Automated cable runner
An automated cable runner (ACR) for a cabling tray. The ACR includes a pathway, a carriage operable to travel along the pathway, a plurality of supports connectable to the pathway and connectable to the tray and configured to support the pathway over the tray, and a cable holder attached to the carriage. The carriage is operable to autonomously travel along the pathway from a desired start point to a desired end point to deploy cabling into the tray from the start point to the end point.
1. An automated cable runner (ACR) for a cabling tray, the ACR comprising:
a pathway;
a carriage operable to travel along the pathway;
a plurality of supports connectable to the pathway and connectable to the tray and configured to support the pathway over the tray; and
a cable holder attached to the carriage,
wherein the carriage is operable to autonomously travel along the pathway from a desired start point to a desired end point to deploy cabling into the tray from the start point to the end point.
2. The ACR of claim 1 , further comprising an end stop attachable to the pathway at the desired end point to stop the travel of the carriage along the pathway.
3. The ACR of claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises:
a drive wheel structured and arranged to contact the pathway;
a motor operable to rotate the drive wheel; and
a power source connected to the motor.
4. The ACR of claim 3 , wherein the carriage additionally comprises one or more passive wheels structured and arranged to travel along the pathway.
5. The ACR of claim 3 , wherein the carriage comprises:
a main body;
a fixed attachment arm extending from the main body on a first side of the main body;
a movable attachment arm attached to the main body via a connection on a second side of the main body.
6. The ACR of claim 5 , wherein the connection is a pivot connection, and the movable attachment arm is operable to pivot away from the main body to arrange the carriage in a pathway-connecting configuration.
7. The ACR of claim 5 , wherein the connection is a releasable connection, and the movable attachment arm is removable from the main body to arrange the carriage in a pathway-connecting configuration.
8. The ACR of claim 5 , wherein:
the fixed attachment arm supports a first wheel,
the movable attachment arm supports a second wheel, and
the first wheel and the second wheel are operable to support the carriage and travel along the pathway.
9. The ACR of claim 8 , wherein the pathway comprises respective grooves structured and arranged for receiving the first wheel and the second wheel, respectively.
10. The ACR of claim 8 , wherein the pathway comprises an attachment slot operable to connect the plurality of supports to the pathway.
11. The ACR of claim 5 , wherein the power source is supported by the movable attachment arm, and wherein the motor is supported by the main body.
12. The ACR of claim 4 , wherein the drive wheel is structured and arranged to contact an underside of the pathway, and the passive wheels are structured and arranged to contact an upper side of the pathway.
13. The ACR of claim 1 , wherein the carriage is structured and arranged to hang from the pathway and be disposed above the tray.
14. The ACR of claim 1 , wherein the cable holder comprises at least one of a cable sock, a magnetic connection, and hook and loop fastener.
15. The ACR of claim 3 , wherein the carriage comprises a switch operable to cut power to the motor upon actuation.