COVER FOR A STRAP BUCKLE

Abstract

A cover for a buckle installed on a strap disposed about a suspension cable or similar relatively large diameter article of indefinite length exposed to the atmosphere defines a square or rectangle having thin edges and a thicker center which includes a buckle receiving opening or aperture. The thickness of the cover proximate the aperture or opening is preferably equal to or substantially equal to the projection of the strap buckle from the cable. Installed over the strap buckle, the cover smooths the region of the cable exterior adjacent the buckle, thereby improving the ease and uniformity of application of the cable wrap as well as the durability and life of the cable wrap. The cover may be fabricated of a material such as plastic and has an inside radius which matches or substantially matches the outside radius of the suspension cable.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cover for a strap buckle and more particularly to a cover for a buckle or clasp on a strap disposed about a suspension bridge cable or similar structure.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.

The mechanical heart of a conventional suspension bridge is the pair of cables extending from the anchorage at one end of the bridge, over the towers, to the anchorage at the opposite end of the bridge. Not only the loads carried by the bridge but also the bridge itself depends on the strength and the continued integrity of the two cables.

Because suspension bridges are nearly always located near bodies of water, oftentimes salt water, and because these larger cables are assembled from smaller diameter cables which are themselves assembled from individual wires, thereby exhibiting significant surface area, they are subject to deterioration by exposure to ambient conditions. In order to minimize such deterioration to the maximum extent possible and thus extend the life of a very costly infrastructure component, it is known to helically wrap such suspension cables with a plastic or elastomeric, heat sealable material to isolate and protect the cables from the ambient.

Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,386 is directed to a Suspension Bridge Cable Wrap and Application Method. The wrap and method essentially encapsulates the suspension bridge cable with a spirally or helically wrapped strand or strip of, for example, chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. This material can be pigmented to match a bridge color scheme and thus, in addition to reducing deterioration of the bridge cables, also eliminates or reduces the need for painting them.

While the maximum benefit from the material and method is achieved when installed when the bridge is originally built, application during later rehabilitations and refurbishments will still reduce deterioration of the cables and lengthen their life and that of the bridge. With older bridge rehabilitations, it is often necessary to circumferentially wrap the cables with steel straps. Unfortunately, these devices, especially the clasps or buckles, project outwardly from the otherwise relatively uniform exterior surface of the cable. Not only do these render the wrapping process more difficult but they also create adjacent regions of enhanced stress which can result in puncturing of the cable wrap and loss of it effectiveness.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a cover for a buckle or clasp installed on a strap or band disposed about a suspension cable or similar relatively large diameter article of indefinite length. The cover defines a square or rectangle having thin peripheral edges and a thicker center which includes an opening or aperture which receives the strap buckle. The center thickness proximate the opening or aperture is preferably equal to or substantially equal to the projection of the strap buckle out from the cable. Installed over the strap buckle, the cover smooths the region of the cable exterior adjacent the buckle, thereby improving the ease and uniformity of application of the cable wrap as well as the durability and life of the cable wrap. The cover may be fabricated of a material such as plastic and has an inside radius which matches or substantially matches the outside radius of the suspension cable.

Thus it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for use on bridge cables and the like.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for use on suspension bridge cables and the like having circumferential straps disposed about the cables.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for use on suspension bridge cables having thin edges and a thicker center.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for use on suspension bridge cables having an aperture or opening for receiving a buckle of a strap disposed about a cable.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for use on suspension bridge cables having buckled straps disposed about the cables which improves the ease and uniformity of application of cable wrap.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a cover for use on suspension bridge cables having buckled straps disposed about the cables which improves the durability and life of the cable wrap.

Further aspects, advantages and areas applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a suspension bridge cable or similar article having circumferentially extending buckled straps installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a suspension bridge cable or similar article having circumferential buckled straps and buckle covers according to the present invention installed thereon;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a buckle cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom, plan view of a buckle cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a full, sectional view of a buckle cover according to the present invention taken along the longitudinal axis of line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a full, sectional view of a suspension bridge cable or similar article with a buckled strap, buckle cover according to the present invention and spirally or helically wrapped protective material disposed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a suspension bridge cable or similar cylindrical article of indefinite length which is exposed to the atmosphere is illustrated and generally designated by the reference number 10. The suspension bridge cable 10, when new defines a relatively uniform cylindrical outer or exterior surface 12 and comprises a plurality of wire ropes 14 that themselves each comprise a plurality of wires 16. Given this construction, as a bridge and its suspension cables age, they may sag and become ovoid, oval or some distorted shape other than round. As part of a typical rehabilitation project, the cables 10 are typically banded or surrounded by a plurality or circumferentially extending steel or stainless steel straps or bands 20 spaced axially along the cable 10 which cooperatively return the cable 10 to a round or nearly round cross section.

