Abstract:
A cable support apparatus having an elongate spine member and a plurality of support members attached to the elongate spine member along the length thereof, the plurality of support members positioned relative one another to permit substantial bending of the elongate spine member, the plurality of support members defining at least two cable pathways disposed in at least partial vertical alignment relative to each other each being space a predetermined distance away from the elongate spine member, the at least two cable pathways adapted to receive and support cables therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/629,265 filed Jul. 31, 2000 which application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US99/01913 filed Jan. 29, 1999 which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/015,814 filed Jan. 29, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,323 which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/637,390 filed Apr. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,702. The entire contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.  
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present disclosure relates to cable management systems and more particularly to flexible cable management systems for cable management and installation applications.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    With the increasing volume of communication and data cables being incorporated into buildings cable management systems are becoming more and more critical. Previous cable management systems utilized rigid box trays or ladders which required a high degree of labor and components to perform even a simple installation. The amount of labor and additional components significantly increased when attempting an installation which required routing the cable tray around obstacles such as ductwork, plumbing or other building systems.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, a need exists for cable management systems which simplify the installation process and reduce the assembly of numerous different components to route the cable tray around obstacles.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    The presently disclosed flexible cable management system provides a greatly simplified installation, organization, routing and protection of cable. It is designed in such a way as to bend into curves in either lateral or vertical directions without tools, heat, fixtures or chemical alterations and as such is different from any other product. It therefore eliminates the need to procure and to install turning components and transitions. The design of the presently disclosed cable management system with multiple fastener points, allows for single person installation. This will create significant savings in person hours for the design and installation of the invention in user installations.  
           [0008]    In one embodiment, the presently disclosed cable management system provides a cable support apparatus having an elongate flexible spine member selectively bendable into a number of different configurations and a plurality of support members, at least some of the plurality of support members being attached to the elongate flexible spine member at least at two points along the length thereof, while permitting substantial bending by hand of the elongate flexible spine member. Each of the plurality of support members defines at least one area adapted to receive and support a cable therein.  
           [0009]    The cable support apparatus may include a mounting terminal that is formed adjacent a juncture between one of the plurality of support members and the elongate flexible spine member, the mounting terminal is configured and dimensioned to cooperate with hardware to facilitate mounting the cable support apparatus to a structure positioned a vertical distance away from the cable support apparatus.  
           [0010]    In one alternative embodiment, at least some of the plurality of support members define two partially enclosed areas disposed below the flexible spine member and being configured and dimensioned to receive a plurality of cables therein. The flexible spine member may be positioned along a plane located centrally between the two partially enclosed areas.  
           [0011]    The plurality of support members each preferably defines an opening in communication with the at least one area for receiving cables. The opening is disposed a vertical distance away from the flexible spine member to permit loading or unloading of cables on the cable support apparatus when the cable support apparatus is mounted relative to a base.  
           [0012]    In another aspect of the cable support apparatus the plurality of support members are attached to the flexible spine member such that the flexible spine member is maintained at a predetermined distance away from the at least one area of each of the plurality of support members.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment, the flexible spine member is disposed substantially vertically aligned with the center of gravity of the cable support apparatus.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment a cable support apparatus is provided, which includes an elongate flexible spine member selectively bendable into a number of different configurations, and a plurality of support members attached to the elongate flexible spine member along the length thereof. The plurality of support members are positioned relative one another to permit substantial bending by hand of the elongate flexible spine member. Further, the plurality of support members each define a partially enclosed area configured and dimensioned to receive a plurality of cables therein. Additionally, a mounting terminal is formed adjacent a juncture between at least one of the plurality of support members and the elongate flexible spine member. The mounting terminal is configured and dimensioned to cooperate with hardware so as to facilitate mounting the cable support apparatus to a structure positioned above the cable support apparatus.  
           [0015]    In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a cable support apparatus having an elongate spine member and a plurality of support members attached to the elongate spine member along the length thereof, the plurality of support members positioned relative one another to permit substantial bending of the elongate spine member, the plurality of support members defining at least two cable pathways disposed in at least partial vertical alignment relative to each other each being space a predetermined distance away from the elongate spine member, the at least two cable pathways adapted to receive and support cables therein.  
