Cable anchor

Abstract

Proposed is a cable anchor for mounting a cable to a sheet. The cable anchor includes a first clamp portion to be mounted on a first side of the sheet and a second clamp portion to be mounted on the second side of the sheet, opposite to the first side. The first clamp portion and second clamp portion co-operate to retain a cable.

Claims

1. A method for attaching a cable to a sheet, comprising: mounting a second clamp portion to a first side of a sheet, so that a second cable receiving portion protrudes through the sheet to receive the cable at a second side of the sheet opposite to the first side; positioning the cable in the second cable receiving portion; and positioning the first clamp portion with the first cable receiving portion over the cable so that the cable is between the first and second cable receiving portions thus sandwiching the cable and the sheet between the first and second clamp portions; securing the first and second clamping portions to each other so that the first and second cable receiving portions co-operate to retain the cable; and wherein the step of attaching the second clamp portion to the sheet comprises aligning at least one laterally extending bar of the second cable receiving portion with an aperture in the sheet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the cable in the second cable receiving portion comprises aligning the cable with a cable receiving seat formed in the at least one laterally extending bar of second cable receiving portion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the first and second clamping portions to each other so that the first and second cable receiving portions co-operate to retain the cable comprises gripping the cable with at least one grip element formed in at least one of the first and second cable receiving elements.

4. A cable anchor, for use with the method of claim 1, comprising: a first clamp portion having a first mounting surface for mounting the first clamp portion to a first side of the sheet, the first clamp portion having a first cable receiving portion recessed into the first mounting surface; and a second clamp portion having a second mounting surface for mounting the second clamp portion to a second side of the sheet opposite to the first side of the sheet, the second mounting surface having at least one mounting member protruding therefrom for attaching the second clamp portion to the sheet, the second clamp portion having a second cable receiving portion which protrudes from the second mounting surface for projecting through an aperture in the sheet to co-operate with the first cable receiving portion thereby securing the cable between the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion and sandwiching the cable and the sheet between the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion.

5. A cable anchor according to claim 2 wherein the second mounting surface is a planar mounting surface surrounding the second cable receiving portion.

6. The cable anchor of claim 2 further comprising at least one fixing member for securing the first and second clamp portions to each other in a fixed position.

7. The cable anchor of claim 4, wherein: the first clamp portion extends longitudinally with a screw hole on either end of the first clamp portion; the second clamp portion extends longitudinally with a corresponding screw hole on either end of the second clamp portion; and the at least one fixing member comprises a first screw extending from the screw hole at one end of the first clamp portion into the corresponding screw hole of the second clamp portion and a second screw extending from the screw hole at the other end of the first clamp portion into the corresponding screw hole at the other end of the second clamp portion for fixing the first clamp portion to the second clamp portion.

8. The cable anchor of claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting member is a press fit mounting member for engagement with a corresponding aperture in the sheet.

9. The cable anchor of claim 2 further comprising an insulating lining of insulating material for providing a fixed insulative layer between the cable anchor and the cable.

10. The cable anchor of claim 2, wherein the second cable receiving portion comprises a plurality of bars extending longitudinally for holding a cable extending laterally.

11. The cable anchor of claim 8, wherein at least one bar of the plurality of bars comprises a cable receiving seat in the form of a recess for receiving the cable, the cable receiving seat corresponding to the first cable receiving portion such that the first and second cable receiving portion co-operate to retain the cable.

12. The cable anchor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second cable receiving portions further comprise grip elements for securing the cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a cable anchor according to the invention

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the cable anchor of FIG. 1; in use

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cable anchor of FIG. 1, mounted on a sheet; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a flow diagram which illustrates a method of mounting the cable anchor of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

(7) A first embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 provides a cable anchor 2 for securing a cable. In particular the cable anchor is suitable to be mounted to a sheet of material 4 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(8) The cable anchor 2 comprises a first clamp portion 6 and a second clamp portion 8. The first clamp portion 6 extends longitudinally and has a first planar mounting surface 10 defining a mounting plane and a first cable receiving portion 12, recessed from the mounting plane of the first planar mounting surface. The first cable receiving portion 12 is provided with teeth 14 acting as grip elements 14 to hold the cable.

(9) The second clamp portion 8 has a second planar mounting surface 18 extending parallel to the mounting plane and a second cable receiving portion 16, in this case protruding from the second planar mounting surface 18. The second cable receiving portion 16 includes a plurality of bars 40 extending longitudinally. One of these bars 40 has a recess acting as cable seat 22 to locate the cable. The other bars 40 do not have a recessthese bars act to grip the cable. The recess extends back towards the second planar mounting surface but is spaced from the second planar mounting surface so that, when the first and second clamp portions are put together, the recess does not extend back as far as the mounting plane of the first planar mounting surface so that the cable is spaced from the sheet 4.

(10) The first and second clamp portions may be fixed together by fixing members, in this case screws 24.

(11) The first clamp portion 6 has screw holes 28,30 at the longitudinal ends of the first clamp portion, i.e. on either end of the recess acting as first cable receiving portion 12. Similarly, the second clamp portion 8 has screw holes 32,34 at the longitudinal ends of the second clamp portion, i.e. on either side of the second cable receiving portion 16, at the same spacing. The screw holes 32,34 allow that screws 24 may be used to fix the first and second clamp portions 6,8 together at a spacing that may be varied to accommodate cables of different cross section or shape. In the embodiment described, the screws 24 are self-threading and the screw holes 32,34 are not threaded.

(12) The second clamp portion 8 further has mounting members 36 also projecting from the second mounting surface 18. These are located around the second cable receiving portion but longitudinally between the screw holes 32, 34.

(13) In use, the first and second clamp portions 6, 8 are mounted to opposite sides of the sheet 4 engaging with the sheet with first and second mounting surfaces respectively. The first and second clamp portions co-operate to retain a cable 50 (FIG. 2) when the cable anchor is mounted to the sheet.

(14) To mount a cable to the first side of the sheet, which in this embodiment may be referred to as a front side, the second clamp portion 8 is mounted to a second side of the sheet, which may in this embodiment be referred to as a rear side, with the second mounting surface 18 engaging with the sheet across substantially the whole area of the second mounting surface and with the second cable receiving portion 16 protruding from the second mounting surface through the aperture 38 in the sheet to the first side of the sheet. The second cable receiving portion 16 is sized to fit in the aperture 38 so that the aperture locates the second cable receiving portion 16 and hence the cable anchor when mounted to the sheet 4.

(15) A cable 50 is then mounted on the second cable receiving portion 16. The first clamp portion 6 is then fixed in place on the first, front, side of the sheet with the cable between the first and second cable receiving portions using screws 24. The screws 24 allow that the gap between the first and second cable receiving portions may vary when using different cables to allow the cable anchor to be used for cable of different cross-sections.

(16) Thus, the cable receiving portions 12, 16 are both located on the first side of the sheet when the cable anchor is mounted to the sheet and co-operate to secure the cable. In this way, the cable anchor may provide secure fastening of the cable on the first side of the sheet with the cable spaced away from the sheet, to avoid risk of electrical connection between cable and sheet. This cable anchor reduces the size of the cable anchor on the first side of the sheet compared to a cable anchor with all components on the first side of the sheet.

(17) The first and second cable mounting surfaces are substantially planar to better engage with the planar sheet or board. The area of the cable anchor which interfaces with the sheet of material should be large enough to spread the load caused by forces on the cable being borne by the cable anchor so that the cable anchor is less susceptible to deformation and damage. The cable anchor may thus be able to resist relatively large forces without damage since it is securely mounted over a large area. Further, the large area allows for good resistance to forces applied in any direction.

(18) Thus, the area of the second cable mounting surface is at least 20%, preferably 30% and further preferably 50%, of the cross-sectional area of the cable anchor projected in the mounting plane. The area of the first cable mounting surface may likewise extend for at least 20%, preferably 30% and further preferably 50%, of the cross-sectional area of the cable anchor projected in the mounting plane.

(19) Each of the first clamp portion 6 and the second clamp portion 8 are of insulating material. In the example, the first and second clamp portions 6, 8 are each integrally formed from plastic, as a unitary part.

(20) The bars 40 are shaped to interlock with the aperture 38 in the sheet 4 and hence locate the second clamp portion 8 with precision.

(21) The cable seat 22 is recessed from the central bar such that the cable, which extends in a lateral direction, is located by this cable seat 22. The bars situated on either side of the central bar provide grip for securely retaining the cable, as well as locating the second cable mounting portion 8.

(22) The combination of bars 40, seat 22 and teeth 14 act to hold the cable to prevent both rotational and longitudinal motion. The combination of bars and seat shapes also lifts the cable from the sharp edges of the aperture 38 in sheet 40. This assists in meeting electrical norms for high voltage wiring.

(23) The outer surface of the first clamp portion 6, opposite the mounting surface, is recessed around the screw holes 28,30 to complement the shape of a screw and to accept the head of the screw. Screws are inserted into screw holes 28 and 30, and received by screw holes 32 and 34 which are located at the longitudinal ends of the second clamp portion 8, and correspond to screw holes 28 and 30. Screw holes 32 and 34 permit effective fastening of the first and second clamp portions 6, 8. In this way, the first and second clamp portions 6, 8 can be fastened together in a fixed position, so that the cable, which extends in a lateral direction, is securely retained by the cable anchor 2. The fixed position can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the screws to decrease or increase the separation between the first clamp portion 6 and second clamp portion 8. In this way, cables of a variety of sizes can be accommodated and securely held in place by the cable anchor 2.

(24) The mounting members 36 are provided for mounting the second clamp portion 8 to the sheet. The mounting members 36 are arranged to protrude from the mounting surface of the second clamp portion 18 in an outward direction. The mounting members 36 are arranged between the second cable receiving portion 16 and the edge of mounting surface 18. In use, the mounting members 36 are inserted through mount apertures in the sheet 4 to secure the second clamp portion 8 to the sheet 4. In order to enable easy mounting of the second clamp portion to the sheet 4, the mounting members 36 are of flexible material which operate as a press fit in the mount apertures 42. This allows the second clamp portion 8 to be held in the correct location during assembly.

(25) By incorporation of the mounting members in the component itself rather than the use of glue or tape cost and labor during manufacturing is reduced.

(26) In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the second cable receiving portion 16 is situated in the center of the second mounting surface 18, and the mounting members 36 are positioned around the perimeter of the second cable receiving portion 16. There are four mounting members 36 which are situated at the corners of the second cable receiving portion 16, which is rectangular.

(27) FIG. 2 shows the cable anchor 2 in a side view, and FIG. 3 in perspective view. FIG. 2 shows also cable 50 which has been omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity. To illustrate the cable anchor 2 in use, the sheet 4 to which the cable anchor 2 is mounted is also shown. The first and second mounting surfaces 10, 18 interface with the sheet 4 to provide an increased contact area between the sheet 4 and the cable anchor 2. When the cable is subjected to external forces, the force is distributed through the mounting surfaces to the sheet of material since the mounting surfaces 10, 18 provide a large contact area. This minimizes stress to avoid deformation of the cable anchor 2 or sheet 4.

(28) The first cable receiving portion 12 is a recess in the first clamp portion 6 and in this embodiment has an arcuate cross section, to complement the shape of the cable.

(29) Since only the second cable receiving portion 16 of the second clamp portion 8 is located on the first side of the sheet, the height of the cable anchor on the first side of the sheet is reduced compared to a cable anchor mounted on the first side of the sheet.

(30) The method of mounting the cable anchor may be summarized in the flow chart of FIG. 4. Initially, an aperture 38 for accepting the second cable receiving portion and apertures 42 for accepting the mounting members and apertures 44 through which screws 24 may pass are formed in the sheet. The apertures are formed to complement the shape of the second cable receiving portion, mounting members and fixing member.

(31) The second clamp portion 8 is mounted to the sheet 4 by mounting members 36. The mounting members 36 are inserted into mount apertures in the sheet 4. Once the second mounting surface 18 is positioned to interface with the sheet, the mounting members are fixed to the sheet 4, such that the second clamp portion 8 is securely mounted to the sheet 4. Next, the cable is placed on the second cable receiving portion, which projects through an aperture in the sheet 4 from the first side of the sheet to the second side of the sheet. The cable is held in place by the cable seat 22. The first clamp portion 6 is then placed over the cable, in alignment with the second clamp portion 8, such that the cable is positioned between the first and second cable receiving portions 12, 16. Finally, the first and second clamp portions 6, 8 are secured to each other by the fixing member 24.

(32) By using screws, it is possible to tighten the cable with a high force to ensure it is clamped in place.

(33) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above description is by way of example only, and many alternatives are possible.

(34) In order to provide a better grip to the cable and/or improved insulation, some parts of the cable anchor may be of a different material to other parts, for example a plastic that is more resilient than the material used to form the mounting surfaces 10, 18.

(35) The sheet 4 may typically be made of metal but other materials are also possible.

(36) It will be appreciated that mounting surface of the cable anchor is not limited in shape and may take a different shape to that shown in the figures, for example the mounting surface may be circular.

(37) The screw holes may be threaded.

(38) The cable receiving portions may co-operate to define a cross section of any shape, for example the cross section may be substantially semi-circular, circular or rectangular cross section. The cable receiving portion may in particular be adapted to the size and shape of the intended cablefor example, where it is intended to clamp a flat cable, the cable receiving portions may be flat but where it is intended to clamp a round cable, the cable receiving portions may be rounded recesses.

(39) The sheet may be pre-provided with apertures, including the aperture, mount apertures and fix apertures.