Abstract:
A wire protection grommet is constructed for installation in a wire pull opening in the cell of a cellular raceway. The grommet is sized for insertion through the wire pull opening and defines central passages extending through the opening. The central passage has a radiused portion defining a wire pull strain relief to prevent wires that pass through the grommet from being bent beyond a predetermined bend radius. The grommet is constructed to lockingly engage into the wire pull opening so that it is not displaced during use. The distal end of the grommet may be weighted so that the grommet correctly orients itself in the opening during installation. The grommet may also include a wire storage section around which excess wiring can be wrapped. Hooks may be provided for retaining the excess wire on the wire storage section. The grommet may include an opening or slot which extends to the central passage and which is sized to permit wires to be slid into the passage. The grommet may be configured for installation in a variety of opening sizes and shapes and at the transitions between various components of the raceway system, such as between the raceway cell and an activation box or between the raceway cell and a feeder duct.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/252,398, filed on Feb. 18, 1999, which claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/075,239 filed Feb. 19, 1998. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to in-floor raceway wiring systems, and more particularly to a wire pull grommet for preventing high-speed communications cabling from being bent excessively at the transitions between adjacent raceway components, including at the transition from between an activation box, such as a preset, and the cellular raceway, and at the transition between a cellular raceway and a feeder duct.  
           [0004]    Modem office buildings require electric power, communication, and computer data services in various combinations at a large number of locations. Often these needs are addressed by in-floor cellular raceway systems. Cellular raceway systems typically include a cellular metal deck or cellular raceway, which rests directly on the subfloor. The cellular raceway includes a central portion or cell for carrying power cables and a pair of communication/data cells on opposite sides of the power cell. One of the communication cells may carry telephone cable and the other may carry computer, data, or other low potential cables. In addition, the cellular raceway system may include a series of feeder ducts for feeding power and communications cabling from the supply (distribution) closet and to the cellular raceway. The feeder ducts typically run perpendicular to and above the cells of the cellular raceway. Both the cellular raceway and the feeder ducts are covered with concrete for the finished floor. Access to the underfloor service raceways is obtained through activation boxes in the form of presets and aftersets, for example. Presets are activation boxes are mounted on the raceways at desired locations before the concrete floor is poured, whereas aftersets are mounted on the raceway after the floor is poured. The activation box defines a hollow interior compartment interconnected with the interiors of the raceway cells to provide access to the services that are carried in cells. In use, cables are routed from the supply closet, through the feeder duct, into the raceway cells, and in turn into the activation box.  
           [0005]    Certification standards, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the National Electric Code, require the transitions between raceway components, such as the opening between the preset and the cell, be grommeted so as to protect cables from being abraded and damaged as they are pulled through the opening. Similarly, current EIA/TIA standards require that any opening that will be used to pull category type data cable or fiber optic cable must have a feature that will prevent cable from being damaged when pulled around a corner.  
           [0006]    Wire abrasion has typically been addressed via a rubber ring, which is press fit around the edge of the opening to protect against abrasion by eliminating sharp metal edges. While these rubber rings are suitable for use with telephone and low-speed communications cables, such as telephone lines, they are not acceptable for use with modem, high-speed data cabling such as fiber optics and category  5  cabling. In particular, excessive bending of high-speed data cable has dramatic, negative effects on the data transmission rates through such cabling. The traditional press-fit grommets discussed above are not satisfactory because they do not provide any means for preventing excessive bending of the cables, but instead merely function to prevent wire abrasion. One potential solution is to design the raceway system to include rounded comers at the junctions of its adjacent components and to include rounded wire pull openings with sufficient bend radiuses. However, this “solution” requires costly retooling and offers no solution for buildings where the cellular raceway systems were installed prior to the implementation of these requirements. Alternatively, some raceway systems rely on the installers to ensure that the cabling is not bent beyond the minimum bend radius. As is readily apparent, this “solution” is ripe with pitfalls. For example, although the cabling may ultimately installed with the correct bend radius, it is possible for the cables to be bent excessively during installation, which can damage the cabling and adversely effect transmission rates through the cabling. Hence, there is a need for a grommet that can be installed in wire pull openings to ensure that high-speed communications cables are not subjected to excessive bending. Moreover, there is a need for a grommet that can be installed into existing raceway systems to bring these applications into compliance with current certification standards. There is also a need for a wire pull grommet that can be installed into an existing raceway installation without disconnecting the cabling.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    One object of the present invention is to provide a grommet for mounting in a wire pull opening of a cellular raceway system and which prevents high-speed communications cables from being bent excessively.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a grommet for mounting in a wire pull opening extending between an activation box and a cell of a cellular raceway system and which prevents high-speed communications cables from being bent excessively.  
