Abstract:
A tee assembly for use between horizontal raceway sections and a vertical raceway has a divider that separates the cables running between separate wireways in these raceways. The divider has unique ramps to guide fiber optic cables around generous radii, and is also reversible to lend a degree of flexibility to the divider.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a tee assembly for use in a raceway system that provides wire and cable management for data, power, audio, and video applications. More specifically, the invention allows for routing power cables and communications cables through the same raceway with both power and communications cables being routable straight through the tee assembly and through a 90 degree bend while maintaining separation between the power and communications cables. 
     Tee assemblies have traditionally provided raceways with the capability of routing cables or wires both straight and at 90 degree bends through the same raceway system at the same location in the raceway system. This multi-directional capacity has provided efficient space management by minimizing the space that normally would be taken up by the multiple, separate raceway systems required to rout cables in varying directions. 
     Combining multiple cable routs within the same raceway has its limitations. The UL National Electric Code (NEC) requires power cables to be kept separate from communications cables when installed in raceway systems. Accordingly, raceway ducts and tee assemblies are provided with dividers which separate the power cables from the communications cables. It is often the case, however, that interior office spaces need to be wired for both power and communications-based operations, and thus requiring both power cables and communications cables to be routed to the same locations within the same interior office space. Thus, power cables need to be routed both straight and branched, and communications cables need to be routed likewise. Accordingly, a raceway, likely incorporating a tee assembly, having multiple wireway capacity is most efficient for the job. However, in order to maintain the design and space saving benefits that tee assemblies provide, while maintaining compliance with UL NEC requirements, the power and communications cables must be routed in multiple directions without commingling or entangling the cables. 
     To prevent commingling or entangling, typical prior art raceway system tee assemblies incorporate a bridge device  10 , as shown in FIG. 1. A raceway system having a tee shaped assembly  12  (depicted in FIG. 1 as a base fitting) accommodates linear raceway base members  14   a ,  14   b , and  14   c . Raceway members  14   a  and  14   b  are aligned along the top of the tee, while the third raceway member  14   c  is perpendicularly positioned with relation to the first two raceway members  14   a  and  14   b . The bridge  10  is positioned in the tee assembly base fitting  12 , and allows power cables A from a first wireway  16  to be routed over communications cables B routed through a second wireway  18 , where it is desired that a portion of the communications cables B be routed through the perpendicularly positioned raceway member  14   c  of the raceway system. 
     The bridge  10  has a funnel shaped configuration with opposed side walls  20 ,  20  that are curved to define a funnel shape allowing power cables A to be routed in an arcuate fashion from raceway member  14   a  and/or raceway member  14   b  to raceway member  14   c . A space  22  is provided behind the bridge device  10  and defines a straight through passageway for power cables A extending between the axially aligned raceway members  14   a  and  14   b . Communications cables B may similarly be routed through the tee assembly  12 —i.e., either bent or straight—however, communications cables B merely use the tee assembly base fitting  12  as a guide. 
     A significant disadvantage of the prior art bridge device  10  is that cable capacity through the bend of the tee assembly is greatly reduced, typically by 50% or more, attributable to the decreased cross-section through the funnel-shaped portion of the bridge. Thus, the cable capacity of the entire raceway system is restricted by the limitations of the tee assembly—i.e., the number of cables routed through the entire raceway system is dependent upon the number of cables that can be accommodated through the bend of the tee assembly. In order to increase the cable capacity of a raceway system with a tee assembly incorporating a bridge device, a tee assembly with a larger cross-sectional capacity is required (i.e., increasing the cross-section of the wireways at the bend portion of the tee assembly), which would protrude out from the raceway. This is undesirable in situations where the raceway system should be discrete and use as little office space as possible. 
     Another disadvantage of the prior art bridge device  10  is the lack of a smooth transition for cables being routed from a linear raceway member  14   a  over the bridge  10  and into another linear raceway member  14   c . The prior art bridge  10  is provided with a flat planar section  24  supported at an intermediate position between the base surface and the top surface by sidewalls on each side of the planar surface. Thus, a cable B running adjacent the base surface of the tee assembly must not only be bent through the funnel-shaped portion of the bridge, but it must be contorted upwardly into order to pass across the planar surface  24  of the bridge  10 . Cables with less flexibility are less likely to follow a path through a raceway that takes up a minimal cross-sectional space when they are subjected to multiple contortions and bends within a relatively small segment of the cable. Accordingly, bridge devices that require the cables to “step-up” and “step-down” in order to pass across the bridge device having proven undesirable where maximization of the cross-sectional capacity of a raceway is preferred. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,855 to Nicoli et al. attempts to alleviate the drawbacks of the bridge device shown in FIG. 1, by expanding the width of the funnel-shaped portion. However, the Nicoli et al. bridge device does little to overcome the step transition drawback typical of the prior art bridge devices. 
     Another disadvantage of prior art bridge devices is that they often must be secured to the tee assembly and provide little flexibility of use. Most bridges must be smaller than the tee assembly so as to leave channel space for multiple wireways. To prevent shifting within the assembly, the bridge is often welded, screwed or bolted to the assembly (as shown in FIG. 1 by bracket  26 ). Alternatively, the bridge is provided with sidewalls that run flush with the sidewalls of the tee assembly to restrict lateral shifting of the bridge (as disclosed in Nicoli et al.). 
     Many prior art tee assemblies also have not proved suitable for accommodating fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cable cannot accommodate a bend radius of less than 2 inches when routed through a bend of a tee assembly. Such cable can be damaged when routed through a bend having a sub-optimal radius of curvature. Thus, certain bridge designs whereby fiber optic cables may be contorted through sharp angles due to limited use of the space within the tee assembly have proved undesirable. 
     The chief aim of the present invention is to provide a tee assembly which is not only capable of accommodating fiber optic cable with no more than a two inch radius bend, but which can separate wires routed through the assembly without significantly reducing the cable capacity of the raceway system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a tee assembly is provided to be used in a raceway system for routing cables in an environment that requires the cables to undergo bends of 90 degrees. In its presently preferred form, the tee assembly accommodates cables that may be routed through the bend, but additionally allows for other cables to be routed straight-through the same tee assembly without entangling the cables. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tee assembly wherein the drawbacks of the prior art are avoided. Accordingly, the present invention incorporates a tee section divider which maintains separation of cables in accordance to the UL NEC requirements without reducing the cable capacity of the wireways it separates and defines. In its preferred embodiment, the tee section divider has a central portion which substantially spans a diverging portion of the tee assembly, providing ample space for cables to be routed straight through the tee assembly or at a 90 degree bend, and flared ramps located on the three ends of the tee section divider, providing a gradual transition for cables routed through the tee assembly of the present invention. Moreover, the tee assembly divider of the present invention provides great flexibility in use, specifically facilitating construction of raceway systems in the field. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereto will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 shows the prior art bridge device commonly used in raceway tee assemblies. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a raceway system in the process of assembly incorporating three linear raceway sections, a tee assembly base fitting, a tee assembly cover fitting, and the tee assembly divider of the present invention positioned in the base fitting. 
     FIG. 3 shows the raceway system of FIG. 2 with the tee assembly divider removed and cables routed through the base fitting. 
     FIG. 4 shows the raceway system of FIG. 3 with the tee assembly divider in place, cables routed through a first wireway located below the divider, and cables routed through a second wireway located above the divider. 
     FIG. 5 shows a raceway system similar to FIG. 4 except with the tee assembly divider in a second, inverted position and cables routed through the two wireways formed based on the position of the divider. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the means for securing the cover fitting to the base fitting. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the means for detachably securing t he divider into the base fitting as shown in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 2 illustrates the tee assembly  30  constructed in accordance with the present invention. Tee assembly  30  is capable of accommodating perpendicular linear raceway members  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c , with raceway members  32   a  and  32   b  being axially aligned along the head of the tee and raceway member  32   c  being perpendicularly positioned thereto along the stem of the tee. 
     A housing  34  is preferably formed from attaching a cover fitting  36  to a base fitting  38 . Cover fitting  36  comprises a top surface  40  and first, second, and third cover sidewalls  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c  respectively, with first cover sidewall  42   a  generally being straight while second and third cover sidewalls  42   b  and  42   c  are generally curved or arcuate, preferably having radii of curvature of at least two (2) inches. 
