Single Duct Conduits Patents (Class 174/68.3)
  • Patent number: 6600106
    Abstract: A telecommunications patch panel including a frame member defining a plurality of connector locations, the frame member including front and rear faces, and a first flange extending outwardly from the rear face including at least two tabs. Also included is a cable management member with first and second legs including notch portions and a cable bar coupled to the first and second legs. The notch portions on the cable management member may be engaged within the tabs located on the frame member so as to detachably couple the cable management member to the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Standish, John David Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6586673
    Abstract: Service loop tray assembly provides aesthetic organized service loop for a large or small amount of low voltage cables. In data center, a series of channel-shaped cable trays hold sets of cables. Each cable tray has a substantially u-shaped cross section and is mounted to a ladder rack at a series of junctures. The cable tray includes a substantially level service loop section, a cable access ramp and a cable drop lip, the service loop section connected to a cable access ramp and to a cable drop lip, the cable drop lip positioned to guide a first set of cables resting on the first cable tray into a data cabinet under the ladder rack containing termination points for cables. Cable access ramp of each cable tray rises sufficiently to avoid interference with a further set of cables that continues to a further cable tray at further junctures along ladder rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Hernan F. Socarras
  • Publication number: 20030098172
    Abstract: A decorative electrical cord cover and deployment member comprising a removable, tubular cover constructed from a longitudinal portion of fabric material having a circular cross-section and a predetermined length and width. The longitudinal portion of fabric material has its longest edges permanently secured forming the tubular cover. The tubular cover is applied to a hollow deployment member for facilitating deployment of the cord cover onto one or more electrical cords. In the preferred embodiment, the longest edges of the fabric material are permanently secured with color coordinated sewing thread and the deployment member is cylindrical. A method for applying the cord cover onto the deployment member, as well as a method for deploying the cord cover from the deployment member onto one or more electrical cords are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Kim Marie Clark
  • Patent number: 6570092
    Abstract: A wire cable duct includes a grid made up of wires of two different types, namely longitudinal wires which run longitudinally the entire length of the duct and U-shaped transverse wires disposed transversely to the longitudinal wires, from place to place along their length and appropriately attached thereto. The resulting trough-like combination forms three panels, namely a bottom panel and two side panels. The side panels include a longitudinal row of successive planar and substantially rectangular edge meshes which constitute upper parts of the side panels, each of which is defined between two facing flange portions of two consecutive transverse wires, and each of which includes at least one anti-flexing member to limit its flexing about an axis perpendicular to its plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Krieg & Zivy Industries
    Inventor: Stéphane Quertelet
  • Publication number: 20030094302
    Abstract: An electrical carrier member has a dielectric shell, an electrical conductor, and at least one open channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The dielectric shell has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of enclosed channels extending longitudinally therethrough. The shell has a first end and a second end. The electrical conductor extends through each enclosed channel. Each electrical conductor terminates proximate to the first end and the second end. The at least one open channel has a longitudinally extending opening to receive at least one conductor cable insertable laterally into the at least one open channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Power Ease, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert P. Magyar, Philip Hague, Philipp Steiner, Michael Joss
  • Patent number: 6566603
    Abstract: A harness slack absorbing structure includes a resilient member 6 in a plate-like shape whose base end is fixed to a protector body 8 by means of a fixing member 7, and a wire harness 4 installed along the resilient member. The resilient member 6 is provided with a cut-out 34, and the fixing member 7 is provided with a slit 43 which is adapted to be engaged with the resilient member 6. An upper end 34a of the cut-out 34 is abutted against a lower end 43b of the slit 43, while the other end 34b of the cut-out is abutted against a base end 42b of the fixing member 7. The cut-out 34 may be provided on either side or both sides of the resilient member 6. The protector body 8 includes an insertion part 16 for receiving the resilient member 6, and the insertion part is provided with a cut-out 30 adapted to be engaged with the fixing member 7. The fixing member is fixed to the protector body by screw means 33, or through thermal deformation of projections which are formed of synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Doshita, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6559382
    Abstract: A secure cable trough includes a tray, a retaining member, and an adjustable fastening mechanism. The tray includes a first retaining arm. The retaining member includes a second retaining arm. The retaining member is slideably engaged to the tray. The first retaining arm, the second retaining arm, the tray, and the retaining member define a cavity for housing the cables. The first retaining arm and the second retaining arm extend toward each other and are offset and overlapping. The distance between the first and second retaining arm defines a gap. The gap provides access to cables and allows cables to be inserted and extracted from the trough. The first and second retaining arms inhibit cables housed within the trough from inadvertently falling out. The adjustable fastening mechanism slideably engages and locks the retaining member to the tray. The adjustable fastening mechanism allows the retaining member to be positioned relative to the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bassel H. Daoud, David S. Kerr, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Patent number: 6559387
    Abstract: A universal ground clamp having a clamping strap having a series of uniformly sized and spaced apertures to facilitate the installation of the clamp onto a wide range of structures of various shaped and sized cross-sections. A metal stud, through which the clamping strap is secured, includes a terminal portion adapted to accommodate and have secured therein a ground wire. A pair of curved plates supported upon the stud are used to form a tight clamping action of the strap about the structure to be grounded, without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or tearing, but permitting the strap to tightly encircle the structure. One of the curved plates is captivated on the strap with stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Senior Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Franks
  • Publication number: 20030079899
    Abstract: A fitting for routing cables between first and second ducts in a raceway system, the first duct having a first cross-sectional dimension and the second duct having a second and different cross-sectional dimension from the first cross-sectional dimension, the fitting including a first end for attaching to the first duct, a second end for attaching to the second duct, and an insertable reducer disposable generally between the first and second ends of the fitting, the reducer for adapting the fitting to transition between the first and second cross-sectional dimensions, the reducer including a barb for bitingly engaging at least one of the ducts and retaining the at least one duct to said fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventor: William A. Bernard
  • Patent number: 6540531
    Abstract: A shielded cable assembly contains a hardpoint that resists damage arising from possible collapse of the shielded cable assembly under strong compressional forces that are exerted by a clamp assembly in the form of a separable block having first and second opposed members. The hardpoint contains a conduit that protects a data transfer line or cable bundle by compressing electromagnetic shielding between the conduit and the clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Farrukh S. Syed, Brent A. Boudreaux, Eric C. Peterson, Richard Schumacher, Martha G. Peterson, J. Michael Andrewartha, Jeffrey Todd Haselby, Kirankumar Chhaganlal Patel
  • Patent number: 6541705
    Abstract: A management rack for facilitating the routing and organization of a plurality of elongated members. The rack includes a frame, a spanning element having distinct edges thereof attached to the frame at distinct portions thereof, an organizational element disposed on the spanning element for routing and organizing at least some of the plurality of elongated members, a first hinge support disposed in a first location on the frame, a second hinge support disposed in a second location on the frame, and a door having a first hinge for engaging the first hinge support and having a second hinge for engaging the second hinge support whereby the door is rotatable on the hinges between a closed position where the portion of the frame between the first and second hinge supports is substantially covered by the door and thereby generally inaccessible and an open position where the portion of the frame between the first and second hinge supports is substantially uncovered by the door and thereby generally accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20030047343
    Abstract: A cable management assembly and method of assembly. The trough assembly includes first and second trough members each having first and second upstanding sidewalls extending from a base defining a generally U-shaped trough which defines first and second cable pathways respectively for receiving at least one telecommunications cable. A first end of the first trough member and a second end of the second trough member define a snap-together mating arrangement which couples through longitudinal sliding movement the first trough member to the second trough member so that the first cable pathway communicates with the second cable pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Matthew D. Ferris
  • Publication number: 20030047344
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an I-channel surface mount connector comprising a length of cylindrical rod having a generally I-shaped cross section is improved by providing an extended mounting flange. When a first circuit device is connected to a second circuit device with the extended flange extending outward of the first device, the flange can extend beyond the periphery of the first device. This extension has the advantage that the solder bond between the flange and the second device can be easily inspected from above using visual inspection equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Apurba Roy
  • Publication number: 20030042039
    Abstract: A method for positioning a cable in a recess behind a fixed structure, e.g. a storage bin, in an aircraft. A portion of the cable is enclosed in a conduit. Panels adjacent the structure are removed to partially expose the recess and at least one stringer. The conduit is directed into the recess from adjacent one end of the structure until the conduit passes another end of the structure, and the conduit is fastened to the stringer(s). The method provides an easy way to route cable behind a fixed structure without removing the structure and without having to make holes in the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Guy A. Lambiaso
