CABLE CARRIERS

Abstract: A flexible cable carrier for connection of cabling between furniture units comprising a plurality of spaced and sequentially linked sleeve units which enable the cabling to be protectively and flexibly carried. Each unit may be carried on a continuous central flexible hose and may have slotted outer cavities for accommodating the cabling. The carrier may have ball ends for attachment in fitments on the edges of the furniture unit held in place by snap fitments in rebate channels.

Description: CABLE CARRIERS The present invention relates to cable carriers, particularly flexible cable carriers for use between furniture units used in offices where computer equipment, telephones and other electrical machinery have to be supplied with power and data via such cabling. When supplying cabling from one free standing piece of furniture to another, say from a desk unit to a computer stand, it is desirable that the cabling is kept tidily out of harms way, is protected from damage and does not become tangled or unsightly. Accordingly the present invention provides a flexible cable carrier for connection of cabling between furniture units, comprising a plurality of spaced and sequentially connected sleeve units which enable the cabling to be protectively and flexibly carried and at least one end clip means for clipping an end of the cable carrier to a furniture unit. Conveniently the clip can be a ball joint which provides a link to the furniture unit. This allows the carrier to be mechanically sound while avoiding mechanical tension cr_ the cabling. Preferably each sleeve has a central region within which a continuous flexible hose is located and has slotted outer cavities within which cabling can be located. Each sleeve may be formed with a central region being of circular cross-section to accommodate the continuous flexible hose and which carries an outer casing of a substantially elliptical cross-section joined to the central region by radial webs. The space between the outer casing and the central region can then define the cavities to receive the cabling. As well as being preferably of substantially elliptical cross-section in its outer casing, the sleeve should preferably have rounded ends to permit flexible articulation of the cable carrier. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example of reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a pedestal supply unit and a table with a cable carrier there between. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of part of the cable carrier. Figure 3 shows a plan view of an end fitting of the cable carrier. Figure 4 shows a section on the figure 3 view and; Figure 5 shows an enlarged fragment of the figure 4 view. Figure 6 is a side elevation of a work table incorporating cable carriers; Figure 7 is a side sectional elevation of a floor level unit; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the table of Figure 6; Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of a connector; and Figure 10 is a view of a cable carrier carried. Referring to Figure 1, a flexible carrier 1 in accordance with the invention provides a link between a pedestal, a free standing pedestal unit 2 and a table 3. Referring to figure 3, the cable carrier terminates in ball joint ends 4, one of which slots into an upper rim of _. pedestal unit 2, while the other end slots into a clamping unit 5 clamped to the table 3. The clamping unit 5 is clamped to the table edge and includes a cover 6 and multiple posts 7 which allow wiring to be held in position before being fed to equipment on the table 3. Referring to figure 2, the cable carrier 1 comprises a plurality of sleeve units 8 of a moulded plastics material each of which has an outer casing 9 of substantially elliptical cross-section (see figure 4) which is connected via radial webs 10 to an inner circular section 11 which houses a central support hose 12 which is a plastics moulding of pleated shape (see figure 3) to provide a flexible but firm support for the carrier. Each sleeve unit 8 is attached to the central hose 12 by means of a single rivet 13 (see figures 4 and 5). In an alternative form a ribbed stud of plastics material is used which can be snapped into position. Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the outer casing 9 includes slots 14 which, due to the inherent resilience of the plastics material of which the sleeve units are formed, enables wiring 15 to be readily received within the cavities 16 defined between the outer wall 9 and the inner circular wall 11. Figures 6 and 8 show a table with several cable carriers attached. The cable carriers are connected to the edge of the table top in a number of different ways. In each case a snap fitment within a rebate channel under the edge of the table top provides a female ball receptor for reception of a ball at the end of the cable carrier. This includes a finger hook 19 protruding downwards to enable the snap fitment to be removed. Connections of the cable carrier to the following are shown: a) to the ceiling b) to a floor mounted spine unit 17 which can carry a length of cable carrier while providing access for wiring via removable side panels c) to a domed edge unit 5 which controls the wiring as it is fed to units on the table d) to a high domed plug cover 18. Within the domed plug cover 18 are a series of mains sockets to provide power for units on the table. e) to a simple floor unit for access below the floorboards. Figure 9 shows in detail the way two ends of two cable carriers are connected together. A plastics moulding including two ball receptors simply enables two cable carrier ball ends to be snapped together. Figure 10 shows how the cable carrier is carried below a work top.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A flexible cable carrier for connection of cabling between furniture units, comprising a plurality of spaced and sequentially connected sleeve units which enable the cabling to be protectively and flexibly carried and at least one clip means for clipping an end of the cable carrier to a furniture unit. 2. A flexible cable carrier according to Claim 1 in which said clip means includes a ball joint which provides a connection link to the furniture unit. 3. A flexible cable carrier according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising a continuous flexible hose and in which each sleeve has a central region within which said continuous flexible hose is located and has slotted outer cavities within which cabling can be located. 4. A flexible cable carrier according to Claim 3 in which each sleeve is formed with the central region being of substantially circular cross-section to accommodate the continuous flexible hose and the outer casing accommodating said outer cavities and being of a substantially elliptical cross-section joined to the central region by radial webs, and each sleeve having rounded ends to permit flexible articulation of the cable carrier . 5. A flexible cable carrier according to Claim 2in which at each end of said cable carrier, there is a ball to act as part of said ball joint for the connection link to the furniture unit. 6. A flexible cable carrier according to Claim 5 comprising at least two lengths of spaced and sequentially connected sleeve units each with a ball at each end, and a female coupling unit linking said lengths together via ad «r«=nt balls. 7. A plurality of furniture units with table tops at least some of which are linked by means of a cable carrier according to Claim 1 comprising snap fitments attached to edge regions of said table tops via a rebate channel beneath each said table top, each said snap fitment connecting to an end of said cable carrier via a ball joint connection.

Inventors: CARR ROGER JOHN, CARR, ROGER, JOHN
Applicants: PRESIDENT OFFICE FURNITURE LTD, PRESIDENT OFFICE FURNITURE LIMITED
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H02G3
IPC codes: A47B21, H02G3