The present disclosure relates to the field of pulling, and relates specifically to an attachment system configured to mount a cable puller to a conduit.
Cable pullers are often used to pull cables or wires, for example, telephone wires, optical cables, or electrical service cables, through conduit. A typical cable puller generally includes a base and a boom extending from the base. An elbow is provided at the free end of the boom and an attachment system is mounted to the elbow for attachment to the conduit. The cables or wires are pulled through the conduit using the cable puller.
A conduit attachment system according to some embodiments of the disclosure is configured to be attached to a cable puller for securing the cable puller to a threaded conduit. The attachment system includes a mounting member configured to be attached to the cable puller, an engaging member attached to the mounting member, and a clamp plate attached to the mounting member, the clamp plate configured to be inserted into a passageway of the conduit and configured to bear against an inner surface of the conduit which forms the passageway. One of the engaging member and the clamp plate has a ledge surface upon which an end surface of the conduit bears against. At least one of the engaging member and the clamp plate is adjustable in position relative to the mounting member.
This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other embodiments, aspects, and advantages of various disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.
The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the disclosed embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:
While the disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that as illustrated and described herein. Therefore, unless otherwise noted, features disclosed herein may be combined together to form additional combinations that were not otherwise shown for purposes of brevity. It will be further appreciated that in some embodiments, one or more elements illustrated by way of example in a drawing(s) may be eliminated and/or substituted with alternative elements within the scope of the disclosure.
An attachment system 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 is provided for use with a cable puller 22 to pull cable through a stationary conduit 24. The attachment system 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 is quickly and rigidly mounted to a cable puller 22 and accommodates to many types and sizes of conduit 24. The attachment system 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 of various embodiments can withstand 6000 lbs. of pulling force.
The conduit 24 is mounted in a wall (not shown) to which the attachment system 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 is secured and through which a cable (not shown) is to be pulled. As shown in
As best shown in
In an embodiment, the base 24 may rest on the floor or ground and may have wheels 52 for transportation of the cable puller 22. The puller assembly 38 includes a capstan 54 about which the cable to be pulled is wound.
A first embodiment of the attachment system 120 is shown in
In each embodiment, as shown in
The first support arm 60 has first and second surfaces 60a, 60b which defines a top edge 60c, a bottom edge 60d, a front edge 60e and a rear edge 60f. The second support arm 62 has first and second surfaces 62a, 62b which defines a top edge 62c, a bottom edge 62d, a front edge 62e and a rear edge 62f. The support arms 60, 62 are positioned parallel to each other, but spaced apart from each other by the cross-brace 64 and the mount plate 66. The second surface 60b of the first support arm 60 faces the first surface 62a of the second support arm 62. In an embodiment, the support arms 60, 62 are generally triangularly-shaped.
The cross-brace 64 has an upper surface 64a, and an opposite lower surface 64b which defines a front edge 64c, a rear edge 64d and opposite first and second side edges 64e, 64f. The cross-brace 64 extends between the support arms 60, 62 such that the first side edge 64e mates with the second surface 60b of the first support arm 60, and the second side edge 64f mates with the first surface 62a of the second support arm 62. In an embodiment, the cross-brace 64 is generally rectangularly-shaped.
As shown in
The base wall 70 has a front surface 70a and an opposite rear surface 70b which defines a top edge 70c, a bottom edge 70d and opposite side edges 70e, 70f The top edge 70c of the base wall 70 is attached to the lower surface 74b of the cross-brace 64 such that the base wall 70 extends downwardly from the cross-brace 64.
The first support wall 72 has a front surface 72a and an opposite rear surface 72b which defines a top edge 72c, a bottom edge 72d and opposite side edges 72e, 72f. The second side edge 72f of the first support wall 72 mates with the first side edge 70e of the base wall 72. The top edge 72c of the first support wall 72 is attached to the lower surface 74b of the cross-brace 64 such that the first support wall 72 extends downwardly from the cross-brace 64. The first side edge 72e of the first support wall 72 is attached to the outer surface 60e of the first support arm 60. The bottom edge 72d is free.
The second support wall 74 has a front surface 74a and an opposite rear surface 74b which defines a top edge 74c, a bottom edge 74d and opposite side edges 74e, 74f The first side edge 74e of the second support wall 74 mates with the second side edge 70f of the base wall 74. The top edge 74c of the second support wall 74 is attached to the lower surface 74b of the cross-brace 64 such that the second support wall 74 extends downwardly from the cross-brace 64. The second side edge 74e of the second support wall 74 is attached to the outer surface 62e of the second support arm 62. The bottom edge 74d is free.
In an embodiment, the support arms 60, 62, the cross-brace 64 and mount plate 66 are formed of metal and are affixed to each other by welding. In an embodiment, the cross-brace 64 is eliminated and the mount plate 66 extends between the support arms 60, 62.
As shown in
The clamping and engaging assembly 122, 222, 322, 422, 522 is attached to the mount plate 66. A first embodiment of the clamping and engaging assembly 122 is shown in
Attention is invited to the first embodiment of the clamping and engaging assembly 122 shown in
As shown in
The clamp plate 124 further includes a threaded shaft 134 which extends from the rear surface 130b of the upper portion 130. In an embodiment, the threaded shaft 134 extends perpendicularly from the upper portion 130. In an embodiment, the threaded shaft 134 is integrally formed with the upper portion 130.
To connect the clamp plate 124 to the mounting member 56, the threaded shaft 134 extends through the aperture 78 in the base wall 70 of the mounting plate 66, see
As shown in
As shown in
In an embodiment, the first engaging member 126 is provided proximate to the bottom edge 72d of the first support wall 72 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the first engaging member 126 spans the width of the first support wall 72 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 126′ is provided proximate the bottom edge 74d of the second support wall 74 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 126′ spans the width of the second support wall 74 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f The mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ form a generally V-shaped groove. In an embodiment, the mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ are separately formed and the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ are attached to the mount plate 66, for example by welding or by fasteners. In an embodiment, the mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ are integrally formed.
As shown in
The attachment system 120 is attached to the conduit 24. To effect this, the clamp plate 124 is moved away from the mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ by rotating the knob 125 in a first direction which causes the threaded shaft 134 to translate relative to the knob 125 and move the clamp plate 124 away from the base wall 70 of the mount plate 66. The end of the conduit 24 is then placed between the clamp plate 124 and the first and second engaging members 126, 126′. The first and second engaging members 126, 126′ are positioned on the conduit 24 such that the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 is in contact with the ledge surfaces 128, 128′ of the first and second engaging members 126, 126′, the lower wall portions 142 of the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ are proximate to the thread 34 on the conduit 24, and the lower portion 132 of the clamp plate 124 extends into the passageway 28 of the conduit 24. The knob 125 is then rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which causes the threaded shaft 134 to translate relative to the knob 125 in the opposite direction and draw the clamp plate 124 closer to the base wall 70, thereby gripping the conduit 24 between the lower portion 132 of the clamp plate 124 and the lower wall portions 142 of the first and second engaging members 126, 126′. In this gripping position, the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 contacts the ledge surfaces 128, 128′ of the first and second engaging members 126, 126′, the lower wall portions 142 of the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ engage the thread 34 on the conduit 24, and the rear surface 132b of the lower portion 132 of the clamp plate 124 engages the inner surface 26 of the conduit 24. The ledge surfaces 128, 128′ of the first and second engaging members 126, 126′ hold the load on the conduit 24 during a pull. It is desirable to maximize the contact area between the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 and the ledge surfaces 128, 128′; a greater contact area results in less pressure on the conduit 24. Thereafter, the pull by the cable puller 22 can be commenced.
In an embodiment, the threaded shaft 134 is a conventional fastener, shown in
In an embodiment, the clamping and engaging assembly 122 further includes an alignment pin 86, see
Attention is invited to the second embodiment of the attachment system 220 which includes the clamping and engaging assembly 222 shown in
Attention is invited to the third embodiment of attachment system 320 which includes the clamping and engaging assembly 322 shown in
As best shown in
In an embodiment, the first engaging member 326 is provided proximate to the bottom edge 72d of the first support wall 72 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the first engaging member 326 spans the width of the first support wall 72 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 326′ is provided proximate the bottom edge 74d of the second support wall 74 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 326′ spans the width of the second support wall 74 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f The mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 326, 326′ form a generally V-shaped groove.
As shown in
Each engaging member 326, 326′ further includes a threaded shaft 354 extending from its rear surface 326b. The threaded shaft 354 may be integrally formed with the respective engaging member 326, 326′, or may be separately formed and attached thereto by suitable means, such as welding or fasteners. In an embodiment, the threaded shaft 354 is a conventional fastener like that shown in
To connect the engaging member 326, 326′ to the mounting member 56, the threaded shaft 354 of each engaging member 326, 326′ extends through the aperture 80, 82 in the respective support wall 72, 84.
