U.S. patent application number 15/722786 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for support frame for structured cabling system.
The applicant listed for this patent is CommScope Asia Holdings B.V., CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA. Invention is credited to Heidi Bleus, Willem De Vis, Jan Zeeman.
Application Number | 20180123331 15/722786 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50884931 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180123331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Vis; Willem ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
SUPPORT FRAME FOR STRUCTURED CABLING SYSTEM
Abstract
A support frame (10) for a cabling trunk assembly (1) is
disclosed. In one embodiment, the support frame (10) has a main
body (11) defining a mounting surface (41), and a first extension
leg (50) extending along a first side edge (42) of the main body
(11) and away from the mounting surface (41). Similarly, the
support frame (10) can be provided with a second extension leg (52)
that extends along a second side edge (44) of the main body (11)
and away from the mounting surface (41). The extension legs (50,
52) may be provided with tabs (54, 56) to provide a secure
connection with receiving grooves (28, 29) on a channel (12) of the
cabling trunk assembly (1). The extension legs (50, 52) may also be
configured to provide a snap-fit connection with the receiving
grooves (28, 29).
Inventors: |
De Vis; Willem; (Merchtem,
BE) ; Bleus; Heidi; (Genk, BE) ; Zeeman;
Jan; (Huizen, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
CommScope Asia Holdings B.V. |
Kessel-Lo
'S-Hertogenbosch |
|
BE
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
50884931 |
Appl. No.: |
15/722786 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15208287 |
Jul 12, 2016 |
9780543 |
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15722786 |
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|
14298013 |
Jun 6, 2014 |
9407077 |
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15208287 |
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61832480 |
Jun 7, 2013 |
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61836520 |
Jun 18, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/22 20130101; H02G
3/105 20130101; H02G 3/0437 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02G 3/04 20060101
H02G003/04; H02G 3/10 20060101 H02G003/10; H02G 3/22 20060101
H02G003/22 |
Claims
1-13. (Cancelled)
14. A support frame for installation in a cabling trunk body, the
support frame comprising: a. a main body having a mounting surface
extending between opposite first and second side edges and
extending between opposite third and fourth side edges, the main
body including a central aperture; b. a first extension leg
extending along the main body first side edge and away from the
mounting surface, the first extension leg being configured for
insertion into a first receiving groove of the cabling trunk body;
and c. a second extension leg parallel to the first extension leg
and extending along the main body second side edge and away from
the mounting surface, the second extension leg being configured for
insertion into a second receiving groove of the cabling trunk
body.
15. The support frame of claim 14, further comprising: a. a first
tab located on the first extension leg and configured to retain the
first extension leg within the first receiving groove; and b. a
second tab located on the second extension leg and configured to
retain the second extension leg within the second receiving
groove.
6. The support frame of claim 14, further comprising at least one
threaded opening in the mounting surface for securing a face plate
to the support frame.
7. The support frame of claim 16, wherein the support frame has two
threaded openings in the mounting surface for securing the face
plate to the support frame.
18. The support frame of claim 14, wherein the main body, first
extension leg, and second extension leg are integrally formed from
the same sheet of material.
19. The support frame of claim 15, wherein the main body, first
extension leg, the second extension leg, the first tab, and the
second tab are integrally formed from the same sheet of
material.
20. The support frame of claim 14, wherein the support frame is
made from a metal material.
21. The support frame of claim 14, wherein the first extension leg
is configured for a snap-fit connection with the first receiving
groove and the second extension leg is configured to provide a
snap-fit connection with the second receiving groove.
22. A cabling trunk assembly comprising: a. a cabling trunk body
defining a channel having a first open face, the first open face
having a first receiving groove extending along a first side face
adjacent the open face and a second receiving groove extending
along a second side face adjacent the open face opposite the first
side face; b. a support frame including: i. a main body having a
mounting surface extending between opposite first and second side
edges and extending between opposite third and fourth side edges,
the main body including a central aperture; ii. a first extension
leg extending along the main body first side edge and away from the
mounting surface, the first extension leg being configured for
insertion into a first receiving groove of the cabling trunk body;
and iii. a second extension leg parallel to the first extension leg
and extending along the main body second side edge and away from
the mounting surface, the second extension leg being configured for
insertion into a second receiving groove of the cabling trunk
body.
23. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 22, further comprising: a.
a first tab located on the first extension leg and configured to
retain the first extension leg within the first receiving groove;
and b. a second tab located on the second extension leg and
configured to retain the second extension leg within the second
receiving groove.
24. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 22, further comprising at
least one threaded opening in the mounting surface for securing a
face plate to the support frame.
25. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 23, wherein the support
frame has two threaded openings in the mounting surface for
securing the face plate to the support frame.
26. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 22, wherein the main body,
first extension leg, and second extension leg are integrally formed
from the same sheet of material.
27. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 23, wherein the main body,
first extension leg, the second extension leg, the first tab, and
the second tab are integrally formed from the same sheet of
material.
28. The cabling trunk assembly of claim wherein the support frame
is made from a metal material.
29. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 22, further comprising: a.
a faceplate secured to the support frame.
30. The cabling thank assembly of claim 29, further comprising at
least one threaded opening in the mounting surface for securing the
face plate to the support frame.
31. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 30, wherein the support
frame has two threaded openings in the mounting surface for
securing the face plate to the support frame.
32. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 31, wherein the face plate
is provided with two threaded openings for securing a connector
housing to the face plate.
33. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 32, wherein the threaded
openings in the face plate are offset from the threaded openings in
the support frame.
34. The cabling trunk assembly of claim 22, wherein the first
extension leg and the first receiving groove are configured to
engage with each other in a snap-fit connection and wherein the
second extension leg and the second receiving groove are configured
to engage with each other in a snap-fit connection.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
15/208,287, filed Jul. 12, 2016, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 14/298,013, filed Jun. 6, 2014, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,407,077, which claims the benefit of provisional application
Ser. No. 61/832,480, filed Jun. 7, 2013, entitled "Support Frame
for Structured Cabling System," and provisional application Ser.
No. 61/836,520, filed Jun. 18, 2013, entitled "Support Frame for
Structured Cabling System," which applications are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Structured cabling installations, such as those commonly
utilized in work area portions of office network environments, can
include cabling trunk assemblies to which connector housings are
attached. Such configurations allow for cabling within the trunk
assemblies to be routed to various connectors in the housings. For
example, a connector housing may have a co-axial jack, a data jack,
and/or a telephone jack wherein the associated cabling is housed
within the trunk assembly. Commonly, trunk assemblies are provided
in the form of a c-shaped channel wherein a removable cover is
placed over the open face of the channel. Installers frequently
field cut openings in the removable cover in order allow for access
between the channel and the connector housing. Also, some known
solutions provide a support frame that is connected to the back of
the channel which can interfere with the internal routing of the
cabling within the channel. Improvements are desired.
SUMMARY
[0003] A support frame for a cabling trunk assembly is disclosed.
In one aspect, the support frame connects to the cabling trunk
assembly and provides a mounting surface for a face plate and a
connector housing such that cabling within the trunk assembly may
be connected to the connector housing. In one aspect, the cabling
trunk assembly includes a body defining a c-shaped channel having a
first open face wherein a first receiving groove extends along a
first side of the open face and a second receiving groove extends
along a second side of the open face. In one aspect, the support
frame has a main body defining a mounting surface extending between
opposite first and second side edges and extending between opposite
third and fourth side edges. The mounting surface may include a
central aperture for allowing cabling to be routed from the channel
to the connector housing.
[0004] In one embodiment, the support frame includes a first
extension leg extending along the main body first side edge and
extending away from the mounting surface wherein the first
extension leg is configured for insertion into the first receiving
groove. Similarly, a second extension leg parallel to the first
extension leg and extending along the main body second side edge
and away from the mounting surface may be provided wherein the
first extension leg is configured for insertion into the second
receiving groove. The first extension leg may be provided with a
first tab configured to provide a secure connection with the first
receiving groove. Likewise, the second extension leg may be
provided with a second tab configured to provide a secure
connection with the second receiving groove. In one embodiment, the
first extension leg and the first receiving groove are configured
to engage with each other in a snap-fit connection and the second
extension leg and the second receiving groove are configured to
engage with each other in a snap-fit connection.
[0005] The support frame may be provided with at least one threaded
opening, for example two threaded openings, in the mounting surface
for securing the face plate to the support frame. Also, the face
plate may be provided with at least one threaded opening, for
example two threaded openings, for securing a connector housing to
the face plate. In one embodiment, the threaded openings in the
face plate are offset from the threaded openings in the support
frame to prevent interference between fasteners associated with the
threaded openings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described
with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily
drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a an exploded perspective view of a support frame
system attached to a trunking system channel body having features
that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled trunking
system and support frame system shown in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support frame of the
support frame system connected to the channel body shown in FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an end view of the support frame and channel body
shown in FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the support frame and channel body
shown in FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support frame shown in
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an end view of the support frame shown in FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of the support frame shown in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top view of the support frame shown in FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top view of a sheet of material usable for
forming the support frame shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Various embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.
Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the
claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in
this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set
forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended
claims.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a support frame system 5
including a support frame 10 for attachment to the channel body 12
of a trunking system 1 is shown. In general, the channel body 12 is
configured as a c-shaped channel and functions to protect and
conceal cabling routed within the channel body 12. Non-exclusive
examples of cabling are co-axial cabling, copper based cabling,
fiber optic cabling, and electrical power cabling. As configured,
the support frame 10 provides a support surface for a face plate 14
which in turn supports a connector housing 16. The connector
housing 16 can be configured to include receptacles or jacks 18 for
receiving connectors, such as fiber optic adapters and copper based
plugs data used in data and telecommunications applications.
Non-limiting examples of suitable receptacles are RJ type jacks
(e.g. RJ-11, RJ-45, etc.), co-axial cable jacks (e.g. CATV jacks),
fiber optic connectors (e.g. LC, SC, MTP, etc.), D type connectors
(e.g. DE-15, DA-15, etc.), and other types of connectors that may
be used for communication or power transmission purposes. To
facilitate the passage of cables from the channel body 12 into the
housing 16, the face plate 14 and support frame 10 are each shown
as having a central aperture 38, 40, respectively.
[0019] In one aspect, the face plate 14 is attached to the support
frame 10 via fasteners 30 while the housing 16 is attached to the
face plate 14 via fasteners 34. As shown, fasteners 30 are threaded
screws that are received and secured into threaded openings 32
located on the support frame 10. Similarly, fasteners 34 are
threaded screws that are received and secured into threaded
openings 36 located on the face plate 14. Other types of fasteners
may also be used without departing from the concepts presented
herein. In one aspect, the location of the threaded openings 32, 36
are offset to prevent interference between the fasteners 30, 34. It
is noted that connector housing 16 may also be directly attached to
the support housing 10 without the use of a face plate 14, if
desired.
[0020] The trunking system may also be provided with removable
covers 20, 22 located adjacent the support frame 10 for covering
the open face 13 of the channel body 12 such that the interior of
the channel body 12 can be concealed. In one aspect, the removable
covers 20, 22 can be generally flush with or slightly recessed from
side portions 12a, 12b of the channel body 12. In one embodiment,
the covers 20, 22 can be provided with extension legs 24, 25 having
tabs 26 to facilitate a secure snap-fit connection with an indented
portion 28a, 29a of corresponding grooves 28, 29 in the channel
body 12.
[0021] As most easily seen at FIGS. 4-9, the support frame 10
includes a main body 11 defining a mounting surface 41. Mounting
surface 41 is for supporting a face plate 14 which may be adapted
for a particular connector housing 16. The mounting surface 41 can
also be provided to directly support a connector housing 16 or
other types of terminal devices, such as one or more electrical
duplex sockets. As discussed previously, the mounting surface 41
can have a central aperture 40 to allow for cabling to extend
through the main body 11. The central aperture 40 also allows for
portions of the connector housing 16 and/or faceplate 14 to extend
through the support frame main body 11 and into the channel body
12.
[0022] In one aspect, the mounting surface 41 extends between a
first side edge 42 and a second side edge 44 opposite first side
edge 42 such that the side edges 42, 44 are parallel to each other.
In another aspect, the mounting surface 41 extends between a third
side edge 46 and a fourth side edge 48 opposite third side edge 46
such that the third and fourth side edges 46, 48 are parallel to
each other.
[0023] As shown, a first extension leg 50 is provided on the
support frame main body 11 along the first side edge 42 of the
mounting surface 41. As configured, the first side edge 42 extends
in a direction that is orthogonally away from the mounting surface
41. Similarly, a second extension leg 52 is provided that extends
along the second side edge 44 and also extends in a direction that
is orthogonally away from the mounting surface 41. The first and
second extension legs 50, 52 are configured to be received in the
receiving grooves 28, 29 of the channel 12 such that the support
frame 10 can be directly mounted to the channel 12 without any
portion of the support frame 10 extending into the interior volume
15 of the channel 12.
