Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CABLE STACKER
Inventor
Mark Williams
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This
application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No. 62/824,231 filed March 26, 2019 entitled "Cable Stacker", the
disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wiring
and any other types of cables are installed inside walls of a
building during construction, and can be ran through conduit or other types of
raceways
that are anchored to the construction framing, or held in place by anchor
devices that
are applied every few feet to hold the wiring in place. Typically, the anchor
devices
can be attached to the construction framing, such as to wooden studs used in
housing
construction, or to metal studs used in commercial construction. Notably,
construction
compliance is mandated by the National Electric Code (NEC) 300-4-(d), which
states
that for both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable- or raceway-type
wiring
method is installed parallel to framing members, such as joists, rafters, or
studs, or is
installed parallel to furring strips, the cable or raceway shall be installed
and supported
so that the nearest outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less than
32 mm
(l-V4 in.) from the nearest edge of the framing member or furring strips where
nails or
screws are likely to penetrate.
[0003]
Generally, the anchor devices are UL listed products for safety and use
certification, and are designed to keep the wiring and other types of cables
from being
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damaged by screws or nails that are then used to install drywall or other
building
materials to the construction framing, enclosing the wiring inside the walls
of the
structure. However, typical anchor devices are flimsy and poorly made, as well
as
cumbersome to install. Given the very large number of anchor devices that are
used
throughout the construction industry, installation of wiring and other types
of cables
should be efficient with sturdy anchors for the installers that install and
use the anchor
devices.
,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004]
Implementations of a cable stacker are described with reference to the
following Figures. The same numbers may be used throughout to reference
similar
features and components that are shown in the Figures:
FIG. 1 illustrates features of an example cable stacker in accordance
with aspects of the described anchor device.
FIG. 2 further illustrates views of the example cable stacker in
accordance with aspects of the described anchor device.
FIG. 3 further illustrates features of the example cable stacker in
accordance with aspects of the described anchor device, as well as an example
of the cable stacker being utilized to guide and anchor cables in accordance
with
techniques for using the cable stacker.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example design in one implementation of the
example cable stacker in accordance with aspects of the described anchor
device.
FIG. 5 illustrates views and features of another example cable stacker in
accordance with aspects of the described anchor device.
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FIG. 6 further illustrates views and features of the example cable stacker
in accordance with aspects of the described anchor device, as well as an
example
of the cable stacker being utilized to guide and anchor cables in accordance
with
techniques for using the cable stacker.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example method of a cable stacker in accordance
with one or more implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0005]
Implementations of a cable stacker are described, and provide an anchor
device that can be utilized to guide and anchor any types of wiring, cables,
piping,
and/or tubing (collectively referred to herein as "cables"), such as cables
that are
installed inside walls of a building during construction. Generally, cable
stackers can
be attached to construction framing every few feet, such as to wooden framing
studs
used in housing construction, or to metal framing studs used in commercial
construction, to guide and protect the cables during construction. The design
of the
cable stacker is strong (e.g., not flimsy), and the cable stacker will hold in
place during
both installation and throughout application use of the cable stacker.
[0006] Notably,
the cable stacker described herein has a base and dividers that
extend perpendicular from the base of the cable stacker. The dividers form
cable slots
between the dividers and are designed to accommodate one or more cables that
are
guided in place between the dividers through open ends of the cable slots.
This
innovative design provides for a front-loading anchor device with the dividers
that
extend perpendicular from the base of the cable stacker, rather than the side-
loading
design of conventional anchor devices that are less stable, flimsy, and
difficult to install.
[0007] The
cable stacker described herein lends itself for use with a nail, one or
two staples, and/or with one or two screws (e.g., #10 sheet metal screws or
wood
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screws). Generally, one or two staples will stabilize the cable stacker in
place, as will
use of one or two screws, or a nail. Notably the cable stacker is designed to
accommodate any one or all three forms of attachment using a nail, one or two
staples,
and/or one or two screws. Further, the design of the cable stacker allows for
installation
and subsequent mobility, such as to move the cable stacker to a different
location or
remove the cable stacker, which then remains in a reusable condition. Further,
the cable
stacker can be manufactured and shipped with a nail pre-installed, with the
staples
pre-installed, and/or with the screws pre-installed, depending on installation
and
application preference. This provides not only installer convenience, but
allows for
quick single-handed installation.
[0008] In
aspects of the cable stacker described herein, the cable stacker has a
base for placement against a framing stud, and the dividers extend
perpendicular from
the base. The dividers that extend from the base of the cable stacker form
cable slots
between the dividers, and the cable slots can accommodate one or more cables
that are
guided in place between the dividers through open ends of the cable slots. In
an
implementation, the dividers include a first divider, a second divider, and a
center
divider. Accordingly, a first cable slot is formed between the first divider
and the center
divider, and a second cable slot is formed between the second divider and the
center
divider. The cable stacker can include cable separators that extend from the
dividers
into the cable slots to separate the cables that are guided in place between
the dividers.