     Cover fitting  36  is provided with a plurality of inwardly protruding clip members  44 ,  44  (as shown in FIG. 6) located on the cover sidewalls  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c  at the portion of said sidewalls removed from the top surface  40  of the cover fitting  36 . 
     Base fitting  38  comprises a base surface  46  and first, second and third base sidewalls  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c  respectively, with first base sidewall  48   a  generally being straight while second and third base sidewalls  48   b  and  48   c  are generally curved or arcuate, preferably having radii of curvature of at least two (2) inches. 
     Base fitting  38  is provided with a plurality of holes or notches  50 ,  50  located on the base sidewalls  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c  adjacent the base surface  46 . Holes  50  are aligned with clip members  44  such that when cover fitting  36  is fitted over and around base fitting  38 , clip members  44  engage holes  50  and secure cover fitting  36  to base fitting  38 . When cover fitting  36  is attached to base fitting  38 , first, second and third cover sidewalls  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c  overlap and are held flush with first, second and third base sidewalls  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c , respectively, effectively creating first, second and third housing sidewalls  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c  (not shown). From here on, discussion of the first, second and third housing sidewalls  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c  applies to the first, second and third cover sidewalls  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c  and the first, second and third base sidewalls  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c.    
     First housing sidewall  52   a  is generally straight, while second and third housing sidewalls  52   b  and  52   c  are generally curved or arcuate. Second and third housing sidewalls  52   b  and  52   c  are comprised of three segments apiece: a first leg  54 , an opposite leg  56  and a central curved segment  58 , with opposite leg  56  of second housing sidewall  52   b  being essentially parallel to opposite leg  56  of third housing sidewall  52   c , and first leg  54  of second housing sidewall  52   b  and first leg  54  of third housing sidewall  52   c  being essentially parallel to first housing sidewall  52   a.    
     Housing  34 , with cover fitting  36  attached to base fitting  38 , defines a channel  60 , through which wires or cables A and B are routed (as shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 ). Housing  34  further defines first, second and third end portions  62   a ,  62   b  and  62   c , the longitudinal dimensions of which are defined by the length of first leg segment  54  and opposite leg segment  56 , and in which channel  60  has a uniform cross-section. First and second end portions  62   a  and  62   b  are generally aligned along the axis of the first housing sidewall  52   a . Third end portion  62   c  is oriented perpendicular to first and second end portion  62   a  and  62   b . First, second and third end portions  62   a ,  62   b  and  62   c  are adapted to receive corresponding linear raceway sections  32   a ,  32   b  and  32   c . Tabs  64 ,  64  located on the base surface  46  of base fitting  38  protrude into a corresponding linear raceway section for securing the linear raceway section to the tee assembly  30 . 
     Housing  34  further defines a diverging portion  66  connecting first, second and third end portions  62   a ,  62   b  and  62   c . Diverging portion  66  is further defined, in part, by the first housing sidewall  52   a , and curved central segments  58 ,  58  of the second and third housing sidewalls  52   b  and  52   c.    
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two wireway channels allowing power and low voltage cables in the same raceway. Linear raceway sections  32   a ,  32   b  and  32   c  are each provided with an integral divider  68  which defines a first and a second wireway section  70   a  and  70   b  of substantially equal size and cross-section. 
     Tee assembly  30  is provided with a divider  72  which adopts the general tee shape of the channel  60 . The divider has a first surface  74  and a second surface  76 , and is contorted such that it has three vertical end portions  78 ,  78  that align with the integral dividers  68  of the linear raceway sections and run parallel to the housing sidewalls  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c . The divider  72  has three end zones culminating in and corresponding with the vertical end portions  78 ,  78 , and which align with the first, second and third end portions  62   a ,  62   b  and  62   c  of the housing  34 . Each end zone of the divider  72  has two flared ramps  80  and  82  which aid in positioning and securing the divider  72  within the housing  34  and allow the cables A and B to run through the tee assembly  30  with a reduced amount of contortion other than the bend required to rout the cables A and B to and through linear raceway sections. Each ramp  80 ,  82  has a first end  84  originating at a vertical end portion  78  and an opposite end  86  originating at a point in line with the inward edge of the corresponding end portion of the housing  62   a ,  62   b  or  62   c . The first ramp  80  is inverted with relation to the second ramp  82 . 
