Abstract: An aerial communications cable splice closure comprising a hollow body, electrically conductive hanger brackets and end caps which are each adapted to receive at least one cable end. The body comprises separate longitudinal top and bottom sections which are adapted to mate with one another, the top section having the electrically conductive hanger means therein and the bottom section having vent means therein. The hanger means is adjustable to accept a variety of messenger wires. The end caps each have a pair of external, parallel, longitudinal walls which define a narrow channel therebetween, a cable receiving portion containing at least one conical cable-receiving port and a base portion having a plurality of deformable external, longitudinal ribs disposed therearound, a first end adapted to fit over the end of said body, and a second end attached to said cable-receiving portion.

Abstract: A communication wire of flat construction has two or more pairs of communication gage polyolefin insulated wires, twisted along their length, disposed in groups on opposite sides and parallel to a conductive steel wire. The steel wire may be galvanized or copper clad. All of the foregoing are embedded in a PVC jacket with the PVC material bonded to the steel wire but unbonded to the insulated communication gage wires. Weakening lines permit separation into central and side parts with an intact PVC jacket on each part. When used as telephone drop wire the steel wire provides both physical support and electrical conductivity for supplemental or primary grounding. The wire shape and size permits use of existing hardware for installation. Alternatively, a group of wires on at least one side is replaced either by a coaxial cable or by one or more polyolefin jacketed optical fiber conductors.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a bracket for hanging a multi-tap directional coupling device from a suspended wire, such as a strand running between poles on a street, and for grounding a plurality of support wires each of which extends along a respective cable, connected to the coupling device, for supporting same, the support wires each having a terminal end and a connecting portion contiguous thereto. The hanger bracket of the invention comprises an elongated member having a first end portion adapted to be detachably coupled to the coupling device, a second end portion provided with clamp means for releasable clamping engagement with the suspended wire, and a portion intermediate the first and second end portions defining a grounding plate. A separate fastener means is associated with each support wire for releasably securing the connecting portion thereof against the grounding plate whereby to provide a common ground for all the support wires.

Abstract: The tendency of modern high strength synthetic fibres, e.g., made of aromatic polyamides, when utilized for tension load-carrying purposes in association with an overhead cable arranged parallel thereto within a common protective covering to slip under load out of the clamping members connected thereto before the load reaches its ultimate tensile strength is overcome by impregnating a bundle of such fibres with an impregnating material capable of breaking down into particles when subjected to sufficient compressive stress which is broken down into such particles by the application of the clamping member, the resultant particles exerting within the clamped region a wedging action between the individual fibres and at the exterior of the bundle as a whole upon the application of the tension load to the bundle. Particularly suitable impregnating materials are natural resins, especially colophonium.

Abstract: An aerial terminal has a housing divided into back and front compartments by a dividing wall which has a zig-zag formation from top to bottom. A top section of the dividing wall is set forward from a bottom section and a row of apertures is formed in each section. In a preformed arrangement the apertures are oblong and inclined towards each other in pairs. Terminals having shanks fitting in the apertures have transverse holes orientated by the apertures, to be also inclined towards each other in pairs. Shrouds surround the terminals and a channel in each shroud acts to guide a drop-wire conductor into the related terminal hole. The conductor is fastened by a screw in the front of the terminal. Conductors of a stub cable are attached to the rear portions of terminals extending into the back compartment, and the back compartment is filled with potting compound, which holds on a back cover. A front cover clips on to close the front compartment.

Abstract: A fixed count terminal provides an enclosed housing for the connection of service wires to telephone conductors contained in a communication cable. The fixed count terminal has a support bracket which is clamped to a support strand portion of the communication cable with a mounting bar extending between the points whereat the support bracket is clamped to the support strand. A cable portion of the communication cable is clamped to the support bracket by Z-shaped brackets and ground clamps and a tension bar extends between the Z brackets. A barrier wall divides the fixed count terminal into terminal and cable compartments and has a plurality of breakaway partitions which can be removed so that terminal modules may be positioned on the barrier wall. A base is also secured to the support bracket at the bottom of the barrier wall and has grommeted openings through which the service wires may be extended into the fixed count terminal and coupled to conductors in the communication cable via the terminal modules.

Abstract: A self-supporting aerial cable includes an undulated core enclosed in an aluminum, inner shield, a plastic inner jacket enclosed in a steel, outer shield having an unjoined longitudinal overlapped seam, and a plastic outer jacket. The outer plastic jacket includes a first portion which encloses the steel shield and a second portion which encloses a steel support strand that extends longitudinally but which is spaced from the first portion, said first and second portions of the outer jacket being connected by a web. The unjoined seam of the outer shield allows forces which are imparted to the steel shield by its formation to be transferred to the inner jacket and the inner shield which causes the inner shield to engage portions of the core to maintain the core coextensive with the inner and the outer jackets.

