Cable management system

A cable support apparatus includes first and second horizontal supports spaced-apart and substantially parallel to one another, a plurality of vertical supports spaced-apart horizontally along the first and second horizontal supports, and at least one junction box assembly configured to hang from the first horizontal support. Each horizontal support is formed from wire stock. Each vertical support is formed from wire stock and secured to each of the first and second horizontal supports. At least two of the vertical supports include cable-receiving segments that cooperate to define at least one cable-receiving channel extending horizontally. The at least one junction box assembly includes an input and an output for receiving cable ends of cables disposed within one of the at least one cable-receiving channels to enable joining of the cable ends within the junction box assembly.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to cable management and, more particularly, to cable management systems for carrying cables (e.g., electrical cables), conduits, or other elongated structures to be conveyed.

Description of Related Art

Due to the increasing usage of power, communication, data, and other cable-dependent systems, greater numbers of cables are required to interconnect various systems with one another and with various peripheral devices. As a result, cable management systems have been developed to deal with the task of organizing and routing cables to their destinations, sometimes across long distances. As can be appreciated, these cable management systems must be capable of securely retaining one or more cables and routing the cables to their destinations.

SUMMARY

To the extent consistent, any of the aspects detailed herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects detailed herein.

A cable support apparatus provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes first and second horizontal supports spaced-apart and substantially parallel to one another, a plurality of vertical supports spaced-apart horizontally along the first and second horizontal supports, and at least one junction box assembly configured to hang from the first horizontal support. Each horizontal support is formed from wire stock and each vertical support is formed from wire stock. Each vertical support is secured to each of the first and second horizontal supports. At least two of the vertical supports include cable-receiving segments that cooperate to define at least one cable-receiving channel extending horizontally. The at least one junction box assembly includes an input and an output for receiving cable ends of cables disposed within one of the at least one cable-receiving channels to enable joining of the cable ends within the junction box assembly.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the vertical supports are secured to the first and second horizontal supports via welding.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the cable-receiving segments of the at least two of the vertical supports define rectangular-shaped cable-receiving areas extending perpendicularly relative to a plane containing the first and second horizontal supports.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of cable-receiving channels extend horizontally, vertically offset relative to one another.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, at least two of the vertical supports further include cable-grasping segments configured to defining a cable-grasping channel extending horizontally.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the vertical supports cooperates with each of the first and second horizontal supports to define first and second enclosed openings that enabling mounting of the cable support apparatus.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the vertical supports defines a coupling arrangement configured to releasably secure a modular attachment thereto. The modular attachment may be a conduit support including an enclosed ring.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, at least two of the vertical supports are different from one another. In aspects, at least three vertical supports are different from one another.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, a first plurality of the vertical supports and a second plurality of the vertical supports are different from one another. In such aspects, the first plurality of the vertical supports may include first cable-receiving segments that cooperate to define a first cable-receiving channel and the second plurality of the vertical supports may include second cable-receiving segments that cooperate to define a second cable-receiving channel vertically offset from the first cable-receiving channel.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a third plurality of the vertical supports different from the first and second pluralities are provided. In such aspects, the third plurality of the vertical supports include third cable-receiving segments that cooperate to define a third cable-receiving channel vertically offset from the first and second cable-receiving channels.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the junction box assembly includes a plate configured to hang from the first horizontal support, a housing supported by the plate (wherein the input and the output are provided to the housing), and a hinged door selectively providing access to an interior of the housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the junction box assembly further includes additional inputs and/or outputs, e.g., a second input.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now toFIG. 1, a cable support system provided in accordance with the present disclosure is shown generally identified by reference numeral10. Cable support system10includes one or more cable support apparatuses100coupled to one another in end-to-end fashion, e.g., via upper and lower coupling sleeves200, and one or more attachments modularly coupled with the one or more cable support apparatuses100. The one or more attachments may include, for example, one or more junction box assemblies300, one or more conduit supports400, and/or any other suitable modular attachments. Cable support system10and the cable support apparatus(es)100thereof may be configured to carry cables, cable-carrying conduits, other conduits, pipes, or any other suitable elongated structures that require conveyance over distances.

The one or more cable support apparatuses100of cable support system10are identical to one another (not withstanding the type, number, and position of modular attachments connected thereto) and, thus, although cable support apparatus100may be detailed hereinbelow in the singular, it is understood that the corresponding description may apply to each cable support apparatus100of cable support system10. Alternatively, different cable support apparatuses100may be formed and coupled to one another to define a custom configuration.

Cable support apparatus100is configured for positioning against a generally vertically-oriented surface, which may be continuous, e.g., defined by a wall, or discontinuous, e.g., defined by a plurality of spaced-apart vertical support pillars. The generally vertically-oriented surface may be substantially planar, e.g., similar to a building surface or wall, or may define a curvature, e.g., similar to an interior surface of a tunnel. Cable support apparatus100includes an upper horizontal support110formed from a piece of wire stock and a lower horizontal support120formed from a piece of wire stock. The upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, respectively, extend in generally parallel orientation relative to one another in vertically-spaced relation relative to one another. Terms like “generally,” “about,” and “substantially” as utilized herein are meant to encompass variations up to and including plus or minus 10 degrees or 10 percent.

The upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, being formed from wire stock, are malleable yet sufficiently rigid to hold their shape. That is, in order to form a cable support apparatus100to a desired configuration, the installer(s) need only grasp the upper and lower horizontal supports110,120on opposing sides of the desired bend point and manipulate the upper and lower horizontal supports110,120to a desired configuration, with cable support apparatus100thereafter retaining its formed configuration. The above process can then be repeated at each desired bend point such that each cable support apparatus100achieves a desired configuration.

Cable support apparatus100further includes first, second, and third vertical supports130,140,150disposed in spaced-apart relation horizontally along the upper and lower horizontal supports110,120. It is contemplated that any suitable patterns and/or arrangements (including non-patterned arrangements) of first, second, and/or third vertical supports130,140,150and/or different vertical supports be provided. By way of example only, and as illustrated inFIG. 1, vertical supports130,140,150are arranged to define a pattern wherein plural pairs, e.g., three, of alternating first and second vertical supports130,140are provided, followed by an additional first vertical support130, followed by a third vertical support150before the pattern is repeated. Each of the vertical supports130,140,150is formed from a piece of wire stock and is secured, e.g., welded, to each of the upper and lower horizontal supports110,120. Each of the vertical supports130,140,150are described in detail, in turn, below.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, each first vertical support130includes a first segment132extending vertically above upper horizontal support110and below lower horizontal support120. First segment132is welded or otherwise secured to upper and lower horizontal supports110,120at the intersection points therewith. A second segment134of each first vertical support130extends from above upper horizontal support110in generally parallel, spaced-apart relation relative to first segment132to a position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, e.g., a mid-point, closer to upper horizontal support110, or closer to lower horizontal support120. Second segment134is welded or otherwise secured to upper horizontal support110at the intersection point therewith. A looped segment133interconnects first and second segments132,134above upper horizontal support110to define an enclosed opening surrounded by first segment132, looped segment133, second segment134, and upper horizontal support110. A third segment136extends from second segment134at the position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120. Third segment136is detailed below with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

A fourth segment138of each first vertical support130extends from below lower horizontal support120in generally parallel, spaced-apart relation relative to first segment132to a position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, e.g., a mid-point, closer to upper horizontal support110, or closer to lower horizontal support120. Fourth segment138is welded or otherwise secured to lower horizontal support120at the intersection point therewith. A looped segment137interconnects first and fourth segments132,138below lower horizontal support120to define an enclosed opening surrounded by first segment132, looped segment137, fourth segment138, and lower horizontal support120. A fifth segment139extends from fourth segment138at the position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120.

Fifth segment139protrudes perpendicularly from a plane containing upper and lower horizontal supports110,120and defines a partial rectangle configuration including first and second sides interconnected by a bottom. In this manner, fifth segment139defines a generally rectangular cable receiving area. The fifth segments139of the first vertical supports130are horizontally aligned with one another such that they cooperate to define a horizontally-extending a cable-receiving channel extending along cable support apparatus100. The free end of each fifth segment139is turned back on itself to avoid sharp ends and snag points protruding from cable support apparatus100.

