U.S. patent application number 10/280904 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for reducer fitting for routing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panduit Corp.. Invention is credited to Bernard, William A..
Application Number | 20030079899 10/280904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26960596 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030079899 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bernard, William A. |
May 1, 2003 |
REDUCER FITTING FOR ROUTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A fitting for routing cables between first and second ducts in a
raceway system, the first duct having a first cross-sectional
dimension and the second duct having a second and different
cross-sectional dimension from the first cross-sectional dimension,
the fitting including a first end for attaching to the first duct,
a second end for attaching to the second duct, and an insertable
reducer disposable generally between the first and second ends of
the fitting, the reducer for adapting the fitting to transition
between the first and second cross-sectional dimensions, the
reducer including a barb for bitingly engaging at least one of the
ducts and retaining the at least one duct to said fitting.
Inventors: |
Bernard, William A.;
(Darien, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PANDUIT CORP.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT - TP12
17301 SOUTH RIDGELAND AVENUE
TINLEY PARK
IL
60477
US
|
Assignee: |
Panduit Corp.
|
Family ID: |
26960596 |
Appl. No.: |
10/280904 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60335011 |
Oct 31, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/68.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/0608
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
174/68.3 |
International
Class: |
H02G 003/04 |
Claims
1. A fitting for routing cables between first and second ducts in a
raceway system, said first duct having a first cross-sectional
dimension and said second duct having a second and different
cross-sectional dimension from said first cross-sectional
dimension, said fitting comprising: a first end for attaching to
said first duct; a second end for attaching to said second duct;
and an insertable reducer disposable generally between said first
and second ends of said fitting, said reducer for adapting said
fitting to transition between said first and second cross-sectional
dimensions, said reducer including a barb for bitingly engaging at
least one of said ducts and retaining said at least one duct to
said fitting.
2. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein when said
insertable reducer is disposed in said fitting, said reducer does
not extend significantly beyond said fitting in the direction of
either of said ducts.
3. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reducer
includes bend radius control properties.
4. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reducer
includes at least one flared portion for protecting said cables
against microbends.
5. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reducer
includes three barbs for bitingly engaging one of said ducts and
retaining said one duct to said fitting.
6. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said barb includes
a serrated end for facilitating said biting engagement.
7. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reducer
includes a latch for retaining said reducer in its insertable
position within said fitting.
8. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first duct is
at least approximately four inches by four inches in
cross-sectional dimension and said second duct is no more than
approximately two inches by two inches in cross-sectional
dimension.
9. A raceway system for routing cables, said raceway system
comprising: a generally horizontal duct of a first cross-sectional
dimension; a generally vertical duct of a second cross-sectional
dimension smaller than said first cross-sectional dimension; a
fitting for connecting said horizontal and vertical ducts; and a
reducer insertably disposable within said fitting for transitioning
said fitting between said first and second cross-sectional
dimensions, said reducer including a barb for bitingly engaging at
least one of said ducts and retaining said at least one duct to
said fitting.
10. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein when said
reducer is disposed in said fitting, said reducer does not extend
significantly beyond said fitting in the direction of either of
said ducts.
11. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
reducer includes bend radius control properties.
12. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
reducer includes at least one flared portion for protecting said
cables against microbends.
13. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
reducer includes three barbs for bitingly engaging one of said
ducts and retaining said one duct to said fitting.
14. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said barb
includes a serrated end for facilitating said biting
engagement.
15. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
reducer includes a latch for retaining said reducer in its
insertable position within said fitting.
16. A raceway system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
horizontal duct is at least approximately four inches by four
inches in cross-sectional dimension and said vertical duct is no
more than approximately two inches by two inches in cross-sectional
dimension.
17. An insertable reducer for a vertical tee fitting for connecting
a pair of generally horizontal ducts and a vertical duct for
routing cables within a raceway system, said reducer for narrowing
the cross-sectional cable routing space within the vertical tee
fitting to transition said fitting from said relatively larger
cross-sectional cable routing space of said horizontal ducts to
said relatively smaller cross-sectional cable routing space of said
vertical duct, said reducer including a barb for bitingly engaging
at least one of said ducts and retaining said at least one duct to
said fitting.
18. An insertable reducer in accordance with claim 17 wherein when
said insertable reducer is disposed in said fitting, said reducer
does not extend significantly beyond said fitting in the direction
of either of said ducts.
19. A reducer in accordance with claim 17 further including bend
radius control properties.
20. A reducer in accordance with claim 17 further including at
least one flared portion for protecting against said cables against
microbends.
21. A reducer in accordance with claim 17 wherein said reducer
includes three barbs for bitingly engaging one of said ducts and
retaining said one duct to said fitting.
22. A reducer in accordance with claim 17 wherein said barb
includes a serrated end for facilitating said biting
engagement.
23. A reducer in accordance with claim 17 wherein said reducer
further includes a latch for retaining said reducer in its
insertable position within said fitting.
24. A reducer in accordance with claim 17 wherein said horizontal
ducts are at least approximately four inches by four inches in
cross-sectional dimension and said vertical duct is no more than
approximately two inches by two inches in cross-sectional
dimension.
25. A fitting for routing cables between first and second ducts in
a raceway system, said first duct having a first cross-sectional
dimension and said second duct having a second and different
cross-sectional dimension from said first cross-sectional
dimension, said fitting comprising: a first end for attaching to
said first duct; a second end for attaching to said second duct;
and an insertable reducer disposable generally between said first
and second ends of said fitting, said reducer for adapting said
fitting to transition between said first and second cross-sectional
dimensions, said reducer being disposable in said fitting such that
said reducer does not extend significantly beyond said fitting in
the direction of either of said ducts.
26. A method of using a fitting to connect a pair of horizontal
ducts having a relatively larger cross-sectional dimension to a
vertical duct having a relatively smaller cross-sectional dimension
within a raceway system for routing cables, said method comprising
the following steps: providing a fitting; providing a reducer
insertable into said fitting, said reducer including a barb;
providing first and second connectors; connecting a first end of
said fitting to one of said pair of horizontal ducts with said
first connector; connecting a second end of said fitting to the
other of said pair of horizontal ducts with said second connector;
inserting a reducer having a latch into said fitting such that said
latch engages said fitting to retain said reducer in a fixed
position within said fitting; and connecting a portion of said
fitting proximate said inserted reducer to said vertical duct by
sliding said vertical duct between portions of said reducer and
said fitting such that said barb bitingly engages said vertical
duct for retaining said vertical duct relative to said fitting.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Applicant claims, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), the benefit
of priority of the filing date of Oct. 31, 2001, of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/335,011, filed on the
aforementioned date, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of duct-type
cable routing systems. More specifically, the invention relates to
a reducer used to attach duct of a relatively smaller size to duct
of a relatively larger size.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Channel-type duct systems are currently used to contain
wiring and fiber-optic cables in commercial and industrial
buildings. Duct fittings having a variety of configurations for
joining separate sections of fiber duct are well known in the
industry. One such duct fitting is a vertical tee fitting. The
vertical tee is T-shaped fitting that joins three separate pieces
of duct together, two horizontal ducts and one vertical duct.
Fittings, such as the vertical tee, are designed to connect with
ducts of specific dimensions. However, sometimes there is a need to
use a fitting to connect ducts of different dimensions than were
intended for the specific fitting. When the duct requiring
connection is smaller than what was intended for the specific
fitting, it is common practice in the industry to use a reducer to
narrow the fitting cross-section at the junction with the smaller
duct. For example, a vertical tee fitting originally designed to
connect to a 4-inch.times.4-inch vertical duct may sometimes be
needed to attach to a 2-inch.times.2-inch vertical duct instead. A
reducer attached to this vertical tee fitting would allow this
fitting to connect with the 2-inch.times.2-inch duct.
[0004] Currently, the reducers for vertical tee fittings attach to
the bottom of the vertical tee. These reducers can use over 5
inches of space below the vertical tee fitting. Meanwhile, due to
the relative proximity of network racks and the like to ceilings
and/or horizontal duct running overhead, vertical space may be at a
premium or even completely unavailable. Thus, there is a need in
the industry for a reducer that encompasses minimal space below the
bottom of the vertical tee fitting.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a reducer that
occupies minimal or, preferably, no additional space below the
bottom of the vertical tee fitting, or more generally, minimal or
no additional space beyond the extent of a fitting. The present
invention provides such a reducer, which may preferably be
latchably seated completely or almost completely within the fitting
and thereby uses little or no additional space.
