Cable tray and walkway system

• US 6,448,497 B1
• Filed: 08/21/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Cuccurullo, Ronald G. Mccracken
• Original Assignee: Joseph Cuccurullo, Ronald G. Mccracken
• Inventors: Cuccurullo, Joseph, McCracken, Ronald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nino, Adolfo
• Application Number:
  US09/643,314
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 174/39, 174/48, 174/49, 174/68.3, 174/72.C, 174/95, 174/96, 174/97, 174/98, 174/99.R, 248/49, 248/68.1, 522/871, 138/111, 138/112, 138/113, 138/117
• US Class Current: 174/97
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0608 Joints for connecting non cylindrical conduits, e.g. channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/383 in floors

Abstract

Devices and systems for housing cables and conduits. An exemplary cable tray is described having a number of interconnectable base members fashioned of pliable elastomer that are designed to be disposed upon a rooftop, floor or other support surface. The base members each contain a number of channels within which cables or conduits are disposed. Separate grooves are provide to retain ground wires. The base members may be formed to provide straight runs, angled turns or T-connection sections that are used as intersections. Cover pieces, also fashioned from pliable elastomer are removably affixed to the base members to enclose the cables or conduits. It is currently preferred to fashion the base member and cover components of the cable tray from crumb rubber or other recycled rubber. The components may thus be easily colored during manufacture. This same material is used for fabrication of interconnectable elements used to create walkways in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A cable tray for retaining a plurality of cables comprising:

at least one base member substantially formed of a molded non-conductive material, the base member having a body that defmes a plurality of channels for retaining cables; and

a groove for retaining ground wiring, the groove being located in an upper surface of a spacer portion disposed between adjacent channels.

2. The cable tray of claim 1 wherein the molded non-conductive material comprises crumb rubber.

3. The cable tray of claim 1 wherein the base member is a straight-run base member that maintains a retained cable in a substantially straight line.

4. The cable tray of claim 1 wherein the base member is a curved base member that disposes a retained cable along an arcuate segment.

5. The cable tray of claim 1 wherein the base member is a T-connection base member for diverting or intersecting cables, the T-connection base member having a periphery and three cable retaining sections disposed within the periphery.

6. The cable tray of claim 1 further comprising a cover piece that is removably affixable to the base member.

7. The cable tray of claim 6 wherein the cover piece is substantially formed of a molded non-conductive material.

8. A cable tray assembly for retaining a plurality of cables, the assembly comprising:

at least one base member for retaining a plurality of cables;

a cover piece that is removably affixable to the base member for enclosing a plurality of cables; and

a walkway element that is interconnectable with an end of the base member.

9. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the base member is substantially formed of a non-conductive, elastomeric material.

10. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the walkway element is substantially formed of a non-conductive, elastomeric material.

11. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the base member is interconnectable with the walkway element using mating dowels and recesses.

12. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the base member comprises a plurality of longitudinal channels for retaining cables or conduits therewithin.

13. The cable tray assembly of claim 12 wherein the base member comprises:

a spacer portion disposed between adjacent channels; and

a groove disposed within an upper surface of the spacer portion, the groove being shaped and sized to retain a ground wire.

14. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the cover piece comprises a like base member.

15. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the base member presents a substantially flat surface.

16. The cable tray assembly of claim 8 wherein the base member is formed of crumb rubber.

17. The cable tray of claim 8 wherein the base member is a straight-run base member that maintains a retained cable in a substantially straight line.

18. The cable tray of claim 8 wherein the base member is a curved base member that disposes a retained cable along an arcuate segment.

19. The cable tray of claim 8 wherein the base member is a T-connection base member for diverting or intersecting cables, the T-connection base member having a periphery and three cable retaining sections disposed within the periphery.