The enclosed openings defined adjacent upper and lower horizontal supports110,120in conjunction with each first vertical support130are oriented perpendicularly relative to a plane containing upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, thus enabling screws, bolts, nails, and/or other supports to be inserted therethrough to mount cable support apparatus100to a generally vertically-oriented surface and/or to mount one or more modular attachments to cable support apparatus100.

Continuing with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, each second vertical support140includes a first segment142extending vertically above upper horizontal support110and below lower horizontal support120. First segment142is welded or otherwise secured to upper and lower horizontal supports110,120at the intersection points therewith. A second segment144of each second vertical support140extends from above upper horizontal support110in generally parallel, spaced-apart relation relative to first segment142to a position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, e.g., a mid-point, closer to upper horizontal support110, or closer to lower horizontal support120. Second segment144is welded or otherwise secured to upper horizontal support110at the intersection point therewith. A looped segment143interconnects first and second segments142,144above upper horizontal support110to define an enclosed opening surrounded by first segment142, looped segment143, second segment144, and upper horizontal support110. A third segment146extends from second segment144at the position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120.

Third segment146protrudes perpendicularly from a plane containing upper and lower horizontal supports110,120and defines a partial rectangle configuration including first and second sides interconnected by a bottom, similarly as with fifth segment139of first vertical support130, although different dimensions of the cable receiving area may be provided. The third segments146of the second vertical supports140are horizontally aligned with one another such that they cooperate to define a horizontally-extending a cable-receiving channel extending along cable support apparatus100. This cable-receiving channel is vertically offset from the cable-receiving channel defined by fifth segments139of first vertical supports130such that the cable-receiving channels do not intersect or otherwise interfere with one another.

A fourth segment148of each second vertical support140extends from below lower horizontal support120in generally parallel, spaced-apart relation relative to first segment142to a position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120, e.g., a mid-point, closer to upper horizontal support110, or closer to lower horizontal support120. Fourth segment148is welded or otherwise secured to lower horizontal support120at the intersection point therewith. A looped segment147interconnects first and fourth segments142,148below lower horizontal support120to define an enclosed opening surrounded by first segment142, looped segment147, fourth segment148, and lower horizontal support120. A fifth segment149extends from fourth segment148at the position disposed between upper and lower horizontal supports110,120.

Fifth segment149of second vertical support140is similar to fifth segment139of first vertical support130and is vertically-offset relative thereto and relative to the third segment146such that the cable-receiving channel defined by the plural fifth segments149do not intersect or otherwise interfere with the other cable-receiving channels.

The enclosed openings defined adjacent upper and lower horizontal supports110,120in conjunction with each second vertical support140, similarly as with those of the first vertical supports130, enable mounting of cable support apparatus100to a generally vertically-oriented surface and/or to mounting of one or more modular attachments to cable support apparatus100.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, third vertical support150is similar to second vertical support except for the configuration of fifth segment159thereof. Thus, for purposes of brevity, only fifth segment159of third vertical support is detailed.

Fifth segment159of third vertical support150includes a linear portion that extends in perpendicular orientation from a plane containing upper and lower horizontal supports110,120to a coupling arrangement160configured to releasably secure a modular attachment thereto, e.g., a conduit support400. Coupling arrangement160is defined by bending the wire stock to define a vertically-oriented opening for receipt of a base410of the conduit support400to suspend the conduit support400from the coupling arrangement160. A ring420of the conduit support400is thus suspended therefrom. Plural conduit supports400may be attached to the coupling arrangements160of the third vertical supports150to define a conduit support path extending horizontally. In this manner, a conduit, e.g., an electrical wire conduit, pipe, etc., or loose electrical cables (not shown), may be supported by the conduit supports400and extend horizontally through the conduit support path.

Enclosed apertures defined by third vertical support150are illustrated including mounting hardware500engaged therewith, e.g., to mount cable support apparatus100to a generally vertically-oriented surface and/or to mount one or more modular attachments to cable support apparatus100. These enclosed apertures and/or the enclosed apertures of first and second vertical supports150may be utilized.

