Multi-channel raceway

• US 6,972,367 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hellermanntyton Corporation (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Hellermanntyton Corporation (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Federspiel, Mark E., Dyer, Edward P.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US10/284,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20030089515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 174/48, 174/50, 174/68.1, 174/68.3, 174/72.A, 174/72.C, 174/97, 174/96, 522/201, 522/205, 419/207
• US Class Current: 174/481
• 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, said hinge-latch mechanism being symmetrical at a hinging portion and a latching portion, and wherein the means for alternatively attaching and detaching the divider member to and from 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.

2. 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, said hinge-latch mechanism being symmetrical at a hinging portion and a latching portion, and 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.

3. 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, said hinge-latch mechanism being symmetrical at a hinging portion and a latching portion, and 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 longitudinal groove 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.

4. 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.

5. The modular raceway system of claim 4 wherein the connecting means includes an exterior elbow releasably attached directly to the interior elbow.

6. The modular raceway system of claim 4 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.

7. The modular raceway system of claim 6 wherein said connecting means further includes a temporary guiding template for selectively determining a desired length of the intermediate portion.

8. The modular raceway system of claim 7 wherein said template comprises a right triangular member having a measuring scale.

9. 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;

said base member including 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;

said means for attaching the divider member to the base member further comprising 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 an 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.

10. 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;

said base member further comprising 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 engagable with said base member and in underlying engagement with said hinge-latch mechanism.

11. 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;

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.