Abstract:
A cable protector (for protecting e.g. optical cable) apparatus provides an elongated flexible body having a central longitudinal bore for holding the cable to be protected. The elongated body provides an outer surface, an inner surface, and a mass of flexible absorbent material in between the inner and outer surfaces. The mass of flexible material carries a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, each channel positioned generally in between the inner and outer surfaces. A slot extends between the inner and outer surfaces for enabling a user to expose the central longitudinal bore by spreading the slot apart so that the cable can be placed into the central bore via the slot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Priority of my U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/805,174, filed 19 Jun. 2006, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an improved cable protector apparatus in the form of an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped protective shield that encapsulates a cable to be protected (e.g. an optical cable). More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cable protector apparatus that has inner and outer surfaces with a cushioned flexible body of material between the inner and outer surfaces, a plurality of longitudinally extending channels extending through the flexible material and in between the inner and outer surfaces, and wherein a slot extends between the inner and outer surfaces to form an opening that enables a cable to be inserted into the longitudinal bore via the slot. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   Cables are often placed in environments that subject the cable to damage. Cables buried underground often emerge next to a utility pole wherein the cable is attached to the outer surface of the utility pole. These installations are subject to damage such as when an automobile inadvertently backs into or swipes the utility pole, thus crushing the cable. 
   The following patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,358,634; 5,792,989; 4,409,430; 3,161,210; 2,550,021; 4,880,676; 2,506,064; 3,519,728; 3,161,210. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an improved cable protector apparatus that can be easily added to a section of cable to be protected by encapsulating it. 
   The apparatus is being in the form of an elongated tube-like body that has inner and outer surfaces with a cushioned, flexible material provided in between the inner and outer surfaces. 
   A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart longitudinally extending hollow channels are positioned within the elongated body in between the inner and outer surfaces. The hollow channels are spaced apart, each being surrounded by the cushioned flexible material. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing insertion of a cable into the longitudinal bore of the elongated protector body; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating placement of a cable such as an optical cable into the central, longitudinal bore of the cable body; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an installation to a utility pole; 
       FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an installation on a utility pole; and 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-7  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  10 . The cable protector apparatus  10  is shown attached to a utility pole  11  in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . When installed on a utility pole  11 , a shield  12  can be used for protectively containing the elongated body  21  (or bodies  21 —two are shown in  FIG. 5  abutted end-to-end) of cable protector apparatus  10 . Shield  12  has an interior space  13  that is receptive of elongated body  21  as shown in  FIG. 7 . A series of clamps  14  can be used to attach shield  12  and elongated body  21  to utility pole  11 . Each clamp  14  can provide spaced apart flanges  15 ,  16  and a U-shaped section  17  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
   Clamps  14  can be attached to utility pole  11  at spaced apart intervals as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The clamps  14  envelop shield  12  and elongated body  21  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The installation shown in  FIGS. 5-7  can be used, for example, when an optical cable  20  or other selected cable extends from the earth  19  upwardly along the outer surface of a utility pole  11 . Elongated body  21  protectively contains optical cable  20  within central longitudinal bore  25 . 
   In  FIGS. 1-4 , cable protector apparatus  10  provides an elongated body  21  having an outer surface  22 , inner surface  23 , a central longitudinal bore  25 , and a slot  24  that extends from inner surface  23  to outer surface  22  as shown in  FIGS. 2-4  and  7 . 
   A plurality of longitudinal hollow channels  27  that have a generally circular cross section are positioned in between inner surface  23  and outer surface  22 . 
   Slot  24  is defined by overlapping tapered sections  30 ,  32 . Each tapered section  30 ,  32  provides a free end. Tapered section  30  has free end  31 . Tapered section  32  has free end  33 . Next to tapered section  30  there is provided a hollow, longitudinal channel  29  that is not circular in cross section but that is of a tapered oval cross section that is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Similarly, tapered section  32  provides an elongated, hollow longitudinal channel  28  that has a tapered oval cross section as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Tapered sections  30 ,  32  are separated (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) to enlarge slot  24  and enable placement of cable  20  into longitudinal bore  25  (with cable  20  moving in the direction of arrows  18  in  FIG. 3 ). A plurality of longitudinal grooves  26  are provided on inner surface  23  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). These grooves  26  allow tapered sections  30 ,  32  to more easily separate than if grooves  26  were not present. 
