Granted Patent B2

US 7,309,836 · App. 11/263,099 · Granted Dec 18, 2007

Abstract

Claims (50)

1. A cable protection system, comprising:

at least one cable protector comprising a base member;

at least one channel extending between opposing ends of the base member and structured to receive at least one cable;

at least one substantially vertically oriented aperture defined in a first side of the base member;

a female coupling recess defined within the aperture in the base member;

a first ramp comprising at least one connector, the connector of the first ramp being insertable into the aperture in the base member to removably attach the first ramp to the first side of the base member;

a male coupling structure provided on the connector of the first ramp;

wherein, when the connector of the first ramp is inserted into the aperture in the base member, the male coupling structure engages the female coupling recess to create a snap-fit connection and to resist vertical movement of the connector relative to the base member.

2. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector of the first ramp is substantially vertically oriented and removably snap fits into the aperture defined in the base member.

3. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture defined in the base member is slot shaped.

4. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the male coupling structure is a protuberance formed on a surface of the connector and the female coupling recess is sized to match the dimensions of the protuberance.

5. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a cover structure;

a plurality of hinge members formed on the cover structure and the base member;

a hinge rod inserted through the hinge members to pivotally attach the cover structure to the base member.

6. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , further comprising a second ramp removably attachable to a second side of the base member.

7. The cable protection system according to claim 6 , further comprising:

a substantially vertically oriented aperture defined in the second ramp;

at least one connector formed on the second side of the base member that is insertable into the aperture in the second ramp.

8. The cable protection system according to claim 6 , further comprising:

a first edge rail removably attachable to a first end of the first ramp;

a second edge rail removably attachable to a first end of the second ramp;

a center edge rail positioned between and removably attachable to the first and second edge rails.

9. The cable protection system according to claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first ramp and the second ramp laterally overlaps an additional ramp or an additional cable protector.

10. The cable protection system according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first ramp and the second ramp comprises a substantially planar top surface and an angled bottom surface.

11. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an additional cable protector;

at least one substantially vertically oriented aperture defined in a side of the additional cable protector;

at least one connector formed on the base member that is insertable into the aperture in the additional cable protector.

12. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the base member of the cable protector comprises:

a pair of substantially vertically extending opposing side walls;

a cover structure positioned on the upper surfaces of, and unitarily formed with, the opposing side walls.

13. The cable protection system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cable protector and the first ramp comprises a substantially transparent material capable of being illuminated by a light source.

14. A cable protector, comprising:

a base member;

at least one channel extending between opposing ends of the base member and configured to receive at least one cable;

a cover structure;

a plurality of hinge members formed on the cover structure and the base member;

a hinge rod inserted through the hinge members to pivotally attach the cover structure to the base member;

at least one substantially vertically oriented connector formed on the base member;

a male coupling structure provided on the connector of the base member;

wherein the male coupling structure is sized to engage a complimentary female coupling recess defined in an aperture in an opposing structure to create a snap-fit connection and to resist vertical movement of the connector relative to the opposing structure.

15. A cable protection system, comprising:

at least one cable protector comprising a base member;

at least one channel extending between opposing ends of the base member and structured to receive at least one cable;

at least one vertically oriented slot defined in a first side of the base member;

a female coupling recess defined within the slot in the base member;

a first ramp comprising at least one vertically oriented connector, the connector being insertable into the slot in the base member to removably attach the first ramp to the first side of the base member;

a male coupling structure provided on the connector of the first ramp;

wherein, when the connector of the first ramp is inserted into the aperture in the base member, the male coupling structure provided on the connector of the first ramp engages the female coupling recess defined within the slot in the base member to create a snap-fit connection and to resist vertical movement of the connector relative to the base member.

Assignments (13)