  • Patent number: 6528726
    Abstract: An assembly for cable conduits of workstation furniture, having a plurality of different profile sections which can be inserted into one another. Connecting elements are shaped on or in the inner and/or outer side of the profile sections. The assembly has three different profile sections which can be easily assembled in order to construct vertical cable conduits which can be connected to a column of the furniture frame, thus offering attachment possibilities for additional structures in or on the inner and outer sides of the cable conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Otto Lampertz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ala Jauch, Markus Schmidt, Werner-Josef Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6521835
    Abstract: A cable raceway for carrying cables, e.g., fiber optic cables, across interior or exterior spaces is disclosed. The cable raceway includes a series of support channels and a plurality of main channels, each main channel being disposed in an overlaying relationship between successive pairs of support channels. An elongated slot is formed through end portions of the main channels, and bolts pass through spacers attached to the support channels and disposed in the elongated slots. The cable raceway also includes a plurality of covers set over respective channel members. Each cover includes a top portion; a pair of opposing sides extending downward perpendicularly from the top portion; and, a pair of steps formed on inner surfaces of respective sides adjacent to the top portion, thereby extending longitudinally along the length of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: K. & M. Realty Trust
    Inventor: Karl A. Walsh
  • Patent number: 6513289
    Abstract: A retaining clip for trunking includes a fixing base attached locally to a longitudinal wall of a base section of the trunking, such as an internal partition thereof, and a retaining flap which is articulated to the fixing base and can move from a standby position, in which it allows unrestricted access to the underlying interior volume of the base section, to a service position, in which it closes that interior volume at least partly, extending substantially transversely relative to it. The retaining clip includes, independently of any member or component of the base section or of the trunking, a releasable locking system for locking the retaining flap in its service position. Applications include trunking for electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventors: Bertrand Decore, Raphael Decore
  • Publication number: 20030010521
    Abstract: A telecommunications patch panel including a frame member defining a plurality of connector locations, the frame member including front and rear faces, and a first flange extending outwardly from the rear face including at least two tabs. Also included is a cable management member with first and second legs including notch portions and a cable bar coupled to the first and second legs. The notch portions on the cable management member may be engaged within the tabs located on the frame member so as to detachably couple the cable management member to the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Craig M. Standish, John David Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030006057
    Abstract: A wire harness has a trunk line, a branch line and a wire tie member. The trunk line includes a bundle of wires. The branch line branches from the trunk line at a branch portion, and has at least one wire. The wire tie member has a tie strap and a buckle. A non-tying portion of the tie strap passes through and extends beyond the buckle. A tying portion of the tie strap encircles and holds the bundle of wires of the trunk line adjacent the branch portion. The branch line is disposed along and is tightly secured to the non-tying portion of the strap. The non-tying portion supports the branch line in a predetermined routing orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Takeharu Ito, Mikio Uchida
  • Patent number: 6504093
    Abstract: A cabling apparatus that is easily retrofitted into the cabin of an aircraft for allowing containment and routing of cabling. The cabling apparatus is integrated into an interior compartment of an aircraft and may be adjacent to a seat of the aircraft. The cabling apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing comprising a flexible material with a longitudinal opening along its length, thus providing two opposing edges to the opening. The opposing edges comprise first and second locking connectors for inter-engaging to lock the opening of the cabling apparatus. When the first and second locking connectors are urged into engagement the cabling apparatus is locked in a closed position such that cabling contained therein cannot be removed or accessed. In one embodiment the cabling apparatus is affixed to a cabin floor of the aircraft by a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John Edward Cawley
  • Patent number: 6504098
    Abstract: A system of architectural moldings that, when installed, form a passage for electrical wiring, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and associated devices used in the transmission of low-voltage power, communication, and control signals. The architectural moldings may also be used to cover and improve the aesthetic appeal of pre-existing wiring raceways and conduits. The system as a whole may be installed during construction of new a home or building or when retrofitting an existing structure. The moldings can be removably mounted on the interior surfaces of residential and commercial structures in a manner that allows for easy removal and replacement of some or all of the molding without disturbing the enclosed wiring and cables or harming finished surfaces. The moldings may be made of wood, polyurethane, fiberboard, or any material that is suitable to manufacture pieces that resemble baseboards, cornice moldings, chair rails, casings, or other interior millwork for homes or commercial structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: James D. Seamans