   The U-guard on utility poles is typically about 8 feet high (power companies do not like for the electrically conductive U-guards to get too close to powerlines). To help prevent vandals from cutting cable above the U-guard, one can extend the cable guard up above U-guard to about 16-20′ above the ground (using, e.g., clamps  14 ). To further protect the cable, one can install fiberglass rods in one or more longitudinal openings  27  to make it harder for vandals to reach the protected cable. In such a case, one would extend the fiberglass rods from at least a slight overlap with the U-guard to high enough that vandals cannot easily reach above the tops of the fiberglass rods in cable protector body  21  (or bodies  21 —multiple bodies abutted end-to-end are used in typical installations). In some cases, the fiberglass rods extend to the top of the uppermost protector body  21 . A frictional fit, silicone, or glue can hold fiberglass rods in place (near powerlines fiberglass is preferred due to its poor electrical conductivity, but steel rods could used instead of fiberglass in areas not near powerlines). 
   The fiberglass rods can overlap the U-guard to some extent, but it is preferred that the rods not extend low enough that they will interfere with the ability of the cable to be received in a longitudinal opening  27 ,  28 , or  29  when a cable protector body  21  is impacted by a vehicle. The U-guard provides some protection against vandals cutting through the cable, so the fiberglass rods are not necessary behind the U-guard. 
   The cable is sometimes small enough to be completely received in one of the longitudinal openings  27 ,  28 , or  29 , though often it is larger, so that it is only partially received in a longitudinal opening  27 ,  28 , or  29  if the cable protector body  21  is impacted by a vehicle. 
   It should be understood that while the cable protector apparatus  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-7  can be attached to a utility pole  11  using clamps  14 , shield  12  and fasteners  34 , it is possible to use the cable protector apparatus  10  of the present invention in other installations, such as, for example, wherein cable  20  is being supported by the fork of a tree. In such a case, the cable protector apparatus  10  might employ elongated body  21 , but not shield  12  and clamps  14 . 
   Also, the cable protector apparatus  10  can be used to protect cable in buildings. In such a case, when cable turns a corner, the cable protector apparatus  10  can be used to protect a cable and steel rods, for example, can be placed in longitudinal openings  27  to cause body  21  to bend the proper amount (if the steel rods were not used, the cable might not remain bent at the proper angle, but instead unbend). Thus, the steel rods help body  21  hold the shape of the curve. 
   Typically three cables can be received in the cental opening  25 . The minimum bending radius of fiber cable during construction is usually 10× the diameter, and the minimum static bending radius of fiber cable is usually 20× the diameter. The cable protector apparatus  10  helps to prevent the cable from bending that much. 
   Cable protector body  21  can be of a polymeric, injection molded plastic, rubber, rubber-like material, or any other flexible material that can be used to absorb shock. The apparatus  10  of the present invention provides the longitudinal channels  27 ,  28 ,  29  and grooves  26  for enabling the elongated body  21  to collapse if inadvertently compressed by an automobile or other powerful device. 
   The material that is used to construct the elongated body  21  is any suitable material that absorbs shock when subjected to a compressive load such as an automobile striking the apparatus  10  and power pole  11  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The preferred material for constructing elongated body  21  is a synthetic rubber known as EPDM  70 . 
   Attached to my U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/805,174 and incorporated herein by reference is sales literature for the cable protector apparatus of the present invention. In this literature, FTTH means “fiber to the home” or “fiber to the premises.” 
   There can be, for example, about 0-12 (preferably 6-8) longitudinal openings or channels  27 ,  28 , or  29 . The diameter of longitudinal openings or channels  27  can be about ⅛″-1″ (preferably ¼″-½″), for example. The length of body  21  (dimension DIM A in  FIG. 1 ) can be about 1-1000 feet (preferably 2′-10′, and most preferably about 4′-5′), for example. The outer diameter of body  21  can be about ¾″-6″ (preferably 1.75-2.75″), for example. The diameter of bore  25  can be about ¼″-3″, for example. 
   The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
           
        
         
             
               Parts Number 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
             
               10 
               cable protector apparatus 
             
             
               11 
               pole 
             
             
               12 
               shield 
             
             
               13 
               interior space 
             
             
               14 
               clamp 
             
             
               15 
               flange 
             
             
               16 
               flange 
             
             
               17 
               U-shaped section 
             
             
               18 
               arrow 
             
             
               19 
               earth 
             
             
               20 
               optical cable 
             
             
               21 
               elongated body 
             
             
               22 
               outer surface 
             
             
               23 
               inner surface 
             
             
               24 
               slot 
             
             
               25 
               central longitudinal bore 
             
             
               26 
               longitudinal groove 
             
             
               27 
               longitudinal channel 
             
             
               28 
               longitudinal channel 
             
             
               29 
               longitudinal channel 
             
             
               30 
               tapered section 
             
             
               31 
               free end 
             
             
               32 
               tapered section 
             
             
               33 
               free end 
             
             
               34 
               fastener 
             
             
               DIM A 
               1-1000 feet 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.