United States Patent [19J
`Chickini, Jr. et al.
`
`[I I]
`
`[45]
`
`4,247,225
`Jan. 27, 1981
`
`[54] ALIGNMENT DEVICE
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fay & Sharpe
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Gerald D. Chickini, Jr., Warren;
`Gordon F. Musch, Novelty; Donald
`V. Bailey, Hiram; William E.
`Bartasevich, Kent, all of Ohio
`
`[73] Assignee: Karnak Corporation, Garrettsville,
`Ohio
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 72,821
`
`Sep. 6, 1979
`[22] Filed:
`Int Cl. 1 ••..••..•...•...•.........•.•.•.•..........•.• E21D 20/02
`[51)
`[52] U.S. CL ............................... 405/260; 24/255 SL;
`249/219 R; 405/239; 405/244; 405/259
`IFicld of Search ............... 405/244, 239, 260, 261,
`405/262; 249/146, 147, 143, 90,219 R; 248/71,
`216.1, 217.1; 425/468, 127, 128; 24/255 SL,
`260,257
`
`[5ll]
`
`[56]
`
`1,080,283
`1,403,585
`2,119,415
`2,995,328
`3,060,694
`3,354,657
`3,848,034
`3,'ll3,l87
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Kenny .............................. 405/239 X
`12/1913
`Bonelli ............................. 405/239 X
`I/l'l22
`5/1938
`Hodge .................................... 249/90
`8/1961
`Whitted ................................. 248/71
`Holmes ................................ 4{)5/239
`10/1962
`Turzillo ................................ 405/244
`11/1967
`Schaefer .. . . . . . . ...... .. . ..... .. .. .. . . . 264/262
`11/1974
`10/1975
`Okuda .............................. 24/255 SL
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`379633 10/1923 Fed. Rep. of Germany ............. 248/71
`298478
`l/l'l29 United Kingdom ..................... 405/239
`1217413 12/1970 United Kingdom ..................... 405/239
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[57]
`An alignment device adapted to position an elongated
`member such as a cable or the like within the interior of
`an associated enclosure. The device includes a hollow
`collar adapted to be placed in a close surrounding rela(cid:173)
`tionship with an axial section of the elongated member.
`The collar includes a longitudinal split in the side wall
`thereof between opposed spaced apart collar peripheral
`ends. These ends may be moved apart from each other
`for installing the device on the elongated member and
`then moved back toward each other to place the device
`in a close surrounding operative position thereon. An
`adjustable locking means facilitates locking the collar at
`the peripheral ends in the operative position and simul(cid:173)
`taneously prevents axial displacement of the peripheral
`ends relative to each other. A plurality of supporting
`legs extend outwardly of the collar at spaced intervals
`therearound and include support feet. These support
`feet are configured and positioned to cooperate with the
`interior walls of an associated enclosure when the de(cid:173)
`vice is inserted thereinto for maintaining the elongated
`member in some desired spaced relationship therein.
`Inwardly extending gripping means may be included on
`the collar interior for engaging the elongated member in
`the collar operative position for reducing the potential
`for relative movement therebetween. The alignment
`device preferably comprises a one piece molded plastic
`construction. Typically, a plurality of the devices are
`affixed to the elongated member at spaced intervals
`therealong for positioning it within an elongated enclo(cid:173)
`sure over the coextensive lengths thereof.
`
`Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor
`
`22 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`
`Exhibit - 1021
`NV5, Inc. v. Terracon Consultants, Inc.
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 21, 19s1
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`4,247,225
`
`F
`
`E Fl G. I
`
`D
`
`FIG.2
`
`52
`
`56
`(58)
`
`54
`
`Exhibit - 1021
`NV5, Inc. v. Terracon Consultants, Inc.
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 21, 19s1
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`4,247,225
`
`64
`
`C
`
`Q.~c
`~o
`
`62
`16
`8
`7
`74
`76
`
`FIG.4
`
`A
`78
`
`2
`10
`FIG.3
`
`6
`
`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6
`
`""
`
`44
`
`62
`
`64
`
`10
`
`14
`
`124
`
`Exhibit - 1021
`NV5, Inc. v. Terracon Consultants, Inc.
`Page 3
`
`

`

`1
`
`ALIGNMENT DEVICE
`
`4,247,225
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention pertains to the art of alignment devices 5
`and more particularly to an alignment device for locat(cid:173)
`ing and retaining an elongated member at some prede(cid:173)
`termined position within an outer cover or enclosure.
`The invention is particularly applicable to use in lo(cid:173)
`cating an anchor cable for guy lines within an elongated IO
`opening or hole extending beneath ground level and
`will be described with particular reference thereto.
`However, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled
`in the art that the invention has far broader applications
`and may be advantageously utilized for many other 15
`applications in many different environments where it is
`desired to locate some elongated member in a predeter(cid:173)
`mined position within an associated housing or casing.
`In anchoring some guy lines for electrical power line
`towers or the like, an elongated anchor cable for the 20
`guy line is fixedly secured in an axial disposition beneath
`ground level. The lower end of the guy line is fixedly
`secured to the top end of the anchor cable adjacent
`ground level. The number of such guy lines and anchor(cid:173)
`ing devices is generally dependent upon the type and 25
`size of the tower itself. In some instances, however, the
`anchor cables will extend to a depth of up to sixty feet
`beneath the surface of the ground in order to provide
`the necessary anchoring strength. Typically, a hole or
`enclosure of the appropriate length is first drilled in the 30
`ground. Thereafter, the anchor cable is placed within
`the hole and the hole filled with a grout-like material for
`purposes of rigidly affixing the anchor cable therein. In
`order to obtain an optimum anchoring relationship be(cid:173)
`tween the anchor cable and hole or enclosure, it is de- 35
`sired that the anchor cable be centrally or coaxially
`positioned within the hole over the entirety of the coex(cid:173)
`tensive lengths thereof. Since the length of the hole
`may, again, be as much as sixty feet, and since the an(cid:173)
`chor cable itself is somewhat flexible, a number of 40
`spacer or alignment members must be interposed be(cid:173)
`tween the anchor cable and hole at periodic intervals in
`order to maintain the desired relative positioning be(cid:173)
`tween the cable and hole. Such spacer or alignment
`members must also allow the grout-like material to be 45
`passed thereby in order to fill the hole or enclosure
`therewith.
`There have heretofore been a number of different
`types and styles of such alignment devices employed in
`this particular environment. However, all of these de- 50
`vices have had certain drawbacks or disadvantages to
`their use. For example, some prior devices required that
`they be "strung" onto the anchor cable from one end
`thereof which required an inordinate amount of anchor
`cable preparation time. Moreover, if one or more of the 55
`alignment devices have to be subsequently removed for
`replacement, it was also necessary to remove all the
`adjacent previously or subsequently strung alignment
`devices. Some prior alignment devices included means
`for fixedly securing the alignment devices to the anchor 60
`cable at spaced locations therealong but here, again, an
`inordinate amount of anchor cable preparation time was
`required. Such securing means typically comprise tape,
`separate clamps and the like. Still other prior alignment
`devices did not facilitate ease of access to the elongated 65
`hole once the anchor cable and plurality of spaced apart
`alignment devices were inserted thereinto. This then
`caused difficulties with the proper and complete filling
`
`2
`of the hole with grout-like material. Moreover, still
`other prior alignment devices included support leg con(cid:173)
`structions which engaged the hole or enclosure internal
`wall in a manner which caused binding therewith and,
`in some instances, damage to the spacers themselves. A
`still further disadvantage to prior alignment devices
`resides in the fact that some comprise multi-piece con(cid:173)
`structions necessitating difficult assembly onto the an(cid:173)
`chor cable.
`On the basis of the foregoing problems, it has been
`considered desirable to develop a spacer or alignment
`device particularly adapted for use in guy line anchor
`cable applications which would meet and overcome the
`above noted problems. To that end, such a device
`would desirabl} accommodate installation generally
`transversely onto the anchor cable at some desired posi(cid:173)
`tion therealong so as to eliminate the need for threading
`a plurality of the devices thereonto from one end
`thereof. The device should comprise a single compo(cid:173)
`nent and should not require any separate parts or fasten(cid:173)
`ing means. Installation onto the anchor cable should be
`possible without the use of any special tools and prefer(cid:173)
`ably, with no tools at all. The device should also facili(cid:173)
`tate tight mounting thereof around the periphery of the
`anchor cable so that it cannot slip longitudinally or
`axially along the cable during cable installation into the
`casing. The means used to obtain a tight mounted rela(cid:173)
`tionship around the anchor cable should also facilitate
`some adjustment to take any variations in the anchor
`cable outside diameter into proper account. The align(cid:173)
`ment device should also be configured so that the an(cid:173)
`chor cable may be withdrawn from the hole or enclo(cid:173)
`sure prior to grouting should such withdrawal become
`necessary for any reason. In that same vein, the align(cid:173)
`ment device itself should be readily removable from the
`anchor cable should it become necessary for any reason.
`The alignment device should also provide sufficient
`clearance between the outside diameter of the anchor
`cable and the hole internal wall to permit introduction
`of the grout-like material into the entire length of the
`hole. Finally, such a device should be readily slidable
`with the anchor cable into the hole to eliminate the
`potential for any binding during assembly.
`The subject invention overcomes the foregoing prob(cid:173)
`lems and meets the above noted design criteria in pro(cid:173)
`viding an alignment device particularly useful in locat(cid:173)
`ing and mounting an anchor cable within an elongated
`anchor cable hole or enclosure in a guy line anchoring
`environment. However, the subject invention is also
`deemed equally applicable to use in aligning an elon(cid:173)
`gated member within the interior of a housing or enclo(cid:173)
`sure for varied applications in many different environ(cid:173)
`ments.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance with the present invention, there is
`provided a new and improved alignment device which
`allows an elongated member to be fixedly located in a
`predetermined desired position within the interior of an
`associated enclosure.
`More particularly, the alignment device is comprised
`of a hollow collar adapted to be placed in a surrounding
`relationship with an axial section of an elongated mem(cid:173)
`ber. The collar is generally longitudinally split so as to
`define a peripheral space between spaced apart opposed
`peripheral ends. These ends are adapted to be selec(cid:173)
`tively moved apart from each other to assume a collar
`
`Exhibit - 1021
`NV5, Inc. v. Terracon Consultants, Inc.
`Page 4
`
`

`

`4,247,225
`
`15
`
`3
`mounting position allowing the collar to be placed over
`a desired axial section of the elongated member and
`toward each other and to then be moved toward each
`other into a collar operative position wherein the collar
`is in a generally close surrounding relationship with the 5
`axial section. Locking means disposed adjacent the
`collar opposed peripheral ends permits selective lock(cid:173)
`ing of the collar in the operative position. A plurality of
`supporting legs extend outwardly from the collar a
`distance whereby the device is adapted to be received 10
`within the interior of an associated enclosure with the
`radial outermost ends of the supporting legs cooperat(cid:173)
`ing with the enclosure interior walls. This then allows
`the device to establish a predetermined located position
`for the elongated member within the enclosure.
`In accordance with another aspect of the .present
`invention, the supporting legs each have a length di(cid:173)
`mension extending generally longitudinally of the collar
`with the opposed longitudinal leg terminal ends dis(cid:173)
`posed axially outward from an associated collar end 20
`face. In the preferred arrangement, each supporting leg
`includes an end edge extending arcuately outward from
`the collar between the leg terminal ends.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, the device further includes support feet dis- 25
`posed at the supporting leg outermost ends. These feet
`extend generally normally outward of the plane defined
`by the associated supported leg.
`According to a further aspect of the invention, the
`locking means comprises a locking tang disposed adja- 30
`cent to one of the collar peripheral ends extending over
`the slot toward the other of the collar peripheral ends.
`The locking tang includes a first locking member dis(cid:173)
`posed therealong adapted to lockingly engage a second
`locking member adjacent the collar other peripheral 35
`end when the collar is moved toward its operative posi(cid:173)
`tion. One of the first and second locking members is
`lockingly adjustable relative to the other to accommo(cid:173)
`date some variations in the outside cross-sectional di(cid:173)
`mension of the elongated member to which the device is 40
`to be attached.
`According to yet a further aspect of the invention,
`the alignment device further includes means for pre(cid:173)
`venting longitudinal displacement of the opposed collar
`peripheral ends relative to each other at least when the 45
`collar is in its operative position. In the preferred ar(cid:173)
`rangement, this preventing means comprises having one
`of the supporting legs positioned adjacent the collar
`other peripheral end with this leg, in turn, including an
`opening therethrough. This opening is adapted to re- 50
`ceive the locking tang at least when the collar is moved
`to the operative position and thereby prevent the rela(cid:173)
`tive longitudinal displacement.
`In accordance with still another aspect of the present
`invention, the collar includes at least one gripping pro- 55
`trusion extending inwardly into the hollow internal area
`defined thereby. This at least one protrusion is adapted
`to engage the elongated member when the device is
`placed in the operative position on an axial section
`thereof and aids in reducing any potential for relative 60
`movement therebetween.
`In the preferred arrangement, the device itself com(cid:173)
`prises a one piece molded plastic construction and the
`collar peripheral ends have a normal position spaced
`apart from each other. These ends may be resiliently 65
`deflected further apart relative to each other from the
`normal position for obtaining the collar mounting posi(cid:173)
`tion and may then be resiliently deflected toward each
`
`4
`other from the normal position for obtaining the collar
`operative position.
`The principal object of the present invention. is the
`provision of a new and improved alignment device for
`locating and maintaining an elongated member relative
`to the interior of an associated housing or enclosure.
`Another object of the invention is the provision of an
`alignment device of the foregoing type which is simple
`to. manufacture and easy to use.
`Still another object of the invention is the provision
`of a new and improved alignment device which facili(cid:173)
`tates reliable installation on an elongated member which
`is to be axially received within an extremely elongated
`enclosure.
`A further object of the present invention is the provi(cid:173)
`sion of. such an alignment device which is readily
`adapted to varied alignment applications in many differ(cid:173)
`ent environments.
`Still other objects and advantages for the subject
`invention will become readily apparent to those skilled
`in the art upon a reading and understanding of the fol(cid:173)
`lowing specification.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The invention may take physical form in certain parts
`and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of
`which will be described in detail in this specification
`and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which
`form a part hereof and wherein:
`FIG. 1 is an overall .view in partial cross-section of
`the preferred environment of use for the subject align(cid:173)
`ment device;
`FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the subject new
`alignment device;
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3
`of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4is a slightly enlarged view ofa portion of FIG.
`3 showing the dimensional relationships between the
`locking members of the preferred locking means uti(cid:173)
`lized with the device;
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5
`of FIG. 2; and,
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6
`of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings
`are for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention only and not for purposes of
`limiting same, the FIGURES show a plurality of identi(cid:173)
`cal alignment devices A secured to an elongated cylin(cid:173)
`drical anchor cable B and received within an elongated
`cylindrical hole or enclosure C. Both the hole and an(cid:173)
`chor cable extend beneath ground level D and a com(cid:173)
`pression type fitting E is employed adjacent ground
`level to connect the upper end of anchor cable B to the
`lower end of a guy wire or cable F. Guy wire F extends
`to a tower or the like (not shown) for purposes of pro(cid:173)
`viding support therefor. A grout material G is forced
`into the interior of hole C and around the length of
`anchor cable B received therein for fixedly securing the
`anchor cable in the hole.
`While the structural arrangement for the alignment
`device A to be described hereinafter is particularly
`adapted for use in the foregoing environment, it should
`be fully appreciated and understood by those skilled in
`the art that the device may also be advantageously
`
`Exhibit - 1021
`NV5, Inc. v. Terracon Consultants, Inc.
`Page 5
`
`

`

`4,247,225
`
`5
`utilized in various alignment or locating applications as
`between two components in many different environ(cid:173)
`ments. Moreover. and while the device to be described
`hereinafter is utilized to coaxially align anchor cable B
`within hole or enclosure C, it is also possible to design 5
`the device to obtain some other relative positioning
`between the components as may be desired and/or
`dictated by the particular application.
`More particularly, and with principal reference to
`FIGS. 2 and 3, alignment device A includes a thin 10
`walled hollow, open ended collar generally designated
`lO having an internal peripheral wall 12 and an external
`peripheral wall 14. The open ended cylindrical configu(cid:173)
`ration defined by internal wall 12 is specifically adapted
`to accommodate an elongated member having a circu- 15
`lar cross section. However, it will be readily appreci(cid:173)
`ated by those skilled in the art that this internal configu(cid:173)
`ration may be varied as deemed necessary and/or ap(cid:173)
`propriate for purposes of accommodating elongated
`members having other cross-sectional configurations. 20
`In the preferred embodiment, the entirety of alignment
`device A comprises a one piece construction molded
`from a suitable plastic material such as acrylonitrile
`butidiene styrene. Such a construction provides suffi(cid:173)
`cient rigidity for its supporting function while allowing 25
`some resiliency or flexibility for collar 10 in order that
`it may be moved between mounting and operative posi(cid:173)
`tions for installation purposes. Here also, it will be
`readily appreciated that other types of plastics and ma(cid:173)
`terials could be advantageously utilized as deemed nee- 30
`essary and/or appropriate to best accommodate a par(cid:173)
`ticular application.
`With continued reference to both FIGS. 2 and 3, a
`plurality of supporting legs 16,18 and 20 extend gener(cid:173)
`ally radially outward from collar external peripheral 35
`surface 114. While three such legs are shown generally
`equidistantly spaced about the collar, a greater or lesser
`number of such legs may be utilized to accommodate a
`particular installation. Collar 10 includes a longitudinal
`slit through the side wall thereof with the longitudinal 40
`side edges of this slit defining opposed peripheral ends
`24,26 for the collar. The collar also includes a pair of
`opposed end faces 28,30 with the axial length of the
`collar between these end faces being varied as neces(cid:173)
`sary. In some instances, and by way of reference only, 45
`this axial length may be as little as l"or so.
`A tab-like member 40 extends outwardly a short dis(cid:173)
`tance from collar 10 adjacent and coextensive with
`peripheral end 24. The outward extent of member 40 is
`less than the radial extent of supporting legs 16,18 and 50
`20. A plurality of gripping ridges 42 are included on the
`planar surface of the tab-like member which faces out(cid:173)
`wardly of slit 22 and these ridges extend generally lon(cid:173)
`gitudinally of the collar. Gripping ridges 42 serve a
`purpose which will become more readily apparent here- 55
`inafter. An elongated locking tang 44 extends out(cid:173)
`wardly from tab-like member 40 on the planar surface
`thereof facing collar peripheral end 26. This locking
`tang has a generally arcuate configuration (FIG. 3) over
`its outward extent from tab-like member 40. As shown 60
`in FIG. 3, the collar is in a normal, non-use position
`wherein locking tang 44 extends at least partially across
`longitudinal slit 22 between ends 24,26. In addition, a
`plurality of consecutive first locking teeth 46 are in(cid:173)
`cluded on the lower planar surface of the locking tang 65
`and generally face the collar interior. These teeth each
`extend longitudinally of the collar itself and taper rear(cid:173)
`wardly back toward tab-like member 40.
`
`6
`With still continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, sup(cid:173)
`porting legs 16,18 and 20 are substantially identical in
`overall construction so that description will only be
`made with reference to leg 20, it being appreciated that
`the other legs are identical thereto unless otherwise
`specifically noted. Leg 20 includes a planar body por(cid:173)
`tion generally designated 50 having opposed longitudi(cid:173)
`nal terminal ends 52,54 disposed longitudinally outward
`from end faces 28,30, respectively. Reinforcing ribs
`56,58 are disposed on opposite sides of planar body
`portion 50 to extend longitudinally between terminal
`ends 52,54. These reinforcing ribs advantageously pro(cid:173)
`vide additional leg strength in order that the device may
`support the dead weight of anchor cable B within hous(cid:173)
`ing or casing C in the preferred arrangement here under
`discussion. Leg 20 has an outer edge 60 extending arcu(cid:173)
`ately between terminal ends 52,54 and further includes
`a support foot or pad 62 adjacent the radial outermost
`portion thereof. As will be best seen in FIG. 3, support
`foot 62 includes an outermost support surface 64 which
`has a width substantially greater than the thickness of
`planar body portion 50. In addition, the longitudinal
`extent of this support face is arcuately compatible with
`outer edge 60 over the coextensive longitudinal areas
`thereof.