Abstract: A flexible stranded body, such as an electric conductor of an overhead electric transmission or distribution system, comprises at least one stranded layer of elongate elements of metal or metal alloy, at least one elongate compartment within and extending throughout the length of the stranded body and, loosely housed in the elongate compartment, at least one separate optical fibre and/or at least one optical bundle. Preferably, the elongate compartment extends within a circumferentially rigid central core which is surrounded by the stranded layer or layers but it may be a bore in an elongate element of a stranded layer or an elongate space bounded by two adjacent elongate elements.

Abstract: A cable guard having a cover which rotates about an aerial cable when stepped upon by an animal. A weight maintains the cover in an upright position when no animals are on the cover.

Abstract: A ready access closure is provided for communication cables of the type having an outer dielectric sheath and an electrically conductive shield surrounded thereby. The closure further includes a frame structure having end brackets, a longitudinal strap and a longitudinal tie brace, the strap and brace joining the brackets. A ground clamp grips the cable shield and is connected directly to the tie brace to form an electrical connection therewith.

Abstract: A telecommunications cable provided with an electrically conductive adaptor for grounding purposes. The adaptor is factory fitted to the cable shield and an electrically insulating encapsulation extends around the adaptor and cable in the vicinity of the adaptor while rendering the adaptor accessible from outside for connection of a grounding extension. In practice, a cable is provided with a plurality of spaced adaptors along its length. Field splicing is eliminated with use of the construction for aerial cable and aerial installation is simplified and made cheaper.

Abstract: A cable adapter (10) is disclosed for converting a cable closure nozzle (16) to a selectable diameter two cable entrance. The adapter is comprised of a unitary molded member (11) of electrically insulative material. In the interior of the unitary member are first and second adjacent pluralities of concentric openings (12,13) of various diameters. These openings extend along the length of the unitary member in increasing order of diameter. The unitary member is adapted for engagement with the cable closure nozzle (16) at the larger diameter end (15). This configuration facilitates a sealed entrance of first and second axially aligned cables (17,18) into the cable closure (19).

Abstract: An electric cable for communication purposes, for instance a one-pair party station cable which is designed as twin cable and includes a cross-section-wise relatively flat envelope or cover of thermoplastics or elastomers and includes conductors arranged in spaced relationship to each other and also includes traction relief members in about the middle between the conductors. The traction relief members are embedded in the envelope or cover and are adapted to exert the traction forces exerted on the cable in the longitudinal direction thereof. The traction relief members include high-strength fibers arranged symmetrically with regard to the longitudinal central plane of the cable and with regard to the conductors. The enveloping substance includes thermoplastics or elastomers.

Abstract: A high power high voltage transmission system consists of three highvoltage cables which are suspended from a transmission tower in insulated relationship with one another and with respect to the ground. Each of the cables is shown as a gas-insulated cable having a central high voltage conductor and an outer conductive housing which is insulated from the central conductor. The line-to-line voltage of the central conductors of each of the high voltage cables is 765 kV, while the potential between the outer conductive housings of each of the cables is 345 kV. The total right of way and height of the support tower is that needed for a conventional 345 kV transmission system even though the system is used to transmit 765 kV line-to-line voltage.

Abstract: A self-locking cable guard for mechanically protecting an aerial cable from damage by squirrels and other animals comprises a longitudinally elongated body having an inverted-V cross section with the legs of the V bent inwardly toward each other to form bent leg sections so as to define a substantially enclosed cavity for receiving and locking onto the aerial cable. The bent leg sections are specifically configured and spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define an expandable resilient spaced gap which facilitates snap-on installation of the guard and at the same time prevents access to the enclosed cable by a squirrel's jaws.

Abstract: A re-enterable enclosure, or enclosure kit, for use with a cable splice, including two axially spaced, longitudinally split tubular members having inner and outer ends and converging toward their outer ends and having external radial locking ribs respectively extending longitudinally along the edges of the slits therein. A longitudinally split coupling sleeve is adapted to be telescoped over the inner ends of the tubular members. Each tubular member is adapted to be locked against circumferential expansion by a locking strip telescoped over the locking ribs of the corresponding tubular member from the outer end thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for enclosing splices between two or more multiconductor cables is disclosed. The apparatus includes a unitary support member which has affixed thereto cable ground sheath bonding circuitry, cable support apparatus, and clamps for securing the apparatus to a messenger strand. Completed splice connections are sealed in a unitary, flexible, weatherproof cover.

Abstract: A conductor terminal block and a mounting member therefor having provision for detachably holding one or more blocks snugly but detachably assembled to one or both faces of the mounting member. As shown, each block includes a pair of threaded studs to which conductors can be clamped. The one-piece mounting member is molded of resilient non-conductive material and includes a pair of resilient latches to which a respective terminal block can be snugly assembled. A tool serves to deflect the latches and release any block independently of the others. The conductor terminal connecting capacity is readily expandable upon need by adding one or more terminal blocks and one or more terminal block mounting members.