US4159395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable guard
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1977-11-23
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Granted: 1979-06-26
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Expires: 1997-11-23
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas J. Cogelia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:04
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G7/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2045; Y10T74/20456; Y10T74/20462
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A cable guard for protecting an aerial cable comprising: a longitudinally elongated body having an inverted-V cross section having an apex and two legs, each leg having a first end at the apex and a second end and interior and exterior surfaces, the legs of the V bent inwardly toward each other some predetermined distance from the apex to form bent leg sections so as to define a substantially enclosed cavity for receiving the aerial cable where the bent leg sections are spaced apart to define a gap through which the cable enters the cavity, the legs being sufficiently resilient about the apex to spread apart to install the guard and being capable of snapping back to their original position to lock the guard onto the cable, each bent leg section undergoing an abrupt transition at the gap to form a substantially lateral leg portion containing the second end of the leg with the second end directed away from the gap and toward the interior surface of the same leg, whereby the lateral leg portions reinforce the guard at the gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A cable guard for protecting an aerial cable comprising: a longitudinally elongated body having an inverted-V cross section having an apex and two legs, each leg having a first end at the apex and a second end and interior and exterior surfaces, the legs of the V bent inwardly toward each other some predetermined distance from the apex to form bent leg sections so as to define a substantially enclosed cavity for receiving the aerial cable where the bent leg sections are spaced apart to define a gap through which the cable enters the cavity, the legs being sufficiently resilient about the apex to spread apart to install the guard and being capable of snapping back to their original position to lock the guard onto the cable, each bent leg section undergoing an abrupt transition at the gap to form a substantially lateral leg portion containing the second end of the leg with the second end directed away from the gap and toward the interior surface of the same leg, whereby the lateral leg portions reinforce the guard at the gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cable guard pursuant to claim 1 wherein the gap is tapered to ease installation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cable guard pursuant to claim 2 where the gap is sufficiently narrow and deep to prevent animal access to the enclosed cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cable guard pursuant to claim 1 wherein each bent leg section is folded to form at least three substantially linear portions for rigidifying the bent leg sections against flexture at the gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cable guard pursuant to claim 1 where each bent leg section is folded to form a substantially triangular configuration with first, second, and third portions disposed angularly with respect to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cable guard pursuant to claim 5 where the third portions are the substantially lateral portions being capable of limiting the amount of deflection of the second portions with respect to the first portions to deny animal access to the cable, each of which is integrally attached at one end to the associated third portion and at the other end to the associated first portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cable guard pursuant to claim 6 where the second portions of the bent leg sections define the gap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CH124847A
Cited
CH190515A
Cited
US2991336A
Cited
US2945081A
Cited
DE2359001A1
Cited
US3772451A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-06-25 | 1982-12-25 | 1983-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-25 | 1986-12-25 | 1987-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-25 | 1990-12-25 | 1991-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |