Cable Support Tray Corner Retention for Secure Building Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for suspending and retaining telecommunication and power cables within buildings often result in cables being pulled over the corners of trays during installation, leading to increased labor and risk of damage, as they lack effective retention mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The use of a support tray with retention devices, featuring protrusions extending from the corner areas into the tray interior, prevents cables from being pulled over during installation by providing a secure holding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are suspended in trays without retention devices, then the trays are simple and easy to install, but the cables are pulled over the corners during installation and may fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding retention devices specifically at the corner areas of the tray where cables are most likely to be pulled over or fall out. The retention devices include protrusions that extend into the tray interior at these critical locations, providing localized reinforcement only where needed rather than complicating the entire tray structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention devices are pre-installed on the tray during manufacturing, creating a preliminary protective structure before cable installation. This preliminary action ensures that when cables are later pulled or installed, the retention devices are already in place to prevent them from being pulled over the corners or falling out.
2Productivity
If cables are pulled during installation without retention devices, then installation is simpler, but labor time increases and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention devices provide preliminary anti-action by creating a physical barrier that opposes the harmful pulling force applied to cables during installation. The protrusions extend into the tray interior to counteract the pulling force before the cable can be pulled over the corner, preventing damage and reducing the time needed for cable installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If cables are hidden in ceilings or beneath floors, then aesthetics are improved and cable protection is enhanced, but maintenance access becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retention devices enable self-service maintenance by allowing maintenance personnel to easily access and manipulate cables directly within the tray without requiring complex removal procedures. The cables remain securely held in the tray while still being accessible for maintenance activities, eliminating the need to remove ceiling panels or floor sections for routine cable maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices and methods for suspending and retaining telecommunication cables, power cables, and other items within or outside of a building. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, devices are provided for supporting, suspending and retaining an article within or outside of a building, such as telecommunication cables, power cables, and other items. The devices generally comprise a support tray having a bottom plane and top plane, whereby the tray is adapted to support the article. The tray will include at least one corner area, but may include many separate corner areas. According to these embodiments, the devices will further include a retention device, which is affixed to or integrally formed with the corner area. The retention device will preferably include at least one protrusion which extends from the corner area into an interior portion of the tray. The invention provides that the retention device and, more specifically, the at least one protrusion will be effective to prevent articles, such as telecommunication cables, power cables, and other items, from being pulled over the corner area of the tray during installation of the cables.