  • Patent number: 6501026
    Abstract: An accessory to be attached to a base section of trunking for routing electrical cables is provided with a wall for concealing, inside the trunking, any longitudinal gap beyond an edge of at least one length of cover section. The wall has an effacable projecting finger on the front. Applications include the fitting of electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventors: David Piole, Bertrand Decore
  • Patent number: 6498296
    Abstract: Connector device for electric cable carrier tray sections, which come together at a point of connection, each of the cable carrier tray sections including a straight elongate U-shaped body member, where each arm of the U defines a side wall and a bottom wall extends between both side walls, where the connecting device comprises at least one joining member for the connection of two electrical cable carrier tray sections, which change direction at the point of connection, and are attached together by the side walls by securing means, wherein the joining member is rigid and is differentiated in two parts, where the parts form a fixed angle therebetween in a central region of the joining member and each of the parts has means for attachment to the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Aparella Electrico, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Benito-Navazo
  • Patent number: 6494414
    Abstract: A retainer device for conductors in an electrical raceway, which is applicable to raceways formed by the association of a U-shaped base section with a cover section. The base section is provided in the walls thereof with equidistant narrow transverse slots which define therebetween outstanding transverse tabs or strips which form a comb-like arrangement. The device is formed by an open narrow annular member of a right prismatic profile, the bottom portion thereof corresponds to the right internal cross section of the base section, of the raceway to which it is directed. The member has a bottom portion, two wall portions and two free end portions. The two free end portions are located at the level of the open side of the base section and face each other in an overhanging fashion and are partially overlapping. The two wall portions are provided with projections to interact with the walls and/or with the wall portion of an adjacent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Aparellaje Electrico, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Benito-Navazo
  • Patent number: 6489565
    Abstract: A vertical cable raceway for routing cables to electronic equipment includes a trough having a base member and two side members and at least one separable cable guide installed on the edge of a side member. The cable guide includes a plurality of projections forming cable rings for guiding cables laterally from the side of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Chatsworth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William Drew Krietzman, Enrie Rillo Ballesteros, Bryan Joel Melamed
  • Patent number: 6489556
    Abstract: An assembly for cable conduits of a piece of workstation furniture having a plurality of different profile sections which can be inserted into one another, which have essentially planar outer sides, and which support connecting elements or connecting grooves, the elements or grooves being formed on the inner sides. The assembly has four different profile sections including a curved wall profile section, a side wall profile section, a wall termination profile section, and a cover profile section which can be inserted into one another to form different cable conduit structures using simple insertion elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Otto Lampertz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ala Jauch, Markus Schmidt, Werner-Josef Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6484360
    Abstract: An end cap for engaging a raceway having an end wall portion and a gripping wall portion extending from the inner surface of the end wall portion at a first end of said gripping wall portion. A plurality of barbs extend from opposing surfaces of the gripping wall portion which engage the inner channel surface of the raceway to form a friction fit therewith. In a second embodiment, the plurality of barbs are progressively wider from the distal end of the gripping wall portion to its first end, allowing the end cap to be employed with various sized raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph DeBartolo, Jr., Daniel Methot
  • Patent number: 6483025
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable tray for supporting conduit thereon. The tray includes an elongated spine section which includes first and second section channels which extend along opposing first and second surfaces thereof. The tray has a plurality of support member assemblies which have a plate end and a support end opposite the plate end. The plate end of the support member assembly engages the first and second section channels, and includes at least one fastening aperture. The support end extends away from the elongated spine section. The tray also has a plurality of fasteners for threadably engaging the at least one fastening aperture of said support member plate end. The fasteners secure the support member assemblies at a desired location along the first and second section channels whereby support member assemblies are slidably positioned at a desired location and fastened thereto to provide a custom arrangement of support member assemblies about the spine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: T.J. Cope Inc.
