Offset Cable Conduit Transitions for Baseboard Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The aesthetic issue of unsightly cable clutter when wall-mounted devices like televisions and other electronic equipment are connected to floor-level electrical outlets, as cables droop from the mounted devices to reach the outlets, creating an unattractive appearance.

Innovation Solution

The design of cable conduit transitions with semicircular and spherical shapes that form passages to hide cables, featuring offset terminating ends with retaining tabs for secure engagement, and connectors that allow for removably or non-removably connecting conduits to baseboards and walls, creating a seamless pathway for cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical outlets are located near the floor to meet electrical code requirements, then electrical safety and code compliance are improved, but cable appearance deteriorates as cables droop from wall-mounted devices to reach the outlets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical code complianceVSAvoidcable appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A cable conduit acts as an intermediary component between the floor-level electrical outlet and the wall-mounted device. The conduit is installed along the baseboard or wall, providing a hidden pathway that guides the cable from the outlet to the device, thereby maintaining both code compliance and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable routing is moved from a vertical drooping path to a horizontal path along the wall or baseboard. By changing the dimension of cable routing from vertical to horizontal, the cable can reach the outlet while maintaining a clean appearance along the wall surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cables are routed up the wall to connect devices, then device connectivity is improved, but visual clutter increases and aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cables are merged into a single cable conduit. The conduit consolidates multiple individual cables into one unified structure that is routed along the wall or baseboard, maintaining device connectivity while presenting a single clean line rather than multiple cluttered cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable conduit serves as a mediator that hides the multiple cables from view. By routing all cables through this single intermediary structure along the baseboard or wall, the visual clutter is eliminated while the cables remain functional for connecting multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If cables are routed through concealed pathways along baseboards and walls, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system is segmented into modular components including cable conduits, transitions, and connectors. Each component is designed to be independently installed and connected, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining the concealed aesthetic appearance along baseboards and walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9728946B1Cable conduit transitions
Publication Date: 2017.08.08 TITAN3 TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • US9728946B1 patent drawing
  • US9728946B1 patent drawing
  • US9728946B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A cable conduit transition including a longitudinal axis, a lower portion having a semicircular shape around the longitudinal axis and two lower portion terminating ends, an upper portion having a semicircular shape around the longitudinal axis and two upper portion terminating ends, and wherein the two lower portion terminating ends are offset from the two upper portion terminating ends.