Abstract:
For locally supporting an overhead electrical power line, a suspension includes a suspension clamp, the bottom part of which is open laterally and forms a cradle which is associated with a pivoting clamping assembly. The suspension clamp includes, in addition to the clamping system, a pivoting closure clamp which closes the cross-section of the bottom part when required. Applications include installing and supporting low-voltage overhead electrical power lines formed of insulated cables.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally concerned with suspensions of the type used to support overhead electrical power lines, for example. 
     It is more particularly directed to the situation in which, forming part of a low-voltage electrical power distribution network, the overhead electrical power line to be supported is formed of four insulated cables twisted together, namely three phase cables and one neutral cable. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The suspensions which support an overhead electrical power line of the above kind at each of the posts between which it runs include a support which is fixed to the post, in the form of a bracket or a hook, for example, and a suspension clamp that is adapted to receive the overhead electrical power line and which is suspended from the support either directly, in particular if the support is a hook, or indirectly, for example by means of a shackle, if it is a bracket. 
     A suspension of the above type is described in French patent 2 478 246 filed Mar. 13, 1980 as application 80 05609, for example. 
     As described in the above French patent, the suspension clamp has a top part by means of which it is adapted to be suspended from the corresponding support and a bottom part by means of which it is adapted to receive at least a portion of the overhead electrical power line to be suspended, the bottom part having an open cross-section and forming an elongate cradle below the opening, a clamping system associated with the cradle pivoting about an axis parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cradle. 
     Until now suspensions of the above type have been used only to support the overhead electrical power line concerned, and not for the drawing operation required to install it. 
     At present this drawing operation is carried out using pay-out pulleys temporarily attached to the posts, one per post, below the corresponding suspension clamps, and it is only afterwards that the overhead electrical power line is transferred from the pay-out pulleys to the suspension clamps. 
     The pay-out pulleys used for this operation are dedicated to their function and therefore have an opening yoke which makes them relatively complex and costly. 
     They therefore require a non-negligible investment for their manufacture and maintenance and they are relatively costly in terms of labour to fit and to remove. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to dispense with at least some of the pay-out pulleys, given that those at the ends of the overhead electrical power line to be installed, i.e. that immediately downstream of the pay-out cable drum and that immediately upstream of the drawing capstan, can normally only be conserved. 
     At present only one of the cables constituting the overhead electrical power line is engaged in the suspension clamp of one of the suspensions, namely its neutral cable, which then serves as a supporting cable for the associated phase cables. 
     It is now desirable for a suspension clamp of the above kind to be able to receive all of the cables of the overhead electrical power line to be supported. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention consists in a suspension clamp adapted to receive all of the cables of an overhead electrical power line and suitable for drawing the line so that it can advantageously be substituted for a drawing pulley; it also consists in any suspension including a suspension clamp of the above kind. 
     The suspension clamp in accordance with the invention is of the kind including a top part adapted to be suspended from a support and a bottom part adapted to receive at least a portion of the overhead electrical power line to be suspended, the bottom part having an open cross-section and below its opening forming an elongate cradle with, associated with the cradle, a clamping system pivoting about an axis parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cradle, characterized in that it includes, in addition to the clamping system, a closing clamp pivoting about an axis parallel to the lengthwise direction of the cradle and adapted to close the cross-section of the bottom part when required, extending from one of the two ends thereof to the other. 
     The closure clamp provided in accordance with the invention advantageously enables the bottom part of the suspension clamp to be opened, enabling the overhead electrical power line to be paid out to be placed in it, and then the bottom part to be closed before the cable is drawn, preventing the overhead electrical power line that is being drawn escaping unintentionally from the bottom part. 
     However, unlike a clamping system, the closure clamp in accordance with the invention is advantageously at a distance from the overhead electrical power line during drawing so that the line is entirely free to slide in the manner needed for it to be paid out correctly. 
