Multi-channel raceway

• US 20030089515A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hellermanntyton Corporation (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hellermanntyton Corporation (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dyer, Edward P., Federspiel, Mark E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,972,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/48
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0608 Joints for connecting non cylindrical conduits, e.g. channels

Abstract

A modular raceway system for any combination of high voltage power lines and low voltage data communication lines uses a combination hinge-latch cover member and a single piece base member. The system incorporates an elliptical profile and eliminates conventional sidewalls, and presents the hinge-latch mechanism to releasably secure a cover member in a snap-lock manner to the base member.

Claims

1. A modular raceway system comprising a base member, a removable cover member, and a detachable hinge-latch mechanism, said cover member being adapted to cooperate with said base member to create an interior cavity.

2. The modular raceway system of claim 1 wherein the base member further comprises:

a bottom portion having oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending, margins; and

a first and a second opposing, integrally formed, curvilinear upstanding curb respectively extending from a respective margin of said bottom portion, and wherein each curb has a longitudinal groove adapted to receive the removable cover.

3. The modular raceway system of claim 1 wherein the hinge-latch mechanism comprises at least one longitudinally extending pin portion, said pin portion having a generally circular cross-section;

said hinge-latch mechanism further comprising at least one longitudinally extending socket portion, said socket portion being generally C-shaped in cross-section and being arranged to releasably receive said pin portion.

4. The modular raceway system of claim 3 wherein said pin portion is carried by said cover member, and said socket portion is carried by the base member.

5. The modular raceway system of claim 3 wherein the C-shaped cross-section of said socket portion is generally arcuate and extending greater than 180°

to provide releasable snap-action retention of said pin portion.

6. The modular raceway system of claim 1 wherein the base member further includes at least one divider member for dividing said interior cavity into at least one pair of parallel channels.

7. The modular raceway system of claim 1 wherein the base member includes at least one divider member for dividing said interior cavity into at least one pair of parallel channels and releasably removable means for attaching said divider member to the base member.

8. The modular raceway system of claim 7 wherein the means for attaching the divider member to the base member comprises a longitudinally extending protrusion integrally formed with said base member;

said protrusion having a flared head defining at least one laterally extending shoulder portion;

said divider member having a longitudinally extending groove arranged to overly and engage with said protrusion;

said groove defining a inwardly extending barbed portion;

said barbed portion being adapted to receive the flared head of the protrusion and thereby permit releasable attaching engagement of the barbed portion with said shoulder portion.

9. The modular raceway system of claim 1 wherein the base member further comprises wire retention means, said wire retention means comprising a wire retainer insert having an intermediate crowned portion and oppositely spaced arms;

each of said arms including a shoulder located proximate to the distal ends thereof and engageable with said base member and in underlying engagement with said hinge-latch mechanism.

10. The modular raceway system of claim 1 wherein the cover member and the base member are detachable and configured to provide a combination hinge-latch mechanism wherein one of said members is formed to provide a longitudinally extending marginal edge formed in a circular cross-section to define a hinge pin portion of said hinge-latch mechanism, and wherein the other of said members includes upstanding, oppositely disposed, curbs terminating at their respective distal end margins in longitudinally extending C-shaped cross-section to define a socket for releasably engaging the hinge portion of the first-mentioned member.

11. The modular raceway system of claim 10 wherein the cover member includes two oppositely spaced longitudinally arranged pin portions, said pin portions having a generally circular cross-section;

and

said base member including two oppositely spaced and longitudinally arranged socket portions, each of said socket portions being generally C-shaped in cross-section, and said socket portion being adapted to receive a respective one of said pin portions.

12. The modular raceway system of claim 11 wherein each of said socket portions includes a c-shaped cross-sectional surface, said surface having an arcuate face extending beyond 180°

.

13. The modular raceway system of claim 1 further including a cavity enclosing end cap member and means for releasably attaching said end cap member to at least one end of said base member and cooperating cover member when said members are closed to provide said interior cavity, said system including a grooved retaining surface, a coextensively longitudinally relative to the underside of said base member, and a tab portion laterally extending from said base member, said tab portion arranged to be slidably received by said groove and being configured to provide a friction fit within said groove.

14. A modular raceway system for an offset mounting surface wherein said surface comprises a first support portion being laterally spaced from a substantially parallel second support surface wherein each of said surfaces conjointly intersects an intermediate portion;

said system comprising at least one base member releasably attached to a corresponding cover member, and an offset elbow assembly coupled to the base member;

said offset elbow assembly comprising an interior elbow portion mounted to the first support surface and an exterior elbow portion mounted to the second support surface;

said exterior elbow portion connected to said interior elbow portion by a connecting means.

15. The modular raceway system of claim 14 wherein the connecting means includes an exterior elbow releasably attached directly to the interior elbow.

16. The modular raceway system of claim 14 wherein the connecting means comprises the exterior elbow releasably coupled to an intermediate member at a first end, and said means further comprises the interior elbow releasably coupled to the intermediate member at a second end.

17. The modular raceway system of claim 16 wherein said connecting means further includes a temporary guiding template for selectively determining a desired length of the intermediate portion.

18. The modular raceway system of claim 17 wherein said template comprises a right triangular member having a measuring scale.

19. A method of installing a modular raceway system comprising the steps of:

selecting hollow raceway sections;

cutting said raceway sections to a preselected length;

aligning said raceway sections;

attaching said cut and aligned raceway sections to a supporting surface;

routing and attaching conductors to said raceway sections;

providing detachable cover members for said raceway sections; and

enclosing said sections with said detachable cover members.

20. The method of claim 19 including the steps of:

providing a base member, said base member having a first cooperating portion of a combination latch-hinge mechanism;

securing said base member to a selected stationary mounting surface;

providing a cover member, said cover member having a second cooperating part of said combination hinge-latch mechanism;

attaching said cover member to said base member.

21. The method of installing a modular raceway system for supporting at least one elongated conductor longitudinally positioned therein, and comprising the steps of:

providing raceway components, said components comprising a stationary supporting base member, a cover member for said base member and a releasable combination latch-hinge mechanism joining said cover member to said base member, and wherein said cover member is formed to provide a longitudinal cavity substantially coextensive of its length;

cutting the base member to a desired length;

mounting the base member to a selected surface of interest; and

attaching the conductor to said base member;

temporarily attaching one side of said cover to said base member via said combination latch-hinge mechanism, temporarily resting said conductor in the cavity provided by said cover member; and

closing and latching said cover member to said base member.