EP-4740052-A2 - CABLE RETAINER ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF RETAINING CABLES

Abstract

A cable retainer assembly includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, and a body length that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A plurality of projections extend laterally about the body in a circumferential direction, a plurality of slots are defined between each of the plurality of projections, and a plurality of tapered cross members extend perpendicularly from each of the plurality of projections. A plurality of wedges are configured to be received by the plurality of slots, and each of the plurality of wedges are tapered. Each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots when each of the plurality of wedges translates from the proximal end of the body towards the distal end of the body.

Inventors

• LEES, Nicholas
• PALMER, Jacob

Assignees

• Preformed Line Products Company

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240703

Claims (20)

1. 1. A cable retainer assembly comprising: a body having a proximal end, a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, and a body length extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a plurality of projections extending laterally about the body in a circumferential direction; a plurality of slots defined between each of the plurality of projections; a plurality of cross members extending perpendicularly from each of the plurality of projections, each of the plurality of cross members being tapered; and a plurality of wedges configured to be received by the plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of wedges are tapered, such that each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots when each of the plurality of wedges translates from the proximal end of the body towards the distal end of the body.
2. 2. The cable retainer assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections extends along the body length of the body.
3. 3. The cable retainer assembly of claim l or 2, wherein each of the plurality of slots extends along the body length of the body.
4. 4. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-3, wherein each of the plurality of cross members extends along the body length of the body.
5. 5. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-4, wherein each of the plurality of cross members are tapered such that a distance between each of the plurality of slots and each of the plurality of cross members decreases from the proximal end of the body to the distal end of the body.
6. 6. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-5, wherein each of the plurality of wedges are tapered such that a wedge thickness of each of the plurality of wedges decreases from a first end of each of the plurality of wedges to a second end of each of the plurality of wedges.
7. 7. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-6, wherein each of the plurality of wedges includes a plurality of teeth positioned on at least one surface, the plurality of teeth being configured to engage a cable.
8. 8. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-7, further comprising a central opening that receives an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the cable retainer assembly to an attachment location.
9. 9. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-8, wherein at least a first end of each of the plurality of wedges extends from the proximal end of the body when each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots.
10. 10. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-9, wherein at least a first end of each of the plurality of wedges lies flush with a proximal face of the body when each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots.
11. 11. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 1-10, wherein a wedge length of each of the plurality of wedges is different than the body length of the body.
12. 12. A cable retainer assembly comprising: a body having a proximal end, a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, a body length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a plurality of sides extending along the body length; a plurality of channels formed in each of the plurality of sides; a plurality of slots defined within each of the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of slots being tapered; and a plurality of wedges configured to be received by the plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of wedges are tapered, such that each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots when each of the plurality of wedges translates from the proximal end of the body towards the distal end of the body.
13. 13. The cable retainer assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of slots extends along the body length of the body.
14. 14. The cable retainer assembly of claim 12 or 13, wherein each of the plurality of wedges are tapered such that a wedge thickness of each of the plurality of wedges decreases from a first end of each of the plurality of wedges to a second end of each of the plurality of wedges.
15. 15. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 12-14, wherein each of the plurality of wedges includes a plurality of teeth positioned on at least one surface, the plurality of teeth being configured to engage a cable.
16. 16. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 12-15, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels defines an opening that receives an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the cable retainer assembly to an attachment location.
17. 17. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 12-16, wherein at least a first end of each of the plurality of wedges extends from the proximal end of the body when each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots.
18. 18. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 12-17, wherein at least a first end of each of the plurality of wedges lies flush with a proximal face of the body when each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots.
19. 19. The cable retainer assembly of any of claims 12-18, wherein a wedge length of each of the plurality of wedges is different than the body length of the body.
20. 20. A method of securing cables within a cable retainer assembly, the method comprising: (a) securing the cable retainer assembly to an attachment location using an attachment mechanism that extends through a central opening of the cable retainer assembly; (b) inserting a first cable of a plurality of cables into a first slot of a plurality of slots defined between a plurality of projections that extend from a body of the cable retainer assembly; (c) securing a first wedge of a plurality of wedges to at least a portion of the first cable; (d) translating the first cable such that the first wedge is drawn into the first slot; (e) securing the first wedge within the first slot, such that the first cable is secured within the first slot of the body of the cable retainer assembly; and (f) repeating method steps (a) - (e) such that each of the plurality of cables are secured within each of the plurality of slots of the cable retainer assembly.

Description

CABLE RETAINER ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF RETAINING CABLES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18/218, 137entitled “CABLE RETAINER ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF RETAINING CABLES” filed on July 5, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present specification generally relates to cable retainers, and more specifically, to wedge-style cable retainer assemblies. BACKGROUND [0003] Fiber optic cable installations often require the use of cable retainer devices to secure the cables at attachment locations, such as utility poles. Conventional wedge-style dead- end retainers are often preferred by installers due to their perceived simplicity and ease of installation. However, these conventional retainers are only capable of retaining a single cable, which may result in attachment locations becoming overcrowded. Accordingly, a need exists for a cable retainer that is capable of retaining multiple cables while providing the simplicity and ease of installation of conventional wedge-style dead-end retainers. SUMMARY [0004] In an embodiment, a cable retainer assembly is disclosed. The cable retainer assembly includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, and a body length extending from the proximal end to the distal end. A plurality of projections extend laterally about the body in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of slots defined between each of the plurality of projections. A plurality of cross members extend perpendicularly from each of the plurality of projections, and each of the plurality of cross members are tapered. A plurality of wedges are configured to be received by the plurality of slots, and each of the plurality of wedges are tapered, such that each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots when each of the plurality of wedges translates from the proximal end of the body towards the distal end of the body. [0005] In another embodiment, a cable retainer assembly is disclosed. The cable retainer assembly includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end, a body length extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a plurality of sides extending along the body length. A plurality of channels are formed in each of the plurality of sides, and a plurality of slots are defined within each of the plurality of channels, with each of the plurality of slots being tapered. A plurality of wedges are configured to be received by the plurality of slots, and each of the plurality of wedges are tapered, such that each of the plurality of wedges are retained in each of the plurality of slots when each of the plurality of wedges translates from the proximal end of the body towards the distal end of the body. [0006] In yet another embodiment, a method of securing cables within a cable retainer assembly Is disclosed. The method involves securing the cable retainer assembly to an attachment location using an attachment cable that extends through a central opening of the cable retainer assembly; inserting a first cable of a plurality of cables into a first slot of a plurality of slots defined between a plurality of projections that extend from a body of the cable retainer assembly; securing a first wedge of a plurality of wedges to at least a portion of the first cable; translating the first cable such that the first wedge is drawn into the first slot; securing the first wedge within the first slot, such that the first cable is secured within the first slot of the body of the cable retainer assembly; and repeating each of the recited method steps such that each of the plurality of cables are secured within each of the plurality of slots of the cable retainer assembly. [0007] These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: [0009] FIG. I depicts a perspective view of a cable secured to a cable retainer assembly, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; [0010] FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of a body of the cable retainer assembly of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; [0011] FIG. 2B depicts a front side view of the body of the cable retainer assembly of FIG. 2 A, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; [0012