Trapeze support bracket on wire basket

Abstract

To provide an improved trapeze support bracket capable of being mounted on a plurality of locations on a wire basket.SOLUTION: A wire basket system is formed of a wire basket and a support bracket that secures the wire basket to a ceiling by a threaded rod. The support bracket includes a main member with a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. A first arm extends downwardly from the first side of the main member and a second arm extends downwardly from the second side of the major member. The first arm and the second arm include J-shaped hooks. The J-shaped hooks of the first and second arms are aligned thereby enabling the support bracket to receive a wire of the wire basket in the wire basket system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 155,023, filed Mar. 1, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to brackets for wire baskets, and more particularly to trapezoidal support brackets for wire baskets within a wire basket system.

[0003] A wire basket system generally provides support for cables such as electrical wiring, conduits, and data transmission lines. Each wire basket is formed from interconnected metal wires. The wire baskets route the cables and are connected to other wire baskets at intersections so as to form a wire basket system. The intersections may be three - way intersections, or T - intersections, or four - way intersections. The wire basket system may be supported on cabinets within a data center. The wire basket system may also be supported by wall - mounted brackets or trapezoidal brackets fixed to the ceiling.

[0004] It is desirable to provide an improved trapezoidal support bracket that can be attached at multiple positions on a wire basket. It is also desirable to provide an improved trapezoidal support bracket that allows a wire basket to be suspended where standard brackets do not fit due to building obstructions.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The support bracket is designed to receive threaded rods for securing wire baskets to the ceiling within the wire basket system. The support bracket has a main member having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The first arm extends downward from the first side of the main member. The second arm extends downward from the second side of the main member. The first and second arms each include a J-shaped hook. The J-shaped hooks of the first and second arms are aligned within the wire basket system to allow the support bracket to receive the wires of the wire basket. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the trapezoid support bracket of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket mounted on the lateral wires at the upper part of the side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a trapeze support bracket mounted on the lateral wires on the upper side wall of a wire basket. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket positioned to be attached to the wires in the lateral direction on the upper side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket partially mounted on the lateral wires at the upper part of the side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 6A] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket and wire basket. [Figure 6B] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket and wire basket. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket partially mounted on the lateral wires at the upper end of the side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket mounted on the lateral wires along the lower side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket mounted on the lateral wires at the bottom of the wire basket. [Figure 10A] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket positioned to be attached to the lateral wires at the bottom of the wire basket. [Figure 10B] Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket partially mounted on the lateral wires at the bottom of the wire basket. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket 50 of the present invention. The trapeze support bracket 50 has a main member 52 having an upper part 54, a bottom part 56, a first end 58, a second end 60, a first side 62, and a second side 64. The center of the main member 52 includes an opening 66 extending from the upper part 54 of the main member 52 to the bottom part 56 of the main member 52. The opening 66 receives a threaded rod 90 (shown in Figure 2) which allows the trapeze support bracket 50 to be fixed to a ceiling. As an alternative mounting to the rod fixed to the ceiling, the rod can be supported from below. For example, the rod may be supported by a cabinet in a data center (not illustrated). The opening 66 in the main member 52 is designed to receive a 1 / 4”, 3 / 8”, or 1 / 2”, threaded rod.

[0008] The trapeze support bracket 50 includes a first arm 68 extending downward from a first side 62 of the main member 52 and a second arm 72 extending downward from a second side 64 of the main member 52. The first arm 68 and the second arm 72 extend beyond the first end 58 of the main member. The first arm 68 and the second arm 72 each include J-shaped hooks 70 and 74, respectively. The J-shaped hooks 70 and 74 of the first arm 68 and the second arm 72 are aligned with each other so that the trapeze support bracket 50 can receive the longitudinal wires 104, 106, or 108 of the wire basket 100.

[0009] The first end 58 of the main member 52 includes an outer edge 76 and a recessed edge 78. The recessed edge 78 is centered between the first side 62 and the second side 64 of the trapeze support bracket 50. The latch 80 extends from the recessed edge 78 at an angle to each of the extended first arm 68 and second arm 72. The latch 80 includes a curved upper member 82 that connects to an overall rectangular bottom member 84. As discussed below, the latch 80 extends between each of the first arm 68 and second arm 72, and as a result, the latch 80 engages with the longitudinal wires 104, 106, or 108 of the wire basket 100 when the longitudinal wires 104, 106, or 108 are positioned within the aligned J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and second arm 72, respectively.

[0010] Figures 2 to 7 illustrate a wire basket 100 and a trapeze support bracket 50 mounted on the wire basket 100. The wire basket 100 is formed from a plurality of parallel and vertical metal wires that form a mesh pattern. The wire basket 100 includes a plurality of transverse or crossing wires 102 that extend from one side to the opposite side across the bottom of the wire basket. The wire basket 100 also includes a plurality of parallel longitudinal wires 104, 106, and 108 that extend along the length of the wire basket 100. The bottom longitudinal wire 108 is positioned along the bottom of the transverse wires 102 to form the bottom 110 of the wire basket 100. The upper longitudinal wire 104 and the lower longitudinal wire 106 are positioned along the top and respective sides of the transverse wires 102 to form the side walls 112 of the wire basket 100. As a result, the mesh pattern forms a wire basket 100 that supports cables and routes cables along the length of the wire basket 100.

[0011] Wire baskets are often supported by trapezoidal brackets that extend below the wire basket, a wall-mounted bracket, or a bracket fixed to a threaded rod attached to the ceiling. The trapezoidal support bracket of the present invention engages with the threaded rod at various positions along the wire basket to support the wire basket.

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the trapeze support bracket 50 engages with one of the upper longitudinal wires 104 on the side wall 112 of the wire basket 100. Figures 4 to 7 illustrate the installation of the trapeze support bracket 50. A threaded rod 90 having a washer 92 and a nut 94 is mounted within the central opening 66 of the main member 52 of the trapeze bracket 50. A second washer 92 and nut 94 are mounted on the threaded rod 90 and, when fully mounted, are positioned to engage with the bottom 56 of the main member 52 of the trapeze support bracket 50. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6A, the trapeze support bracket 50 is positioned below the upper longitudinal wire 104, and the upper longitudinal wire 104 is positioned to abut against the outer edge 76 of the main member 52 on the J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and the second arm 72, respectively. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6B, the trapeze support bracket 50 rises so that it is secured on the upper longitudinal wire 104. The upper longitudinal wire 104 is positioned within the J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and the second arm 72, and the latch 80 engages with the upper longitudinal wire 104. Once the trapeze support bracket 50 is secured in the correct position, the bottom nut 94 and washer 92 rise to engage with the bottom 56 of the main member 52 of the trapeze support bracket 50, and the top nut 94 and washer 92 descend to engage with the top 54 of the main member 52 of the trapeze support bracket 50, securing the trapeze support bracket 50 to the threaded rod 90.

[0013] Figure 8 illustrates a trapeze support bracket 50 mounted on the lower longitudinal wire 106 of the side wall 112 of the wire basket 100. As discussed above, the trapeze support bracket 50 is designed to capture one of the longitudinal wires 104, 106, or 108 of the wire basket 100. The trapeze support bracket 50 is secured on the lower longitudinal wire 106 of the wire basket side wall 112 in the same manner as described above with respect to the upper longitudinal wire 104.

[0014] Figures 9, 10A, and 10B illustrate a trapeze support bracket 50 mounted on one of the bottom longitudinal wires 108. The trapeze support bracket 50 is secured to the bottom longitudinal wire 108 in the same manner as described above with respect to the upper longitudinal wire 104 and the lower longitudinal wire 106.

[0015] The ability of the trapeze support bracket 50 to secure the bottom long lateral wire 108 provides additional support to the wire basket 100. This is important when wire basket compartments intersect and the side walls of the wire baskets are cut to adapt to the intersection. When the side walls of the wire baskets are removed, the wire baskets require additional support to securely hold the cables routed therein. When the trapeze support bracket 50 of the present invention is mounted on the bottom long lateral wire 108 midway between wire basket intersections, the trapeze support bracket 50 significantly improves the strength of the wire basket 100 and reduces distortion of the wire basket 100. This provides support for larger cable loads routed in the wire basket system.

[0016] Figure 10A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket 50 before it is mounted on the bottom long lateral wire 108. Figure 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket 50 partially mounted on one of the bottom long lateral wires 108. The bottom long lateral wire 108 is fastened to the J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and the second arm 72, respectively, and the latch 80 engages with the bottom long lateral wire 108. The trapeze support bracket 50 does not protrude into the wire basket 100, and it allows the cable to be safely routed within the wire basket 100.

[0017] Furthermore, while certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. The matters made apparent in the above description and accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and not as limitations.

Claims

1. 1. A wire basket system for routing cable connections, comprising: at least one wire basket having a plurality of transverse wires extending across a bottom of the at least one wire basket from a first side of the at least one wire basket to a second side of the at least one wire basket, and a plurality of longitudinal wires extending a length of the at least one wire basket, the plurality of longitudinal wires including a bottom longitudinal wire positioned along a bottom of the transverse wires to form the bottom of the at least one wire basket; support brackets mounted on the at least one wire basket, each of the support brackets having a main member having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; a first arm extending downwardly from the first side of the main member, the first arm including a J-hook; a second arm extending downwardly from the second side of the main member, the second arm including a J-hook; the first end of the main member has an exterior edge, a latch extends toward the first arm and the second arm at an angle away from the exterior edge of the first end of the main member, the latch extends between the first arm and the second arm; one of the bottom longitudinal wires is positioned within the J-hook of the first arm and the second arm of one of the support brackets, the latch of the one of the support brackets engages the one of the bottom longitudinal wires, and the support bracket remains below the at least one wire basket, allowing cables to be routed within the at least one wire basket. Wire basket system.

2. 2. The wire basket system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of longitudinal wires includes upper longitudinal wires positioned along upper portions of the transverse wires and lower longitudinal wires positioned along sides of the transverse wires, the upper longitudinal wires, the lower longitudinal wires, and the transverse wires forming side walls of the at least one wire basket.

3. A wire basket system as described in claim 2, wherein one of the upper longitudinal wires is positioned within the J-hook of the first arm and the second arm of another of the support brackets, and the latch engages with the one of the upper longitudinal wires.

4. A wire basket system as described in claim 2, wherein one of the lower longitudinal wires is positioned within the J-hook of the first arm and the second arm of another of the support brackets, and the latch engages with the one of the lower longitudinal wires.

5. 2. The wire basket system of claim 1, wherein the support brackets engage a threaded rod to support the wire basket, the threaded rod being mounted within a central opening in the main member of each of the support brackets.

6. 2. The wire basket system of claim 1, wherein the main member of the support bracket includes a central opening extending from the top of the main member to the bottom of the main member, the central opening receiving a threaded rod secured to a ceiling to enable the support bracket to secure the wire basket to the ceiling.

7. 2. The wire basket system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the main member of the support bracket has a recessed edge, the recessed edge being centered between the first side of the main member and the second side of the main member.

8. A wire basket system as described in claim 7, wherein the latch extends from the recessed edge.

9. 9. The wire basket system of claim 8, wherein the latch includes a curved top member connected to a bottom member, the bottom member of the latch engaging one of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the wire basket system.

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