Each of the cable separators extend perpendicular from one of the dividers
into one of
the cable slots and is approximately horizontal to the base of the cable
stacker. The
cable separators are also removable to accommodate larger diameter cables
being
installed in the cable slots. Additionally, cable retention tabs can be
integrated with the
dividers, and the cable retention tabs cover at least a portion of the open
ends of the
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cable slots to retain the cables in the cable slots. Alternatively or in
addition, the cable
stacker includes
[0009] The
cable stacker can also include an integrated nail guide to facilitate
attachment of the cable stacker to the framing stud with a nail, and the
integrated nail
guide is designed to retain the nail in an installation position.
Alternatively or in
addition, the cable stacker can include an integrated staple guide to
facilitate attachment
of the cable stacker to the framing stud with a staple, and the integrated
staple guide is
designed to retain the staple in an installation position. Alternatively or in
addition, the
cable stacker can also include an integrated screw guide to facilitate
attachment of the
cable stacker to the framing stud with a screw, and the integrated screw guide
is
designed to retain the screw in an installation position.
[0(10] While
features and concepts of a cable stacker can be implemented in
any number of different devices, systems, environments, and/or configurations,
implementations of a cable stacker are described in the context of the
following
example devices, systems, and methods.
pH 11 FIG. 1
illustrates features of an example cable stacker 100 in accordance
with aspects of the described anchor device. The cable stacker 100 is an
anchor device
that can be utilized to guide and anchor wiring and any other types of cables
(collectively referred to herein as "cables"), such as cables that are
installed inside walls
of a building during construction. Generally, cable stackers can be attached
to
construction framing every few feet, such as to wooden framing studs used in
housing
construction, or to metal framing studs used in commercial construction, to
guide and
protect the cables during construction.
[0012] The
cable stacker 100 has a base 102 designed for placement against a
framing stud (e.g., a wooden stud, a metal stud, or other framing material).
The
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base 102 of the cable stacker has a first end 104 and integrated stabilizers
106 that
provide stability and are generally designed to prevent transverse rotation of
the cable
stacker 100 while the base 102 is placed against a framing stud. Similarly,
the base 102
of the cable stacker has a second end 108. In this example, the base 102 of
the cable
stacker 100 also includes an alignment stop 110 that is designed to abut
against a
framing stud for ease of alignment and installation when the base 102 of the
cable
stacker is placed against the framing stud. This is further shown and
described with
reference to FIGs. 2-4 in which several different views of the cable stacker
100 are
shown.
[0013] As
described herein, various components or pieces of the cable stacker
are integrated with the base 102, and/or integrated with each other, where
"integrated"
indicates that the cable stacker 100 is manufactured as a "one-piece" molded
plastic
device. For example, the cable stacker 100 may be manufactured using a
polypropylene
molded plastic, or can be manufactured using various other types of materials.
Alternatively, any of the components or pieces of the cable stacker described
herein
may be manufactured separately and attached or connected by any number of
various
means.
[0014] The
cable stacker 100 includes dividers that extend perpendicular from
the base 102. In this example, the cable stacker 100 has a first divider 112,
a second
divider 114, and a center divider 116 that are each integrated on one end with
the
base 102 and extend perpendicular from the base. The dividers form cable slots
between the dividers. For example, a first cable slot 118 is formed between
the first
divider 112 and the center divider 116, and similarly, a second cable slot 120
is formed
between the second divider 114 and the center divider 116. Although the cable
stacker 100 is shown and described with the three dividers that extend
perpendicular
from the base 102 in this example, a cable stacker may be implemented with
only two
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dividers that form one cable slot between the dividers, or may be implemented
with
more than three dividers forming additional cable slots to accommodate a
larger number
of cables, wiring, piping, tubing, etc.
[0015] The
cable slots 118, 120 are designed to accommodate one or more
cables that are guided in place between the dividers through open ends of the
cable
slots. For example, the cable slot 118 is bounded on three sides by the first
divider 112,
the base 102, and the center divider 116. The open end 122 of the cable slot
118 is then
the end in which one or more cables can be installed between the first divider
112 and
the center divider 116. Similarly, the cable slot 120 is bounded on three
sides by the
second divider 114, the base 102, and the center divider 116. The open end 124
of the
cable slot 120 is then the end in which one or more cables can be installed
between the
second divider 114 and the center divider 116.
10016] In
implementations, the cable slots 118, 120 may include respective
cable separators 126, 128 that extend from the dividers into the cable slots
to separate
the cables that are guided in place between the dividers. The cable separators
126, 128
are designed to be multi-directional, effective to facilitate cables being
installed in the
cable slots 118, 120 and subsequently being taken out of the cable slots. For
example,
the cable slot 118 has the cable separators 126 that are integrated on one end
and extend
from the first divider 112 and the center divider 116, generally horizontal
with the
base 102 of the cable stacker and perpendicular from the dividers. The cable
separators 126 are flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly
connected) with the
first divider 112 and the center divider 116, allowing the cable separators
126 to pivot
at the point of flexible attachment or integration with the first divider 112
and the center
divider 116, and providing that cables can be installed and removed from the
cable
slot 118.
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[0017]
Similarly, the cable slot 120 has the cable separators 128 that are
integrated on one end and extend from the second divider 114 and the center
divider 116, generally horizontal with the base 102 of the cable stacker and
perpendicular from the dividers. The cable separators 128 are flexibly
integrated (or
flexibly attached, flexibly connected) with the second divider 114 and the
center
divider 116, allowing the cable separators 128 to pivot at the point of
flexible
attachment or integration with the second divider 114 and the center divider
116, and
providing that cables can be installed and removed from the cable slot 120.
[0018] Notably,
the cable separators 126, 128 that extend from the respective
dividers into the cable slots 118, 120 are removable to accommodate larger
diameter
cables. For example, an electrician or other installer may simply snip out any
of the
cable separators 126, 128 with a pliers, providing easier installation of
larger diameter
cables and wiring, such as for larger, commercial and/or industrial cables.
Alternatively, an implementation of the cable stacker 100 may be manufactured
without
the cable separators in the cable slots.
[0019] The
cable stacker 100 also includes cable retention tabs that are effective
to prevent cables that are installed into the cable slots from falling out of
the cable slots.
For example, a cable retention tab 130 is integrated on one end with the first
divider 112
and is designed to cover a portion of the cable slot 118 at the open end 122
of the cable
slot. The cable retention tab 130 is flexibly integrated (or flexibly
attached, flexibly
connected) with the first divider 112, allowing the retention tab 130 to pivot
at the point
of flexible attachment or integration with the first divider, and providing
that cables can
be installed and removed from the cable slot 118. Similarly, a cable retention
tab 132
is integrated on one end with the second divider 114 and is designed to cover
a portion
of the cable slot 120 at the open end 124 of the cable slot. The cable
retention tab 132
is flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly connected) with the
second
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divider 114, allowing the retention tab 132 to pivot at the point of flexible
attachment
or integration with the second divider, and providing that cables can be
installed and
removed from the cable slot 120.
[0020] The
center divider 116 also includes integrated cable retention tabs 134
that are designed to cover a portion of both the cable slots 118, 120 at the
respective
open ends 122, 124 of the cable slots. A first part of the retention tab 134
is flexibly
integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly connected) with the center divider
116
approximately opposite from the retention tab 130 that is integrated with the
first
divider 112. Together, the retention tabs 130, 134 pivotably flex providing
that cables
can be installed and removed from the cable slot 118, while also forming a
barrier at
the open end 122 of the cable slot effective to prevent installed cables from
falling out
of the cable slot. Similarly, a second part of the retention tab 134 is
flexibly integrated
(or flexibly attached, flexibly connected) with the center divider 116
approximately
opposite from the retention tab 132 that is integrated with the second divider
114.
Together, the retention tabs 132, 134 pivotably flex providing that cables can
be
installed and removed from the cable slot 120, while also forming a barrier at
the open
end 124 of the cable slot effective to prevent installed cables from falling
out of the
cable slot.
[0021] In this
example, the cable stacker 100 includes angle supports that are
integrated with the base 102 and with the first and second dividers 112, 114
effective
to strengthen the anchor device. For example, a first angle support 136 is
integrated
with the base 102 and the first divider 112 effective to strengthen the
structure of the
cable stacker, generally at the first end 104 of the cable stacker. Similarly,
a second
angle support 138 is integrated with the base 102 and the second divider 114
effective
to strengthen the structure of the cable stacker, generally at the second end
108 of the
cable stacker.
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[0022] The
example cable stacker 100 also includes integrated staple guides to
facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to a framing stud (e.g., a wooden
stud) with a
staple. For example, an integrated staple guide 140 of the cable stacker 100
is designed
to keep a staple aligned for installation and retain the staple in an
installation position
at the first end 104 of the cable stacker. Further, a staple can be retained
in the
installation position in any attachment configuration of the cable stacker,
such as when
inverted. Notably, the integrated staple guide 140 that is viewable on the one
side of
the cable stacker 100 in the illustration is similar in design to the
integrated staple guide
that is not viewable on the opposite side of the cable stacker. In
implementations, the
integrated staple guide 140 can also function as a stabilizer, such as the
integrated
stabilizers 106 that provide stability and are generally designed to prevent
transverse
rotation of the cable stacker 100 while placed against a framing stud. In this
example,
the staple guide 140 is integrated proximate the first end 104 of the cable
stacker 100.
Alternatively or in addition, the cable stacker 100 may include similar staple
guides
integrated in the second end 108 of the cable stacker.
[0023] The
example cable stacker 100 also includes an integrated nail guide 142
with a nail cavity 144 to facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to a
framing stud
(e.g., a wooden framing stud) with a nail. The integrated nail guide 142 is
designed to
retain a nail in an installation position for quick attachment of the cable
stacker to the
framing stud, and the nail can be retained in the installation position in any
attachment
configuration of the cable stacker, such as when inverted. Further, in this
example
implementation, the integrated nail guide 142 also includes a reinforced
hammer strike
area 146. In this example, the nail guide 142 is integrated proximate the
first end 104
of the cable stacker 100. Alternatively or in addition, the cable stacker 100
may include
a similar nail guide integrated in the second end 108 of the cable stacker.
