Cable securing device

A cable securing device facilitates secure connection to a cabling end, and employs a retaining cap, a compression member, a barrel with a tapered interior wall and a fastening device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to conduit systems, and more particularly to a cable securing device that facilitates connection with a cable end and feeding or pulling the cable through a conduit.

BACKGROUND

Proper wiring and cable management in building structures is essential to the safe and effective operation of the building's electrical and cabling operation.

When wiring or cabling needs to be protected from potential damage, it can be pulled through various types of conduits. Conduits can be made of metal, rigid plastic (e.g., PVC) and other materials, and wiring or cabling can vary from very thin wires that may be bundled for passage through a conduit to very thick cables that may not be joined to any other wires or cabling when passed through a conduit. For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “cable” or “cabling” may be used throughout the present disclosure to refer to any type of wire, cable or similar elongated element that can be inserted and pulled through a conduit.

While conduit can be lengthy and provided with curves as necessitated by a building's structure, it can be difficult to pull cabling through even short lengths of conduit. Traditionally, tools such as electrician's fish tape have been used to attach to the end of the cable and pull the cable through the conduit. Generally, fish tapes are made of strong material such as steel to support pulling loads, and have a loop on one end to which the end of the cable can be secured. In instances where the cable being pulled is not insulated, or where the insulation has been stripped at the end secured to the fish tape, electrical tape may be applied to the bare segments of the cable. Other methods besides using fish tape, such as pushing or wiggling cable through conduit, for example, have been tried with generally unsatisfactory results.

Unfortunately, the fish tape method and other methods of cable pulling through conduits do not always work properly, and if the fish tape separates from the cable during the process of pulling the cable through the conduit, it can be very difficult to remove the inserted cable to re-start the process. Oftentimes in such situations, the conduit must be removed and/or broken to obtain access to the end of the cable, which can be extremely costly and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides, in part, a cable securing device, assembly and method that facilitates the secure connection of cabling ends for pulling the cabling through a conduit without damage to the cabling and while minimizing risk of detachment during the pulling process.

In various embodiments, the device and assembly can employ a retaining cap, a compression member, a barrel or tube with a tapered interior wall and a fastening device. The fastening device is inserted into the barrel, followed by the compression member, and these elements are capable of axial movement within the barrel along the barrel's axis. In various embodiments, the barrel can be provided with a thread at one end for securely engaging the retaining cap, and an internal taper at the other end. One end of the retaining cap has a thread for mating with the barrel's thread. The retaining cap is also formed with a central opening through which a rigid lanyard may extend. In various embodiments, a bulb segment of the rigid lanyard is retained within the interior of the retaining cap such that, as the rigid lanyard is pulled, the bulb segment engages the retaining cap and the full device with barrel, compression member and fastening device can be pulled as a unit. When a cable is inserted into the opening of the barrel opposite the lanyard, the cable pushes the fastening device and compresses the compression member back to the inner edge of the retaining cap, at which time the jaws of the fastening device are loose and fit around the cable. When the compression member expands back, it slides the back side of the fastening device back down the barrel interior towards the tapered end, forcing the jaws of the fastening device to securely engage the cable as the fastening device extends down the taper of the barrel. Once the compression member has fully expanded to the point at which the fastening device will move no further, the cable is in the secure grasp of the fastening device. At such time, a fish tape or other device can be secured to the loop in the rigid lanyard for pulling the cable through a conduit.

In various embodiments, a retaining ring is inserted between the compression member and the fastening device, and the retaining ring retains a trailing end of the fastening device while providing a mating surface for the compression member. In various embodiments, a staging clip or pusher is employed between the leading edge of the fastening device and the barrel end to prompt the jaws of the fastening device open for receiving an inserted cable, for example. The retaining ring and/or staging clip can be provided as a fracturable or sacrificial component that breaks down upon a single use, according to various embodiments. In various embodiments incorporating the retaining ring, a grip ring is provided between the retaining ring and the compression member to assist with retaining an inserted cable and maintaining alignment of the fastening device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that reference to “a”, “an” or other indefinite article in the present disclosure encompasses one or more than one of the described element. Thus, for example, reference to a fastening device may encompass one or more fastening devices, and so forth.

