Automated cable runner
A method of deploying cabling in a tray using an automated cable runner (ACR). 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 cabling holder attached to the carriage. The carriage includes a drive wheel structured and arranged to contact the pathway, a motor operable to rotate the drive wheel, and a power source connected to motor. The method includes attaching the carriage to the pathway, connecting an end of a cabling to the cabling holder, and powering the motor to rotate the drive wheel to drive the carriage to 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. A method of deploying cabling in a tray using an automated cable runner (ACR) comprising a pathway, a carriage operable to travel along the pathway, a plurality of supports structured and arranged for connection to the pathway and structured and arranged for connection to the tray and configured to support the pathway over the tray, and a cabling holder attached to the carriage, 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 motor; the method comprising:
attaching the carriage to the pathway;
connecting an end of a cabling to the cabling holder; and
powering the motor to rotate the drive wheel to drive the carriage to 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 method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching the ACR to the tray via the plurality of supports.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pathway comprises an attachment slot operable to connect the plurality of supports to the pathway.
4. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
attaching a stop block to the pathway at the end point; and
actuating a switch on the carriage to cut power to the motor upon contacting the stop block.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deploying the cabling comprises:
pulling the cabling through the tray; or
un-spooling the cabling and depositing the cabling in the tray.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carriage additionally comprises one or more passive wheels structured and arranged to travel along the pathway.
7. The method of claim 6 , 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 a upper side of the pathway.
8. The method of claim 1 , 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.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the connection is a pivot connection, the method further comprising pivoting away the moveable attachment arm from the main body to arrange the carriage in a pathway-connecting configuration.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the connection is a releasable connection, the method further comprising removing the moveable attachment arm from the main body to arrange the carriage in a pathway-connecting configuration.
11. The method of claim 6 , 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.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the pathway comprises respective grooves structured and arranged for receiving the first wheel and the second wheel, respectively.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the attaching comprises hanging the carriage from the pathway so as to be disposed above the tray.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the connecting the end of the cabling to the cabling holder comprises using at least one of a cable sock, a magnetic connection, and hook and loop fastener.