[54] CABLE SUPPORTING MEMBER
[76] Inventor: Toshio Wakamatsu. 2-598-1-203 Kushibikicyou. Oomiya-shi Saitama-ken. Japan
[21] Appl. No.: 814,229
[22] Filed: Mar. 11,1997
[51] Int CL6 H01B 7/08; H02G 9/04
[52] U.S. CI 174/72 C; 174/95; 174/98
[58] Field of Search 174/70 R. 72 C.
174/72 R. 95. 96. 97. 98. 117 F. 100. 101
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
737,997 9/1903 Burk 179/97
2,391,409 12/1945 Geistetal 174/72 C
3,029,303 4/1962 Severmo 174/70 C
4,404,425 9/19S3 Rich 174/97
4,801,764 1/1989 Ohlhaber 174/70 C
5,095,822 3/1992 Martin 174/97
5,120,903 6/1992 Tarn 174/35 GC
5,184,793 2/1993 Heidt 248/56
5,399,813 3/1995 McNeill etal 174/117 F
5,442,136 8/1995 Allen 174/95
5,529,829 6/1996 Koshenmaki et al 174/117 F
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
[57] ABSTRACT
A cable supporting member includes a supporting section 11 having grooves 9a and 9b formed therein for receiving cables 5. and a pair of side sections 13a and 13i> formed integrally with the supporting section 11. Each side section has an upper surface inclined in such a manner that its thickness gradually decreases with the distance from the supporting section 11 toward its outer edge. Installation of cables can be easily performed by fitting ordinary communication cables or the like in the grooves and laying flexible floor covering elements on the cable supporting member fitted with the cables. Since core wires need not be embedded in the cable supporting member, it is unnecessary to connect the cable on the cable supporting member to communication cables etc. Also, after installation, the outside appearance of the floor is not spoiled by the cable supporting member. Further, the cables fitted in the grooves are protected by the supporting section, and therefore, even when a load is applied to the cable supporting member, it does not directly act on the cables, so mat the cables are scarcely damaged. Since no core wires are included, the cable supporting member is simple in structure and can be continuously produced with ease, whereby the manufacturing process is simplified and the cost can be reduced.
6 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
