Cable to frame fastener system

A fastener system for securing cable, conduits, pipes, etc., to frames. The fasteners are stackable such that multiple cable may be individually secured in a co-linear route above the wood frame. The system comprises of identical plastic securing blocks, each in the form of a bridge that provides for cables to be nested together, one atop the other. The first or bottom securing block may be nailed or stapled to the wood frame, and the additional fasteners are designed to snap together in a stacked fashion. Several of the plastic securing blocks may be molded together to form a magazine which may be used in an application tool or by hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to staples. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fastener for securing wire cable, conduits, pipes, tubes, etc., to wooden or metal members.

2. Description of Related Art

It is well known to electricians that securing power cables to wood structural framing members in the traditional way is tedious, awkward, labor intensive, and often hazardous, involving simultaneously holding cables, staples, and a hammer, while on a ladder or scaffold.

The presently used means of securing Type NM or Romex cable to wood framing, as required by electrical code, is to employ staples that are driven manually, using a common carpenter's hammer. Another means presently employed is a plastic strap (also known as a plastic staple) that is secured by one or two nails driven manually or by a hammer. Another means are wire staples applied by a spring-driven staple gun of traditional construction.

Electrical codes sometimes specify that staples must be insulated. Otherwise, the determination of whether such staples may be used remains with local building code enforcement officials.

When running several cables along a common route on a structure, the present practice is to lay such cables side by side. This is impossible in some cases because, when secured, no such cable may be installed closer to each edge of a structural member than 1¼ inches. In certain cases the structural member is not sufficiently wide enough to accommodate more than one cable. This limitation may require additional labor to route extra cables along a different path.

It would be desirable to provide a fastener system for securing wire cable, conduits, tubes, pipes, etc., to wood or metal frames, the fastener being stackable so that multiple cables may be secured in an organized “co-linear” fashion. Particularly desirable would be a fastener system that allows cables to be secured one atop the other. It would be further desirable to provide a fastener system comprised of individual, identical components which may be snapped together during installation. It would also be desirable to provide a fastener system which will secure cables within a range of sizes. It would also be desirable to have a magazine for feeding the fasteners in the fastener system to an appropriate installation tool. It would also be desirable to have a fastener that could be disengaged from one another. It would also be desirable to have a fastener that holds a single cable in an insulated body separate from other cables.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,072, issued Apr. 14, 1992, to Kuo, deceased et al., describes an insert-type of dis-engageable underground conduit holder wherein male and female mating sections snap together to hold conduits in a stacked fashion. The holder is made from plastic with semicircular conduit resting portions. The conduit holder is configured to withstand forces placed onto the conduits without separating, while allowing easy disassembly without damage to the remainder of the assembly. The '072 conduit holder is not amenable to installation from a magazine-loaded installation tool.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,509, issued Mar. 18, 1997, to Market, describes a stackable wire staple and raceway system in a strap configuration for securing conductive cabling to a variety of surfaces. The base portion has apertures for receiving nails to secure the first cable fastener to a surface while the attachable fasteners have several ribbed protrusions for insertion into bores made into each fastener so that the fasteners can be stacked on atop the other. The '509 fastener system does not provide a configuration for installation from a magazine-loaded installation tool.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,802, issued Nov. 30, 1999, l to Campbell, describes a cable support for parallel runs of coaxial cable made up of pairs of molded plastic blocks stacked on a single threaded rod. The identical blocks have semicircular, cylindrical recesses which cooperate to provide circular, cable-gripping passages in a stacked relationship with all the blocks being fastened together by a single threaded rod or bolt that passes directly through their respective centers. The '802 fastener support system is not amenable to installation from a magazine-loaded installation tool.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,484, issued Apr. 13, 1993, to Thoen describes a stacking cable clamp for stacking electrical cable in a stacked relationship, comprising a base clamp that is secured to wood via nails. Additional clamps are secured atop the base clamp via ears that engage slots on the additional clamps. The '484 clamp system does not provide a configuration for installation from a magazine-loaded installation tool.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,064, issued Jan. 331, 1989, to Mangone, Jr., et al, describes interlocking adjacent clips for mounting cable to wood which are provided in a group for filling a magazine for an applicator machine, to be individually dispense thereby for nailing by a staple-like installation tool. The '064 clip system is not stackable, thus, not providing mounting for more than a single cable along the same wooden frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fastener system for securing wire cable, conduits, tubes, pipes, etc., to wood or metal frames. The fasteners in the fastener system are stackable such that multiple cables may be secured individually in a co-linear route above the wood frame. The system comprises of identical plastic elements in the form of a bridge that provides for cables to be nested, secured, and organized together, one atop the other. The first or base unit may be nailed, stapled, screwed, or glued to the wooden or metal frame, and the additional fasteners are designed to snap together in a stacked fashion in order to conserve space, time, and to locate wire, cable, conduits, tubes, etc. in a central location. Several of the plastic elements may be molded together to form a magazine which may be used in a mechanized application tool or by hand.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a stackable fastener system such that multiple cables may be secured individually in an organized “co-linear” manner.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fastener system that allows cables to be secured one atop the other.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a fastener system comprised of identical components which may be snapped together during installation.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a fastener system as above which is capable of securing cable within a range of sizes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fastener system having a magazine for feeding the fasteners with an application tool for manual and mechanical installations.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an aligning element for the individual staples to be stacked properly without any damage to the cable.

