Cable closure with strain relief device

In a cable closure of the type to be supported from a messenger strand and for receiving a cable suspended from the messenger strand, the cable closure including means for clamping to a messenger strand, the improvement comprising a strain relief device for resisting strain forces acting in a direction of pull-out of a cable relative to the cable closure said strain relied device comprising, in combination:

• a cable gripping member having at least two complementary jaw-like segments alignable for defining therebetween a tubular through opening sized for gripping a cable of a given diameter therewithin, and an outer surface of predetermined configuration;
• said segments having interenageable edge surfaces for defining a maximum inwardly compressed condition of said through opening corresponding to a gripping of a cable of a given diameter with a predetermined maximum compression and retaining such a cable against pullout but substantially preventing damage thereto;
• a generally annular locking member comprising a pair of locking segments defining an inner surface formed for complementary surrounding engagement with said gripping member outer surface;
• and coupling means for releasably coupling said locking segments together about said gripping member to retain the same in gripping engagment with a cable.