The straps or bands 20 are disposed about the suspension bridge cable 10 at predetermined intervals, tightened, and locked or held in their tightened positions by deformable clamps, clasps or buckles 24. The clasps or buckles 24 may be of any suitable construction and typically will retain or cooperate with a portion or segment 26 of the band or strap 20 that is deformed or upset to permanently secure the adjacent, overlapping ends of the strap or band 20 together. Unfortunately, the clasps or buckles 24 project or protrude from the otherwise relatively uniform curved or radiused exterior of the suspension bridge cable 10 and interfere with the application and durability of a subsequently applied spiral or helical membrane or wrap 60 (illustrated in FIG. 6) as disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,386 which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a buckle cover 40 according to the present invention is placed over each clasp or buckle 24 on each circumferential strap or band 20. The buckle cover 40 is preferably square or rectangular although it may have other outlines (footprints) such as oval or polygonal, if desired. The buckle cover 40 thus defines a square, rectangular or other shape outer or exterior, relatively smooth top or outside surface 42 having peripheral circumferential edges 44 and longitudinal edges 46. The term “circumferential” as used herein refers to the edges 44 of the buckle cover 40 that extend circumferentially around the exterior surface 12 of the cable 10 when the buckle cover 40 is installed on the suspension bridge cable 10 as in FIG. 2 and the term “longitudinal” as used herein refers to the edges 46 of the buckle cover 40 that extend longitudinally or axially along the exterior surface 12 of the cable 10 when the buckle cover 40 is installed on the suspension bridge cable 10. The directions or axes referred to as circumferential and longitudinal are orthogonal, that is, oriented at 90° or right angles to one another.

The peripheral edges 44 and 46 of the buckle cover 40 are relatively thin, on the order of 0.0625 to 0.125 inches (1.588 to 3.175 mm.), depending primarily upon the material from which the buckle cover 40 is fabricated, and the thickness of the cover 40, that is, the distance measured radially from the peripheral edges 44 and 46, increases in both directions (circumferentially and axially) toward the center or middle 48 where it is a maximum, typically of the order of 0.75 inches (19.05 mm.). The outer surface 42 of the buckle cover 40 thus defines a surface radiused, or more broadly, curved or tapered, in both circumferential (around the cable 10) and longitudinal (along the cable 10) directions.

Preferably, this maximum thickness or radial projection is equal to or substantially equal to the distance the clasp or buckle 24 nominally protrudes or projects from the exterior surface 12 of the suspension bridge cable 10. Buckle covers 40 that are thicker at their centers 48 than the projection of the buckle 24 and thus extend beyond it will cause excess use of the cable wrap and render smooth application thereof relatively more difficult whereas buckle covers 40 that are thinner at their centers 48 than the projection of the buckle 24 and thus allow the buckle 24 to extend or protrude beyond the outer surface 42 of the buckle cover 40 risk distorting or damaging the cable wrap.

The buckle cover 40 defines a middle or centrally disposed opening or aperture 50 that receives the clasp or buckle 24 when disposed on the suspension bridge cable 10. Preferably, the opening or aperture 40 is somewhat larger than but generally corresponds, mimics or approximately mimics the plan shape (footprint) of the clasp or buckle 24 such that it may readily receive it. The opening or aperture 50 may also be rectangular, square or any other readily achieved shape, as desired.

At the present time, the preferred material from which the buckle cover 40 is molded is 20% talc filled polypropylene. While this material is preferable, it should be appreciated that the choice of material is not critical and the buckle cover 40 may also readily be fabricated of wood, rubber, metals such as aluminum, many other plastics and paper, to name but a few of the more common, readily available and low cost materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, depending upon the strength and durability of the material from which it is fabricated, the buckle cover 40 may include a gridwork of reinforcing webs or ribs 52 running in one, and typically and preferably both, orthogonal directions, that is both circumferentially and longitudinally. The bottom or inside surface 54 of the buckle cover 40 defines radii, curves or tapers that extend between both circumferential edges 44 and both longitudinal edges 46. Thus, in this embodiment, the inside surface 54 of the buckle cover 40 essentially corresponds, i.e., is parallel to, the outer surface 42. This arrangement saves both weight and material when the buckle cover 40 is fabricated of a material of suitable strength such as the above noted polypropylene.

