Drop clamp assembly

A drop clamp comprising:

• a shim comprising a body portion having opposing first and second sides and a length between first and second longitudinal ends, a plurality of tabs extending outward from the first side of the body portion, each of the plurality of tabs comprising opposing first and second sides and upper and lower sections, the lower section being between the upper section and the body portion of the shim, the upper section of each of the plurality of tabs being rotatable relative the lower section, the second side of the shim having a serrated surface comprising a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom;
• a wedge member comprising substantially straight opposing sidewalls and a substantially flat base therebetween, the opposing sidewalls of the wedge member extending from the base, and with the base defining an interior channel along at least a portion of a length of the wedge member, the opposing sidewalls of the wedge member tapering in height as they extend from a first end of the wedge member to an opposing second end of the wedge member, the base having opposing first and second sides and a slotted opening extending longitudinally along at least a portion of its length, the slotted opening extending through the base between the opposing first and second sides of the base and having interior side edges,
• a shell having first and second ends and opposing substantially straight space-apart sidewalls with a substantially flat base therebetween, the base and opposing spaced-apart sidewalls of the shell defining an interior channel therebetween, the opposing spaced apart sidewalls of the shell tapering in height as they extend from the first end to the second end of the shell, the opposing sidewalls of the shell having terminal edges opposite the base of the shell, a flange extending along a first portion of the terminal edges of the opposing sidewalls, the flange extending inward into the interior channel of the shell and providing a retaining surface along the underside thereof, a second portion of the of the terminal edges of the opposing sidewalls defining an area for engagement of the wedge member within the shell, the retaining surface being configured for engagement with terminal edges of the opposing sidewalls of the wedge member, the base along the interior channel of the shell having a serrated surface comprising a plurality of projections extending therefrom, and
• wherein the shim and wedge member are configured to be slidingly secured to one another to form a one-piece structure for securing the drop clamp to a cable, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured for being inserted through the slotted opening along the base of the wedge member with the lower section of each of the plurality of tabs being positionable between the interior side edges of the slotted opening and the upper section of each of the plurality of tabs extending into the interior channel of the wedge member, the upper section of each of the plurality of tabs being rotated relative the bottom section with a bottom edge of the upper section of each of the plurality of tabs engaging against the first side of the base of the wedge member, the lower portion of each of the plurality of tabs being slidable within the slotted opening between the interior side edges.

A method of securing a drop clamp to a cable, the method comprising:

• providing a shim comprising a body portion having opposing first and second sides and a length between first and second longitudinal ends, a tab extending outward from the first side of the body portion, the tab comprising opposing first and second sides and upper and lower sections, the lower section being between the upper section and the body portion of the shim, the upper section of the tab being rotatable relative the lower section;
• aligning the shim with a wedge member having opposing side walls with a base therebetween, a slotted opening extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the base, the slotted opening extending through the base of the wedge member between opposing first and second sides of the base and having interior side edges;
• inserting the tab of the shim into the slotted opening of the wedge member;
• rotating the upper section of the tab relative the lower section, a bottom edge of the upper section of the tab engaging against the first side of the base of the wedge member, the wedge member and shim being coupled as a joined one-piece structure;
• inserting a cable through an interior channel of a shell of the drop clamp, the interior channel of the shell being defined by a base and opposing sides extending from the base of the shell, the cable extending through the interior channel of the shell between the opposing sides;
• inserting at least a portion of the wedge member of the one-piece structure into the interior channel of the shell, cable being positioned between the shim and the base of the interior channel of the shell;
• sliding the one-piece structure and shell relative each another;
• sliding the tab of the shim along the slotted opening of the wedge member, the lower section of the tab sliding between the interior side edges of the slotted opening, and
• securing the drop clamp to the cable by way of a frictional engagement whereupon at least a portion of the top edges of each of the opposing sides of the wedge member are engaged along a retaining surface defined by a flange along at least a portion of the opposing sides of the shell.