Rapid mount electrical cable entry device with flexible slotted insert
A rapid mount electrical cable entry device including a rigid low voltage frame and a flexible slotted insert for routing low voltage cables through walls. The low voltage frame includes a plate with an opening therein defining an inner periphery on the plate at the opening. The low voltage frame includes mounting fasteners with attached clamp arms for securing the frame to a wall. The slotted insert includes a flexible panel with a hole therein and a plurality of open slots extending radially from the hole. The slots enable the cable entry device to accommodate passage of low voltage cables there. The slots define flaps that close around the cables after they are inserted therein, thus closing the area around the periphery of the inserted cables. Wall preparation requires only a hole saw, which minimizes installation time.
1. A cable entry device for routing cables through a wall, comprising:
a low voltage frame including a frame body having two ends, two sides, a plate with a rear surface and an opening therein, and a sidewall extending rearward from said rear surface of said plate;
a mounting arrangement for securing said low voltage frame to a wall;
a flexible insert within said opening of said plate;
a flexible panel on said flexible insert, said flexible panel extending across said opening of said plate, said flexible panel including a rear surface;
a fastening arrangement for securing said flexible insert to said low voltage frame, said fastening arrangement including sidewall connectors extending from said rear surface of said flexible panel, said sidewall connectors of said flexible insert being adapted to engage said sidewall of said low voltage frame; and
a plurality of open slots in said flexible panel.
2. The cable entry device of claim 1 wherein said mounting arrangement includes:
a mounting boss integral with said plate of said low voltage frame; and
an oversize aperture in said mounting boss.
3. The cable entry device of claim 2 wherein said mounting arrangement includes:
a mounting fastener extending through said oversize aperture in said mounting boss, said mounting fastener including a head and an end; and
a clamp arm rigidly secured to said end of said mounting fastener.
4. The cable entry device of claim 3 including:
a plurality of said mounting fasteners on said low voltage frame;
an inner periphery on said plate, said inner periphery surrounding the opening of said low voltage frame; and
said mounting fasteners being at said inner periphery of said low voltage frame.
5. The cable entry device of claim 4 wherein:
said low voltage frame includes two of said clamp arms; and
said clamp arms are situated 180° apart on opposite sides of said sidewall.
6. The cable entry device of claim 2 wherein said low voltage frame includes:
two of said mounting bosses; and
two posts extending rearward from said sidewall immediately adjacent to each of said mounting bosses.
7. The cable entry device of claim 2 wherein:
said plate includes a front surface;
said mounting boss includes a face; and
said face of said mounting boss is recessed away from said front surface of said plate.
8. The cable entry device of claim 1 wherein:
said flexible panel includes a hole therein; and
said open slots extend radially from said hole.
9. The cable entry device of claim 8 wherein said plurality of open slots extending radially from said hole define a plurality of flaps on said flexible panel.
10. The cable entry device of claim 9 wherein said flexible panel of said flexible insert includes eight of said slots and eight of said flaps.
11. The cable entry device of claim 1 wherein said fastening arrangement includes:
a plate connector on said flexible insert; and
a plate portion on said low voltage frame, said plate portion extending inward of said sidewall.
12. The cable entry device of claim 11 wherein said fastening arrangement includes:
a rim on said sidewall connector; and
a tab on said plate connector.
13. The cable entry device of claim 1 wherein each of said open slots has a width of at least 0.062 inch.
14. The cable entry device of claim 1 wherein said flexible insert is constructed of an elastomeric material.
15. The cable entry device of claim 14 wherein:
said flexible insert is molded in one piece of synthetic rubber; and
said flexible insert includes a Shore A hardness of between 60 and 80.
16. The cable entry device of claim 1 wherein said frame body is molded in one piece of plastic.
17. The cable entry device of claim 16 wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene, and polyethylene.