    Inventors: A. Gene Samsi, Roger W. Deihm
  • Publication number: 20020166691
    Abstract: Wrap-around cable sleeves are provided for environmentally sealing a cable section. The cable sleeves include a wrap-around body member of an electrically insulating material and have a longitudinally extending portion with a corrugated lateral cross-section. The longitudinally extending portion defines a portion of a cable chamber extending around the cable section when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A closure edge extends along a first longitudinal edge of the body member. A sealant chamber extends along a second longitudinal edge of the body member. The sealant chamber has an opening configured to receive the closure edge when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. A sealant material is positioned in the sealant chamber to environmentally seal the longitudinal edges of the body member when the body member is wrapped around the cable section. Methods of forming wrap-around cable sleeves are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Harry George Yaworski, Sherif I. Kamel, Rudolf Robert Bukovnik, Kenton Archibald Blue
  • Patent number: 6476327
    Abstract: A raceway section forms part of a raceway system for routing, protecting and enclosing cabling, and includes a base member, which may be U-shaped, and two split covers independently removably attached to side walls of the base member, such as by a hook and buckle attachment system. The base member defines a cable receiving channel and a longitudinally extending top opening. The split covers each have a laterally extending cover portion, an outside edge portion, and an inside edge portion, wherein the split covers each cover a portion of the longitudinally extending top opening such that a substantial amount of the top opening is covered. The inside edge portions are juxtaposed to form a longitudinally extending slot sufficiently wide to allow the removal or insertion of a cable through the slot without removal of the split covers. For insertion or removal of larger cables or bundles, one or both split covers can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Bernard, Nicolas Youssef
  • Patent number: 6476322
    Abstract: Steel trunking is provided for housing transmission cables particularly in areas where hygiene and sterility is important. The invention provides lengths of hollow conduit which are secured together by push-on connectors in the form of sleeves. There is also provided a transmission cable outlet device (20) with a hollow body member terminating in an end plate (33). The end plate (33) carries glands (34) which grip and hold cables so as to provide a clean and efficient take-off from the trunking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Donal Joseph Dunne, Patrick Joseph Reidy, John Anthony Hennessy
  • Patent number: 6476323
    Abstract: Rigidized sleeving for protecting elongated items is disclosed. The sleeving is formed from an open mesh of interlaced filamentary members having flexible edge portions extending along the length of the sleeving. A stiffening matrix is attached to the mesh between the edge portions. The edge portions fold towards one another in an overlapping arrangement to create an inner space between the matrix and the edge portions where the elongated items are retained. The matrix has grooves or projections arranged lengthwise along the sleeving and designed to receive and retain the elongated items. Clips attach the sleeving to an external structure. Hook-and-loop fasteners retain the edge portions in overlapping interengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce E. Beebe, Paul J. Matte
  • Patent number: 6459038
    Abstract: An up-spout fitting useful for mounting onto various duct sections of a cable duct system having a base and side walls with a hinge arrangement. The up-spout fitting includes at least a pair of up-spout fitting halves. Each fitting half includes, a base element having a complementary hinge arrangement on at least one side thereof and side walls projecting upward from the base element and defining an outlet aperture that is open on at least one side of the fitting half and open on both a bottom and a top of the fitting half. The pair of fitting halves are mountable onto the duct section with respective outlet apertures facing each other to form a common outlet aperture substantially closed on the sides while remaining open on both the top and bottom to allow cable passage therethrough. By making the side walls of each fitting L-shaped, rotational opening of individual fitting halves can be achieved without interference with the other fitting half or cables located within the duct and fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Waszak, William A. Bernard
  • Patent number: 6455777
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution system including a hollow elongated enclosure such as flexible metal conduit, a modular furniture distribution, or similar enclosure has a plurality of elongated insulated conductors within the enclosure, and a plurality of wraps spaced along, and each surrounding, the plurality of insulated conductors. There is also a flexible electrical ground conductor having an exposed electrically conductive surface within the enclosure making electrical contact with the enclosure interior in a plurality of randomly distributed regions along the length of the enclosure thereby randomly grounding enclosure regions throughout the extent of elongation. The wraps may comprise strips of adhesive tape confining the plurality of insulated conductors in a bundle and excluding the flexible conductor from the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Dekko Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg Edward Laukhuf
  • Patent number: 6444912
    Abstract: A flat conduit wire harness assembly is provided for a vehicle. The flat conduit wire harness assembly includes a plurality of wires extending longitudinally and a conduit disposed about the wires. The flat conduit wire harness assembly also includes a wire tie disposed longitudinally about the conduit to form a bundle of the wires with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Vitaly Grossman
  • Patent number: 6437243
    Abstract: The reenterable wireway system of the present invention includes a channel-shaped slotted duct, an integrally co-extruded U-shaped cover assembly and discrete latches. The duct has an elongate base and two substantially parallel duct walls extending generally perpendicularly from the base with each of the walls disposed adjacent respective longitudinal edges thereof. The duct walls include at least a pair of adjacent duct fingers which define a slot permitting selective routing of wires of the bundle. The cover assembly has an elongate planar center element with a plurality of hinges and a plurality of corner elements, which have a first component co-planar with the central element, and a second component depending normal to the first component disposed. The orientation of the first and second components may be changed when the cover is molded to be biased in a “remain-open” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Charles F. VanderVelde, Donald C. Wiencek
  • Patent number: 6437244
    Abstract: A hinged duct system with a hinged cover is provided that includes a base member and a duct cover. The base member has a bottom wall and sidewalls defining a receiving channel. A distal end of at least one of the sidewalls includes a base hook having an inwardly directed flange portion and a convex portion extending outwardly from the receiving channel towards the at least one sidewall. A distal end of the convex portion is spaced from the flange portion to define a cavity therebetween. The duct cover is hingedly attached to the at least one sidewall. The duct cover includes at least one curved end portion forming a hinge end section. The hinge end section includes a cover hook having a distal end receivable in the base member cavity and a cover flange spaced inwardly from the cover hook. When the duct cover is mounted to the base member the cover flange abuts the convex portion of the base hook with a pre-load pressure that creates a point of contact pressure engagement point on the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventor: Charles Vander Velde
  • Patent number: 6433282
    Abstract: A sectional, modular and orientable element for the formation of fairlead raceways (7) for wires (8), including a central body (2) provided with a plurality of shaped and aligned arms (6) which extend radially from said central bodies (2) and with means for their coupling. Said coupling means includes at least two sequential coaxial cavities (4, 5) obtained at an end (2) of said central body (2), and an extension provided at the free end of an hemispheric coaxial bull (3) obtained at the opposite end of said central body (2) and coaxial to said cavities (4, 5). The modular concatenation takes place by fitting the hemispheric bulb (3) of a first modular element with one of the cavities (4, 5) of a second modular element. The fitting in either the first (4) or the second sequential cavity (5) allows obtaining of concatenations that can be oriented following direction variations of the raceways, or that can be straight for linear raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Manufatti Plastici Traversa Ezio S.N.C.