[0024] To add rigidity to the extension legs 50, 52, and to provide
a rounded surface for easier insertion into the receiving grooves
28, 29, each extension leg 50, 52 may be provided with an upturned
portion 50a, 52a that adds material thickness to the extension legs
50, 52. Also, and as can be seen at FIG. 4, the upturned portions
50a, 52a extend up to the indented portion 28a, 29a of the
receiving grooves 28, 29 (i.e. in a direction towards mounting
surface 41). This configuration provides for a snap-fit type
connection in which the receiving groove indented portion 28a, 29a
initially expands away from the extension leg 50, 52 as the
extension leg 50, 52 is being inserted, and then snaps back towards
its original position once the upturned portion 50a, 52a has
extended past the indented portion 28a, 29a.
[0025] To further secure the support frame 10 to the channel 12,
the first extension leg 50 may be provided with a first tab 54 that
extends away from first extension leg 50 and towards the mounting
surface 41. Likewise, the second extension leg 52 may be provided
with a second tab 56 that extends away from second extension leg 52
and towards the mounting surface 41. In one aspect, the tabs 54, 56
are provided at an angle A1 with respect to the respective
extension legs 50, 52 such that the tabs 54, 56 provide a lateral
force against the receiving grooves 28, 29. In the example
embodiment shown, angle A1 is about 157 degrees although other
angles are possible without departing from the concepts provided
herein.
[0026] The support frame 10 may also be provided with a first
extension member 58 and a second extension member 60. The extension
members 60 are provided to add rigidity to the support frame 10
resulting in an improved mounting platform for the faceplate 14 as
the faceplate 14 is attached to the support frame 10 with fasteners
30 near the extension members 58, 60. As shown, the first extension
member 58 extends away from the mounting surface 41 at aperture 40
near the third side edge 46 while the second extension member 60
extends away from mounting surface 41 at aperture 40 near the
fourth side edge 48.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the support
frame 10 allows an installer to cut the channel covers 20, 22 to
length such that the covers 20, 22 may be installed adjacent to the
respective side edges 46, 48 of the support frame 10. This
configuration removes the necessity to cut openings in the covers
20, 22 in order to provide access into the interior volume 15 of
the channel 12. Rather, the installer simply needs to install
covers of an appropriate length alongside the desired number of
support frames 10.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 10, the support frame 10 can be
formed from a single, intially flat sheet of material 62 having a
generally constant thickness. In one example, the material sheet 62
is a metal material such as carbon steel and the sheet has a
thickness of about 1 millimeter (mm). As configured, the finally
formed support frame 10 has a width W1, a length L1, and a height
H1. In the example embodiment shown, the width W1 is about 79.5 mm,
length L1 is about 70 mm, and height H1 is about 13.3 mm. However,
many other dimensions are possible to accommodate different channel
body 12 sizes and/or various types and sizes of connector body 16
styles.
[0029] The various embodiments described above are provided by way
of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the
claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily
recognize various modifications and changes that may be made
without following the example embodiments and applications
illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
PARTS LIST
[0030] 1 cabling trunk assembly [0031] 5 support frame system
[0032] 10 support frame [0033] 11 support frame main body [0034] 12
channel body [0035] 12a channel body first side face [0036] 12b
channel body second side face [0037] 13 channel open face [0038] 14
face plate [0039] 15 channel interior volume [0040] 16 connector
housing or body [0041] 18 connector housing jacks [0042] 20 cover
[0043] 22 cover [0044] 24 extension leg [0045] 25 extension leg
[0046] 26 tabs [0047] 28 receiving groove [0048] 28a receiving
groove indented portion [0049] 29 receiving groove [0050] 29a
receiving groove indented portion [0051] 30 fastener [0052] 32
threaded opening [0053] 34 fastener [0054] 36 threaded opening
[0055] 38 face plate central aperture [0056] 40 support frame
central aperture [0057] 41 mounting surface [0058] 42 first side
edge [0059] 44 second side edge [0060] 46 third side edge [0061] 48
fourth side edge [0062] 50 first extension leg [0063] 50a upturned
portion [0064] 52 second extension leg [0065] 52a upturned portion
[0066] 54 first tab [0067] 56 second tab [0068] 58 first extension
member [0069] 60 second extension member [0070] 62 sheet
material
* * * * *