     It is only when drawing has been completed that the associated clamping system is operated to hold in position the overhead electrical power line installed in the above manner. 
     Nesting means are preferably provided in a complementary fashion on the suspension clamp and on the closure clamp for cooperation of the nesting means by relative interengagement with each other when the closure clamp is in the closed position. 
     Firm and reliable locking of the closure clamp to the suspension clamp in the transverse and longitudinal directions is therefore obtained when the closure clamp is in the closed position through cooperation with a clamping screw controlling the closure clamp, in a manner that is very simple but highly effective. 
     This makes paying out safe. 
     The cradle that forms the bottom part of the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention preferably flares outwards at each end to facilitate the paying out of an overhead electrical power line during drawing and for an optimum fit to the inherent shape of the line after drawing, so protecting the overhead electrical power line in both cases. 
     The suspension clamp in accordance with the invention is preferably made from an insulative synthetic material, as is the shackle that may be used between it and the support from which the combination is suspended, which is beneficial to good insulation of the overhead electrical power line concerned from the support, whilst exploiting relative elasticity of the insulative synthetic material to facilitate the production and/or the fitting of some of the components concerned, which fitting can include snap fastening, for example. 
     Finally, because it can be suspended from a bracket or from a hook and because its clamping system can adapt to different overhead electrical power line diameters, the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention is advantageously of virtually universal application to a great many different situations. 
     The features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension including a suspension clamp in accordance with the invention 
     FIG. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in cross-section taken along the line II—II in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention as seen from the front. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the suspension clamp as seen from the rear. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial view of the suspension clamp to a different scale and in longitudinal section taken along the line V—V in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the closure clamp incorporated in the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention, as seen from the front. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closure clamp as seen from the rear. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the clamping system also forming part of the suspension clamp, as seen from the front. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the clamping system as seen from the rear. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the clamping screw controlling the closure clamp and the clamping system of the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention. 
     FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  11 C are partial elevation views in section similar to that of FIG. 2, to a smaller scale, illustrating various successive phases in the use of the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention for a given diameter of the overhead electrical power line concerned. 
     FIG. 12 is a partial elevation view in section similar to that of FIG. 11C for a different diameter of the overhead electrical power line. 
     FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4 concerning a variant of the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 relating to a variant, as seen from the rear. 
     FIG. 15 is, like FIG. 2, a view of this variant partly in elevation and partly in cross-section taken along the line XV—XV in FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 3 which relates to the suspension clamp used in this variant. 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 7 which relates to the closure clamp. 
     FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 16 and relates to another variant of the suspension clamp in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown diagrammatically in dashed line in FIG.  1  and as shown in continuous line in FIGS. 11A,  11 B,  11 C and  12 , the overall aim is to ensure localized support of an overhead electrical power line  10  which, in the embodiments shown, is formed of four cables  11 P,  11 N twisted together, namely three phase cables  11 P and one neutral cable  11 N. 
     A suspension  12  is used on each of the posts concerned for localized support of the overhead electrical power line  10 , in a manner that is known in itself. 
     In a manner that is also known in itself the suspension  12  includes a support  13  which is adapted to be fixed to the corresponding post and a suspension clamp  14  suspended from the support  13  either directly or indirectly. 
     In the embodiments more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 through 17 the support  13  is a bracket and the suspension clamp  14  is suspended indirectly from it via a shackle  15 . 
     A support  13  of the above kind and a shackle  15  of the above kind will not be described in detail here because they are well known in themselves, in particular from French patent 80 05609 mentioned hereinabove. 
     Concerning the support  13 , suffice to say that it includes an eyelet  16  for hooking the shackle  15  onto. 
     Concerning the shackle  15 , which is an openable shackle, suffice to say that its top part forms a pin  17  for hooking it onto the support  13  and its bottom part forms a yoke  18  with a transverse bore  19  through it for hooking the suspension clamp  14  onto. 
