US4221352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat cable clamp
Assignee: Panduit Corp
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Filing: 1978-09-25
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Granted: 1980-09-09
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Expires: 1998-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A clamp for holding one or more generally elongate objects each having opposed generally flat first and second sides, such as flat cables, in parallel stacked relationship. The clamp includes a base extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the objects and has a surface for engagement with a first side of one of the objects. A cover which also extends transversely of the objects is connected to the base and spaced from the base surface. Finally, the clamp includes resilient pusher means extending from the cover toward the base for engaging a second object side. The pusher means includes a flap extending outwardly from a cover side so that no portion of the flap underlies the cover.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack E. Caveney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:08
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/30; H02G3/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A clamp for mounting from one up to a maximum predetermined number of elongate objects each having opposed generally flat first and second sides, such as flat cables, along a predetermined route on a support such as a panelboard, said clamp comprising: a base extending transversely of said route and having a surface lying in a first plane for engaging a first object side, a cover connectable to said base and comprising a bridge portion extending transversely of said route and spaced a predetermined distance from said surface, and resilient pusher means integral with said cover and formed of the same material as said cover extending from said cover toward said base surface and having a distal end engageable with a second object surface, said pusher means being deflectable from an unloaded position wherein said cover is connected to said base without any objects disposed between said bridge portion and said base surface and wherein the part of the distal end closest said base surface lies in a second plane parallel to said first plane and spaced therefrom a distance less than the thickness of one of said objects to a maximum load position wherein said cover is connected to said base with said maximum predetermined number of objects positioned between said bridge portion and said base surface whereby, independent of the number of objects held from one to the maximum number, the objects are firmly compressively held against said base surface to restrain their movement relative to said support, said pusher means comprising a flap extending inclined outwardly from said cover toward said first plane when said flap is in its unloaded position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A clamp for mounting from one up to a maximum predetermined number of elongate objects each having opposed generally flat first and second sides, such as flat cables, along a predetermined route on a support such as a panelboard, said clamp comprising: a base extending transversely of said route and having a surface lying in a first plane for engaging a first object side, a cover connectable to said base and comprising a bridge portion extending transversely of said route and spaced a predetermined distance from said surface, and resilient pusher means integral with said cover and formed of the same material as said cover extending from said cover toward said base surface and having a distal end engageable with a second object surface, said pusher means being deflectable from an unloaded position wherein said cover is connected to said base without any objects disposed between said bridge portion and said base surface and wherein the part of the distal end closest said base surface lies in a second plane parallel to said first plane and spaced therefrom a distance less than the thickness of one of said objects to a maximum load position wherein said cover is connected to said base with said maximum predetermined number of objects positioned between said bridge portion and said base surface whereby, independent of the number of objects held from one to the maximum number, the objects are firmly compressively held against said base surface to restrain their movement relative to said support, said pusher means comprising a flap extending inclined outwardly from said cover toward said first plane when said flap is in its unloaded position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover and base are integral.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cover and said base have respective first ends joined by a hinge and respective second ends comprising latch means for locking said cover to said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 3 of molded thermoplastic construction in which in the as-molded condition of said clamp said cover extends away from said base and the cover is locked to said base by rotating the cover about the hinge through a predetermined number of degrees, said hinge in the as-molded condition of said clamp comprising a plurality of adjacent grooves with each groove defined by a pair of surfaces converging at an angle, the sum of the angles corresponding to each groove substantially equaling said predetermined number of degrees whereby said grooves close as said cover is rotated to lock to said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 3 wherein said latch means comprises a catch on one of said cover and base and a frame defining a socket for receiving the catch on the other of said cover and base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 5 wherein said frame is biased to hold said catch but is deflectable away from said catch, said frame comprising a bottom wall for engaging said catch to prevent said cover from rotating about said hinge and further comprising spaced side walls for restricting movement of said cover along said route.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 6 wherein said latch means further comprises guide means for aligning the catch and frame as the clamp is closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 6 wherein said latch means further comprises a release lever extending from said frame for use in deflecting said frame away from said catch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cover comprises a reinforcing rib extending from adjacent the first cover end to adjacent the second cover end for stiffening said bridge portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pusher means comprises a pair of spaced flaps which diverge in the direction of said first plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flap extends substantially parallel to said first plane when in its maximum load position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clamp as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pusher means in its unloaded position engages said base surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
A clamp for holding a plurality of generally elongate objects each having opposed generally flat first and second sides, such as flat cables, in parallel stacked relationship, said clamp comprising: a base extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said objects and having a surface for engagement with the first side of one of said objects, a cover extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said objects connected to said base and spaced from said surface, said cover having sides, and resilient pusher means integral with said cover and formed of the same material as said cover extending from said cover toward said base and engaging the second side of another object, said pusher means comprising a flap extending outwardly from a cover side so that no portion of said flap underlies said cover.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
A clamp for holding a plurality of generally elongate objects each having opposed generally flat first and second sides, such as flat cables, in parallel stacked relationship, said clamp comprising: a base extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said objects and having a surface for engagement with the first side of one of said objects, a cover extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of said objects connected to said base and spaced from said surface, said cover having sides, and resilient pusher means integral with said cover and formed of the same material as said cover extending from said cover toward said base and engaging the second side of another object, said pusher means comprising a flap extending outwardly from a cover side so that no portion of said flap underlies said cover.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-09 | 1984-03-10 | 1984-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-09 | 1988-03-10 | 1988-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-03-10 | 1992-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |