Abstract:
A method and apparatus for adding wires, cables, fibers or the like from an accessible part of a structure, such as an attic or crawlspace to an interior room from within the walls of the structure, by installing an attachment section, tubing and penetration sleeves during the construction of the structure. The tubing is made from a compressible insulated material to prevent heated or cooled air from escaping prior to or after the installation of wires, cables, fibers or the like. The attachment section is secured to an interior support in the accessible area with the tubing attached to the attachment section. The tubing is compressed to prevent heated or cooled air loss through the tubing. The tubing extends to an access point, typically behind an interior wall. Structural supports such as plates and subfloors are penetrated using hollow rigid sleeves which when mated with the tubing, creates a continuous hollow passageway for the wires, cables, fibers or the like. The attachment section contains a surface for identifying the termination point of the tubing, which can be written on or have a label affixed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for allowing the future installation of wires, cables, fibers or the like, within a structure. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    During the construction phase of commercial and residential structures, in addition to basic electrical wiring, builders must install wires, cables, fiber and other suitable means for sending data or signals, such as cable television, satellite television, telephone, internet or video surveillance feeds throughout the building. 
         [0005]    As technology changes and upgrades to existing technology occur, there is often a need to install additional wire, cable, fiber and the like. In the construction of many buildings, provisions are not made for the installation of additional wires, cables and fiber. 
         [0006]    In those structures where builders do anticipate this need, limited methods exist to allow for this installation. In the rare situations where this is done, usually flexible round conduit is installed from a convenience outlet box located within the walls of the structure to run to an accessible area, such as in a crawl space or an attic. This is a cumbersome and costly process, and doing so in this manner allows heat loss at the point of wall penetration due to the inability to insulate the empty conduit. 
         [0007]    If there are no provisions made for the installation of wires, cables or fibers, it is a difficult, expensive, labor-intensive and sometimes dangerous job to later add these to a completed structure. An installer must locate the exact area inside the attic or crawl space to drill a penetration hole into the wall cavity where the installer wishes to run the new wire, cable or fiber. Searching for this exact area is time-consuming and may expose the installer to such hazards as dirty insulation, dust, rodent droppings, insects, and other contaminants. These may be harmful to the installer, and if the installer tracks these throughout the structure, may be harmful to the inhabitants of the building as well. 
         [0008]    In addition, many attics or crawl spaces have insulation to minimize the radiation and convection transfer of heat from the habitable part of the structure. Common insulation methods used are fiberglass blankets (BATT) which are laid down, or blown-in insulation which is dispersed using compressed air. Best results are achieved when the insulation is uniformly dispersed and remains in place. When additional wire, cables or fibers are installed, often insulation must be moved to access the desired wall cavity from above. If the insulation is not replaced properly, the effectiveness of the insulation is reduced, increasing energy use. 
         [0009]    Finally, the installation additional wire, cables or fibers can be dangerous to both the installer and the structure. Installers must be careful not to step on non-load bearing sections of an attic or crawl space to avoid falling through to a lower floor, which can cause personal injury or death in addition to property damage. Installers must also avoid drilling penetration holes in the wrong locations, which can damage walls and ceilings. Drilling blindly into a wall or ceiling can also damage existing hidden pipes or wiring, which can result in injury and costly repairs. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, a preinstalled system containing a flexible insulated hollow tubing with an accessible sealable opening located in an attic or crawl space that passes from area of a structure to another that would allow for the future installation of wires, cables, fibers or the like would be significantly advantageous. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus for allowing the future installation or addition of wire, cables, fiber and the like from an attic, crawl space or other accessible area into the wall cavities of a room of a structure. 
         [0012]    In the preferred embodiment, the tubing would be generally round and cylindrical in shape when uncompressed and made from a flexible, compressible material with insulating properties, such as compressible foam. The interior of the tube would be hollow. 
         [0013]    The system would be installed during the construction of the structure, generally during the rough-in phase prior to the installation of the drywall. A tube compression means capable of securing and compressing the tubing would be situated in a convenient location within an attic or crawlspace. The tube compression means could be a clamp, clip or other device capable of applying pressure to the compressible tubing, thereby closing off the end and preventing heated or cooled air loss through the tube. 
         [0014]    The tube compression means in another embodiment would also have a labeling surface for identifying the location within the structure where the tube would terminate and the wires, cables, fiber and the like would be accessible. The labeling surface in one embodiment might be an attached material, such as paper or cardboard, capable of being written on and connected to the tube compression means by any suitable attachment means, such as wire, plastic band, adhesive or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the tube compression means would be disposed within a housing which integrates the tube compression means, the labeling surface and a mounting means for attaching the housing to a structural support, to form a tube securing member. 
         [0015]    In the preferred embodiment, the tube securing member would be mounted in the attic or crawlspace, preferably on an interior support structure such as a gable stud. The tubing would run from the tube securing member to the wall cavity behind the desired area where the tubing would terminate. 
         [0016]    Between the tube securing member and the termination point of the tubing, the tubing would travel through open areas as well as have to penetrate beams, joists and other structural supports. When traveling through open areas, the tubing could be secured to structural supports using flexible material capable of securing the tubing to the structural supports, such as bands or straps, which could be secured to the structural supports using a securing means, such as nails or staples. 
         [0017]    To penetrate into a wall cavity through a structural support, such as a wood plate, a penetration hole would be drilled through the plate. A rigid sleeve sized to fit snugly within the penetration hole would be inserted into the penetration hole. The tubing extending from the attachment device would be cut to a length sufficient to reach the rigid sleeve, with the end stretched to fit over the rigid sleeve section protruding from the penetration hole. Another section of tubing would be stretched over the opposing section of the rigid sleeve and would continue to the desired location. 
         [0018]    Wire, cables, fiber and the like would be inserted into the hollow portion of the tubing either during the installation of the system or at a later date when needed. The hollow portion of the tube and any installed sleeves would allow the wires, cables, fiber and the like to be pushed through one end and have it emerge at the other. 
         [0019]    Once wires, cables, fibers or the like are installed in the tubing, the tubing would be inserted into the tube securing member and the tubing compressed. 
         [0020]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive conduit that can be installed into a structure to allow for the future installation of wires, cables and fibers into the structure. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a preinstalled conduit that is insulated to prevent the loss of heated or cooled air from the structure. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide conduit that installs into a structural penetration hole without tools and without using any separate means to secure it, such as brackets or adhesive. 
         [0023]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a conduit for the future installation of wires, cables, fibers and the like, that once installed, minimizes disruption to the existing insulation and allows for safer installation. 
         [0024]    Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following, 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the uncompressed tubing prior to the addition of wires, cables fibers and the like. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the uncompressed tubing with a flat cable and wire installed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a side partially elevated view of a tube compressing clip. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side partially elevated view of a tube compressing clip with an attached label. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a tube compressing label with a slot clamp for tube compression. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of screw clamp for tube compression. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the tube securing member and the tubing. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the tube securing member with the tubing in place and a flat cable and wire installed, prior to compression of the tubing. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the tube securing member with the tubing in place and a flat cable and wire installed, after the compression of the tubing. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a tube secured to a structural support using a securing strap. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is an end view of a tube secured to a structural support using a securing strap. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the rigid sleeve. 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is an upper view of a wood plate with a penetration hole drilled therethrough. 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a wood plate with a penetration hole and a rigid sleeve inserted into the penetration hole. 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a wood plate with a penetration hole and a rigid sleeve inserted into the penetration hole, with the tubing attached to the rigid sleeve. 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a first embodiment showing a one story structure, with a tube compression means attached to the tube assembly which extends from the tube compression means through a plate in the attic into a wall cavity. 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a second embodiment showing a one story structure, with the tube securing member secured to a gable stud in the attic, and the tube assembly extending from the attachment device through a plate in the attic into a wall cavity. 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a second embodiment showing a two story structure, with the tube securing member secured to a gable stud in the attic and the tube assembly extending from the attachment device through a plate in the attic into a second story wall cavity and continuing through into a first story wall cavity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0044]    Like referenced characters are used throughout this description to identify like parts. 
         [0045]    As referenced in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tubing  10 , where a first end  12  and a second end  14 , is shown. The tubing  10  is composed of a compressible insulating material. Disposed within the tubing  10  is a hollow interior  16  extending between the first end  12  and second end  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the material is a compressible plastic foam, but can be any material capable of retaining a substantially cylindrical and circular shape when uncompressed and having insulative properties that minimizes the loss of heated and cooled air. The tubing  10  can be compressed to seal the hollow interior  16  from air leakage. In  FIG. 1 , the tubing  10  is shown in an uncompressed state, exposing hollow interior  16 , though which wires, cables, fibers or the like may be inserted to travel from first end  12  to second end  14 . In  FIG. 2 , a wire  18  and a flat cable  20  are shown disposed within the hollow interior  16 , with the wire  18  and flat cable  20  emerging from first end  12  and second end  14 . 
         [0046]    As referenced in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 , various embodiments of a tube compression means and tube securing members are shown. In  FIG. 3  a clip  21  is shown, whereby an opening  22  can receive the tubing  10  (not shown), applying pressure on the tubing  10  to compress and seal the tubing  10 . In  FIG. 4 , the clip  21  is combined with a label  23 , which is secured to the clip  21  by any suitable means such as wire, plastic strap, string or a band, compressing and securing the tubing  10 , and identifying the termination location of the tubing  10 . The label  23  and the clip  22  combine to form a tube securing member  24 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of a tube securing member is shown. A tube securing member  25  is comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid label with a slot  27  for the insertion and clamping of the tubing  10  (not shown). The tube securing member  25  may be written on to indicate the termination point of the tubing  10 . 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 6 , a tube clamp  36  is shown, comprised of an opening  37  and screws  38 . The tubing  10  (not shown) is inserted into opening  37 . The screws  38  are turned to compress the tubing  10  within the opening  37 , thereby sealing the tubing  10 . 
         [0049]    As referenced in  FIG. 7  the preferred embodiment of a tube securing member is shown. The tube securing member  30  is comprised of a base section  31 , a labeling section  34 , and the tube clamp  36 . Disposed within the base section  31  are three mounting holes  32 . The tube securing member  30  is shown having three mounting holes  32  that can receive screws or nails for the purpose of securing the tube securing member  30  to an interior support within a structure. Although in the preferred embodiment shown, the tube securing member  30  uses three mounting holes  32  in combination with fasteners such as screws and nails, the number of mounting holes  32  can be greater or fewer depending on the mounting situation, and any suitable mounting means, including staples, adhesive, Velcro or the like may be used to secure the tube securing member  30 . The tube securing member  30  contains the labeling surface  34  onto which the termination location of the tubing  10  may be indentified, either by affixing a label or writing directly on the labeling surface  34 . 
         [0050]    The base section  31  of the tube securing member  30  communicates with the tube clamp  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the base section  31  would have an opening sized and shaped to receive the tube clamp  36  so that it secured to the base section  31  of tube securing member  30 . The tube clamp  36  is sized and shaped to receive the tubing  10  to pass therethrough and secure the tubing  10  to the tube securing member  30 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 , after inserting the wire  18  and the flat cable  20  through the first end  12  of tubing  10  to exit at second end  14 , the tube clamp  36  compresses the tubing  10  by turning the screws  38 , which apply pressure onto the tubing  10 , squeezing it into a compressed state. While the compression method shown in the preferred embodiment is the pressure on tubing  10  applied by screws  38 , any method that can compress and uncompress the tubing  10  may be used, including releasable clips, snaps, clamps, bands or the like. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 8 , the tubing  10  is shown uncompressed with the hollow interior  16  visible. In  FIG. 9 , the tube clamp  36  is shown in its compressed state, collapsing and thereby eliminating from view the hollow interior  16  shown in  FIG. 9 , sealing the tubing  10  from heated or cooled air loss. 
         [0052]    In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the tubing  10  is shown secured to an interior support structure when traveling through open sections of a structure. The tubing  10  is secured to an interior support structure  42  by fastener  44 , which may be any material capable of securing the tubing  10 , such as plastic bands or metal bracket, to the interior support structure  42 . In  FIGS. 10 and 11  the fastener  44  is secured to the structural supports using staples  46 , but other fastening methods, such as nails, adhesives, screws or simply knotting the fastener may be used. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 12 , a sleeve  50 , cylindrical in shape and hollow with a first end  52  and a second end  54  is shown. The sleeve  50  is made of a rigid material, such as metal, plastic or the like and is capable of withstanding the blows from a tool such as a rubber mallet without distorting or breaking while being driven into a hole. Disposed within the first end  52  is an opening  56 . Disposed within the second end  54  is an opening  55 . 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 13 , a wood plate  58 , as found in attics or crawlspaces in structures, is shown. Disposed within the plate  58  is structural penetration hole  60 , which can be drilled into the plate  58  during the rough-in phase of construction of the structure. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 14 , the sleeve  50 , used in the preferred embodiment, is shown disposed within the structural penetration hole  60  of the plate  58 . The structural penetration hole  60  is sized and shaped to receive the sleeve  50  so that it may be inserted into the hole with a minimum of force, preferably by using a tool such as a rubber mallet. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 15 , the sleeve  50  is shown disposed within the structural penetration hole  60  of the plate  58 . The tubing  10  is stretched over the first end  52  of sleeve  50 . Another section of tubing  10  is stretched over the second end  54  of sleeve  50  to create a continuous hollow passageway  57 , allowing the wire  18  to pass through the plate  58 . 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 16 , a first embodiment of the tube securing member  24  is shown in use. During the rough-in phase of the construction of a structure, prior to the installation of the drywall, the tube securing member  24  is disposed with an attic  80  of a structure. On the label  23 , written in is the termination point in the structure of the tubing  10 . In  FIG. 16 , the termination point of tubing  10  is a room  100 , which is a room directly below the attic  80  in a one story structure. The tubing  10  is inserted into the opening  22 . The tubing  10  communicates with the sleeve  50  that is disposed within the structural penetration hole  60  in an attic plate  90  between the attic  80  and the room  100 . In the attic  80 , the tubing  10  is stretched over the first end  52  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 . In a wall cavity  110  adjacent to the room  100 , tubing  10  is stretched over the second end  54  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 , which extends into the wall cavity  110  to the desired termination point. 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 17 , the second embodiment utilizing the tube securing member  30  is shown in use. During the rough-in phase of the construction of a structure, prior to the installation of the drywall, the tube securing member  30  is secured to a gable stud  70  in an attic  80  of a structure using the mounting holes  32  through which nails, screws, or staples are disposed, but may also be secured by using any other suitable mounting method. On the labeling surface  34 , written in or labeled is the termination point in the structure of the tubing  10 . In  FIG. 17 , the termination point of tubing  10  is a room  100 , which is a room directly below the attic  80  in a one story structure. The tubing  10  is inserted into the tube clamp  36 . The tubing  10  communicates with the sleeve  50  that is disposed within the structural penetration hole  60  in an attic plate  90  between the attic  80  and the room  100 . In the attic  80 , the tubing  10  is stretched over the first end  52  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 . In a wall cavity  110  adjacent to the room  100 , tubing  10  is stretched over the second end  54  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 , which extends into the wall cavity  110  to the desired termination point. 
