MXPA99000248A - Suitable metal duct system for fiber opt cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a two-part metallic conduit adapts fiber optic cables in 90 ° corner assemblies which include walls, sides or rear curves. The bending radius of these curved walls is 5.08 centimeters or more and these walls are also formed with seals to locate the base of the conduit and to protect the abrasion cable due to the flanges of the base of the conduit base. Each corner assembly also includes a cover that holds the base of the duct to the ski assembly.

Description

MECHANICAL COATED SYSTEM OF ETHICS FOR CAB LE DE FI BRA OR PTI CA This invention relates generally to electrical conduit systems with surface mountings of the type having a base in the form of a channel of forward open metals formed with inwardly extending tabs extending longitudinally and a flat cover provided with integrally formed tabs adapted to mate with the tabs at the base. Although the base and duct cover components have been used with various external corner adjustments, as well as T-tubes, it has not been proven that the use of such metal duct components is suitable for adapting fiber optic cable. Said cable can not adapt a bending radius of less than 5.08 centimeters when pulled through a standard adjustment of the type currently available in the prior art for said metal conduit base and cover configurations. The fiber optic cable can be damaged due to the relatively angled bends required in these corner adjustments. The main objective of the present invention is to provide a conduit system with fiber optic cable corner assemblies which are not only adapted for use with conventional base and duct cover components, but whose corner cables are capable of adapting Fiber optic cable with a bending with a radius no greater than 5.08 centimeters. These corner assemblies are further designed to protect said fiber optic cable from the relatively sharp edges of the conduit base flanges that are provided for flange engagement on the cover to secure these conventional components in assembled relation. COMPONENT OF THE I NVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a conduit system is provided for directing fiber optic cable along walls or ceilings in an environment that requires cables to undergo 90 ° bends. In its presently preferred form, the system includes conventional linear base and duct cover components, with flanges configured in complementary fashion to allow the cover to be matched or assembled with the base of the duct. The duct corner assemblies provide flat elbow connections for these duct components formed into flanges, as well as corners and internal and external T-tubes. A normal conduit corner assembly includes a base fitting having first and second angularly related ends that are compatible with the base and cover of the conduit. Each corner assembly also includes a cover adjustment that is matched with each base adjustment of the corner assembly. The base fit of the duct corner assembly includes at least one curved slider having a bending radius of at least 5.08 centimeters. At least one integrally projecting abutment surface is provided adjacent each end of the curved slide to engage the base of the conduit when assembled with the base fit of the corner assembly. This abutting surface also acts as a protection for the fiber optic cable, when the cable is pulled through the interior of the conduit and the 90 ° corner assembly. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the interior of the duct and the corner assembly is divided into separate ducts. The cover and base of the duct are equipped with conventional dividing means. The corner assembly is also adapted with a divider wall that is configured to a radius generally complementary to the curved side wall of the cover assembly. This dividing wall has ears that are formed at right angles to their generally planar configuration so that they are inserted into slots provided for this purpose in the rear wall of the corner assembly. An important aspect of the invention is that the base of the conventional linear conduit is received over the reduced cross-sectional areas of the end portions of the corner assembly. The cover of the corner assembly has flanges secured to the base of the corner assembly and also to the base of the conduit. Thus, the cover of the corner assembly is matched to the base of the duct and the adjustment of the base of the corner assembly that provides a very safe assembly for the three components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the invention and many of the advantages appended thereto will be readily appreciated since they are better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered together with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flat elbow corner assembly in the assembly process with a first base of the conduit and a second base of the conduit that is oriented perpendicular to the first base of the conduit, the latter being shown in Exploded relationship to another end of said corner assembly. Figure 2 shows the assembled components of the Figure 1, together with a corner assembly being secured to the components described in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the flat elbow corner assembly base of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the corner assembly used in the assembly of Figure 2. Figure 5 is an extreme elevation view of the cover taken on line 5.5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dividing element used in the assembly of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the corner fitting is T-shaped and serves to provide the two mutually perpendicular conduits oriented on a flat surface and a third conduit provided in a third end portion of the T-shaped corner fitting. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 and also illustrates the adjustment of the corner assembly cover being assembled with the base. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the base fit of the corner assembly illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cover fitting of the corner assembly as used in the assembly. of Figures 7, 8 and 9. Figure 1 1 is an elevation view taken generally on the line 1 1, 1 1 of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the divider element used in the assembly. of Figures 7 and 8. Figure 13 is a perspective view illustrating an internal corner assembly for use in order to provide the base components of the mutually perpendicular duct in an inner corner. Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13 but illustrating a corner assembly cover in developed relationship to the corner assembly base and base components of the mutually perpendicular conduit of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a perspective view showing in greater detail the construction of the corner assembly base of Figures 13 and 14. Figure 16 shows in more detail the construction of the inner corner assembly cover of Figure 14. Figure 17, shows another embodiment of the present invention suitable for use in an outer corner and this perspective view illustrates a cover assembly base together with a first conduit oriented perpendicular to a second conduit, the latter being shown in developed relation to the adjustment of base of the corner assembly. Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17 but illustrating a corner assembly cover provided in developed relationship to the assembled components of Figure 17. Figure 19 shows in more detail the configuration for the assembly base of external corner of Figures 17 and 18. Figure 20, shows in perspective the configuration of the outer corner assembly cover, this view illustrating the configuration for the internal flanges of the corner assembly cover that are paired with the base of the duct to provide a relatively secure assembly but not only the corner assembly components, but also the conventional base and duct cover components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, Figure 1 shows a flat elbow corner assembly base 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention and assembled with two mutually perpendicular metal conduit base members, generally indicated in 10, 10. It will be noted that one base of conduit 10 is mounted vertically and the other horizontally, the latter having a conventional divider strip 12 provided in the same conventional fasteners (not shown) that fit within the base of the conduit in the form of channel and extends the rear wall of the base with end portions received in from the tabs 10c10c. With respect to the vertically oriented conduit 10, the dotted lines show that the conduit 10 can slide over an end portion of the base fit of the conduit corner assembly 14. The base fit of the corner assembly 14 includes mutually perpendicular side walls 14a and 14b, the side walls of which are aligned with the side walls of the base members of the conduit 10, 10. These base members of the conduit 10, 10 have inwardly formed flanges 10c, 10c to receive the conduit cover members in shape of tabs 100, 100 as shown in Figure 2. It is an aspect of the present invention in which the corner assembly base 14 also includes a curved side wall 14c that is designed to have its end portions oriented tangentially to the walls on the opposite side of the base members of duct 10, 10. As best shown in Figure 3, the base adjustment of the corner assembly a 14 has first and second end portions adapted to mate with, and slidably receive the base of the conduit 10. The base of the conduit 10 is illustrated in dotted or fuzzy lines in Figure 3 to better illustrate the angled corners created by the base flanges of conduit 10c, 10c. The location for these angled corners 10d is significant since they overlap the base of the cover assembly 14. This corner assembly base 14 and more particularly the curved side wall 14c has abutment detents 14d defined at its ends which serve to locate the duct base 10 and also serve to protect the fiber optic cable located inside the duct and the corner assembly, particularly when the fiber optic cable is pulled through the channel defined between these components in the assembly. This curved inner side wall 14c has a bending radius of at least 5.08 centimeters in order to protect the fiber optic cable from being bent very sharply and therefore damaged. Still with reference to Figure 1, it will be apparent that the interior of the corner assembly can be divided into separate channels as a result of a divider element 16. The ears 16a are provided at right angles to the arched divider wall element 16 to enter the grooves 14e defined by the rear wall 14f of the corner assembly 14 (see Figure 6).

Turning now to Figure 2, the base fit of the corner assembly 14 and the associated conduits 10, 10 are adapted with a single corner assembly cover 18, shown in greater detail in Figure 4. The cover 18 can be observed from the extreme view of Figure 5, to have inwardly formed flanges 18a that are similar to the inwardly turned flanges provided on the conventional duct cover 100. Along a linear edge of the corner assembly cover 18, the slots are provided in this tab to receive the tabs 14g in the corner assembly base fitting 14. One of said openings in the corner assembly cover adjusting tab is illustrated in 18b in Figure 5. As is constructed and arranged, the flange-shaped corner assembly cover fitting 18 is adapted to press in place as suggested in Figure 2. The cover 18 is of such a size that its flanges 18a The eyelashes 10c of the base members 110, 10 of the duct are landed. See Figure 2 wherein the flanges 18a, 18a can be observed arranged so as to engage the flanges 10c, 10c of the vertically oriented conduit 10. As it is constructed and arranged, the cover 18 serves to ensure the base fit of the corner assembly 14 to the conduits 10, 10. Furthermore, the resulting curved configuration presents a very favorable appearance or design to the observer once installed on a wall or ceiling. The duct covers 100 are of conventional construction as previously mentioned and abut the corner assembly cover 18 as suggested in Figure 2.

Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a corner assembly in the form of a T capable of adapting the base members 10, 10, of the perpendicular duct. Two horizontal members of the duct are arranged in the upper part of the T-shaped corner assembly. Another member 10 is perpendicular to these two. As in the previously described embodiment, the corner of the T-shaped assembly includes a base adjustment 24 that includes a portion that is identical to the corner assembly 14 of the previous embodiment. However, instead of mutually perpendicular walls 14a and 14b (See Figure 1), the T-shaped base fitting 24 is generally symmetrical so as to provide a third end portion for slidably receiving a third base of the conduit 10 as shown in Figure 7. The corner assembly base fitting 24 includes two arcuate or curved side walls 24c, 24c and a single linearly extending side wall 24a that is aligned with the side walls of the base member of the conduit 10 that is extends horizontally As in the previously described embodiment, the end portions of the base fit of the corner assembly 24 are of reduced size so that they are slidably received inside the base of the conduit 10 and the abutment retainers 24d defined at the opposite ends of each wall curved side 24c coupled to the tabs 10c turned inwardly 10c from the base of the conduit 10 so as to protect the fiber optic cable (not shown) pulled towards the corner assembly once it has been assembled with the base of the conduit. As best shown in Figure 9, the base fitting 24 of the T-shaped corner assembly has a rear wall defining three (3) slotted openings 24e, 24e, two (2) of which are adapted to receive two. ears that are provided for this purpose on the divider element of the insert 26 which serves to isolate the fiber optic cable from another cable in the conduit. As previously mentioned, the separated channels are defined by conventional dividers in conduits, as shown in 12 with reference to the first mode. Said dividers are also provided in the conduits 10 of Figure 7, with the result that the divider element 26 of Figure 7 is designed to divide the interior space of the corner assembly into at least two channels for this purpose. Figure 12, illustrates the divider element 26 in greater detail and shows that the upper portion 26a defines a biased support for securing the divider element 16 at the open end of the vertically oriented conduit 10 of Figure 7. A flange 26b offset oppositely at the lower end of the divider element 26 is provided with two (2) ears 26c turned upwards. These two (2) ears 26c are selectively inserted into two of the three slotted openings 24e in order to provide different internal passage geometries, or channels, at the base of the T-shaped corner assembly 24. Still with reference to the Figure 12, the divider element 26 can be seen to have a funnel-shaped configuration with opposite side walls 26f that are curved to define a funnel shape and to provide a space behind the divider element 16 that serves to define a straight passage for wiring (not shown) extending horizontally between the horizontally aligned conduits 10, 10 of Figure 7. Figure 10 shows the adjustment 28 of the corner assembly cover which is adapted to be received on the corner base fitting 24 as is suggested in Figure 8. The corner fitting 28 of the T-shaped corner assembly is similar to the L-shaped cover 18 previously described with reference to the elbow corner assembly plane of Figures 1-6. The inwardly directed tabs 28a serve to engage the tabs 10c turned inwardly from the base of the conduit 10 in order to provide a secure assembly as between the different conduits 10, 10, the base fitting 24 of corner