GB2266011A

GB2266011A - Cable clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2266011A
Application number: GB9306189A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Stephen Skinner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-04-06
Filing date: 1993-03-25
Publication date: 1993-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-25
Also published as: GB9306189D0; GB2266011B

Abstract

A cable clamp comprises a generally planar connector body (1, Figure 1) provided with a serpentine channel 4 extending about the intended axis of a cable 6, said channel comprising a plurality of jamming cleat portions (5, 10), whereby tension exerted on a cable 6 passing through the jamming cleats secures cable in the clamp. The arrangement may be utilised to conjoin the free ends of power cables 6, 8, and to make a connection 7 between the free ends thereof without exerting undue strain thereon. <IMAGE>

Description

CABLE CONNECTOR.

This invention relates generally to a device for the connection of cables, and particular;j to a device to relieve the strain which would otherwise be imposed upon connectors in flexible electrical cables, when such cables are used to provide power to mobile or portable tools.

When mobile or portable electrical tools are used, it is frequently necessary to use flexible extension cables to provide power from the nearest convenient supply point to the tool at the work site. Movement of the tool, particularly but not exclusively, in the case of electric lawn mowers, hedge-trimmers and other tools required to operate over an extensive area, will result in a strain being imposed on the cable. This may lead to excessive strain being imposed on the plug and socket connections between the tool's own cable and the extension cable, or between sections of the extension cable itself. The strain may result in plugs being pulled out of sockets, or electric connections within plugs and sockets being loosened leading to interruptions in supply and potentially to short circuits.

Frequently it is also necessary to connect cables other than electric cables in a facile manner in conditions where extremes of tension are not to be expected.

According, therefore, to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cable connector which comprises a generally planar connector body provided with a serpentine channel extending about the axis of a cable with which it is to be used, said channel comprising a jamming cleat portion whereby tension exerted on a cable passing therethrough jams the same into said cleat.

Preferably the serpentine channel comprises a plurality of jamming cleats, one at each reversal of direction.

The jamming cleat may be formed by a chamfered overhanging lip portion in said channel, whereby the lip is adapted to retain the cable in its relaxed condition, and wherein the chamfered portion is adapted to bind the cable in the tension condition to retain the same.

In one aspect of the invention the body is provided with a serpentine channel disposed over each of the two planar faces. In an alternative form of the invention the body is provided, on a first face, with a cable clamp, and on a second face with the serpentine channel. In a most preferred form of the invention the serpentine channel is provided with at least three jamming cleats.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of joining cables, which method comprises passing an end of a cable through a serpentine channel disposed in a connector body, providing a jamming cleat portion at at least one bend in the serpentine channel, and inducing tension in said cable thereby to cause the cleat portion to lock onto the cable.

The device may also be applied in a similar manner to non-electrical cables, flexible pipes, tubes or hoses.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a side elevation from above of a device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows the device attached between two cables illustrating the transfer of tension from on cable to another and a connector assembly in an unstressed loop, and Figure 3 shows a transverse section through a connector of Figure 1 along a line A-A.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a body (1) of a generally planar configuration, which is provided on its lower face with a cable clamp (11) formed of a pair of opposed elements (2,3) formed with a cable locating portion (12) therebetween to locate a cable (6) therebetween. Screws (13) are utilised to clamp a loose clamp element (3) to the fixed clamp element (2) so as to secure the cable (6) to the under planar side of the body (1).

The upper planar face of the body (1) is provided with a serpentine channel (4) configured to receive electrical cable of a diameter within a certain range. The serpentine channel (4) is formed with retaining lip portions (5) which overhang the channel (4) at the point at which the cable is forced to reverse direction within the slot (4). As is best seen in Figure 3, the overhanging lip portions (5) are provided with jam cleat portions (10) by means of a convergent portion adapted to grip cables of varying external diameters.

It will be appreciated that the slot is so shaped as to form a tortuous serpentine path such that when the cable is inserted, and tension is applied, the cable attempts to adopt a straight line and is consequently pressed against the sides of the slot at those points at which the cable changes direction. At these points the jamming cleat portion (10) is located.

The friction between the cable and the jamming cleats is sufficient to transfer the tensile strain from the cable to the device. Slot (4) is so shaped as to provide retaining lips (5) such that when the cable has assumed the relaxed position, it is retained and unable to come free from the slot.

When the device is used in one embodiment it may be attached by a cable clamp (11) to a first cable (6) (and can generally be left attached thereto).

Electrical connection (7) can then be made in conventional fashion. A second cable (8) may then be brought round to the device and inserted into the slot (4) such that it exits from the slot parallel to the line of the first cable. The connection (7) is thus left in the unstressed section of cable (9). When it is desired to release the cable (8) from the serpentine channel (4) it is only necessary to relax the tension and to free the cable therefrom. The body (1) may be left attached to the first cable until it is next required.

In another aspect of the invention, the clamp (11) is provided with an elongate axis which intercepts with a normal operating axis of the body (1) when integrated in a cable (8). The axis of the clamp (11) may, for example, be offset by 10 or 15 degrees. It follows that when tension is applied the jamming cleat portions (10) will bind more effectively onto the cable because of the axial forces applied between cables (6) and (8) as shown.

In a further aspect of the invention (not shown) the housing (1) comprises a serpentine channel on each planar face, extending however in the opposite sense.

Claims

1. A cable connector which comprises a generally planar body provided with a serpentine channel extending about the intended axis of the cable, and comprising a jamming cleat portion within said channel, whereby tension exerted on the cable passing therethrough jams the same in said cleat.

2. A cable connector according to Claim 1 comprising a plurality of jamming cleat portions within the serpentine channel.

3. A cable connector according to Claim 1 wherein the jamming cleat comprises a chamfered overhanging lip portion in said channel, whereby the lip is adapted to retain a cable in its relaxed condition, and wherein the chamfer is adapted to bind into the cable in the tensioned condition to retain the same.

4. A cable connector according to any preceding Claim wherein the body is provided with a serpentine channel on each planar face thereof.

5. A cable connector according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the body is provided on a first face with a cable clamp, and on the second face with the serpentine channel.

6. A cable connector according to any of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the serpentine channel is provided with at least three jamming cleat portions.

7. A method of joining cables, which method comprises passing the end of a cable through a serpentine channel in a connector body, providing a jamming cleat portion at at least one bend in the serpentine channel, and inducing tension in said cable thereby to cause the jamming cleat portion to lock onto the cable.

8. A method according to Claim 7 wherein a cable end is located in each of two serpentine channels disposed in said body in opposed juxtaposition.

9. A method according to either of Claims 7 or 8, wherein at least three jamming cleat portions are provided each at spaced intervals within the serpentine channel.

10. A cable connector substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of joining cables substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to and/or illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.