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[0024] The
example cable stacker 100 also includes an integrated screw guide
to facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to a framing stud (e.g., a metal
framing stud)
with a screw. For example, an integrated screw guide 148 of the cable stacker
100
retains a screw in an installation position at the first end 104 of the cable
stacker, and
the screw can be retained in the installation position in any attachment
configuration of
the cable stacker, such as when inverted. The screw guide may also be
reinforced to
facilitate a screw going in straight and perpendicular to the base 102, rather
than getting
installed at an off-angle. In this example, the screw guide 148 is integrated
proximate
the first end 104 of the cable stacker 100. Alternatively or in addition, the
cable
stacker 100 may include a similar screw guide integrated in the second end 108
of the
cable stacker.
[0025] FIG. 2
further illustrates several different views 200 of the example
cable stacker 100 in accordance with aspects of the described anchor device as
shown
and described with reference to FIG. 1. The different views 200 include a top
view 202
of the cable stacker, an end view 204 of the first end 104 of the cable
stacker, an end
view 206 of the second end 108 of the cable stacker, as well as a side view
208 of the
cable stacker. The various features and aspects of the cable stacker 100 are
identified
in the different views as also shown and described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3
further illustrates features of the example cable stacker 100 in
accordance with aspects of the described anchor device, as well as an example
300 of
the cable stacker 100 being utilized to guide and anchor cables 302 for cable
installation
in accordance with techniques for using the anchor device. As noted above, the
cable
stacker 100 can be attached to construction framing every few feet, such as to
a wooden
framing stud 304 used in housing construction, or to a metal framing stud used
in
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commercial construction, to guide and protect the cables 302 during
construction. The
base 102 of the cable stacker 100 is designed for placement against the
framing
stud 304, and the integrated stabilizers 106 provide stability and are
generally designed
to prevent transverse rotation of the cable stacker 100 while the base 102 is
placed
against the framing stud.
[0027] The base
102 of the cable stacker 100 includes the alignment stop 110
(not viewable behind the framing stud) at the first end 104 of the cable
stacker, and the
alignment stop 110 is designed to abut against the framing stud for ease of
alignment
and installation when the base 102 of the cable stacker is placed against the
framing
stud. In this example 300, the cables 302 are shown installed (e.g., guided
and
anchored) in the cable slot 120 that is formed between the second divider 114
and the
center divider 116. The cable stacker 100 can be anchored to the framing stud
304
utilizing any one or combination of a staple installed in the staple guides
140, a nail
installed in the nail guide 142, and/or a screw installed in the screw guide
148.
[0028] FIG. 4
illustrates an example design 400 in one implementation of the
example cable stacker 100 in accordance with aspects of the described anchor
device,
such as shown and described with reference to FIGs. 1-3. Example dimensions of
the
various components of the cable stacker 100 are shown to illustrate one
example
implementation of the cable stacker. In alternate implementations, any one or
more of
the various components of the cable stacker 100 may be of a different size
and/or
reconfigured.
[0029] FIG. 5
illustrates views and features of another example cable
stacker 500 in accordance with aspects of the described anchor device. The
cable
stacker 500 is an anchor device that can be utilized to guide and anchor
wiring and any
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other types of cables, wiring, piping, tubing, etc. (collectively referred to
herein as
"cables"), such as cables that are installed inside walls of a building during
construction.
Generally, cable stackers can be attached to construction framing every few
feet, such
as to wooden framing studs used in housing construction, or to metal framing
studs
used in commercial construction, to guide and protect the cables during
construction.
[0030] The
cable stacker 500 has a base 502 designed for placement against a
framing stud (e.g., a wooden stud, a metal stud, or other framing material).
The
base 502 of the cable stacker has a first end 504 with integrated stabilizers
506 that
provide stability and are generally designed to prevent transverse rotation of
the cable
stacker 500 while the base 502 is placed against a framing stud. Similarly,
the base 502
of the cable stacker has a second end 508 with integrated stabilizers 510. In
this
example, the base 502 of the cable stacker 500 also includes an alignment stop
512 that
is designed to abut against a framing stud for ease of alignment and
installation when
the base 502 of the cable stacker is placed against the framing stud. This is
further
shown and described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0031] As
described herein, various components or pieces of the cable stacker
are integrated with the base 502, and/or integrated with each other, where
"integrated"
indicates that the cable stacker is manufactured as a "one-piece" molded
plastic device.
For example, the cable stacker 500 may be manufactured using a polypropylene
molded
plastic, or can be manufactured using various other types of materials.
Alternatively,
any of the components or pieces of the cable stacker described herein may be
manufactured separately and attached or connected by any number of various
means.
[0032] The
cable stacker 500 includes dividers that extend perpendicular from
the base 502. In this example, the cable stacker 500 has a first divider 514,
a second
divider 516, and a center divider 518 that are each integrated on one end with
the
base 502 and extend perpendicular from the base. The dividers form cable slots
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between the dividers. For example, a first cable slot 520 is formed between
the first
divider 514 and the center divider 518, and similarly, a second cable slot 522
is formed
between the second divider 516 and the center divider 518. Although the cable
stacker 500 is shown and described with the three dividers that extend
perpendicular
from the base 502 in this example, a cable stacker may be implemented with
only two
dividers that form one cable slot between the dividers, or may be implemented
with
more than three dividers forming additional cable slots to accommodate a
larger number
of cables, wiring, piping, tubing, etc.
[0033] The
cable slots 520, 522 are designed to accommodate one or more
cables that are guided in place between the dividers through open ends of the
cable
slots. For example, the cable slot 520 is bounded on three sides by the first
divider 514,
the base 502, and the center divider 518. The open end of the cable slot 520
is then the
end in which one or more cables can be installed between the first divider 514
and the
center divider 518. Similarly, the cable slot 522 is bounded on three sides by
the second
divider 156, the base 502, and the center divider 518. The open end of the
cable slot 522
is then the end in which one or more cables can be installed between the
second
divider 516 and the center divider 518.
[0034] An
additional view 524 of the cable stacker 500 is shown in the
illustration, with many of the same identifiers indicating the components of
the cable
stacker as discussed above and in more detail below. As shown in the
additional
view 524, the cable slots 520, 522 may include cable separators 526, 528 that
extend
from the dividers into the cable slots to separate the cables that are guided
in place
between the dividers. For example, the cable slot 520 has the cable separator
526 that
is integrated on one end and extends from the first divider 514, generally
horizontal
with the base 502 of the cable stacker and perpendicular from the divider. The
cable
separator 526 is flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly
connected) with the
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first divider 514, allowing the cable separator 526 to pivot at the point of
flexible
attachment or integration with the first divider 514, and providing that
cables can be
installed and removed from the cable slot 520.
[0035]
Similarly, the cable slot 522 has the cable separator 528 that is integrated
on one end and extends from the second divider 516, generally horizontal with
the
base 502 of the cable stacker and perpendicular from the divider. The cable
separator 528 is flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly
connected) with the
second divider 516, allowing the cable separator 528 to pivot at the point of
flexible
attachment or integration with the second divider 516, and providing that
cables can be
installed and removed from the cable slot 522.
[0036] Notably,
the cable separators 526, 528 that extend from the respective
dividers into the cable slots 520, 522 are removable to accommodate larger
diameter
cables. For example, an electrician or other installer may simply snip out one
or both
of the cable separators 526, 528 with a pliers, providing easier installation
of larger
diameter cables and wiring, such as for larger, commercial and/or industrial
cables. As
shown in the illustration of the cable stacker 500 at the top of the figure,
the cable
slots 520, 522 do not include the cable separators 526, 528 to illustrate that
the cable
separators can be removed. Alternatively, an implementation of the cable
stacker 500
may be manufactured without the cable separators in the cable slots.
[0037] The
cable stacker 500 also includes retention locks that close the open
ends of the cable slots, providing to secure the cables that are installed
into the cable
slots. For example, a retention lock 530 is integrated on one end with the
first
divider 514 and is designed to engage a detent 532 in the center divider 518
to close the
open end of the cable slot 520 that is formed between the first divider 514
and the center
divider 518. The retention lock 530 is flexibly integrated (or flexibly
attached, flexibly
connected) with the first divider 514, allowing the retention lock 530 to
pivot at the
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point of flexible attachment or integration with the first divider, and
providing that
cables can be installed and removed from the cable slot 520. Similarly, a
retention
lock 534 is integrated on one end with the second divider 516 and is designed
to engage
a detent 536 in the center divider 518 to close the open end of the cable slot
522 that is
formed between the second divider 516 and the center divider 518. The
retention
lock 534 is flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly connected)
with the second
divider 516, allowing the retention lock 534 to pivot at the point of flexible
attachment
or integration with the second divider, and providing that cables can be
installed and
removed from the cable slot 522.
100381 In this
example cable stacker 500, the base 502, the first and second
dividers 514, 516, and the retention locks 530, 534 form a rigid structural
box around
the cables that would be guided in place in the cable slots 520, 522 between
the dividers.
In this example, the cable stacker 500 also includes angle supports that are
integrated
with the base 502 and with the first and second dividers 514, 516 effective to
strengthen
the rigid structural box that is formed by the base, the dividers, and the
retention locks.
For example, a first angle support 538 is integrated with the base 502 and the
first
divider 514 effective to strengthen the structure of the cable stacker,
generally at the
first end 504 of the cable stacker. Similarly, a second angle support 540 is
integrated
with the base 502 and the second divider 516 effective to strengthen the
structure of the
cable stacker, generally at the second end 508 of the cable stacker. The
design features
of the incorporated rigid structural box and angle supports to strengthen the
overall
structure of the cable stacker 500 are further shown and described with
reference to
FIG. 6.
