Stackable bend radius guide

• US 6,388,193 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemon Company The (The Siemon Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Siemon Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Bobowick, Derek, Maynard, Charlie
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R.
• Application Number:
  US09/760,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20010032727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 174/659, 174/65.R, 174/151, 174/152.G, 174/153.G, 174/135, 174/101, 174/59, 248/56, 385/135, 385/134, 385/100, 312/286, 312/311, 312/223.1, 379/325, 379/326, 379/327, 379/328, 379/329, 379/330
• US Class Current: 174/59
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4459 Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4478 Bending relief means

Abstract

A device for providing microbending and bend radius protection for cables in a cable distribution or management system. The device includes an arcuate member of radius greater than or equal to the minimum bend radius of a prescribed cable, a plurality of flanges disposed on the arcuate member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arcuate member, a quarter turn fastener, an opening for receiving the quarter turn fastener, a plurality of protuberances, and a plurality of recesses for receiving the protuberances.

Claims

1. A device for guiding and protecting cable comprising:

a bend member having a bend surface, said bend surface allowing passage of a cable, said bend surface having a radius preventing said cable from bending to a radius less than a minimum bend radius;

at least one guide member located on said bend member, said guide member directing said passage of said cable;

fastening means secured to said bend member for selectively and releasably attaching said device to a similar device, said fastening means engaging an opening in said similar device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said bend surface is an arcuate surface and said guide member is disposed on said arcuate surface in a direction of said passage of said cable.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said guide member is a flange, said flange extending perpendicularly from said arcuate surface forming a collar for retaining said cable.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means includes a quarter turn fastener located at a first end of said device.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said fastening means further includes an opening formed at a second end of said device, said second end being located opposite said first end, said opening for receiving and releasably retaining another quarter turn fastener.

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising securement features separate from said fastening means for facilitating said attaching.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one guide member includes a first guide member located on the bend surface at a first end of said device and a second guide member located on the bend surface between said first end and a second end of said device wherein said second end is opposite said first end.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said first guide member is a first flange member and said second guide member is a second flange member and wherein said first and second flange members extend radially from said bend surface and traverse a direction of said passage of said cable, said first and second flange members retaining said cable on said device and guiding said cable across said device.

9. A device for guiding and protecting cables comprising:

a bend member having a bend surface, said bend surface configured, dimensioned and positioned to allow passage of a cable and to prevent said cable from bending according to a radius less than a minimum bend radius;

at least one guide member located on said bend member, said guide member directing said passage of said cable;

fastening means for selectively and releasably attaching said device to a similar device; and

,

a securement feature for facilitating said attaching and said mounting;

wherein said securement feature include at least one slot at a first end of said device wherein said slot releasably retains a protuberance, said securement feature further including a further protuberance at a second side of said device wherein said second side is opposite said first side.

10. A device for guiding and protecting cables comprising:

a bend member having a bend surface, said bend surface configured, dimensioned and positioned to allow passage of a cable and to prevent said cable from bending according to a radius less than a minimum bend radius;

at least one guide member located on said bend member, said guide member directing said passage of said cable;

fastening means for selectively and releasably attaching said device to a similar device and for selectively and releasably mounting said device within a cabling system;

wherein said fastening means includes a fastener member disposed on a first end of said device, said fastener member formed and disposed on said first end for reception by and retainment in an aperture, said aperture being formed in said similar device for said attaching or said aperture being formed in said cabling system for said mounting;

wherein said fastener member includes a block member mounted on a base, said base mounted to said first end, said block member being larger in size than said base such that a groove is formed between said block member and said first end.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said block member is square and is disposed at an angle on said first end to facilitate said mounting, said block member including beveled edges.

12. A device for providing bend radius protection for cables in a cable distribution or management system, the device comprising:

an arcuate member of radius greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius of said cables,

a plurality of flanges disposed on said arcuate member perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said arcuate member,

a fastener,

an opening for receiving a further fastener on a similar device, and

a recess for receiving a protuberance on the similar device.

13. Apparatus for guiding and protecting cable comprising:

a first device having;

a first bend member having a first bend surface, said first bend surface allowing passage of a cable, said first bend surface having a radius preventing said cable from bending to a radius less than a minimum bend radius;

a first guide member located on said first bend member, said first guide member directing said passage of said cable;

a second device having;

a second bend member having a second bend surface, said second bend surface allowing passage of a cable, said second bend surface having a radius preventing said cable from bending to a radius less than a minimum bend radius;

a second guide member located on said second bend member, said second guide member directing said passage of said cable;

said first device having a fastening means secured to said bend member;

said second device having an opening for receiving said fastening means for attaching said first device to said second device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

a securement feature for facilitating attachment of said first device and said second device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein:

wherein said securement feature includes a slot on one of said first device and said second device and at protuberance on another of said first device and said second device, said slot releasably retaining said protuberance.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

said fastening means in integrally formed with said bend member.