Universal Cable Tray Support Bracket With Hinged Adjustable Legs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray support systems lack universality, leading to increased costs due to specialized hardware requirements for various cable tray configurations, and fail to provide initial support during installation and resistance to disassembly caused by loosened fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A field-adjustable cable tray support system comprising posts with engagement regions and an elongated bracket with a hinge and legs, featuring a securing mechanism for initial support and built-in redundancy through spring-loaded tabs and fasteners to secure the bracket to the posts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialized supporting hardware is used for different cable tray configurations, then each cable tray type can be properly supported, but the cost increases and universality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support system uses a single universal bracket design that can accommodate various cable tray configurations through adjustable engagement regions on the posts. The bracket's opposing legs can engage with posts at different positions and orientations, allowing one support type to serve multiple cable tray types rather than requiring specialized hardware for each configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The support system incorporates adjustability through the engagement regions on the posts, allowing the bracket position to be modified during installation. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same support structure to adapt to different cable tray sizes, shapes, and installation requirements without requiring multiple specialized support designs
2Ease of operation
If pre-fixed supports are used for cable tray, then installation is simplified, but they cannot accommodate variations in building surface flatness and cable tray spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The posts incorporate engagement regions with multiple positioning options that allow the bracket to be adjusted vertically and horizontally. This enables installers to accommodate variations in building surface flatness and different cable tray spacing requirements while maintaining a relatively simple installation process using standard fasteners
3Ease of manufacture
If standard fasteners are used to secure the bracket to the post, then assembly is simple, but the connection can loosen due to vibration or jarcing
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement region design incorporates features that prevent complete disassembly even if fasteners loosen. The bracket and post engagement geometry is designed so that the connection remains intact under vibration and impact conditions, providing built-in redundancy that cushions against the harmful effects of fastener loosening
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support for cable tray installation. The support includes first and second posts, the posts being adapted for securement to a building surface. The support further includes an elongated bracket having a generally centrally located hinge and first and second generally opposing legs. The legs of the bracket engage the posts along at least one predefined engagement region. The support further includes a first securing mechanism located in the engagement region for locating the bracket with respect to the post during installation of the cable tray. Finally, the support includes a second securing mechanism for fixing the location of the bracket with respect to the posts upon final positioning of the cable tray.