[0039] The
example cable stacker 500 includes integrated staple guides to
facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to a framing stud (e.g., a wooden
stud) with
one or two staples. For example, an integrated staple guide 542 of the cable
stacker 500
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retains a staple 544 in an installation position at the first end 504 of the
cable stacker,
and the staple 544 is retained in the installation position in any attachment
configuration
of the cable stacker, such as when inverted. Notably, the integrated staple
guide 542
that is viewable on the one side of the cable stacker in the illustration is
similar in design
to the integrated staple guide that is not viewable on the opposite side of
the cable
stacker in the illustration. Similarly, an integrated staple guide 546 of the
cable
stacker 500 retains a staple 548 in an installation position at the second end
508 of the
cable stacker. The integrated staple guides 542, 546 are shown in both the
illustration
of the cable stacker 500 at the top of the figure with the staples 544, 548
retained in the
installation position, and in the additional view 524 without the staples.
Further, as can
be seen in the illustration, the protrusion ends of the staples 544, 548 are
accessible
while a staple is retained in the installation position to accommodate easily
removing a
staple from the cable stacker. The cable stacker 500 may be packaged and
shipped with
or without the staples pre-installed in the integrated staple guides 542, 546.
[0040] The
example cable stacker 500 also includes an integrated nail
guide 550 to facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to a framing stud
(e.g., a wooden
framing stud) with a nail 552. The integrated nail guide 550 is designed to
retain the
nail 552 in an installation position for quick attachment of the cable stacker
to the
framing stud, and the nail 552 is retained in the installation position in any
attachment
configuration of the cable stacker, such as when inverted. The integrated nail
guide 550
is shown in both the additional view 524 with the nail 552 retained in the
installation
position, and in the illustration of the cable stacker 500 at the top of the
figure without
the nail. The cable stacker 500 may be packaged and shipped with or without a
nail
pre-installed in the integrated nail guide 550.
[0041] The
example cable stacker 500 also includes integrated screw guides to
facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to a framing stud (e.g., a metal
framing stud)
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with screws at one or both ends of the cable stacker. For example, an
integrated screw
guide 554 of the cable stacker 500 (shown in the additional view 524) retains
a screw
(not shown) in an installation position at the first end 504 of the cable
stacker, and the
screw is retained in the installation position in any attachment configuration
of the cable
stacker, such as when inverted. Similarly, an integrated screw guide 556 of
the cable
stacker 500 retains a screw (not shown) in an installation position at the
second end 508
of the cable stacker. As above, the cable stacker 500 may be packaged and
shipped
with or without a screw pre-installed in one or both of the integrated screw
guides 554, 556.
[0042] FIG. 6
further illustrates views and features of the example cable
stacker 500 in accordance with aspects of the described anchor device, as well
as an
example 600 of the cable stacker 500 being utilized to guide and anchor cables
602 for
cable installation in accordance with techniques for using the anchor device.
As noted
above, the cable stacker 500 can be attached to construction framing every few
feet,
such as to a wooden framing stud 604 used in housing construction, or to a
metal
framing stud used in commercial construction, to guide and protect the cables
602
during construction. The base 502 of the cable stacker 500 is designed for
placement
against the framing stud 604, and the integrated stabilizers 506 (at the first
end 504 of
the cable stacker), along with the integrated stabilizers 510 (at the second
end 508 of
the cable stacker), provide stability and are generally designed to prevent
transverse
rotation of the cable stacker 500 while placed against a framing stud.
[0043] The base
502 of the cable stacker 500 includes the alignment stop 512
that is designed to abut against the framing stud as shown at 606 for ease of
alignment
and installation when the base 502 of the cable stacker is placed against the
framing
stud. In this example 600, the cables 602 are shown installed (e.g., guided
and
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anchored) in the cable slot 522 that is formed between the second divider 516
and the
center divider 518. The cable stacker 500 can be anchored to the framing stud
604
utilizing any one or combination of staples installed in the staple guides
542, 546, a nail
installed in the nail guide 550, and/or screws installed in the screw guides
554, 556.
[0044] An
additional view 608 of the cable stacker 500 is shown in the figure
to illustrate the rigid structural box 610 that is formed around the cables
which are
guided in place in the cable slots between the dividers of the cable stacker.
As noted
above, the base 502, the first and second dividers 514, 516, and the retention
locks 530, 534 form the rigid structural box 610 (i.e., when the retention
locks 530, 534
are engaged in the respective detents 532, 536 in the center divider 518).
Further, the
first angle support 538 of the cable stacker 500 is integrated with the base
502 and the
first divider 514 effective to strengthen the structure 612 of the cable
stacker. Similarly,
the second angle support 540 of the cable stacker 500 is integrated with the
base 502
and the second divider 516 effective to strengthen the structure 614 of the
cable stacker.
The design features of the incorporated rigid structural box 610 and the angle
support
structures 612, 614 strengthen the overall structure of the cable stacker.
[0045] FIG. 7
illustrates an example method 700 for implementations of a cable
stacker as shown and described with reference to FIGs. 1-6. The order in which
the
method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any
number or
combination of the method operations can be combined in any order to implement
a
method, or an alternate method.
[0046] At 702,
a fastener is retained in a cable stacker for placement of a base
of the cable stacker against a framing stud and attachment of the cable
stacker to the
framing stud. In implementations, the fastener may be any one or combination
of a
nail, staples, and/or screws that facilitate attachment of the cable stacker
100 to a
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framing stud (e.g., wood, metal, or other type of material). The fastener may
be a nail
retained in an installation position with an integrated nail guide 144 of the
cable stacker
to facilitate the attachment of the cable stacker to the framing stud with the
nail. The
fastener may be at least one staple retained in an installation position with
an integrated
staple guide 140 of the cable stacker to facilitate the attachment of the
cable stacker to
the framing stud with the at least one staple. The fastener may be at least
one screw
retained in an installation position with an integrated screw guide 148 of the
cable
stacker to facilitate the attachment of the cable stacker to the framing stud
with the at
least one screw.
[0047] At 704,
one or more cables are received that are guided in cable slots
between dividers that extend perpendicular from the base and form the cable
slots. For
example, the cable stacker 100 includes the dividers that extend perpendicular
from the
base 102, such as the first divider 112, the second divider 114, and the
center
divider 116 that are each integrated on one end with the base 102 and extend
perpendicular from the base. The dividers form the cable slots between the
dividers,
such as the first cable slot 118 that is formed between the first divider 112
and the center
divider 116, and similarly, the second cable slot 120 that is formed between
the second
divider 114 and the center divider 116. The cable slots 118, 120 can receive
one or
more cables that, are guided in place between the dividers through the open
ends of the
cable slots. For example, the cable slot 118 is bounded on three sides by the
first
divider 112, the base 102, and the center divider 116. The open end 122 of the
cable
slot 118 is then the end that receives one or more cables installed between
the first
divider 112 and the center divider 116. Similarly, the cable slot 120 is
bounded on three
sides by the second divider 114, the base 102, and the center divider 116. The
open
end 124 of the cable slot 120 is then the end that receives one or more cables
installed
between the second divider 114 and the center divider 116.
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[0048] At 706,
the cables installed in one or more of the cable slots of the cable
stacker are separated by cable separators. For example, the cable slots 118,
120 of the
cable stacker 100 include respective cable separators 126, 128 that extend
from the
dividers into the cable slots to separate the cables that are guided in place
between the
dividers. The cable separators 126, 128 are integrated on one end and extend
from the
dividers, generally horizontal with the base 102 of the cable stacker and
perpendicular
from the dividers. The cable separators 126, 128 are flexibly integrated (or
flexibly
attached, flexibly connected) with the dividers, allowing the cable separators
to pivot
at the point of flexible attachment or integration with the dividers,
providing that cables
can be installed and removed from the cable slots.
[0049] At 708,
the cables installed in one or more of the cable slots of the cable
stacker are retained in the cable slots by cable retention tabs. For example,
the cable
retention tabs 130, 132, 134 of the cable stacker 100 are effective to prevent
cables that
are installed into the cable slots 118, 120 from falling out of the cable
slots. The cable
retention tab 130 is integrated on one end with the first divider 112 and
covers a portion
of the cable slot 118 at the open end 122 of the cable slot. Similarly, the
cable retention
tab 132 is integrated on one end with the second divider 114 and covers a
portion of the
cable slot 120 at the open end 124 of the cable slot. The cable retention tabs
134 are
integrated with the center divider 116 and cover a portion of both the cable
slots 118,
120 at the respective open ends 122, 124 of the cable slots. Together, the
cable retention
tabs form a barrier at the open ends 122, 124 of the respective cable slots
118, 120
effective to prevent installed cables from falling out of the cable slots. The
cable
retention tabs 130, 132, 134 are flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached,
flexibly
connected) with the dividers, allowing the cable retention tabs to pivot at
the point of
flexible attachment or integration with a divider, and provide that cables can
be installed
and removed from the cable slots.
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[0050] At 708,
retention locks are engaged to close open ends of the cable slots,
where a retention lock is integrated with a divider and designed to engage a
detent in
another of the dividers to close the open end of a respective cable slot. As
an alternative
to the cable retention tabs described with reference to the example cable
stacker 100,
the example cable stacker 500 includes retention locks that close the open
ends of the
cable slots 520, 522, and secure the cables that are installed into the cable
slots. For
example, the retention lock 530 is integrated on one end with the first
divider 514 and
is designed to engage the detent 532 in the center divider 518 to close the
open end of
the cable slot 520 that is formed between the first divider 514 and the center
divider 518.