`The maximum radial extents of the supporting legs
`and associated support feet are such that the alignment
`device may be closely slidably received in a cooperative
`relationship or condition with the interior side wall of
`an associated housing or enclosure, that is, hole or en(cid:173)
`closure C in the preferred embodiment. Because of the
`arcuate configurations of leg outer edges 60 and support
`surfaces 64, only a small area of the supporting legs at
`the area of the support feet will actually engage the hole
`side wall as the device is axially inserted thereinto. The
`remainder of the overall arcuate configuration allows
`the device to be moved axially within the hole in either
`direction and presents no sharp surfaces which could
`cause binding therein. In addition, the width of support
`surfaces 64 further aid in such sliding action and distrib(cid:173)
`ute the contact and loading forces over a wider surface
`area.
`Support leg 16 includes certain additional structural
`details for accommodating locking tang 44. More par(cid:173)
`ticularly, a boss-like area 70 is included on the side of
`planar body portion 50 thereof which faces locking tang
`44. An elongated slot 72 disposed longitudinally of
`collar 10 extends through boss area 70 to selectively
`receive at least a portion of the locking tang when the
`collar is moved to the operative position. As best shown
`in FIG. 3, slot 72 includes a tapered top or upper wall
`74. A plurality of second locking teeth 76 are disposed
`to extend longitudinally of collar 10 at the lower wall of
`slot 72 adjacent collar external surface 14. These second
`locking teeth taper in a direction generally opposite
`from first locking teeth 46 and are adapted to be selec(cid:173)
`tively placed in locking engagement with teeth 76 in a
`manner which will become apparent hereinafter. A
`boss-like area 78 is disposed on the other side of planar
`body portion 50 of supporting leg 16 from boss 70 and
`is generally coextensive with the support foot or pad 62
`associated therewith. The outer planar surface of this
`boss area includes a plurality of gripping ridges 80 ex(cid:173)
`tending generally longitudinally of collar 10 for cooper(cid:173)
`ative use with gripping ridges 42 of tab-like member 40
`as will become apparent.
`With particular reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted
`that the root areas of first locking teeth 46 are generally
`
`Exhibit - 1021
`NV5, Inc. v. Terracon Consultants, Inc.
`Page 6
`
`

`

`4,247,225
`
`7
`disposed a radial distance a from the center axis of col-
`lar 10. Similarly, the outermost edges or crests of sec(cid:173)
`ond locking teeth 76 are generally spaced a radial dis(cid:173)
`tance b from adjacent the center axis. The center of
`radius b is slightly offset generally toward peripheral 5
`end 26 of the collar and radial distance a is equal to
`radial distance b. Because of the foregoing dimensional
`relationships, teeth 46,76 will automatically become
`engaged with each other when locking tang 44 is
`moved through elongated slot 72. The preferred one IO
`piece plastic construction with the inherent limited
`resiliency thereby provided to the locking tang along
`with the above noted dimensioning characteristics are
`such to effectively facilitate this locking relationship.
`Also the tapered configuration of teeth 46, 76 allows I 5
`locking tang 44 to be easily inserted through slot 72 but
`will not allow withdrawal thereof in the opposite direc(cid:173)
`tion unless the locking tang is forced slightly upward so
`that teeth 46,76 become disengaged. However, it will be
`readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that many 20
`other types and styles of latching means as well as other
`dimensional relationships may be advantageously em(cid:173)
`ployed without departing from the overall intent or
`scope of the subject invention.
