Abstract: A connector assembly for maintaining electrical continuity with a grounding shield of a service cabvle. The connector assembly includes a connector member having a first portion of substantially cylindrical conformation. Radially outward extending teeth make electrical contact with the grounding shield and mechanical connection with the insulative outer sheath. First and second spring clamps are received over the service cable to provide circumferentially continuous clamping forces between the connector member and service cable.

Abstract: A closure assembly for encapsulating a fiber optic cable. A pair of opposed end plates cooperate with respective adaptor collars to receive an organizer tray therebetween defining a first cavity. A resin cup is positioned adjacent at least one end plate to receive the fiber optic cable as it extends inwardly into the first cavity. A first resin is retained in the resin cup and encapsulates the fiber optic cable therein. An inner shell assembly is thereafter positioned around the organizer tray to close off the first cavity. An outer shell assembly is next positioned around the inner shell and the end plates to define an annular second cavity. A reenterable resin fills the second cavity to prevent radial ingress of moisture into the cavity.

Abstract: A grounding mechanism adapted for use with a support assembly suspending an overhead linear member. The grounding mechanism includes first and second leg portions disposed generally perpendicular to each other. The first leg portion has a generally arcuate conformation over its axial length. The second leg portion is angularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the first leg portion so as to extend outwardly from the support assembly through gaps defined between helical rods gripping the linear member. The arcuate conformation of the first leg portion increases in dimension as it extends from a first distal end toward the second leg portion. Reinforcing ribs are disposed at the juncture of the first and second leg portions to strengthen the grounding mechanism. The new grounding mechanism is mounted between the helical rods and the cable within the support assembly.

Abstract: A dead end appliance for a fiber optic cable includes a housing having an elongated opening therethrough. The elongated opening is angularly disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing and opposite to the lay angle of helical retaining rods surrounding the cable. This conformation assures full capture of the retaining rods within the housing. Strengthening ribs for the housing are disposed substantially normal to the housing longitudinal axis. Additionally, means for grounding the assembly is integrally formed with the housing, and either a U-shaped member or a pair of clevis members may be used for attaching the housing to an associated support.

Abstract: A line tie assembly and various methods of installing a line tie to a conductor cable are described herein. The line tie is comprised of helical end portions and a generally undeformed, non-helical central portion therebetween. The helical end portions are adapted for circumferential gripping engagement with the conductor cable. The line tie is universal such that it will accommodate various size insulators and is adaptable to both "top tie" and "side tie" arrangements in single-support and double-support constructions. According to one set of installation methods, individual components of the line tie are spread apart along the non-helical central portions and positioned over an insulator. Another set of installation methods use the insulator as a mandrel for bending the line tie into a generally U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A tray assembly for organizing optical fiber splices comprising an upwardly open, generally channel shaped main frame having a bottom wall and upwardly extending side walls. A plurality of individual splice trays are removably carried in the main frame in vertically spaced, juxtaposed relationship on threaded studs which extend vertically upwardly from the bottom wall through openings in the trays. The trays are maintained in a predetermined vertically spaced relationship by bosses formed on the base of the main frame and about the openings in the trays. A cover member overlies the trays and extends between the side walls of the main frame.

Abstract: A fastener strip arrangement for joining splice cases of the type including a pair of splice case members having outwardly extending flanges positioned in opposed cooperating relationships to define cooperating flange pairs on opposite sides of the splice case. The fastener strip arrangement comprises two elongated strips each of generally channel-shaped cross-section and including a web having legs projecting from opposite side edges thereof in the same direction. One leg of each strip projects from the web a shorter distance than the other leg. One of the strips has generally keyhole-shaped slots formed through the web to extend generally longitudinally thereof. The generally keyhole-shaped slots each have large opening areas and narrow opening areas, with the narrow opening areas lying closer to the short leg of the strip than to the long leg of the strip and with a substantially greater portion of each large opening area being located on the side of the narrow opening spaced toward the long leg.

Abstract: A device for suppressing wind induced motions in aerial cables and a method of installing the same. The device comprises a cylindrical rod of substantial length having a generally straight center section terminating in helically configured cable gripping sections. Adjacent one end is a non-gripping support helix. The support helix functions to provide support to one end of the device while the device is slid to a position on the cable where the helically configured gripping section at the opposite end can be wrapped to the aerial cable.

Abstract: A splice case for cables includes a pair of splice case members having outwardly extending flanges positioned in opposed cooperating relationship to define opposite pairs of cooperating flange pairs on opposite sides of the splice case. A pair of elongated fastener strips extend along opposite sides of each pair of cooperating flanges and are clamped together by fastener assemblies to thereby compress the pair of flanges received therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for connecting branch circuits to cores of a live electrical cable include placing a plurality of contact pieces individually in position in a common predetermined cable cross-sectional plane. The branch circuits may be connected to the contact pieces before or after such placement. The contact pieces each have contact feet which include contact blades or like arrangements. The contact feet can be inserted into a dual trough-like spacer piece placed between the cable cores. A multi-piece clamping ring maintained in an assembled condition by tension bolts is positioned to enclose or envelop the contact pieces. During the process of tightening the tension bolts, pressure pieces exert pressure on the cable cores so that the cores are pressed against the adjacent contact pieces. This results in the contact blades penetrating the core insulation to establish physical contact with the cable.

Abstract: A fitting for connecting an elongate body such as a cable (19) to a support having a mounting post (11) with a transverse hole (20) adjacent its free end, the fitting comprising a generally U-shaped component formed from a number of strands of wire twisted together, in an open helical formation. The central part of the fitting is twisted more closely, to resemble a wire rope, and is bent to form two-coaxial rings (18) disposed on one side of the plane of the fitting. The rings are joined by a transversally extending midportion (15), which is preferably semicircular in configuration and lies in a plane inclined to the plane of the legs (13, 14) of the fitting.

Abstract: A shield connector for shielded cable includes inner and outer plates having an intermediate plate interposed therebetween. The inner and intermediate plates have penetration projections thereon for penetrating a sheath positioned therebetween when the plates are clamped together. The outer plate is constructed of spring metal and is resiliently deformed when all of the plates are clamped together by a fastener device.

Abstract: A dead-end appliance for linear bodies including a pair of elongated legs, each of which is helically coiled along the length thereof for grippingly receiving a portion of a linear body. An integral connecting portion connects the legs at one end thereof and includes integral pin receiving eyes and a bight portion. The eyes have eye axes lying in a plane extending perpendicular to the legs, and the bight portion is positioned for attachment of a linear body tensioning device thereto extending therefrom on the same side of the plane as the legs.

Abstract: A boot forming member for externally and internally covering end portions of rods surrounding a cable. The boot forming member includes a flat sheet of elastomeric material wrappable around the cable when the rod end portions are spaced outwardly from the cable to provide an inner sleeve portion surrounding the cable beneath the rod end portions and an outer sleeve portion surrounding the cable axially beyond the rod end portions. After the rod end portions are moved inwardly in close surrounding relationship to the inner sleeve portion, the outer sleeve portion is pulled inside out in external covering relationship to the rod end portions.

Abstract: A splice case or vault end closure assembly which includes an inner plate having an inner face, an outer face, and a plurality of apertures arranged in a generally hexagonal array communicating between the faces. An annular recess surrounds each aperture in the outer face and a resilient gasket is partially received in each of these recesses. An outer plate is also provided having an inner face, an outer face, and a plurality of through apertures adapted to register with the inner plate apertures. The inner and outer plates are positioned such that the inner plate outer face is in an opposed relationship to the outer plate inner face with the outer plate inner face contacting the gaskets disposed in the inner plate recesses. Means are provided for drawing the plates toward each other in a controlled fashion to longitudinally compress and radially expand the gaskets into the apertures.

Abstract: A bending strain relief assembly which includes a plurality of helical band members cooperatively interdigitated to define a sleeve having a cylindrical passage therethrough for receiving a cable or hose. Each band member includes a plurality of individual helical elements encapsulated together in synthetic plastic material. Each band member also has an external grip groove on one end portion thereof for receiving a clamping flange on a clamping head. Cooperation between the clamping flange and grip grooves prevents radial separation of the band members at the one end portion thereof and prevents relative longitudinal movement between the band members and the clamping head. A holding device is positioned around the band members adjacent the other end portions for preventing radial separation thereof.

Abstract: A container for protecting cable splices from the environment. The container includes a vial having corrugated walls forming internal threads. The vial is filled with a sealant into which the splice is to be immersed. The container further includes a plug having passageways for accepting incoming cable. The plug is designed to be fixed with a sleeve having external threads of corrugated construction which thread into the vial. A resilient cap is provided to cover the entire opened end of the vial; inserts are provided for accepting cable of various sizes and a bracket can be fixed to the inside of the plug to operate as a ground shield connector and for structural support.

Abstract: A cylindrical case for enclosing a cable splice is disclosed which includes a longitudinally split tubular closure member, two end members positionable at either end of the closure member, a gasket of resilient material extending the length of the longitudinal split in the closure member and about the two end member, and a channel member cooperating with upstanding ridges on the closure member at the longitudinal split to secure closure of the case. The gasket includes an elongate, resilient sealing element with an elongate rigid bar extending longitudinally therethrough. The bar includes formed ends which define a slot to receive a fastening element and a ground contact extending from the end of the gasket. Resilient sealing rods also extend laterally from the gasket to define sealing elements about the two end members of the splice case.

Abstract: A contraction termination device and method for electrical conductor cable or the like encased in a sheathed braided material. The device employs an elongated sleeve having opposed lead and terminal ends with an internal passageway communicating therebetween. The sleeve tapers outwardly from the lead end along a tapered area which merges into a roughened area which then merges into an intermediate area. These three areas are all coated for creating a friction surface along the sleeve. The internal cable conductors or strands are passed through the sleeve passageway from the lead end and the braided sheath is passed over the sleeve lead end to the intermediate area. Thereafter, the sheath is affixed to the sleeve at the intermediate area by tie wraps and the ends of the conductors or strands may be conveniently interconnected to attendant equipment at the sleeve terminal end.

Abstract: A dead end appliance for receiving and supporting a drop wire at a selected area therealong. The appliance comprises an elongated body having reversing loops or hooks at the opposite ends thereof. One of the loops defines an appliance mounting loop and has a generally S-shaped configuration adapted to be received over a hook-like mounting member. The other of the loops defines a line retaining loop and has a generally U-shaped configuration. When the appliance is mounted to a service pole or the like by means of the S-shaped mounting loop cooperating with the hook-like mounting member, and with the drop properly installed, the drop wire span extends from the source end of the wire to the generally U-shaped line retaining loop, spirally around the body toward the S-shaped appliance mounting loop, at least once around both the S-shaped loop and the body, around the body to the end thereof immediately adjacent the S-shaped loop and thence generally downward to the terminal end forming the drop end of the wire.