In the cable securing device15according to embodiments of the present disclosure as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, elements as shown include: a retaining cap30, a compression member40, a fastening device50and a barrel60. A cable70with insulation75is also shown; however, the cable is not necessarily considered an element of the device and assembly as presently disclosed.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 16, a lanyard20is provided with a body segment22, bulb segment24and end loop attachment26. The lanyard20may or may not be considered part of the cable securing device15depending upon the nature of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the bulb segment24is integrally formed with the body segment22so as to provide a monolithic structure, and the end loop attachment26has a base segment28that is crimped or otherwise effectively secured to the body segment22. As shown inFIG. 13, the bulb segment24further has a base portion21and a generally frustoconical head portion23formed with the body segment22. The base portion21has a radius U1that is greater than radius U2of the body segment22. The head portion23has a variable radius extending from the base portion21to the body segment22. As further shown inFIG. 13, the outer surface27of the head portion23engages an angled interior surface36of the head segment31(seeFIG. 6) of the retaining cap30. This facilitates a secure engagement such that when the lanyard20is pulled, it will pull the barrel60and its contents during operation. As shown inFIG. 1, the loop attachment26is formed with an opening29therein, which facilitates the secure connection of a fish tape or other external device having a latch or other mechanism securable to the loop attachment26for pulling, as described in more detail hereafter. In various embodiments, the lanyard can be made of steel or other rigid material.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the retaining cap30can be formed with a head segment31, an axially extending body segment32, an outer surface33and an inner surface34defining a bore hole35extending axially therethrough. The outer surface33of the body segment32can be provided with a threaded exterior as at19, although in alternative embodiments, the body segment inner surface34can be provided in threaded form. It will be appreciated that body segment32is formed with a radially extending edge133having a width W such that the radially extending edge133extends radially inwardly of the barrel interior surface62when connected, as shown inFIG. 14, which permits the radially extending edge133of the body segment32to provide resisting force to compression member40during operation. The head segment31has an outer radial edge surface38, a shoulder edge surface39and a top edge surface18. The inner surface34can be formed such that it does not have a constant radius, but rather has a radius R1associated with body segment32, a radius R2associated with the angled interior surface36of the head segment31and a radius R3associated with the lanyard body receiving segment37of the head segment31. In various embodiments, radius R1is constant and is generally larger than radius R2, which is variable and reduces in size as it extends from the body segment32to the lanyard body receiving segment37. Both radius R1and radius R2are larger than radius R3, which is constant in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The surfaces36,37of different radii R2, R3, respectively, provide mating surfaces for the outer surfaces of the lanyard body segment22and lanyard bulb segment24, as shown inFIGS. 13-16. In various embodiments, such as shown inFIG. 14, for example, the base portion21of the bulb segment24extends radially into the interior cavity95defined by the body segment32of the retaining cap30, for example. In so doing, the base portion21of the bulb segment24acts as a stopper when a cable70is inserted, which prevents the cable70from being pinched or otherwise deformed if it were to extend further into the bore hole35of the retaining cap30. In various embodiments, the compression member internal radius and the radius of the base portion21of the bulb segment24at the interior cavity95are substantially the same. In various embodiments, the retaining cap30is made of steel or other rigid material.

The compression member40can be a compression spring capable of expansion and retraction, biased to return to a resting position as appropriate for the functions described herein. In various embodiments, the compression member40is formed of steel or other suitable material. In various other embodiments, compression member40is formed as a suitably resilient and tubular- shaped elastomeric membrane or foam material for operation in accordance with the present disclosure. The compression member40is shown inFIGS. 1 and 13 through 16with a first end121and a second end122. In implementations where very low force is required, the elastomeric membrane can provide lower resistance than a compression spring, for example. An exemplary embodiment illustrating elastomeric membrane as the compression member is shown at506inFIG. 21, for example.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, embodiments of the barrel60can be formed as a monolithic, integrated component with an exterior surface61and an interior surface62defining an interior cavity63extending axially therethrough. The exterior surface61can be substantially cylindrical, or tubular, as shown. A first end surface64extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface61to an axially extending inner radial lip65having a radius B1. A second end surface66of the barrel60extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface61to an interior thread67. The interior surface62tapers from a widest radius B3at segment68to a tapering segment69having a variable radius B2, down to the axially extending inner radial lip65. The barrel interior surface62thus has a substantially cylindrical portion610and a substantially frustoconical portion612, with the substantially frustoconical portion612shown at tapering segment69. In various embodiments, radius B3is constant and is larger than radius B2, and both radius B3and B2are larger than radius B1. The tapered interior surface62of barrel60facilitates the operation of the compression member40and fastening device50as described in more detail hereafter. In various embodiments, the taper angle T is constant and can range from approximately ten degrees to approximately thirty degrees, depending upon the implementation. For example, in situations where a shorter barrel60is required, angle T may be higher. In various embodiments, the barrel60is formed of steel or other rigid material.

