Abstract:
A locking cable support that reduces potential wire abrasion, minimizes magnetic interference to communication signals, and provides a wide opening feature that permits easy insertion of cables without first twisting them. The shape and flexibility of the improved locking cable support enable it to be opened wider than prior art metallic bridle rings, allowing easier insertion of wires. Non-metallic construction minimizes potential wire abrasion and reduces the possibility of magnetic interference with communication signals. A wide surface in the ring portion provides a comfortable seat for cables with minimal bending of cables between supports.

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Patent Application entitled “Bridle Ring for Electrical and Communication Cable” filed Feb. 21, 2001, application Ser. No. 09/790,047 and still pending. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cable supports and specifically to an improved locking cable support that is of non-metallic construction. Non-metallic construction prevents abrasion of cables held within the cable support, minimizes the possibility of unwanted magnetic fields interfering with signals running through communication cables within the cable support, and eliminates corrosion. The shape and flexibility of the improved cable support enable it to be opened wide, thereby permitting insertion of bundles of cables or individual cables without distorting the cables. The cable support of the present invention includes an improved locking feature whereby the ends of the ring snap together easily and are held more securely than previous versions of the ring. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When used in the electrical industry, the term “bridle ring” usually refers to a cable hanger that is constructed from a rod of steel. It is generally a one-piece rod of steel bent into a circular hoop with a connection mechanism, such as a threaded connector or a friction clip, at one end. It is typically used to support horizontal or vertical runs of electrical cables by suspending the cables through the hoop section of the bridle ring. 
     Typically, the hoop section of prior art rings is not quite 360° in radius, providing a small gap for insertion of cables. As a consequence of the limited size of the gap in prior art bridle rings and the rigid construction, cable bundles do not fit in prior art bridle rings. The gap in prior art bridle rings is so narrow that cable bundles cannot be fit into them. 
     Standards for telecommunication cabling systems are given in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568. Within this standard, three types of cables are recognized for horizontal cabling and include 4-pair 100 ohm UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cable, 2-pair 150 ohm STP (shielded twisted pair) cable, and 2-fiber, 62.5/125 micron optical fiber cable. Category 5 cable refers to a designation applied to UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cable whose transmission characteristics are specified up to 100 MHz. 
     When running communication cables with the existing art bridle rings, it is common for the individual cables in the bundle to be bent, twisted, or otherwise damaged as a result of the limited size of the gap, the rigid construction, and the small diameter of the metal rod utilized in constructing the ring. The metal rod that the bridle ring is constructed from is typically 0.25″ in diameter and can disturb the small cables that are typically within Category 5 cable. Bending and twisting of conductors caused by prior art bridle rings can adversely affect the data transmission rate in Category 5 cable. 
     Some manufacturers have attempted to correct the deficiencies of existing art bridle rings by attaching a curved piece of plastic to provide a better surface for supporting the cables. The piece of plastic is typically snapped on in a separate operation and adds to the expense of the existing art bridle ring. 
     The disadvantages of existing art bridle rings are: 
     (a) The rigid ring and narrow gap causes distortion of individual cables or separation of the twisted pair in UTP cable. 
     (b) It is impossible to fit bundles of cables into the narrow gap, as it is too small to accommodate them. 
     (c) The small diameter of the hoop portion of the bridle ring can cause damage to the individual small wires in communication cable bundles. 
     (d) The surface that the cable bundles rest upon is not sufficiently wide to provide a comfortable seat for the wires. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an improved cable support that provides support for cables similar to that provided by prior art bridle rings but without the several disadvantages inherent in the prior art. Since it is of non-metallic construction, the cable support of this invention reduces the possibility of abrasion occurring to cables held within its ring portion, minimizes the possibility of unwanted magnetic fields interfering with signals running through the cables, and eliminates corrosion. The shape, material of construction, and flexibility of the locking cable support enable it to open wider than prior art metallic bridle rings. As a result of the wider opening, installers may gather cables together and insert them within the ring portion with much less twisting and thereby reduce the stress applied to the cables. Distortion of individual cables or separation of the twisted pairs within UTP cable is thereby averted. The wide opening ring of the locking cable support allows easy insertion of bundles of cables. Within the locking cable support of the present invention, a wider ring portion provides a better resting surface and minimizes damage to cables held therein. A snap-fit feature is provided to enable easy installation of cables in the locking cable support of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Several advantages of the locking cable support of the present invention are: 
     (a) A wide opening feature is provided, thereby allowing cable insertion without first twisting them, minimizing separation of twisted pairs within UTP cable, and allowing insertion of bundles of cables into the ring portion of the present invention. 
     (b) The ring portion is of a larger diameter than prior art bridle rings, therefore minimizing potential damage to the small wires in communication cables. 
     (c) The surface that the cables rest upon is significantly wider than the seat in prior art bridle rings and therefore provides a more comfortable seat for the wires. 
     (d) A snap lock feature is provided for locking the two ends of the cable support after installation of telecommunication cables. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the locking cable support of the present invention in its closed configuration. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the locking cable support of FIG. 1 in its closed configuration and with a portion of the latch-receiving pocket broken away. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the locking cable support of FIG. 1 in its open configuration. 
     FIG. 4 is a top sectional view showing the latch and a small portion of the locking cable support including the pocket. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the locking cable support of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking cable support of FIG. 1, as it would appear with a cable bundle running through the ring portion. 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed drawing of a portion of the locking cable support of FIG. 1 after the two ends have been snapped together. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Nomenclature 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part No. 
                 Part Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 locking cable support 
               
               
                 12 
                 ring portion 
               
               
                 14 
                 head portion 
               
               
                 16 
                 leverage arm 
               
               
                 18 
                 latch 
               
               
                 20 
                 nose (of latch) 
               
               
                 22 
                 head extension 
               
               
                 24 
                 pocket 
               
               
                 26 
                 cable rest (broad surface) 
               
               
                 32 
                 communication cable 
               
               
                 34 
                 end (of ring) 
               
               
                 36 
                 inner portion (of head extension) 
               
               
                 38 
                 outer portion (of head extension) 
               
               
                 40 
                 lip (on nose portion of latch) 
               
               
                 42 
                 top side (of head extension) 
               
               
                 44 
                 bottom side (of head extension) 
               
               
                 46 
                 side (of nose portion) 
               
               
                 48 
                 side (of lip) 
               
               
                 50 
                 adjacent portion (of leverage arm) 
               
               
                 52 
                 channel 
               
               
                 54 
                 lower surface (of latch) 
               
               
                 56 
                 upper surface (of lip) 
               
               
                 58 
                 gap 
               
               
                 60 
                 lower portion (of ring) 
               
               
                 62 
                 upper portion (of ring) 
               
               
                 64 
                 nub 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention consists of a locking cable support. Referring to FIG. 1, a plan view of the preferred embodiment in its closed configuration, the locking cable support  10  includes an integral head  14  and ring  12 . The ring  12  extends in a circular shape from one side of the head  14  to an end  34  near the opposite side of the head. A leverage arm  16 , integral with the end  34  of the ring  12 , extends outward from the central axis of the cable support  10  and includes a latch  18  extending toward the head  14 . The head may contain a threaded rod (not shown in FIG. 1) to facilitate easy screw-on attachment to a beam clamp or could employ any common techniques for attachment to a beam. An integral head extension  22  extends outwardly from the head  14  toward the leverage arm  16  and latch  18  and includes an integral nub  64  and a latch-receiving pocket  24  (in dashed lines). 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the locking cable support of FIG. 1 in its closed configuration and with a portion of the head extension  22  broken away to show the latch-receiving pocket  24 . Two portions of the head extension  22 , delineated by the pocket  24 , may be defined as an inner portion  36  and outer portion  38 . The latch  18  includes an integral nose portion  20  and a lip  40  extending toward the leverage arm  16 . 
     The locking cable support is provided with a snap-fit feature that allows the ring to be firmly snapped together. FIG. 7 is a detailed drawing of a portion of the ends of the locking cable support where they snap fit together including the head extension  22  and leverage arm  16 . As shown in FIG. 7, the latch-receiving pocket  24  (in dashed lines) is an aperture formed within the head extension  22 . The part of the head extension  22  nearest the head  14  may be referred to as the inner portion  36  and the part nearest the leverage arm  16  may be referred to as the outer portion  38 . After a cable bundle is slipped into the ring (not shown in FIG.  7 ), the installer would snap the nose portion  20  (shown in dashed lines) of the latch  18  into the latch-receiving pocket  24 . The latch-receiving pocket  24  is of a wider dimension on the top side  42  of head extension  22  than on the bottom side  44  as shown by the dashed lines in FIG.  7 . The nose portion  20  including its integral lip  40  are of a size, shown by the distance between side  46  and side  48  in FIG. 7, slightly smaller than the narrowest portion of the latch-receiving pocket  24 . The distance across the nose portion  20  and lip  40  is typically 0.141 inch and the narrowest portion of the latch-receiving pocket  24  is typically 0.168 inch. A gap  58  exists between side  48  of the lip  40  and the adjacent side  50  of the leverage arm  16 . As an installer presses the ring together to close it, the nose portion  20  and lip  40  enter the top entrance of the pocket  24  and slide downward toward the narrow end of the pocket  24 . As the nose portion  20  and lip  40  progress further into the pocket  24 , the nub  64  on the outer portion  38  of the head extension  22  is brought in contact with the adjacent portion  50  of the leverage arm  16 . The distance across the top  42  of the outer portion  38  is typically 0.130 inch, the gap  58  typically measures 0.159 inch, and the distance across the bottom  44  of the outer portion  38 , including the nub  64 , is typically 0.180 inch. As the distance across the top of the outer portion is 0.130 inch, it easily enters the gap  58 , which measures 0.159 inch. As the nose portion  20  is pushed farther into the narrowing pocket  24 , it is pried away from the leverage arm  16  by the longer bottom surface of the outer portion  38  and nub  64  (0.180 inch). As the nose portion  20  and lip  40  finally clear the bottom side  44  of the head extension  22 , the nose portion  20  and lip  40  snap back into their unbiased position as a result of the resilient material of construction of the cable support. This completes the installation of the cable support as the latch  18  with its integral nose portion  20  and integral lip  40  portions snap lock around the outer portion  38  of the head extension  22 . FIG. 7 depicts the locking cable support after the two ends are snap locked together. The outer portion  38  of the head extension  22  is held within a channel  52 , defined as the area bordered by the nose portion  20  to the left of the outer portion  38 , the adjacent portion  50  of the leverage arm  16  to the right of the outer portion  38 , the latch  18  above the outer portion  38 , and the lip  40  below the outer portion  38  as shown in FIG.  7 . The outer portion  38  of the head extension  22  is held tightly in the channel  52  by the tight fit between the lower surface  54  of the latch  18  and the upper surface  56  of the lip  40  pressing upon the top  42  and bottom  44  sides of the outer portion  38  of the head extension  22 . Typically, the distance between the lower surface  54  of the latch  18  and the upper surface  56  of the lip  40  is 0.251 inch and the size of the outer portion  38  from the top  42  to bottom  44  sides is 0.249 inch. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the locking cable support  10  is shown in its open position. As a result of its resilient material of construction, the ring can be opened much wider by grasping the head  14  in one hand and the leverage arm  16  in the other and using a slight amount of force. If desired, the ring  10  may be opened as wide as the full diameter across the ring. This feature of the locking cable support  10  allows insertion of large bundles of cable (not shown in FIG. 3) without the need to twist the bundles. Prior art bridle rings are rigid and have a set opening which is usually quite small, necessitating the twisting of cable bundles to make them fit into the ring. The cable support  10  includes a lower portion  60  that is of a wider band width than the upper portion  62 . The lower portion  62  is wider and serves as a cable rest. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a broken away portion of the head extension  22  is shown including the latch-receiving pocket  24 . The latch  18  extends from the leverage arm  16 . The integral nose portion  20  with its integral lip  40  (not shown in FIG. 4) will be inserted into the latch-receiving pocket  24  when desired to snap fit the two ends of the ring together. 
     The locking cable support of the present invention is typically provided in two standard sizes, 2.5-inch and 4-inch. The size designations refer to the outer diameter across the closed ring. Although offered in 2 ½ and 4-inch versions, the ring could be made to many other sizes, if desired, to accommodate differing sizes of cables or cable bundles. Although the ring diameters are different in the 2 ½ and 4-inch rings, the dimensions of the snap fit mechanism typically remain the same for both versions. The width of the ring portion may vary however, as explained in conjunction with the next drawing figure. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a top view of the locking cable support  10  in an open configuration, the head extension  22  is an integral extension of the head  14 . The relative locations of the head  14 , head extension  22 , latch-receiving pocket  24 , and latch  18  are shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion  60  of the locking cable support  10  has a wider band width than the upper portion  62  of the ring. The lower portion  60  forms a wide cable rest  26  that provides support for inserted wire bundles (not shown in FIG. 5) and by virtue of its wide dimension minimizes strain and bending of individual cables. The band width is typically 0.625 inch for a standard 2.5-inch locking cable support, which is much wider than the typical 0.250 inch diameter of prior art bridle rings. The band width of a standard 4.0-inch locking cable support typically would be in the range of 0.625 to 1.25 inch. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the closed locking cable support  10 , as it would appear with a number of typical telecommunication cables  32  running through the ring portion  12 . The head  14  is typically connected to a beam or other support (not shown in FIG.  6 ). The latch  18  is shown locked into place in the pocket  24  (only a portion of which is shown in FIG.  7 ). The width of the lower portion  60  of the ring  10  constitutes the cable rest  26 , and as shown in FIG. 7 is quite wide to provide adequate support to the cable bundle. The cable rest  26  constitutes a significant improvement in easing stresses on the wires and reducing potential abrasion. The elasticity and resiliency of the plastic material of construction, typically nylon or polypropylene, is such that the ring  10  may be opened as wide as the full diameter of the ring. This wide opening feature of the present invention allows the ring to be opened as wide as the inner diameter across the ring portion  12 , thereby allowing cable bundles to be easily laid into the ring with no twisting. The snap fit feature allows installers to quickly complete the installation. 
     Although the description above contains many specific descriptions and proposed sizes, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Typical sizes are provided to illustrate a given embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.