Abstract:
A gripping device for gripping a cable, comprising: a first jaw comprising a first gripping element; a second jaw comprising a first gripping element; at least one fastener for fastening the first and second jaws to each other; and wherein at least one of the first and second gripping elements comprises a configuration that makes at least two points of contact with the cable. A system for gripping a cable, comprising: a gripping device fastened to a support structure, wherein the gripping device comprises: a first jaw comprising a first gripping element; a second jaw comprising a first gripping element; at least one fastener for fastening the first and second jaws to each other; and wherein at least one of the first and second gripping elements comprises a configuration that makes at least two points of contact with the cable.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to cable connectors, and more particularly to methods and devices for gripping a cable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Several devices exist for gripping cables or cords, including gland nuts and clamping devices. 
         [0003]    Gland nuts utilize gripping elements that can be tightened or loosened around a cable or cord using screwed fasteners (screws or bolts) for adjusting the gripping elements. For example, a gland nut device may include two or three gripping elements located around a circumference of the device and connected to each other by screwed fasteners, such that when the screwed fasteners are adjusted the gripping elements are either pulled toward each other (e.g., to clamp around a cable) or pushed away from each other (e.g., to release a cable). Such gland nut devices are prone to any problems associated with using screwed fasteners, such as screws or bolts, such as the screwed fasteners stripping out upon tightening or loosening. In addition, such gland nut devices require tools for tightening and loosening the gripping elements. 
         [0004]    Clamping devices utilize a set of jaws to engage a cable. The jaws squeeze the cable between the jaws to grip the cable in the gripping elements of the jaws. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , oppositely facing jaws  10  are positioned on opposite sides of a cable  11 . Flanges  12  are also positioned between the jaws  10 , wherein the flanges  12  position the jaws relative to a gland nut (not shown). Each of the jaws  10  has a gripping element  13  for gripping the cable  11 . The gripping elements  13  have a radius of curvature, such that the gripping elements  13  are concaved recesses in the jaws  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the radius of curvature of the circumference of the cable  11  is smaller than the radius of curvature of the gripping elements  13 , a single point of contact  14  exits between each gripping element  13  and the cable  11 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , when the radius of curvature of the circumference of the cable  11  is the same as the radius of curvature of the gripping elements  13 , then contact exits across the entirety of each gripping element  13 . Of course, contact across the entirety of each gripping element  13  may provide for a more secure grip of the cable  11  by the gripping elements  13  of the jaws  10 . However, only one cable diameter “fits” in the gripping elements  13 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 2B , if the jaws  10  become displaced relative to each other (directions of arrows), then a perfect fit between the cable  11  and the gripping elements  13  of the jaws  10  is lost. In particular, single points of contact  14  then exist between the cable  11  and the gripping elements  13  of the jaws  10 . 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, disadvantages and problems associated with existing cable gripping devices have been reduced. 
         [0006]    According to one aspect of the invention, a device for gripping a cable. There is provided a gripping device for gripping a cable, comprising: a first jaw comprising a first gripping element, a second jaw comprising a first gripping element, and at least one fastener for fastening the first and second jaws to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping elements comprises a configuration that makes at least two points of contact with the cable. 
         [0007]    A further aspect of the invention provides a system for gripping a cable. The system includes a gripping device fastened to a support structure, wherein the gripping device comprises a first jaw comprising a first gripping element, a second jaw comprising a first gripping element, and at least one fastener for fastening the first and second jaws to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping elements comprises a configuration that makes at least two points of contact with the cable. 
         [0008]    Still another aspect of the invention provides a method for gripping a cable. There is provided a method for gripping a cable, comprising: positioning a cable through an opening in a gripping device including a first jaw comprising a first gripping element, a second jaw comprising a first gripping element, and at least one fastener for fastening the first and second jaws to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second gripping elements comprises a configuration that makes at least two points of contact with the cable; and tightening the at least one fastener to engage at least one of the first and second gripping elements with the cable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrate a cross-sectional, end view of a prior art clamping device for gripping a cable, wherein the radius of curvature of the gripping elements are larger than the radius of curvature of the circumference of the cable; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional, end view of the prior art clamping device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the radius of curvature of the gripping elements are the same as the radius of curvature of the circumference of the cable; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the prior art clamping device of  FIG. 2 , wherein the jaws are displaced relative to each other such that single points of contact are made with the cable; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an end view of a gripping device of the present invention, wherein the gripping surface comprises two flat surfaces for a v-shaped channel, and a relatively smaller diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  shows the gripping device of  FIG. 3A , wherein a relatively larger diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an end view of a gripping device of the present invention, wherein the gripping surface comprises convex surfaces that form a bulging, v-shaped recess, and a relatively smaller diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  shows the gripping device of  FIG. 4A , wherein a relatively larger diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an end view of a gripping device of the present invention, wherein the gripping surface comprises two concave surfaces that form a sunken, v-shaped recess, and a relatively smaller diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  shows the gripping device of  FIG. 5A , wherein a relatively larger diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an end view of a gripping device of the present invention, wherein the gripping surface comprises stepped surfaces that form a stepped recess, and a relatively smaller diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  shows the gripping device of  FIG. 6A , wherein a relatively larger diameter cable is engaged; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a jaw having two gripping elements; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a gripping device fastened to a gland nut, wherein the gripping device has jaws that are the same as that illustrated in  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the gripping device and gland nut of  FIG. 7B , wherein the fasteners are shown; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a gripping device fastened to a gland nut, wherein the jaws of the gripping device interlock; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  shows an end view of the gripping device of  FIG. 8A , wherein a small diameter cable is engaged in the jaws; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8C  shows an end view of the gripping device of  FIG. 8A , wherein a medium diameter cable is engaged in the jaws; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 8D  shows an end view of the gripping device of  FIG. 8A , wherein a large diameter cable is engaged in the jaws. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Preferred embodiments and their advantages over the prior art are best understood by reference to  FIGS. 3A-8D  below. However, the present disclosure may be more easily understood in the context of a high level description of certain embodiments. 
