Pipe Or Cable Patents (Class 248/49)
  • Patent number: 7500642
    Abstract: A pipe support is provided that includes a frame capable of being placed around an existing pipe and a plurality of support members within the frame. The frame is a hollow cylinder that includes two connectable halves divided along the diameter of the hollow cylinder. The pipe support includes two bearing rings connected to the frame for supporting each of the plurality of members at a minimum of two contact points. Each of the two bearing rings include bearing points for each support member arranged in a cylindrical pattern concentric with the hollow cylinder frame. The pipe support includes means for rotating each of the support members at a first contact point with respect to a second contact point so that the support members engage a pipe placed within the pipe support. The support members are rods that provide vibration isolation to a pipe placed within the pipe support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Seicon Limited
    Inventors: John Cunningham, Robert E. Roemer, Robert C. Banasik
  • Patent number: 7501576
    Abstract: Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, a ceiling raceway can be formed with an enclosable compartment for a number of cables locatable above a lower surface of a drop ceiling. The enclosable compartment can have a bottom hinged surface that is openable to enable access to an interior of the enclosable compartment. A flange can extend coplanar with the bottom hinged surface in a closed position to support a section of the drop ceiling such that the section is substantially flush with the bottom hinged surface in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas P. Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 7500644
    Abstract: A device for positioning and maintaining electric harnesses on the casing of a turbo-jet engine includes harness supports standardized for directions substantially perpendicular to the axis of the turbojet engine and harness supports standardized for directions substantially parallel to the axis of the turbo-jet engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Jacky Naudet, Aude Rivory, Gael Gaignon
  • Patent number: 7500346
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, where the upper strand rests on the lower strand and rollers (5, 6) are provided on at least some chain links of the upper strand and/or the lower strand, which can roll on running surfaces (9, 10) provided on the chain links of the opposite strand and which, on their running surface, display a number of spaced peripheral guide grooves that can be engaged by the crests (13, 14) of the rollers of the opposite strand, it is envisaged, in order to facilitate traversing of the chain, that the running surfaces display spaced longitudinal slits that allow the crests of the roller profile to pass through, where the webs (17, 18) between the longitudinal slits cover the guide grooves on the side facing the other strand, such that the crests of the rollers of the other strand can roll on the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Publication number: 20090057498
    Abstract: A J-hook cable support includes a semicircular saddle, a stem at one side of the saddle, and a tip at the other side of the saddle. The stem includes protruding tabs able to engage snap-on brackets in order to engage structural parts, or to couple multiple cable supports together. The stem may have two pairs of tabs at different heights along the stem away from the saddle. The tabs may be bent pieces of the metal of the stem, bent toward the back of the stem, away from the cable-receiving area defined by the saddle. The snap-on brackets may include one or more pairs of notches for engaging the tabs of one or more of the cable supports. A wire retainer may be used to close off the cable-receiving area, with the wire coupled to both the tip and the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael H.-S. Oh, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 7497072
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, where the upper strand lies on the lower strand and rollers (11, 12) are provided on at least some chain links of the lower strand and/or the upper strand, which roll on running surfaces (16) provided on the chain links of the opposite strand when the energy guiding chain is traversed, it is envisaged, in order to guarantee very quiet running, that the axis of rotation of each of the rollers (11, 12) coincides with the pivoting axis of the adjacent pair (4) of side straps (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 7497405
    Abstract: A support of this type comprising of two generally M-shaped saddle members held together by a connecting member such as a rod or part spot welds. The feet or foot portions of the outboard inclined legs of the generally M-shaped saddle members are to be flat with a hole in two of the off-setting feet so as to hold the said support in place with nails or staple. The saddle support is designed to hold electrical conduit and fittings in place and also it is primarily to be used to protect fittings. The body of the support is made of 5 mm-6 mm diameter iron rod. Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and depicted in the accompanying drawings be construed in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Weixiong Huo
  • Patent number: 7497404
