Trapeze Support Bracket for 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 March 1, 2021, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a bracket for a wire basket, and more particularly to a trapeze support bracket for a wire basket in a wire basket system.

[0003] Wire basket systems generally provide support for cables such as electrical wiring, conduits, and data transmission lines. Each wire basket is formed from interconnected metal wires. The wire baskets are connected to other wire baskets at intersections to route the cables and form the wire basket system. The intersections may be three-way intersections, or T-intersections, or four-way intersections. Wire basket systems may be supported on cabinets in data centers. Wire basket systems may also be supported by wall-mounted brackets or trapeze brackets secured to the ceiling.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide an improved trapeze support bracket that can be attached to multiple locations on a wire basket and that allows wire baskets 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 a threaded rod for securing a wire basket to a ceiling within a 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 downwardly from the first side of the main member. The second arm extends downwardly from the second side of the main member. The first arm and the second arm each include a J-shaped hook. The J-shaped hooks of the first arm and the second arm are aligned to allow the support bracket to receive wires of a wire basket within the wire basket system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 1 mounted on the upper longitudinal wires of the side wall of the wire basket. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a trapeze support bracket mounted on the upper longitudinal wires of the side wall of the wire basket of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 1 positioned for mounting on the upper longitudinal wires of the side wall of the wire basket. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 1 partially mounted on the upper longitudinal wires of the side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 6A] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket and wire basket of FIG. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket and wire basket of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 5 partially mounted on the upper longitudinal wires of the side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 1 mounted on the lower longitudinal wires of the side wall of the wire basket. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 1 mounted on the bottom longitudinal wires of the wire basket. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 1 positioned for mounting on the bottom longitudinal wires of the wire basket. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket of FIG. 10A partially mounted on the bottom longitudinal wires of the wire basket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a trapeze support bracket 50 of the present invention. The trapeze support bracket 50 has a main member 52 having a top 54, a bottom 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 that extends from the top 54 of the main member 52 to the bottom 56 of the main member 52. The opening 66 receives a threaded rod 90 (shown in FIG. 2) that allows the trapeze support bracket 50 to be secured to a ceiling. As an alternative attachment to a rod secured to a ceiling, the rod can be supported from below. For example, the rod may rest against 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 downwardly from the first side 62 of the primary member 52 and a second arm 72 extending downwardly from the second side 64 of the primary member 52. The first arm 68 and the second arm 72 extend beyond the first end 58 of the primary member. The first arm 68 and the second arm 72 each include a J-shaped hook 70, 74, respectively. The J-shaped hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and the second arm 72, respectively, are aligned with each other to allow the trapeze support bracket 50 to receive a longitudinal wire 104, 106, or 108 of the wire basket 100.

[0009] The first end 58 of the main member 52 includes an exterior 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. A latch 80 extends from the recessed edge 78 at an angle relative to each of the extended first and second arms 68 and 72. The latch 80 includes a curved top member 82 that connects to a generally rectangular bottom member 84. As discussed below, the latch 80 extends between each of the first and second arms 68 and 72 such that the latch 80 engages 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 and second arms 68 and 72, respectively.

[0010] 2-7 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 perpendicular metal wires forming a mesh pattern. The wire basket 100 includes a plurality of transverse or cross 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, 108 that extend 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 top longitudinal wire 104 and the bottom longitudinal wire 106 are positioned along the top and each side 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 and routes cables along the length of the wire basket 100.

[0011] The wire basket is often supported by a trapeze bracket that extends below the wire basket, a wall-mounted bracket, or a bracket secured to a threaded rod affixed to the ceiling. The trapeze support bracket of the present invention engages the threaded rod at various locations along the wire basket to support the wire basket.

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the trapeze support bracket 50 engages the upper longitudinal wire 104 of one of the side walls 112 of the wire basket 100. Figures 4-7 illustrate the installation of the trapeze support bracket 50. A threaded rod 90 having a washer 92 and a nut 94 is installed in the central opening 66 of the main member 52 of the trapeze bracket 50. A second washer 92 and a nut 94 are installed on the threaded rod 90 and positioned to engage the bottom 56 of the main member 52 of the trapeze support bracket 50 when fully installed. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6A, the trapeze support bracket 50 is positioned below the upper longitudinal wire 104, which is positioned to abut the outer edge 76 of the main member 52 above the J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and second arm 72, respectively. 5 and 6B, the trapeze support bracket 50 is raised so that it is clipped onto the upper longitudinal wire 104. The upper longitudinal wire 104 is positioned within the J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and second arm 72, and the latch 80 engages the upper longitudinal wire 104. Once the trapeze support bracket 50 is clipped in place, the bottom nut 94 and washer 92 are raised to engage the bottom 56 of the main member 52 of the trapeze support bracket 50, and the top nut 94 and washer 92 are lowered to engage the top 54 of the main member 52 of the trapeze support bracket 50 to secure the trapeze support bracket 50 to the threaded rod 90.

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

[0014] 9, 10A, and 10B illustrate the trapeze support bracket 50 mounted on one of the bottom longitudinal wires 108. The trapeze support bracket 50 is fastened onto 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 clip onto the bottom longitudinal wires 108 provides additional support to the wire basket 100. This is important when wire basket sections cross and the side walls of the wire basket are cut to accommodate the intersections. When the side walls of the wire basket are removed, the wire basket requires additional support to keep the cables routed therein safe. When the trapeze support bracket 50 of the present invention is mounted on the bottom longitudinal wires 108 midway between the 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 the larger cable loads routed in the wire basket system.

[0016] 10A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket 50 before it is mounted on the bottom longitudinal wires 108. FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the trapeze support bracket 50 partially mounted on one of the bottom longitudinal wires 108. The bottom longitudinal wire 108 is clipped to the J-hooks 70, 74 of the first arm 68 and the second arm 72, respectively, and the latch 80 engages the bottom longitudinal wire 108. The trapeze support bracket 50 does not protrude into the wire basket 100, which allows for safe routing of the cables within the wire basket 100.

[0017] Moreover, 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 therein without departing from the teachings of the 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.

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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