Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The present invention relates to a device for protecting a splice
in a cable, and more particularly, to a device for protecting an underground
cable splice, and still more particularly, to a device for stabili~ing a
cable splice enclosure having a cable splice therein with reference to the
surrounding terrain.
In the prior art, devices for protecting underground cables and
pipelines are known, and some of these are described in the follo~Jing U.S.
Patents:
2,306,331 to W.B. Elmer Dec. 22, 1942
3,643,005 to L.H. Mathews Feb. 15, 1972
4,069,684 to E.I. Wilson Jan. 24, 1978 -
The word ';cable" normally describes two or more electrical con-
ductors or cores which are individually insulated and contained within a pro-
tective sheath. Typically, a telephone communication cable may contain a
multiplicity of conductors each individually insulated and the group con-
tained within a metal sheath, of, for instance, lead, aluminum, or copper.
Obviously, to whatever use a cable pertains, there will eventually
be need of joining one cable to a continuing cable or of splitting the orig-
inal cable into smaller cables for further distribution. In any such point
of joinder, the splice must be adequately protected from any potential cause
of destruction, e.g. by movement of the surrounding earth which might cause
breakage of many of the separate wire joints, or bending or breaking of
the outer sheath permitting moisture or air to intrude. The entry of moist-
ure or air could cause corrosion of some particular component resulting in
broken connections or shortcircuiting.
Ground rnovement may be caused by surface traffic or by water seep-
age. In addition, shortly after installation of underground cable, the
loosenéd earth has a tendency to settle further. Any of these conditions
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could cause the outer sheath of a cable joint to fracture.
As shown in the prior art cited above, some attempts have been
made in the past to protect underground cables or other types of underground
conduits by enclosing the conduit in sorne form of protection covering to
compensate for some of the potential causes of injury to a cable.
Therefore, the primary object of one aspect of this invention is
to provide a device for stabilizing a cable splice enclosure, with reference
to the surrounding terrain, which is economical, efficient in operation, easy
to manufacture, and easy to use.
An object of another aspect of this invention is to provide a
device for stabilizing a cable splice enclosure, with reference to the sur- --
rounding terrain, which will reduce the chance of occurrence of a splice
failure caused by environmental damage, e.g.: frost or ground heave,
vibration, or ground settling under the splice.
An object of another aspect of this invention is to provide a device
for stabilizing a cable splice enclosure, with reference to the surrounding
terrain, which is readily adaptable to various types of cables, cable splices,
and terrain.
An object of yet another aspect of this invention is to provide
a devlce which will protect a cab]e splice and its surrounding encap-
sulant from excessive movement, thus reducing the chance of a break in the
sealing cornponent whlch would permlt moisture to enter the cable joint area.
An object of still another aspect of this invention is to
provide a device which will protect either pressurized or non-pressurized
type splices which employ any of the common types of splice closures
in use today and constructed of either p]astic, lead, alum;num, stain-
less steel or the ]ike.
An object of a still further aspect of this invention is to
provide a device for protecting a cable splice from damage which might
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otherwise be caused by a person using reckless, haphazard, or improper back-
filling methods when burying the splice.
By a broad aspect of this invention a device is provided for
stabilizing, with reference to the surrounding terrain, a cable splice
enclosure having a cable splicç~therein, comprising: a stabilizer rail
adaptable to be positionable in a supporting position adjacent a splice en-
closure; a spacer base member slidably positionable longitudinally on the
stabilizer rail and adaptable to support a cable component of a cable splice
enclosure; and strap means adaptable to hold a cable splice enclosure in
position against the stabilizer rail. Preferably, the spacer base member
is adapted to support a portion of cable near the splice enclosure.
In another embodirnent, the device includes an additional spacer
member cooperable with the spacer base member and adaptable to provide added
supporting configuration between the stabilizer rail and a cable.
By a variation thereof, the device includes a cradle member slida-
bly positionable longitudinally on the stabilizer rail and adaptable to sup-
port a splice enclosure. The stabilizer rail may include a longitudinal
groove along an upper surface; and the cradle member includes means
for cooperating with the longitudinal groove so that the cradle member may
be securely positioned on the stabilizer rail. The stabilizer rail pre-
ferably includes a support leg attachable thereto to extend laterally from
the stabilizer rail. Preferably the support leg includes a lower planar sur-
face for extending substantially parallel to a lower surface of the stabili-
zer rail. Still more preferably, the support leg includes an upper planar
surface for extending at an angle to the lower planar surface. The support
leg may also include means for cooperating with the longitudinal groove in
the stabilizer rail to clamp the support leg in position against a side of
the stabilizer rail.
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The cradle member includes a pair of sidewardly extending arms
adaptable to provide support means for a splice enclosure.
Thus, it has not been discovered that a cable joint may best be
protected from damage by enclosing the cable splice withln a cable splice
enclosure, and by securing the cable splice enclosure and adjacent portions
of cable in an immobile position in relation to each other at least stable
or substantially immobile in relation to the surrounding terrain to extended
portions of the cable.
