VERTICAL CABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND METHODS

• US 20120205500A1
• Filed: 02/16/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin Cox
• Original Assignee: Martin Cox
• Inventors: COX, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,695,929 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/65
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/32 using mounting clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting one or more cables in a generally vertical orientation comprises a support structure extending along a generally vertical direction and a plurality of support blocks positioned along the vertical support structure. Each of the support blocks has one or more cable openings defined therethrough. The support blocks comprise a plurality of first group support blocks and a plurality of second group support blocks. The cable openings of the first group support blocks are aligned with each other, and the cable openings of the second group support blocks are aligned with each other and horizontally offset from the cable openings of the first group support blocks.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting one or more cables in a generally vertical orientation, the apparatus comprising:

a support structure extending along a generally vertical direction; and

,

a plurality of support blocks positioned along a length of the vertical support structure, each of the support blocks having one or more cable openings defined therethrough, the plurality of support blocks comprising a plurality of first group support blocks and a plurality of second group support blocks, wherein the cable openings of the first group support blocks are aligned with each other, and the cable openings of the second group support blocks are aligned with each other and horizontally offset from the cable openings of the first group support blocks.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first group of support blocks and the second group of support blocks are arranged in alternating fashion.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first group of support blocks and the second group of support blocks are arranged in interleaved bunches of two or more.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each cable opening is configured to provide a clearance of about 0.002″

to about 0.025″

around a cable passing therethrough.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises an enclosure comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails and a sheet extending between the side rails.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of the first and second group support blocks comprises a block body extending between the side rails.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each block body is supported by a pair of brackets attached to the side rails.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each block body comprises two or more pieces, with the openings positioned along interfaces between the pieces.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 comprising a reinforcement member extending along an edge of each of the first and second group support blocks.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the reinforcement members comprise rungs extending along the edge of each of the first and second group support blocks closest to the sheet, and wherein ends the rungs are secured to the side rails.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 comprising an additional reinforcement member comprising a top stiffener extending along an edge of each of the first and second group support blocks farthest from the sheet.

12. An apparatus according claim 9 wherein each reinforcement member has a generally C-shaped cross section with a pair of flanges at the edges thereof, and wherein each block body has a pair of slots defined therein and configured to accept the pair of flanges.

13. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the block bodies of the first and second group support blocks are substantially identical with openings asymmetrically positioned in the block body, and wherein the block bodies of the first and second group support blocks are rotated 180 degrees with respect to each other.

14. An apparatus according to claim 5 comprising a cover positioned over an open side of the enclosure, wherein the cover is attached to the side rails.

15. A method for supporting one or more cables in a generally vertical orientation, the method comprising:

providing a support structure extending along a generally vertical direction;

positioning a plurality of support blocks along a length of the vertical support structure, each of the support blocks having one or more cable openings defined therethrough, the plurality of support blocks comprising a plurality of first group support blocks and a plurality of second group support blocks, wherein the cable openings of the first group support blocks are aligned with each other, and the cable openings of the second group support blocks are aligned with each other and horizontally offset from the cable openings of the first group support blocks; and

,

positioning one or more cables through corresponding ones of the one or more cable openings of the first and second group support blocks.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein positioning the support blocks comprises arranging the first group of support blocks and the second group of support blocks in alternating fashion.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein positioning the support blocks comprises arranging the first group of support blocks and the second group of support blocks in interleaved bunches of two or more.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein providing the support structure comprises providing an enclosure comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails and a sheet extending between the side rails.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein each of the first and second group support blocks comprises a block body extending between the side rails, wherein each block body comprises two or more pieces, with the openings positioned along interfaces between the pieces, the method comprising pre-installing one piece of each block body in the enclosure.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein each of the first and second group support blocks comprises a block body extending between the side rails, wherein the block bodies of the first and second group support blocks are substantially identical with openings asymmetrically positioned in the block body, and wherein positioning the support blocks comprises orienting the block bodies of the first and second group support blocks 180 degrees with respect to each other.