         [0059]    While  FIG. 17  shows the tubing  10  in the attic  80  combining with the sleeve  50  and the tubing  10  in wall cavity  110  to form a tube assembly  85 , in an alterative embodiment, the tubing  10  could be a continuous single tube that travels from the attic  80  to the wall cavity  110 , with the tubing  10  compressed and disposed through the structural penetration hole  60 . 
         [0060]    Wires, cables, fibers or the like are inserted into the tubing  10  when the tube clamp  36  is not compressing the tubing  10 . The wires, cables, fibers or the like are pushed through the hollow passageway  57  (shown in  FIG. 15 ) created by tubing  10  and sleeve  50  until it reaches the end of hollow passageway  57 . The tube clamp  36  is then tightened to compress the tubing  10 , eliminating airflow through the tubing  10  at tube securing member  30 . 
         [0061]    After the drywall and interior walls have been installed, the tubing  10  can be accessed through a wall  120  between the wall cavity  110  and the room  100  for allowing the wires, cables, fibers or the like disposed within the tubing  10  to be utilized in the room  100 . 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 18 , an alternative embodiment is shown in a two story structure. During the rough-in phase of the construction of a structure, prior to the installation of the drywall, the tube securing member  30  is secured to a gable stud  70  in an attic  80  of a structure using the mounting holes  32  through which nails, screws, or staples are disposed, but may also be secured by using any other suitable mounting method. On the labeling surface  34 , written in or labeled is the termination point in the structure of the tubing  10 . In  FIG. 18  the termination point of tubing  10  is a room  140 , which is a room on the first story of a two story structure. The tubing  10  is inserted into the tube clamp  36 . The tubing  10  communicates with the sleeve  50  that is deposed within the structural penetration hole  60  in an attic plate  90  between the attic  80  and the room  100 . In the attic  80 , the tubing  10  is stretched over the first end  52  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 . In a wall cavity  110  adjacent to the room  100 , tubing  10  is stretched over the second end  54  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 , which extends into the wall cavity to the desired termination point. 
         [0063]    While  FIG. 18  shows the tubing  10  in the attic  80  combining with the sleeve  50  and the tubing  10  in wall cavity  110 , and the sleeve  50  and the tubing in wall cavity  150  to form a tube assembly  85 , in an alterative embodiment, the tubing  10  could be a continuous single tube that travels from the attic  80  to the wall cavity  110 , with the tubing  10  compressed and disposed through the structural penetration holes  60 . 
         [0064]    The tubing  10  in wall cavity  110  further communicates with the sleeve  50  that has been disposed within the structural penetration hole  60  in the subfloor  130  between the room  100  and a first story room  140  in a wall cavity  150 . In the wall cavity  110 , the tubing  10  is stretched over the first end  52  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 . In the wall cavity  150  adjacent to the room  140 , tubing  10  is stretched over the second end  54  (not shown) of the sleeve  50 , which extends into the wall cavity  150 . 
         [0065]    Wires, cables, fibers or the like may be inserted into the tubing  10  when the tube clamp  36  is not compressing the tubing  10 . The wires, cables, fibers or the like are pushed through the hollow passageway  57  (shown in  FIG. 15 ) created by tubing  10  and sleeve  50  until it reaches the end of hollow passageway  57 . The tube clamp  36  is then tightened to compress the tubing  10 , eliminating airflow through the tubing  10  at tube securing member  30 . 
         [0066]    After the drywall and interior walls have been installed, the tubing  10  can be accessed through a wall  160  between the wall cavity  150  and the room  140  for allowing the wires, cables, fibers or the like disposed within the tubing  10  to be utilized in the room  140 . 
         [0067]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing detailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.