Mounting device for communications conduit connector

• US 6,158,180 A
• Filed: 04/22/1998
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Office Specialty Inc.
• Original Assignee: Office Specialty Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/064,110
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 52/220.7, 52/220.1, 52/36.1, 174/48, 174/50, 174/52.1, 174/54, 174/58, 174/61, 248/906, 248/301, 248/307, 248/339, 248/311.2, 248/215, 248/205.1, 248/65, 248/68.1, 439/215
• US Class Current: 52/220.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7422 with separate framed panels without intermediary support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7488 Details of wiring
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/749 Partitions with screw-type jacks
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0431 Wall trunking
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0456 Ladders or other supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0487 with a non-circular cross-section H02G3/0468, H02G3/0475 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/105 in association with a plinth, channel, raceway or similar
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/128 in plinths, channels, raceways or similar
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/18 providing line outlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/263 Installation, e.g. suspension, of conduit channels or other supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/286 in walls
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/288 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/386 in walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A communications conduit connector mounting device comprising a support member having a forwardly directed front surface and a rearwardly directed rear surface spaced from the front surface, the support member having a thickness defined between the front surface and the rear surface, an aperture extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member opening through both the front surface and the rear surface, a slotway extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member open through both the front surface and the rear surface laterally from the aperture to a side of the support member. Preferably, the mounting device includes a hook member coupled to the support member for suspending the support member.

Claims

1. In a panel assembly comprising a rectangular frame including elongate vertical and horizontal frame members and a cover removably mounted on at least one side of said frame, the improvement comprising a separate, removable cable management apparatus mounted within an internal space defined by said frame and cover,

the apparatus comprising:

a hook mechanism,

a connector support bracket member carried by the hook mechanism,

a communications conduit connector for joining together ends of at least two communication conduits for transmission of signals therebetween,

the connector carried by the bracket member,

the hook mechanism removably engaging one of the horizontal frame members such that the bracket carrying the connector locates the connector within the internal space disposed for access on removal of the removable cover,

the bracket member comprises a flat planar mount portion to which the connector is secured,

the hook member engages the horizontal frame member to dispose the planar portion in a plane parallel the horizontal frame members and disposed at an angle of between about 30° and

60°

to a vertical.

2. A panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mount portion is disposed in a plane at an angle of about 45°

to a vertical.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bracket member having a forwardly directed front surface on the planar portion and a rearwardly directed rear surface spaced from the front surface,

the bracket member having a thickness defined between the front surface and the rear surface,

an aperture extending transversely through the bracket member throughout the thickness of the bracket member opening through both the front surface and the rear surface,

a slotway extending transversely through the bracket member throughout the thickness of the bracket member open through both the front surface and the rear surface laterally from the aperture to a side of the bracket member.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 including conduit engagement means carried on the rear surface for securing a length of conduit thereto intermediate ends of the conduit.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the front surface comprises one face of a first thin sheet member and the rear surface comprises one face of a second thin sheet member spaced from the first sheet member to define a cavity therebetween.

6. A communications conduit connector mounting device comprising:

a support member having a forwardly directed front surface and a rearwardly directed rear surface spaced from the front surface,

the support member having a thickness defined between the front surface and the rear surface,

an aperture extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member opening through both the front surface and the rear surface,

a slotway extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member open through both the front surface and the rear surface laterally from the aperture to a side of the support member,

conduit engagement means carried on the rear surface for securing a length of conduit thereto intermediate ends of the conduit.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 including a hook member coupled to the support member for suspending the support member.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the device is formed from a continuous piece of substantially rigid sheet material.

9. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said conduit engagement means comprises a support hook disposed rearward of said rear surface for receiving conduit between the hook member and the rear surface.

10. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said conduit engagement means comprises an elongate band of material having a first end and a second end adapted to be removably secured together about a length of conduit intermediate ends of the conduit.

11. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support member including an opening therethrough through which the band of material may extend to couple the band to the support.

12. A communications conduit connector mounting device comprising:

a support member having a forwardly directed front surface and a rearwardly directed rear surface spaced from the front surface,

the support member having a thickness defined between the front surface and the rear surface,

an aperture extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member opening through both the front surface and the rear surface,

a slotway extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member open through both the front surface and the rear surface laterally from the aperture to a side of the support member,

wherein the front surface comprises one face of a first thin sheet member and the rear surface comprises one face of a second thin sheet member spaced from the first sheet member to define a cavity therebetween.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 including a hook member coupled to the support member for suspending the support member.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 including conduit engagement means carried on the rear surface for securing a length of conduit thereto intermediate ends of the conduit.

15. A communications conduit connector mounting device comprising:

a support member having a forwardly directed front surface and a rearwardly directed rear surface spaced from the front surface,

the support member having a thickness defined between the front surface and the rear surface,

an aperture extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member opening through both the front surface and the rear surface,

a slotway extending transversely through the support member throughout the thickness of the support member open through both the front surface and the rear surface laterally from the aperture to a side of the support member,

wherein the support member comprises a thin sheet member having a U-shape in cross-section with a front portion, a bight-like side portion and a rear portion spaced from the front portion,

the front surface comprising an outer face of the front portion and the rear surface comprising an outer face of the rear portion,

a cavity defined between the front portion and the rear portion.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the side portion comprises said side of the support member such that the slotway extends laterally from the aperture through the side portion.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the front portion has an edge opposite the side portion from which the sheet member extends as a hook member for suspending the device.

18. A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the rear portion has an edge opposite the side portion from which the sheet member extends as a hook member for suspending the device.

19. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the rear portion has an edge opposite the side portion where the sheet member terminates spaced from the remainder of the sheet member,

a passageway through the rear portion from the edge to the aperture.

20. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein on a surface of the rear portion opposite the rear surface, conduit securement means are provided for securing thereto a length of conduit intermediate ends of the conduit.

21. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the sheet member defines the cavity between the front portion and the rear portion with the cavity open on one open side between the front portion and rear portion and opposite the side portion and with the cavity open at both ends between the front portion and the rear portion.

22. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the rear portion carries conduit securement means thereon intermediate the aperture and each open end of the cavity.

23. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the front portion, side portion and rear portion comprise a first elongate U-shaped channel member, a hook member is coupled to the support member for suspending the support member, the hook member comprises a second elongate U-shaped channel member extending parallel the first U-shaped channel member.

24. A device as claimed in claim 15 including a hook member coupled to the support member for suspending the support member.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24 including conduit engagement means carried on the rear surface for securing a length of conduit thereto intermediate ends of the conduit.

26. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the device is formed from a continuous piece of substantially rigid sheet material.