Method of Terminating a Stranded Synthetic Filament Cable

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016346879-A9
Application number	US-201213678664-A
Country	US
Kind code	A9
Filing date	Nov 16, 2012
Priority date	Sep 24, 2010
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for straightening, constraining, cutting and terminating a multi-stranded, non-parallel cable. The method includes: (1) dividing the cable into smaller components which are in the size range suitable for the prior art termination technology; (2) creating a termination on the end of each of the smaller components; (3) providing a collector which reassembles the individual terminations back into a single unit; and (4) maintaining alignment between the terminations and the smaller components while the terminations and the collector are in a connected state.

First claim

Having described my invention, I claim:

1 . A method for terminating a cable having a central axis, said cable including a plurality of strands made of synthetic filaments, with at least a portion of said strands being non-parallel with respect to said central axis, comprising:
a. straightening a portion of said cable to form a straight portion; b. c. cutting each of said plurality of strands of said cable within said straight portion so that each of said plurality of strands has a cut end; d. splaying said strands apart in order to gain access to a cut end on each of said strands; e. providing a plurality of anchors; f. attaching said anchors of said plurality of anchors to at least a portion of said strands; g. providing a collector; h. attaching each of said anchors to said collector, with each of said anchors and said collector being in alignment while each of said anchors and said collector are in an attached state; and i. providing an attachment feature on said collector, wherein said attachment feature facilitates connection of said collector to an external component.

2 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
a. at least a portion of said strands are helically wrapped around said central axis; and b. said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector maintains said alignment by including an angular offset which is equal to said helix angle.

3 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said cable includes at least one core strand which is parallel to said central axis and a plurality of strands which are non-parallel to said central axis.

4 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein during said step of attaching said anchors to said strands, each of said anchors and said strand to which said anchor is being attached are held within an alignment fixture.

5 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made by:
a. providing an anchor receiver in said collector; and b. placing said anchor in said anchor receiver.

6 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made using a ball and socket joint.

7 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made by a first pivot joint, and a second pivot joint which is perpendicular to said first pivot joint.

8 . A method for terminating a cable having a central axis, said cable including a plurality of strands made of synthetic filaments, with at least a portion of said strands being non-parallel with respect to said central axis, comprising:
a. straightening a portion of said cable to form a straight portion; b. applying a binder to said cable proximate said straight portion; c. cutting each of said plurality of strands of said cable within said straight portion so that each of said plurality of strands has a cut end; d. splaying said strands apart in order to gain access to a cut end on each of said strands; e. providing a plurality of anchors; f. providing at least one alignment fixture g. attaching said anchors of said plurality of anchors to at least a portion of said strands while maintaining alignment between each of said anchors and said strand to which said anchor is being attached by placing each anchor and each strand into said alignment fixture during said attachment process; h. removing said alignment fixture; i. providing a collector; j. attaching each of said anchors to said collector, with said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector maintaining said alignment between said anchor and said strand to which said anchor is attached; and k. providing an attachment fixture on said collector, wherein said attachment fixture facilitates connection of said collector to an external component.

9 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein:
a. at least a portion of said strands are helically wrapped around said central axis; and b. said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector maintains said alignment by including an angular offset which is equal to said helix angle.

10 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said cable includes at least one core strand which is parallel to said central axis and a plurality of strands which are non-parallel to said central axis.

11 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made by:
a. providing an anchor receiver in said collector; and b. placing said anchor in said anchor receiver.

12 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made using a ball and socket joint.

13 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made by a first pivot joint, and a second pivot joint which is perpendicular to said first pivot joint.

14 . A method for terminating a cable having a central axis, said cable including a plurality of strands made of synthetic filaments, with at least a portion of said strands being non-parallel with respect to said central axis, comprising:
a. straightening a portion of said cable to form a straight portion; b. cutting each of said plurality of strands of said cable within said straight portion so that each of said plurality of strands has a cut end; c. splaying said strands apart in order to gain access to a cut end on each of said strands; d. providing a plurality of anchors; e. attaching said anchors of said plurality of anchors to at least a portion of said strands; f. providing a collector; g. providing an alignment fixture, said alignment fixture including at least one strand engagement feature; h. attaching said alignment fixture to said collector; i. attaching each of said anchors to said collector; j. engaging at least one of said strands with said at least one strand engagement fixture in said alignment fixture; and h. providing an attachment feature on said collector, wherein said attachment feature facilitates connection of said collector to an external component.

15 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 14 , wherein:
a. at least a portion of said strands are helically wrapped around said central axis; and b. said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector maintains said alignment by including an angular offset which is equal to said helix angle.

16 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 14 , wherein said cable includes at least one core strand which is parallel to said central axis and a plurality of strands which are non-parallel to said central axis.

17 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 14 , wherein during said step of attaching said anchors to said strands, each of said anchors and said strand to which said anchor is being attached are held within an alignment fixture.

18 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in claim 14 , wherein said attachment between each of said anchors and said collector is made by:
a. providing an anchor receiver in said collector; and b. placing said anchor in said anchor receiver.

19 . A method for terminating a cable as recited in clai

Assignees

• Campbell Richard V
• Hilbig David W
• Wortham Kristopher L
• Sediles David F

Inventors

• Campbell Richard V
• Hilbig David W
• Wortham Kristopher L
• Sediles David F

Classifications

• F16G11/03

  incorporating resiliently-mounted members for attachment of the cable end · CPC title

• D07B1/025

  comprising high modulus, or high tenacity, polymer filaments or fibres, e.g. liquid-crystal polymers · CPC title

• F16G11/146

  Eyes · CPC title

• Y10T29/4989

  with spreading of cable strands · CPC title

• B23P11/00 Primary

  Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for  (connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00) · CPC title