     The divider  72  also has a central web portion  88  substantially parallel to and intermediate the base surface  46  and top surface  40  of the housing  34 . The central web portion  88  substantially spans the diverging portion  66  of the housing  34 , being defined by the first housing sidewall  52   a , the central curved segments  58 ,  58  of the second and third housing sidewalls  52   b  and  52   c , and the first, second and third end portions  62   a ,  62   b  and  62   c  of the housing  34 . The flared ramps  80 ,  82  are located on the edges of the central web portion  88  defined by the first, second and third end portions  62   a ,  62   b  and  62   c , and are preferably curved so as to provide a smooth transition between the essentially flat surface of the central web portion  88  to either the top surface  40  or base surface  46  of the housing  34 . 
     The divider  72  is positioned within the housing  34  and divides the channel  60  into two wireway spaces  90   a  and  90   b . As is shown in FIG. 4, first wireway space  90   a  runs above the divider  72  with first surface  74  defining the base, and the top surface  40  of the housing  34  defining the top of first wireway space  90   a . Second wireway space  90   b  runs below the divider  72  with second surface  76  defining the top, and the base surface  46  of the housing  34  defining the bottom of second wireway space  90   b . Preferably, the divider  72  is reversible and invertable such that first surface  74  may take the place of second surface  76  in defining the second wireway space  90   b , and second surface  76  may take the place of first surface  74  in defining first wireway space  90   a , as is shown in FIG.  5 . 
     In the first position of the divider  72  (FIG.  4 ), first wireway space  90   a  allows cables B to run straight along first housing sidewall  32   a  from wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   a  up flared ramp  80  along central web portion  88  and down flared ramp  80  to wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   b . Also, cables B may be routed through first wireway space  90   a  from wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   a  up flared ramp  80  along central web portion  88  and down flared ramp  80  to wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   c  and/or from wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   b  up flared ramp  80  along central web portion  88  and down flared ramp  80  to wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   c.    
     In the same configuration of the divider  72 , second wireway space  90   b  allows cables A to run straight from wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   a  through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  82  under central web portion  88  and through the space defined by inverted flared ramp to wireway  82  to wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   b . Also, cables A may be routed through second wireway space  90   b  from wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   a  through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  82  under central web portion  88  and through the space defined by inverted flared ramp to wireway  82  to wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   c  (along third housing sidewall  52   c ) and/or from wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   b  through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  82  under central web portion  88  and through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  82  to wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   c.    
     In the second position of the divider  72  (FIG.  5 ), first wireway space  90   a  allows cables A to run straight from wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   a  up flared ramp  82  along central web portion  88  and down flared ramp  82  to wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   b . Also, cables A may be routed through first wireway space  90   a  from wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   a  up flared ramp  82  along central web portion  88  and down flared ramp  82  to wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   c  and/or from wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   b  up flared ramp  82  along central web portion  88  and down flared ramp  82  to wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   c  (along second housing sidewall  52   b ). 
     In the same configuration of the divider  72 , second wireway space  90   b  allows cables B to run straight along the first housing sidewall  52   a  from wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   a  through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  80  under central web portion  88  and through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  80  to wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   b . Also, cables B may be routed through second wireway space  90   b  from wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   a  through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  80  under central web portion  88  and through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  80  to wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   c  and/or from wireway  70   a  in linear raceway  32   b  through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  80  under central web portion  88  and through the space defined by inverted flared ramp  80  to wireway  70   b  in linear raceway  32   c.    
     Preferably, the divider  72  is detachably secured in housing  34  by securing means comprising inwardly protruding clips members  92 ,  92  located on the base sidewalls  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   c  of base fitting  38 , as shown in FIG.  7 . Two clip members  92 ,  92  are located on first base sidewall  48   a  and each is aligned with a corresponding inwardly protruding shelf member  94  which supports the weight of the divider  72  to prevent the divider  72  from sagging into the wireway space  90   b  located beneath the divider  72 . Second and third base sidewalls  48   b  and  48   c  each are provided with one clip member  92 , preferably located at the center of the corresponding central curved segment  58 . 
     While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing invention has been presented and described by way of illustration and not by limitation.