The outer edges 58 of the webs or ribs 52 which abut and contact the exterior surface 12 of the suspension bridge cable 10 as well as the circumferential edges 44 of the buckle cover 40, though appearing flat in FIG. 5, are curved or radiused in an orthogonal direction and define a curved face. Preferably, the curve or radius is equal or substantially equal to the curvature or radius of the exterior surface 12 of the suspension cable 10 such that the outer edges 58 of the webs or ribs 52 and the circumferential, peripheral edge 44 of the buckle cover 40 uniformly and intimately engage the exterior surface 12 of the suspension cable 10.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing configuration of the buckle cover 40 having ribs or webs 52 provides suitable strength and integrity of shape when fabricated of polypropylene and other plastics. However, if the buckle cover 40 is fabricated of materials such as wood, rubber or paper, it may be molded or cut as a solid piece and thus eliminate the ribs or webs.

FIG. 6 illustrates the suspension cable 10 with a strap or band 20 and a clasp or buckle 24 in place. Over the clasp or buckle 24 is a buckle cover 40 according to the present invention. Over the buckle cover 40 is disposed a spirally or helically wrapped strand or strip of heat sealable material 60 such as Hypalon, synthetic rubber or other similar material. To maintain the buckle cover 40 in place during the wrapping of the cable 10 with the heat sealable material 60, strips of duct tape (not illustrated) or a similar material or adhesive may be utilized. Note that the buckle cover 40 both provides a smooth path or course for the strip of material 60 and that the clasp or buckle 24 does not project or protrude into the material 60 to stress or distort it.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A buckle cover for disposition on an exterior of a suspension bridge cable or the like comprising, in combination,

a body defined by orthogonal circumferential and longitudinal directions, and having a peripheral edge, an outside surface, a face opposite said outside surface and a through opening in a center of said body,

wherein a thickness of said body increases from said peripheral edge to said center along both said circumferential and longitudinal directions and

wherein said face defines a longitudinal radius substantially equal to an outer radius of such suspension cable.

2. The buckle cover of claim 1 wherein a footprint of said through opening is substantially equal to a buckle on a strap disposed on such suspension bridge cable.

3. The buckle cover of claim 1 wherein said body of said buckle cover is one of rectangular and square.

4. The buckle cover of claim 1 further including a plurality of webs extending from said body and having outer edges curved to conform to the shape of such suspension bridge cable and defining said face.

5. The buckle cover of claim 1 wherein said body is solid and fabricated of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, wood and paper.

6. The buckle cover of claim 1 further including a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending from an inside surface of said body and which define said face.

7. The buckle cover of claim 1 wherein said body is fabricated of talc filled polypropylene.

8. A buckle cover for disposition on an exterior of a cylindrical article of indefinite length exposed to the atmosphere comprising, in combination,

a body having a peripheral edge, an outside surface, an inside surface opposite said outside surface and a through opening in a middle of said body, said body defining a circumferential direction and a longitudinal axis,

a plurality of ribs extending from said inside surface and having outer edges defining a curve having a radius substantially equal to an outside radius of such cylindrical article, and

a thickness of said body increasing from said peripheral edges and said outer edges of said ribs along said circumferential direction and said longitudinal axis toward said through opening.

9. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein said through opening is sized to receive a buckle of a strap disposed about such cylindrical article.

10. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein said body is fabricated of talc filled polypropylene.

11. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein said plurality of ribs are arranged along orthogonal axes.

12. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein said cylindrical article is a suspension bridge cable.

13. The buckle cover of claim 8 wherein said outside surface and said inside surface are substantially parallel to one another.

14. A buckle cover for disposition on an exterior of a suspension bridge cable exposed to the atmosphere comprising, in combination,

a rectangular body having peripheral edges, an outside surface, an inside surface and a through opening in said body, said body defining a circumferential direction and a longitudinal axis,

a plurality of ribs extending from said inside surface and having outer edges defining a curved face having a radius about said circumferential direction substantially equal to an outside radius of such suspension bridge cable, and

a thickness of said body increasing from said peripheral edges and said outer edges of said ribs along said circumferential direction and said longitudinal axis toward said through opening.

15. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein two of said peripheral edges are parallel to said circumferential direction and two of said peripheral edges are parallel to said longitudinal axis.

16. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein said through opening is rectangular and is oriented with a longer dimension parallel to said circumferential direction.

17. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein said plurality of ribs are arranged along said circumferential direction and said longitudinal axis.

18. The buckle cover of claim 14 wherein said body is molded of talc filled polypropylene.