`Moreover, when the collar is moved to the operative 25
`position with locking tang 44 received through slot 72,
`the end walls of the slot act as a retaining means to
`prevent axial displacement of collar peripheral ends
`24,26 relative to each other. Such retaining means are
`extremely advantageous since relative displacement :lo
`between peripheral ends 24,26 would cause undesired
`disengagement between first and second locking teeth
`46, 76. This then would allow collar 10 to be moved
`from an operative position back toward the normal
`position shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 shows the inclusion of radial protrusions 90,92
`extending inwardly from internal wall 12 into the hol(cid:173)
`low area defined by collar 10. In the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment, these protrusions are generally pyramid or dia(cid:173)
`mond-shaped and are generally radially aligned with 40
`supporting legs 18,20. Protrusions 90,92 are adapted to
`engage anchor cable B when the alignment device is
`installed thereon for purposes of reducing any potential
`for relative movement therebetween. This feature is
`deemed to be of importance in the preferred environ- 45
`rrient here under consideration since it is highly desir(cid:173)
`able to retain the supporting legs of adjacent alignment
`devices secured at spaced intervals along anchor cable
`B in substantial longitudinal alignment with each other.
`This relationship facilitates the ease of introduction of a SO
`grout-like material into elongated hole or enclosure C.
`It will be readily appreciated, however, that the protru(cid:173)
`sion or internal gripping means configurations as well as
`the locations therefor may be modified to accommodate
`a particular device application and environment of use 55
`wherein it is desired to reduce the pot½ntial for relative
`movement between the device itself and an associated
`elongated member. For example, a roughened surface
`for internal peripheral wall 12 may sometimes be used
`and in some cases, it may be desirable to entirely elimi- 60
`nate the protrusions or internal gripping means. Such
`modifications do not depart from the overall intent or
`scope of the present invention.
`Referring again to FIG. 3, alignment device A is
`therein shown in its normal position. In order to install 65
`the device on an elongated member, it is merely neces(cid:173)
`sary to force or bias opposed collar peripheral ends
`24,26 apart from each other in the directions labeled
`
`8
`o-o so as to assume a mounting position. Such spread(cid:173)
`ing is to the extent required for allowing the device to
`be generally transversely passed onto the elongated
`member through longitudinal slit 22 between peripheral
`end 26 and the outermost terminal end of locking tang
`44. Once so installed, the outward biasing force may be
`released and, due to the preferred plastic construction
`of the device, ends 24,26 will automatically move back
`toward each other to again at least substantially assume
`their original normal position. Thereafter, simultaneous
`pressure may be applied at gripping ridges 42 of tab-like
`area 40 and gripping ridges 80 of boss 78 to urge periph(cid:173)
`eral ends 24,26 in directions c-c until the collar closely
`surrounds and engages the elongated member in a collar
`operative position. With such movement in directions
`c-c, locking tang 44 passes through elongated slot 72
`and first and second locking teeth 46,76 engage each
`other so as to retain the collar in the operative position
`closely surrounding the elongated member. Once the
`alignment device A has been so installed, these two
`components are ready for insertion into the associated
`enclosure in order that the elongated member may be
`physically located and retained in some desired position
`therein.
`FIG. 6 shows the relative positioning of the compo(cid:173)
`nents described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1
`for a single one of alignment devices.A. In the preferred
`arrangement of use, anchor cable B is comprised of a
`plurality of helically wound wire strands generally des(cid:173)
`ignated 100. These strands thus define an elongated
`generally cylindrical member. The alignment device A
`is installed on anchor cable B in the manner described
`hereinabove with collar 10 being shown in its operative
`position closely surrounding the cable. In this position,
`35 protrusions 90,92 are received in different ones of the
`spiral groove defined between adjacent ones of strands
`100 in order to substantially reduce and/or eliminate
`any potential for relative movement between device A
`and anchor cable B. With the alignment device disposed
`in the operative position shown in FIG. 6, the coopera(cid:173)
`tive relationship between the locking tang and elon-
`gated slot in leg 16, again, prevents axial displacement
`of the collar opposed peripheral ends 24,26. As previ(cid:173)
`ously noted with reference to FIG. 1, a plurality of
`devices A are installed at spaced intervals along anchor
`cable B with supporting legs 16,18 and 20 of adjacent
`devices disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment
`with each other.
`In FIG. 6, enclosure C is comprised of an elongated
`hole having an inner wall generally designat