reference to Fig. 12 comprises a metal ball or cylinder having a serrated edge and a rubber coating. A similar roller is used in the embodiment of Fig. 13. However, here a resilient body 59 is located at the base of the channel. The resilient body may be made from rubber, polystyrene or any other suitable material. The resilient body may alternatively comprise a spring. In use as the wire is inserted into the device the roller engages the wire and is moved towards the resilient body, thus compressing the resilient body. When the wire is subsequently pulled in direction A the resilient body urges the body

in direction A and aids engagement of the wire and roller.

It is to be understood that the embodiments have been described by way of illustration only. Many modifications and variations are possible.