US3915420A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable tray
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1974-10-07
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A cable tray made up of parts most of which are of extruded metal and adapted to be secured together in elongated ladder-like sections aligned longitudinally. Each section has side rails transversely spaced by longitudinally spaced inverted U-shaped rungs whose ends are interlocked in inwardly opening channels formed along the lower edges of the side rails. Generally Tshaped rotary wedges can be inserted in the rungs and turned to lock the rungs to the side rails for spacing the rungs longitudinally. An outwardly opening channel along the top edge of each side rail is adapted to be engaged by a hanger having a body conforming to the shape of the groove and having an integral flange projecting outward from the groove, the flange being perforate for engagement with a hanger rod suspended from the ceiling. Short connectors conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the grooves are provided for aligning successive sections, the connectors being secured in place in abutting side rails during erection of the tray by means of pointed setscrews.
Inventors
- 👤 George W Norris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:20
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/04; H02G3/0456; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
439 words
A cable tray section having elongated side rails on each side, each side rail having an outwardly-opening groove adjacent and along its upper edge and an inwardly-opening groove adjacent and along its lower edge, longitudinally spaced rung members interconnecting and laterally spacing the side members, each upper groove being defined between vertically spaced outwardly projecting curved upper and lower lips and having an elongatedoval cross-sectional configuration, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hanger brackets in each upper groove, each bracket having a body portion of elongated-oval cross-sectional configurations conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of the upper groove and an integral flange portion adapted to project transversely between the groove upper and lower lips, the flange portion having a hole therethrough adapting the flange to be secured to the lower end of a ceiling supported hanger rod, each lower groove being defined between spaced inwardly projecting upper and lower flanges, the upper flange terminating in a depending V-shaped ridge extending along the upper flange, the lower flange terminating in an upwardly projecting thickened portion extending along the lower flange, the lower groove being generally quadrilateral in cross-sectional configuration, each rung member being of an inverted-U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having adjacent each end a transverse slot across its top and a downwardly opening slot through each side conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the upwardly projecting thickened portion of the lower groove lower flange, the downwardly opening slots and the transverse slot adjacent each rung end defining therebeyond a rung end whose configuration transverse the tray conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of the lower groove, and a rotary wedge member positioned in each rung end and having a length between its ends substantially equal to the interior width of the rung member and having a crosssectional configuration substantially capital-T-shaped, the serif-portion of the T being thickened and elongated and the cross-arm portion of the T being trapezoidal, the shorter side of the trapezoid being at the top of the T, the cross-arm portion of each wedge being so dimensioned that when the rung end is engaged in the lower groove and a wedge is inserted in the rung with the lower end of its cross-arm portion engaged with the bottom of the lower groove and the wedge is rotated by driving the serif portion upward until the upper end of its cross-arm portion enters the transverse slot of the rung end and is in engagement with the V-shaped ridge of the lower slot upper flange, the rung end is secured to the side rail, the upper serif portion being of such length as to prevent rotation of the wedge beyond such engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
439 words
A cable tray section having elongated side rails on each side, each side rail having an outwardly-opening groove adjacent and along its upper edge and an inwardly-opening groove adjacent and along its lower edge, longitudinally spaced rung members interconnecting and laterally spacing the side members, each upper groove being defined between vertically spaced outwardly projecting curved upper and lower lips and having an elongatedoval cross-sectional configuration, a plurality of longitudinally spaced hanger brackets in each upper groove, each bracket having a body portion of elongated-oval cross-sectional configurations conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of the upper groove and an integral flange portion adapted to project transversely between the groove upper and lower lips, the flange portion having a hole therethrough adapting the flange to be secured to the lower end of a ceiling supported hanger rod, each lower groove being defined between spaced inwardly projecting upper and lower flanges, the upper flange terminating in a depending V-shaped ridge extending along the upper flange, the lower flange terminating in an upwardly projecting thickened portion extending along the lower flange, the lower groove being generally quadrilateral in cross-sectional configuration, each rung member being of an inverted-U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having adjacent each end a transverse slot across its top and a downwardly opening slot through each side conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the upwardly projecting thickened portion of the lower groove lower flange, the downwardly opening slots and the transverse slot adjacent each rung end defining therebeyond a rung end whose configuration transverse the tray conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of the lower groove, and a rotary wedge member positioned in each rung end and having a length between its ends substantially equal to the interior width of the rung member and having a crosssectional configuration substantially capital-T-shaped, the serif-portion of the T being thickened and elongated and the cross-arm portion of the T being trapezoidal, the shorter side of the trapezoid being at the top of the T, the cross-arm portion of each wedge being so dimensioned that when the rung end is engaged in the lower groove and a wedge is inserted in the rung with the lower end of its cross-arm portion engaged with the bottom of the lower groove and the wedge is rotated by driving the serif portion upward until the upper end of its cross-arm portion enters the transverse slot of the rung end and is in engagement with the V-shaped ridge of the lower slot upper flange, the rung end is secured to the side rail, the upper serif portion being of such length as to prevent rotation of the wedge beyond such engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
A cable tray comprising a plurality of like sections defined in claim 1, the sections beiNg aligned in end-to-end abutting relation, the abutting ends of the side walls to abutting sections having an upper connector engaged in the upper grooves of the abutting side walls and a lower connector engaged in the lower grooves of the abutting side walls, the upper connector having a cross-sectional configuration confroming to that of the upper grooves and the lower connector having a cross-sectional outline conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of the lower grooves, each connector having a plurality of threaded holes therethrough, and pointed setscrews engaged in the threaded holes for securing the connectors in the grooves during erection of the tray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The cable tray defined in claim 2 wherein each hanger bracket on either side of a cross-sectional center line through its flange portion, each rotary wedge on either side of a cross-sectional center line through its serif and cross-arm portions, and each connector on either side of a longitudinal center line have sides which are the mirror images of one another, whereby the hangers, wedges, and connectors may be inserted either side up.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
386 words
A cable tray section adapted to be suspended from the ceiling of a structure comprising an upstanding side rail at each side, a plurality of rung members interconnecting the rails and longitudinally spaced therealong for transversely spacing the rails, each side rail having an upper flange and a lower flange projecting therefrom toward the opposite rail, the upper flange having a downwardly projecting ridge therealong at its end and the lower flange having an upwardly projecting portion therealong at its end; the upper and lower flanges, the ridge, the upwardly projecting portion and the side rail defining an inwardly opening groove of irregular cross-sectional shape extending along the rail adjacent its lower edge; each rung member being of an inverted-U-shaped configuration and having adjacent each end a slot transverse the rung across its top and a downwardly opening slot through each side conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the upwardly projecting portion of the lower flange, the downwardly opening slots and the transverse slot defining therebeyond a rung end having a configuration transverse the tray conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the groove, whereby the rung ends may be inserted in the rail grooves for spacing the rails, a rotary wedge positioned in each rung end, each wedge being of a width equal to the width between the rung sides and having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a cross-arm portion and a central leg portion, the cross-arm portion having an end-to-end length greater than the distance between the upper flange ridge and the upwardly projecting portion of the lower flange of the groove, whereby the wedge is inserted in the rung with one cross-arm end in contact with the lower flange of the groove and the wedge is rotated by pressure on the leg portion until the other cross-arm end extends through the rung transverse slot and engages the upper flange ridge, the wedge leg portion having an upwardly projecting stop portion preventing further rotation of the wedge, means associated with the wedge for preventing reverse rotation of the wedge after the engagement of the other cross-arm end with the flange ridge; the side rails having outwardly projecting portions adjacent their upper edges, and hanger means secured to the rail upper edge projecting portions adapted to be secured to the structure ceiling by hanger rod means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
386 words
A cable tray section adapted to be suspended from the ceiling of a structure comprising an upstanding side rail at each side, a plurality of rung members interconnecting the rails and longitudinally spaced therealong for transversely spacing the rails, each side rail having an upper flange and a lower flange projecting therefrom toward the opposite rail, the upper flange having a downwardly projecting ridge therealong at its end and the lower flange having an upwardly projecting portion therealong at its end; the upper and lower flanges, the ridge, the upwardly projecting portion and the side rail defining an inwardly opening groove of irregular cross-sectional shape extending along the rail adjacent its lower edge; each rung member being of an inverted-U-shaped configuration and having adjacent each end a slot transverse the rung across its top and a downwardly opening slot through each side conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the upwardly projecting portion of the lower flange, the downwardly opening slots and the transverse slot defining therebeyond a rung end having a configuration transverse the tray conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the groove, whereby the rung ends may be inserted in the rail grooves for spacing the rails, a rotary wedge positioned in each rung end, each wedge being of a width equal to the width between the rung sides and having a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a cross-arm portion and a central leg portion, the cross-arm portion having an end-to-end length greater than the distance between the upper flange ridge and the upwardly projecting portion of the lower flange of the groove, whereby the wedge is inserted in the rung with one cross-arm end in contact with the lower flange of the groove and the wedge is rotated by pressure on the leg portion until the other cross-arm end extends through the rung transverse slot and engages the upper flange ridge, the wedge leg portion having an upwardly projecting stop portion preventing further rotation of the wedge, means associated with the wedge for preventing reverse rotation of the wedge after the engagement of the other cross-arm end with the flange ridge; the side rails having outwardly projecting portions adjacent their upper edges, and hanger means secured to the rail upper edge projecting portions adapted to be secured to the structure ceiling by hanger rod means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
446 words
A cable tray section adapted to be suspended from the ceiling of a structure comprising an upstanding side rail at each side, a plurality of rung members interconnecting the rails and longitudinally spaced therealong for transversely spacing the rails, each side rail having an upper flange and a lower flange projecting therefrom toward the opposite rail, the upper flange having a ridge downwardly projecting therealong and the lower flange having an upwardly projecting edge therealong; the upper and lOwer flanges, the ridge, the upwardly projecting flange and the side rail defining an inwardly opening groove generally quadrilateral in cross section extending along the side rail adjacent its lower edge; each rung member being of an inverted-U-shaped configuration and having adjacent each end a slot transverse the rung across its top and a downwardly opening slot through each side conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the upwardly projecting edge, the downwardly opening slots and the transverse slot defining therebeyond a rung end having a configuration transverse the tray conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the groove, whereby the rung ends may be inserted in the rail grooves at the rail ends for spacing the rails, and a rotary wedge positioned in each rung end, each wedge having a length between ends equal to the distance between the rung sides and having a capital-T-shaped cross-sectional configuration having cross-arm and central leg portions, the cross-arm portion having an end-to-end length greater by a few thousandths of an inch than the distance between said ridge and said upwardly projecting edge; whereby, when the wedge is inserted between the rung sides with one cross-arm end in contact with the lower flange of the groove and the wedge is rotated by upward force on the leg portion until the other cross-arm end extends through the rung transverse slot and wedgingly engages the upper flange ridge, the wedge is engaged with the side rail for securing the rung to the side rail for longitudinally positioning the rung; the wedge cross-arm portion being thickened at its center for forcing the lower cross-arm end against said upwardly projecting edge when the upper cross-arm end engages the upper flange ridge, the wedge leg portion having at its end an upwardly projecting stop portion which when it meets the rung top prevents further rotation of the wedge; means associated with the wedge for preventing reverse rotation thereof after the wedging engagement of its upper cross-arm end with the upper flange ridge; the side rails having outwardly projecting portions adjacent their upper edges, and hanger means secured to the rail upper edge projecting portions adapted to be secured to the structure ceiling by hanger rod means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
446 words
A cable tray section adapted to be suspended from the ceiling of a structure comprising an upstanding side rail at each side, a plurality of rung members interconnecting the rails and longitudinally spaced therealong for transversely spacing the rails, each side rail having an upper flange and a lower flange projecting therefrom toward the opposite rail, the upper flange having a ridge downwardly projecting therealong and the lower flange having an upwardly projecting edge therealong; the upper and lOwer flanges, the ridge, the upwardly projecting flange and the side rail defining an inwardly opening groove generally quadrilateral in cross section extending along the side rail adjacent its lower edge; each rung member being of an inverted-U-shaped configuration and having adjacent each end a slot transverse the rung across its top and a downwardly opening slot through each side conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the upwardly projecting edge, the downwardly opening slots and the transverse slot defining therebeyond a rung end having a configuration transverse the tray conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the groove, whereby the rung ends may be inserted in the rail grooves at the rail ends for spacing the rails, and a rotary wedge positioned in each rung end, each wedge having a length between ends equal to the distance between the rung sides and having a capital-T-shaped cross-sectional configuration having cross-arm and central leg portions, the cross-arm portion having an end-to-end length greater by a few thousandths of an inch than the distance between said ridge and said upwardly projecting edge; whereby, when the wedge is inserted between the rung sides with one cross-arm end in contact with the lower flange of the groove and the wedge is rotated by upward force on the leg portion until the other cross-arm end extends through the rung transverse slot and wedgingly engages the upper flange ridge, the wedge is engaged with the side rail for securing the rung to the side rail for longitudinally positioning the rung; the wedge cross-arm portion being thickened at its center for forcing the lower cross-arm end against said upwardly projecting edge when the upper cross-arm end engages the upper flange ridge, the wedge leg portion having at its end an upwardly projecting stop portion which when it meets the rung top prevents further rotation of the wedge; means associated with the wedge for preventing reverse rotation thereof after the wedging engagement of its upper cross-arm end with the upper flange ridge; the side rails having outwardly projecting portions adjacent their upper edges, and hanger means secured to the rail upper edge projecting portions adapted to be secured to the structure ceiling by hanger rod means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
The cable tray section defined in claim 5 wherein the cross-arm portion of the wedge comprises a comparatively small, terminal flange portion along their ends, the terminal flange portions being rectangular in cross section, and the groove terminal downwardly projecting ridge is V-shaped in cross section, whereby, when the wedge is rotated until its upper cross-arm end wedgingly engages the upper flange ridge, there is a transfer of metal between the V-shaped ridge and the terminal flange portion of the upper cross-arm end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The cable tray section defined in claim 6 wherein the means for preventing reverse rotation of the wedge comprises, each rung side adjacent each of its ends having an inwardly struck tongue projecting upward, the tongue being located so as to have its upper end adapted to be moved under and into engagement with the wedge central leg portion when the wedge is rotated to a position with its upper cross-arm end in wedging engagement with the upper flange ridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The cable tray section defined in claim 6 wherein the means for preventing reverse rotation of the wedge comprises, each wedge having a threaded hole through its central leg portion, and, after the wedge is rotated to its wedgingly engaged position, a screw is engaged in the threaded hole, the threaded screw hole being so located and the screw being of such length that its lower end is in abutting engagement with the groove terminal upwardly projecting flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cable tray section defined in claim 5 wherein each rotary wedge has sides which are the mirror image of one another on each side of a center line extending longitudinally along the wedge central leg portion, whereby the wedge may be inserted between the rung sIdes equally effective either side up.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The cable tray section defined in claim 5 wherein each side rail has an inwardly projecting flange along its upper edge, and each side rail lower flange is thickened adjacent its end forming an outwardly facing shoulder, whereby sections may be nested one above the other, the outwardly facing shoulders of the upper side rails being engaged by the inwardly projecting flanges of the lower side rails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |