Three channel raceway

• US 20070084618A1
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: VanderVelde, Charles, Rouleau, Rodney, Woods, Randall, Zagorski, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,829,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/72.A
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/128 in plinths, channels, raceways or similar

Abstract

A raceway system routes power and communication cabling in separate channels but terminates the power and communication cabling in a common center channel. The raceway system includes a base, outer walls and inner walls, one of the outer walls and one of the inner walls define a first outer channel, adjacent inner walls define a center channel and one of the outer walls and one of the inner walls define a second outer channel. The raceway system also includes a plurality of covers connected to the inner and outer walls to cover the channels.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A raceway for routing power and communication cabling in separate channels while terminating the power and communication cabling in a common center channel, the raceway comprising:

a base;

a plurality of walls integrally formed with the base, wherein the plurality of walls includes two outer walls and two inner walls, one of the outer walls and one of the inner walls define a first outer channel, the inner walls define a center channel and one of the outer walls and one of the inner walls define a second outer channel; and

a plurality of covers, wherein one of the covers is individually installed over each channel of the raceway to provide separate access to each channel of the raceway.

12. The raceway of claim 10, wherein the plurality of covers includes hinged covers for covering the first and second outer channels and a removable cover for covering the center channel.

13. The raceway of claim 12, wherein the hinged covers include a top, a first end with a hook for engaging one of the outer walls and a second end with a hook for engaging a portion of one of the inner walls.

14. The raceway of claim 12, wherein the removable cover includes a top, a first end with a latch and a second end with a latch, whereby the latches engage a portion of the inner walls.

15. The raceway of claim 10, wherein the outer walls include a distal end with a hook and the inner walls include a distal end with a connector having a first leg and a second leg.

16. The raceway of claim 15, wherein the first leg and the second leg include an arrowhead.

17. The raceway of claim 15, wherein the plurality of covers includes hinged covers and a removable cover, the hinged covers include first and second ends, wherein the first end of the hinged covers engages the hook of the outer walls and the second end of the hinged covers engages the first leg of the connectors of the inner walls to cover the outer channels;

and

the removable cover includes first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends of the removable cover engage the second legs of the connector of the inner walls to cover the center channel.

18. The raceway of claim 10, wherein the inner walls include at least one removable section for routing cabling from the first or second outer channel to the center channel.

19. The raceway of claim 10, further comprising a device bracket positioned within the center channel, wherein the device bracket includes two ends with a divider wall extending downwardly from each end, whereby the divider walls create a barrier in the center channel to maintain power and communication separation in the center channel.

11. (canceled)

20. A raceway comprising:

a base;

first and second outer walls integrally formed with the base, first and second inner walls integrally formed with the base, wherein the outer walls and the inner walls define a first outer channel, a center channel and a second outer channel;

one of the first and second outer channels routes power cabling and the other of the first and second outer channels routes communication cabling, the power and communication cabling being terminated in the center channel; and

a plurality of covers, wherein one of the covers is individually installed over each channel for providing separate access to each channel without disrupting the remaining channels.