Cable Coupler Having Retained Wedges

Abstract

A cable coupler includes a body having a first end, a second end, and first and second passageways sized and shaped to receive a cable, with each passageway including a tapered portion. A wedge assembly is disposed in each tapered portion to secure a cable to the body. A clip assembly is attached to the body adjacent the tapered portion of each of the passageways and is shiftable between a closed position in which the clip assembly is positioned to prevent an adjacent one of the wedge assemblies from exiting the corresponding passageway and an open position in which the adjacent wedge assembly is insertable into the tapered portion of the corresponding passageway.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A cable coupler comprising:
 a body having a first end, a second end, and first and second passageways extending between the first end and the second end, each passageway sized and shaped to receive a cable, each passageway including a tapered portion, the tapered portion of the first passageway and the tapered portion of the second passageway disposed at opposite ends of the body;   a first wedge assembly disposed in the tapered portion of the first passageway and a second wedge assembly disposed in the tapered portion of the second passageway, the first and second wedge assemblies arranged to secure a cable to the body from opposite directions;   a retainer arranged for placement adjacent the first end of the body, the retainer operatively coupled to a pair of cooperating recesses in the body;   wherein the retainer includes a portion sized and positioned to obstruct a portion of the first passageway thereby preventing the first wedge assembly from exiting the first passageway; and   wherein the portion of the retainer is adapted for movement to a position in which the portion of the first passageway is not obstructed.   
   
   
       18 . A cable coupler comprising:
 a body having a first end, a second end, and first and second passageways extending between the first end and the second end, each passageway sized and shaped to receive a cable, each passageway including a tapered portion, the tapered portion of the first passageway and the tapered portion of the second passageway disposed at opposite ends of the body;   a first wedge assembly disposed in the tapered portion of the first passageway and a second wedge assembly disposed in the tapered portion of the second passageway, the first and second wedge assemblies arranged to secure a cable to the body from opposite directions;   a removable retainer arranged for placement adjacent the first end of the body; and   the retainer including a portion extending into the body, the retainer further sized and positioned to obstruct a portion of the first passageway thereby preventing the first wedge assembly from exiting the first passageway.   
   
   
       19 . A body for joining a cable to a mine roof truss component, the body comprising:
 a first end, a second end, and first and second passageways, at least the first passageway sized and shaped to receive a cable and including a tapered portion;   a wedge assembly disposed in the tapered portion of the first passageway, the wedge assembly arranged to secure a cable to the body within the tapered portion of the first passageway; and   a retainer arranged for placement adjacent the first end of the body, the retainer comprising a central portion and a pair of lateral portions, the retainer operatively coupled to the body via a pair of apertures in the body, the retainer arranged for placement in a position to obstruct a portion of the passageway thereby preventing the wedge assembly from exiting the first passageway.   
   
   
       20 . A body for joining a cable to a mine roof truss component, the body comprising:
 a first end, a second end, and first and second passageways, at least the first passageway including a tapered portion sized and shaped to receive a cable;   a first wedge assembly disposed in the tapered portion of the first passageway, the first wedge assembly comprising at least two wedge pieces and arranged to secure a cable to the body;   a retainer arranged for placement adjacent the first end of the body, the retainer having a first portion operatively extending into a pair of cooperating recesses or apertures in the body;   wherein the retainer has a second portion movable into a first position to obstruct at least a portion of the first passageway, thereby preventing the first wedge assembly from exiting the first passageway; and   wherein the second portion of the retainer is movable into a second position in which the portion of the first passageway is not obstructed.