WIRE SPACING AND BRACING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

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 a plurality of hole or slot members located along a length of the bar member, the bar member having distal ends; a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end, respectively, each L-shaped support member having a side support member protruding laterally from the intermediate bar member; and a plurality of tie down members adapted to protrude through a subset of the hole or slot members so as to brace or secure a cable or wire to the intermediate bar member.

2. 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.

3. 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 and the L-shaped support members adapted to extend and contract laterally and perpendicularly from the intermediate bar member to increase or decrease a depth of the cable management bracket.

4. The cable management bracket system of claim 3 further including 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.

5. 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 bar member, the bar member 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 the intermediate bar member; a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end, respectively, each L-shaped support member having a side support member protruding substantially laterally 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; and one or more tie down members adapted to brace or secure a cable or wire substantially to the intermediate bar member.

6. The cable management bracket system of claim 5 further including 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.

7. The cable management bracket system of claim 5 wherein a sheet metal spine member is incorporated as the intermediate bar member extending along the length of an intermediate bar member position substantially equidistant from a center portion of a length of the intermediate bar member position.

8. The cable management bracket system of claim 5 wherein a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform is removably coupled lengthwise to the length of the intermediate bar member or assemblies thereon, a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members disposed along the length of the connector platform, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion, the connector platform adapted to be mounted by 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.

9. The cable management bracket system of claim 8 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 substantially perpendicular to the stem portion and adapted to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of the tie down member circumscribing the stem portion.

10. A cable or wire management bracket method comprising: attaching to a surface an intermediate bar member having one or more hole or slot members located along a length of the bar member, the bar member having distal ends; longitudinally sliding slide support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to longitudinal side portions of the intermediate bar member facilitating sliding movement along a length of the intermediate bar member to set the length of the intermediate bar member; attaching to a surface a first and second L-shaped support member located at each distal end, respectively, each L-shaped support member having a side support member protruding substantially laterally from the intermediate bar member; laterally sliding lateral support members contiguous to and slidably coupled to latitudinal side portions of the L-shaped support member facilitating sliding movement along a length of the L-shaped support member disposed substantially perpendicular to the intermediate bar member length to set the length of the L-shaped support members and corresponding depth of the cable and wire management bracket; and using one or more tie down members to brace or secure a cable or wire substantially to the intermediate bar member.

11. The cable management bracket method of claim 10 further including 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.

12. The cable management bracket method of claim 10 wherein a sheet metal spine member is incorporated as the intermediate bar member extending along the length of an intermediate bar member position substantially equidistant from a center portion of the length of the intermediate bar member position.

13. The cable management bracket method of claim 10 wherein a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform is removably coupled lengthwise to the length of the intermediate bar member or assemblies thereon, a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members disposed along the length of the connector platform, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion, the connector platform mounted by one or more of a wire, cable, or gang box member, the wire or cable members circumscribed by at least one tie down member secured to the connector platform.

14. The cable management bracket of claim 13 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 substantially perpendicular to the stem portion, a polymer tie member coupling each of at least one wire or cable member contiguously abutting the stem portion of the at least one L-shaped attachment member, the foot portion of the at least one L-shaped attachment member substantially overlaying the thickness of the tie down member circumscribing the stem portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom view of a cable or wire management spacing and bracing device according to the teachings herein.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an extended perspective view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a compressed or retracted perspective view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates the cable or wire bracing or bracket used as a wire management system.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates a drywall mount of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates an extended bottom view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket with thumb tab members.

[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates extending and retracting elements and features using thumb tab members of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates top and bottom portions of an intermediate bar member of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0038] FIG. 14 illustrates L-shaped support members of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0039] FIG. 15 illustrates longitudinal slide support members of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0040] FIG. 16 illustrates a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform of the cable or wire bracing or bracket.

[0041] FIG. 17 illustrates the substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform of the cable or wire bracing or bracket with cables connected.

[0042] FIG. 18 illustrates extending and retracting elements or features of the cable or wire bracing or bracket with the connector platform.

[0043] FIG. 19 illustrates use of the substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform cable or wire bracing or bracket as a wire management system.

[0044] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket with a metal spine member and gang boxes.

[0045] FIG. 21 illustrates a front and a perspective view of the cable or wire bracing or bracket with gang boxes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] 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.

[0047] The various embodiments disclosed provide for a wire or cable management bracket 110 of a wire spacing and bracing management device and system 110 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 primarily, but not necessarily limited to, an adjustable electrical wire spacer and holder.

[0048] Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-21 illustrate various views and embodiments of a cable management bracket 110 according to the teachings herein. With specific reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of a cable management system 100 with a wire or cable management bracket 110 designed to secure a plurality of wires or cables 20 between two studs 10. The cable bracket 110 is coupled to studs 10 via a set of L-shaped side support brackets 112A and 112B and includes an intermediate bar member 120 designed to brace and space wires or cables 20 in an electrical installation. In one example embodiment, cable bracket 110 is one continuous configuration having a substantially U-shaped construction as illustrated. In this example embodiment of the cable bracket 110, the bracket includes several members to facilitate configurability depending on the construction environment. For instance, L-shaped side support brackets 112A and 112B include sliding brackets 114A and 114B to configure the inset aspect of bracket member 110 with respect to studs 10 (shown as contracted in FIG. 5). 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 intermediate bar member 120. Lateral slide support members 118A and 118B are contiguous to and slidably coupled to latitudinal side portions 108 of the L-shaped support members 112A and 112B to facilitate sliding movement along a length of the L-shaped support member 112A and 112B disposed substantially perpendicular to the intermediate bar member 120.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] A related embodiment further includes, with specific reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, one or more thumb sliders 150 coupled to the L-shaped brackets and side supports 112A and 112B to facilitate sliding movement along a length of the intermediate bar member 120 and along the L-shaped brackets 112A and 112B. In another related embodiment, with specific reference to FIG. 20, a sheet metal spine member 160 is incorporated as the intermediate bar member 120 extending along the length of the intermediate bar member position 125 substantially equidistant from a center portion 126 of the length of the intermediate bar member position 125. The metal spine member is designed to allow more weight to be supported at the intermediate bar member position 125 than with the intermediate bar member 120 alone that is not also the sheet metal spine member 160.

[0053] In one further embodiment, with specific reference to FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 21, a substantially symmetrical, substantially cuboid, planarly disposed, detachable, connector platform or body member 170 is removably coupled lengthwise to the length of the intermediate bar member 120 or assemblies thereon to the intermediate bar member position 125, a plurality of substantially rectangular slot assembly members 172 disposed along the length of the connector platform 170, each slot assembly member including at least one circumscribable side portion 174, the connector platform designed, with specific reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, to be mounted by or thereon (or receive and support) at least one gang box member 80 (or multi-gang box member) or one or more cable or wire members 20, the cable or wire members 20 circumscribed by at least one tie down member 140, the tie down member 140 circumscribing at least one of the at least one circumscribable side portions 174.

[0054] In one further embodiment, with specific reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, at least one L-shaped attachment member 176 is disposed adjacent to and coplanar to at least one rectangular slot assembly member 172 of the connector platform, a foot portion of the L-shaped attachment 175 substantially perpendicular to a stem portion 177 and designed to extend to substantially overlay the thickness of the tie down member 140 circumscribing the stem portion 177.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] One embodiment of the connector platform 170 features, with specific reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, a semi-circular divot 179 that can be circumscribed by ties such as zip ties 140.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,093,499; 7,391,625 and 6,785,459.

[0060] 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.