Method and Use of High Tension Cable Barrier Clamp

Abstract

The present invention is a portable clamp to facilitate the construction and post-impact repair of high tension cable median barrier systems. Such a clamp allows a single operator to manipulate a high tension cable in order to install the hook bolts necessary to maintain proper function of the barrier system, thereby reducing the number of required employees and costs associated with the installation and repair processes.

1 . A system for repair or construction of cable-based roadside barriers systems comprising:
 a first cable engagement means, configured for reversibly engaging a length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier;   a second cable engagement means, configured for reversibly engaging a length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier;   a support assembly,   said first cable engagement means being interfaced with said support assembly and oriented for reversibly engaging with said length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier;   said second cable engagement means being moveably interfaced with said support assembly and oriented for reversibly engaging with said length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier;   contraction means, interfaced with said second cable engagement means, for selectively moving said second cable engagement means relative to said support assembly whereby, when said first cable engagement means is engaged with a length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier, and said second cable engagement means is engaged with said length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier, said contraction means, upon actuation, moves one or both of said cables relative to each other.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said contraction means comprises complimentary threads between an interface means of said second cable engagement means and said support assembly, whereby rotation of said interface means effects a linear motion of said second cable engagement means relative to said support assembly and changes the distance between said second cable engagement means and said first cable engagement means. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said contraction means comprises complimentary ratchet components between an interface means of said second cable engagement means and said support assembly, whereby actuation of said ratchet components effects a substantially linear motion of said second cable engagement means relative to said support assembly and changes the distance between said second cable engagement means and said first cable engagement means. 
   
   
       4 . A method for repair or construction of cable-based roadside barriers systems comprising the steps of:
 selecting a system for repair or construction of a cable-based roadside barrier system, itself comprising:
 a first cable engagement means, configured for reversibly engaging a length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier; 
 a second cable engagement means, configured for reversibly engaging a length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier; 
 a support assembly, 
 said first cable engagement means being interfaced with said support assembly and oriented for reversibly engaging with said length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier; 
 said second cable engagement means being moveably interfaced with said support assembly and oriented for reversibly engaging with said length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier; 
 contraction means, interfaced with said second cable engagement means, for selectively moving said second cable engagement means relative to said support assembly whereby, when said first cable engagement means is engaged with a length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier, and said second cable engagement means is engaged with said length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier, said contraction means, upon actuation, moves one or both of said cables relative to each other; 
   engaging said first cable engagement means with a length of a first cable of a cable-based roadside barrier;   engaging said second cable engagement means with a length of a second cable of a cable-based roadside barrier;   actuating said contraction means for effecting a change in the relative distance between respective said lengths of said first and said second cables.   
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said contraction means comprises complimentary threads between an interface means of said second cable engagement means and said support assembly, whereby rotation of said interface means effects a linear motion of said second cable engagement means relative to said support assembly and changes the distance between said second cable engagement means and said first cable engagement means. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said contraction means comprises complimentary ratchet components between an interface means of said second cable engagement means and said support assembly, whereby actuation of said ratchet components effects a substantially linear motion of said second cable engagement means relative to said support assembly and changes the distance between said second cable engagement means and said first cable engagement means.