Cable protector systems and methods relating thereto

• US 8,168,888 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P-Squared Innovations
• Original Assignee: P-Squared Innovations
• Inventors: Potter, Michael Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Application Number:
  US12/540,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20100065328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 174/19, 174/97, 174/95, 174/101, 174/99.R, 59/781, D13/155
• US Class Current: 174/99.R
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0475 formed by a succession of articulated units
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/34 using separate protective tubing

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cable protector system is provided. The system includes a first component, the first component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends. The first component defines a channel extending between the two opposing ends. The system also comprises a second component, the second component being substantially identical to the first component. When the first and second components are coupled, each of the top surfaces are substantially co-planar and each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the first component and second component. The channel is configured to receive at least one cable.

Claims

1. A cable protector system comprising:

a first component, the first component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends, the first component defining a channel extending between the two opposing ends; and

a second component, the second component being substantially identical to the first component, wherein each opposing end, respectively, of the first component is configured to pivotally and removably couple with an opposing end of the second component and each opposing end, respectively, of the second component is configured to pivotally and removably couple with an opposing end of the first component,

such that when the first and second components are coupled, each of the top surfaces are substantially co-planar and each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the first component and second component, the channel configured to receive at least one cable;

said cable protector system further comprising an end cap, the end cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends, the end cap defining a channel extending between the two opposing end cap ends with the end cap top surface, the end cap being configured to removably couple with an opposing end of a component such that when coupled, each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the end cap and the coupled component, the channel configured to receive at least one cable.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one end of each of the first and second components, respectively, defines an opening and the other end of each of the first and second components, respectively, comprises a tab, the opening of the first component being configured to accommodate the tab of the second component and the opening of the second component being configured to accommodate the tab of the first component so as to removably couple the first and second components.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one clip positioned adjacent to at least one channel of the first and second components, the clip configured to prevent a cable from leaving the channel.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the clip comprises rubber.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bottom surfaces define slots, the slots configured to prevent the first and second components from sliding when placed on a carpeted surface.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the components are configured to pivot horizontally in relation to one another such that the components are capable of pivoting from side to side.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second component are each capable of pivoting at an angle of from about 1 degree to about 25 degrees with respect to one another.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of additional components that are substantially identical to the first component, wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each additional component is configured to pivotally and removably couple with an opposing end of one of the other components such that when the components are coupled, each of the top surfaces are substantially co-planar and each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the components, the channel configured to receive at least one cable.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said top surfaces comprises two sloping surfaces.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of said top surfaces further comprises a flat portion extending between said sloping side surfaces.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said flat portion of each said top surface of each said component is a first flat portion,

and wherein said top surface of each said component further comprises a second flat portion and two sloping side surfaces, said second flat portion being lower than said first flat portion.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each said component further comprises an opening and a depressible tab, wherein said opening is positioned on said first flat portion and said tab is positioned on said second flat portion, and wherein said opening and said tab are configured such that the tab of one component is received within the opening of another component when said components are coupled together, whereby said coupled components are separable when said tab is depressed.

9. A cable protector system comprising:

a first component, the first component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends, the first component defining a channel extending between the two opposing ends; and

a second component, the second component being substantially identical to the first component, wherein each opposing end, respectively, of the first component is configured to pivotally and removably couple with an opposing end of the second component and each opposing end, respectively, of the second component is configured to pivotally and removably couple with an opposing end of the first component,

such that when the first and second components are coupled, each of the top surfaces are substantially co-planar and each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the first component and second component, the channel configured to receive at least one cable;

the cable protector system further comprising a plurality of additional components that are substantially identical to the first component, wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each additional component is configured to pivotally and removably couple with an opposing end of one of the other components such that when the components are coupled, each of the top surfaces are substantially co-planar and each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the components, the channel configured to receive at least one cable;

wherein the components are configured to pivot in relation to one another and collectively define a circle, wherein when the components define a circle, at least one component is positioned on top of another component.

14. A cable protector system comprising:

a plurality of components, each component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, two opposing sides extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, and two opposing ends;

said top surface comprising two sloping side surfaces and a flat portion extending between said two sloping side surfaces;

wherein said flat portion of each said top surface of each said component is a first flat portion,

and wherein said top surface of each said component further comprises a second flat portion and two additional sloping side surfaces, said second flat portion being lower than said first flat portion;

each component defining a channel extending between the two opposing ends;

wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each component is configured to pivotally couple with an opposing end of another component such that when components are coupled, each of the bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and the channels together define a single channel extending between the components, the channel configured to receive at least one cable.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each said component further comprises an opening and a depressible tab, wherein said opening and tab are configured such that the tab of one component is received within the opening of another component when said components are coupled together, whereby said coupled components are separable when said tab is depressed.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein each said component further comprises an opening and a depressible tab, wherein said opening is positioned on said first flat portion and said tab is positioned on said second flat portion, and wherein said opening and said tab are configured such that the tab of one component is received within the opening of another component when said components are coupled together, whereby said coupled components are separable when said tab is depressed.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising an end cap, said end cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, two opposing sides extending between said top surface and said bottom surface and two opposing ends,

said end cap top surface comprising three sloping side surfaces;

said end cap defining with said end cap top surface a channel extending between said two opposing end cap ends, said end cap being configured to removably couple with an opposing end of a component such that when coupled, each of said bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and said channels together define a single channel extending between said end cap and said component, said channel configured to receive at least one cable.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising an end cap, said end cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, two opposing sides extending between said top surface and said bottom surface and two opposing ends;

said end cap top surface comprising a first flat portion, three sloping side surfaces extending from said first flat portion, a second flat portion lower than said first flat portion, and two sloping side surfaces extending from said second flat portion;

said end cap defining a channel extending between said two opposing end cap ends with said end cap top surface, said end cap being configured to removably couple with an opposing end of a component such that when coupled, each of said bottom surfaces are substantially co-planar and said channels together define a single channel extending between said end cap and said component, said channel configured to receive at least one cable.