    Abstract: A piping support device for supporting piping for conduit. The device includes: a hollow cylindrical member with a low aspect ratio and a first aperture therethrough; a first bracket and second bracket, each coupled to the cylindrical member and extending outwardly along a side of the cylindrical member; a first set screw, with setting and operation ends, disposed through the aperture and external to the cylindrical member. Additionally, there is a second set screw disposed through a second aperture in the cylindrical member, wherein the second aperture is radially distanced from the first aperture at an angle greater than about ninety degrees. Moreover, the device has a first coupling portion coupled to the cylindrical member and a second coupling portion, with a plurality of holes, extending from the first coupling portion substantially normal to the first coupling portion. Further, first coupling portion is shorter than the second coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Peter Fullan, Theresa Fullan
  • Publication number: 20090050753
    Abstract: A cable support apparatus for suspending audio and/or video system cables above the floor. The device is configured as a sandwich of at least three layers of electrically conductive foam, including first and second outer layers fabricated from a low density electrically conductive foam, and an inner layer disposed between said first and second outer layers and fabricated from a foam having a higher density and greater rigidity than the foam of said first and second layers. The inner layer includes a V-shaped crotch for supporting a cable with minimal surface contact. The cable support minimizes floor vibrations transmitted to the cable, breaks up resonant vibration modes within the cable support itself, and neutralizes static-electrical charge differentials between the cable and the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Caelin GABRIEL
  • Patent number: 7493750
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device wherein the wear of the cable is suppressed. The detachment of the partitioning wall plate is simplified. Pairs of right and left link plates, flexional inner circumferential side plates, flexional outer circumferential side plates and partitioning wall plates form a link body. The flexional inner circumferential side plate includes an abutting flap and an inner circumferential side flap integral therewith. Inner locking groove is formed in the inner circumferential connecting plate over the width direction in a stepped manner. A hook shaped locking proximal portion of the partitioning wall plate interengages an inner locking groove. Flexional outer circumferential side plate includes an outer locking groove extended in the width direction of the cable accommodating space and locks a locking front end portion of the partitioning wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7490600
    Abstract: An exhaust flue support apparatus has an elongate flue mounting plate incorporating at least one longitudinal strengthening bead. The mounting plate engages, by break-off tabs, a securing strap, a flange plate, and a centering plate. The mounting plate, securing strap, flange plate and centering plate are made from a single piece of sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: John G. Kopp
  • Publication number: 20090032649
    Abstract: An umbilical-member processing structure for an industrial robot which includes a forearm having a tool managing and relaying device and a wrist with proximal end rotatably connected to the forearm and having a work tool mounted on the distal end thereof, with an umbilical-member connected to the work tool being disposed to run along the wrist via the tool managing and relaying device: wherein the forearm has a first reduction gear which reduces the rotational speed of a driving source to drive the forearm in rotation; the first reduction gear having a first insertion hole for passing the umbilical-member therein; and wherein the wrist comprises a first wrist element having a through-path in communication with the first insertion hole and rotatably connected to the forearm, and a second wrist element having a second insertion hole in communication with the through-path and rotatably connected to the first wrist element; and wherein a conduit for passing the umbilical-member from one end to the other end is pr
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Toshihiko Inoue, Kazutaka Nakayama, Takatoshi Iwayama
  • Patent number: 7484351
    Abstract: In a deformable structure, connecting parts each of which has a base part are arranged longitudinally so that adjacent connecting parts are connected to each other. Respective first axes of the adjacent connecting parts are inclined to each other in a state that a spacer on one of the two adjacent base parts comes into contact with the other base part. When an external force is exerted on the deformable structure, the spacers restrain the deformable structure from being further curved into a radius of curvature smaller than a predetermined allowable radius of curvature. Most of the external force exerted on the deformable structure is born by the base parts and the spacers so that only a low force acts on the connecting parts. Thus the connecting parts do not break easily so that the deformable structure has a high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Harada, Yuji Maeguchi, Takahiro Inada
  • Patent number: 7484696
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a pipe fixing system that can provide generally uniform elasticity to a plurality of jaws movably disposed along the tapered inner peripheral surface at the inside of a body thereof, thus making a pipe fixed in a more rigid way. The pipe fixing system comprises a body 10, a plurality of jaws 20 in such a manner as to be moved toward an inlet 13 of the body 10, a jaw-coupling cylindrical plate spring member 30 mounted at the inside of the body 10 in such a manner as to be supported at the lower end thereof by the inner bottom surface of the body 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventor: Sukyoon Kim
  • Patent number: 7484534
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encasing a carrier pipe using PVC sections. Top and bottom carrier pipe encasement shells are provided, with connectors utilized to connect the two shells together thereby encasing the carrier pipe. The connectors generally “number four-shaped” in cross section, having downward flanges for attaching to the bottom shells and a pair of pairs of upward flanges defining a pair of channels there-between for receiving the rims of the top shell there-between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventor: David Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7484771
    Abstract: An adjustable bracket is provided with profiled parts (2, 3), a hinge (4) between the profiled parts (2, 3) and with a duct (7, 8) for accommodating media lines (9). The duct (7, 8) is formed of a flexible material. A fastening device (5, 6) for the duct (7, 8) is present on the top side and/or the underside of the profiled parts (2, 3) in such a way that it can be guided over the hinge (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Haehner, Axel Mummert
  • Publication number: 20090026323
    Abstract: A network cable bundling tool is disclosed, comprising an inner fitting retained within an outer jacket assembly. The outer jacket assembly comprises a first outer jacket half coupled to a substantially identical second outer jacket half, securing the inner fitting therein. The outer jacket assembly comprises a cylindrical housing, an intake orifice defined within the intake housing, and a plurality of funneling projections coupled to the cylindrical housing wherein the plurality of funneling projections form an array assuming the general shape of a truncated faceted cone. In operation, network cable wires are inserted into the inner fitting, and the inner fitting is then secured within the outer jacket assembly. The network cable bundling tool is then displaced in the desired direction of combing, arranging the network cables into an organized and space-efficient shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Michael J. Vermeer, Richard A. Marcus, Robert J. Krisel, David W. West
  • Publication number: 20090026322
    Abstract: A cable routing device for installation on a post of a computing system board, includes a tube shaped main body having a hollow inner cavity. The main body includes a lower generally cylindrical portion having a first inner diameter sized to achieve a clearance fit over the post, and a flexible upper portion having a general shape of a truncated cone when in an unflexed condition, the flexible upper portion having slits arranged approximately opposite to each other thereby defining two sides to the flexible upper portion, the flexible upper portion having a second inner diameter proximate to a top of the flexible upper portion. When the flexible upper portion is in the unflexed condition, the second inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter and smaller than an effective diameter of the post, and when the two sides are flexed in an outward direction the device achieves a clearance fit over the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Matt Neumann, Michael Brooks
  • Patent number: 7482536
    Abstract: An underfloor cable junction unit for installation in a raised-floor system used as cooling air supply duct for devices arranged on the raised floor and having floor panels with cooling air outlets has a top side. The top side or at least a major part of it is open to enable the passage of cooling air through the top side toward a floor panel with cooling air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Traugott Marquardt
  • Patent number: 7478783
    Abstract: A hose clamp retainer assembly for an implement includes a retainer welded to the implement and having an apertured wall leading into a cavity. A bolt having a headed end is slidably received within through the apertured wall for support within the cavity. A hose clamp received by the bolt includes a projecting portion abutting the second wall and preventing the headed end from sliding out of the cavity through the apertured wall. The bolt can be easily replaced if damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Anthony Scott Royer
  • Publication number: 20090016043
    Abstract: A telecommunications system including a frame to which telecommunications equipment is mounted. The frame defines a patch panel region and an active equipment region. Patch cords are interconnected between the patch panel region and the active equipment region. The system further includes a slack storage panel that stores patch cord slack. The slack storage panel defines a single cable routing pathway. The patch cords are routed through the slack storage panel such that no portion of the length of each patch cord overlaps itself. In systems including both copper and fiber cables, the copper cables are routed separately from the fiber cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Hruby, Glen Cordle, Cindy S. Walters, Michael Kenneth Barth