As noted above, upper and lower coupling sleeves200may be utilized to couple multiple cable support apparatuses100to one another in end-to-end fashion. Each coupling sleeve200is configured for securing ends of adjacent pairs of upper horizontal supports110or lower horizontal support120, such that two coupling sleeve200are utilized to coupled a pair of cable support apparatuses100to one another. Each coupling sleeve200defines a tube-like configuration including a lumen extending therethrough. A pair of tightening screws220is engaged within coupling sleeve200and extend into the lumen. Tightening screws220may be advanced (or retracted) relative to the lumen to extend further therein to or retract further therefrom. In order to couple first and second cable support apparatuses100to one another, a first end of the upper horizontal support110of the first cable support apparatus100is inserted into a first end of the lumen of coupling sleeve200, while a second end of the upper horizontal support110of the second cable support apparatus100is inserted into a second end of the lumen of coupling sleeve200. Thereafter, tightening screws220are tightened to securely engage the ends of the upper horizontal supports110of the first and second cable support apparatuses100to one another via coupling sleeve200. This is then repeated using another coupling sleeve200at the lower horizontal supports120of the first and second cable support apparatuses100.

Turning toFIGS. 3A and 3B, in conjunction withFIG. 1, as noted above, third segment136of each second vertical support130extends from the corresponding second segment134thereof. The third segment includes a vertically-extending portion172(a portion of which forms a side of a partial rectangle), a bottom portion174extending perpendicularly relative to a plane containing upper and lower horizontal supports110,120and forming a bottom of the partial rectangle, and a second vertically-extending portion176forming an opposing side of the partial rectangle. In this manner, a cable receiving area is defined, similarly as detailed above. Plural third segments136cooperate to define a horizontally-extending a cable-receiving channel extending along cable support apparatus100, similarly as detailed above. This cable-receiving channel is vertically offset from the other cable-receiving channels so as not to intersect or otherwise interfere therewith.

Extending from second vertically-extending portion176of third segment136, at least partially into the cable receiving area and thereabove, is a cable-capture arm180. Cable-capture arm180is a continuation of the wire stock forming third segment136and is bent in a convoluted manner such that a horizontally-oriented, open-topped opening182is defined thereby. The opening182includes a bottom portion defining a greater width as compared to a mouth thereof such that a portion of cable-capture arm180is resiliently flexed to widen the mouth for receipt of a cable and/or other appliances such as linear tubular lighting fixtures and then resiliently returns (at least partially back towards its at-rest position) to retain the cable within the opening182. In other configurations and/or depending upon the diameter of the cable, flexion of the cable-capture arm180is not required.

The cable-capture arms180of plural first vertical supports130cooperate to define a cable-retention pathway extending horizontally along cable support apparatus100. This pathway is vertically offset from the other cable-receiving channels and paths so as not to intersect or otherwise interfere therewith.

Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, as mentioned above, one or more junction box assemblies300are modularly attached to cable support apparatus100. Junction box assembly300includes a back plate310, a box housing320including a hinged door330, at least one input340into box housing320, and at least one output350from box housing320.

Back plate310includes two or more hooks312such as, for example, to enable back plate310to be hung from upper horizontal support110. Fasteners314, e.g., screws, bolts, etc., inserted through apertures defined within back plate310may be utilized to secure hooks312about upper horizontal support110, e.g., to inhibit removal of back plate310after hanging on upper horizontal support110.

Box housing320is configured to engage back plate310, e.g., via a plurality of fasteners322such as, for example, screws, bolts, etc. With box housing320engaged on back plate310, the one or more inputs340and one or more outputs350are oriented in generally horizontal directions while the hinged door330faces outwardly from the plane including upper and lower horizontal supports110,120. In this manner, hinged door330can be readily manipulated to access the interior of box housing320.

The one or more inputs340are configured to receive the ends of one or more cables or cable-carrying conduits. Likewise, the outputs350are configured to receive the ends of one of one or more cables or cable-carrying conduits. Within box housing320, the ends of the various cables may be spliced, coupled, connected, or otherwise joined as required. Monitoring electronics, switches, or other components may likewise be installed within box housing320, connected to the cables. Thus, where various cables (or conduits) and/or cable (or conduit) sets are carried over large distances and require joining, and/or with cables (or conduits) from various different peripheral devices feeding in at different locations and requiring joining, any suitable number of junction box assemblies300may be utilized and incorporated into the cable support apparatus100.

At least one input340and at least one output350of junction box assembly300, when hung on upper horizontal support110, may be configured to be in-line with one of the cable-receiving channels of cable support apparatus to facilitate joining cables extending therealong.