WO2004023619A1

WO2004023619A1 - Cable tray having an articulating support surface

Info

Publication number: WO2004023619A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/028415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Jette
Original assignee: Roger Jette
Priority date: 2002-09-06
Filing date: 2002-09-06
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2002324901A1

Abstract

Cable management systems including cable support assembly configured and adapted to receive the plurality of cables therein is disclosed. The cable support assembly includes a plurality of open ended cable support hangers, wherein each of the plurality of cable support hangers define a support surface, and a flexible spine member interconnecting each of the plurality of open ended cable support hangers. The cable support assembly further includes an articulating cable support surface configured and adapted to rest atop the cable support surfaces defined by the plurality of support hangers. Preferably, the articulating cable support surface includes a plurality of rigid discrete cable supporting members pivotally coupled to one another. Accordingly, the articulating cable support surface is capable of bending in accordance with bends made in the flexible spine member. Moreover, the articulating cable support surface prevents the plurality of cables from sagging between adjacent cable support hangers.

Description

CABLE TRAY HAVING AN ARTICULATING SUPPORT SURFACE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/317,667 filed September 6, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to cable management systems and, more particularly, to cable management systems including a cable tray having an articulating support surface over which a plurality of cables run.

2. Background of Related Art

With the advent of computer networks including the world wide web, global area networks and local area networks the need for better and more efficient systems for routing and carrying data transmission cables from one computer to another has increased. Efficiency of data transmission, from one computer to another, is dependent on many factors. One such factor is the length of cable through which the data must pass before arriving at its intended destination. In other words, the greater the distance over which the data must travel in order to arrive at its destination the longer the time required to due so and the less efficient the system. As such, with all other factors being equal, the transmission of data over a shorter distance will result an overall faster rate of data transmission.

Another factor effecting the efficiency and rate of data transmission is the relative straightness of the cable through which the data is being transmitted. Conventional cable support systems include a plurality of hangers over which the cables lie. The cables are thus only supported at the location of each hanger and are subject to a degree of sagging between adjacent hangers. This sagging of the cables between adjacent hangers results in the cables having an oscillatory configuration (i.e., running in an up and down fashion), which configuration reduces the efficiency and the rate of data transmission through the cable. Once again, with all other factors being equal, data transmission through a cable having fewer instances of sag between supporting members will be faster and more efficient than the transmission of data through a cable having more instances of sag between adjacent supporting members. Each additional time the cables are subjected to a degree of sag between adjacent cable supporting members the greater the amount of loss in data transmission there is.

Thus, it follows that, as the lengths of cable runs increase, the number of instances an individual cable will sag between adjacent cable support members also increases. The increase in the number of instances of sag leads to a decreased efficiency in the rate of data transmission.

Most conventional cable support systems include a spine member for interconnecting a plurality of cable hangers which cable hangers are adapted for retaining a length of cable therein. The cable hangers only provide support to the length of cables where the cables contact the cable hanger thereby resulting in the remainder of the cables sagging between adjacent cable hanger elements. Each instance of cable sag, between adjacent cable hanger elements, results in greater amounts of data transmission loss due to the wave-like nature of the cable run through which the data is being transmitted. In addition, each instance of cable sag, between adjacent cable hanger elements, increases the length of cable that is needed in order to connect the individual computers to one another. As discussed above, this overall increase in cable length also adds to the potential decrease in data transmission rates.

Therefore, a need exists for cable management systems which reduce the overall length of the cables through which the data is to be transmitted. A need also exists for cable management systems which reduce and/or eliminate the effect of sag on the transmission of data through the cables running through the cable management systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to cable management systems including a cable tray having an articulating support surface over which a plurality of cables run. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cable management system includes a cable support assembly having a plurality of open ended support hangers defining a plurality of support surfaces, and an articulating cable support surface including a plurality of cable support members pivotally coupled to one another. The articulating cable support surface preferably prevents the plurality of cables from snagging between adjacent support hangers when laid within the cable support assembly.

