FIXTURE AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSING WIRE MESH GRIP TO FACILITATE INSTALLATION ON CABLES

A fixture for installing a flexible wire mesh grip over an elongated cable includes a base having spaced opposite ends and an internal cavity extending longitudinally therebetween. The spaced opposite ends define respective first and second passages opening into the internal. cavity. The internal cavity has a cross-sectional size larger than that of a tubular body of the grip in a compressed non-gripping condition to accommodate the presence of the tubular body in the compressed non-gripping condition and of an annular collar secured on one end thereof within the internal cavity. The internal cavity and first and second passages of the base have respective cross-sectional sizes larger than that of the cable to permit insertion of the cable therethrough. The cross-sectional size of at least one of the first and second passages of the base is smaller than that of the internal cavity and of the annular collar and the tubular body in the compressed non-gripping condition so as to define an interior shoulder on the base that at least partially surrounds the one passage and against which the annular collar secured on the one opposite end of the tubular body can be placed to facilitate moving the other opposite end of the tubular body toward the annular collar and one opposite end to convert the tubular body froman expanded gripping condition to the compressed non-gripping condition with respect to the cable and thereby facilitate movement of the cable through the passageway of the tubular body and thus relative to the grip.