As shown in
The threaded shaft 354 of the engaging member 326, 326′ extends through the passageway 336 of the knob 325 and threadedly engages with the threads provided in the passageway 336. In an embodiment, a nut (not shown) is threaded onto the end of the threaded shaft 354 and may seat within an enlarged section of the passageway 336.
The attachment system 320 is attached to the conduit 24. To effect this, the engaging members 326, 326′ are moved toward the mount plate 66 by rotating the knobs 325 in a first direction which causes the respective threaded shaft 354 to translate relative to its knob 325 and move the engaging members 326, 326′ toward the support walls 72, 74 of the mount plate 66. The end of the conduit 24 is then placed between the second portion 332 of the clamp plate 324 and the first and second engaging members 326, 326′. The first and second engaging members 326, 326′ are positioned on the conduit 24 such that the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 is in contact with the ledge surfaces 328, 328′ of the first and second engaging members 326, 326′, the lower wall portions 342 of the first and second engaging members 326, 326′ are proximate to the thread 34 on the conduit 24, and the second portion 332 of the clamp plate 324 extends into the passageway 28 of the conduit 24. The knobs 325 are then rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which causes the respective threaded shaft 354 to translate relative to its knob 325 in the opposite direction and move the engaging members 326, 326′ away from the support walls 72, 74, thereby gripping the conduit 24 between the second portion 332 of the clamp plate 324 and the lower wall portions 342 of the first and second engaging members 326, 326′. In this gripping position, the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 contacts the ledge surfaces 328, 328′ of the first and second engaging members 326, 326′, the lower wall portions 342 of the first and second engaging members 326, 326′ engage the thread 34 on the conduit 24, and the rear surface 332b of the second portion 332 of the clamp plate 324 engages the inner surface 26 of the conduit 24. The ledge surfaces 328, 328′ of the first and second engaging members 326, 326′ hold the load on the conduit 24 during a pull. It is desirable to maximize the contact area between the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 and the ledge surfaces 328, 328′; a greater contact area results in less pressure on the conduit 24. Thereafter, the pull by the cable puller 22 can be commenced.
Attention is invited to the fourth embodiment of the attachment system 420 which includes the clamping and engaging assembly 422 shown in
The clamp plate 424 is affixed to and extends outwardly from the support wall 72; the clamp plate 424′ is affixed to extends outwardly from the support wall 74. As shown in
In an embodiment, the first engaging member 426 is provided proximate to the bottom edge 72d of the first support wall 72 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the first engaging member 426 spans the width of the first support wall 72 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 426′ is provided proximate the bottom edge 74d of the second support wall 74 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 426′ spans the width of the second support wall 74 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f The mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 426, 426′ form a generally V-shaped groove.
As shown in
Each engaging member 426, 426′ further includes a threaded shaft 454 extending from its rear surface 426b. The threaded shaft 454 may be integrally formed with the respective engaging member 426, 426′, or may be separately formed and attached thereto by suitable means, such as welding or fasteners. In an embodiment, the threaded shaft 454 is a conventional fastener like that shown in
As shown in
The threaded shaft 454 of the engaging member 426, 426′ extends through the passageway 436 of the knob 425 and threadedly engages with the threads provided in the passageway 436. In an embodiment, a nut (not shown) is threaded onto the end of the threaded shaft 454 and may seat within an enlarged section of the passageway 436.
The attachment system 420 is attached to the conduit 24. To effect this, the engaging members 426, 426′ are moved toward the mount plate 66 by rotating the knobs 425 in a first direction which causes the respective threaded shaft 454 to translate relative to its knob 425 and move the engaging members 426, 426′ toward the support walls 72, 74 of the mount plate 66. The end of the conduit 24 is then placed between the second portions 432 of the clamp plates 424, 424′ and the first and second engaging members 426, 426′. The end surface 32 of the conduit 24 is in contact with the ledge surfaces 428, 428′ of the clamp plates 424, 424′, the front surfaces 426a of the first and second engaging members 426, 426′ are proximate to the thread 44 on the conduit 24, and the second portions 432 of the clamp plates 424 extend into the passageway 28 of the conduit 24. The knobs 425 are then rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which causes the respective threaded shaft 454 to translate relative to its knob 425 in the opposite direction and move the engaging members 426, 426′ away from the support walls 72, 74, thereby gripping the conduit 24 between the second portion 432 of the clamp plate 424 and the lower wall portions 442 of the first and second engaging members 426, 426′. In this gripping position, the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 contacts the ledge surfaces 428, 428′ of the clamp plates 424, 424′, the front surfaces 426a of the first and second engaging members 426, 426′ engage the thread 44 on the conduit 24, and the rear surfaces 432b of the second portions 432 of the clamp plates 424 engage the inner surface 26 of the conduit 24. The ledge surfaces 428, 428′ of the clamp plates 424, 424′ hold the load on the conduit 24 during a pull. It is desirable to maximize the contact area between the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 and the ledge surfaces 428, 428′; a greater contact area results in less pressure on the conduit 24. Thereafter, the pull by the cable puller 22 can be commenced.
Attention is invited to the fifth embodiment of the attachment system 520 which includes the clamping and engaging assembly 522 shown in
As best shown in
Each clamp plate 524, 524′ further includes a threaded shaft 534 extending from its rear surface 526b. The threaded shaft 534 may be integrally formed with the respective clamp plate 524, 524′, or may be separately formed and attached thereto by suitable means, such as welding or fasteners. In an embodiment, the threaded shaft 534 is a conventional fastener like that shown in
As shown in
The threaded shaft 534 of each clamp plate 524, 524′ extends through the passageway 536 of the knob 525 and threadedly engages with the threads provided in the passageway 536. In an embodiment, a nut (not shown) is threaded onto the end of the threaded shaft 534 and may seat within an enlarged section of the passageway 536.
As shown in
In an embodiment, the engaging members 526, 526′ are affixed to the mount plate 66 by respective protrusions 548 which mates with respective apertures 94, 96 in the support walls 72, 74. In an embodiment, the engaging members 526, 526′ are affixed to the mount plate 66 by welding. It will be appreciated that the engaging members 526, 526′ are shown in the drawings as a block of a rectangular prism that the engaging members 526, 526′ may take a variety of shapes.
In an embodiment, the first engaging member 526 is provided proximate to the bottom edge 72d of the first support wall 72 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the first engaging member 526 spans the width of the first support wall 72 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 526′ is provided proximate the bottom edge 74d of the second support wall 74 of the mount plate 66. In an embodiment, the second engaging member 526′ spans the width of the second support wall 74 defined between the side edges 72e, 72f The mount plate 66 and the first and second engaging members 526, 526′ form a generally V-shaped groove.
The attachment system 520 is attached to the conduit 24. To effect this, the clamp plates 524, 524′ are moved away from the mount plate 66 by rotating the knobs 525 in a first direction which causes the respective threaded shaft 534 to translate relative to its knob 525 and move the clamp plates 524, 524′ away from the support walls 72, 74 of the mount plate 66. The end of the conduit 24 is then placed between the second portions 532 of the clamp plates 524, 524′ and the first and second engaging members 526, 526′. The end surface 32 of the conduit 24 is in contact with the ledge surfaces 528, 528′ of the clamp plates 524, 524′, the front surfaces 526a of the first and second engaging members 526, 526′ are proximate to the thread 54 on the conduit 24, and the second portions 532 of the clamp plates 524 extend into the passageway 28 of the conduit 24. The knobs 525 are then rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which causes the respective threaded shaft 534 to translate relative to its knob 525 in the opposite direction and move the clamp plates 524, 524′ toward the support walls 72, 74, thereby gripping the conduit 24 between the second portions 532 of the clamp plates 524, 524′ and the front surfaces 526a of the first and second engaging members 526, 526′. In this gripping position, the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 contacts the ledge surfaces 528, 528′ of the clamp plates 524, 524′, the front surfaces 526a of the first and second engaging members 526, 526′ engage the thread 54 on the conduit 24, and the rear surfaces 532b of the second portions 532 of the clamp plates 524, 524′ engage the inner surface 26 of the conduit 24. The ledge surfaces 528, 528′ of the clamp plates 524, 524′ hold the load on the conduit 24 during a pull. It is desirable to maximize the contact area between the end surface 32 of the conduit 24 and the ledge surfaces 528, 528′; a greater contact area results in less pressure on the conduit 24. Thereafter, the pull by the cable puller 22 can be commenced.
While a threaded screw connection is shown and described to adjust the position of the adjustable position clamp plate 124, the adjustable position engaging members 326, 326′, the adjustable position engaging members 426, 426′, and the adjustable position clamp plates 524, 524′, it is to be understood that other structures for adjusting the position, while still enabling the plates/members to be moved to the gripping position, are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the clamp plate 124, the engaging members 326, 326′, the engaging members 426, 426′, and the clamp plates 524, 524′could be adjusted in position by using a fulcrum.
In an embodiment, the front surface 126a, 326a, 426a, 526a of each engaging member 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ that engages the threads 34 of the conduit 24 in the gripping position is smooth.
In an embodiment, a plurality of teeth 98 is provided on the front surface 126a, 326a, 426a, 526a of each engaging member 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ that engages the threads 34 of the conduit 24 in the gripping position. In an embodiment, the teeth 98 are formed by grooves or texturing. In an embodiment, the teeth 98 are formed by serrations or a thread form which define a pitch P1 between adjacent crests. The threads 34 on the conduit 24 define a pitch P2 between adjacent crests in the thread form. The pitch P1 is substantially less than the pitch P2. In an embodiment, the pitch P1 is half or about half of the pitch P2. As such, the teeth 98 on the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ has a finer pitch than the pitch on the conduit 24. As a result, the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ provides for a “slight engagement” that enables the attachment system 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 to be easy to use, and robust enough to withstand a 6000 lbs. cable pull in various embodiments. During setup of the cable puller 22, the teeth 98 of the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ partially engage with the thread 34 on the conduit 24, but do not fully engage. In this position, the teeth 98 of the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ are loaded and support the weight of the cable puller 22 during set-up. When the pull begins, if the ledge surfaces 128, 228, 328, 428, 528 are not fully in contact with the end surface 32 of the conduit 24, the force of the pull will load the teeth 98 of the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ until the teeth 98 slip from the threads 34 of the conduit 24, and the ledge surfaces 128, 228, 328, 428, 528 come into contact with the end surface 32 of the conduit 24. The engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ can slip across the threads 34 of the conduit 24 without impeding the function of the threads 34. Once the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ have slipped into place, the ledge surfaces 128, 228, 328, 428, 528 carry the load of the cable pull until it is completed. In an embodiment, the teeth 98 on the engaging members 126, 126′, 326, 326′, 426, 426′, 526, 526′ are milled. It is to be understood that the size, the depth angle, the density, the orientation of the teeth 98 can be varied, provided that the dimensions of the teeth 98 increases the surface area which grips the threads 34 of the conduit 24 during the initial set up, without fully engaging the threads 34 of the conduit 24.
It is to be understood that the clamp plate 524 and knob 525 shown in the fifth embodiment of
It is to be understood that the third engaging member 250 of
While some of the embodiments herein show one of the engaging members and the clamp plate or clamp plates being fixed into position relative to the mounting member 56 and the other of the engaging members and the clamp plate or clamp plates being adjustable in position relative to the mounting member 56, both of the engaging member and the clamp plate or clamp plates can be adjustable in position relative to the mounting member 56.
The clamping and engaging assembly 122 of various embodiments accommodates at least 6000 lbs. of pull force. The clamping and engaging assembly 122 is adjustable to fit a range of conduit sizes.
While two or three engaging members are shown and described, the number of engaging members, the sizes of the engaging members, the angle between the engaging members, etc. can be varied to increase gripping contact area with the conduit 24, as well as ledge surface 128, 228, 328, 428, 528 or ledge surfaces 128, 128′, 328, 328′, 428, 428′, 528, 528′ contact area with the conduit 24.
In addition to providing attachment between the cable puller 22 and the conduit 24, the attachment system 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 provides a mechanism for transferring forces from the puller 22 to the conduit 24 as the cable is pulled through the conduit 24. As cable is pulled through the conduit 24, forces from the puller 22 are transferred from the puller 22, to the clamp plate 124 and to the conduit 24 by way of the ledge surface 128, 228, 328, 428, 528 or ledge surfaces 128, 128′, 328, 328′, 428, 428′, 528, 528′.
While particular embodiments are illustrated in and described with respect to the drawings, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated in and discussed with respect to the drawings and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure and appended drawings. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/440,665, filed on Dec. 30, 2016, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/443,048, filed on Jan. 6, 2017; the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62440665 | Dec 2016 | US | |
62443048 | Jan 2017 | US |