[0006] It is further desirable to provide a reducer that does not
interfere with any other features or uses of the fitting. The
present invention does not interfere with any other uses of the
vertical tee fitting and even allows for the original covers to be
used with both the vertical tee fitting and the duct that attaches
to the fitting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To address the above-stated objectives and/or deficiencies
of prior designs, there is provided a fitting for routing cables
between first and second ducts in a raceway system, the first duct
having a first cross-sectional dimension and the second duct having
a second and different cross-sectional dimension from the first
cross-sectional dimension, the fitting including a first end for
attaching to the first duct, a second end for attaching to the
second duct, and an insertable reducer disposable generally between
the first and second ends of the fitting, the reducer for adapting
the fitting to transition between the first and second
cross-sectional dimensions, the reducer including a barb for
bitingly engaging at least one of the ducts and retaining the at
least one duct to the fitting.
[0008] There is also provided a raceway system for routing cables,
the raceway system including a generally horizontal duct of a first
cross-sectional dimension, a generally vertical duct of a second
cross-sectional dimension smaller than the first cross-sectional
dimension, a fitting for connecting the horizontal and vertical
ducts, and a reducer insertably disposable within the fitting for
transitioning the fitting between the first and second
cross-sectional dimensions, the reducer including a barb for
bitingly engaging at least one of the ducts and retaining the at
least one duct to the fitting.
[0009] There is also provided an insertable reducer for a vertical
tee fitting for connecting a pair of generally horizontal ducts and
a vertical duct for routing cables within a raceway system, the
reducer for narrowing the cross-sectional cable routing space
within the vertical tee fitting to transition the fitting from the
relatively larger cross-sectional cable routing space of the
horizontal ducts to the relatively smaller cross-sectional cable
routing space of the vertical duct, the reducer including a barb
for bitingly engaging at least one of the ducts and retaining the
at least one duct to the fitting.
[0010] Also provided is a fitting for routing cables between first
and second ducts in a raceway system, the first duct having a first
cross-sectional dimension and the second duct having a second and
different cross-sectional dimension from the first cross-sectional
dimension, the fitting including a first end for attaching to the
first duct, a second end for attaching to the second duct, and an
insertable reducer disposable generally between the first and
second ends of the fitting, the reducer for adapting the fitting to
transition between the first and second cross-sectional dimensions,
the reducer being disposable in the fitting such that the reducer
does not extend significantly beyond the fitting in the direction
of either of the ducts.
[0011] There is also provided a method of using a fitting to
connect a pair of horizontal ducts having a relatively larger
cross-sectional dimension to a vertical duct having a relatively
smaller cross-sectional dimension within a raceway system for
routing cables, the method including the following steps: providing
a fitting; providing a reducer insertable into the fitting, the
reducer including a barb; providing first and second connectors;
connecting a first end of the fitting to one of the pair of
horizontal ducts with the first connector; connecting a second end
of the fitting to the other of the pair of horizontal ducts with
the second connector; inserting a reducer having a latch into the
fitting such that the latch engages the fitting to retain the
reducer in a fixed position within the fitting; and connecting a
portion of the fitting proximate the inserted reducer to the
vertical duct by sliding the vertical duct between portions of the
reducer and the fitting such that the barb bitingly engages the
vertical duct for retaining the vertical duct relative to the
fitting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical tee fitting for
connecting relatively larger horizontal ducts with a relatively
smaller vertical duct, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vertical tee fitting of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the reducer shown
in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a
reducer in accordance with the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the reducer of FIG. 4; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reducer of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-2 show a vertical tee
reducer 20 of the present invention positioned within a vertical
tee fitting 10. The vertical tee fitting 10 contains a vertical
drop-out area 16 that connects with a first vertical duct system
and creates continuous, uninterrupted channel-shaped duct between
the horizontal and vertical duct systems. The vertical drop-out
area 16 is defined by the floor 12 of the vertical tee fitting 10
and by the vertical walls 14 of the fitting 10. The reducer 20 of
the present invention is designed to fit snugly within this
vertical dropout area 16 but not extend beyond the bottom of the
vertical tee fitting 10. A-similar reducer could be used in various
types of duct fittings other than vertical tee fittings.
[0019] With respect to the vertical tee fitting, in a preferred
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the reducer 20 has three sidewalls.
These three sidewalls 22 are integrally connected to form a
channel-shaped duct. These sidewalls 22 gradually flare outwards at
the top and integrally extend into two flanges 24. The flare of the
sidewalls is designed to allow the flanges 24 to fit flush against
the floor 12 of the vertical tee fitting 10. Preferably, there is a
2" bend radius control for the flare of the sidewalls 22. However,
one of skill in the art, following the EIA/TIA standards for
appropriate minimum bend radii of wires and cables, would be able
to design the radius of the flare of the sidewall 22 to conform to
their specific vertical tee fitting 10.
[0020] The flanges 24 help position the reducer 20 within the
vertical drop-out area 16 of the vertical tee fitting 10. The
flanges 24 also ensure a continuity between the floor 12 of the
vertical tee fitting 10 and the new smaller vertical drop-out area
27 created by the reducer 20, while protecting against microbends
occurring in the fiber.
[0021] A series of vertical ribs 25 may be formed along the bottom
half of the sidewalls 22 and these ribs may provide additional
stiffness, may serve as surface contact points, or may facilitate
the molding of the sidewalls 22. The sidewalls 22 have an inner
surface 26 and an outer surface 28. The inner surfaces 26 of the
sidewalls 22 face each other and form the perimeter of the new
smaller vertical dropout area 27. The outer surfaces 28 of the
sidewalls 22 face the vertical walls 14 and floor 12 forming the
original drop-out area 16 of the vertical tee fitting 10.
[0022] The smaller vertical drop-out area 27 of the reducer 20 will
form a continuous channel-shaped duct with the second smaller
vertical duct 60. This second smaller vertical duct 60 is attached
to the reducer and held into place via three barbs 40. As shown in
FIG. 4, the barb 40 is comprised of a rectangular body 42, bent
inwardly to form an arm 46 at one end of the body 42 and having an
eyelet 44 at the opposite end. The barb 40 bitingly engages the
second vertical duct 60 and holds it into position against the
outer surface 28 of the sidewalls 22 of the reducer 20. Preferably,
the arm 46 has a serrated edge, which will increase the biting
engagement capability of the barb 40.
[0023] The barbs 40 are held into position against the second
smaller vertical duct 60 by the barb housings 30, which are placed
along the outer surface 28 of each sidewall 22 of reducer 20. As
shown in FIGS. 3-6, the barb housing 30 comprises at least two
opposing L-shaped walls 31. These L-shaped walls 31 are
perpendicular to the outer surface 28 of the sidewall 22, such that
the two L-shaped walls 31 and the sidewall 22 together form a
three-sided box. The two opposing L-shaped walls 31 mirror each
other with the short leg of the L-shape facing one another. This
allows the two L-shaped walls to form an open fourth side 32 to the
box formed by the L-shaped walls and the sidewall. The two opposing
L-shaped walls 31 are spaced just far enough apart to allow a barb
40 to be positioned between them.
[0024] The barb 40 is positioned within the housing 30 and the edge
of the arm 46 of the barb 40 may preferably touch the outer surface
28 of the sidewalls 22 of the reducer 20. The body 42 of the barb
40 is held tight against the open side 32 of the housing 30 by two
barb guides 38. Furthermore, a barb catch 33 is inserted into the
eyelet 44 of the barb 40 in order to prevent the barb 40 from being
pulled out of the barb housing 30 by a downward force.
[0025] A receiving space 34 is formed between the L-shaped walls 32
of the housing 30 and the outer surface 28 of the sidewalls 22 of
the reducer 20. When the second smaller vertical duct 60 is
attached to the reducer 20, one end of the second smaller vertical
duct 60 is slid into the receiving space 34 so that it is
positioned substantially against the outer surface 28 of the
sidewall 22 within the barb housing 30. The edge of the arm 46 of
the barb 40 then engages the surface of the second smaller vertical
duct 60 and holds it firmly in position so that the duct 60 does
not withdraw due to inadvertently or incidentally applied
forces.
