US3649998A

US3649998A - Coupling adaptor

Info

Publication number: US3649998A
Application number: US105850A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur A Fiorentino
Original assignee: Thomas and Betts Corp
Current assignee: ABB Installation Products Inc
Priority date: 1971-01-12
Filing date: 1971-01-12
Publication date: 1972-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-21

Abstract

A barbed, conveniently manipulated, integral coupling adaptor wedgingly positionable adjacent a bundled article to permit a further article to be joined thereto. Strap receiving portions suitably contoured to provide selective strap receiving passages are disposed adjacent and contiguous with a generally wedgeshaped portion of the device arranged to facilitate the insertion thereof between a bundling strap and an article bundled therewith, the bundling strap being positionably restricted within an appropriately recessed first strap receiving portion. A second strap receiving portion is disposed either normal to or in aligned relationship with the first strap receiving portion, and is arranged to receive a further bundling strap positionable about a further article generally adjacent the first article, to effect a secure coupling therebetween.

Description

United States Patent Fiorentino 51 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] COUPLING ADAPTOR [7 2] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

[21] App|.No.:

[52] US. Cl. ..24/73 PB, 24/81 CC [51] lnt.C|. [58] Field of Search Arthur A. Fiorentino, Piscataway, NJ.

Thomas 8: Betts Corporation, Elizabeth,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Mangham ..24/23 B Howlett ..24/23 B Gold ..248/68 Hidassy "ZR/ 68 Primary Examiner Donald A. Grifi'ln Attorney-David Teschner and Jesse Woldman [57] ABSTRACT A barbed, conveniently manipulated, integral coupling adaptor wedgingly positionable adjacent a bundled article to permit a further article to be joined thereto. Strap receiving portions suitably contoured to provide selective strap receiving passages are disposed adjacent and contiguous with a generally wedge-shaped portion of the device arranged to facilitate the insertion thereof between a bundling strap and an article bundled therewith, the bundling strap being positionably restricted within an appropriately recessed first strap receiving portion. A second strap receiving portion is disposed either normal to or in aligned relationship with the first strap receiving portion, and is arranged to receive a further bundling strap positionable about a further article generally adjacent the first article, to effect a secure coupling therebetween.

17 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR21 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG. 4

INVENTOR ARTHUR A. FIORENTINO BY AGENT PATENTEUMARZI I972 3.649.998

SHEET 2 [IF 2 FIG. 11

COUPLING ADAPTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention The invention is directed to the field of couplings and principally to strap coupling adaptors for use in conjunction with bundled articles.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art means for coupling a first article to a further article or articles, as for example parallel cable bundles or the like, each of which, in one case have been previously individually wrapped to form a discrete unit, generally required the utilization of a sufficiently large bundling strap or the like arranged to completely encircle the articles to be joined thereby forming a substantially unitary assembly. The undesirable consequences of such an assembly were generally manifested in at least two ways. First, the use of a single tie about the individual articles resulted in a substantially nonseparable assembly in which the repair, replacement, identification of, or addition to, the discrete cable bundles thereof was seriously impaired. Secondly, where it was desired to join further cable bundles to the existing assembly, additional bundling straps of sufficient length to encircle the aggregate assembly were required to effect the desired coupling, resulting in a generally undesirably bulky, cumbersome and inconvenient assembly wherein access to the discrete bundles of the assembly was even further hampered.

