Abstract:
A method of installing elongate bodies in a building includes the steps of providing a blocking body having one or more openings; blocking a hole in a support structure of a building with the blocking body, the hole passing through the support structure; and inserting at least one elongate body through at least one of the one or more openings in the blocking body.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This relates to a method of installing elongate bodies such as cables, conduits, etc., such as may be installed in a renovated or new home or building construction. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When installing cables such as electrical wiring, coaxial cables, Ethernet lines, telephone lines, etc. in a building, it is necessary to secure the cables at certain distances. This is generally done using staples or by passing the lines through holes in the support structure. Other elongate bodies, such as conduits including water lines, gas lines, etc., are also installed in buildings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    There is provided a method of installing elongate bodies in a building, comprising the steps of: blocking a hole in a support structure of a building with the blocking body, the hole passing through the support structure; and engaging at least one elongate body within the one or more openings in the blocking body. 
         [0004]    According to an aspect, the blocking body may be an elastomeric body having an outer diameter that is sufficiently large to allow the elastomeric body to be friction fit within an inner diameter of the hole, and further comprising the step of friction fitting the elastomeric body within the hole. The blocking body may be a sheet of material placed over the hole that completely covers the hole. The blocking body may seal around the one or more elongate bodies. 
         [0005]    According to an aspect, the one or more openings may be formed by breaking a frangible connection within the blocking body. The one or more openings may be pre-formed in the blocking body. A plurality of elongate bodies may be inserted through the blocking body. The one or more openings may be spaced from an outer perimeter of the blocking body, or may be positioned at the outer perimeter of the blocking body. 
         [0006]    According to an aspect, the blocking body may be a sealing body. 
         [0007]    According to an aspect, the hole may be blocked by the blocking body before or after the at least one elongate body is inserted through at least one of the one or more openings. 
         [0008]    According to an aspect, the at least one elongate body may comprise at least one of a cable and a fluid conduit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a support structure of a building. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a support structure with a blocking body installed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view in section of a support structure with a blocking body installed. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4 through 6  are side elevation views in section of a blocking body and elongate body being installed in a support structure. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7 through 11  are views of alternative versions of blocking bodies. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    When elongate bodies, such as electrical wiring, coaxial cables, Ethernet lines, telephone lines, water lines, gas lines, etc., are installed in buildings, it is often necessary to make holes in the support structure. However, the hole may increase the egress of air between the interior and exterior of the building, as air and moisture may enter or leave the building through the hole. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a support structure  12  of a building. Support structure  12  may be a stud, such as a stud made from wood or metal that may be used in wall construction. However, support structure  12  may also be a section of panelling, trusses, cement, or any other component of a building that makes up its support structure as is known in the art. A hole  14  is formed in support structure  12 . Hole  14  is large enough for elongate bodies to be installed therethrough. Hole  14  may be pre-formed in support structure  12  or may be formed after support structure is installed. Hole  14  may be a punch-out, held in place by a frangible connection. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , hole  14  is blocked by a blocking body  16 . Blocking Body  16  preferably blocks the majority of the air passage through hole  14  and may seal hole  14 , to prevent any egress of air or moisture through hole  14 . 
         [0018]    Blocking body  16  may be made from an elastomeric material, which improves its sealing ability. Blocking body  16  may have a diameter that is slightly larger than hole  14 , such that it may be friction fit within hole  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . For example, blocking body  16  may be made from a foam material, or a resilient polymer, such that it may be compressed while being inserted and expand to seal or substantially block against an inner surface of hole  14 . Alternatively, referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , blocking body  16  may be a sheet that is installed over one side of hole  14 , such that it completely covers hole  14 . Blocking body  16  may be tacked in place, attached using an adhesive, or other known method of attachment. As a further alternative, referring to  FIG. 9 , blocking body  16  may have a groove  18  in an outer perimeter of blocking body  16  with an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of hole  14 . This may be particularly beneficial when hole  14  is formed in a thin portion of support structure  12 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , openings  20  may be positioned in the peripheral edge of blocking body  12 , such that elongate bodies  20  are positioned against the inner surface of hole  14 . In one example, blocking body  12  may be made from a deformable material such as rubber or rubber foam and made in the same general shape as hole  14 . Openings  20  being formed as blocking body  12  is inserted into hole  14  with elongate objects  20  being held against the inner surface of hole  14 . This is useful as elongate objects  20  may be held in any convenient position without concern for the orientation of blocking body  12  or for the number of objects  20  to be engaged. Referring to  FIG. 11 , it will be understood that, in addition to cables that are generally depicted in previous drawings, other elongate objects may be installed within blocking body  16 , such as water lines, vent lines, etc. 
         [0019]    As shown, elongate bodies  20  are installed through openings  22  in blocking body  16 . Blocking body  16  may be installed before elongate bodies  20  are installed, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , or after elongate bodies  20  are inserted through openings  22 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Openings  22  may be pre-formed in body  16 , or may be formed as needed. If the material is weak enough and elongate body  20  stiff enough, it may be sufficient to simply push through body  16  and form an opening  22  in that manner. Referring to  FIG. 2 , openings  22  may be circular, oval shaped, or simply a slit in body  16 . An example of each is shown in body  16 , although it will be understood that body  16  will generally be designed with the same shape of openings  22 . Openings  22  may also be closed by a frangible connection, either by removing a knock-out, or by closing a slit. Alternatively, opening  22  may be formed at the time of installation using a cutting tool. If body  16  is elastomeric, opening  22  may be formed as smaller than the anticipated size of elongate body  20 , such that it seals around elongate body  20  when installed. Preferably, openings  22  are self-sealing, such that whether elongate body  20  is installed or not, opening  22  is sealed. As shown, body  16  preferably has more than one opening  22  to allow for one or more elongate bodies  20  to be installed. Preferably, once installed, elongate bodies  20  are supported by body  16  to meet code as a elongate body support. Elongate bodies  20  may not have a circular cross-section, and may be oval, rectangular, etc. Furthermore, the size of elongate bodies  20  is not limited to small diameter elongate bodies such as electrical wiring or coaxial elongate bodies. Openings  22  may be designed or modified according to what is necessary to allow elongate bodies to be properly received within body  16 . 
         [0020]    In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. 
         [0021]    The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.