As shown inFIGS. 7 through 12, the fastening device50can be provided in various forms. InFIGS. 7 and 8, for example, the fastening device50is provided as a three-piece device with first151, second152and third153members aligned with respective gaps154,155and156therebetween. Each of the members151,152and153is provided with a respective leading edge157at a first axial end191, a trailing edge158at a second axial end192, a radially outer surface160and a radially interior surface180with a gripping segment such as teeth159. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the fastening device can provided as a two-piece device with first251and second252members aligned with respective gaps254and255therebetween. The members251,252are provided with a leading edge257at a first axial end291, a trailing edge258at a second axial end292, a radially outer surface260and a radially interior surface280with a gripping segment such as teeth259. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the fastening device is provided as a single piece, monolithic device with body351formed with a gap or split352. The body351is formed with a leading edge353at a first axial end391, a trailing edge354at a second axial end392, a radially outer surface355and a radially interior surface380with a gripping segment such as teeth356. Radially outer surfaces160,260and355extend radially inwardly and axially outwardly from an axially inner edge (163inFIG. 8, 263inFIGS. 10 and 363inFIG. 12) to an axially outer edge (164inFIG. 8, 264inFIGS. 10 and 364inFIG. 12). In various embodiments, the radially outer surfaces160,260and355extend at an angle P (illustrated inFIG. 12for example) so as to mate in sliding engagement with the substantially frustoconical portion612(i.e., the tapered internal surface69) of the interior surface of the barrel60during operation. It will be appreciated that the sliding engagement of this embodiment of the fastening device50with the barrel interior surface62is such that the axially inner edge of the radially outer surface of the fastening device50maintains contact with the barrel interior surface62throughout the sliding engagement, while the axially outer edge (164inFIG. 8, 264inFIGS. 10 and 364inFIG. 12) of the radially outer surface (160inFIG. 8, 260inFIGS. 10 and 355inFIG. 12) of the fastening device50only maintains contact with the tapered portion69for a portion of the sliding engagement of the axially outer edge with the frustoconical portion612of the barrel interior surface62. In various embodiments, the fastening device50is formed of steel or other rigid material.

As shown inFIGS. 8, 10 and 12, the teeth159,259and356of fastening device50are formed as radially inwardly extending ridges167rising from the internal surface floor168of the fastening device. In various embodiments, each ridge167has a beveled peak169as opposed to a sharpened peak, which assists in providing sufficient surface area for engaging an inserted cable70. In other embodiments, a sharpened peak is provided for greater pinching ability.

FIGS. 13 through 16illustrate different stages of operation of the device and assembly of the present disclosure. Prior to insertion of a cable70, the device15is loaded such that the fastening device50and compression member40are inserted into the barrel60. The fastening device50may be in the form of a single piece member, two members or three members as noted above in the description pertaining toFIGS. 7 through 12. The compression member40is inserted such that the compression member second end122engages the trailing edge158,258and/or354of the fastening device50. Next, the lanyard20with retaining cap30secured around the bulb24of the lanyard20, is threadedly engaged with the barrel60such that the radially extending edge133of the retaining cap30engages the first end121of the compression member40. The lanyard body22is securely positioned within the retaining cap30. WhileFIGS. 4, 6 and 13-16show retaining cap30with an external thread19and barrel60with internal thread67, it will be appreciated that the retaining cap30can be provided with an internal thread for mating with an external thread on the barrel60.

As shown inFIG. 13, and during operation, a cable70is inserted into the opening of the barrel60where the axially extending inner radial lip65resides and when the compression member is in an expanded position141. Sliding past the lip65, the cable70extends through the leading edge(s) (157inFIG. 8, 257inFIG. 10 and 353inFIG. 12) of the fastening device50. Depending upon the embodiment of the fastening device50, the leading edge represents the leading edge of either one, two or three fastening device members (seeFIGS. 7 through 12). The leading edge is thus not in contact with the barrel interior surface during operation, although the trailing edge of the fastening device50is in mating contact with the compression member second end122, as shown inFIGS. 13 through 16. Further, the axially inner edge (e.g.,163,263,363inFIGS. 7 through 12) of the radially outer surface (e.g.,160,260,355inFIGS. 7 through 12) of the fastening device50maintains contact with the barrel interior surface62throughout the sliding engagement therewith. However, the axially outer edge (e.g.,164,264,364) of the radially outer surface (e.g.,160,260,355) of the fastening device50does not maintain contact with segment62of the barrel interior surface throughout the fastening device's sliding engagement therewith. Nonetheless, this engagement does not disrupt the evenness through which the fastening device50slidingly engages the barrel interior surface62, as the pressure from the inserted cable70against the teeth (e.g.,159,259,356) does not permit the fastening device50to move radially inwardly, which thus maintains suitable pressure and active sliding engagement of the axially inner edge of the radially outer surface with the barrel interior surface62. In this way, the teeth of the fastening device50maintain engagement with the inserted cable70while permitting the cable70to pass through.

As shown inFIG. 14, as the cable70is pushed further into the barrel60, it pushes fastening device50axially within the barrel interior cavity (63inFIG. 4) and along the interior surface69of the barrel60, causing the compression member40to compress towards a compressed position at the same time that the teeth (e.g.,159,259,356) of the fastening device are opening. As shown inFIG. 15, once cable70is fully inserted, it engages the bottom end27of the bulb24of the lanyard20and the compression member40is fully or nearly fully in a compressed position142. As the compression member40begins to expand, it pushes the fastening device50along the outer surface77of the cable70, and the teeth of the fastening device50begin to clamp down on the cable70as the fastening device50is pushed back into the tapered interior surface69of the barrel. The expansion of the compression member40back to an expanded position141thus forces the teeth of the fastening device50to continue digging into the outer surface77of the cable70until the fastening device50can extend no further, as shown inFIG. 16. At such time, a fish tape or other device can be secured to the loop26in the rigid lanyard15for pulling the cable70through a conduit.

It will thus be appreciated that the compression member40is compressible into the compressed position142(seeFIG. 15) by the radially extending edge133of the retaining cap body segment32at the compression member first end121and by the trailing edge of the fastening device50at the compression member second end122. The even surfaces of the retaining cap body segment32and trailing edge of the fastening device50provide for consistent force and/or resistance as the compression member40compresses and expands during operation. Additionally, as the retaining cap body segment32extends radially inwardly of the barrel interior surface62when connected, it firmly secures the internal components40,50in place within the interior of the device15, while allowing for simple disassembly when the retaining cap30is removed. It will be appreciated that the fastening device50is slidingly engaged with the interior surface69at substantially frustoconical portion612when the compression member40is in the expanded position141, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 16.

FIGS. 17 through 35illustrate alternative embodiments of the cable securing device of the present disclosure. In the device assembly500according to embodiments of the present disclosure as shown inFIGS. 17 through 26, elements of the assembly as shown include: a barrel502, a retaining cap504, a compression member506, a retainer508, a fastening device510with teeth514and a staging clip512. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 30-35, a pusher712is employed instead of staging clip512.

As shown inFIGS. 17 through 20, the barrel502can be formed as a monolithic, integrated component with an exterior surface520and an interior surface522defining an interior cavity524extending axially therethrough. The exterior surface520can be substantially cylindrical and/or tubular, as shown. A first end surface526extends radially inwardly from the exterior surface520to an axially and radially extending inner radial lip528having a variable diameter D4that is widest at the first end surface526. The inner radial lip528extends axially inwardly to an axially extending inner platform529having a diameter D3. Diameter D4is larger than diameter D3, which facilitates ease of insertion of a cable or similar element as described elsewhere herein. The inner platform529is formed with a radially outwardly extending edge530on the axially inner side531of the inner platform529, wherein the radially outwardly extending edge530assists in retaining staging clip516in the assembly as described elsewhere herein. The interior surface522has a tapered wall segment533extending from the radially outwardly extending edge530to non-tapered wall segment535. In various embodiments, the tapered wall segment533has a diameter D2that extends from a narrowest point adjacent radially outwardly extending edge530to a widest point adjacent non-tapered wall segment535. The non-tapered wall segment535has a consistent diameter D1and has a threaded portion537at a second axially outer end538that is opposite the first end surface526.

The barrel interior surface522thus has a first substantially cylindrical portion at non- tapered wall segment535, a first substantially frustoconical portion at tapered wall segment533, a second substantially cylindrical portion inner platform529, and a second substantially frustoconical portion at the radially extending inner radial lip528. In various embodiments, diameter D1is constant and is larger than diameters D2, D3and D4. In various embodiments, the non-tapered wall segment535is formed with a radially inwardly extending step539at the axially inward end541of the threaded portion537of the barrel502. The radially inwardly extending step539can provide a supporting surface for the compression member506as described elsewhere herein, while also providing a wider and/or thicker wall segment543to assist with pulling support when a lanyard is secured to the threaded portion537of the barrel502. The interior tapered wall segment533of barrel502facilitates the operation of the compression member506and fastening device510as described in more detail hereafter. In various embodiments, the taper angle of interior tapered wall segment533is similar to taper angle T as described in connection withFIG. 4above.

As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, the retaining cap504is formed with a head segment570, an axially extending body segment572having a radially extending edge582, an outer surface574and an inner surface576defining a bore hole575extending axially therethrough. The outer surface574of the body segment572can be provided with a threaded exterior as at580for securing the retaining cap504to the threaded portion537of the barrel502, although it will be appreciated that the retaining cap504can be provided with a threaded interior in an alternative embodiment. The head segment570has an outer radial edge surface573. It will be appreciated that the body segment572can be formed similar to body segment32inFIG. 6, with a width that allows body segment572to extend radially inwardly of the barrel interior surface522when connected, as shown inFIG. 18, which permits body segment572to provide resisting force to compression member506during operation.

As shown in the embodiment inFIG. 18, the inner surface576of retaining cap504does not have a constant radius, but rather has a radius H1associated with body segment inner surface571, and a smaller radius H2associated with a lanyard body receiving segment586of the head segment570. In various embodiments, radius H1and radius H2are constant. In various embodiments, as shown inFIG. 17, the body receiving segment586has an inner surface587that is fluted at ends583,584, which can assist with manipulation of a lanyard body segment, for example, during a pulling operation. The surfaces571,587of different radii H1, H2, respectively, provide mating surfaces for the outer surfaces of the lanyard segments, as described elsewhere herein in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the retaining cap504is made of steel or other rigid material. In the embodiment inFIG. 21, inner surface576of retaining cap504has a substantially constant radius H3associated with body segment inner surface571, and a tapered interior surface589associated with the lanyard body receiving segment of the head segment of the retaining cap. As further shown inFIG. 21, the tapered interior surface589can facilitate operation with a lanyard590having a rounded head592, for example.

The compression member506can be a compression spring (seeFIGS. 17 and 18) or a cylindrical or tubular shaped elastomeric membrane (seeFIG. 21) as described above. The compression member506is capable of expansion and retraction, and can be biased to return to an expanded position as appropriate for the functions described herein. The compression member506is shown inFIGS. 17, 18, 21 and 27 through 29with a first end721and a second end722. In various embodiments where the compression member506is a spring, it is formed of spring steel or other suitable material. An exemplary embodiment of employing elastomeric membrane as compression member506is shown inFIG. 21.

As shown inFIGS. 17, 18 and 22 through 26, the fastening device510can be provided as a three-piece device with first601, second602and third603members aligned by edge extensions605and edge notches607formed therein. In various embodiments, an edge extension605is integrally formed extending outwardly and with a convex shape on a first side edge609of each member601,602,603and an edge notch607is formed extending inwardly and with a concave shape on a second side edge611of each member601,602,603such that each edge notch607of a respective member mates with a corresponding edge extension605of an adjoining member. Each of the members601,602and603is provided with a respective leading edge620at a first axial end622, a trailing edge624at a second axial end626, a radially outer surface628and a radially interior surface480with a gripping segment such as teeth514. As shown inFIGS. 22 through 26, the leading edge620and trailing edge624can be provided with thin wall-type surfaces for engaging the staging clip512and retainer508, respectively. In operation, the edge extension605and edge notch607of adjacent fastening device members (e.g.,602and603inFIG. 22) engage within the barrel interior cavity and restrict axial sliding and misalignment during operation. In various embodiments, the fastening device510is formed of steel or other rigid material.

In various embodiments, the radially outer surface628of each member601,602and603is formed with an axially tapered segment629and an axially aligned segment631, wherein the axially tapered segment629and axially aligned segment631meet at a bend632in the radially outer surface628. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 21, the axially aligned segment631is not in contact with the barrel interior surface522, whereas the axially tapered segment629is in contact with the tapered wall segment533of the barrel interior surface522when the compression member506is in the expanded position. This arrangement facilitates the ability for the fastening device510to expand as a cable or other object is inserted into the device and the compression member506becomes compressed, while further facilitating proper axial pressure from the compression member506back through the axially aligned segment631when the compression member506is expanding back to the expanded position. As shown inFIG. 22, the axially aligned segments631of members601,602and603form a substantially cylindrical outer surface, which can translate the force from the compression member506via the substantially cylindrical retainer508, as described more completely elsewhere herein.

As shown inFIGS. 22 through 25, the teeth514of fastening device510are formed as a series of flat surfaces (e.g.,544A-F) and generally radially inwardly extending ridges (e.g.,545A,545F) rising from the leading edge620of the fastening device510. The flat surfaces544A-F and ridges (e.g.,545A,545F) meet at respective teeth or sharpened edges514which provide for sufficient pinching ability. In various embodiments, flat surface544A, which is closest to the leading edge620is the axially longest flat surface, and extends radially and axially inwardly at a pitch angle that is greater than the pitch angles extended by the remaining flat surfaces544B-F. The higher pitch angle can help guide an inserted cable to the center of the axial opening of the fastening device, whereas the longer surface facilitates the insertion of a cable with less pinching, thereby allowing the cable to fully enter through the fastening device510during operation. Further, in various embodiments, ridge545F is the radially widest ridge, which provides sufficient surface area for mating communication with retainer508, as described elsewhere herein.

It will be appreciated that the fastening device510can alternatively be provided as a two-piece device with a similar arrangement to that described above and shown inFIGS. 22 through 26.

As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, retainer508is formed with an axially extending body segment562and a radially extending head segment560, wherein the head segment560has an axially inner face564which mates with compression member506during operation. The head segment560further has a radially outer edge566which slidingly engages the interior surface522of the barrel502during operation. The axially extending body segment562is formed with a radially outer surface567and an axially outer surface568. In various embodiments, the axially outer surface568is in mating contact with the radially extending ridge545Z of the fastening device510and the radially outer surface567is in mating contact with the axially aligned segment631of the fastening device510. In this way, a snug connection is provided between the retaining ring508and the trailing edge624of the fastening device510, facilitating the application of consistent force to the fastening device510as the compression member506expands from the compressed position during operation, as well as to the compression member506from the fastening device510as a cable is inserted into the fastening device510during operation. As shown inFIG. 18, the head segment560of the retaining ring508is in mating contact with the compression member second end722. In various embodiments, the retainer508is made of a polymer plastic or steel material. In specific embodiments, the retainer508is formed so as to be fracturable or crushable upon a single use.

In various embodiments, staging clip512is housed within the barrel interior cavity524and formed as a ring-shaped body having an exterior surface550, an axially outer edge551and an axially inner edge552. The axially inner edge552mates with the leading edge620of the fastening device510when the compression member506is in the expanded position, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 21. The axially inner edge552extends axially inwardly of the barrel opening and creates a gap700between the axially inner edge552and the interior surface522of the barrel502and the leading edge620of the fastening device510when the compression member is in the compressed position, as shown inFIG. 28, for example. This arrangement helps maintain the leading edge620of the fastening device510in a fully open position when the compression member is in the expanded position (as shown inFIGS. 27 and 29) so as not to block or partially block a cable as it is being inserted. The axially outer edge551abuts the radially outwardly extending edge530of the inner platform529for resistance when the compression member is in the expanded position. In various embodiments, the staging clip512is made of a polymer plastic or steel material. In specific embodiments, the staging clip512is formed so as to be fracturable or crushable upon a single use.

FIGS. 27 through 29illustrate different stages of operation of the device of the present disclosure. As a cable470is inserted, it moves through the fastening device510and the retainer508, and the fastening device teeth514exert a gripping force around the cable470. The fastening device510is pushed axially inwardly with the retainer508, which is in contact with the second end722of the compression member506, thereby forcing compression member506into a compressed position as its first end721is retained in position by the body segment572of the cap504, as shown inFIG. 28. It will be appreciated that compression member506is compressible into the compressed position by the trailing edge of the fastening device510at the compression member second end722, even though the compression member506is not in direct contact with the compression member in various embodiments. As described elsewhere herein, the even surfaces of the retaining cap body segment572and trailing edge of the fastening device510provide for consistent force and/or resistance as the compression member506compresses and expands during operation. It will further be appreciated that as the fastening device510and retainer508are moved axially within the barrel502, the retainer508slidingly engages the interior surface522of the barrel502, whereas the radial outer surface628of the fastening device510, and the fastening device510itself, are not in contact with the interior surface522of the barrel502. This floating arrangement of the fastening device510nevertheless provides substantial gripping force on the inserted cable, as the multi-piece fastening device510remains intrinsically aligned via edge extensions605and edge notches607of adjacent elements while further remaining aligned within the barrel502via the retainer508and the gripping connection with the inserted cable470. This floating arrangement further overcomes technical challenges associated with maintaining alignment of the fastening device510during operation, and thereby maintaining a strong grip on the inserted cable without slippage. In various embodiments, the staging clip512does not move axially inwardly or outwardly with the movement of the cable470, but rather remains in place. As such, the staging clip512is not in mating contact with the leading edge or other portion of the fastening device510when the compression member506is in the compressed position730. As shown inFIGS. 28 and 29, after the compression member506reaches its compressed position730and the cable470is inserted and secured by the fastening device510, the compression member506expands back to its expanded position732and a previously inserted and secured lanyard720can then be used to pull the cable470in or through the desired environment.

As shown inFIGS. 30 through 35, embodiments of the presently disclosed device employ a pusher712instead of a staging clip. The pusher712is formed with a pusher head740and a pusher body742, wherein the pusher body742has an axially inner end743formed with a radially outwardly extending ledge segment744. The pusher head740is outside of the barrel502and barrel cavity524during operation. The pusher712has a generally cylindrically-shaped cavity747formed by interior surface750. The axially inner end743is further formed with a pusher leading edge745. A ledge ramp749is formed and extends radially outwardly and axially outwardly from the leading edge745to an outer wall surface751of the ledge segment744. The ledge ramp749provides a surface for engaging the leading edge620of the fastening device510and prompting the leading edge620into a fully open position for receiving an inserted cable, when the compression member506is in the expanded position (732as shown inFIG. 31). In the installed version of the device as shown inFIG. 31, the ledge ramp749is radially inward of the leading edge620of the fastening device510within the barrel cavity524. The outer wall surface751is formed with a taper to match the internal taper of the interior surface522of the barrel502at the residing location of the outer wall surface751within the barrel cavity524.

The pusher712is further formed with one or more axially extending gaps748extending from the body742through the ledge segment744at the axially inner end743. The gap(s)748create flexibility and controlled deformity of the pusher712, such that it may be readily inserted into the cavity524of the barrel502, wherein a back step758formed with the ledge segment744and extending radially outwardly of the pusher body742can retain the pusher712within the barrel cavity as the back step758engages the radially outwardly extending edge530of the inner surface522of the barrel502. In various embodiments, the pusher head740is formed with an internal radial edge752that can engage the first end surface526of the barrel502during operation.

In operation of the device shown inFIGS. 30 through 35, a cable is inserted through the pusher cavity747and into the barrel cavity524, where it engages and extends through the fastening device510and retainer508as described in connection withFIGS. 27 through 29above. Whereas the staging clip512generally does not move axially with the cable, fastening device510and retainer508during insertion of the cable, the pusher712is slidingly engaged with the barrel interior surface and can move axially in the same direction as these elements. In the event of axial movement of the pusher712, the internal radial edge752of the pusher head740may ultimately engage the first end surface526of the barrel502, thereby stopping any further axial movement of the pusher712as the cable, compression member506and retainer508continue to move further within the barrel cavity524. Further operation is generally as described elsewhere herein in connection withFIGS. 27 through 29.

FIGS. 36 through 39depict a further embodiment of the cable securing device of the present disclosure. In the device800according to embodiments of the present disclosure as shown inFIGS. 36 through 39, elements of the assembly as shown include: a barrel502, a retaining cap504, a compression member506, a grip ring member515, a retainer508, a fastening device510and a staging clip512. The barrel502, retaining cap504, compression member506, retainer508, fastening device510and staging clip512interoperate substantially as described above in connection withFIGS. 17 through 29. As shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 36, the grip ring member515is positioned between the compression member506and the retainer508.

As shown inFIGS. 37 through 39, the grip ring515has a grip ring base801with a radially outer edge802and a radially inner surface804. The grip ring515can be an integral, unsplit ring or can be a split ring member. In the embodiments where the grip ring is a split ring, the grip ring can include two circumferential end points (not shown) that do not connect, with fixture points for handling and compressing the grip ring, such that a tool designed to hold the grip ring at the fixture points can more easily handle and compress the grip ring in order to assist with assembly or disassembly. In this embodiment, and once compressed, the grip ring is easily insertable into the barrel502by releasing the hold on the fixture points, thereby allowing the grip ring to expand such that the radially outer edge802engages the interior surface522of the barrel502. In various embodiments, the grip ring515can comprise a spring steel formulation, for example, that enables the grip ring to be malformed during installation, while springing back into its originally manufactured position once installed.

The grip ring515is capable of grabbing an inserted cable's surface via two or more teeth805. As shown inFIGS. 37 through 39, the grip ring21includes a substantially cylindrical base801that has a plurality of bifurcated or square edged teeth805extending radially inwardly from the radially inner surface804of the grip ring base801. The teeth805of the grip ring515can extend at various angles from the base axis as measured when the teeth are at rest position and are not stressed by the insertion of a cable, for example. The number of teeth can readily vary in number and size. In various embodiments, the grip ring teeth805are angled radially and axially inwardly from the substantially cylindrical perimeter of the ring515, toward the compression member506and away from the retainer508, such that when a cable is inserted, the teeth exert a pressure against the cable to discourage the cable from slipping or moving back out of the barrel502. The first face814of the grip ring515thus engages the axially inner face564of the head segment560of the retainer508, while the second face816of the grip ring515engages the compression member506, as opposed to the compression member directly engaging the head segment axially inner face564as described above in connection withFIG. 18, for example. In various embodiments, each of the grip ring teeth805is formed with side walls812and a gripping edge810, wherein the gripping edge810extends radially inwardly into the barrel interior cavity further than the retainer508.

In various embodiments, the grip ring515assists in allowing the fastening device510to set its teeth514more quickly while also preventing or minimizing any drifting of the fastening device510so as to slip or become unaligned, which can result in an unsatisfactory grip on an inserted cable. When a cable is inserted into the barrel502, and similar to that described in connection withFIGS. 27 through 29, the fastening device510is pushed axially inwardly with the retainer508and the grip ring515, which is in contact with the second end722of the compression member506, thereby forcing compression member506into a compressed position as its first end721is retained in position by the body segment572of the cap504. It will be appreciated that compression member506is compressible into the compressed position by the trailing edge of the fastening device510at the compression member second end722, even though the compression member506is not in direct contact with the compression member as shown inFIG. 36. After the compression member506is compressed, the compression member506expands, whereupon the grip ring teeth805engage the inserted cable and the cable cannot slip past the grip ring teeth805. At such time, the fastening device510is immediately and evenly engaged so as to remain in alignment and assist in securely engaging the inserted cable.