Cable Management System

Abstract

A cable management system designed to support cables in solar applications includes a U-shaped bracket and at least one clamp half. The U-shaped bracket has a base with two arms, each arm including a locking slot. The clamp half has a top, bottom, front, rear, and sides, with a button pad extending from the side. The clamp half is installed within the U-shaped bracket such that the button pad slides within the locking slot to position the clamp half within the U-shaped bracket. The clamp half isolates and supports the cables installed within the U-shaped bracket.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to cable management systems, and more particularly to messenger wire cable management systems for solar applications. [Background technology]

[0002] Electricity generation using solar panels is a rapidly growing sustainable energy source. Each solar panel requires an electrical connection to collect electrical energy for use, storage, or connection to the power grid. While the electrical energy produced by a single panel does not require a large conductor, because panels are interconnected, the conductor size must be increased to accommodate the amount of current generated by the panels and flowing through the conductor. Therefore, large solar farms can produce large amounts of energy that require large cables to carry the current. Cables are often suspended and routed from brackets suspended from messenger wire. The number of cables within each bracket varies, but some installations require more than 20 cables per bracket. When cables are run adjacent to each other within a bracket, the current limits of the cables are required to be reduced. Free air space and derating of cables are specified in the National Electrical Code, NIC100 and NEC310, respectively. Free air space reduces the need for reduced current-carrying limits for conductors. Therefore, maintaining cable separation within the bracket can reduce or eliminate the cable derating factor. As a result, there is a need for an improved bracket that securely holds and separates cables, is easy to install, and includes a minimum number of components. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A cable management system for supporting cables in solar applications includes a U-shaped bracket and at least one clamp half disposed within the U-shaped bracket. The U-shaped bracket has a base with two arms, each arm including a locking slot. The clamp half has a top, bottom, front, rear, and sides, with button pads extending from the sides. The button pads slide within the locking slots to position the clamp half within the U-shaped bracket. The clamp half isolates and supports the cables installed in the U-shaped bracket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially assembled cable management system of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a U-shaped bracket of the cable management system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of a clamp half of the cable management system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of the partially assembled cable management system of FIG. 1 with multiple cables positioned on the clamp halves. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cable management system of FIG. 4 with the top clamp half positioned within a U-shaped bracket and secured to the bottom clamp half to form a cable clamp. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cable management system of FIG. 5 with a second cable clamp and cable positioned within the bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to a cable management system 20 for solar applications. The cable management system includes a U-shaped bracket 30 and multiple clamp halves 80 that form a cable clamp (see FIGS. 5-6). The U-shaped bracket 30 provides a stable and secure platform for the polymer cable clamp. FIG. 1 shows the U-shaped bracket 30 with one clamp half 80 positioned therein.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 2 , the U-shaped bracket 30 includes a base 32 with a top 34, a bottom 36, a front 38, a rear 40, a first side 42, and a second side 44. Extending from the first and second sides 42, 44 of the base 32 are arms 46. The arms 46 include vertical members 48 that extend to horizontal members 50. Each arm 46 includes a locking slot 52 located at the center of the arm 46. The locking slot 52 includes an enlarged entry end 54 located within the horizontal member 50. The entry end 54 allows the clamp half 80 to be loaded into the bracket 30 without manipulating the bracket 30. Each locking slot 52 extends from the entry end 54 of the horizontal member 50, down the center of the vertical member 48, to a circular bottom 56 with a locking tab 58 within the vertical member 48 of each arm 46.

[0007] At the distal end of horizontal member 50 of arm 46 is messenger wire latch 60. Messenger wire latch 60 secures messenger wire 120 for solar applications. Messenger wire latch 60 includes a vertical member 62 connected to a spring hook 64. Messenger wire latch 60 provides range taking capabilities in accepting messenger wire 120 of various diameters. Messenger wire latch 60 facilitates installation and reduces the number of parts required for a cable management system.

[0008] 3, clamp half 80 includes a top portion 82, a bottom portion 84, a front portion 86, a rear portion 88, a first side portion 90, and a second side portion 92. Each side portion 90, 92 of clamp half 80 includes a button pad 94 extending from the center of each side portion 90, 92 via a shaft 96.

[0009] The top 82 of the clamp half 80 includes multiple saddles 100. The saddles 100 are semicircular and include a cushioning insert 102. The cushioning insert 102 has flexible ribs 104, which allow for the use of multiple cables of different diameters or a single cable to be placed in each of the saddles 100 within a single clamp half 80. The flexible ribs 104 securely hold a variety of cable sizes while preventing damage to the cable. The cushioning insert 102 may be a separate molded component that is manually inserted into the clamp half 80, or the cushioning insert 102 may be manufactured along with the clamp half 80 via an overmolding process.