     In a manner that is known in itself the suspension clamp  14  includes a top part  14 A adapted to be suspended from a support, here from the support  13  by way of the shackle  15 , and a bottom part  14 B adapted to receive at least a portion of the overhead electrical power line  10  to be suspended, here all of it, the bottom part  14 B having a cross-section that is open laterally in the top portion, its bottom portion forming an elongate cradle  22  below the opening  20 . As described in more detail below, a clamping system  23  pivoting about an axis A 1  parallel to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  is associated with the cradle  22 . 
     The pivot axis A 1  of the clamping system  23  and the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  are shown in FIGS. 2 and 11B. 
     The lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  is shown in dashed line in FIG.  5 . 
     In the various embodiments shown the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  is in the form of a substantially flat lug substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  and substantially in the median longitudinal plane of the cradle. 
     For pivotal cooperation with the bore  19  in the shackle  15  it has two back-to-back journals  24  that are substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22 . 
     In the embodiments shown the journals  24  have a common bore  25  and a reinforcing shaft  26  extends inside both of them (see FIG.  2 ). 
     In the various embodiments shown the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  has a substantially circular contour in cross-section and its opening  20  occupies substantially a top quarter of that contour. 
     The bottom part  14 B is externally reinforced by transverse ribs  27  extending continuously from its free end  28  to the face  29  of the top part  14 A opposite the latter, merging with the face  29  to form a triangle. 
     As seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the cradle  22  that it forms is preferably flared outwardly at each end. 
     In the various embodiments shown the top part  14 A and the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  are in one piece, the combination being moulded together from an insulative synthetic material of high mechanical strength. 
     The reinforcing shaft  26  is preferably a metal shaft. 
     In accordance with the invention, and in addition to the clamping system  23 , the suspension clamp  14  includes a closure clamp  30  pivoting about an axis A 2  parallel to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  and adapted to close the cross-section of the bottom part  14 B when required, then extending across the opening  20  of the bottom part  14 B, from one end to the other thereof, i.e. from the free end  28  of the bottom part  14 B to the end  31  at which it joins onto the top part  14 A. 
     Like the opening  20  of the bottom part  14 B, the closure clamp  30  subtends substantially a quarter of a circle, forming an arch  22 ′, completing the cross-section of the bottom part  14 B when in its closed position. 
     In the various embodiments shown the closing clamp  30  is articulated to the bottom part  14 B along its free end  28 . 
     In the embodiment more particular shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 the opening  20  in the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  is on the side of the latter opposite the support  13 , and therefore likewise the closure clamp  30 . 
     The closure clamp  30  has, at the end concerned, two lateral articulation lugs  32  inserted in the manner of a yoke into two slots  33  in corresponding relationship provided for this purpose through a rounded bead  34  increasing the thickness of the free end  28  of the bottom part  14 B, the combination comprising a longitudinal bore  35  to receive a pin  36  defining the pivot axis A 2 . 
     Like the reinforcing shaft  26 , the pin  36  is preferably made of metal. 
     At its free end, i.e. at its end opposite the lugs  32 , the closure clamp  30  of the embodiment shown has a bearing lug  38  which is pressed against the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  in the closed position. 
     In accordance with the invention, nesting means  39 ,  40  are provided in a complementary manner on the suspension clamp  14  and on the closure clamp  30  for cooperation of the nesting means  39 ,  40  by relative interengagement thereof when the closure clamp  30  is in the closed position. 
     In the embodiment shown the nesting means  39 ,  40  comprise at least one boss  39  projecting from the bearing lug  38  of the closure clamp  30  and at least one cavity  40  recessed into the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14 , the cavity being in corresponding relationship to the boss  39  and adapted to receive it. 
     As in the embodiments shown, the nesting means  39 ,  40  preferably include two bosses  39  on the bearing lug  38  of the closure clamp  30  and two cavities  40  in corresponding relationship thereto on the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14 . 
     As shown here, for example, the bosses  39  and the cavities  40  are parallel to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  and have a four-cornered contour when seen in plan view. 
     In the various embodiments shown the closure clamp  30  is controlled by a clamping screw  41  transverse to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22  and adapted to hold the device in the closed position when required. 
     The clamping screw  41  passes through a bore  42  provided for this purpose in the bearing lug  38  between the bosses  39  and through a bore  43  also provided for this purpose in the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14 . 
     In practice the clamping screw  41  is the same in the various embodiments shown. As shown here, the head  44  of the clamping screw  41  preferably includes two spaced members  45 ,  46  for rotating it separated by a frangible area  47 . 
     The rotation member  45  at the free end of the head  44  is a butterfly nut, for example. 
     The rotating member  46  is a hexagonal nut. 
     In the embodiment shown the threaded section  48  of the shank  49  of the clamping screw  41  is restricted to its free end and, for reasons that will become apparent below, the smooth section  50  of the shank  49  has a transverse flange  51  between the head  44  and the threaded section  48  at a distance from the head  44 . 
     The clamping screw  41  can be made from an insulative synthetic material, for example. In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 the head  44  of the clamping screw  41  is on the same side of the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  as the closing clamp  30 , its shank  49  passes through the closing clamp and, to cooperate with the threaded section  48  of the shank  49 , the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  has a threaded bush  52  in corresponding relationship to it beyond the bore  43 . 
     In practice the shank  49  of the clamping screw  41  passes through the bore  42  in the closure clamp  30  and in the embodiment shown the bore  42  is threaded to mesh with the end of the threaded section  48  of the shank  49  towards the head  44  of the clamping screw  41 . 
     As shown here, the bore  43  in the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  is preferably flared outwardly at the top, forming a truncated cone, to facilitate inserting the clamping screw  41 . 
     The threaded bush  52  leading on from the bore  43  projects from the face  29  of the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  opposite the closure clamp  30 . 
     As shown here, the threaded bush  52  is preferably split locally by at least one slot  53  to constitute a brake opposing unintentional unscrewing of the clamping screw  41 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 through 12, for example, there is only one slot  53  transverse to the axis of the threaded bush  52 . 
     In the various embodiments shown, the closure clamp  30  incorporates a holding lug  54  to facilitate manipulating it. 
     As shown here, for example, the holding lug  54  projects laterally and parallel to the lengthwise direction D of the cradle  22 . 
     In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 through 12 the clamping system  23  is articulated to the closure clamp  30  and passes through an opening  55  provided in the closure clamp for this purpose. 
     The clamping system  23  includes, in a V-shape arrangement, a clamping shoe  56  and an operating lever  57 . To mount it so that it can pivot, i.e. here to articulate it to the closure clamp  30 , it has two back-to-back journals  59  in the area where the clamping shoe  56  and the operating lever  57  converge, rotationally engaged with lugs  61  in corresponding relationship on the closure clamp  30 , flanking its opening  55 . 
     The lugs  61  on the closure clamp  30  for articulating the clamping system  23  in practice project from its back and are relatively near the lugs  32  for articulating it to the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14 . 
     As in the embodiment shown, the lugs  61  of the closure clamp  30  preferably each have a localized notch  62  so that the clamping system  23  can simply be clipped into place. 
     The clamping shoe  56  of the clamping system  23  and its operating lever  57  are internally connected by a transverse rib  63  to reinforce them. 
     The clamping shoe  56  has an array of projecting transverse ribs  64  on its exterior to obtain a firmer grip on the overhead electrical power line  10  to be clamped. 
     The clamping system  23  is in practice the same in the various embodiments shown and is controlled by the same clamping screw  41  as the closure clamp  30 , the shank  49  of the closure screw  41  passing freely through a bore  66  provided for this purpose in the operating lever  57 , having two shoulders  67 ,  68  on respective opposite sides of the operating lever  57  for driving it both ways. 
     In practice the shoulder  67  is formed by the rotation member  46  and the shoulder  68  is formed by the flange  51 . 
     To enable the clamping system  23  to pivot the bore  66  in its operating lever  57  is in the form of an elongate slot transverse to its pivot axis A 2  and the bore  66  is key-hole shaped so that the flange  51  on the clamping screw  41  can be passed through it. 
     In other words, it has an enlargement  69  at one end the diameter of which is greater than that of the flange  51  of the clamping screw  41 . 
     As in the embodiment shown, the operating lever  57  of the clamping system  23  preferably has rounded bosses  70 ,  71  projecting from both faces and flanking the bore  66  for cooperating contact with the respective shoulders  67 ,  68  of the clamping screw  41 . 
     As in the embodiments shown, a recess  56 ′ is preferably provided at the bottom of the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  and notches out the middle part of the corresponding end  31  of its bottom part  14 B. It is adapted to receive the clamping system  23  transversely, to be more precise the end of its clamping shoe  56 . 
     The width of the recess  56 ′ is therefore at least equal to that of the clamping shoe  56  and its height is at least equal to the thickness of the shoe. 
     A recess  56 ″ of the same kind is provided on the closure clamp  30 , at the base of its bearing lug  38  and continuous with its opening  55 , and this recess is adapted to receive transversely the clamping system  23 , to be more precise the end of its clamping shoe  56 . 
     The suspension  12  in accordance with the invention is preferably shipped assembled and ready for use with its support  13 , its shackle  15  and its suspension clamp  14 , as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     To use it, it must first be fixed to a post. 
     This is done in the following manner. 
     In a first or preparation period during which the suspension clamp  14  is in the open position the clamping screw  41  is unscrewed so that the threaded portion  48  of its shank  49  meshes with the bore  42  in the closure clamp  30  which is threaded for this purpose. 
     As a result traction is applied to the operating lever  57  of the clamping system  23 , via the flange  51  on the smooth portion  50  of the shank  49 , which bears through the shoulder  68  on the bosses  71  on the operating lever  57 , which pivots the clamping system  23  about its pivot axis A 1  in a direction that causes the end of its clamping shoe  56  to enter the recess  56 ″ provided for this purpose at the bottom of the bearing lug  38  of the closure clamp  30 . 
     Unscrewing of the clamping screw  41  is continued until the clamping shoe  56  is completely retracted into the recess  56 ″ and completely uncovers the arch  22 ′ of the closure clamp  30  (see FIG.  11 A). 
     The closure clamp  30  is then left in the open position to enable the overhead electrical power line  10  to be supported to be inserted into the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14 , through the opening  20  therein, as shown by an arrow F 1  in FIG.  11 A. 
     In a second step (see FIG.  11 B), the closure clamp  30  is pivoted about its pivot axis A 2  into the closed position, as shown by an arrow F 2  in FIG.  11 B. 
     The bearing shoe  38  of the closure clamp  30  then bears against the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14 , with relative interengagement of the nesting means  39 ,  40  of the closure clamp  30  and the suspension clamp  14 . 
     The end of the clamping shoe  56  of the clamping system  23  enters the recess  56 ′ provided for this purpose at the bottom of the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14 , which advantageously completes transverse and longitudinal locking of the closure clamp  30  to the suspension clamp. 
     The clamping screw  41  is then screwed a little way into the threaded bush  52 , as shown in FIG.  11 B. 
     The axial length of the threaded portion  48  of the shank  49  of the clamping screw  41  is sufficient for the threaded portion  48  to mesh both with the threaded bush  52  of the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14 , at its free end, and with the threaded bore  42  of the closure clamp  30 , at the end facing the head  44  of the clamping screw  41 , in the closed position of the system shown in FIG. 11B, so that the clamping shoe  56  of the clamping system  23  is held in its retracted position in the recesses  56 ′,  56 ″ and at the same time the clamping flange  30  is held in the closed position on the suspension clamp  14 . 
     In this initial closed position the internal volume of the suspension clamp  14  is totally unimpeded. 
     The overhead electrical power line  10  then rests on the cradle  42  formed by the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  due to its own weight and when drawn can slide freely in the cradle  22  in its lengthwise direction D. 
     When everything has stabilized, the clamping screw  41  is screwed in further. 
     The shoulder  67  on the clamping screw  41  then entrains the operating lever  57  of the clamping system  23  which pivots it about its pivot axis A 1 , as shown by the arrow F 3  in FIG. 11C, causing its clamping shoe  56  to come into contact with the overhead electrical power line  10  and then to press the line strongly against the bottom of the cradle  22 , as shown in FIG. 11C for an overhead electrical power line  10  of relatively large diameter. 
     The clamping screw  41  is screwed into a greater or lesser degree depending on the diameter of the overhead electrical power line  10  to be suspended, as shown in FIGS. 11C and 12. 
     In all cases the torque to be applied to the clamping screw  41  increases as the overhead electrical power line  10  is clamped down. 
     When a particular torque is reached, as determined by the frangible area  47  of the clamping screw  41 , the rotation member  45  separates from the screw of its own accord, as shown in FIGS. 11C and 12. 
     The clamping of the overhead electrical power line  10  is then deemed to be satisfactory. 
     Because of the design features adopted, the head  44  of the clamping screw  41  is on the opposite side of the suspension clamp  14  to the support  13 , which advantageously facilitates operation of the clamping screw  41 . 
     The suspension clamp  14  can be opened again, if required, for example to demount the overhead electrical power line  10  that it contains, by operating the clamping screw  41  using the remaining rotation member  46  provided on it for this purpose. 
     Upon such opening the clamping screw  41  entrains the clamping system  23  with it in the opposite direction, via the shoulder  68  of its flange  51 . 
     In the variant shown in FIG. 13 the threaded bush  52  of the suspension clamp  14  is locally split by a slot  53 ′, as previously, to provide a brake, but in this embodiment the slot  53 ′ is a longitudinal slot. 
     In the variant shown in FIGS. 14 through 17 the opening  20  in the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  is on the same side as the support  13 , and therefore likewise the closure clamp  30 . 
     However, the clamping system  23  is now articulated to the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  on the side thereof opposite the closure clamp  30  and passes through an opening  55 ′ provided for this purpose in the bottom part  14 B. 
     The head  44  of the clamping screw  41  is on the opposite side of the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  to the closure clamp  30 , its shank  49  passes freely through the bore  43  in the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  and the closure clamp  30  includes a threaded bush  52 ′ to cooperate with the threaded portion  48  of its shank  49 . 
     Because of this reversing of the design features relative to those previously described, the head  44  of the clamping screw  41  is advantageously on the side of the suspension clamp  14  opposite the support  13 . 
     For mounting the clamping assembly  23  so that it can pivot the bottom part  14 B of the suspension clamp  14  has two lugs  61 ′ on the back rotationally engaged with the journals  59  of the clamping system  23 . 
     Otherwise, the design features are generally of the same kind as those previously described. 
     In particular, the lugs  61 ′ of the suspension clamp  14  each have a notch (not visible in the figures) to enable the clamping system  23  to be simply clipped into place. 
     Also, the top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  again includes, as previously, a recess  56 ′ at the bottom to receive the end of the clamping shoe  56  of the clamping system  23 . 
     In the embodiment shown, however, the closure clamp  30  does not have any comparable recess  56 ″. 
     A recess could be provided in it if required, however. 
     In the variant shown in FIG. 18, as shown in chain-dotted outline, the support  13  is a simple hook. 
     The top part  14 A of the suspension clamp  14  then includes an eyelet  72  for suspending it. 
     As shown here, the eyelet  72  is preferably reinforced internally by a metallic coating  73 . 
     Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described as shown but encompasses any variant execution and/or combination of the various component parts thereof.