Connecting apparatus for limited rotary of rectilinear motion (II)

A nuclear reactor including substantially stationary members, a horizontally rotatable vessel head plug mounted above a nuclear core, and apparatus for providing connection between one of said members and said plug comprising:

• a. a first plurality of affixed vertical surfaces laterally spaced, each having a laterally extending upper restraint;
• b. a second plurality of affixed vertical surfaces laterally spaced, each having a laterally extending lower restraint;
• c. structure for affixing said first surfaces to one of said plug and said one stationary member and said second surfaces to the other of said plug and said stationary member such that said first surfaces are laterally aligned with said second surfaces and are vertically spaced therefrom a preselected distance;
• d. a plurality of flexible cables of substantially similar diameter, each said cable being stationary at one portion with respect to said first surfaces and stationary at another portion with respect to said second surfaces and positioned partially between two consecutive first surfaces and partially between two consecutive second surfaces and between their respective restraints so as to form a generally C-shaped loop in a substantially vertical orientation which slidingly moves with respect to said surfaces upon relative motion of said first and second members;
• and
• e. a plurality of flexible devices affixed to said first surfaces for supporting the upper portion of each said looped cable, said flexible device including a flexible body affixed to one of said first vertical surfaces having an upper section and a crimped lower segment, said lower segment spaced from one of said vertical surfaces a distance less than said diameter and said upper section spaced from said last-named surface a distance greater than said diameter, whereby upon relative motion of said members in one direction said loops of said cables contact said crimped segment from below, flex said segment laterally, and pass above said segment, and upon relative motion in the opposite direction said loops flex said segment laterally and pass free from said segment.