Other arrangements of both bundled and unbundled cables presented like difficulties where it was desired to effect a coupling therebetween, it generally being required that each discrete group be individually tied prior to the conglomerate assembly thereof in order to preserve the individuality of the component units forming the bundle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention overcomes the difficulties and limitations noted above with respect to prior art devices and techniques by providing an integral, uniquely barbed coupling adaptor which is more effective, efficient, convenient and versatile than such prior art devices. Extending from a base portion of the device, in one embodiment, is a wedge-shaped portion generally defining a barb-like protrusion arranged to permit the device to be readily interposed between a first bundled article and an existing bundling strap encircled thereabout. Adjacent the wedge-shaped portion is a first strap receiving por tion appropriately recessed to form an engaging channel for the effective retention of the strap therein, the device being thus securely retained adjacent the first bundled article. Adjacent the first strap receiving portion, either aligned therewith or protruding outwardly therefrom, is a selectively channeled second strap receiving portion, the spaced channels of which are arranged to conveniently accept one or more further bundling straps positionable about a further article disposed generally adjacent the first bundled article. The barbed portion of the device may be suitably disposed adjacent either one or both ends of the device, and formed either as a wedge defined generally by at least one inclined surface, or as a conical or semiconical protrusion. The second strap receiving passages may be selectively slotted to facilitate the insertion of a strap therein to obviate the need for a threading procedure. A portion of the surface of the device positionable adjacent the first bundled article may be appropriately serrated to increase the frictional engagement between the coupling adaptor and the adjacent article, where desired. The second strap receiving passages may be circumferentially disposed in ring-like fashion adjacent the conically shaped barbed end of the device, thereby permitting the effective intercoupling of a plurality of articles circumjacently disposed about the generally centrally positioned coupling adaptor. The slotted second strap receiving passages may be additionally effectively employed to permit convenient disengagement and re-engagement between the coupled articles, while economically utilizing the existing bundling straps. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved coupling adaptor.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved coupling adaptor to permit the coupling of a first bundled article to a further article.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved, integral coupling adaptor to permit the coupling of a first bundled article to a further bundled article.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved, integral coupling adaptor wedgingly positionable intermediate a bundled article and a bundling strap encircled thereabout.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved, integral coupling adaptor to permit the releasable coupling of a plurality of article bundles in close, adjacent, secure relationship.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode which has been contemplated for carrying it out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a novel coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the adaptor of FIG. I as employed in the coupling of a first article to a further article.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a novel coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 3

showing a manner of use thereof.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still a further embodiment of a coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adaptor of FIG. 6 showing a manner of use thereof.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modification of the adaptor of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still a further embodiment of a coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

FIG. 1 l is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of a coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respective adaptor DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a coupling adapter 20 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Adjacent one end 22 of a base portion 24 of coupling adaptor 20 is a generally transverse recess 26 defining a first strap receiving portion. Extending from recess 26 towards the other end 28 of coupling adaptor 20 is an inclined surface 30 converging towards and communicating with the outer surface 32 of base portion 24 adjacent end 28,

surfaces

30 and 32 thereby generally defining wedge means appropriately configured to permit the convenient insertion of coupling adaptor 20 between a bundled article such as 34 and a bundling strap such as 36 encircled thereabout. Although illustrated as a substantially flat planar surface, surface 30 may be suitably modified, as will be shown, to form a generally arcuate surface without departing from the spirit of the invention. Extending between the side-

walls

40, 42 of adaptor 20,

generally

intermediate surfaces

30 and 32, are apertures 44 selectively proportioned to permit the receipt therethrough of a bundling strap such as 46. encircling a further article 48, as may be more clearly seen in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, coupling adaptor is shown as employed in such manner as to effect a secure coupling between a pair of generally parallel, adjacently disposed

articles

34, 48, such illustration being included for purposes of example only, there being no intention to limit the use thereof solely to the manner shown. To accomplish a coupling between adjacent articles, substantially as shown in FIG. 2, where, for example, a first article 34 has disposed thereabout one or more existing bundling straps such as 36, the wedge-shaped end 28 of adaptor 20 is introduced between strap 36 and article 34 and pressure applied longitudinally to the other end 22 of device 20, thereby causing a partial separation between strap 36 and article 34 sufficient to permit adaptor 20 to be advanced to a position beyond the

converging surfaces

30, 32 at which point strap 36 is caused to enter the strap receiving recess 26 and be restrained therewithin. To couple a further article such as 48 to the first article 34, it is then necessary merely to insert one end of a strap such as 46 through one of the passages 44 and about the further article 48, drawing strap 46 tightly thereabout, thereby forming a convenient, economical, rapidly coupled assembly therewith. To further increase the versatility of coupling adaptor 20, the structure thereof may be appropriately modified, as shown in FIG. 3, within the concepts of the invention, to provide a coupling adaptor 50 formed in loop-like fashion wherein a wedge-

shapedportion

52, 54 is disposed adjacent each of the spaced free ends thereof.

