IP Library Granted Patent US 6,878,881
Granted Patent B1
US 6,878,881 · App. 10/935,853 · Granted Apr 12, 2005

Modular cable protector assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,878,881
App. No.
10/935,853
Granted
Apr 12, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

A modular cable protector assembly has side ramps, tunnel members, and tunnel connectors that can be removably engaged to one another in a modular fashion to form a wide variety of configurations. Each tunnel member includes a tunnel extending along its length for passage of cables, and two sets of laterally-opposed connectors that removably engage corresponding connectors on the undersides of the side ramps. Each tunnel connector has two sets of connectors that removably engage the connectors on two tunnel members and thereby secure the tunnel members in a side-by-side relationship. The side ramps and the top surface of the tunnel connector combine to provide a relatively continuous surface over the cable protector assembly that is suitable for foot traffic or wheeled traffic.

Claims (52)

1. A modular cable protector assembly comprising:

at least one side ramp, each side ramp having a bottom with a set of connectors;

a plurality of tunnel members, each tunnel member having:

(a) two sets of laterally-opposed complementary connectors for removably engaging the connectors on a side ramp aligned in a side-by-side relationship with the tunnel member; and

(b) at least one tunnel extending along the length of the tunnel member for passage of cables; and

at least one tunnel connector having:

(a) two sets of connectors for removably engaging the complementary connectors on two tunnel members and thereby removably securing two tunnel members in a side-by-side relationship; and

(b) a top surface extending between the tunnel members.

2. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the connectors on the tunnel connector and side ramps comprise indentations, and wherein the complementary connectors on the tunnel members comprise complementary protrusions.

3. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the connectors on the tunnel connector and side ramps comprise truncated conical indentations, and wherein the complementary connectors on the tunnel members comprise complementary truncated conical protrusions.

4. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the tunnel members further comprise lateral surfaces, and wherein the tunnel connector further comprises complementary lateral surfaces contoured to abut the lateral surfaces of the tunnel members.

5. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the tunnel members further comprise end connectors enabling a plurality of tunnel members to be connected together in series.

6. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the tunnel connector and the top surfaces of the side ramps combine to form a substantially continuous surface over the cable protector assembly.

7. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 1 wherein the tunnel member further comprises base flanges extending laterally outward carrying the connectors.

8. A modular cable protector assembly comprising:

two side ramps, each side ramp having a set of connectors in the bottom of the side ramp;

a plurality of tunnel members, each tunnel member having:

(a) a tunnel extending along the length of the tunnel member for passage of cables;

(b) base flanges extending laterally outward from the tunnel for underlying the side ramps when aligned in a side-by-side relationship with the tunnel member; and

(c) two sets of complementary connectors on the base flanges for removably engaging the connectors on the side ramps when aligned in a side-by-side relationship with the tunnel member; and

at least one tunnel connector having:

(a) two sets of connectors on the bottom of the tunnel connector for removably engaging the complementary connectors on two tunnel members and thereby removably securing two tunnel members in a side-by-side relationship; and

(b) a top surface extending between the tunnel members.

9. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 8 wherein the connectors on the tunnel connector and side ramps comprise indentations, and wherein the complementary connectors on the tunnel members comprise complementary protrusions.

10. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 8 wherein the connectors on the tunnel connector and side ramps comprise truncated conical indentations, and wherein the complementary connectors on the tunnel members comprise complementary truncated conical protrusions.

11. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 8 wherein the tunnel members further comprise lateral surfaces, and wherein the tunnel connector further comprises complementary lateral surfaces contoured to abut the lateral surfaces of the tunnel members.

12. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 8 wherein the tunnel members further comprise end connectors enabling a plurality of tunnel members to be connected together in series.

13. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 8 wherein the top surface of the tunnel connector and the top surfaces of the side ramps combine to form a substantially continuous surface over the cable protector assembly.

14. A modular cable protector assembly comprising:

at least one side ramp, each side ramp having a bottom with a set of connectors;

a plurality of tunnel members, each tunnel member having:

(a) two sets of laterally-opposed complementary connectors for removably engaging the connectors on two side ramp aligned in a side-by-side relationship with the tunnel member;

(b) at least one tunnel extending along the length of the tunnel member for passage of cables; and

(c) lateral surfaces; and

at least one tunnel connector having:

(a) a, bottom with two sets of connectors for removably engaging the complementary connectors on two tunnel members and thereby removably securing two tunnel members in a side-by-side relationship

(b) opposing lateral surfaces contoured to abut the lateral surfaces of the tunnel members; and

(c) a top surface extending between the tunnel members to provide a portion of a substantially continuous surface across the tunnel members in conjunction with the side ramps.

15. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 14 wherein the tunnel member further comprises base flanges extending laterally outward carrying the connectors.

16. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 14 wherein the tunnel members further comprise end connectors enabling a plurality of tunnel members to be connected together in series.

17. A modular cable protector assembly comprising:

two side ramps, each side ramp having a set of indentations in the bottom of the side ramp;

a plurality of tunnel members, each tunnel member having:

(a) a tunnel extending along the length of the tunnel member for passage of cables;

(b) base flanges extending laterally outward from the tunnel for underlying the: side ramps when aligned in a side-by-side relationship with the tunnel member; and

(c) two sets of protrusions extending upward from the base flanges for removably engaging the indentations in the side ramps when aligned in a side-by-side relationship with the tunnel member; and

at least one tunnel connector having:

(a) two sets of indentations in the bottom of the tunnel connector for removably engaging the protrusions on two tunnel members and thereby removably securing two tunnel members in a side-by-side relationship; and

(b) a stop surface extending between the tunnel members.

18. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 17 wherein the indentations in the tunnel connector and side ramps have a truncated conical shape, and wherein the protrusions on the tunnel members comprise a complementary truncated conical shape.

19. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 17 wherein the top surface of the tunnel connector and the top surfaces of the side ramps combine to form a substantially continuous surface over the cable protector assembly.

20. The modular cable protector assembly of claim 17 wherein the tunnel members further comprise end connectors enabling a plurality of tunnel members to be connected together in series.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 049673/0062 Recorded Oct 1, 2025
From: CITIZENS BANK, N.A.
To: ACCUFORM MANUFACTURING, INC.; BASIC CONCEPTS, INCORPORATED; CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY; GROUND PROTECTION, LLC; JUSTRITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, L.L.C.; SAFETYCAL HOLDINGS, INC.; SUPERIOR MANUFACTURING GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 073001/0671 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2024
From: CITIZENS BANK, N.A.
To: BASIC CONCEPTS, INCORPORATED; JUSTRITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, L.L.C; CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC; ACCUFORM MANUFACTURING, INC.; SAFETYCAL HOLDINGS, INC.; SUPERIOR MANUFACTURING GROUP, INC.; GROUND PROTECTION, LLC; EAGLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 068671/0899 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: ACCUFORM MANUFACTURING, INC.; CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC; SUPERIOR MANUFACTURING GROUP, INC.; GROUND PROTECTION, LLC; BASIC CONCEPTS, INCORPORATED; JUSTRITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, L.L.C.; EAGLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY; SAFETYCAL HOLDINGS, INC.
To: CITIZENS BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 049673/0062 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: ACCUFORM MANUFACTURING, INC.; CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC; SUPERIOR MANUFACTURING GROUP, INC.; GROUND PROTECTION, LLC; BASIC CONCEPTS, INCORPORATED; JUSTRITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, L.L.C.; EAGLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY; SAFETYCAL HOLDINGS, INC.
To: CITIZENS BANK, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
Reel/Frame 049674/0742 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 034271/0136 Recorded Feb 1, 2018
From: MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC
To: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045215/0969 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2014
From: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC
To: MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 034271/0136 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2014
From: MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC
To: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 034235/0800 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 2, 2011
From: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC
To: MADISON CAPITAL FUNDING LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026683/0540 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 4, 2011
From: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
To: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 025578/0571 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2011
From: HENRY, STEPHEN K
To: CHECKERS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025571/0784 →