U.S. patent application number 09/912776 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for fiber optic cable raceway outlet with raceway cover, and method.
Invention is credited to Auteri, Robert P., Mattei, Micheal.
Application Number | 20020092661 09/912776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26948692 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020092661 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mattei, Micheal ; et
al. |
July 18, 2002 |
FIBER OPTIC CABLE RACEWAY OUTLET WITH RACEWAY COVER, AND METHOD
Abstract
A cable raceway outlet mountable to a cable raceway having a
side wall terminating in a top edge. The raceway outlet comprises a
transition assembly for being mounted over the top of the top edge
of the raceway for supporting a cable passing between the raceway
and a point outside the raceway, and a protective transition
assembly cover for being positioned onto the transition assembly
for enclosing the cable passing between the raceway and a point
outside the raceway. A raceway cover is carried by the transition
assembly cover for covering a top opening of the raceway defined by
the side wall and a second, laterally spaced-apart side wall.
Inventors: |
Mattei, Micheal; (Saint
James, NY) ; Auteri, Robert P.; (Manorville,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
W. Thad Adams, III
Adams, Schwartz & Evans, P.A.
2180 Two First Union Center
Charlotte
NC
28282
US
|
Family ID: |
26948692 |
Appl. No.: |
09/912776 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60261563 |
Jan 12, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/481 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4459
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/48 |
International
Class: |
H02G 003/04 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A cable raceway outlet mountable to a cable raceway having a
side wall terminating in a top edge, said raceway outlet
comprising: (a) a transition assembly for being mounted over the
top of the top edge of the raceway for supporting a cable passing
between the raceway and a point outside the raceway; (b) a
protective transition assembly cover for being positioned onto the
transition assembly for enclosing the cable passing between the
raceway and a point outside the raceway; and (c) a raceway cover
carried by the transition assembly cover for covering a top opening
of the raceway defined by the side wall and a second, laterally
spaced-apart side wall.
2. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 1, and including: (a)
a clamping member carried by the transition assembly for contacting
one of an inner or an outer surface of the side wall; (b) a
latching member carried by the transition assembly for contacting
another of the inner or outer surface of the side wall, said
latching member adapted for movement between: (i) a clamping
position wherein said latching member and said clamping member are
urged towards each other and against respective surfaces of the
raceway sidewalls thereby clamping the side wall of the raceway
between the latching member and the clamping member; (ii) a release
position wherein said latching member and said clamping member are
spaced-apart from each other sufficiently to permit the transition
assembly to be removed from, placed on or moved along the length of
the raceway.
3. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 2, wherein said
latching member comprises: (a) a pivot member extending along a
length of the clamping member; and (b) a cam mounted for pivotable
movement on the pivot member between the clamping position wherein
the cam is pivoted into an extended position against the sidewall
of the raceway and the release position wherein the cam is pivoted
into a retracted position in space-apart relation to the side wall
of the raceway.
4. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 3, wherein said
transition assembly includes at least one curved cable support wall
for being positioned above the top edge of the raceway.
5. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 1, wherein said
transition assembly includes first and second curved cable support
walls for being positioned above the top edge of the raceway, said
first curved wall defined by a radius perpendicular to a
longitudinal dimension of the cable raceway, and said second curved
wall defined by a radius parallel to the longitudinal dimension of
the cable raceway.
6. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 2, and including an
enlarged void defined by a wall of the transition assembly, the
latching assembly and the clamping assembly for accommodating the
top edge of cable raceways having an enlarged lip extending along
the length of the top edge.
7. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 1, wherein said
transition assembly includes a plurality of parallel walls defining
individual exit paths for individual cables or cable groups.
8. A cable raceway outlet mountable to a cable raceway having a
side wall terminating in a top edge, said raceway outlet
comprising: (a) a transition assembly for being mounted over the
top of the top edge of the raceway for supporting a cable passing
between the raceway and a point outside the raceway; (b) a clamping
member carried by the transition assembly for contacting one of an
inner or an outer surface of the side wall; (c) a latching member
carried by the transition assembly for contacting another of the
inner or outer surface of the side wall, said latching member
adapted for movement between: (i) a clamping position wherein said
latching member and said clamping member are urged towards each
other and against respective surfaces of the raceway sidewalls
thereby clamping the side wall of the raceway between the latching
member and the clamping member; (ii) a release position wherein
said latching member and said clamping member are spaced-apart from
each other sufficiently to permit the transition assembly to be
removed from, placed on or moved along the length of the raceway;
and (d) a protective transition assembly cover for being positioned
onto the transition assembly for enclosing the cable passing
between the raceway and a point outside the raceway; and (e) a
raceway cover carried by the transition assembly cover for covering
a top opening of the raceway defined by the side wall and a second,
laterally spaced-apart side wall.
9. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 8, wherein said
raceway cover is pivotally-mounted for movement between an open
position allowing access to the raceway and a closed position
covering the top opening of the raceway.
10. A cable raceway outlet according to claim 5, wherein said first
and second curved cable support walls are integrally-formed and
include an intermediate cable support wall providing a gradual
curved transition between the first and second cable support
walls.
11. A method of exiting a cable from a cable raceway, and
comprising the steps of: (a) providing an raceway outlet including
a transition assembly for being mounted over the top of the top
edge of the raceway for supporting a cable passing between the
raceway and a point outside the raceway, and including a raceway
cover moveable between an open position allowing access to the
raceway and a closed position covering an open top of the raceway;
(b) placing the transition assembly onto the top edge of the cable
raceway without any alteration to the raceway sidewall and top edge
thereof; (c) adjusting the position of the transition assembly to
the correct position to exit the cable at the correct position; (d)
moving the raceway cover between the open position allowing access
to the raceway and a closed position covering an open top of the
raceway as needed to place or remove cable from the raceway.
12. A method according to claim 11, and including the step of
removing at least one cable from the raceway and passing it from
raceway through the transition assembly of the cable raceway
outlet.
13. A method according to claim 11, and including the step of
moving the transition assembly to a new position relative to the
raceway.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of moving the
raceway outlet to a new position includes the step of sliding the
transition assembly along the top edge of the raceway without
removing it from the top edge of the raceway.
15. A method according to claim 11, and including the step of
placing a transition assembly cover onto the transition assembly
for protecting the cable therein.
16. A method according to claim 15, and including the steps of: (a)
providing a raceway cover carried by the transition assembly cover;
(b) moving the raceway cover into a closed position for covering a
top opening of the raceway; and (c) moving the raceway cover into
an open position for exposing the top opening of the raceway.
Description
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from a
provisional application filed on Jan. 12, 2001, Serial No.
60/261,563.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a cable raceway outlet which
includes a cover for protecting the cable in the raceway proximate
the raceway outlet. Such outlets are essential in the proper design
and operation of fiber optic cable telecommunication systems. Fiber
optic cable management often requires that fiber optic cables be
routed between fiber optic distribution equipment and, for example,
fiber optic line terminating equipment in buildings and other
structures. Fiber optic cables are susceptible to damage if bent or
crimped beyond a certain point. Standards have evolved which govern
the degree of bend radius permitted in fiber optic cables of
specified sizes.
[0003] Fiber optic cables are thus routed along raceways which are
designed to protect the cable from damage while permitting access
for modification, maintenance, connection and repair. These
raceways are typically top-opening plastic troughs similar in
configuration to rain gutters into which the cables are placed and
along which the cables run from point-to-point. Fiber optic cables
generally exit the raceway over one of the side walls and thus
provision must be made to guide and support the cable to prevent
damage from bending or crimping at this point of exit. Of course,
the raceway outlet can also be used with other cable types, such as
copper.
[0004] This invention provides a simple and inexpensive means of
providing an outlet for such cables over the side of the raceway
without any modification to the raceway itself. The outlet
according to the invention is easily moveable, adaptable to many
different raceway sizes and configurations, and provides all
necessary support and bend restrictionli open top, while permitting
easy access to the raceway when laying new cable or removing or
repairing existing cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a
cable raceway outlet which can be easily installed on a wide
variety of raceway sizes and configurations.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a cable
raceway outlet which is easily movable to different locations on
the raceway.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a cable
raceway outlet which requires no tools or other equipment form
installation or movement.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a cable
raceway outlet which protects the raceway opening at the point of
attachment by means of a moveable cover.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a cable
raceway outlet which permits easy access to the raceway when
necessary.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a cable
raceway outlet which protects fiber optic cable from damage by
supporting the cable and restricting the bend radius of the cable
when exiting or entering a fiber optic cable raceway.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a cable
raceway outlet which is useable with cable raceways made by various
raceway manufacturers.
[0012] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing
a cable raceway outlet mountable to a cable raceway having a side
wall terminating in a top edge. The raceway outlet comprises a
transition assembly for being mounted over the top of the top edge
of the raceway for supporting a cable passing between the raceway
and a point outside the raceway, and a protective transition
assembly cover for being positioned onto the transition assembly
for enclosing the cable passing between the raceway and a point
outside the raceway. A raceway cover is carried by the transition
assembly cover for covering a top opening of the raceway defined by
the side wall and a second, laterally spaced-apart side wall.
[0013] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a
clamping member is carried by the transition assembly for
contacting one of an inner or an outer surface of the side wall,
and a latching member carried by the transition assembly for
contacting another of the inner or outer surface of the side wall.
The latching member is adapted for movement between a clamping
position wherein the latching member and the clamping member are
urged towards each other and against respective surfaces of the
raceway sidewalls thereby clamping the side wall of the raceway
between the latching member and the clamping member, and a release
position wherein the latching member and the clamping member are
spaced-apart from each other sufficiently to permit the transition
assembly to be removed from, placed on or moved along the length of
the raceway.
[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the latching member comprises a pivot member extending along a
length of the clamping member, and a cam mounted for pivotable
movement on the pivot member between the clamping position wherein
the cam is pivoted into an extended position against the sidewall
of the raceway and the release position wherein the cam is pivoted
into a retracted position in space-apart relation to the side wall
of the raceway.
[0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the transition assembly includes at least one curved
cable support wall for being positioned above the top edge of the
raceway.
[0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the transition assembly includes first and second curved
cable support walls for being positioned above the top edge of the
raceway, the first curved wall defined by a radius perpendicular to
a longitudinal dimension of the cable raceway, and the second
curved wall defined by a radius parallel to the longitudinal
dimension of the cable raceway.
[0017] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, an enlarged void is defined by a wall of the transition
assembly, the latching assembly and the clamping assembly for
accommodating the top edge of cable raceways having an enlarged lip
extending along the length of the top edge.
[0018] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the transition assembly includes a plurality of parallel
walls defining individual exit paths for individual cables or cable
groups.
[0019] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, a cable raceway outlet mountable to a cable raceway
having a side wall terminating in a top edge. The raceway outlet
comprises a transition assembly for being mounted over the top of
the top edge of the raceway for supporting a cable passing between
the raceway and a point outside the raceway. A clamping member is
carried by the transition assembly for contacting one of an inner
or an outer surface of the side wall, and a latching member is
carried by the transition assembly for contacting another of the
inner or outer surface of the side wall. The latching member is
adapted for movement between a clamping position wherein the
latching member and the clamping member are urged towards each
other and against respective surfaces of the raceway sidewalls
thereby clamping the side wall of the raceway between the latching
member and the clamping member, and a release position wherein the
latching member and the clamping member are spaced-apart from each
other sufficiently to permit the transition assembly to be removed
from, placed on or moved along the length of the raceway. A
protective transition assembly cover is provided for being
positioned onto the transition assembly for enclosing the cable
passing between the raceway and a point outside the raceway. A
raceway cover is carried by the transition assembly cover for
covering a top opening of the raceway defined by the side wall and
a second, laterally spaced-apart side wall.
[0020] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the raceway cover is pivotally-mounted for movement
between an open position allowing access to the raceway and a
closed position covering the top opening of the raceway.
[0021] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the first and second curved cable support walls are
integrally-formed and include an intermediate cable support wall
providing a gradual curved transition between the first and second
cable support walls.
[0022] An embodiment of the method of exiting a cable from a cable
raceway according to the invention comprises the steps of providing
an raceway outlet including a transition assembly for being mounted
over the top of the top edge of the raceway for supporting a cable
passing between the raceway and a point outside the raceway. A
raceway cover is moveable between an open position allowing access
to the raceway and a closed position covering an open top of the
raceway. The transition assembly is placed onto the top edge of the
cable raceway without any alteration to the raceway sidewall and
top edge thereof, and the position of the transition assembly is
adjusted to the correct position to exit the cable at the correct
position. The raceway cover is moved between the open position
allowing access to the raceway and a closed position covering an
open top of the raceway as needed to place or remove cable from the
raceway.
[0023] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
method includes the step of removing at least one cable from the
raceway and passing it from raceway through the transition assembly
of the cable raceway outlet.
[0024] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the method includes the step of moving the transition assembly to a
new position relative to the raceway.
[0025] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the step of moving the raceway outlet to a new position
includes the step of sliding the transition assembly along the top
edge of the raceway without removing it from the top edge of the
raceway.
[0026] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the method includes the step of placing a transition
assembly cover onto the transition assembly for protecting the
cable therein.
[0027] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the method includes the steps of providing a raceway
cover carried by the transition assembly cover, moving the raceway
cover into a closed position for covering a top opening of the
raceway, and moving the raceway cover into an open position for
exposing the top opening of the raceway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth
above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as
the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable raceway outlet
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the cable raceway outlet
shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the cable raceway outlet shown
in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 4 top plan view of the cable raceway outlet shown in
FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
cable raceway outlet according to the invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the cable raceway outlet
shown in FIG. 5;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the cable raceway outlet shown
in FIG. 5;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the cable raceway outlet shown
in FIG. 5;
[0037] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the cable raceway outlet shown
in FIG. 5 together with a length of raceway;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the cable raceway outlet
shown in FIG. 10;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the cable raceway outlet
shown in the FIG. 10;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the cable raceway outlet
shown in the FIG. 10 in place on a raceway;
[0042] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the cable raceway outlet shown
in FIG. 10; and
[0043] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the cable raceway outlet shown
in FIG. 10, with the cover removed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
[0044] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a cable raceway
outlet according to several closely related embodiments of the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 115 and shown generally
at reference numeral 10. The cable raceway outlet 10 is designed to
sit on top of and straddle one side wall of a cable raceway. The
cable raceway outlet 10 may be made in any size to accommodate
different size raceways. Two typical-sized raceways with which the
cable raceway outlet 10 is useable are two-inch by two-inch and
four-inch by four-inch raceways. In general, the cable raceway
outlet 10 is symmetrical side-to-side, so that reference to a pair
of elements on opposite ends of the cable raceway outlet 10 is
understood as referring to identical elements unless otherwise
stated.
[0045] The cable raceway outlet 10 is constructed of molded,
high-impact plastic which conforms to industry standards. Cable
raceway outlet 10 includes a bracket assembly 11 by which it is
attached to a raceway. See FIGS. 9 and 13. Bracket assembly 11
includes a pair of clamping members 12 on opposite ends of the
cable raceway outlet 10 which cooperate with latching members 13
integrally formed on a pivotable latch arm 14 which extends the
length of the cable raceway outlet 10. A pair of pads 15 carried on
respective clamping members 12 provide improved adherence to the
raceway and additional resilience during and after latching.
[0046] The latching members 13 have a curved face 16 which acts as
a cam and bears against and moves along the outer sidewall of the
raceway until it moves past an overcenter point, where it snaps
into position with a flat face 17 flush in a latched position
against the outer side wall with the outer sidewall pinched between
the latching members 13 and the clamping members 12. This requires
no tools and no alteration to the raceway. Precise adjustment and
readjustment is possible merely by releasing the latching members
13 by pulling upwardly on the latching members 13 and thereby
forcing the curved face 16 downwardly along the outer side wall of
the raceway until it reaches a release position with the latching
members 13 in an approximate 90 degree position to the position
shown in FIG. 13. In this position the cable raceway outlet 10 is
removable by lifting it off of the raceway, or laterally adjustable
by sliding it along the raceway to the desired position. This is
particularly useful feature, since it allows initial placement in
the approximately correct position, and subsequent adjustment to
the exact position. Since no cutting or other alteration of the
raceway is necessary, adjustments of any degree can be made
whenever needed.
[0047] An outlet transition assembly 20 is carried on the bracket
assembly 11 and includes a pair of transition flanges 21 which
guide the fiber optic cable out of the raceway from either
direction without excessive bending. The transition flanges 21
guide the cables around a 90 degree bend into a downspout 30 which
is normally inclosed by a cover 31 and includes several divider
walls 60 for maintaining separation between individual cables.
These divider walls are shown in FIG. 15, where the downspout 30 is
shown with the cover 31 removed. The downspout 30 can be mated with
several different types of fittings for attachment to vertical
raceways, terminations or the like. Compare FIGS. 1-4, 5-8, 10-15.
See also FIG. 9 (all embodiments in FIGS. 1-4, 5-8 and 10-15
alternatively shown).
[0048] The cover 31 latches to the downspout 30 by means of a pair
of tabs 32 on the underside of cover 31 which interlock with a
respective pair of notches 33 formed in the underside of opposite
ends of the transition flange 21. See FIG. 9.
[0049] Cable raceway outlet 10 also includes a hinged raceway cover
50 which is movable between a closed, horizontal position shown in
FIG. 13 where it overlaps the top of and encloses the top of the
raceway, and on open position with the raceway cover 50 in a
vertical position. In the open position, the raceway cover 50
exposes approximately one-third of the top opening of the raceway,
and permits an installer to drop additional cable into the raceway
without removing the cable raceway outlet 10.
[0050] As is apparent from the foregoing, the cable raceway outlet
10 can easily be attached to a raceway by placing the raceway
outlet over a side wall of the raceway with the clamping members 12
on the inside of the raceway side wall and the latching members 13
on the outside in the open position. See FIGS. 3 and 13. With the
top edge of the raceway side wall against the top of the bracket
assembly 11 (FIG. 13), the latching members 13 are moved to the
position shown in FIGS. 3 and 13.
[0051] A cable raceway outlet is described above. Various details
of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope.
Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment
of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are
provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the
purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *