Ceiling cable tongue guide device

Abstract

A ceiling cable tongue guide device includes an insertion portion and an undersurface engaging portion. The insertion portion is designed to be inserted through a downlight aperture in a ceiling, while the undersurface engaging portion is configured to interface with the undersurface of the ceiling during use. The device features an opening at the undersurface engaging portion, which connects to a guide chute defined by the insertion portion. This guide chute is designed to deflect a cable through the downlight aperture, providing an efficient solution for routing cables within ceiling structures. The device facilitates the smooth guidance and installation of cables through ceiling apertures by directing cable tongues through the defined chute and out through the ceiling aperture.

Description

Ceiling Cable Tongue Guide DeviceField of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a ceiling cable tongue guide device designed for ceilings, featuring an insertion portion with a guide chute to direct a cable tongue for electrical cable routing, and which may be accompanied by a clamping mechanism, lights, and a camera for remote control and monitoring.Background of the Invention

[0002] Cable tongue, also known as fish tape, draw wire or draw tape, is a tool used primarily by electricians and low-voltage installers to route and pull electrical wires through conduits, walls, and other tight spaces. It consists of a long, flexible strip or ribbon made of materials like steel or nylon. Cable tongue is designed to be fed through a conduit or other tight spaces, and then wires can be attached to the end of the tape and pulled back through the conduit.

[0003] Electricians often use cable tongue to make the process of installing and routing wires within walls or conduits more efficient. The tape's flexibility and the use of various attachments make it easier to navigate bends and corners. It's an essential tool for tasks that involve running electrical wiring through hard-to-reach places.

[0004] Running cable tongue in ceiling spaces can pose several challenges. For example, ceiling spaces often have limited access points, making it challenging to insert the cable tongue into the desired location.

[0005] Also, ceiling spaces can be cluttered with various obstructions such as ductwork, pipes, and support beams. These obstacles can hinder the smooth movement of the cable tongue, making it difficult to navigate through the space.

[0006] Furthermore, cable tongue may need to navigate through multiple bends and turns in the ceiling space. Manoeuvring around these corners requires skill and patience, as the tape's flexibility might not be sufficient to prevent it from getting stuck.

[0007] Yet further, ceiling spaces often have limited lighting, if any at all. This low visibility can make it hard to see where the cable tongue is going, increasing the risk of it getting tangled or stuck.

[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a way which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0009] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0010] The described ceiling cable tongue guide device comprises an insertion portion and an undersurface engaging portion. The insertion portion is designed to pass through a downlight aperture in a ceiling, while the undersurface engaging portion interfaces with the ceiling's undersurface during use. The device defines an opening at the undersurface engaging portion, leading to a guide chute within the insertion portion. This guide chute is configured to deflect a cable through the downlight aperture when in use, providing a streamlined method for guiding cables through ceiling installations.

[0011] Optionally, the insertion portion may include a cylindrical section, enhancing stability and ease of insertion. Additionally, a convex head may terminate the cylindrical portion, facilitating smooth entry through the aperture. The insertion portion might also feature an angled plate that defines a deflecting surface for the chute, with the plate potentially angled at approximately 45 degrees to optimise cable guidance and deflection.

[0012] The undersurface engaging portion could be annular, which would provide a secure and stable interface with the ceiling. To further secure the device, a clamping mechanism may be included, designed to clamp the undersurface engaging portion against the ceiling during use. This mechanism might comprise a clamp member with a rod that extends from beneath to above the undersurface engaging portion, incorporating a swivel jaw that can transition between a retracted configuration forinsertion and a deployed configuration for secure clamping against the ceiling's upper surface.

[0013] For enhanced functionality, the insertion portion could have a side recess to accommodate the swivel jaw when retracted, allowing insertion of the insertion portion through a downlight aperture without increasing the device's cross-section. The clamp member may also include a handle at the proximal end, possibly extending radially to facilitate operation. The clamp member might be biased downwardly, potentially using a compression spring surrounding the rod, which acts against the undersurface engaging portion and allows expansion to enhance clamping pressure.

[0014] The clamping mechanism could include a pair of clamp members on opposite sides of the undersurface engaging portion for balanced and effective clamping.

[0015] The device may further comprise a light, which could shine through the insertion portion, possibly through a convex head, to illuminate the interior of the ceiling and assist with cable routing. A battery may power the light, with the battery being rechargeable and supported by a charging port accessible from the undersurface engaging portion. This charging port could be located on a flat surface at the peripheral edge of the undersurface engaging portion, ensuring convenient access.

[0016] Incorporating a camera is another possible feature, providing visual monitoring of cable tongue movement. This camera may be directed out from the chute, and if the insertion portion includes a cylindrical portion, the camera could be positioned within it above the chute. A wireless interface might also be included to enable communication with an electronic device, allowing digital imagery from the camera to be transmitted and viewed remotely, thus facilitating precise cable guidance and monitoring during installation.

[0017] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a side view of a ceiling cable tongue guide device in accordance with an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a front view of the device;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a rear view of the device;

[0022] Figure 4 shows a top view of the device; and

[0023] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the device.Description of Embodiments

[0024] Figure 1 shows a ceiling cable tongue guide device 100 comprising an insertion portion 101 configured to insert through a downlight aperture 102 in a ceiling 103 during use. The insertion portion 101 interfaces with a larger diameter undersurface engaging portion 104, which is designed to contact the undersurface 105 of the ceiling 103 in use. The device 100 defines an opening 106 at the undersurface engaging portion 104 that interfaces with a guide chute 107 formed by the insertion portion 101 . The guide chute 107 is configured to deflect a cable tongue directed towards the device 100 within the ceiling 103, guiding it down through the opening 106 beneath the ceiling 103.

[0025] The insertion portion 101 may comprise a cylindrical section 108 and a convex head 109 terminating the cylindrical section 108. The convex head 109 facilitates the insertion of the insertion portion 101 through the aperture 102 during use. The cylindrical section 108 may have a height of approximately 75 mm and a diameter of approximately 89 mm to fit downlight apertures of 90 mm. For smaller downlight apertures of 70 mm in diameter, the insertion portion 101 may have a diameter of approximately 69 mm. The undersurface engaging portion 104 may have a diameter of approximately 132 mm and a thickness of approximately 15 mm.

[0026] With reference to Figure 2, the insertion portion 101 may include an angled plate 1 10 that defines a deflecting surface of the chute 107. The angled plate 1 10 is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the undersurface 105 of the ceiling 103.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the undersurface engaging portion 104 may be annular. As previously mentioned, the undersurface engaging portion 104 has a diameter exceeding that of the downlight aperture 102, so while the insertion portion 101 canpass through the downlight aperture 102, the undersurface engaging portion 104 cannot.

[0028] The device 100 may comprise a clamping mechanism configured to secure the undersurface engaging portion 104 against the undersurface 105 of the ceiling 103 in use and which can be operated outside the aperture 102. The clamping mechanism may comprise a clamp member 1 1 1 , including a rod 1 12 with a proximal end protruding beneath the undersurface engaging portion 104 and a distal end extending above the undersurface engaging portion 104, engaging a swivel jaw 1 13.

[0029] The swivel jaw 1 13 can be configured in an inwardly retracted position, as shown in Figure 3, to allow the insertion of the insertion portion 101 through the downlight aperture 102. Furthermore, the swivel jaw 1 13 can be configured in a deployed position, where it rotates outwardly beyond the diameter of the downlight aperture 102 to clamp against an upper surface 1 14 of the ceiling 103, opposing the undersurface engaging portion 104.

[0030] The insertion portion 101 may include a side recess 1 15 to accommodate the swivel jaw 1 13 when in the retracted position, ensuring the swivel jaw 1 13 does not increase the cross-section of the insertion portion 101 beyond the configured diameter, such as 89 mm. The side recess 1 15 may be tall enough to allow the swivel jaw 1 13 to move vertically concerning the insertion portion 101 .

[0031] The clamp member 1 1 1 may have a handle 1 16 at the proximal end of the rod1 12 to swivel and retract or extend the swivel jaw 1 13. The handle 1 16 likely extends radially to facilitate twisting of the rod 1 12 to turn the swivel jaw 1 13. The swivel jaw1 13 is preferably biased towards the undersurface engaging portion 104. In the embodiment shown, the clamp member 1 1 1 may comprise a compression spring 1 17 surrounding the rod 1 12 and acting between the undersurface of the undersurface engaging portion 104 and the handle 1 16. As shown in Figure 2, the clamping mechanism may comprise a pair of clamp members 1 1 1 on opposite sides of the undersurface engaging portion 104.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the device 100 comprises a light for illuminating the ceiling interior. The device 100 may include a battery for the light, which mayconsist of one or more LEDs. The light may shine through the insertion portion 101 , with the convex head 109 being transparent or translucent to allow the light to pass through. The battery is preferably rechargeable. As shown in Figure 3, the device 100 further comprises a charging port 1 18 for recharging the battery. The charging port 1 18 may be a USB-type charging port.

[0033] The charging port 1 18 is preferably located in the undersurface engaging portion 104, making it accessible even when the insertion portion 101 is inserted into the ceiling. With reference to Figure 5, the peripheral edge of the undersurface engaging portion 104 may define a flat surface 1 19, with the charging port 1 18 recessed within the flat surface.

[0034] The device 100 may also include a pushbutton switch 120 to control the device. In some embodiments, the device 100 comprises a wireless interface configured for wireless communication with an electronic device, such as a mobile device with a software application installed to communicate with the device 100 via the wireless interface. The wireless interface may be a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interface paired with a corresponding interface of the electronic device. In this embodiment, the light may be remotely controlled wirelessly from the electronic device.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment, the device 100 comprises a camera 121. The camera 121 is preferably directed from the chute 107 to view the approach of the cable tongue towards or away from the chute 107. The camera 121 may be located in the cylindrical portion 108 above the chute 107. Similarly, the camera 121 may interface with the wireless interface to transmit imagery wirelessly to the electronic device, allowing imagery obtained by the camera 121 to be viewed remotely on the digital display of the electronic device.

[0036] In use, it may be necessary to run an electrical cable between two downlight apertures. The device 100 may be inserted into one of the downlight apertures 102, and a cable tongue is fed through the other. Insertion of the device 100 involves twisting the handles 1 16 to move the swivel jaws 1 13 to the retracted position. The insertion portion 101 can then be inserted through the downlight aperture 102 until the undersurface engaging portion 104 presses against the undersurface 105 of theceiling 103. As previously mentioned, the cross-section of the insertion portion 101 is maximised within the confines of the diameter of the downlight aperture 102 to thereby maximise the size of the chute 107.

[0037] Each clamp member 1 1 1 can then be pushed upwardly and twisted using the handle 1 16 so that the swivel jaws 1 13 swivel out to the deployed configuration. The handle 1 16 may then be released to allow the compression spring 1 17 to expand, pressing the swivel jaw 1 13 against the upper surface 1 14 of the ceiling 103. The device 100 is now securely fixed within the downlight aperture 102.

[0038] The switch 120 may be operated to turn on the device 100 and allow its wireless interface to connect to the electronic device. The electronic device may be used to turn on the light and view imagery obtained by the camera 121. If necessary, the device 100 can be rotated to face the opposing downlight aperture 102 from which the cable tongue is being fed. The cable tongue is then manipulated through the other downlight aperture 102 towards the device 100. The imagery viewed on the electronic device provides guidance for directing the tip of the cable tongue towards the device 100.

[0039] The tip of the cable tongue then enters the chute 107 and is deflected by the angled plate 1 10 downwardly through the opening 106 in the undersurface engaging portion 104. The tip of the cable tongue can then be pulled through the opening 106 to attach an electrical cable, which may be pulled back through the chute 107 to the other downlight aperture 102, thereby running a cable between them. Alternatively, the cable tongue may be pulled through the chute 107 with the electrical cable following behind.

[0040] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A ceiling cable tongue guide device comprising an insertion portion and an undersurface engaging portion, the insertion portion configured to insert through a downlight aperture in a ceiling, and the undersurface engaging portion configured to interface with an undersurface of the ceiling in use, wherein the device defines an opening at the undersurface engaging portion through to a guide chute defined by the insertion portion, and wherein the guide chute is configured to deflect a cable through the downlight aperture in use.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion comprises a cylindrical portion.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the insertion portion comprises a convex head terminating the cylindrical portion.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion comprises an angled plate defining a deflecting surface of the chute.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the angled plate is angled at approximately 45°.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the undersurface engaging portion is annular.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a clamping mechanism configured to clamp the undersurface engaging portion against the undersurface of the ceiling in use.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a clamp member comprising a rod having a proximal end protruding under theundersurface engaging portion and a distal end extending above the undersurface engaging portion, and further comprising a swivel jaw configurable in a retracted configuration to allow the insertion of the insertion portion through the downlight aperture, and a deployed configuration wherein the swivel jaw extends outwardly beyond the downlight aperture to clamp against an upper surface of the ceiling in opposition to the undersurface engaging portion.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the insertion portion comprises a side recess to accommodate the swivel jaw when in the retracted configuration.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the recess has a length sufficient to allow the swivel jaw to move vertically with respect to the insertion portion.1 1 . The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clamp member comprises a handle at the proximal end.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the handle extends radially from the proximal end.

13. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clamp member is biased downwardly.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the clamp member comprises a compression spring surrounding the rod and acting against an undersurface of the undersurface engaging portion.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the compression spring expands between the undersurface of the undersurface engaging portion and a handle at the proximal end of the clamp member.

16. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a pair of clamp members on opposite sides of the undersurface engaging portion.

17. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a light.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the light shines through the insertion portion.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the insertion portion comprises a convex head, and the light shines through the convex head.

20. The device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a battery for the light.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the battery is rechargeable, and the device further comprises a charging port for recharging the battery.

22. The device as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the charging port is accessible from the undersurface engaging portion.

23. The device as claimed in claim 22, wherein a peripheral edge of the undersurface engaging portion defines a flat surface, and the charging port is in the flat surface.

24. The device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a camera.

25. The device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the camera is directed out from the chute.

26. The device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the insertion portion comprises a cylindrical portion, and the camera is in the cylindrical portion above the chute.

27. The device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a wireless interface operably interfacing with the camera, wherein the wireless interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device to transmit digital imagery obtained from the camera to the electronic device in use.

28. A method of using a ceiling cable tongue guide device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising the steps of: inserting the insertion portion through a downlight aperture in a ceiling until the undersurface engaging portion contacts the undersurface of the ceiling; securing the device against the ceiling using a clamping mechanism configured to clamp the undersurface engaging portion; and deflecting a cable through the guide chute and through the downlight aperture.

29. A method for routing a cable tongue through a ceiling between two downlight apertures using two ceiling cable tongue guide devices as claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of: inserting a first device into a first downlight aperture and securing it in place by clamping the undersurface engaging portion against the ceiling; inserting a second device into a second downlight aperture and securing it in place by clamping the undersurface engaging portion against the ceiling; feeding a cable tongue through the first device towards the second device; guiding the cable tongue into the chute of the second device, where it is deflected downward through an opening of the undersurface engaging portion thereof; and pulling the cable tongue through the opening of the second device, attaching an electrical cable to the cable, and pulling the cable back through the chute to the first downlight aperture, thereby routing the cable between the apertures.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising using a camera in the second device to monitor approach of the cable tongue towards the second device.31 . A system for routing a cable tongue through a ceiling between two downlight apertures, comprising a first ceiling cable tongue guide device as clamed in claim 1 , and a second ceiling cable tongue guide device as clamed in claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that the first device receives a cable tongue through its downlight aperture, allowing the cable tongue to be guided through the chute of the second device, facilitating the routing of a cable between the two apertures.

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