WIRE SPACING AND BRACING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
20220196185 ยท 2022-06-23
Inventors
Cpc classification
H02G3/36
ELECTRICITY
H02G3/125
ELECTRICITY
International classification
F16L3/223
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
Described herein is a wire spacing and bracing management device and system. The cable bracket device is designed to span between two studs or upright braces and be attached thereto. The cable bracket is equipped with preset zip tie holes or slots along its length and has nail or screw holes for stud attachment. The cable bracket includes thumb sliders along its length for ease of movement of a set of L-shaped brackets disposed on each end of the cable bracket. The cable bracket device provides a device that is adjustable, easily mountable, and configurable depending on the cable locations and construction structure. An intermediate bar member spanning the two studs may be planar, may be or be supported by a sheet metal spine, or may be or support a connector platform. Wires, cables, and gang boxes may be mounted thereon.
Claims
1. A cable or wire management bracket system comprising: an intermediate bar member having one or more holes or slots located along a length of the intermediate bar member, the intermediate bar member divided at a middle portion of the intermediate bar member and having distal ends; longitudinal slide support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to longitudinal side portions of the intermediate bar member to facilitate sliding movement along a length of a sheet metal spine member; a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end of the intermediate bar member, respectively, each L-shaped support member having tab members at a distal end of the L-shaped support member coplanar and offset from the intermediate bar member; lateral slide support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to latitudinal side portions of the L-shaped support member to facilitate sliding movement along a length of the L-shaped support member disposed substantially perpendicular to the intermediate bar member length; a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform removably coupled lengthwise to the sheet metal spine member, the intermediate bar member extendable along a length of the sheet metal spine member, the distal ends of the intermediate bar member positioned substantially equidistant from a center portion of the length of the sheet metal spine member; a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members disposed along the length of the connector platform coupled lengthwise to a top surface of the sheet metal spine member, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion, the connector platform adapted to be mounted by either or both at least one gang box member or one or more cable or wire members, the cable or wire members circumscribed by at least one tie down member secured to the connector platform; and one or more tie down members adapted to brace or secure a cable or wire substantially to the intermediate bar member.
2. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, further including one or more thumb sliders coupled to the L-shaped brackets and side supports to facilitate sliding movement along the L-shaped brackets.
3. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, wherein at least one L-shaped attachment stud is disposed adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member of the connector platform, the foot portion of the L-shaped attachment stud substantially perpendicular to the stem portion and adapted to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of the tie down member circumscribing the stem portion.
4. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, wherein at least one gang box member is mounted on each side of the intermediate bar member.
5. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate bar member is adapted to be adjusted to at least six different lengths.
6. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, wherein the connector platform has at least four attachment positions for gang box members.
7. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, wherein the connector platform has two attachment positions for gang box members.
8. The cable management bracket system of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped support members include a sliding side support member adapted to extend and contract laterally from the intermediate bar member to increase or decrease a length of the cable management bracket.
9. A cable or wire management bracket system comprising: an intermediate bar member having one or more holes or slots located along a length of the intermediate bar member, the intermediate bar member divided at a middle portion of the intermediate bar member and having distal ends; longitudinal slide support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to longitudinal side portions of the intermediate bar member to facilitate sliding movement along a length of a sheet metal spine member; a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end of the intermediate bar member having tab members at a distal end of the L-shaped support member coplanar and offset from the intermediate bar member; a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform removably coupled lengthwise to the sheet metal spine member, the intermediate bar member extendable along a length of the sheet metal spine member, the connector platform positioned substantially equidistant from a center portion of the length of the sheet metal spine member; a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members disposed along the length of the connector platform coupled lengthwise to a top surface of the sheet metal spine member, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion, the connector platform adapted to be mounted by either or both at least one gang box member or one or more cable or wire members, the cable or wire members circumscribed by at least one tie down member secured to the connector platform; one or more tie down members adapted to brace or secure a cable or wire substantially to the intermediate bar member; and at least one substantially circular gang box member mounted to the substantially rectangular slot assembly.
10. The cable management bracket system of claim 9, wherein at least one L-shaped attachment stud is disposed adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member, a foot portion of the L-shaped attachment stud substantially perpendicular to a stem portion and designed to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of the tie down member circumscribing the stem portion.
11. The cable management bracket system of claim 9, wherein the L-shaped support members include a sliding side support member adapted to extend and contract laterally from the intermediate bar member to increase or decrease a length of the cable management bracket.
12. The cable management bracket system of claim 9, wherein at least one gang box member is mounted on each side of the intermediate bar member.
13. The cable management bracket system of claim 9, wherein the intermediate bar member is adapted to be adjusted to at least six different lengths.
14. The cable management bracket system of claim 9, wherein the connector platform has at least four attachment positions for gang box members.
15. The cable management bracket system of claim 9, wherein the connector platform has two attachment positions for gang box members.
16. A method of bracing cable or wires, the method comprising: attaching to a surface an intermediate bar member having one or more holes or slots located along a length of the bar member, the intermediate bar member divided at a middle portion of the intermediate bar member and having distal ends; longitudinally sliding support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to longitudinal side portions of the intermediate bar member to facilitate sliding movement along a length of a sheet metal spine member; attaching to a surface a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end of the intermediate bar member; aligning a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform removably coupled lengthwise to the sheet metal spine member be extending or retracting the intermediate bar member extendable along a length of the sheet metal spine member, the connector platform positioned substantially equidistant from a center portion of the length of the sheet metal spine member; and mounting at least one or more of a gang box member and a cable or wire member to one or more of a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members disposed along the length of the connector platform coupled lengthwise to a top surface of the sheet metal spine member, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion, the connector platform adapted to be mounted by either or both at least one gang box member or one or more cable or wire members, the cable or wire members circumscribed by at least one tie down member secured to the connector platform.
17. The method of bracing cable or wires of claim 16, further including engaging one or more thumb sliders coupled to the L-shaped brackets and side supports to facilitate sliding movement along a length of the intermediate bar member and along the L-shaped brackets.
18. The method of bracing cable or wires of claim 16, further involving disposing at least one L-shaped attachment stud adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member of the connector platform, the foot portion of the L-shaped attachment stud substantially perpendicular to the stem portion, and using a polymer tie member to couple each of at least one wire or cable member contiguously abutting the stem portion of the at least one L-shaped attachment stud member, the foot portion of the at least one L-shaped attachment stud member substantially overlaying the thickness of the tie down member circumscribing the stem portion.
19. The method of bracing cable or wires of claim 16, further involving mounting at least one gang box member to each side of the intermediate bar member.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0081] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
[0082] The various embodiments disclosed provide for a wire spacing and bracing management device and system 110 used in a system 100. The teachings provided herein can also be used for other related installations, such as in plumbing for organizing water and gas lines. The inventive concept is an adjustable electrical wire spacer and holder.
[0083] Referring to the figures,
[0084] Configurability is also shown as cable bracket 110 can expand or contract laterally between the two studs 10 by two L-shaped bracket ends 116A and 116B that engage intermediate bar member 120 in a sliding relationship. In this example embodiment, bracket ends 116A and 116B along with intermediate bar member 120 include a plurality of tie down holes or slots 130 to be used with cable tie downs 140 to secure cables 20 against the intermediate bar member 120 of the cable bracket 110.
[0085] In this example embodiment, cable tie downs 140 extend through the tie down slots 130 and wrap around the cables 20 to secure the cables against the bar 120. The tie downs 140 may be plastic strips that are self-securing (such as cable ties), such as zip ties, tie wraps, straps, clips, and the like. Alternatively, the tie downs 140 may be a strap, such as of a cloth material, having a fastener disposed on at least one end, such as a hook and loop fastener. Bracket member 110 optionally includes two tabs or plates protruding from members 115A and 115B for securing bracket member 110 to studs 10 with a screw or nail through holes 117.
[0086] In a related example embodiment, some of the cables 20 are secured to L-shaped side brackets 112A and 112B rather than the intermediate bar member 120. Clips or staples can be used to secure these cables. The various brackets described herein are made of metal but can be made of plastic.
[0087] A related embodiment further includes, with specific reference to
[0088] In one further embodiment, with specific reference to
[0089] In one further embodiment, with specific reference to
[0090] One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the connector platform 170 may be coupled to the intermediate bar member 120, or assemblies thereon, by clip members disposed on the connector platform 170 by attachment members such as a screw or nail member with at least one slot or hole member 130 disposed through the connector platform 170. Hence, connector platform 170 as a standalone device may be coupled directly to a surface or stud 10 without being coupled to the intermediate bar member 120 or may effectively serve as the intermediate bar member 120.
[0091] In one embodiment of the connector platform 170, at least one L-shaped attachment member 176 is disposed adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member 172, the foot portion of the L-shaped attachment 175 substantially perpendicular to the stem portion 177 and designed to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of a polymer tie member 140 circumscribing the stem portion 177. The connector platform 170, in this embodiment, is designed to receive wire or cable members 20 running substantially perpendicular to each other.
[0092] One embodiment of the connector platform 170 features, with specific reference to
[0093] The intermediate bar member 120, in some embodiments, can adjust in width and depth, adjustable to the required height based on custom layouts, state laws and regulations, and is well-suited to industry standard metal encased wires.
[0094] Referring to the Figures,
[0095] There is provided a cable or wire management bracket system 110 that has the intermediate bar member 120 having one or more holes or slots located along the length of the intermediate bar member 120, the intermediate bar member 120 divided at a middle portion of the intermediate bar member 125 and having the distal ends 116A and 116B. The longitudinal slide support members 113A and 113B are contiguous to and slidably coupled to longitudinal side portions 103 of the intermediate bar member 120 to facilitate sliding movement along a length of the sheet metal spine member 160 as used in this embodiment. The first and second L-shaped support member 112A and 112B is located at each distal end of the intermediate bar member 129A and 129B, respectively, each L-shaped support member 112A and 112B having the tab members 115A and 115B at the distal end of the L-shaped support member 119A and 119B coplanar and offset from the intermediate bar member 120. The lateral slide support members 118A and 118B are contiguous to and slidably coupled to the latitudinal side portions of the L-shaped support member 112A and 112B to facilitate the sliding movement along the length of the L-shaped support member 112A and 112B disposed substantially perpendicular to the intermediate bar member 120 length. The substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform 170 is removably coupled lengthwise to the sheet metal spine member 160, the intermediate bar member 120 extendable along the length of the sheet metal spine member 160, the distal ends of the intermediate bar member 116A and 116B positioned substantially equidistant from a center portion of the length of the sheet metal spine member 160. The plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members 172 is disposed along the length of the connector platform 172 coupled lengthwise to a top surface of the sheet metal spine member 160, each slot assembly member 172 including the at least one circumscribable side portion 174, the connector platform 170 designed to be mounted by either or both the at least one gang box member 80 (or multiple gang box members) or the one or more cable or wire members 20, the cable or wire members 20 circumscribed by the at least one tie down member 140 secured to the connector platform 170. The one or more tie down members 140 are designed to brace or secure the cable or wire 20 substantially to the intermediate bar member 120.
[0096] One embodiment of the cable management bracket further includes the one or more thumb sliders 150 coupled to the L-shaped brackets and the side supports 112A and 112B to facilitate sliding movement along the L-shaped brackets 112A and 112B.
[0097] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, at least one L-shaped attachment stud 176 is disposed adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member 172 of the connector platform 170, the foot portion of the L-shaped attachment stud 175 substantially perpendicular to the stem portion 177 and designed to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of the tie down member 140 circumscribing the stem portion 177.
[0098] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the at least one gang box member 80 is mounted on each side of the intermediate bar member 120.
[0099] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the intermediate bar member 120 is designed to be adjusted to at least six different lengths.
[0100] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the connector platform 170 has at least four attachment positions for the gang box members 80.
[0101] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the connector platform 170 has two attachment positions for the gang box members 80.
[0102] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the L-shaped support member 112A and 112B include the sliding side support members 114A and 114B designed to extend and contract laterally from the intermediate bar member 120 to increase or decrease the length of the cable management bracket 110.
[0103] Bracket member 110 optionally includes the two tabs or plates protruding from members 115A and 115B for securing the bracket member 110.
[0104] With specific reference to
[0105] In one embodiment of this cable management bracket 110, the at least one L-shaped attachment stud 176 is disposed adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member 172, the foot portion of the L-shaped attachment stud 175 substantially perpendicular to the stem portion 177 and designed to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of the tie down member 140 circumscribing the stem portion 177.
[0106] In one embodiment of this cable management bracket 110, the L-shaped support members 112A and 112B include the sliding side support members 114A and 114B designed to extend and contract laterally from the intermediate bar member 120 to increase or decrease the length of the cable management bracket 110 and the L-shaped support member 112A and 112B designed to extend and contract laterally and perpendicularly from the intermediate bar member 120 to increase or decrease the depth of the cable management bracket 110.
[0107] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the at least one gang box member 80 is mounted on each side of the intermediate bar member 120.
[0108] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the intermediate bar member 120 is designed to be adjusted to at least six different lengths.
[0109] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the connector platform 170 has at least four attachment positions for gang box members 80.
[0110] In one embodiment of the cable management bracket 110, the connector platform 170 has two attachment positions for gang box members 80.
[0111] There is also provided a cable or wire management bracket method, the method involves attaching to a surface an intermediate bar member having one or more holes or slots located along a length of the bar member, the intermediate bar member divided at a middle portion of the intermediate bar member and having distal ends 200. The method further involves longitudinally sliding support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to longitudinal side portions of the intermediate bar member to facilitate sliding movement along a length of a sheet metal spine member 210. The method further involves attaching to a surface a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end of the intermediate bar member 220. The method further involves aligning a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform removably coupled lengthwise to the sheet metal spine member be extending or retracting the intermediate bar member extendable along a length of the sheet metal spine member, the connector platform positioned substantially equidistant from a center portion of the length of the sheet metal spine member 230. The method further involves mounting at least one or more of a gang box member and a cable or wire member to one or more of a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members disposed along the length of the connector platform coupled lengthwise to a top surface of the sheet metal spine member, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion, the connector platform designed to be mounted by either or both at least one gang box member or one or more cable or wire members, the cable or wire members circumscribed by at least one tie down member secured to the connector platform 240.
[0112] One embodiment of the cable management method further includes engaging one or more thumb sliders coupled to the L-shaped brackets and side supports to facilitate sliding movement along a length of the intermediate bar member and along the L-shaped brackets 250.
[0113] One embodiment of the cable management method further involves disposing at least one L-shaped attachment stud adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member of the connector platform, the foot portion of the L-shaped attachment stud substantially perpendicular to the stem portion, and using a polymer tie member to couple each of at least one wire or cable member contiguously abutting the stem portion of the at least one L-shaped attachment stud member, the foot portion of the at least one L-shaped attachment stud member substantially overlaying the thickness of the tie down member circumscribing the stem portion 260.
[0114] One embodiment of the cable management method further involves mounting at least one gang box member to each side of the intermediate bar member 270.
[0115] The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,093,499; 7,391,625 and 6,785,459.
[0116] While the inventive concept has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure, many modifications and other embodiments of the inventive concept will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this inventive concept pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the inventive concept should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.