  • Patent number: 7475513
    Abstract: A non-penetrating seismic roof support that provides for a solid platform for the attachment of various pipe and equipment support devices with a positive means to secure both the support and the supported piping system or equipment to a building's structure in a fashion that further enables the support to be readily flashed to the roof s moisture proof membrane in order to prevent potential leakage of water into the building's interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Philip A. Parker
  • Patent number: 7476801
    Abstract: A wire basket for supporting cables includes a plurality of wire frames connected together in a side-by-side manner in forming a generally flat bottom and first and second opposed upraised end portions so as to form a generally U-shaped frame. Each wire frame is formed of a single closed section of wire includes at least one radial bend positioned at opposite ends of the wire frame. The wire frame may also include an extended mounting member attached to the frame such that a distal end of the mounting member is generally aligned with and extends beyond the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Dennis J. Waszak, Stanley A. Brzezniak
  • Publication number: 20090008512
    Abstract: A wire basket for supporting cables includes a plurality of wire frames connected together in a side-by-side manner in forming a generally flat bottom and first and second opposed upraised end portions so as to form a generally U-shaped frame. Each wire frame is formed of a single closed section of wire comprising at least one radial bend positioned at opposite ends of the wire frame. The wire frame may also include an extended mounting member attached to the frame such that a distal end of the mounting member is generally aligned with and extends beyond the bottom portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Dennis J. Waszak, Stanley A. Brzezniak
  • Patent number: 7472877
    Abstract: A multi-point support system with self-aligning trunnions to carry, on a cradle frame, a rotatable cylindrical drum having a pair of trunnion rings spaced along a central longitudinal axis. A thrust bearing connected to the frame engages a trunnion ring to accommodate any horizontal thrust load for an inclined cylindrical drum. Each self-aligning trunnion includes a base plate on which is mounted a trunnion roller with an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum. A pair of bearing supports are connected to the base plate transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drum in order to permit arcuate movement of the base plate about one bearing support and to permit tilting movement of the base plate about a transverse axis through the bearing supports. The arcuate and tilting movements of the base plate permit the trunnion roller to maintain full tangential contact with the trunnion ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventors: Michael R Hawkins, William L Walkington, Lonnie D. Greene
  • Publication number: 20090001227
    Abstract: A method for mounting a cable duct on a supporting surface. The cable duct includes openings for applying attachment elements, forming parts of the supporting surface into at least three hitches. The hitches are placed corresponding to the openings in the cable duct and the cable duct is mounted on the surface through the hitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Thrue Carsten
  • Patent number: 7470867
    Abstract: A electronics laboratory includes improved infrastructure for routing power and network data. The laboratory includes a number of work areas, each including a group of interconnected electronic devices arranged in a row. Two or more groups of interconnected electronic devices may also be interconnected. The infrastructure includes, for each work area, a structure comprising a bus duct segment suspended above the row of electronic devices, a plurality of power outlet modules mounted to the bus duct segment, a plurality of rigid members mounted to the bus duct segment, and a plurality of data line connectors, each mounted to a separate one of the rigid members adjacent to the bus duct segment, each to couple a first data line to a second data line, to transport data between two or more of the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Cope, Daniel O. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7470859
    Abstract: A cable support assembly for routing electrical, communication, or data cables throughout a building. The cable support assembly includes cable trays and brackets for securing the cable trays to a vertical surface. Tray couplers are provided for coupling trays together. The brackets include an L-shaped support member and a hinge arm pivotally attached to the support member. The hinge arm portion of the bracket may be rotated downwards for loading of a cable tray therein and then rotated upwards and latched to the base members to lock the cable tray in place. Ninety-degree bend and T-shaped cable tray sections are also provided. Adjacent cable tray sections may be joined with couplers to create a cable raceway or support assembly in which the cable tray provides support for any electrical, communication, or data cables installed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7467676