Transverse recesses

56, 57, disposed adjacent the wedge-

shaped portions

52, 54 of adaptor 50, are employed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to recess 26 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, aperture 58, disposed adjacent wedge-shaped portion 54, is adapted to provide a strap receiving passage, the function of which is essentially the same as that described above with respect to aperture 44 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and will therefore not be repeated. The incorporation of the second wedge-shaped portion 54, however, permits coupling adaptor 50 to be readily interposed between a pair of existing

adjacent bundling straps

36, 62, encircling a pair of

articles

34, 64, as is clearly shown in FIG. 4, thereby obviating the necessity for supplying an additional strap to effect the required coupling therebetween. A portion of the outer surface 60 of adaptor 50 may be generally serrated as shown to afford increased frictional engagement between said surface 60 and the adjacent surface of an article such as 34, where necessary or desirable, and may include the surfaces adjacent both wedge-

shaped ends

52, 54. Surface 30 of device 20 may be similarly serrated to effect a like purpose.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, there are shown further embodiments of a coupling adaptor constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. With'reference specifically to FIG. 5, converging

surfaces

66, 68 of coupling adaptor 70 define wedge means 72 generally equivalent in structure and function to

similar surfaces

30, 32 described above with respect to coupling adaptor 20 as shown in FIGS. 1

and 2. Adjacent wedge means 72 and extending generally rearwardly therefrom, towards the top of FIG. 5, is a recessed portion 74 substantially equivalent to recess 26 of coupling adaptor 20 as described above, and defining a first strap receiving portion. Depending outwardly from recessed portion 74 generally intermediate the length thereof is a preferably flexible second strap receiving portion 76, having an aperture 78 therethrough generally adjacent the free end thereof. Although illustrated in FIG. 5 as comprising a single transverse aperture 78, strap receiving portion 76 may be suitably modified, within the concepts of the invention, to provide more than one aperture within the length thereof, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6, where the strap receiving portion 80 of coupling adaptor 84 thereof comprises two such apertures 82, each of which may be selectively proportioned to provide a free passage for the receipt therethrough of a strap such as 62 in a manner essentially as shown in FIG. 7. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the wedge-shaped portion 86 and the recessed portion 88 thereof are substantially equivalent to

elements

72 and 74, respectively, of adaptor 70 as shown in FIG. 5. To avoid the necessity for threading a strap such as 62 through

apertures

78 or 82, where either necessary or desirable, the second strap receiving portion 76 may be appropriately modified as at 92 in FIG. 8 to provide a slot readily positionable about a strap such as 62, thereby affording a rapid and convenient means for joining an adaptor such as 70 or 84 thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a further embodiment of a coupling adaptor 93 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Each of a pair of selectively inclined, generally

arcuate surfaces

94, 96 extends longitudinally froman intermediate recessed portion 98 towards an associated

end

100, 102, respectively, of coupling adaptor 93, converging generally with an outer surface 104 of the base portion 106 thereof to define a pair of opposing,

complementary wedge portions

108, 110. Extending through each

wedge portion

108, 110 is an associated transverse aperture 112, 114, functionally equivalent to apertures 44 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Depending outwardly from recessed portion 98 generally normal thereto, and intermediate the length thereof, is an apertured extension 116 having a generally transverse aperture 118 therethrough, said apertured extension 116 being employed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to portion 76 of FIG. 5. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inclusion of wedge means 94, 96 adjacent both ends of coupling adaptor 92 will permit increased versatility in the use thereof, as, for example, where it is desired to introduce adaptor 92 intermediate a pair of spaced, adjacent bundling straps circumjacent a first article while providing a plurality of readily accessible apertures arranged to conveniently receive further bundling straps disposable about one or more further articles to be coupled to the first article. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that, although portion 116 is shown as having only a single transverse aperture 118 therethrough a plurality of such apertures 1 l8, appropriately configured, may be suitably provided, as shown for example in FIG. 6, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there are shown further embodiments of a