Still another object of the invention to provide an element that applies equal and adequate pressure to the various cables that are being held by the staple.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a fastener that can be disengaged for removing, relocating and upgrading future wire, cable conduits, tubes, pipes, etc.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fastener that securely and safely holds one wire, etc. at a time in an isolated and insulated manner.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system that insures that cables, etc. are fastened in a manner such as to prevent any possible damage due to excessive force when attached to wooden members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a fastener system for securing wire cable, conduits, tube, pipes, etc. of a generally circular or oval cross section to wood or metal frames. The fasteners in the fastener system are stackable such that multiple cable may be organized individually in a safe and secure fashion in a co-linear route on the wooden frame. The system comprises of identical plastic securing units in the form of a bridge that provides for cables to be secured together, one atop the other. The first or base bridge element may be nailed, glued, or stapled to the wood frame or screwed or glued to a metal frame, and the additional fasteners are designed to snap together in a stacked fashion. A magazine of the fasteners for installation by hand or special tool is provided by the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 1A,1B, and2, there are shown an environmental perspective view and a back view in elevation, respectively, of the cable mounting system, generally denoted10which includes cable securing block12which is in the general shape of a topless and bottomless box, tapered slightly wider at the bottom than at the top, having first face wall14, second face wall16opposite first face wall14, first side wall18and second side wall20opposite first side wall18. First face wall14has a first face wall outer surface22and a first face wall inner surface24. Second face wall16has second face wall outer surface26and a corresponding second face wall inner surface28. First side wall18has first side wall outer face30and first side wall inner face32. Second sidewall20has second sidewall outer face34and second sidewall inner face36.

First face wall14defines first portal38, which is open at the bottom and having first portal arch40facing downward from an apex and first portal sides42extending downward from portal arch40. First face wall14also defines first support arch44opening upward and forming its upper edge. Second face wall16defines second support arch45opening upward, and forming its upper edge.

First side wall18defines first tongue48, forming its upper edge. Second side wall20defines second tongue49, forming its upper edge. First tongue48includes first tongue upper surface50, generally flat and perpendicular to first sidewall18, first tongue sloping surfaces52, sloping downward and away from first tongue upper surface50, and first tongue retaining grooves54at the base of first tongue48and forming first tongue retaining groove lip56with the lower edge of first tongue sloping surfaces52, respectively. It is noted that in theFIG. 1Athere is shown an embodiment having dual tongue sloping surfaces52, dual tongue retaining grooves54, and two retaining groove lips56per tongue side of first tongue48.

Second tongue49includes second tongue upper surface51, generally flat and perpendicular to second sidewall20, second tongue sloping surfaces53, sloping downward and away from second tongue upper surface51, and second tongue retaining grooves55at the base of second tongue49and forming second tongue retaining groove lip57with the lower edge of second tongue sloping surfaces53, respectively. It is noted that in theFIG. 1Athere is shown an embodiment having dual tongue sloping surfaces53, dual tongue retaining grooves55, and two retaining groove lips57per tongue side of second tongue49.

First side wall16defines first tongue receiving groove58which forms the lower edge of first side wall18and includes first tongue receiving groove upper surface60which is generally flat and perpendicular to first sidewall18, first tongue receiving groove sloping surfaces62sloping downward to first tongue receiving groove projection64and forming first tongue retaining groove lip retainers66. It is noted that in theFIG. 1Athere is shown an embodiment wherein first tongue receiving groove58has dual sloping surfaces62, dual receiving groove projections64, and dual retaining groove lip retainers66per side of first tongue receiving groove58.

Second side wall20defines a second tongue receiving groove59(seeFIG. 2) similar to that of first side wall18and having second tongue receiving groove upper surface61and second tongue retaining groove lip retainer67. It is noted that the embodiment ofFIG. 1Bthere are corresponding dual receiving grooves, and dual retaining groove lip retainers (not shown) identical to those formed by the first tongue receiving groove59.

First portal38, first tongue receiving groove58and the second tongue receiving groove59(seeFIG. 2) form first face support legs68. Second face support legs70are similarly formed by second portal88and having arch90and sides92(see FIG.2), first tongue receiving groove58and the second tongue receiving groove59. First sidewall18features first side wall alignment groove72, spaced above first tongue receiving groove58and horizontally disposed. Second side wall29similarly features second sidewall alignment groove74horizontally disposed and similarly spaced above the second tongue receiving groove59. First sidewall leg support faces76are horizontal, planar upper surfaces, bounded by first face locating walls77and first tongue retaining grooves54. Similarly, second sidewall leg support faces78are horizontal, planar upper surfaces, bounded by second face locating walls77and second tongue retaining grooves55. The embodiment ofFIG. 1Bsecond tongue receiving groove59(not shown) has similar dual sloping surfaces, groove projections and retaining groove lip retainers as in the first tongue receiving groove58.

Fastener vertical bores80extend downward from first tongue upper surface50to first tongue receiving groove upper surface60, and from second tongue upper surface51to second tongue receiving groove upper surface61. Bores80are configured to receive fasteners F (seeFIG. 3) such as nails. The bores may bay be counter sunk in a well-known manner so as to receive the nail heads within the bores80.

Tensioning fingers82are attached at side wall attachment points83located horizontally along first side wall inner face32and second sidewall inner face36, respectively, and are centrally spaced at free ends84, said tensioning fingers slanting downward from said first and second inner faces32and36, respectively in line with a cable C (seeFIG. 3) so as to hang below portal arches40and90and align and bear downward against the cable C.

Block attachment teats86are located on legs68and70to allow the shearable attachment of several securing blocks face to face (see FIGS.4and5).

Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a cable support stack support assembly100, wherein stacked securing blocks12support cables C. As can be seen, the lower block12is attached by fasteners F around a lower cable C to a wood plank P (see FIG.1). Grooves58of the next upper block are locked over tongues48. Support arches44and45support upper conduits C while elastic clips82align and bear against the upper sides of cables C. In this manner a stack of any desired number of cables may be supported by interlocked securing blocks12. As seen inFIGS. 1B,2, and3, corner tool receivers75are located at the upper intersections of each side wall18,20and face wall14,16to enable the insertion of a prying tool (not shown) for separating each interlocked securing block12.

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown fastener securing block magazine supply system110having fastening block magazine112comprising a group of cable securing blocks held face to face by teats86, each securing block12having fasteners F ready for driving into a wood plank P (see FIG.1). Alignment grooves72and74(seeFIG. 1) are aligned with each other along securing blocks12.

In operation, portals38and88of securing block12are centered over cable C and pressed downward until legs68and70rest on frame or plank P. Tensioning fingers82engage cable C along their free ends84. Fasteners F, such as nails, are driven through bores80and into frame or plank P, thus securing cable C to plank P. As seen inFIG. 4, a group of 25 to 50 securing blocks may be formed face to face and attached by teats86to form a magazine which may be placed in an installation tool which aligns along alignment grooves72and74and drives fasteners F into the frame or plank P. In this process, the teats86are sheared to sequentially free each securing block12during the fastening process. The magazine of attached securing blocks12may also be helpful for manual installation. Generally, a number of spaced securing blocks12are required for securing cable C along its length.

If it is desired to stack cables C (see FIG.3), the upper cables of the stack are rested in turn over arch supports44and45and secured by portals38and88and tensioning fingers84as the cables C are laid and securing blocks18are stacked. Any desired number of cables C may be installed by this procedure, there being a requirement only that there is one more securing block12than cables C. No fasteners F are required for the attachment of stacked securing blocks12. Securing blocks12are securely attached by snapping tongue receiving grooves58and59over respective tongues48and49of the next lower securing block such that tongue retaining groove lips56and57become lodged in tongue retaining groove lip retainers66and67. Legs68and70then rest on leg support faces76and78of the next lower securing block12face locating walls77and79, acting against side wall inner faces32and36of the next lower securing block12and maintaining protection against lateral movement of the blocks relative to each other. A prying tool (not shown) may be inserted in corner tool receivers75for prying apart blocks12when disassembly is desired.

As seen inFIG. 5, a group of 25 to 50 securing blocks12may be formed face to face and attached by teats86to form a magazine which may be placed in an installation tool which aligns along alignment grooves72and74and drives tongues48and49into respective tongue receiving grooves58and59, respectively. In this process, the teats86are sheared to free each securing block12during the stacking process. The magazine of attached securing blocks12may also be helpful for manual installation.

The inventive block or magazine is preferably made of an impact resistant polymer material such a Delron Nylon 6-6 and secured in place by nails or with an adhesive. The preferred nails are of the ring-shank type, enhancing the holding power of the fastener. Stacked blocks require no nails. A wire or sheet metal staple could be adapted to serve the function of the two nails in the installation of the inventive securing blocks on wooden frames.

The portals of the inventive securing block are of sufficient size for the maximum cable size. A typical cable to be secured is Type NM-B 12-2. The inventive securing blocks may be applied to secure any cable such as control, telephone, video, or fiber optics cables. The block and portals may be of any desired size for installation of larger or smaller cables as required. Also, additional grip for smaller cables (Type NM-B 14-2) is supported by the tensioning fingers that are a molded, integral feature of the inventive securing block.