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing a pipe string (5) clampingly arranged in a slips (2) from slipping out of the slips (2) in the event of the pipe string (5) slipping in the slips (2), wherein a pipe clamp (22) is clamped, preferably hydraulically, onto the pipe string (5) at a position above the slips (2) and maintained in the clamped state for essentially as long as the pipe string (5) is held by the slips (2), the pipe clamp (22), in the event of the pipe string (5) slipping in the slips (2), being displaced together with the pipe string (5) until the pipe clamp/tong (22) stops against the wedges (16) of the slips (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignees: Malm Orstad AS, Kokstad Invest AS
    Inventors: Tor Egil Mong, Tommy Johnsen
  • Patent number: 7462785
    Abstract: A wire basket for supporting cables includes a first basket section and a second basket section. Each basket section has a generally flat bottom portion and first and second opposed upraised end portions that form a generally U-shaped frame. The wire basket also includes an adjustable coupling assembly connected between the first and second basket sections such that the position of the first and second basket sections can be adjusted to vary the spacing between the basket sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Dennis J. Waszak, Stanley A. Brzezniak
  • Patent number: 7454891
    Abstract: Cable protection and guide devices are susceptible to the generation of wear powders from friction between the cable and front and rear end portions of the connecting plates. The generation of wear powders and damage or disconnection of the cable is prevented and abrasion loss and impact noise due to contact between the side plate units is suppressed. Connecting plates 120 are symmetric such that the inner surface thereof includes small curvature portions, large curvature portions, and a flat surface or approximately flat surface having a radius of curvature which is larger than the large curvature portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akihiko Utaki, Shoichiro Komiya
  • Publication number: 20080283700
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for use in core device such as a heat exchanger is disclosed. The device has a plurality of tubes disposed in stacked, spaced relation such that side surfaces thereof define opposed faces of the core device. The bracket comprises a cap portion and a filler portion. The cap portion, in use, is disposed against and secured to a portion of one of the faces of the core device defined by side surfaces of a pair of adjacent tubes. The filler portion extends from the cap portion and is interleaved, in use, between the pair of adjacent tubes, and has opposed faces abutting and secured to respective portions of said adjacent tubes. The bracket can be brazed to the core device and have an aperture for threadingly receiving a threaded shaft for mounting a component to the core device. The tubes can be of the stacked-plate type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Doug Vanderwees
  • Publication number: 20080283683
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device includes comb teeth-shaped connecting link units. A plurality of side plates of each unit are interconnected through coupling portions. Stopper links of an opposing unit fit between adjacent side plates and interengage the coupling portions. Stopper links limit the bending angle. Connecting arms are integrally molded with the side plates and reside on the bending inner circumferential side of the device opening/closing arms are integrally molded with one of the side plates and reside on the bending outer circumferential side. The comb teeth-shaped connecting link units are opposed to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: AKIHIKO UTAKI
  • Patent number: 7451590
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables or the like between two connecting points moving relative to each other, with several chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, each of which displays two side straps and cross-pieces connecting them, where the chain consists of a strand that can be connected to one of the connecting points, and a strand that can be connected to the other connecting point, these transitioning into each other via a deflection zone, and where at least some of the chain links display runners covering the upper side of the side straps, it is envisaged that the runners be mounted on the cross-pieces at a distance from the side straps in order to reduce the assembly effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 7451589
    Abstract: A cable handler link (10) includes a body portion (12) having a first wall and two opposed side arms integral with and extending generally perpendicular to the first wall defining a first channel for receiving one or more service lines. The side arms define free ends, arc capable of being deflected and each defines a first engaging formation in the form of a rebate (60). A closure means (14) includes an end wall (14) from which extend two relatively shorter side arms (16, 17) defining complementary engaging formations including a tenon (62) for interlocking the closure means to the side arms of the body portion (12). The side arms deflect towards each other to disengage the closure means from the body portion (12). The rebate (60) and tenon (62) are preferably slightly inwardly tapered and prevent relative transverse movement of the components, which is also the direction in which the link is towed, in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ACT (Europe) Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Howard