         [0029]    The disclosure relates to an improved device for gripping a cable or other similar object. As used herein, the term “cable” refers to any one or more electrical or non-electrical cable, cord, wire, conduit, shaft, rod, or other elongated object. In general, the cable gripping devices disclosed herein include gripping elements that make more than single points of contact with a range of cable diameters. For example, the gripping device may include oppositely facing jaws that are positioned on opposite sides of a cable. Each jaw may have a gripping element for gripping the cable  11 . The gripping elements may have a surface structure that enable at least two points of contact with the cable. Because each gripping element has two points of contact, the jaws may have restricted opportunity to become offset relative to each other so that all points of contact with a cable may be maintained. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an example cable gripping device.  FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device with a relatively smaller diameter cable gripped therein.  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device shown in  FIG. 3A , with a relatively larger diameter cable gripped therein. The gripping device  1  comprises two oppositely facing jaws  10 . Flanges  12  are also positioned between the jaws  10 , wherein the flanges  12  position the jaws relative to a gland nut (not shown). Additionally, fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure the jaws  10  to each other and to the flanges  12 . Each jaw  10  has a gripping element  13  for engaging or gripping the cable  11 . In this embodiment of the invention, each gripping element  13  comprises two flat surfaces that form a v-shaped recess in the jaw  10 . With the cable positioned between the gripping elements  13 , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively smaller diameter. As shown in  FIG. 3B , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively larger diameter. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an example cable gripping device.  FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device with a relatively smaller diameter cable gripped therein.  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device shown in  FIG. 4A , with a relatively larger diameter cable gripped therein. The gripping device  1  comprises two oppositely facing jaws  10 . Flanges  12  are also positioned between the jaws  10 , wherein the flanges  12  position the jaws relative to a gland nut (not shown). Additionally, fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure the jaws  10  to each other and to the flanges  12 . Each jaw  10  has a gripping element  13  for engaging or gripping the cable  11 . In this embodiment of the invention, each gripping element  13  comprises two convex surfaces that form a bulging, v-shaped recess in the jaw  10 . With the cable positioned between the gripping elements  13 , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively smaller diameter. As shown in  FIG. 4B , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively larger diameter. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an example cable gripping device.  FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device with a relatively smaller diameter cable gripped therein.  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device shown in FIGURE  5 A, with a relatively larger diameter cable gripped therein. The gripping device  1  comprises two oppositely facing jaws  10 . Flanges  12  are also positioned between the jaws  10 , wherein the flanges  12  position the jaws relative to a gland nut (not shown). Additionally, fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure the jaws  10  to each other and to the flanges  12 . Each jaw  10  has a gripping element  13  for engaging or gripping the cable  11 . In this embodiment of the invention, each gripping element  13  comprises two concave surfaces that form a sunken, v-shaped recess in the jaw  10 . With the cable positioned between the gripping elements  13 , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively smaller diameter. As shown in  FIG. 5B , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively larger diameter. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an example cable gripping device.  FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device with a relatively smaller diameter cable gripped therein.  FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional, end view of the gripping device shown in  FIG. 6A , with a relatively larger diameter cable gripped therein. The gripping device  1  comprises two oppositely facing jaws  10 . Flanges  12  are also positioned between the jaws  10 , wherein the flanges  12  position the jaws relative to a gland nut (not shown). Additionally, fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure the jaws  10  to each other and to the flanges  12 . Each jaw  10  has a gripping element  13  for engaging or gripping the cable  11 . In this embodiment of the invention, each gripping element  13  comprises stepped surfaces that form a stepped recess in the jaw  10 . With the cable positioned between the gripping elements  13 , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively smaller diameter. As shown in  FIG. 6B , each gripping element makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11  having a relatively larger diameter. 
