Break-away hook assembly

A break-away hook assembly is adapted for installation for use with a low-voltage residential communication cable. A pair of members is coupled. One of the members has a connector with a terminal portion which receives a terminus of the other member. The connector breaks to release the second member from coupled engagement with the first member so that upon application of a stress in excess of a pre-established load, the cable will sag while maintaining the communication integrity of the cable.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to hooks which are employed to suspend communication and/or data cables for residential applications. More particularly, this disclosure relates generally to hooks with a threaded end which connect with the exterior of the residence and retain an overhead cable to provide remote communication with the residence.

For conventional cable installations to which the present disclosure relates, it is common practice to connect a low voltage data communication cable, which may be a fiber optic cable, a telephone line or other conventional cable, between a remote carrier line and the residential structure to provide communication to the interior of the residence. P-hooks, bridle rings or other similar hardware include a threaded end which threads into the upper exterior structure of the residence. The hardware includes a catch which receives the cable closely adjacent the residence to provide an overhead suspension point. A trailing end portion of the cable is fixedly secured to the residence exterior. The cable ultimately connects at the residence interior for communication purposes with the telephone, computer, TV or other electronic device.

Such communication cables typically carry a very low current and ordinarily do not pose a danger of electrical shock or adverse consequences if they are accidentally grasped or fall on or contact an individual.

During severe weather conditions, such as high winds, ice storms, hail and other adverse conditions, it is common for overhead communication cables under extreme loads to collapse until a break-point is surpassed or fall to the ground, break apart and thereby interrupt communication through the cable. It is necessary for utility service providers to visit the location of the downed cables and replace cables and/or restore the cables to the proper suspended and connected positions. When the conditions are wide-spread and result in multitudinous outages, it can take an unacceptably long time for a utility to restore cable communication service.

Even though the downed cables ordinarily do not present a significant hazard to individuals, the downed cables are problematic due to the fact that communication is typically interrupted until proper service and connections are restored.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, a break-away hook assembly for a low voltage residential communication cable in a preferred form comprises a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a threaded segment and a shank segment extending from the threaded segment. A bent portion defines a generally curvilinear catch with a terminus that extends adjacent an intermediate portion of the shank segment and is generally spaced therefrom to form an entry for the catch.

The second member is coupled to the first member for engagement with a catch. The second member comprises a connector with a terminal portion defining an opening dimensioned to receive the terminus of the first shank. A shank segment extends from the connector and a bent portion comprising a compound bend defines a second curvilinear catch with a terminus that extends adjacent the shank segment and is generally spaced therefrom to form an entry for the second catch. The terminal portion breaks to release the second member from coupled engagement with the first member upon application of a stress applied to the second catch in excess of a pre-established load.

The break-away hook assembly in one embodiment employs a first member with a P-hook. The connector is preferably manufactured from a fusible glass composite. The second member, in one embodiment, comprises a portion which is substantially identical to the first member with the second threaded segment potted in the connector.

A communication cable installation for residential or similar structure comprises a first P-hook threaded into an elevated location of the structure and forming a first catch. A second P-hook has a second catch and is attached to a connector with an opening. The first P-hook is coupled through the opening and engaged by the first catch. The communication cable is connected to the second catch for suspension at an overhead location. When a load above a pre-established threshold is applied to the cable, the connector breaks to uncouple the second P-hook from the first P-hook, thereby allowing the communication cable to sag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several Figures, a break-away hook assembly is generally designated by the numeral10. The hook assembly10is especially adapted for use in connection with suspending an overhead communication cable20from the upper portions of a residential structure30.

The hook assembly10functions to provide a suspension point for the overhead cable under normal conditions. However, in the event that the cable20should be subject to excessive stress or loading, the hook assembly10breaks apart to provide a relief sag condition for the cable so as to minimize communication disruption through the cable. The controlled relief sag provided by the break-away hook assembly consequently allows the service providers of the utility additional time to fully restore the cable sagging and to efficiently restore the cable suspension.

The communication cable20is a low current cable such as a fiber optic cable, a telephone line or other communication cable which provides communication between a remote carrier line or trunk (not illustrated) and the interior of the residence. The leading portion22of the cable may be fixedly attached to the exterior of the residence. The terminal end of the cable is connected at the interior of the structure to provide the communication with electronic equipment such as, for example, a telephone, a computer, a television or other electronic device. Typically, a suspender or drop wire clamp24may be fastened to the cable20to facilitate the overhead suspension.

The break-away hook assembly10is comprised of two cooperative components, namely, hook40and hook/connector50which efficiently couple to form the break-away hook assembly. Hook40may assume various forms, but is preferably a hook which is commonly referred to a P-hook or a bridle hook. Such a hook is typically characterized by a threaded end42, a shank44and an opposed compound bended portion46forming a catch, wherein the distal end48is spaced away from the shank to form an entry49to the catch. The threaded end42is typically adapted to thread into the wood trim portions of the residence structure. The entry49typically provides access to the catch which may be employed to suspend the cable or to receive a suspender or drop wire clamp24which ties off or connects with the cable. A bridle ring (not illustrated), which may also be used for a similar application, typically has a more circular geometry, but also has a threaded end and an entry.

With additional reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, hook/connector50preferably includes a P-hook60substantially similar in form and function to P-hook40as well as an end connector70. The threaded end62of the P-hook is potted in the end connector70which may preferably be manufactured from glass filled nylon or other plastic. The connector70has an enlarged portion72surrounding the threaded end62of the P-hook60. The extreme end of the connector has a reduced portion74which includes a central opening76. The opening76is dimensioned to allow the connector to pass over the end48of the hook40and be received in the catch as best illustrated inFIG. 2. Preferably, the connector70is formed from any fusible material which is selected to have a pre-established break point. Other materials having a pre-established break point characteristic are also possible.

The hook assembly10is assembled as illustrated inFIG. 2, wherein the hook/connector50couples to hook40which is anchored to the residence structure. A suspender or drop wire clamp24which connects with the cable20has a loop26received in the catch66of hook50. The hook assembly10is essentially installed in a semi-taut configuration for suspending the cable in an overhead functional position. The leading portion20of the cable is then fixedly attached by connectors28which may be plastic or otherwise adapted to break away under a heavy load from their anchoring position against the structure of the residence.

Under normal conditions, hook assembly10functions to suspend the cable20in a proper overhead position. However, the hook assembly10is adapted to break away under a load above a pre-established threshold (beyond the range of normal conditions) so that the communication cable will essentially dangle or sag above the ground and allow communication to be transmitted across the cable even under severe loading conditions such as may occur in high winds or under icy conditions. The reduced portion74of the connector70is constructed so that it will essentially break away at the opening76, thereby disengaging from the catch46. The disengagement allows the cable to sag, without severing the cable or communication connections. In some conditions, the cable may have sufficient length so that it pulls the remaining trailing portions of the cable from the structure so that the cable lies across the ground or other objects, but nevertheless, continues to provide communication.

The proper position of the cable for overhead suspension can be relatively easily restored by the service provider visiting the site and replacing and mounting the hook/connector50.

One embodiment of a hook assembly10as described was tested under simulated load conditions. A communication cable was suspended at an overhead location and oriented substantially as shown inFIG. 1. A tensile pull force was applied to the communication cable. The cable was subjected to a gradually increasing torsional motion until a load threshold was reached. The reduced connector portion76was eventually severed so that the first hook40disengaged from its connection with hook/connector50and the cable sagged below its previously anchored position while maintaining the cable integrity of the communication function.