[0010] The front 86 and rear 88 of the clamp half 80 include a releasable latch 110 with a thumb tab 112. The front 86 and rear 88 of the clamp half 80 also include a notch 114 or opening with a ledge 116. The releasable latch 110 extending from the front 86 of the clamp half 80 aligns with the notch 114 and ledge 116 on the rear 88 of the clamp half 80, and the releasable latch 110 extending from the rear 88 of the clamp half 80 aligns with the notch 114 and ledge on the front 86 of the clamp half 80. As shown in Figures 5-6, the two clamp halves 80 are snapped together by the releasable latches 110 engaging the ledge 116 defined by the notch 114 to create a cable clamp assembly.

[0011] Once the two messenger wires 120 are installed for solar application (not shown), the U-shaped bracket 30 is snapped onto the messenger wires 120. The clamp half 80 is inserted into the U-shaped bracket 30 with the bottom 84 of the clamp half 80 resting on the base 32 of the U-shaped bracket 30 and the saddle 100 of the clamp half 80 facing upward. The button pad 94 extending from the sides 90, 92 of the clamp half 80 is inserted into the entrance end 54 of the locking slot 52 of the U-shaped bracket 30. The clamp half 80 slides toward the base 32 of the U-shaped bracket 30 via the button pad 94 in the locking slot 52. As shown in FIG. 1 , the clamp half 80 is locked into place within the U-shaped bracket 30 when the button pad 94 passes through the locking tab 58 of the locking slot 52. The button pad 94 rests on the circular bottom 56 of the locking slot 52. The locking slots 52 also maintain alignment of the clamp halves 80 when multiple clamp halves are installed in a U-shaped bracket.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 4, the first layer of cables 140, 150 is loaded onto the clamp halves 80. Once the layer of cables 140, 150 is loaded, the second clamp half 80 is installed into the U-shaped bracket 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the second or upper clamp half 80 is installed with the saddle 100 facing downward. The two clamp halves 80 are snapped together by the releasable latches 110 engaging the ledges 116 defined by the notches 114 to create the cable clamp assembly. When cable needs to be added or removed, the releasable latches 110 can be quickly and easily pulled open using the thumb tabs 112. The installer can unlock the cable halves 80 by pushing the thumb tabs 112 inward and pulling the cable clamp assembly apart.

[0013] If desired, additional cable clamp assembly layers are added to the U-shaped bracket 30 using the same installation steps described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a second cable clamp assembly with a cable is installed in the U-shaped bracket.

[0014] The cable management system of the present invention provides locking slots in the brackets to facilitate ease of assembly and loading of the clamp halves. The clamp halves of the present invention ensure cable separation that maintains cable free air space. The cable management system of the present invention provides an improved system with minimal components for supporting cables in solar applications.

[0015] 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 present invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. The actual scope of the present invention is intended to be defined by the following claims when properly assessed in accordance with the prior art.

Claims

1. 1. A cable management system for supporting cables in solar applications, comprising: a U-shaped bracket having a base with two arms, each arm including a locking slot; at least one clamp half disposed within the U-shaped bracket, the clamp half having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and sides, with button pads extending from the sides, the button pads sliding within the locking slots to position the at least one clamp half within the U-shaped bracket; Including, The cable management system, wherein the at least one clamp half separates the cables installed in the U-shaped bracket.

2. 10. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped bracket further includes a messenger wire latch for securing a messenger wire in a solar application, the messenger wire latch having a vertical member and a spring hook.

3. The cable management system of claim 2 , wherein the messenger wire latch provides a range of acquisition capabilities to accommodate messenger wires of various diameters.

4. The cable management system of claim 1 , wherein the securing slot has an entrance and a circular bottom with a locking tab.

5. The cable management system of claim 1 , wherein each arm of the U-shaped bracket has a vertical member and a horizontal member.

6. 6. The cable management system of claim 5, wherein the locking slot has an entry end in the horizontal member of each arm, the entry end allowing loading of the at least one clamp half without manipulating the U-shaped bracket.

7. The cable management system of claim 5 , wherein the locking slot extends down the center of the vertical member of each arm of the U-shaped bracket.

8. The cable management system of claim 7 , wherein the securing slot includes a circular bottom with a locking tab.

9. The cable management system of claim 5 , wherein the locking slot extends from an entry end of the horizontal member of the arm to a circular bottom with a locking tab of the vertical member of the arm.

10. The cable management system of claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the clamp half has a plurality of saddles for holding cables.

11. The cable management system of claim 10 , wherein the saddle has a compression insert with ribs for accommodating cables having different diameters.

12. 2. The cable management system of claim 1, wherein the front and rear of the at least one clamp half have a releasable latch with a thumb tab and a notch with a ledge for securing the two clamp halves together.

13. 2. The cable management system of claim 1, further comprising: a first clamp half; and a second clamp half, wherein a releasable latch of the first clamp half engages a ledge defined by a notch in the second clamp half and a releasable latch of the second clamp half engages a ledge on the first clamp half, whereby the first clamp half and the second clamp half are snapped together to form a cable clamp assembly.

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