           [0016]    In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of installing a cable support apparatus by providing a cable support apparatus having an elongate flexible spine member, the elongate flexible spine member having a plurality of support members which define at least two cable pathways and bending the elongate flexible spine member to a selected configuration such that the flexible spine member remains substantially in the selected configuration upon placement of cables in the at least one cable pathway. Finally the cable support apparatus is secured relative to a base.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:  
         [0018]    For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flexible cable management system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2A is an end view of an enter/exit component;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2B is a side view of an enter/exit component;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2C is a top view of an enter/exit component;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3A is a top view of a flexible spine and a plurality of spoke members;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3B is a side view of a spoke member;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3C is a side view of a flexible spine member having spoke members and enter/exit component installed thereon;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4A is a side view of a flexible cable management system fastened to concrete;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4B is a side view of a flexible cable management system fastened to wallboard;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4C is a side view of two support sections connected by means of a mechanical clamp;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the presently disclosed cable management system;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, which shows the flexibility of the cable management system;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is an end view of a further alternative embodiment of the presently disclosed cable management system;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cable management system embodiment of FIG. 7;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is an end view of a further alternative embodiment of the presently disclosed cable management system;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 12 is an end view of an alternative configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the presently disclosed cable management system;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the presently disclosed cable management system;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 14;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a flexible cable management system in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 17 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 16;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 16; and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 19 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 16.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0044]    Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1, the presently disclosed flexible cable management system  100  is shown having both lateral and vertical bends formed therein. Such bends can be formed without the use of tools or other devices. Multiple fastener points  3  allow the flexible cable management system  100  to be secured in whatever position it has been bent, by means of a washered fastener  7  to a concrete surface  10  or a wall board anchor  9  to a wall board surface  11 . A plurality of cables  13  are installed within the flexible cable management system and are capable of being secured to any of a plurality of cable support members such as spokes  5  with a standard cable fastener  14 . Sections of flexible cable management system  100  can be joined together at a connector tail  1 .  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and  2 C, an enter/exit component  2  is illustrated in the three views. The enter/exit component  2  is indexed to the flexible cable management system  100  by means of a spoke index and secured by wire ties passed through attachment holes  4 . A cable may be secured to enter/exit component  2  by means of wire ties passed through wire tie attachment holes  12  and further held in place by means of cable containment tabs  15 . A cable radius  17  is formed in enter/exit component  2  to preclude the installed cable from bending too tightly or kinking.  
         [0046]    In FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C, a flexible spine  6 , spokes  5  and enter/exit component  2  are shown in their assembled positions.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and  4 C, various means for attaching the flexible cable management system  100  are illustrated. In FIG. 4A, flexible cable management system  100  is shown anchored to a concrete surface  10  at fastening point  3  by means of washered fastener  7 . In FIG. 4B, flexible cable management system  100  is anchored to a wall board  11  at a fastener point  3  by means of a wall board fastener  9 . Two support sections are shown joined together at connector tails  1  by means of a standard clamp  8 , in FIG. 4C.  
         [0048]    The flexible cable management system  100  includes a series of formed wire spokes  5  welded to a single spine  6 . The wire spokes  5  are formed in a fashion to allow the maneuvering and protection of the cables  13  that are installed in the system. Having a single spine allows the flexible cable management system  100  to be bent by hand in any direction necessary. Each spoke  5  has two fastener points  3  which allow the flexible cable management system  100  to be secured to the installation surface at multiple points along its length. Preformed proprietary enter/exit components  2  attach to spokes  5  of the flexible cable management system  100  at any point allowing the cable  13  to exit the flexible cable management system  100  without the risk of damage due to kinking. Flexible cable management system  100  is designed in such a way that it can be installed beneath raised floor, on existing floors, on walls and risers or suspended from a ceiling.  
         [0049]    During installation, the technician will lay out the path of the cable runs on the primary floor of an installation area between the stantions of the raised floor. The technician would then place eight foot sections of the flexible cable management system  100  on the layout lines, bending by hand where necessary either laterally, up a wall or down a riser. Then, using a standard power charged stud gun and washered fasteners, randomly secure the flexible cable management system  100  to the installation area floor by means of the built in fastener rings. Anti-kink enter/exit components  2  would be installed on spokes  5  of the flexible cable management system  100  where it is necessary for cables  13  to exit the system to reach their destination. After the network of flexible cable management system  100  is completed, the technician would place copper and/or fiber optic cable into flexible cable management system  100  and randomly secure it using cable ties, to spokes  5  of flexible cable management system  100 . Flexible cable management system  100  allows cable to be organized, routed and protected against crushing or kinking.  
         [0050]    Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative embodiment of the cable management system of the present disclosure is shown generally as flexible cable tray  200 . Many of the overall characteristics of cable management system  100  are also featured in cable tray  200 . Accordingly, the following description will focus mainly on the unique structural and functional aspects of cable tray  200 . It is within the scope of the present disclosure, however, that the assembly, connection and fastening features described above in connection with cable management system  100  may apply to cable tray  200  as well.  
         [0051]    Cable tray  200  is particularly suited for use in installations wherein it is desirable or even necessary to route cable bundles overhead. The prior practice in some installations of simply laying cable on the top of suspended ceiling gridwork now violates electrical code requirements for many locations. Further, cabling such as fiber optic or copper data transmission cable is subject to signal attenuation due to damage, no matter how slight, which may often be the result of the cable being haphazardly positioned along the top of ceiling grid structure and thus exposed to such damage. Cable tray  200  provides a novel way of suspending cable bundles from the framework of the building structure itself, for example by bracketing the tray to studs or the like.  
         [0052]    Similar to cable management system  100 , cable tray  200  is preferably constructed of wire stock and includes a flexible spine  206  which runs centrally along the length of cable tray  200 . This configuration provides the maximum flexibility for cable tray  200  and, therefore maximum versatility during installation. A dual opening cable support member  205  is formed by bending the wire stock to form cable receiving portions  220  and  222  disposed one on either side of central spine  206 . The two receiving portions may be defined by a single piece of wire stock which is bent to form a web section  224 . Central spine  206  may be attached to web portion  224  either transversely along the top thereof, as shown in FIG. 5, or the bottom thereof, by any suitable known methods, for example, welding.  
         [0053]    The central location of spine  206  facilitates the self balancing feature of cable tray  200 . In particular, once cable tray  200  is installed, cable is preferably loaded evenly into each of receiving portions  220  and  222  to effectuate a balanced load in cable tray  200 . Looped ends  226  and  228  are provided on cable support  205  to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent damage due to contact of cables with rough edges during installation.  
         [0054]    As shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6, cable tray  200  may be flexed significantly to either side, to effectuate at least about a 90 degree or even greater turn of cable tray  200  without individual cable support sections  205  making contact with each other. Similarly, cable tray  200  may transition from a horizontal run to a vertical run.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a further alternative embodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure is shown generally as cable tray  300 . Cable tray  300  features partially enclosed cable receiving portion  320 . Spine  306  is attached to cable support members  305  transversely along a top segment thereof in similar manner as set forth above for cable tray  200  and cable management system  100 . Spine  306  is attached to cable supports  305  substantially directly over the center of gravity of the unit as a whole. In this manner, when cable tray  300  is loaded with cable evenly within receiving portion  320 , there will not be any undesirable torque applied to spine  306  which is preferably attached to the building structure by suitable brackets or the like. End portions  326  and  328  are formed to bend away from the opening into receiving portion  320  to minimize the chance of even the slightest amount of damage to the cabling being placed in the receiving portion  320 .  
         [0056]    Referring to FIGS. 9 through 11, a further alternative embodiment of the cable management system of the present disclosure is shown generally as flexible cable tray  400 . Cable tray  400  is similar in many aspects to cable management systems  100  and  200  described above. Accordingly, the following description will focus on the unique structural and functional aspects of cable tray  400 . It is within the scope of the present disclosure, however, that the assembly, connection and fastening features described above in connection with cable management system embodiments  100  and  200  may apply to cable tray  400  as well.  
         [0057]    Similar to cable management system embodiments  100  and  200 , cable tray  400  is preferably constructed of wire stock and includes a flexible spine  406  which runs centrally along the length of cable tray  400 . Cable support members  407  are formed by bending the wire stock to form cable receiving portions  420  and  422 . Cable support members  407  are attached in pairs, one on either side of central spine  406 . As illustrated in FIGS.  9 - 11 , the two receiving portions  420  and  422  are defined by forming two separate lengths of wire stock by bending them into the configuration of the cable receiving and holding areas, e.g., the open ended rectangular areas illustrated in FIG. 9. It is understood, however, that other geometric configurations may also be utilized.  
         [0058]    Mounting loops  427 , FIG. 10, are formed as unshaped horizontal terminal ends at the upper terminus of the respective inboard vertical leg of receiving portions  420  and  422  of adjacent cable support members  407 . Mounting loops  427  are preferably nested, as best shown in FIG. 10, when cable support sections  407  are attached to spine  406  in a side by side relationship. In this manner, cable tray  400  retains sufficient flexibility so as to be bent by hand for the particular curvature required by the installation. As noted above for previous embodiments, the spine  406  may be attached either transversely along the top of mounting loops  427 , as shown in FIG. 9, or the bottom thereof, by any suitable known methods, for example, welding. In this manner, a double attachment point is established for each cable support member  407  with respect to flexible central spine  406 , thereby greatly reducing moment forces which could otherwise potentially be created in the longitudinal direction of spine  406  at the connection and providing greater stability and strength for each connection.  