           [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a grommet which can be mounted at the junction of a feeder duct and a raceway cell to provide prevent excessive bending of high-speed communications cables.  
           [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a grommet for mounting in a wire pull opening that provides a smooth, radiussed surface for pulling wires.  
           [0011]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that has a passage defining a wire pull strain relief.  
           [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that includes a wire storage section for storing excess.  
           [0013]    A further another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that can be mounted in different sizes of wire pull openings.  
           [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet having a wire storage portion around which excess wiring can be wrapped.  
           [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that is low cost and economical to manufacture.  
           [0016]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that is durable and easy to install.  
           [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that can be retrofit into existing cellular raceway systems.  
           [0018]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a wire pull grommet that can be retrofitted into existing cellular raceway system without the disconnection of previously installed cabling.  
           [0019]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved by a wire protection grommet constructed for installation in a wire pull opening of a cellular raceway. A wire protection grommet is constructed for installation in a wire pull opening in the cell of a cellular raceway. The grommet is sized for insertion through the wire pull opening and defines central passages extending through the opening. The central passage has a radiused portion defining a wire pull strain relief to prevent wires that pass through the grommet from being bent beyond a predetermined bend radius. The grommet is constructed to lockingly engage into the wire pull opening so that it is not displaced during use. The distal end of the grommet may be weighted so that the grommet correctly orients itself in the opening during installation. The grommet may also include a wire storage section around which excess wiring can be wrapped. Hooks may be provided for retaining the excess wire on the wire storage section. The grommet may include an opening or slot which extends to the central passage and which is sized to permit wires to be slid into the passage. The grommet may be configured for installation in a variety of opening sizes and shapes and at the transitions between various components of the raceway system, such as between the raceway cell and an activation box or between the raceway cell and a feeder duct.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a raceway system employing a wire protection grommet according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is bottom view showing the wire protection grommet installed in a preset;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a cross-section view along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the wire protection grommet;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the wire protection grommet;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a top elevation view of the wire protection grommet;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the wire protection grommet; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-section views illustrating installation of the wire protection grommet into the wire pull opening of a raceway system.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which excess wire can be stored on the grommet.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a top, front perspective view of a second, alternative embodiment of a wire protection grommet in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a top, rear perspective view of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 10.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 is a bottom, front perspective view of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 10.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a bottom, rear perspective view of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 10.  
         [0033]    FIGS.  14 A-C illustrate the wire protection grommet of FIG. 10 being installed into a wire pull opening.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view along line  15 - 15  of FIG. 14B.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a third, alternative embodiment of a wire protection grommet according to certain aspects of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 16.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 16.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 19 is a top view of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 16.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate installation of the wire protection grommet of FIG. 16.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views illustrating the wire protection grommet of FIG. 16 in combination with a bend radius attachment.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of the bend radius attachment.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view illustrating the manner in which the bend radius attachment and the wire protection grommet are connected to one another.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 26 and 27 are installation drawings of the wire protection grommet and the bend radius attachment.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of a raceway system further illustrating installation of the grommets if FIGS. 1 and 16.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    While the invention will be described in connection with one or more embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIG. 1 a cellular raceway  10  includes a top panel  12  and a bottom panel  14 . The panels  12 ,  14  define a central power cell  16  and a pair of communication cells  18  that are positioned on opposite sides of the power cell. The cellular raceway  10  is positioned on a subfloor prior to pouring of the concrete floor. Activation boxes, illustrated in the form of presets  24  (one shown in FIG. 1), are mounted on the raceway  10  at preselected locations to provide access to the cells  16 ,  18  from the upper surface of the concrete floor. The preset  24  defines a hollow interior compartment  26  that is interconnected with the cells  16 ,  18  through openings to provide access to service cables that are carried inside the cells. A mud cap (not shown) is removably mounted over the top opening  30  of the preset  24 . The mud cap prevents concrete from entering the interior compartment  26  of the preset  24  when the concrete floor is poured. After the concrete floor has hardened, the concrete above the mud cap is broken away and the mud cap is removed to provide access to the interior  26  of the preset  24 . An activation assembly (not shown) that accepts a duplex receptacles or other wiring devices may then be installed in the preset  24 .  
         [0047]    Wire pull openings  31  extend between the interior  26  of the preset  24  and the communications cells  18  to provide access to the services carried in the communication cells. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire pull openings  31  are generally oval shaped. It will be appreciated however that the shape of these openings is merely illustrative.  
         [0048]    Referring additionally to FIGS. 2 through 8B, a wire pull grommet  40  for mounting in the wire pull openings will now be described. The grommet  40  has a built-in bend radius for preventing damage to cables as they are pulled through the wire pull opening. The grommet  40  also is constructed to serve as a wire storage loop for storing excess wiring for future re-termination. In the preferred embodiment, the grommet can store approximately 1 meter of category 5-type cable or fiber optic cable. The grommet is preferably injection molded from a suitable material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While the grommet is described in the context of a wire pull opening extending between a raceway cell and a preset, it is to be understood that the grommet is not so limited. The grommet can also be used, for example at the junction of a raceway cell and an afterset housing. Moreover, as described below, the grommet can be modified for use at a variety of wire pull openings, such as between a raceway cell and a feeder duct.  
         [0049]    The grommet  40  has a housing or body  38  consisting of a proximal portion  41  and a distal portion  42 . The proximal portion  41  has an outer circumferential dimension that is larger than the preset opening, whereas the distal portion is constructed for insertion through the wire pull opening  31 . A central opening or passage  44  extends through the grommet  40  between the preset  24  and the raceway cell  18 . The central passage  44  of the grommet  40  is sized so that the grommet  40  can be held by inserting one&#39;s fingers into the proximal end of the central passage. The proximal portion  41  of the grommet  40  is flared outwardly, as is the inner surface of the central opening  44 . This flared construction gives the proximal end of the central opening  44  a smooth radiussed surface  45  that functions as a wire pull strain relief. Preferably, this surface has a radius of at least 1 inch. (In a version of the grommet that has been developed by the assignee, Walker Systems, Inc., this radius is 1.25 inches).  
         [0050]    The outer surface of the grommet  40  has an annular slot  46  or groove that is configured to engage about the edge of the wire pull opening  31  to secure the grommet within the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal gap between a set of proximal stops  48 , and a set of distal stops  50  define the annular slot  46 . The proximal stops  48  are in the form of longitudinal ribs  52  or flanges extending along the outer surface of the proximal portion  41  of the grommet  40 . The distal stops  50  are formed by a lower leg  56  and a pair of upwardly extending flanges  58 . The lower leg  56  is angled so that its lower edge extends away from the proximal edge  62  of the grommet  40 . The grommet is configured to fit in wire pull openings of different sizes. In the illustrated embodiment, the grommet fits in oval-shaped openings having a height on the order of 1.1 inches and a width ranging from 3.58 to 3.88 inches.  
         [0051]    Installation of the grommet will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The grommet  40  is initially lowered into the preset  24  through the top opening  30 . The lower leg  56  of the grommet is then inserted through the wire pull opening and into the communication cell  18 . The weight of the lower leg  56  acts to correctly orient the grommet  40  within the opening  31 . As the distal portion  42  of the grommet  40  pivots downwardly, the upper flanges  58  come into contact with the upper edge of the wire pull opening  31 . With continued upward pressure on the proximal end  41  of the grommet, the flanges  58  bias the grommet wall inwardly until the flanges move past the upper wall of the opening, and lock the wall within the groove  46 . (See FIGS. 3 and 8A). If necessary, the grommet  40  can be removed from the opening by inserting a screwdriver into the gap between the top of the grommet and the sidewall of the preset and twisting the screwdriver.  
         [0052]    The grommet  40  is constructed to provide a wire storage loop  70  for storing excess wire for future re-terminations. As is shown in FIG. 9, wire  71  is routed from the communication cell  18  and through the central passage  44 . The wire then passes down through an opening  72  and is wrapped around the outer periphery of the grommet  40 . Wire retention hooks  74  extend outwardly from the front or proximal edge of the grommet  40  to retain the wire on the wire storage section  70 .  
         [0053]    In the illustrated embodiment, the wire pull opening and the grommet are illustrated as being oval shaped. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this construction. For example, the wire pull opening and grommet could have circular cross sections.  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIGS.  10 - 14 B, a second embodiment of a wire protection grommet  140  according to certain aspects of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is constructed so that it can be installed into a new preset installation prior to pulling the wires, or it retrofitted into an existing installation without the need to disconnect the cabling that is installed in the preset.  
         [0055]    The grommet  140  has a C-shaped housing or body  138  configured for installation into a wire pull opening. The housing  138  includes a front portion  141  that has an outer dimension that is larger than the wire pull opening and a distal portion  142  sized and constructed for insertion through a wire pull opening. The front portion  141  includes a pair of laterally extending legs  144  that are configured to engage against the wall of the preset around the wire pull opening to prevent the grommet from falling through the opening. The rear portion  142  includes a pair of rearwardly extending legs  146  that are adapted for insertion through the wire pull opening. Specifically, during installation, the legs  146  are squeezed inwardly, in the direction  150  so they may be inserted through the wire pull opening. Once the legs  146  pass through the opening, they flex outwardly to lock the grommet  140  into the opening.  
         [0056]    A central passage  152  extends through the grommet  140  between the preset  156  and the raceway cell  158 . This passage  152  is sized to receive a plurality of wires or cables  159 . The passage has a smooth radiaused (convex) surface  160  which functions as a wire pull strain relief in the manner described above in connection with the first embodiment. The top of the passage  152  is open to allow cables to slide into the passage  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top opening or slot  162  extends the entire width of the passage  152 , thereby providing the housing  138  with a generally “C” shape when viewed from the front. It will be appreciated however that a narrower top opening could be provided to enhance the structural rigidity of the grommet and to provide a larger wire pull strain relief section. Moreover, a similar construction can be achieved by forming a slot in the wall of the grommet  40  of the first embodiment (or the grommet  340  of the third embodiment) to permit wires to be slid laterally into the central passage  44  instead of rooting them longitudinally through the passage.  
         [0057]    Referring to FIGS.  14 - 15 , installation of the grommet  140  into an existing preset installation will be briefly described. The preset  156  shown in FIG. 14 includes a pair of power brackets  164  (one shown) mounted on opposite walls of the present and a pair of data or communication brackets  166  (one shown) mounted on opposite walls of the preset. Each of the power brackets  164  is configured to support a duplex outlet  168  and each of the communication brackets  166  is configured to support a communication device  170 , such as a coaxial or category  5  connector. The mounting brackets are secured to the preset by fasteners such as bolts (not shown). In order to install the grommet  140  into one of the communication openings, the fasteners are removed and the communication bracket  166  is lifted up and out of the preset  156 . (See FIG. 14B). The grommet  140  is then slid over the wires so that the wires extend through the passage  152 . Because the passage  152  has an open top  162 , the grommet can be installed without disconnecting the cables  159  from the communication devices  170 . Next, the grommet  140  is aligned with the wire pull opening  168  and the rear legs  146  are compressed inwardly, i.e. in the direction  150 , to allow the legs to be slid through the wire pull opening  172 . As the grommet  140  is slid into the opening  172 , it is pressed downward until the rear legs  146  move past the wall of the raceway, at which time the legs snap outwardly to lock the grommet into the opening. As can best be seen in FIGS. 12 and 15, the bottom surface of the grommet presents a pair of retention hooks  174  that fit around the wall of the preset opening to secure and retain the grommet within the opening. Once the grommet is installed, the wires are fed back through the preset opening and the communication bracket is secured in place. This process can be repeated for the data opening on the opposite side of the preset. Moreover, a similar process is followed to install the grommet into a newly installed preset prior to installation of the communication devices and associated cabling.  
         [0058]    Referring to FIGS.  16  to  20 , a third embodiment of the wire protection grommet  340  is described. This embodiment configured for installation, for example, in a wire pull opening at the junction of a raceway cell and a feeder duct. (See, e.g., FIG. 28). The grommet  340  includes a housing or body  338  consisting of a proximal portion  341  and a distal portion  342 . The proximal portion  341  has an outer dimension that is larger than the preset opening, whereas the distal portion is constructed for insertion through the wire pull opening  331 . A central passage  344  extends through the grommet  340 . The central passage  344  presents a smooth, radiussed surface  345 , which functions as a wire pull strain relief in the manner described above in connection with the first embodiment.  
         [0059]    The proximal portion  340  of the housing presents a rear wall  350  that is constructed to abut against the wall of the raceway around the wire pull opening. The rear portion  342  of the housing includes a wall or flange  352 , which protrudes from the rear wall  350  of the housing. The flange  352  is configured for insertion through  15  the wire pull opening and preferably presents an outer edge, which forms a close fit with the wire pull opening. Upper and lower locking tabs  354 ,  356  extend from the rear protrusion. The spaces between the locking tabs  354 ,  356  and the rear wall  350  and define a gap  358  that is sized and configured to receive the wall of the raceway. (See FIGS. 20A and 20B).  
         [0060]    Installation of the grommet  340  into a wire pull opening  360  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B. The grommet  340  is tilted and its top end is inserted into the wire pull opening  360  so that the top wall  362  of the opening slides into the gap  358  between the upper tab  354  and the rear wall  350 . The lower edge of the grommet  340  is then pivoted downwardly towards the opening. As this is done, the lower wall  364  of the grommet  340  is compressed upwardly to permit the lower locking tab  356  to slide past the lower wall  368  of the opening  360 . A handle  368  is provided to aid in compressing the lower wall  364 . Once the lower locking tab  356  moves past the lower wall  368  of the opening  360 , the lower wall  364  of the grommet  340  is released and the lower wall  368  of the opening  360  slides into the gap  358  between the lower locking tab  356  and the rear wall  350  of the housing.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 21 through 25 illustrate a bend radius element attachment  400  that can be used in conjunction with the grommet  300  of FIGS.  17 - 20 . The bend radius attachment  400  presents first and second convex sections  402 ,  404  that extend generally perpendicular to one another. The bend radius attachment  400  can be secured to the upper wall  366  of the grommet  300 , adjacent to an end of the central passage  344 . For this purpose, the bend radius attachment  400  includes a pair of legs  406 ,  408  that are configured to slide into reciprocal apertures or slots  410  in the grommet  300 . At least one of the legs  406 ,  408  includes a locking tab  414  that snaps into the grommet  300  to fixedly secure the bend radius attachment  400  to the grommet  300 . While the bend radius attachment  400  is shown as a separate element, it should be appreciated that this element could be formed integrally with the grommet  300 . In use, the bend radius attachment  400  is preferably installed after the grommet is mounted in the wire pull opening. As can be seen in FIG. 26, wires or cables  414  extend from the raceway and through the central passage  344  of grommet  300 . The cables  414  can then be bent upwardly and back around the bend radius attachment  400  in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to that of the raceway below. (See FIG. 27) Openings  416  are provided on the bend radius attachment  400  to allow the cables to be secured to the bend radius attachment, e.g. with cable ties. The bend radius attachment allows cabling to bend approximately 90 degrees while still maintaining a bend radius of approximately 1.25 inches into an adjoining raceway below.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view of a raceway system illustrating installation of grommets  40 ,  340  constructed in accordance with the first and third embodiments. The raceway system comprises a cellular raceway  10  as described above. Activation boxes, e.g., presets  24 , are connected to the raceway at selected locations for providing access to the cellular raceway from above the finished floor. Feeder ducts  416  (one shown) extend between the cellular raceway  10  and a distribution closet (not shown) to allow cables to be routed from the closet and into the cellular raceway  10 . As illustrated, the feeder ducts  416  typically run perpendicular to the cells of the cellular raceway, and they are mounted on top of the cellular raceway  10 . In use, cables  414  are routed from the distribution closet, through the feeder duct  10 , into the cellular raceway  10 , and in turn into the activation boxes. The grommets  340  and  40  prevent damage to the cables and ensure that the proper bend radius is maintained in the cables at their transitions from the feeder duct to the raceway cell and from the raceway cell to the activation box, respectively.