    Inventor: Ezio Traversa
  • Patent number: 6429378
    Abstract: A lead-in clamp with electric wire protective casing are disclosed. The electric wire protective casing is a long plastic roll tube, whose longitudinal free edges are not sealed, but rather can be expanded out and drawn back, on the roll tube there being formed a series of uniformly spaced transverse recesses. The lead-in clamp comprises left and right clamp stems, left and right clamp bodies and a clamping spring. When the left and right clamp bodies are fitted together, a wire passing cylinder and a casing guiding head are formed. When in use, the wires are put into the wire passing cylinder, then insert the casing guiding head into one end of the wire protective casing tube. After the wire protective casing tube is fixed stationary by hand, the lead-in clamp is pushed toward the other end of the wire protective casing, thereby to encase all of the wires into the wire protection casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Majorank International Limited
    Inventor: Man Huang Shak
  • Patent number: 6429376
    Abstract: The present invention includes an add-on trough for use with existing telecommunications equipment racks having cable management troughs. The add-on troughs engage the outer edge of the existing troughs and permit higher densities of telecommunications circuits to be incorporated with these racks. Several alternative embodiments are adapted for mounting on either upper or lower troughs, or on lower troughs only. The troughs may incorporate a reinforcement structure as required to support the weight of cables placed within the trough without sagging. A variety of openings for telecommunications cable passage into and out of the troughs are provided. A power cable route is incorporated into the design of certain embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose-Filonel T. Mendoza
  • Patent number: 6417452
    Abstract: A wiring harness bending mechanism is provided, which includes: a wiring harness; and first and second link arms each having a tubular portion to put the wiring harness therethrough, wherein a pair of convexities are formed on the first link arm and a pair of concavities to engage the convexities are formed on the second link arm. The first link arm is formed of a pair of first divided link arms connected with a hinge portion and each having a convexity, and the second link arm is formed of a pair of second divided link arms connected with a hinge portion and each having a concavity. A plate portion is provided projectingly from each of the tubular portions, and the pair of convexities are arranged on one end side of one plate portion and the pair of concavities are arranged on one end side of the other plate portion. A fixing portion is provided on each of the other end sides of the respective plate portions for mounting the first and second link arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Doshita
  • Patent number: 6410844
    Abstract: A switchgear assembly in which a number of cells housing electrical switching apparatus such as circuit breakers are vertically stacked in a forward compartment has combined arc shield/wire trays between cells for terminating secondary wiring for easy access through front doors on the switchgear assembly and for protecting the secondary wiring from circuit breaker arc gases. The arc gases are deflected by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined panel forming the back wall of the wire tray. A vertical wall forward of the inclined panel mounts a lower horizontal row of terminal blocks forward of an upper row. A wireway has a vertical section in a forward corner of the cabinet beside the vertically stacked cells which communicates with the wire trays, and a horizontal section extending rearward under the top wall of the cabinet. An inclined gutter provides a transition between the top of the vertical section and the forward end of the horizontal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney William Bruner, John Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 6410852
    Abstract: A conduit to house electrical wires is provided between two electrical service boxes. The conduit includes a length of continuously-threaded Schedule 80 PVC tubing which has a first end and a second end. The tubing is externally threaded from the first end to the second end. The conduit further includes a first lock nut and a first threaded bushing cooperatively threaded onto the conduit to secure the conduit to one of the electrical service boxes. The conduit can further include a second lock nut and a second threaded bushing cooperatively threaded on the conduit to secure the conduit to the other electrical service box. Alternatively, the tubing can include a collar to secure the conduit to the other electrical service box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald Eugene Schimpf
  • Patent number: 6403885
