Poke-thru Floor Fitting for Low-Profile Cable Routing

Solution Overview

Problem

Routing electrical and data/telecommunication cables from poke-thru devices to cable raceways can pose tripping hazards due to the size of the structures transitioning the cables, making it difficult to distribute cables effectively without obstructing traffic or increasing tripping hazards.

Innovation Solution

A poke-thru floor system comprising a poke-thru interface portion, a base, and a cover that forms a longitudinal passage matching the shape of a cable raceway, allowing cables to pass through while maintaining a low profile and enabling connection to raceways without increasing tripping hazards, with optional dividers for separating electrical and data/telecommunication cables and end caps for directional routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If structures are formed to transition cables from poke-thru devices to cable raceways, then cable distribution is enabled, but tripping hazards increase due to the size of the structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transition structure is designed to extend primarily in the horizontal plane rather than vertically, allowing cables to be routed from the poke-thru device to the raceway without creating vertical obstructions that would pose tripping hazards. This dimensional reorientation resolves the contradiction by maintaining cable distribution functionality while eliminating the harmful tripping hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the transition structure is made large enough to accommodate cable routing, then cable distribution is improved, but the structure becomes more prominent and increases tripping hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transition structure is divided into multiple segments or components that can be assembled in a compact configuration. This segmentation allows the structure to accommodate cable routing functionality while maintaining a compact overall footprint that does not create tripping hazards, thus resolving the contradiction between cable distribution efficiency and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the transition structure is minimized to reduce tripping hazards, then safety is improved, but cable routing capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transition structure employs a nested configuration where cable routing channels are integrated within a compact housing. This nesting allows the structure to provide adequate cable routing capability while maintaining a small external footprint that minimizes tripping hazards, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and cable routing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9385515B2Poke-thru floor fitting

Publication Date: 2016.07.05

AI summary

A poke-thru floor system includes a poke-thru interface portion, a base and a cover. The poke-thru interface portion allows cable to pass through a floor structure. The base may be disposed on an upper surface of the floor structure and has an opening for communicating with the poke-thru interface portion. The cover interfaces with the base to form a longitudinal passage and is formed to be substantially the same shape as an upper surface of a cable raceway.