Cable suspension assembly with grounding mechanism

#This invention pertains to the art of grounding assemblies and, more particularly, to a grounding structure utilized with linear members such as overhead cables and the like.

#The invention is particularly applicable to grounding a fiber optic cable and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the application has broader applications and may be advantageously employed in connection with many other cable environments and uses.

#Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,139 to Eucker issued Nov. 10, 1970 illustrates and describes a conventional cable support assembly that effectively limits cable vibration and other dynamic cable motion. Briefly, a conductor cable is received between mating cushion members that grip the cable along a predetermined longitudinal segment thereof. Helical rods or wires encompass the cushioning member and extend axially beyond opposed ends of the cushion member to grip the cable. A two part, saddle-like member is received over the helical rods. The saddle-like member is likewise surrounded by a clamping strap interconnected with a suspension arm means through use of a fastening means such as a bolt.

#The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a support assembly with selected portions broken away to illustrate the position and cooperation of the subject new grounding mechanism therewith, and with a conventional grounding mechanism being shown in phantom at one end of the support assembly even through prior arrangements are disposed away from the support assembly;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the subject invention as incorporated into a support assembly;

#Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a support assembly A incorporating a known ground mechanism B to adequately ground a linear member or cable. FIG. 1 also shows the subject new ground mechanism B' which is particularly adapted for use in grounding fiber optic cable C.

#More particularly, fiber optic cable C includes a plurality of optical fibers 10 encased in an elastomeric or plastic material and further shielded by an aluminum member 14. Other structural arrangements are used as substitutes for the aluminum tubular member 14 and for purposes of the following discussion, one skilled in the art will understand the adaptation of the subject invention to those alternate arrangements. The fragile nature of the fiber optic cable dictates that virtually all compression and crushing stresses on the aluminum member be limited so as to minimize signal loss. Nevertheless, it is necessary to support the fiber optic cable at selected points along its axial length. In an effort to inhibit the compression and crushing stresses, structural reinforcing rods 16 are wrapped around the fiber optic cable. The reinforcing rods have a helical conformation of conventional construction. Typically, plural reinforcing rods are used to substantially encompass the entirety of the fiber optic cable. The rods are also disposed in a common lay direction, i.e., all right-hand or left-hand helices. As is known, the structural reinforcing rods prevent kinking or bending of the fiber optic cable during unbalanced longitudinal loading conditions, typically associated at a support region. As already indicated, any such kinks or bends may produce unwanted losses in the transmissibility capabilities of the optical fibers, and these losses may not diminish once the loading unbalance is removed.

#Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, a conventional support assembly includes a cushion member 18 typically formed as a pair of mating elements that receive the structural reinforcing rods 16 therethrough. Helical rods or wires 20 are received over the cushion member and structural reinforcing rods. The helical rods also entirely surround the reinforcing rods but as they extend over the larger diameter cushion member become circumferentially separated to accommodate the increase in diameter. As illustrated, the helical rods have the same lay or angle of twist as the reinforcing rods. The helical rods normally will not extend along the full axial length of the structural reinforcing rods but terminate short of the ends. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the axial extent of the helical rods relative to the reinforcing rods may vary with varying parameters. A pair of mating saddle-shaped gripping members 22, 24 are received around the helical rods and themselves retained within a generally U-shaped strap 26. The strap retains the various components of the support assembly together and interconnects them with a support structure (not shown) through a fastening arrangement such as a conventional nut and bolt type fastener 28. A ground wire D is shown as being connected to conventional ground mechanism B, and a ground wire D' is shown as being connected to the subject new ground mechanism B'.