assembly and this cover 28 in the form of T. Figure 8 shows the geometry of these components that gives them the greatest advantage and it will be evident that the T-shaped cover tabs 28a actually engage the tabs 10c turned inwardly of the duct 10. It should be noted that this cover fitting 28 of the T-shaped corner assembly also includes a better opening 28b shown in Figure 1 1 which is adapted to receive a spigot 24g in the linearly oriented side wall 24a of the T-shaped base fitting 24. now to the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16 inclusive, two base members of the conventional mutually perpendicular conduit are generally indicated at 10, 10 and enter together at a corner internal where they are matched with a base fit of the inner corner assembly indicated generally at 30. The base fit 30 of the corner assembly, similar to the base fitting 14 of the corner assembly described before Figure 1, includes end portions opposites that are of - reduced cross section so as to slidably receive the open end of the base of the conventional conduit 10. The base adjustment 30 of the corner assembly is best shown in Figure wherein the curved side walls 30c can be seen to have abutment surfaces 30d defined at their ends to receive and cover the angled edges 10d of the turn in the flanges 10c of the base of the conduit 10. The rear wall 30f of the interior in shape The base adjustment channel 30 of the corner assembly provides an internal limit for the channel in the corner adjustment and is curved with a radius of at least 5.08 centimeters to safely adapt the fiber optic cable without undue flexing of the cable. cable. The slots 30e are provided in their rear wall 30f to receive the ears of an arc-shaped divider element 36 best shown in Figure 13 to mount the divider element so as to align with the divider means 32 of conventional geometry provided in the base of conduit 10 as previously described. The ends of the divider element 36 may be grooved as shown at 36a to pair with an elevated collar 12a as is normally provided in the conventional conduit dividing means 12. See Figure 1 for this aspect. The cover fitting of the corner assembly 38 (best shown in Figure 16) is assembled with the base fitting 30 and the base of the duct 10, 10 as suggested in Figure 14 so that the flanges 38a along the the end portions of the cover 38 are matched with the flanges 10c of the base of the conduit in the same manner as previously described with reference to the covers described before these embodiments. The cover members 100, 100 of the conventional duct are assembled as previously described after installing this cover 38. Referring now to the embodiment of the invention described in Figures 17 to 20 inclusive, a corner assembly suitable for use in a The outer corner is shown in Figure 17. Figure 19 shows the base fitting 40 of the outer corner assembly in greater detail and illustrates the curved side walls 40c including the abutment surfaces 40 at their end portions for receiving the tumbled tabs 10c. inwardly from the base of the conduit 10 and also prevent these flanges and more particularly their angled edges 10d from interfering with the fiber optic cable placed inside or pulled through the channel defined between this base 40 and a cover 48 as suggested in FIG. Figure 18. Base members 10, 10 of the mutually perpendicular duct are conveniently assembled with this adjustment of b 40 of the outer corner sliding the conduit 10 into the opposite end portions of the base 40. The cover 48 of the corner assembly is applied to the end portions of the base of the conduit 10 and to the fitting 40 as best shown in Figure 18 The cover 48 has flanges 48a projecting rearwardly of the cover as shown in Figure 20, the flanges 48a of which engage the flanges 10c of the base of the conduit 10 as well as those defined on the base fitting 40 of the corner assembly. .

Claims (13)

1. REVIVAL DICATIONS 1. A conduit system for directing fiber optic cables along walls or ceilings that require cables to undergo 90 ° bends, said system comprising: linear conduit base sections and linear conduit cover sections defining at least a channel, the base of the conduit and the cover sections having longitudinally extending flanges projecting inwardly in the channel for coupling with one another to hold the conduit cover and the base sections in assembled relation, an assembly of duct corner including a base fitting having first and second angularly related end portions for slidably receiving said duct base sections and a corner assembly cover fitting that are matched with the corner assembly base fitting, said adjustment of base including a curved side wall between the first and second end portions, said wall l A bend curve defining at least one abutment surface that projects inwardly to engage a base section of the duct and its flange when the base fit of the corner assembly is assembled with a base section of the duct by which said duct surface The boundary acts as a protection to protect the fiber optic cable in the channel defined in part by the conduit sections and partly by the corner assembly.
2. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the end fitting portions of the corner assembly are formed to fit within the base section of the duct, the corner assembly base fitting having a generally opposite second side wall. to said curved side wall and said corner assembly base fitting having a rear wall connecting the curved side wall and the second side wall, the rear wall defining at least two grooves, a divider element which is configured to have a generally complementary radius to the curved side wall, the divider element having ears formed at right angles to the rear wall of the base fitting of the corner assembly for insertion into the slots in the rear wall of the corner assembly. The system according to claim 2, further characterized by dividing means in said duct base and said dividing element aligned with the dividing means in said corner assembly base adjustment. The system according to claim 1, wherein the corner assembly cover adjustment has first and second ends that overlap said first and second respective portions of the base adjustment of the corner assembly, said first and second ends of the adjustment of cover having backwardly projecting flanges similar to the flanges on said duct cover, the base flanges of the duct being received by the end portions of the base fitting and being engageable with the flanges of the cover fitting of the corner assembly. way that provides a secure assembly for the base of the duct, the base adjustment of the corner assembly and the adjustment of the corner assembly cover. The system according to claim 4, wherein the end portions of the base fitting of the corner assembly are formed to fit within the base section of the duct, said corner assembly base fitting having a second wall lateral generally opposite said curved side wall and said corner assembly base fitting having a rear wall connecting said curved side wall and said second side wall, the rear wall defining at least two grooves, a divider element which is configured to have a generally complementary radius to said curved side wall, the divider element having lugs formed at right angles to the rear wall of the base fitting of the corner assembly to insert it into the slots in the rear wall of the corner assembly. 6. The system according to claim 4, further characterized by the dividing means in said duct base and said dividing element being aligned with the dividing means in the corner assembly base adjustment. The system according to claim 4, wherein the back wall of the base assembly of the corner assembly has an arched shape, the curved side wall of the base adjustment and said second side wall of the base fitting having generally simulated shapes. ilar and d isposed perpendicularly with respect to said rear wall arc ueada to define an interior channel in the form of curved channel and said back wall defining at least two slots and a divider element configured to have a generally complementary radius with the curved side walls , the divider element having ears formed to fit inside said grooves in the back plate. 8. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rear wall of the base assembly base has an arcuate shape, the curved side wall of the base fitting and said second base side wall of the base assembly. The latter has generally similar shapes and are inserted perpendicularly with respect to the rear wall archwire to define an interior channel in the form of a cuv- um channel and said rear wall defining at least two slots and a divider element configured to have a generally complementary radius. to said curved side walls, said divider element having ears formed to fit inside the slots in the back plate. 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second base fitting side wall of the ski assembly is of planar configuration and is oriented perpendicular to the second end of the ski trim, a second base of the duct on a second corner fitting end portion, a corner assembly cover fitting having a curved edge that is paired with the curved side wall of the cover assembly base fitting and said corner assembly cover fitting further including a second side wall, the corner assembly base having a linear side wall with marginal edges defining at least one peg that is received in a slot provided therefor in the linear edge of the cover fitting. The system according to claim 9, wherein the base assembly of the cover assembly has first and second ends oriented to receive two base sections of the duct oriented perpendicular to one another and the base fit of the cover assembly including also a third end aligned with the first end to provide a T, said second and third corner assembly base ends forming a mirror image of the second and first corner assembly base ends. The system according to claim 1, wherein the curved side wall of the cover assembly base adjustment has a radius of curvature of at least about 5.08 centimeters. The system according to claim 5, wherein the arcuate rear wall has a radius of curvature of at least about 5.08 centimeters. The system according to claim 7, wherein the arcuate rear wall has a radius of curvature of at least about 5.08 centimeters. RESU MEN A two-piece metallic conduit adapts fiber optic cables in 90 ° corner assemblies that include curved side or rear walls. The radius of flexure of these curved walls is 5.08 centimeters or more and these walls are also formed with seals to locate the base of the conduit and to protect the abrasion cable due to the flanges of the base of the conduit. Each corner assembly also includes a cover that holds the base of the duct to the corner assembly.