It is envisioned that the cable support assembly includes a flexible spine which interconnects each of the plurality of open ended support hangers. Accordingly, the articulating cable support surface preferably bends in response to bends formed in the flexible spine.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the cable management system includes a cable support assembly configured and adapted to receive the plurality of cables therein. The cable support assembly includes a plurality of open ended cable support hangers, wherein each of the plurality of cable support hangers define a support surface, and a flexible spine member interconnecting each of the plurality of open ended cable support hangers. The cable support assembly further includes an articulating cable support surface configured and adapted to rest atop the cable support surfaces defined by the plurality of support hangers. Preferably, the articulating cable support surface includes a plurality of rigid discrete cable supporting members pivotally coupled to one another. Accordingly, the articulating cable support surface is capable of bending in accordance with bends made in the flexible spine member. Moreover, the articulating cable support surface prevents the plurality of cables from sagging between adjacent cable support hangers.

Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the presently disclosed cable tray with articulating support surface, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art cable support assembly in which the length of data transmission cable is shown sagging between individual hanger members; FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of a cable support assembly as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a cable tray for a cable management system incorporating an articulating support surface in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cable tray shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cable tray shown in FIG. 2 in which the sagging of the cables between individual hanger members has been eliminated due to the presence of the articulating support surface;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of a cable tray incorporating the articulating support surface in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of a cable tray incorporating the articulating support surface in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a cable support assembly is generally depicted as 10. Cable support assembly 10 includes a plurality of open ended support hangers 12 mounted on an elongated spine member 14 such that open ended support hangers 12 define a support surface 16 for supporting lengths of data transmission cables 18 running therethrough. As seen in FIG. 1, cables 18 are only supported at discrete locations along their length and not along their entire length. As a result, in the regions where cables 18 are unsupported, shown generally by the reference character "A", the cables 18 undergo a degree of sagging due to the effects of gravity acting on the unsupported portion of cable 18. This sagging results in cables 18 having a wave-like run, which wave-like ran results in a reduced rate of data transmission.

Referring now in specific detail to FIGS. 2-6, in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements throughout the several views, and initially to FIGS. 2-4, one embodiment of a cable tray in accordance with the present disclosure is shown generally as cable tray 100.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, cable tray 100 includes a plurality of hanger elements 102 interconnected by a common flexible spine 104. Each hanger element 102 includes a supporting member 106 interconnecting a front wall member 108 and a rear wall member

110, a hanger supporting member 112 extending inwardly from a distal end of rear wall member 110, and an attachment member 114 extending from a distal end of hanger supporting member 112. Attachment member 114 is adapted and configured for attachment to flexible spine 104. An exemplary cable tray 100 is disclosed in my earlier U.S. Patent No. 5,839,702, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, in accordance with the present disclosure, cable tray 100 includes an articulating cable support surface 116 adapted and configured for attachment to supporting member 106 of cable tray 100. Cable support surface 116 includes a plurality of discrete cable support members 118 pivotally attached to one another at pivot points "B". In this manner, as seen in FIG. 3, cable support surface 116 is capable of articulating in order to conform to any bend in flexible spine 104. In other words, as flexible spine 104 is bent to accommodate cable tray 100 for various installation environments, cable support surface 116 is capable of articulating together with the bends in flexible spine 104.

As seen in FIG. 4, cable support surface 116 is laid atop the surface of the plurality of supporting members 106 of cable tray 100. Cable support surface 116 provides a continuous uninterrupted support surface in the region "A" between adjacent supporting members 106. As such, cable support surface 116 supports cable 18 along its entire length and not solely at the location of hanger elements 102. Cable support surface 116 has essentially eliminated the sag in the regions "A" experienced by data transmission cables 18.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of a cable tray, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, is shown generally as cable tray 200. Cable tray 200 includes a plurality of hangers 202 interconnected by an articulating cable supporting surface 204. Each hanger 202 includes a supporting portion 206 interconnecting a front wall portion 208 and a rear wall portion 210, a hanger support portion 212 extending inwardly from a distal end of rear wall portion 210 and an attachment member 214 extending from a distal end of hanger support portion 212. Attachment member 214 is substantially aligned with the center of gravity of cable tray 200 to thereby reduce any moment forces creating torques about cable tray 200. Optionally, an interconnecting flexible spine member (not shown) can be included which spine member would interconnect each of the plurality of hangers 202 to one another.

Similar to cable supporting structure 116 of FIGS. 2-4, articulating cable supporting surface 204 is adapted and configured to be attached to supporting portion 206 of hanger 202 and includes a plurality of discrete cable support members 218 pivotally attached to one another at pivot points "B". In this manner, cable supporting surface 204 is capable of articulating in order to conform to a meandering path of hangers 202 of cable tray 200. In other words, as hangers 202 of cable tray 200 are fixed in place in an installation, cable supporting surface 204 is capable of articulating and meandering together with the path of hangers 202 as needed. As such, cable supporting surface 204 supports a cable 18 which is ran through cable tray 200 along its entire length.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a further alternative embodiment of a cable tray, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, is shown generally as cable tray 300. Cable tray 300 includes a plurality of guide members 302 interconnected by an articulating cable supporting surface 304. Each guide member 302 includes a supporting portion 306 interconnecting a pair of inverted U-shaped legs 308, wherein each leg 308 is provided with an attachment member 310 formed at a distal end thereof for attaching guide member 302 to the underlying supporting structure (i.e., wall, floor, etc.). Optionally, an interconnecting flexible spine member (not shown) can be included which spine member would interconnect each of the plurality of guide members 302 to one another. An exemplary cable tray 300 is disclosed I my earlier U.S. Patent No. 5,839,702, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Similar to cable supporting structure 116 shown in FIGS. 2-4, articulating cable supporting surface 304 is adapted and configured to be attached to supporting portion 306 of guide members 302. Articulating cable supporting surface 304 includes a plurality of discrete cable support members 312 pivotally attached to one another at pivot points "B". In this manner, cable supporting surface 304 is capable of articulating in order to conform to a meandering path of guides 302 along the underlying supporting structure. Cable supporting surface 304 is thus capable of following along whatever path is formed by the guide members 302 in a particular installation. As such, cable supporting surface 304 supports a cable 18 which is run through cable tray 300 along its entire length.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cable management system for supporting a plurality of cables thereon, the cable management system comprising: a cable support assembly including a plurality of open ended support hangers, wherein each of the plurality of open ended support hangers define a support surface; and an articulating cable support surface including a plurality of cable support members pivotally coupled to one another, wherein the articulating cable support surface prevents the plurality of cables from snagging between adjacent support hangers when laid within the cable support assembly.

2. The cable management system according to claim 1, wherein the cable support assembly includes a flexible spine interconnecting each of the plurality of open ended support hangers.

3. The cable management system according to claim 2, wherein the articulating cable support surface bends in response to bends formed in the flexible spine.

4. A cable management system for supporting a plurality of cables thereon, the cable management system comprising: a cable support assembly configured and adapted to receive the plurality of cables therein, the cable support assembly comprising: a plurality of open ended cable support hangers, wherein each of the plurality of cable support hangers define a support surface; and a flexible spine member interconnecting each of the plurality of open ended cable support hangers; and an articulating cable support surface configured and adapted to rest atop the cable support surfaces defined by the plurality of support hangers, the articulating cable support surface including a plurality of rigid discrete cable supporting members pivotally coupled to one another, wherein the articulating cable support surface is capable of bending in accordance with bends made in the flexible spine member and wherein the articulating cable support surface prevents the plurality of cables from sagging between adjacent cable support hangers.