U.S. patent application number 09/769643 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-07 for cable supporting device.
Invention is credited to Baker, Randy Scott, Boutillier, Keith William, Rhodes, Brian William, Shelton, Michael James.
Application Number | 20010002689 09/769643 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23381420 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shelton, Michael James ; et
al. |
June 7, 2001 |
Cable supporting device
Abstract
A device for supporting electrical cables and the like which
includes a saddle for receiving and supporting the cables, and the
saddles has a support surface formed with a rounded configuration
that curves away from is centerline and downwardly from the
centerline in both directions with a radius of curvature that
provides a contour generally similar to the contour of the cables
supported thereat.
Inventors: |
Shelton, Michael James;
(Greenfield, IN) ; Baker, Randy Scott; (Shirley,
IN) ; Boutillier, Keith William; (Cypress, CA)
; Rhodes, Brian William; (New Castle, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNEDY COVINGTON LOBDELL & HICKMAN, LLP
100 N TRYON STREET
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATE CENTER
CHARLOTTE
NC
282024006
|
Family ID: |
23381420 |
Appl. No.: |
09/769643 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09769643 |
Jan 25, 2001 |
|
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09351564 |
Jul 12, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/65 |
International
Class: |
F16L 003/08 |
Claims
1. A device for supporting flexible cables, comprising: (a) an
attachment portion by which the device is attached to a mounting
member, said attachment portion having a generally longitudinal
extent and openings therein for receiving said mounting members;
and (b) a support portion formed integrally with said attachment
portion at one of its longitudinal ends and extending therefrom
along a centerline having a confining configuration that forms a
saddle for containing said flexible cables, said support portion
having a support surface formed with a rounded configuration that
curves away and downwardly from said centerline in both directions
with a radius of curvature that provides a contour generally
similar to the contour of the flexible cables supported and
contained within said saddle.
2. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 1,
wherein said configuration of said support portion is formed with a
curvature having a constant radius of curvature along a major
portion thereof.
3. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 2,
wherein said radius is within the range of two inches to four
inches.
4. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 1,
wherein said configuration of said support portion is generally
triangular, and includes a first leg extending downwardly and away
from said attachment portion in angular relation thereto, a second
leg extending from said first leg at an acute angle and generally
perpendicular to said longitudinal extent of said attachment
portion, and a third leg extending upwardly from said second leg at
an acute angle.
5. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 1,
wherein said support surface of said support portion is formed with
a channel extending along said saddle, and wherein a strap member
is mounted within said channel for assisting in maintaining said
cables within the saddle.
6. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 5,
wherein said strap has two oppositely extending end portions each
formed with cooperating loop and hook configurations to permit said
end portions to be selectively connected together or separated.
7. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 5,
wherein said configuration of said support surface is formed with a
curvature having a constant radius of curvature along a major
portion thereof, and wherein said channel has a bottom wall formed
with a radius of curvature extending from the same center as said
radius of curvature of said support surface.
8. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 7,
wherein said channel has a depth that corresponds to the thickness
of said strap so that the contour of the top surface of the strap
forms a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said major
portion of said support surface, whereby the top surfaces of said
support surface and said strap form a continuous curved
surface.
9. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 8,
wherein said attachment portion is provided with a securing member
constructed and arranged to temporarily engage one of said end
portions of said strap.
10. A device for supporting flexible cables as defined in claim 8,
wherein an outside surface of said support portion is provided with
a securing member constructed and arranged to temporarily engage
one of said end portions of said strap.
11. A device for supporting flexible cables, comprising: (a) an
attachment portion by which the device is attached to a mounting
member, said attachment portion having a generally longitudinal
extent and openings therein for receiving said mounting members and
having a strengthening rib extending along at least a portion
thereof; and (b) a support portion formed integrally with said
attachment portion at one of its longitudinal ends and extending
therefrom along a centerline having a curved configuration that
forms a saddle for containing said flexible cables, said support
portion having a support surface formed with a rounded
configuration that curves away and downwardly from said centerline
in both directions with a constant radius of curvature that
provides a contour generally similar to the contour of the flexible
cables supported and contained within said saddle, said support
surface being formed with a channel extending along the centerline
of said saddle, said channel having a predetermined depth and a
bottom wall formed with a radius of curvature extending from the
same center as said radius of curvature of said support surface,
and a strap disposed within said channel for assisting in
maintaining the cables within the saddle, said strap having a
thickness corresponding to the depth of said channel whereby the
contour of the top surface of the strap forms a curvature
corresponding to said curvature of said major portion of said
support surface and the top surfaces of said strap and said support
surface form a continuous curved surface.
12. A device for supporting flexible cables, comprising: (a) an
attachment portion by which the device is attached to a mounting
member, said attachment portion having a generally longitudinal
extent and openings therein for receiving said mounting members and
having a strengthening rib extending along at least a portion
thereof; and (b) a support portion formed integrally with said
attachment portion at one of its longitudinal ends and extending
therefrom along a centerline having a generally triangular
configuration that includes a first leg extending downwardly and
away from said attachment portion in angular relation thereto, a
second leg extending from said first leg at an acute angle and
generally perpendicular to said longitudinal extent of said
attachment portion, and a third leg extending upwardly from said
second leg at an acute angle, said second leg of said support
portion having a support surface formed with a rounded
configuration that curves away and downwardly from said centerline
in both directions with a constant radius of curvature that
provides a contour generally similar to the contour of the flexible
cables supported and contained within said saddle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for
supporting flexible electrical cables.
[0002] When electrical cables, such as data communication and power
cables, extend over substantial distances, they must be properly
supported at appropriately spaced intervals by some type of
supporting device to avoid kinking, sharp bends, excessive sagging,
and the like, that can cause damage to the cables and/or interfere
with the transmission through the cables.
[0003] One known cable supporting bracket of this general type is
disclosed in Perrault U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,131. This type of bracket
has a "J" configuration and is generally referred to as "a J-Hook",
and it includes a flat cable supporting surface formed with a
curvature to contain the supported cable or cables, and a
downwardly extending flange is provided at each outer edge of the
flat cable supporting surface to strengthen the bracket. The comers
between the flat supporting surface and the two downwardly
extending flanges are rounded, and are intended to avoid exposing
the supported cables to a sharp edge which might damage the
cables.
[0004] Similarly, Laughlin U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,994 discloses a
cable supporting bracket which also includes a flat cable
supporting surface being formed with a curvature for containing the
cable(s), and a stiffening or strengthening flange formed at each
side edge of the flat supporting surface with rounded comers
therebetween. However, in this bracket, the stiffening flanges
extend downwardly and outwardly from the flat supporting surface at
an angle of forty-five degrees, and this angle, combined with the
rounded surface, also reduces the sharpness of the sharp comers or
edges that might damage the supported cables.
[0005] While both of these known cable supports do reduce the
sharpness of the edges, at least to some extent, they still present
flat surfaces that extend in angular relationship to one another,
and they still present an edge between the surfaces, all of which
can result in the cables not being properly supported on a surface
configuration that conforms to the curvature of the cables
themselves.
[0006] Although these cable supports are mounted at spaced
intervals from one another (e.g. 150 cm) to avoid excessive sagging
of the cables, the weight of the cables nevertheless results in
some sag between two adjacent cable supports, and this sag can
result in the cable having a curvature at the points where it
extends downwardly from both sides of the support brackets.
Additionally, where the cable is somewhat stiff, it may assume a
curvature as it extends over the flat supporting surface of the
cable support, rather than lying flat on the flat support surface,
and this lack of support, combined with the cable having to pass
over the edges (albeit rounded edges) between the flat supporting
surface and the flat stiffening flanges, can put undesirable stress
on the supported cables.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a cable supporting device
which overcomes the aforesaid disadvantages of known devices of
this type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a device is
provided for supporting flexible cables which comprises an
attachment portion by which the device is attached to a mounting
member, such attachment portion having a generally longitudinal
extent and openings therein for receiving said mounting members,
and a support portion formed integrally with the attachment portion
at one of its longitudinal ends and extending therefrom along a
centerline having a confining configuration that forms a saddle for
containing the flexible cables. The support portion has a support
surface formed with a rounded configuration that curves away and
downwardly from the centerline in both directions with a radius of
curvature that provides a contour generally similar to the contour
of the flexible cables supported and contained within said
saddle.
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the centerline
of the support portion has a curved configuration, and the support
surface is formed with a rounded configuration that curves away and
downwardly from said centerline in both directions with a constant
radius of curvature. In another embodiment of the present
invention, the support surface may be formed with a channel
extending along the centerline of the saddle, the channel having a
predetermined depth and having a bottom wall formed with a radius
of curvature extending from the same center as said radius of
curvature of the support surface. A strap is disposed within the
channel for assisting in maintaining the cables within the saddle,
such strap having a thickness corresponding to the depth of the
channel whereby the contour of the top surface of the strap forms a
curvature corresponding to the curvature of the major portion of
the support surface and the top surfaces of the strap and the
support surface form a continuous curved surface.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
configuration of the support portion is generally triangular, and
includes a first leg extending downwardly and away from the
attachment portion in angular relation thereto, a second leg
extending from the first leg at an acute angle and generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the attachment portion,
and a third leg extending upwardly from the second leg at an acute
angle. The second leg of the support portion has a support surface
formed with a rounded configuration that curves away and downwardly
from the centerline in both directions with a constant radius of
curvature that provides a contour generally similar to the contour
of the flexible cables supported and contained within the
saddle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cable
support device of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cable support device
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the cable support device
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on a vertical plane
through the support surface of the cable device illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
cable support device of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cable support device
illustrated in FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken on a vertical plane
through the support surface of the cable device illustrated in FIG.
5
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the cable support device of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front view of the cable support device
illustrated in FIG. 8; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating several cable
support devices of the present invention arranged at spaced
locations and supporting an electrical cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Looking now in greater detail at the accompanying drawings,
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a device for supporting
flexible cables in accordance with the present invention. In this
form of the invention, the device is a J-Hook 10 that includes an
attachment portion 12 by which the device is attached to a mounting
member, and this attachment portion 12 has a generally longitudinal
extent and is formed with openings 14 that are designed to receive
a variety of conventional mounting members, such as ceiling
fasteners, drop wire clips, and vertically depending straps
utilizing clips 16, two of which are illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0022] The J-Hook 10 also includes a support portion 18 that is
formed integrally with the attachment portion 12 at the lower
longitudinal end of the attached portion 12, and the support
portion 18 extends therefrom along a centerline having a confining
configuration that forms a saddle 20 for containing flexible
electrical cables and the like as described above.
[0023] As best seen in FIG. 4, the support portion 18 is formed
with a support surface 22 having a rounded configuration that
curves away and downwardly from the center line of the support
portion 18, in both directions. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, this rounded configuration is formed with a
radius of curvature that provides a contour generally similar to
the contour of the flexible cables that are to be supported and
contained within the saddle 20. Preferably, this radius of
curvature is within the range of two inches to four inches.
[0024] By virtue of this unique configuration of the support
portion 18 and support surface 22, the support surface 22 offers a
full radius cross-sectional shape that provides cables with a
smooth continuous surface on which the cables may lie, as best seen
in FIG. 10. Thus, when a plurality of the J-Hooks 10 are mounted at
spaced locations from one another, as generally suggested by
industry standards, one or more electrical cables 24 are supported
at the spaced locations by the J-Hooks 10. Because of the inherent
weight of the electrical cables 24 and the spacing between the
J-.Hooks 10, there is some sag of the cables 24 between adjacent
J-Hooks 10 as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 10, so that the
electrical cables 24 assume a generally sinuous shape. This shape
conforms nicely to the aforesaid curvature of the support surface
22 to provide a full, complete and continuous support for the
cables 24 without the cables having to pass over sharp edges or
having a curvature that leaves a portion of the electrical cable 24
unsupported.
[0025] This is in marked contrast to the known prior art supports
of this type which, as described above, include a wide, flat center
section on which the electrical cables are supported, and the flat
center section is provided with rounded edges as disclosed in
Perrault U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,131, or angled stiffening edges as
disclosed in Laughlin U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,994.
[0026] Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 5-7, which comprises a J-Hook that is identical to the
J-Hook 10 described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4 except that
a strap 26 is attached to the support portion 18 of the J-Hook 10
whereby the cables supported within the saddle 20 can be securely
held in place by the strap 26.
[0027] More specifically, in this embodiment of the present
invention, the support portion is formed with a channel 28 that
extends along the center line of the support portion 18, and the
strap 26 is mounted therein using rivets or any other conventional
fastening device (not shown). As best seen in FIG. 6, the channel
28 has a bottom wall 30 that is formed with a radius of curvature
extending from the same center as the aforesaid radius of curvature
of the support surface 22. Also, the depth of the channel 28
corresponds to the thickness of the strap 26, and this depth,
combined with the radius of curvature of the bottom wall 30,
support the strap 26 so that the contour of the top surface of the
strap 26 forms a curvature corresponding to the aforesaid curvature
of the support surface 22. Accordingly, the upper surface of the
strap 26 and the surface of the support portion 18 provide a smooth
and continuous curved surface for properly supporting an electrical
cable passing thereover.
[0028] Preferably, the strap 26 is formed at its extending ends
with a conventional Velcro.RTM. hook-and-loop construction that
permits the two end portions to be connected to each other at any
desired location to hold electrical cables securely in place within
the saddle 20. Also, in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, Velcro.RTM. spots 32 are mounted in the attachment
portion 12 and on the outside surface of the support portion 18 as
best illustrated in FIG. 5. When the strap 26 is not in use, the
extending ends of the strap 26 can be temporarily secured to the
two Velcro.RTM. spots 32 so that the extending ends of the strap 26
will be maintained at a position that will not interfere with the
electrical cables as they are moved into and out of the saddle 20
of the J-Hook 10.
[0029] Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 8 and 9, and in this embodiment the cable supporting
device also includes an attachment portion 34 by which the device
is attached to mounting members as described above, and the
attachment portion 34 has a generally longitudinal extent and is
formed with openings for receiving mounting members of the
aforesaid types. In this embodiment, the support portion 36 is also
formed integrally with the attachment portion 34 and it has a
generally triangular configuration which includes a first leg
portion 38 that extends downwardly and away from the attachment
portion 34 in angular relation thereto, a second leg portion 40
extending from the first leg portion 38 at an acute angle and in a
direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the
attachment portion 34, and a third portion 42 that extends upwardly
for the second leg portion 40 at an acute angle.
[0030] In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9, the third leg portion 42 is preferably formed at its
upper extending end, with a flat flange 44. The support portion 36
is preferably formed of a metal that has a desired amount of
resiliency so that the third leg portion 42 is normally biased to a
position at which the flat flange 44 engages an adjacent surface of
the attachment portion 34 to provide a closed saddle 46 to receive
and support electrical cables therein. When it is desired to remove
cables from the saddle 46, or place new cables therein, the third
leg portion 42 can be moved against its bias to separate the flat
flange 44 from the attachment portion 44 to provide an opening for
loading or unloading cables within the saddle 46.
[0031] In this embodiment of the present invention, the support
portion of 36 is formed with a support surface 48 that is identical
to the support surface described in connection with the embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, and the support surface 48 may be formed
with a smooth continuous surface which does not include any strap,
in a manner identical to that described in connection with the
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 or, as illustrated in FIGS. 8
and 9, it can be formed with a channel 50 and a strap 52 that are,
again, identical to the channel and strap described above in
connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 5-7. In either case, electrical cables within the saddle 46
are supported on a smooth, continuous surface, having a radius of
curvature that conforms to the curvature of the cables in the same
manner as that described above.
[0032] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons
skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of
broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of
the present invention other than those herein described, as well as
many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be
apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and
the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the
substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the
present invention has been described herein in detail in relation
to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this
disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present
invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and
enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is
not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *