U.S. patent application number 10/981513 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for wire management grommet with non-captive closure member and sleeve.
Invention is credited to Mockett, Douglas A.J..
Application Number | 20050081328 10/981513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31496309 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050081328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mockett, Douglas A.J. |
April 21, 2005 |
Wire management grommet with non-captive closure member and
sleeve
Abstract
This invention relates to a two-piece grommet adapted for
holding a cable in an aperture, such as in a desk or work surface
so as to absorb any strain imposed on the cable and to provide an
attractive covering for the hole drilled to pass the cable. The
grommet consists of two portions. The first portion comprises a
cylindrical sleeve having a circular lip. The second portion
comprises a cap having an extended flange and adapted to
frictionally fit into the cylindrical sleeve and against the lip.
The cap has an aperture cut into it through which the cable passes.
A pivotal tab is connected under the cap to close the aperture when
no cable passes therethrough.
Inventors: |
Mockett, Douglas A.J.;
(Torrance, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILES & STOCKBRIDGE PC
1751 PINNACLE DRIVE
SUITE 500
MCLEAN
VA
22102-3833
US
|
Family ID: |
31496309 |
Appl. No.: |
10/981513 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10981513 |
Nov 5, 2004 |
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10736513 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
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10736513 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
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10113672 |
Apr 2, 2002 |
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6694566 |
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10113672 |
Apr 2, 2002 |
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07901684 |
Jun 22, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/2.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2200/0082 20130101;
A47B 21/06 20130101; Y10T 16/05 20150115; Y10T 29/49876 20150115;
H02G 3/22 20130101; H02G 3/083 20130101; F16L 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/002.1 |
International
Class: |
H02G 003/22 |
Claims
I claim:
1-13. (canceled)
14. A grommet cap set comprising: a sleeve comprising: a
cylindrical inner surface defining a cylindrical hole to be
covered, the inner surface forming a cylinder with an axial
direction; and an outer surface, the outer surface being
substantially cylindrical and having formed thereon at least one
rib; a grommet cap having a substantially planar top side and an
underside, the grommet cap comprising: a flange extending to an
outer edge of the grommet cap and having a dimension larger than
the hole to be covered; a shank depending downwardly from the
underside of the grommet cap and having an outer surface with at
least a substantial vertical portion configured cylindrically in
conformance with the size and shape of at least a substantial
portion of the inner surface of the sleeve, the outer edge of the
grommet cap extending radially outside of the shank; and an
aperture in the grommet cap extending in a radial direction through
the flange from near a center of the flange to the outer edge of
the grommet cap, the aperture elongated in the radial direction;
and a non-captive closure member elongated in a longitudinal
direction and having a first end and a second end, with the first
end opposite the second end in the longitudinal direction, the
first end comprising an arm elongated in the longitudinal
direction, the non-captive closure member having a first extension
extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction and a second extension extending in a direction opposite
that of the first extension, the second end of the non-captive
closure member comprising a closure portion, the closure portion
joining the arm at a step and being sized and shaped so as to match
the aperture in the grommet cap, the closure portion having a top
side over substantially all of the closure portion, the top side of
the closure portion being a planar surface elongated in the
longitudinal direction; wherein the non-captive closure member is
capable of being placed in at least the following three positions:
a closed position in which the non-captive closure member rests in
the radial direction, the closure portion of the non-captive
closure member fills the aperture in the grommet cap, the planar
top side of the closure portion is disposed in the radial direction
and is substantially co-planar with the top side of the grommet
cap, and the second end of the non-captive element is substantially
contiguous with the outer edge of the grommet cap, the grommet cap
and the non-captive closure member cooperating to appear as a solid
surface; an open position in which the non-captive closure member
is disposed completely under the grommet cap and supported at least
partially by the first extension and the second extension, with the
second end of the non-captive closure member hanging below the
first end at least ninety degrees below the cap, the first end
being adjacent the underside of the grommet cap; and a separated
position in which the non-captive closure member is removed
entirely from and does not contact the grommet cap and the
sleeve.
15. The grommet cap set of claim 14, wherein the at least one rib
is disposed horizontally.
16. The grommet cap set of claim 14, wherein the at least one rib
extends in a circumferential direction along the outer surface of
the sleeve.
17. The grommet cap set of claim 14, further comprising a receiver
configured to receive the first and second extensions.
18. The grommet cap set of claim 17, wherein the first and second
extensions are configured substantially to fill the receiver.
19. The grommet cap set of claim 14, configured to permit the
non-captive closure member to move from the closed position to the
open position by movement that includes pivoting.
20. The grommet cap set of claim 19, configured to permit the
non-captive element to move from the closed position to the open
position by a single movement.
21. The grommet cap set of claim 14, configured to permit the
non-captive closure element to move from the closed position to the
open position while carried by the grommet cap.
22. The grommet cap set of claim 14, wherein the first extension
comprises a pin.
23. The grommet cap set of claim 14, configured to permit the
non-captive closure member in the open position to touch the
cap.
24. A separable tab, grommet cap, and sleeve combination
comprising: a sleeve having an inner surface defining a hole to be
covered and an outer surface; a grommet cap having a substantially
planar top side and a substantially planar underside, the grommet
cap comprising: a flange extending to an outer edge of the grommet
cap and having a dimension larger than the hole to be covered; a
shank depending from the substantially planar underside of the
grommet cap and having an outer surface with a least a substantial
portion configured substantially in conformance with the size and
shape of at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the
sleeve, the outer edge of the grommet cap extending radially
outside of the shank; an aperture in the grommet cap extending
through the flange to the outer edge of the grommet cap; and a
receiver under the substantially planar underside of the grommet
cap; and a separable tab configured to fill at least a substantial
portion of the aperture in the grommet cap, the separable tab being
dimensioned to fit at least partially into at least a portion of
the receiver adjacent the substantially planar underside of the cap
such that the separable tab can be separated from the grommet cap
by removing the separable tab out of the receiver, the separable
tab being moveable into at least the following three positions: a
closed position in which the separable tab completely fills the
aperture in the grommet cap; an open position in which the
separable tab is disposed completely under the substantially planar
underside of the grommet cap; and a separated position in which the
separable tab is removed entirely from and does not contact the
grommet cap.
25. The combination of claim 24, wherein the sleeve further
comprises at least one rib.
26. The combination of claim 25, wherein the at least one rib is
disposed horizontally around a least a substantial portion of the
outer surface of the sleeve.
27. The combination of claim 26, wherein the at least one rib
circumferentially encircles the outer surface of the sleeve.
28. The combination of claim 24, wherein the separable tab further
comprises at least one extension extending outwardly from the
tab.
29. The combination of claim 24, wherein the separable tab is
pivotable between the closed position and the open position.
30. The combination of claim 28, wherein the removable tab further
comprises a second extension.
31. The combination of claim 30, wherein the extensions are formed
as part of a bar extending transversely across an end of the
removable tab.
32. The combination of claim 24, wherein in the open position the
separable tab is positioned at least about ninety degrees away from
its closed position.
33. The combination of claim 24, wherein the tab is elongated in a
longitudinal direction.
34. The combination of claim 33, wherein the separable tab is
holdable by the receiver without sliding therebetween in said
longitudinal direction.
35. The combination of claim 24, wherein the separable tab is
removable from the grommet cap with mild force.
36. The combination of claim 28, wherein in the open position the
at least one extension is held in close proximity to the
substantially planar underside of the grommet cap.
37. The combination of claim 28, wherein in the closed position the
at least one extension is held in close proximity to the
substantially planar underside of the grommet cap.
38. The combination of claim 28 wherein the receiver is configured
to permit the at least one extension to touch the substantially
planar underside of the grommet cap at a time when the at least one
extension is at least partially inside the female receiver.
39. The combination of claim 24, wherein in the open position the
receiver permits the removable tab to contact the substantially
planar underside of the grommet cap.
40. The combination of claim 24, wherein in the closed position the
receiver permits the removable tab to contact the substantially
planar underside of the grommet cap.
41. The combination of claim 24, wherein the separable tab in the
closed position may be removed from the cap.
42. The combination of claim 24, wherein the separable tab may be
moved between the open position and the closed position by movement
that includes pivoting.
43. The combination of claim 24, wherein the separable tab may be
moved between the open position and the closed position in a single
motion.
44. The combination of claim 24, wherein the shank is
cylindrical.
45. A grommet cap set comprising: a sleeve having an inner surface
defining a hole to be covered, generally forming a cylinder with an
axial direction; a grommet cap having a substantially planar top
side and an underside, the grommet cap comprising: a flange
extending to an outer edge of the grommet cap and having a
dimension larger than the hole to be covered; a shank depending
from the underside of the grommet cap and having an outer surface
with at least a substantial portion configured in conformance with
the size and shape of at least a substantial portion of the inner
surface of the sleeve; an aperture in the grommet cap extending in
a radial direction through the flange to the outer edge of the
grommet cap; and a non-captive element elongated in a longitudinal
direction and having a first end and second end, with the first end
opposite the second end in the longitudinal direction, the first
end comprising an arm elongated in the longitudinal direction, the
non-captive element having an extension extending in a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second end of the
non-captive element comprising a closure portion, the closure
portion joining the arm at a step and being sized and shaped so as
to match the aperture in the grommet cap, the closure portion
having a top side over substantially all of the closure portion,
the top side of the closure portion being a planar surface
elongated in the longitudinal direction; wherein the non-captive
element is capable of being placed in at least the following three
positions: a closed position in which the closure portion of the
non-captive element fills the aperture in the grommet cap, the
planar top side of the closure portion is substantially co-planar
with the top side of the grommet cap, and the second end of the
non-captive element is substantially contiguous with the outer edge
of the grommet cap; an open position in which the non-captive
element is disposed under the grommet cap and supported at least
partially by the extension, with the second end substantially lower
than the first end in the axial direction; and a separated position
in which the non-captive element is removed entirely from and does
not contact the grommet cap and the sleeve.
46. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element in the open position is disposed at least ninety degrees
below its closed position.
47. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein at least a portion of
the non-captive element is substantially adjacent the underside of
the cap in both the open and closed positions.
48. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element in the open position is permitted to touch the cap.
49. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element in the open position is removably attached to the grommet
cap and may be moved to the closed position while remaining
removably attached to the grommet cap.
50. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element in the open position can be removed with mild force.
51. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element in the open position can be removed with solely downward
force in the axial direction.
52. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element in the open position touches the cap.
53. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the grommet cap
further comprises a receiver for receiving the extension.
54. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element may be moved between the open position and the closed
position in a single motion.
55. The grommet cap set of claim 45, wherein the non-captive
element is prevented from sliding in said radial direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Devices for passing a flexible or non-flexible cord, such as
a telephone cord or computer cable, through one or more elements
such as a desk top, a piece of furniture, a wall or other type of
installation are well known. Various devices to do this are known
in the art and each of these devices has drawbacks. One device,
which is now being used, requires a spring loaded cap which is held
in place within a sleeve by the action of the spring. This device
is complex, expensive and difficult to use. Other devices consist
simply of a cylindrical sleeve in which the hole in the panel or
desk must be cut to precisely the exact size or the sleeve will
simply fall out, particularly if it is net in a vertical position.
If the hole is not cut to the precise size, means must be used to
secure the sleeve into the hole.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
simple, improved device for passing a cable or cord through an
aperture in a work surface securing the cord.
[0003] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
grommet capable of being held easily in a hole cut into a work
surface, for passing an electrical cord.
[0004] Still a further object of the invention is to provide a
grommet for holding an electrical cord which can be easily held and
used in both a vertical and horizontal position.
[0005] Still a further object of the invention is to provide a
means to close the hole when not in use.
[0006] These and other objects will be described by reference to
the accompanying drawing in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the grommet assembly of the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cap
portion of the present invention, and
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view partially broken away of the cap
portion of the grommet of the present invention.
[0010] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown the sleeve
portion 10 of the grommet of the present invention and the cap
portion 12. The sleeve portion comprises a cylindrical hollow
sleeve 14, and a lip 16 having a larger diameter than sleeve 14.
Sleeve 14 optionally has a rib 18 slightly raised from the surface
of sleeve 14. The cap portion of the grommet of the present
invention comprises a shank portion 20 and a flange or lip portion
22. Cut into the cap 12 is an aperture or slot 24 through which
will pass the electrical cable 36 which is held by the grommet of
the present invention.
[0011] The shank portion 20 of the cap is of a diameter
substantially equal to the inner diameter of the sleeve portion 10
so that the cap frictionally fits and is held in the sleeve portion
10. The flange 22 rests against lip 16.
[0012] A tab 26 is pivotably attached to the underside 28 of cap
12. Tab 26 is shaped so that it frictionally fits into slot 24.
Thus, when no cable is passing through slot 24, tab 26 can be
closed so that no opening appears in the cap 12 and it appears to
be a solid surface. Tab 26 fits tightly enough frictionally so that
it stays in place in slot 24 until pushed down to reopen slot
24.
[0013] Tab 26 has a connecting arm 30 which has a male connector
comprising an elongated cylinder 32 at the end thereof. Cylinder 32
snap fits into a female receiver portion 34 which holds cylinder 32
yet allows it to pivot. Cylinder 32 can be pulled, with mild force,
out of receiver portion 34 so that tab 26 can be separated from cap
12, if desired, and replaced when needed. Thus, this design allows
the user to swing tab 26 down and out of the way if desired or it
can be removed entirely.
[0014] Arm 30 is attached under tab 28 creating a step 37. Step 37
is necessary to pivot tab 28 so that it is flush with the top
surface of cap 12 while arm 30 remains underneath cap 12 and out of
the way.
[0015] In using the device of the present invention, a hole is
drilled or cut into the panel, wall, board, desk or work surface 25
through which the electrical cable 36 is to pass. The sleeve
portion 10 of the present invention is then pressed into place in
the hole with rib 18 forming a means for the sleeve portion 10 to
be frictionally held in place even if it is in a vertical
direction. The rib 18 also provides a means to hold the sleeve in
place if the hole has not been drilled precisely to the correct
size and is slightly too big. Rib 18 also acts as a dam to hold
glue if it is desired to glue sleeve 10 in place.
[0016] The electrical cable 36 in then passed through the hole in
the panel, wall, desk or work surface which now contains sleeve 10,
and then cap 12, with tab 26 pivoted down and out of the way, is
placed over the cable and pressed into place, so that shank 20
frictionally fits into and is held in the inside diameter of the
sleeve 10.
[0017] The aperture 24 that is cut into the cap 12 can be made of a
variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the size of the
electrical cable to be passed through the grommet or the size of
the hole in the desk. Tab 26, of course, must conform to the size
and shape of aperture 24.
[0018] The lip 16 of sleeve portion 10 will rest on the flat
portion of the wall, panel, desk or work surface, holding the
sleeve portion 10 in place, so that it will not fall through the
hole. The rib 18 will prevent the grommet from slipping back and
forth within the hole in which it is placed.
[0019] An additional advantage of the lip 16 and the cap 22 is the
fact that when holes are cut into walls or desks there are usually
rough edges or chips in the wood, and lip portion 16 will cover
these unsightly chips. On steel or metal surfaces, the grommet
prevents cutting of the cable by a rough metal edge.
[0020] Referring specifically to FIG. 3, there is clearly shown a
90 degree angle between the sleeve 14 and the lip 16. This 90
degree angle allows the lip 16 to rest on the surface of the work
surface.
[0021] In addition, there is shown a beveled edge 38 on cap 12. The
beveled edge 38 not only is aesthetic but will allow the sliding of
objects over the top of cap 12 with very little resistance.
[0022] The grommet of the present invention can be made of any
convenient material, such as plastic, metal, or wood, but is
preferably made of plastic since it is easiest to produce and also
is a non-conductive material in the event of any electrical cables
which may have a problem of shorting or shocking a potential
user.
[0023] The grommet of this invention also has the adaptability that
the sleeve portion 10 can be used without the cap portion 12 in the
event any cable or cables must be passed through the hole that fill
the entire inside diameter.
[0024] In addition, two sleeve portions 10 can be placed back to
back to cover both the top and bottom or both sides of a hole in a
work surface or wall. Cape 12 can be placed on one or both
sides.
[0025] Having thus described the invention with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art the various changes in form and detail may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *