Supports – Pipe or cable – Brackets
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-05-15
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Pipe or cable
Brackets
C174S068300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231014
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a cable supporting device. More specifically, the invention relates to a cable port which facilitates the use of a cable tie strap without requiring access to the rear or wall facing portion of the cable port.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The electrical and wiring industries have long been plagued by the problem of stray or loose wires, and how to secure them. Electrical boxes have been developed which typically have one or more cable ports which are essentially cylindrical conduits which allow cables to pass into the electrical box. Often, the electrical box is a bi-valve construction, and the cable port is divided in half, yielding two semi-cylindrical mated portions. Invariably, the box is attached to a wall, and one of the semi-cylindrical cable port members has a rear surface facing the wall or other mounting surface. As advancements in electrical box and the electrical component design occur, the electrical box itself has become more and more narrow. Consequently, the cable port has become closer and closer to the wall.
Typically, wires are secured to the cable port via a cable tie strap. The tie strap is well known in the industry and generally is a locking nylon strap. Typically, one end of the strap is inserted through the front of the cable port through a slot passing to the rear of the cable port. The tie strap is then turned and passed through a second slot from the rear to the front. Cable is then run longitudinally through the cable port and secured by the cable strap. Unfortunately, with the low profile electrical boxes in use today, there is frequently no longer room for an operator to place his fingers between the cable port and the mounting wall. Accordingly, it has become necessary to remove the entire electrical box from the wall to gain access to the rear surface of the cable port to secure the tie straps. This is a timely, costly and labor intensive effort which can be avoided.
FIG. 6
shows an example of a typical prior art device. The device provides for a central portion about which a tie strap is oriented. The central portion defines two opposed slot areas through which the tie strap is passed. One can readily see from the figure that although this example does not show an electrical box structure, it would be quite difficult for an operator to insert his or her fingers into the support channel to push the tie strap through the respective slots. This particular design may enable the operator to insert the tie strap before inserting the support member into the support channel. This, however, is a luxury that is not generally found in other devices including electrical boxes.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a cable port, especially for use with electrical boxes, that facilitates the use of a cable tie strap without requiring access to the rear of the cable port.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A cable-supporting cable port of an electrical or similar box comprises two mating hollow semi-cylindrical members. The two members join, when the box is closed to form a unified cable port through which various cables or wires travel. Each semi-cylindrical member comprises a sidewall. In the rear member, the sidewall defines an aperture. A barbed projection extends from an internal edge of the sidewall into the aperture. The edge and the barbed projection define a channel for accepting an intermediate portion of a tie strap which has been bent into substantially a U-shape. The barbed projection has a longitudinal portion and a substantially horizontal barb portion. The tie strap is secured about the longitudinal portion, and prevented from disengaging the projection by engaging the barb portion. In this manner, the cable is secured to the projection by tightening the tie strap. The cable is securely held in place, without requiring access to the rear of the cable port.
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Daoud Bassel Hage
Kay Jason A.
Kerr David Stevens
Pawlenko Ivan
Avaya Technology Corp.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
Szumny Jon
LandOfFree
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