[0026] The barb housing further comprises a catch 36 that overlaps
the bottom edge of the vertical tee fitting 10 and prevents reducer
20 the from being pushed out of position by an upward force, such
as when the second smaller vertical duct 60 is attached to the
reducer. The catch 36 may be part of the open side 32 of the barb
housing 30. The catch 36 may also be a separate piece attached to
the outer surface 28 of the sidewall 22. Optionally, other separate
pieces, such as tabs 50, may be attached to the outer surface 28 of
the sidewalls 22. The tabs 50 fit into slots in floor 12 of the
vertical tee fitting 10 to assist in positioning the reducer 20
correctly within the vertical drop-out area 16 of the fitting
10.
[0027] The barb housing 30 provides spacing between the smaller
vertical dropout area 27 of the reducer 20 and the vertical
drop-out area 16 of the fitting 10. The open side 32 of the barb
housing 30 fits flush against the vertical walls 14 of the vertical
tee fitting 10 to ensure that the reducer 20 is properly aligned
within that vertical drop-out area 16 of the vertical tee fitting
10 and to deter the occurrence of microbends or other
signal-degrading phenomena in the fiber. If the barb housing 30
does not occupy the entire space between the vertical drop-out area
27 of the reducer 20 and the vertical walls 14 of the vertical tee
fitting 10, a wall extension 39 may be attached to the open side 32
of the barb housing 30 in order to occupy this extra space and make
the reducer 20 fit flush against the vertical wall 14 of the
fitting 10.
[0028] Second, the catches 36 on the barb housing lock the reducer
20 into place so that it does not move out of the vertical drop-out
area 16 when trying to attach the second smaller vertical duct to
the reducer 20. Although a single one may be sufficient, there is
preferably a catch 36 located on each barb housing 30.
[0029] Third, the barb housing 30 holds the barb 40 in a position
to maintain a strong engagement with the second smaller vertical
duct 60. The barb housing 30 positions the barb so that the edge of
the arm 46 of the barb 40 is angled upwards and into the second
smaller vertical duct 60, when the second smaller vertical duct 60
is located within the receiving space 34 of the housing 30. Due to
the angle of the arm 46 of the barb 40, a downward or withdrawal
force on the second smaller vertical duct 60 would cause the edge
of the arm 46 to bite harder into the surface of the second smaller
vertical duct 60 and prevent the duct from moving out of the
receiving space 34. This prevents inadvertent withdrawal or
slippage of the duct 60 and produces a minimum withdrawal force
that must be applied to overcome the resistance capability of the
barb(s) to uncouple the duct 60 from the vertical tee/reducer
assembly.
[0030] Because the reducer 20 of the present invention fits
substantially entirely within the vertical drop-out area 16 of the
vertical tee fitting 10, it occupies no significant additional
space below the fitting 10. Additionally, a cover for the vertical
tee fitting 10 may be used in the same manner with or without the
reducer 20 in place because the reducer does not extend
substantially past the front of the vertical tee 10. The reducer 20
of the present invention also does not interfere with a cover for
the second smaller vertical duct 60 that is attached to the reducer
20.
[0031] It should be understood that a wide range of changes and
modifications can be made to the embodiments of the reducer
described above. For instance, a fitting other than a vertical tee
may be adapted with a reducer of the type described and claimed
herein. Additionally or alternatively, the slope and/or curvature
of the sidewalls, the dimensions of the barb housings, the
cross-sectional dimensions of the respective ducts connected to the
fitting, the number of catches, the extensions added to the
housing, or the addition of tabs may be different than the
exemplary embodiments described above, depending upon the specific
fitting used and the consumer and manufacturing preferences.
[0032] Additionally, it's easily seen that a method of wiring a
fitting having a barbed reducer to connect ducts of different sizes
could have steps performed equivalently in a number of different
orders. For example, with respect to the vertical tee fittings
described above, the reducer could be inserted into the fitting
either before or after the horizontal ducts were connected to the
fitting. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description
illustrates rather than limits this invention, and that it is the
following claims, including all equivalents, which define this
invention.
* * * * *