The retention lock 530 is flexibly integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly
connected)
with the first divider 514, allowing the retention lock 530 to pivot at the
point of flexible
attachment or integration with the first divider, and provides that cables can
be installed
and removed from the cable slot 520. Similarly, the retention lock 534 is
integrated on
one end with the second divider 516 and is designed to engage the detent 536
in the
center divider 518 to close the open end of the cable slot 522 that is formed
between
the second divider 516 and the center divider 518. The retention lock 534 is
flexibly
integrated (or flexibly attached, flexibly connected) with the second divider
516,
allowing the retention lock 534 to pivot at the point of flexible attachment
or integration
with the second divider, and provides that cables can be installed and removed
from the
cable slot 522.
[0051] Although
implementations of a cable stacker have been described in
language specific to features and/or methods, the appended claims are not
necessarily
limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific
features and
methods are disclosed as example implementations of a cable stacker, and other
equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the
appended
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claims. Further, various different examples are described and it is to be
appreciated
that each described example of a cable stacker can be implemented
independently or in
connection with one or more other described examples of the cable stacker.
Additional
aspects of the techniques, features, and/or methods discussed herein relate to
one or
more of the following:
[0052] A cable
stacker, comprising: a base for placement against a framing
stud; and dividers that extend perpendicular from the base, the dividers
forming cable
slots between the dividers, the cable slots configured to accommodate one or
more
cables that are guided in place between the dividers through open ends of the
cable
slots.
[0053]
Alternatively or in addition to the above described cable stacker, any one
or combination of: the dividers include a first divider, a second divider, and
a center
divider; a first cable slot is formed between the first divider and the center
divider; and
a second cable slot is formed between the second divider and the center
divider. The
cable stacker comprises cable retention tabs integrated with the dividers, the
cable
retention tabs configured to cover at least a portion of the open ends of the
cable slots
and retain the one or more cables in the cable slots. The cable stacker
comprises
retention locks that close the open ends of the cable slots, each of the
retention locks
being integrated with a divider and configured to engage a detent in another
of the
dividers to close the open end of a respective one of the cable slots. A first
retention
lock is flexibly connected to the first divider and configured to engage a
first detent in
the center divider to close the first cable slot that is formed between the
first divider
and the center divider; and a second retention lock is flexibly connected to
the second
divider and configured to engage a second detent in the center divider to
close the
second cable slot that is formed between the second divider and the center
divider. The
base, the dividers, and the retention locks form a rigid structural box around
the one or
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more cables that are guided in place between the dividers. The cable stacker
comprises
angle supports integrated with the base and the dividers effective to
strengthen the rigid
structural box that is formed by the base, the dividers, and the retention
locks. The
cable stacker comprises at least one integrated nail guide to facilitate
attachment of the
cable stacker to the framing stud with at least one nail, the integrated nail
guide
configured to retain the nail in an installation position. The cable stacker
comprises at
least one integrated staple guide to facilitate attachment of the cable
stacker to the
framing stud with at least one staple, the integrated staple guide configured
to retain the
staple in an installation position. The cable stacker comprises at least one
integrated
screw guide to facilitate attachment of the cable stacker to the framing stud
with at least
one screw, the integrated screw guide configured to retain the screw in an
installation
position. The cable stacker comprises cable separators that extend from the
dividers
into the cable slots to separate the cables that are guided in place between
the dividers.
Each of the cable separators extend perpendicular from one of the dividers
into one of
the cable slots and is approximately horizontal to the base of the cable
stacker. Each of
the cable separators that extend from one of the dividers into one of the
cable slots is
removable to accommodate larger diameter cables being installed in the cable
slots.
[0054] A method
implemented with a cable stacker, the method comprising:
retaining a fastener in an integrated guide of the cable stacker for placement
of a base
of the cable stacker against a framing stud and attachmeht of the cable
stacker to the
framing stud; and receiving one or more cables that are guided in cable slots
between
dividers that extend perpendicular from the base and form the cable slots.
[0055]
Alternatively or in addition to the above described method, any one or
combination of: separating two or more of the cables that are guided into one
of the
cable slots between the dividers with cable separators that extend from the
dividers into
the cable slot. The method further comprising retaining the one or more cables
that are
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guided into the cable slots between the dividers with cable retention tabs
that are
integrated with the dividers, the cable retention tabs configured to cover at
least a
portion of open ends of the cable slots and retain the one or more cables in
the cable
slots. The method further comprising engaging retention locks that close open
ends of
the cable slots, each of the retention locks being integrated with a divider
and
configured to engage a detent in another of the dividers to close one of the
open ends
of a respective cable slot. The fastener is a nail retained in an installation
position with
an integrated nail guide of the cable stacker to facilitate the attachment of
the cable
stacker to the framing stud with the nail. The fastener is at least one staple
retained in
an installation position with an integrated staple guide of the cable stacker
to facilitate
= the attachment of the cable stacker to the framing stud with the at least
one staple. The
fastener is at least one screw retained in an installation position with an
integrated screw
guide of the cable stacker to facilitate the attachment of the cable stacker
to the framing
stud with the at least one screw.
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