Cable protector systems and methods relating thereto

• US 8,921,697 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2012
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Todd Potter
• Original Assignee: Michael Todd Potter
• Inventors: Potter, Michael Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau N
• Application Number:
  US13/458,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20120211277A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 174/99.R, 174/19, 174/97, 174/95, 174/101, 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:

the combination of a plurality of discrete components, each component comprising a top surface, a 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;

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

wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each component is configured to pivotally and releasably couple in contacting manner 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;

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.

2. The system of claim 1, 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.

3. The system of claim 1, 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.

4. The system of claim 1, 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.

5. A cable protector system comprising:

the combination of a plurality of discrete components, each component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends;

said top surface comprising two sloping side surfaces;

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

wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each component is configured to pivotally and releasably couple in contacting manner 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;

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.

6. A cable protector system comprising:

the combination of a plurality of discrete components, each component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends;

said top surface sloping downward on both sides and comprising a flat portion extending between two sloping side surfaces;

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

wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each component is configured to pivotally and releasably couple in contacting manner 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;

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.

7. The system of claim 6, 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.

8. The system of claim 6, 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. The system of claim 6, further comprising an end cap, said end cap comprising a top surface, a 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.

10. A cable protector system comprising:

the combination of a plurality of discrete components, each component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and two opposing ends;

said top surface sloping downward on both sides;

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

wherein each opposing end, respectively, of each component is configured to pivotally and releasably couple in contacting manner 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;

an end cap, said end cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and two opposing ends,

said end cap top surface sloping downward on both sides;

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.