  • Publication number: 20080277535
    Abstract: A riser assembly comprising a CPVC standpipe of specified outside diameter receives a riser clamp defined by two identical bars. Each bar has a substantially hemicylindrical section, a long straight section and a short straight section with the hemicylindrical section in the middle. Each straight section has a through hole closely spaced equidistant with the hemicylindrical section to receive fasteners. The long section of each bar is mated with the short section of the other bar. The inside surface of the hemicylindrical section may be radiused a bit to relieve the edges. The resulting riser clamp 12 is designed to receive a riser pipe of specified outside diameter such that the inside diameter of the resulting hole through the riser clamp when fully tightened by the fasteners is smaller than the specified outside diameter of the riser pipe by not to exceed 5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: KRAIG A. KIRSCHNER
  • Patent number: 7444800
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, with a number of chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, which are formed by mutually parallel side straps (9) and cross-members connecting them, where the energy guiding chain can be traversed, forming a loop consisting of a lower strand, an upper strand, and a deflection zone connecting them, and pairs of adjacent side straps (9) can be pivoted relative to each other about a common pivoting axis (S), it is envisaged, in order to form the most continuous possible surface on the narrow face (10, 12) of the strap strands facing the respectively opposite strand, that the distance between the pivoting axis (S) and the narrow face (10) facing towards the inside of the loop is smaller than that between the pivoting axis (S) and the narrow face (12) facing towards the outside of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 7441397
    Abstract: A chain link for a haulage chain capable of hauling cables and hoses, wherein a housing body has opposed side walls extending between opposed top and bottom walls, first and second chain link transmission members respectively connected to the opposed side walls and each being configured for pivotal connection to respective first and second chain link transmission members of adjacent chain links to define a chain. The top wall and an upper portion of each of the opposed side walls defines a first housing shell and the bottom wall and a lower portion of each of the opposed side walls define a second housing shell, the first and second housing shells being separable from one another. The first and second housing shells are retained together to define the housing, but are separable to permit loading/removal of cables and hoses into/out of the chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Mansign Mining Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Anthony John Hart
  • Publication number: 20080256921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a side wall segment for a line guiding device consisting of links connected to each other in pivoting fashion, each of which displays two opposite side parts that are connected to the immediately adjacent side parts in a manner permitting pivoting in a pivoting plane, and display stops for limiting the pivoting angle, where multiple side parts connected to each other form the side wall segment. The invention furthermore relates to a line guiding device with a side wall segment, and a method for manufacturing the side wall segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Thilo-Alexander Jaeker
  • Patent number: 7439446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled-relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 7434769
    Abstract: An articulated hollow arm is disclosed. The arm has a hollow center with an opening along the length of the arm. The hollow accepts electrical wires or tubes or mechanical wires depending on the application. A removable top is inserted into the opening and is designed to be retained by the mechanical interference between the top and the edges of the opening. Flanges or grooves may be placed to accommodate such retention of the top. In addition an external clip or an end piece may be used to retain the top while allowing the wires, etc. to emerge from either end. Any termination or connector at the ends of the wires, etc. do not have to fit through the hollow. Such wires, etc. can be removed, repaired and/or replaced via the elongated opening by removing the top. The top may be of a flexible material that provides strain relief for any cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: O.C. White Co.
    Inventor: Richard L. May
  • Patent number: 7434771
    Abstract: The supports of the present invention further comprise a frame strut extending across a lower portion of the support frame. Two openings are defined in the frame strut which are adapted to receive ends of an expansion limiter piece. This limiter piece is generally V-shaped and has connection means at the end of each of the V legs for connection to frame struts of adjacent hose supports. The vertex of the limiter piece is located proximal to a vertex formed by the hinge of adjacent hose supports. At the vertex of the limiter piece and at locations near the connection means, living hinges are formed so that a user will experience relatively little resistance to opening, accordion-style, the invention hose supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Double Color Industrial Ltd.
    Inventor: Lo Yun Tai
  • Patent number: 7434770
    Abstract: A device for retaining and supporting pipes having a central curved section between two linear ends and being open to receive one or more pipes therein and serving to protect the pipe from being kinked or bent during construction and post-construction activities. The sides or arms of the device may be extended and bendable such that a pipe may be inserted between the arms and therefore held in place by a spring force. The device may be attached to wall studs or other structures through the use of plumbing straps, which can be weaved through slots in the device to securely hold the pipe(s) in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: William R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080245932
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved composite clamp having a greatly reduced profile, eliminating most of the block portion of the prior art clamp to substantially reduce the weight. The composite clamp of the present invention can be appropriately described as a “composite strap clamp”. The clamping sections are molded in an arcuate shape without the presence of block material. To provide high strength, reinforcing fibers comprising structural woven carbon fiber cloth are used together with a thermoplastic, thermoset, or thermosettable polymer. Continuous reinforcing fibers extend longitudinally through the clamping sections to provide high strength and low delamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Martin W. Prellwitz, James E. Weishampel
  • Patent number: 7428808
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device includes an engagement mechanism for securing connecting plates in a bridged arrangement over flexional inner and outer circumferential sides of side plates of the device. The connecting plates are not inadvertently disengaged because the engagement mechanism includes several features for securing the connecting plates to the side plates. The connecting plate engagement mechanism has a louver body and a louver type connecting plate which pivots about a pair of right and left supporting shafts which are formed at both ends of the louver type connecting plate. The louver type connecting plate is attachably fitted onto the pair of right and left side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akihiko Utaki, Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7426824
    Abstract: A skate for interposition between opposed parts of a folded protective cable guide is composed of skate units which are articulably connected to one another through connecting blocks, using pins or stepped bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignees: Tsubakimoto Chain Co., Nissan Tanaka Corpration
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwami, Fujio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7426823
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain (1) with a plurality of links (2), which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces (3) and at least one cross-member (4a) connecting them, where the links (2) consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links (2) are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element (8) connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Blase, Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 7424990
    Abstract: A ducting system and method for managing fiber optic, or other sorts of cabling. The duct has perforated circular punchouts in its sides. To drop cables to equipment below, the user simply punches out one of the circular perforated sections in the duct. This will leave a hole, which is sized to receive a downspout. Instead of punchouts, holes for the downspout could simply be drilled in the initial product. Regardless, the downspout is dropped to its full extent through and out of the duct through the hole, and is then retained by a grommet which bears against the interior of the duct. Once the downspout is secured in the hole, the selected cables are dropped from the duct through the hole, down the downspout, and into standard ribbed flex tubing, which may be force fit onto the downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Doug Robinett, Mark Coulas
  • Patent number: 7425028
    Abstract: A sewer hose support handle provides for easy storage and manual transport of a standard foldable sewer hose support as are popular among recreational vehicle owners. The flexible handle is formed from plastic and includes a biased longitudinal member having parallel ends. Each of the handle ends includes a flange which can be positioned below the terminal sections of the sewer hose support. A grip affixed to the longitudinal member allows the combination sewer hose support and handle to be easily lifted and carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Camco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Angel, Anthony D. Moore
  • Publication number: 20080217056
    Abstract: A channel shaped extruded duct unit cooperates with an identical duct unit to form a closed duct therewith. The duct unit has at least one integral longitudinally extending attachment formation configured to hold captive relative to the duct unit a plurality of complementary clamp elements adapted to operatively encircle a composite duct and hold the two constituent duct units in their duct defining relationship. The clamp elements have a pair of cooperating integral catch formations whereby a pair of clamp elements can be clipped together to form an operatively substantially endless clamp encircling a closed duct and an integral outwardly directed circumferential terminal flange at each axial end thereof. Generally, semicircular clip units are provided to connect the terminal flanges associated with the ends of collinear duct assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: PROJECT CONTROL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (PROPRIET ) LIMITED
    Inventor: Barry Howard