         [0059]    Alternatively, side by side support members  407  may be formed from a single piece of wire stock bent to form an “s” shaped configuration such that three attachment points are formed between the cable support member and the spine.  
         [0060]    Mounting loops  427  are configured and dimensioned to receive mounting hardware, for example, a threaded bolt and nut combination (see FIG. 13). This eliminates the need for additional separate mounting brackets or the like which would otherwise have to be attached to cable tray  400  in order to mount it to the overhead structure of the building.  
         [0061]    As with cable tray  200 , the central location of spine  406  facilitates the self balancing feature of cable tray  400 . Looped ends  426  and  428  are provided on cable support  407  to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent damage due to contact of cables with rough edges during installation. FIG. 12, however, illustrates an alternative configuration of cable tray  400 , designated as cable tray  400   a , wherein the looped ends are formed with an inwardly directed bend illustrated by looped ends  426   a  and  428   a . In this configuration, looped ends  426   a  and  428   a  are preferably formed such that the gaps formed by looped ends  426   a  and  428   a  with vertical portions  429  and  431 , respectively, are sufficiently narrow that the individual cables (not shown) coming in contact with looped ends are not damaged. An advantageous feature of this configuration is that cables positioned in cable tray  400   a  are less likely to be inadvertently moved out of the tray. This is particularly beneficial when cable bundles are being pulled through the tray, especially when being pulled around curved sections where there may be a tendency for the cables to rise near the opening.  
         [0062]    Referring to FIG. 13, a further alternative embodiment of the cable management system of the present disclosure is shown generally as flexible cable tray  500 . Cable tray  500  is similar to the embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 7 and 8 for cable tray  300  except that mounting loops  527  are formed as described above for mounting loops  427  of cable tray  400  to provide two attachment points for cable supports  505  to spine  506 . Additionally, looped ends  526  formed on the outboard vertical leg of cable supports  505 , shown formed outwardly in FIG. 13, may be reversed and formed as described above for the embodiment of cable tray  400  in order to provide the retention feature previously described.  
         [0063]    Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a further alternative embodiment of the cable management system of the present disclosure is shown generally as flexible cable tray  600 . Cable tray  600  is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 and described above, for cable tray  500 . In particular, mounting loops  627  are formed at the attachment of cable supports  605  to spine  606 . Additionally, looped ends  626  formed on the outboard vertical leg of cable supports  605 , shown formed outwardly in FIGS. 14 and 15, may be reversed and formed as described above for the embodiment of cable tray  400  in order to provide the retention feature previously described.  
         [0064]    As noted above, in the configuration of cable tray  300  of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 and described above, spine  306  is attached to cable supports  305  substantially directly over the center of gravity of the unit as a whole. In contrast, the configuration of cable tray  600  is such that spine  606  is substantially in vertical alignment with the inboard side of the partially enclosed cable receiving and retaining portion  620 . In this manner, cable tray  600  may be readily attached to vertical surfaces by any suitable attachment hardware either by utilizing mounting loops  627  or by direct attachment of spine  606 .  
         [0065]    Referring to FIGS.  16 - 19 , one embodiment of the presently disclosed flexible cable management system includes a plurality of cable support sections  700 . Cable support sections  700  are similar to the cable support apparatus embodiments disclosed in applicant&#39;s co-pending international application WO 99/39416 published Aug. 5, 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0066]    In particular, cable tray sections  700  are most similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, disclosed in the above-noted published application. The significant and novel difference between the two embodiment is the arrangement of a second cable pathway  701   b  formed by a series of cable support members  705   b  attached to flexible spine  706  in the same manner as described in the above-noted published application as for the other embodiments therein. As best shown in FIG. 17, cable support members  705   b  are provided with a vertical leg section  703   b  which is sufficiently longer than a vertical leg section  703   a  formed on cable support members  705   a , such that an access opening  707  to cable pathway  701   b  is formed below support members  705   a.    
         [0067]    Although only two cable pathways  701   a  and  701   b  are shown formed on the same side of cable tray sections  700 , it is envisioned that additional cable pathways could be formed by attaching additional cable support sections to flexible spine  706 . Further, such pathways could be formed on both sides, above or below flexible spine  706 .  
         [0068]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.