Connection apparatus

Abstract

A connection apparatus 10 for mounting a cable to a structure such as a wind turbine or oil rig. The apparatus 10 including a receiving member 14 having a hollow body with a diverging mouth, a latch member 22 movably mounted on the outside of the receiving member 14 with a latch part 24 extending into the receiving member 14 . A mounting member 16 is provided which mounts the cable extending therethrough. The mounting member 16 is selectively locatable in the receiving member 14 with the latch part 24 engaging with a retaining formation in the form of a groove 56 to retain the mounting member 16 in the receiving member 14 and hence retain the cable mounted to the structure.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . Connection apparatus for mounting a cable to a structure, the connection apparatus including:
 a receiving member for location on the structure, the receiving member comprising a cylindrical hollow body with a diverging mouth;   a latch member, movably mounted on the outside of the body, having a latch part that is selectively extendable into the cylindrical hollow body;   a mounting member through which the cable can extend, the mounting member being locatable in the cylindrical hollow body with the latch part selectively engageable with a retaining formation on the mounting member to retain the mounting member in the cylindrical hollow body and hence the cable mounted to the structure; and   a stop formation against which a distal end of the mounting member is engageable when fully in the cylindrical hollow body.   
     
     
         30 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which a seal member is provided on the cylindrical hollow body against which seal member the mounting member engages when fully in the mounting member. 
     
     
         31 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 30 , in which the seal member includes a profiled resilient member. 
     
     
         32 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the mounting member has a converging distal end. 
     
     
         33 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 32 , in which a part of the cylindrical hollow body which is for receiving the distal end of the mounting member is correspondingly profiled. 
     
     
         34 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the mounting member includes a first distal part, which includes the distal end, and a second proximal part, wherein the first distal part is more rigid than the second proximal part. 
     
     
         35 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which formations are provided within the cylindrical hollow body to urge the mounting member into a required alignment as it enters into the cylindrical hollow body. 
     
     
         36 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the connection apparatus is arranged such that the latch part automatically engages with the mounting member as the mounting member is introduced into the body. 
     
     
         37 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the retaining formation comprises a circumferential formation. 
     
     
         38 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the retaining formation comprises a groove. 
     
     
         39 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the latch member is selectively movable between an engagement position in which the latch part can engage with the mounting member, and a disengagement position in which the latch part is clear of the mounting member such that the mounting member can be withdrawn from the cylindrical hollow body. 
     
     
         40 . The Connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which the latch member is pivotally mounted on the outside of the cylindrical hollow body. 
     
     
         41 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 40 , in which a pivot pin is provided on the latch member engageable with a pivot formation on the outside of the hollow member. 
     
     
         42 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 41 , in which the latch part is on one side of the pivot formation and a resilient member is provided on the other side of the pivot formation, the resilient member being configured to urge the latch part into the mounting member. 
     
     
         43 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 41 , in which the pivot pin is selectively removable from the pivot formation to permit release of the latch member from the cylindrical hollow body. 
     
     
         44 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 29 , in which a link formation is provided on the latch member to permit the latch member to be moved to a disengagement position by remote operation. 
     
     
         45 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 44 , in which the link formation comprises an opening. 
     
     
         46 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 44 , in which a line is provided for extension from the link formation. 
     
     
         47 . Connection apparatus for mounting a cable to a structure, the connection apparatus including:
 a receiving member for location on the structure, the receiving member comprising a hollow body with a diverging mouth;   a latch member, movably mounted on the outside of the body, having a latch part that is selectively extendable into the hollow body;   a mounting member through which the cable can extend, the mounting member being locatable in the body with the latch part selectively engageable with a retaining formation on the mounting member to retain the mounting member in the body and hence the cable mounted to the structure; and   a stop formation against which a distal end of the mounting member is engageable when in the hollow body.   
     
     
         48 . Connection apparatus for mounting a cable to a structure, the connection apparatus including:
 a receiving member for location on the structure, the receiving member comprising a hollow body with a diverging mouth;   a latch member, movably mounted on the outside of the body, having a latch part that is selectively extendable into the hollow body;   a mounting member through which the cable can extend, the mounting member being locatable in the hollow body with the latch part selectively engageable with a retaining formation on the mounting member to retain the mounting member in the hollow body and hence the cable mounted to the structure; and   a seal against which a converging distal end of the mounting member is engageable when in the hollow body, wherein when the converging distal end of the mounting member is engaged with the seal, further movement of the mounting member into the hollow body is prevented.