coupling adaptor

120, 122, respectively, constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Both embodiments comprise an essentially conical tapered portion indicated generally as 124 in FIG. 10 and 126 in FIG. 11. Adjacent the enlarged end 127 of tapered portion 124 of coupling adaptor (FIG. 10), and extending axially therefrom, is a reduced diameter portion 128 terminating in an enlarged head 130. Positioned intermediate the length of tapered portion 120 are a plurality of preferably contiguous, circumferentially disposed apertures 132, selectively proportioned to provide a plurality of strap receiving passages functionally equivalent to apertures 44 described above with respect to coupling adaptor 20 of FIG. 1. The reduced diameter portion 128 of coupling adaptor 120 is appropriately arranged to provide a restrictive strap receiving channel functioning in a manner similar to that described above with respect to recessed portion 26 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The reduced diameter portion 134 of coupling adaptor 122 is essentially both structurally and functionally equivalent to portion 128 of adaptor 120 as shown in FIG. 10. The head portion 130 of coupling adaptor 120 may be modified, as shown in FIG. 11, to define a circumferentially apertured, preferably cylindrical portion 136, the apertures 138 of which are essentially equivalent to apertures 132 of coupling adaptor 120. Each of the

coupling adaptors

120 and 122 may be employed in similar fashion to couple a plurality of adjacently disposed articles one to another to form a convenient, unique, substantially cylindrical assembly, the-individual articles ofwhich may be readily separated from the remaining assembly with a minimum of disturbance thereto.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A coupling adapter to permit the joining of a first article to a further article comprising: a base portion having a first surface, a second surface, a first end and a second end; a first strap receiving portion adjacent said base portion first surface; a second strap receiving portion adjacent said first strap receiving portion and coupled thereto; and wedge means ad jacent at least one of said base portion ends, said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending from said first strap receiving portion and converging towards said base portion second surface; said base portion being arranged to be disposed adjacent a first article and maintained in substantially intimate relationship therewith upon the interposition of said first strap receiving portion intermediate a first article and a bundling strap disposed thereabout; said second strap receiving portion being arranged to accept a further bundling strap to provide a coupling between a first bundled article and a further article.

2. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed on at least a portion of said base portion second surface for increasing the engagement between said base portion second surface and an article disposed intimately adjacent thereto.

3. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion has at least one generally transverse aperture therethrough, said transverse aperture being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough ofa bundling strap.

4. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 3 wherein said second strap receiving portion further comprises a selectively proportioned recessed portion extending from the outer surface of said second strap receiving portion towards and communicating with said transverse aperture, forming a generally transverse slot therebetween.

5. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion has two generally transverse apertures in spaced apart relationship therethrough, each of said transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough ofa bundling strap.

6. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 5 wherein said second strap receiving portion further comprises a selectively proportioned recessed portion extending from the outer surface of said strap receiving portion towards and communicating with at least one of said transverse apertures, forming a generally transverse slot therebetween 7. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion has a plurality of generally spaced apart transverse apertures therethrough, each of said transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough of a bundling strap.

8. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said second strap receiving portion further comprises a selectively proportioned recessed portion extending from the outer surface of said second strap receiving portion towards and communicating with said transverse aperture, forming a generally transverse slot therebetween.

9. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 further comprising wedge means adjacent both said first and said second ends of said base portion, each of said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending from said first strap receiving portion and converging towards said base portion second surface.

10. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion extends generally outwardly from said first strap receiving portion in substantially normal planar relationship therewith.

11. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion is disposed in generally spaced lorigitudinal alignment with said first strap receiving portion.

An integral coupling adapter to permit the oining of a first article to a further article comprising: a first strap receiving portion; a second strap receiving portion; and wedge means disposed generally adjacent said second strap receiving portion and extending therefrom; said first strap receiving portion, said second strap receiving portion and said wedge means being disposed in generally aligned longitudinal relationship; said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending from said first strap receiving portion towards the end of said wedge means remote from said second strap receiving portion.

13. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 12 wherein said second strap receiving portion has at least one generally transverse aperture therethrough, said transverse aperture being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt of a bundling strap therethrough.

14. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 12 wherein said second strap receiving portion has a plurality of generally transverse apertures therethrough, each of said transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt of a bundling strap therethrough.

15. A coupling adapter to permit the joining ofa first article to a further article comprising: a first strap receiving portion; a second strap receiving portion; and wedge means disposed generally adjacent said first strap receiving portion and extending therefrom; said first strap receiving portion, said second strap receiving portion and said wedge means being disposed in generally aligned longitudinal relationship; said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending generally from said first strap receiving portion towards the end of said wedge means remote from said first strap receiving portion; said second strap receiving portion having at least one generally transverse aperture therethrough, said transverse aperture being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt ofa bundling strap therethrough.

16. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 15 wherein said second strap receiving portion has a plurality of generally transverse apertures therethrough, each of said transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt of a bundling strap therethrough.

17. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 15 wherein said second strap receiving portion comprises a generally elongated member extending outwardly from said first strap receiving portion in substantially normal planar relationship therewith; said second strap receiving portion having at least two spaced, generally longitudinally aligned transverse apertures therethrough, each of said transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough of a bundling strap.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 r 649 r 998 D d March 21 1972 lnventofls) Arthur A. Fiorentin It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 56 "adaptor" should be 'drawings.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLE'I'CHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60375-P69 a u.sT GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 o3es-33A FORM PO-105O (10-69)

Claims

1. A coupling adapter to permit the joining of a first article to a further article comprising: a base portion having a first surface, a second surface, a first end and a second end; a first strap receiving portion adjacent said base portion first surface; a second strap receiving portion adjacent said first strap receiving portion and coupled thereto; and wedge means adjacent at least one of said base portion ends, said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending from said first strap receiving portion and converging towards said base portion second surface; said base portion being arranged to be disposed adjacent a first article and maintained in substantially intimate relationship therewith upon the interposition of said first strap receiving portion intermediate a first article and a bundling strap disposed thereabout; said second strap receiving portion being arranged to accept a further bundling strap to provide a coupling between a first bundled article and a further article.

3. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion has at least one generally transverse aperture therethrough, said transverse aperture being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough of a bundling strap.

5. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion has two generally transverse apertures in spaced apart relationship therethrough, each of said Transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough of a bundling strap.

6. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 5 wherein said second strap receiving portion further comprises a selectively proportioned recessed portion extending from the outer surface of said strap receiving portion towards and communicating with at least one of said transverse apertures, forming a generally transverse slot therebetween

7. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion has a plurality of generally spaced apart transverse apertures therethrough, each of said transverse apertures being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt therethrough of a bundling strap.

11. A coupling adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second strap receiving portion is disposed in generally spaced longitudinal alignment with said first strap receiving portion.

12. An integral coupling adapter to permit the joining of a first article to a further article comprising: a first strap receiving portion; a second strap receiving portion; and wedge means disposed generally adjacent said second strap receiving portion and extending therefrom; said first strap receiving portion, said second strap receiving portion and said wedge means being disposed in generally aligned longitudinal relationship; said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending from said first strap receiving portion towards the end of said wedge means remote from said second strap receiving portion.

15. A coupling adapter to permit the joining of a first article to a further article comprising: a first strap receiving portion; a second strap receiving portion; and wedge means disposed generally adjacent said first strap receiving portion and extending therefrom; said first strap receiving portion, said second strap receiving portion and said wedge means being disposed in generally aligned longitudinal relationship; said wedge means being at least partially defined by at least one inclined surface extending generally from said first strap receiving portion towards the end of said wedge means remote from said first strap receiving portion; said second strap receiving portion having at least one generally transverse aperture therethrough, said transverse aperture being selectively proportioned to provide a strap receiving passage for the receipt of a bundling strap therethrough.