Communications dead end

A dead end connector for an associated cable having (a) an axially extending communications cable and (b) an axially extending messenger wire. The communications cable and the messenger wire have respective axial parts fixed together. The dead end connector includes a body having a first elongated axially extending trough defined therein. The first trough is dimensioned and configured for receiving an axial section of the associated data cable and communicates with a face of the body to define an entrance to the trough along the face. The first trough is dimensioned and configured for receiving axial portions of both the communications cable and the messenger wire of an associated data cable in some forms of the invention. The body may further include a second trough dimensioned and configured for receiving the messenger wire. The first trough and the second trough may each have an axis and the axis of the first trough may be parallel to the axis of the second trough and the first trough and the second trough may each be symmetrical about a common plane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 - 6 , there is shown a communications dead end 10 having a body 12 . The body 12 has a first generally U-shaped slot 14 extending along the entire upper surface of the body 12 . A second U-shaped slot 16 extends along the entire bottom extent of the body 12 . The slots 14 , 16 are disposed in opposed relationship with the respective openings of the U-shaped slots 14 , 16 on opposed top and bottom surfaces of the body 12 in the preferred embodiment. More particularly, each slot 14 , 16 is symmetrical about a common central plane P (shown in FIG. 2 ). The body 12 includes first and second cylindrical section shaped ears 20 , 20 disposed on opposed sides of both the central plane P and the body 1 2 . Each cylindrical section shaped ear 20 , 20 is provided with an axially extending slot 24 . Each axially extending slot 24 is disposed at the part of each cylindrical section shaped ear 20 that is furthest from the central plane P. The respective axes of the cylindrical section shaped ears 20 are (a) parallel (b) coplanar and (c) parallel to the plane P in the preferred embodiment. The communications dead end 10 includes a braided steel cable or lanyard 30 having first and second ferrules 32 , 34 disposed at the axial extremities of the lanyard 30 . The ferrules 32 , 34 are provided with respective flanges 33 , 35 disposed at the axial extremities of both of the lanyard 30 and ferrules 32 , 34 . The ferrules 32 , 34 surround the entire circumference of the lanyard 30 and are typically crimped, soldered or welded to the lanyard 30 . Thus, the diameter of the ferrules 32 , 34 is greater than the diameter of the lanyard 30 . The slots 24 are dimensioned and configured to allow passage of an axial section of the lanyard 30 but not any axial part of the ferrules 32 , 34 to pass into or out of the interior of the cylindrical section shaped years 20 . Similarly, the flanges 33 , 35 are dimensioned and configured to abut an axial extremity of the respective cylindrical section shaped ears 20 . As shown in FIGS. 1 - 6 and particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4 , a data cable 40 , having a cross-section that is substantially the shape of the numeral 8 is engaged with the communications dead end 10 . The data cable 40 includes a generally circular axially extending communications cable 42 to, which is fixed, throughout the entire axial extent thereof, a messenger wire 44 . The messenger wire 44 may be stainless steel or other high-strength material that is typically covered by an insulating sheath. In normal practice, the installer will first separate approximately a six inch axial portion of the axial extremity of the messenger wire 44 from the communications cable 42 . Thereafter, the installer will then place the data cable 40 into the trough defined by the first U-shaped slot 16 with the numeral 8 cross-section of the data cable 40 oriented in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 . More particularly, the messenger wire 44 is positioned below the communications cable 42 with an axial part of the messenger wire 44 (that is about seven inches from the axial extremity of the data cable 40 ) resting in the slot 14 of the communications dead end 10 . The installer will then bend the six inch axial portion of the axial extremity of the messenger wire 44 that has been previously separated from the data cable 40 to position the messenger wire 44 , to extend completely through the slot 14 , downwardly to the right (as viewed) extremity of the slot 16 , along the entire axial extent of the slot 16 , and then wrapped around the data cable 40 in a series of coils 47 as best seen in FIGS. 1, 5 , and 6 . The U-shaped slot 14 ordinarily will have a depth of about 20 mm and a maximum width of about 9 mm. Accordingly, a dead end 10 engages a length of the data cable 40 . The messenger wire 44 that is part of the data cable 40 is secured to the dead end 10 . The dead end connector 10 has cylindrical section shaped ears 20 . The cylindrical section shaped ears 20 cooperate with the lanyard or bail 30 by means of the ferrules 32 provided with flanges 35 that abut an extremity of each ear 20 . Thus, a very positive mounting of the data cable 40 is possible with the lanyard 30 . A design consideration for mountings for data cable is the sensitivity of some data cables to damage in the event the body is bent excessively. In other words, the radius of curvature that is possible without damage to the data cable is severely limited. Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention provides a very positive mounting for the data cable and completely avoids bending of the data cable 40 . As will be apparent from the drawings, only the messenger wire 44 is twisted or bent during installation or any other time. Because the messenger wire 44 is manufactured of steel or other strong material that is not sensitive to damage from bending, the dead end connector 10 in accordance with present invention avoids the problem of damage to the communications cable 42 . The lanyard or bail 30 as well as the ferrules 33 , 35 are preferably manufactured of stainless steel to ensure a long service life. The body 12 is preferably manufactured of a nylon glass filled material having a construction with a generous radius of curvature on each corner to prevent any possible damage to the communications cable 42 . The nylon glass filled composition of the body 12 is advantageous because it will not corrode and because it is an electrical insulator and thus ensures there will be no electrical interference. In the preferred embodiment of the lanyard or bail 30 is removable from the body 12 . This is advantageous because it enables an installer to engage even eyebolts or to wrap the lanyard 30 around a given fixed object. Advantageously, lanyards of various lengths may be provided for the convenience of an installer connecting the body 12 in different environments. Although other forms of the present invention may alternatively use a rigid bail. The groove 14 is preferably dimensioned generously to accommodate any one of various data cables 40 having a substantial dimension range. Another advantageous aspect of the apparatus of the present invention is that as the load due to the weight of the data cables 40 increases, the tension on the messenger wire 44 increases, causing the coils 47 to tighten and thereby grip the data cable 40 even more firmly. Although the invention has been described with respect to any messenger cable having a cross-section resembling the numeral 8, it will be understood that the invention has application to data cables having other exterior contours, such as a single cylindrical cross-section. For example, the trough (defined in present invention by the U-shaped slot 14 ) will accommodate a wide range of cable sizes and shapes. Similarly, although the invention has been described with respect to a 20 cable intended for communications of any kind, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention also has application to cables for other applications. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.