    Abstract: A retention device for the installation of cabling includes a bottom surface for connecting the retention device to a support structure, and a top surface which is integrally connected to the bottom surface at a distance therefrom by an aft surface. The top surface includes at least two cable gripping members which define a passage for selectively housing the cable clusters. The gripping member is defined by a distal edge, a proximal edge and a structural area connecting them. The passage is defined by the distal edge and proximal edge of the adjacent gripping members and an aft edge of the aft surface. The aft edge engages the top surface in an off-set manner sufficiently large to generate clearance for, and reduce bending tension of, cable clusters which engage the retention device during installation. The gripping member further includes a forward end extension, integrally connected to the structural area of the gripping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Frank Phillip Baker, III, Theodore Alan Conorich, Wayne Scott Filus
  • Publication number: 20020066586
    Abstract: Connector device for electric cable carrier tray sections, which come together at a point of connection, each of the cable carrier tray sections comprising a straight elongate U-shaped body member, where each arm of the U defines a side wall and a bottom wall extends between both side walls, where the connecting device comprises at least one joining member for the connection of two electrical cable carrier tray sections, which change direction at the point of connection, and are attached together by the side walls by securing means, wherein the joining member is rigid and is differentiated in two parts, where the parts form a fixed angle therebetween in a central region of the joining member and each of the parts has means for attachment to the sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Juan Manuel Benito-Navazo
  • Patent number: 6399883
    Abstract: A low voltage electrical wire support assembly for routing wire along building interior structures includes a plurality of hangers that suspend low voltage electrical wiring from building interior structures. The hangers are fastened to the interior structures in a hanger row that follows a desired low voltage wiring path. Each hanger includes a slightly trapezoidal frame section integrally connected to a fastening flange. The hangers are shaped to support electrical wires strung through the frame sections and to allow elongated cover sections to fit over the frame sections. The cover sections conceal and protect the low voltage electrical wiring. C-shaped couplers fit collar-like around the joined ends of the cover sections and hold the cover sections together end-to-end. Each fastening flange includes fastener holes for receiving fasteners such as nails or screws. Side walls of each hanger frame section include an integrally outwardly extending horizontal ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas E. Lhota
  • Patent number: 6391171
    Abstract: A flangeless feed through supplies power to a device through a passage in a wall of a vacuum chamber. The feed through includes an insulator ring securely positioned in the passage, a first threaded insert, and a second threaded insert which engages the first threaded insert, wherein the insulator ring is gripped by the first and second threaded inserts. The feed through is installed by securely positioning the insulator ring within the passage, inserting the first threaded insert into the passage, and then connecting the first and second threaded inserts to grip the insulator ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C. Lommasson
  • Patent number: 6384329
    Abstract: An end cap for closing one end of trunking, the end cap having a closure part for closing an interior space of the trunking and a fixing part for fixing it to a back of a base section of the trunking. The closure and fixing parts are connected together by a connecting part. The connecting part constitutes an elastic coupling which allows the closure part to move relative to the fixing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Yvon Buard
  • Patent number: 6380484
    Abstract: Cable routing duct for orderly carriage of and branching off or routing of wires, cables, fiber optics, tubular elements and the like, having a series of accessible chambers interrupted by wire accommodation slots. Access panels pivot about living hinges fashioned of co-injected plastic materials to allow access to the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Theis, Harry C. Sweere
  • Publication number: 20020038716
    Abstract: A cable bridging conduit for crush protection, impact inertia damping and waterproof routing of thin fiber optic cables directly on paved road surfaces. The conduit is optimally flat, flexible, plurally innerducted and spooled. The main body of the bridging conduit is made of solid synthetic hard rubber with a shallow topside surface trough for armor inserts and gentle topside edge tapering so as to provide maximum protection to thin fiber optic cables on paved roadsides and crossings while minimizing, absorbing and dissipating vehicular impact inertia. The bridging conduit is designed for permanent roadside surface mounting as a large scale suburban communication infrastructure component. Inertia damping technology is intrinsic in the design of the bridging conduit as a critical element of its durability and utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald Anthony Pineda