As can easily be seen, the device of aspects of this invention pro-
vides for proper and secure cable alignment in relation to the splice areaso that the cable splice area can be held securely. The cable splice area
and adjoining portions of cable are thus held securely as a unit, and if
there is any ground movement, move as a unit, greatly reducing, or even
eliminating the chance of breakage in the cable splice. Any movement of
cable at locations farther from the splice enclosure will be minimal and
exert no stress on the cable splice.
In the accompanying drawings:
FICURE I is a perspective view of a stabilizer device according to
one embodiment of this invention shown in position in relation to a cable
splice enclosure and extending cable;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a stabilizer device according
to one embodiment of this invention as it would be in position to receive a
cable splice enclosure and cable;
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FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a stabllizer de-
vice according to an embodiment of this invention describing a cradle cotn-
ponent in position along a longitudinal groove of a stabilizer rail;
FIGURE 3a is a partial perspective view of a stahilizer device
according to an embodiment of this invention describing a cradle splice
enclosure in position on a cradle component and strapped into position on
the cradle;
FrGuRE 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a stabilizer device
according to an embodiment of this invention describing a support leg com-
ponent in position along a stabilizer rail; and
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a stabilizer device
according to an embodiment of this invention describing, in greater detail,
a spacer base member and spacer member in position along a stabilizer rail.
FIGURE l describes a stabilizer device according to an embodiment
of this invention, 10, generally, as it is in position witha cable splice en-
closure 12 and cables 14 extending from each side of the splice enclosure 12.
In normal~practice, the numerous wires comprising the cables 14 are individ-
ually spliced within the splice enclosure 12 and surrounded by various types
of protective material or sealant.
` ~ Stabilizer device 10 comprises a stabilizer rail 16, which, aS
it has been designed, includes a longitudinal groove 18 along an upper sur-
face 20 and a lower longitudinal groove 22 along a lower surface 24. A cradlé-
member 26, generally, is shown more clearly in FIGURES 2 and 3, and is shown
in position in FIGURE 1 as supporting splice enclosure 12, and held in posi-
tion by strap means 28. Strap means 28 may comprise any conventional type
of fastening device. Cradle member 26 includes sidewardly extending
arms 30~ one type of which includes a slot 32 as shown in FIG~RES l and 2,
and one type of which does not include slots as shownn in FIGURE 3. Arms
30 may be substantially rigid to conform to the configuration of splice en-
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closure 12, or may be flexible rnaterial in order to be drawn closely into
conformation with splice enclosure 12. Cradle mernber 26 also includes means
for cooperating with the longitudinal groove 18 as, for exarnp]e, by mernber
34, so that cradle member 26 may be adjustably positionable along stabilizer
rail 16 as desired. Member 34 provides rneans for retaining cradle rnernber 26
securely positionable on stabilizer rail 16, particularly laterally in rela-
tion to stabilizer rail 16.
The present device has been designed so that a cable splice and
cable splice enclosure may be held as rigidly securable as possible both in
relation to stabilizer rail 16 and to the surrounding terrain in which the
entire system may be buried. To assure a more secure positioning of the
splice enclosure 12 and adjacent cables 14 in relation to stabilizer rail 16,
a spacer base member 36 which includes a tongue 38 which cooperates with
grooves 18 of the stabilizer rail 16 to permit spacer base member 36 to be
adjustably positionab]e longitudinally on the stabilizer rail 16 to sup-
port a portion of cable 14 at the most advantageous position. As shown in
the figures, spacer base member 36 includes a top surface 40 which may be
conformed to fit the shape of cable 14 or extremity 42 as desired. If added
support is necessary for spacer vase member 36 to support cable 14 extrernity
42, a spacer member 44 is provided which will give added supporting con-
figuration between the stabilizer rail 16 and the cable 14 or extremity 42.
Spacer member 44 and spacer base member 36 have been designed so that spacer
member 44 includes flanges 46 which fit into grooves 48. Also, spacer member
44 includes a groove 50 into which a further flange 46 of another spacer
member 44 may fit, if necessary. Then, top surface 52 of spacer member 44
is essentially in conforrnation with top surface 40 of spacer base rnember 36.
As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 4, a support leg 54, generally is
provided which includes a hook portion 56 which provides means for cooper-
ating with the longitudinal groove 18 in stabilizer rail 16 to clamp the
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support leg 54 in position against a side of the stabilizer rail. Support
leg 54 extends laterally from the stabilizer rail 16 when in position,
and further includes a lower planar surface 58 whlch may be substantially
parallel to a lower surface of the stabilizer rail, and gives support
for the device against the surrounding terrain in one direction, as shown.
Support leg 54 also includes an upper planar surface 60 which is shown
to extend at an angle to the lower planar surface 58 in order to provide
support for the device against the surrounding terrain in a direction
substantially at a right angle to the support provided by the lower sur-
face 58.
As indicated, the number of strap means, spacer base members,spacer members, support legs, and position of each may be varied, depending
upon the specific conditions for each use as required.