         [0034]    A further illustrative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . These figures show perspective views of a single jaw and a gripping device fastened to a gland nut, respectively. As best seen in  FIG. 7B , a gland nut  15  is an annular structure with a hole in the middle sufficiently large to receive a cable (not shown). Two flanges  12  extend from opposite sides of the gland nut  15  in a direction parallel with a longitudinal central axis of the hole in the gland nut  15 . Each flange  12  has a hole in it that extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the hole in the gland nut  15 . Two jaws  10  are positioned at the opening of the hole in the middle of the gland nut  15 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , each jaw  10  has a fastening hole  16  at each end. One fastening hole  16  has a hex head counter sink  17  for receiving and retaining a hex head of a bolt-type fastener so as to prevent the fastener from rotating in the counter sink. The other fastener hole  16  has a circular counter sink  18  for receiving and retaining a fastener head or nut in such a way to allow the fastener head or nut to rotate freely. In the illustrated embodiment, each jaw  10  has two gripping elements  13  positioned in such a way that the gripping elements may engage a cable (not shown) in two separate places along the longitudinal length of a cable. The gripping elements  13  are configured so as to make two points of contact with a cable. Thus, each jaw  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7A , is configured to make four points of contact with a cable (not shown). 
         [0036]    In the embodiment shown, the jaw  10  is configured so as to be serviceable as both a “top” jaw and a “bottom” jaw. Thus, there is no need to manufacture two different jaw configurations so as to make a jaw pair or set. Rather, two identical jaws  10  may be positioned opposite each other to be a fully functional jaw pair or set. To fasten two jaws together, the jaws are positioned adjacent each other so that the hex head counter sink  17  of one jaw  10  is aligned with the circular counter sink  18  of the other jaw  10 . In this configuration, a standard hex head bolt and nut combination may be inserted through the fastening holes  16  at the ends of the jaws  10  to fastener the two jaws  10  together. The jaw  10  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  is further constructed so that its top and bottom are identical so that no matter which way it is assembled in a jaw pair or set, it will be correct. In particular, the jaw  10  has two gripping elements  13  on the top (as shown in  FIG. 7A ) and two gripping elements  13  on the bottom, so that no matter which way it is assembled, two gripping elements  13  will engage a cable. Similarly, the jaw  10  has one hex head counter sink  17  and one circular counter sink  18  on the top (as shown in  FIG. 7A ), and it also has one hex head counter sink  17  and one circular counter sink  18  on the bottom, so that no matter which way the jaw  10  is assembled, counter sink holes are properly configured to engage with a fastener. 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 7B , the jaws  10  are fixable to the flanges  12  of the gland nut  15  by extending fasteners (not shown) through the fastening holes  16  of the jaws  10  and the holes in the flanges  12 . The length of the fasters (not shown) may be adjusted to allow the jaws  10  to be farther or closer to each other to accommodate a wide range of cable diameters. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7C  provides a perspective view of the gripping device fastened to a gland nut shown in  FIG. 7B , and further illustrates standard hex head bolt-type fasteners  19  inserted through the fastening holes  16  of the jaws  10  and the flanges  12 . In alternative embodiments, any type of fastener known to persons of skill may be used. For example, the fastening holes  16  in the jaws may be treaded so that a threaded fastener may be threaded therein. Alternatively, the holes in the flanges  12  may be threaded. As an additional example, a ratchet mechanism may be employed so that the jaws may be advanced toward each other without restriction and then stepwise locked so that they cannot move apart from each other. As a further example, a fastener may comprise a cord or band that extends around both jaws so that when the length of the cord or band is shortened the jaws are advanced toward each other. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8D , a further illustrative example is shown.  FIG. 8A , shows a perspective view of a gripping device  1  fastened to a gland nut  15 . In this embodiment, two jaws  10  are fastened to the gland nut  15  via flanges  12  extending from the gland nut  15 . Fasteners  19  extend through the jaws  10  and the flanges  12 . Each jaw  10  has a gripping element  13 . The lower jaw is shown in two positions, one position in the assembled configuration and the other position in the disassembled configuration. As more easily seen in the disassembled configuration, the jaws  10  are configured to interlock with each other, wherein a portion of the jaw is cut-away to allow the opposite jaw to extend into the cut-away portion when the jaws are advanced toward each other.  FIG. 8B  is an end view of the gripping device and gland nut, wherein the jaws  10  are advanced toward each other to the point that they are completely interlocked. In this configuration, the jaws are able to engage a cable  11  having a relatively smaller diameter. In this embodiment, the gripping element  13  makes one point of contact  14  with the cable  11 .  FIG. 8C  shows the same gripping device engaging a medium-sized cable  11 . With a medium-sized cable  11 , each gripping element  13  makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11 .  FIG. 8D  shows the same gripping device engaging a large-sized cable  11 . With a large-sized cable  11 , each gripping element  13  makes two points of contact  14  with the cable  11 . 
         [0040]    Although the disclosed embodiments are described in detail in the present disclosure, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope.