Cable support apparatus and method of installation

Abstract

A raised floor system which includes a plurality of cable support apparatus are disclosed which cable support apparatus include first and second stringer elements and channel sections suspended from the first and second stringer elements. Each of the stringer elements is preferably adapted for removable engagement with at least two of the support pedestals of the raised floor system. The channel sections preferably include a plurality of transverse support members extending from the first stringer element to the second stringer element and at least one engagement member extending longitudinally therefrom. The engagement members are configured and dimensioned to engage a portion of an adjacent cable support apparatus in the raised floor system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cable support apparatus for use with a raised floor system including a plurality of support pedestals and floor panels, the cable support apparatus comprising: 
 first and second stringer elements, each of the stringer elements being adapted for removable engagement with at least one of the support pedestals of the raised floor system; and    a channel section suspended from the first and second stringer elements, the channel section including at least one engagement member extending longitudinally therefrom, the engagement member being configured and dimensioned to engage a portion of an adjacent cable support apparatus in the raised floor system.    
     
     
         2 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one end of each of the first and second stringer elements is bifurcated, defining a notch therein.  
     
     
         3 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the notch is configured and dimensioned to surround a portion of a respective support pedestal.  
     
     
         4 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each engagement member is a down turned hook member.  
     
     
         5 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each hook member extends from and end-most transverse support member.  
     
     
         6 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each support pedestal includes a support plate operatively coupled to a stanchion via a threaded stud and wherein each notch is configured and dimensioned to surround the threaded stud and to rest atop the stanchion.  
     
     
         7 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the channel sections includes a plurality of transverse support members extending from the first stringer element to the second stringer element and wherein the hook member is configured and dimensioned to engage at least an end most transverse support member.  
     
     
         8 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the channel section includes a plurality of longitudinal members disposed across the plurality of transverse support members.  
     
     
         9 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the engagement members are integrally formed with the longitudinal members and extend from an end thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the channel section is formed from wire stock.  
     
     
         11 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein at least one stringer element includes a locking mechanism adapted to secure the cable support apparatus to at least one of the plurality of support pedestals.  
     
     
         12 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a cross-bar extending across the width of the notch, wherein a first end of the cross-bar is pivotally coupled to one side of the bifurcated stringer and wherein a second end of the cross-bar is configured and adapted to engage another side of the bifurcated stringer via a snap-fit type engagement.  
     
     
         13 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ends of each stringer include a leg extending longitudinally from a side thereof and an L-shaped locking bracket having a first leg pivotally coupled to another side of the end of each stringer and a second transverse leg configured and adapted to engage the leg extending from the stringer via a snap-fit type engagement.  
     
     
         14 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each stringer is provided with a series of apertures formed along the length thereof, wherein each aperture is configured and dimensioned to engage a support pedestal.  
     
     
         15 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein each pedestal engages a selected aperture in a bayonet type coupling.  
     
     
         16 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein each aperture extends into a side portion of the stingers and terminate in a substantially circular opening, wherein the cable support apparatus depends from the plurality of support pedestals.  
     
     
         17 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one end of the cable support apparatus is configured and dimensioned to be supported on at least one support pedestal and wherein the other end the cable support apparatus is supported, via the engagement member by an adjacent cable support apparatus.  
     
     
         18 . The cable support apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein at least one end of each of the first and second stringer elements is bifurcated defining a notch therein, each notch being configured and dimensioned to surround a portion of a respective support pedestal.  
     
     
         19 . A raised floor system, comprising: 
 a plurality of support pedestals;    a plurality of cable support apparatus each of which includes: 
 first and second stringer elements, each of the stringer elements being adapted for removable engagement with at least one of the support pedestals of the raised floor system; and  
 a channel section suspended from the first and second stringer elements, the channel section including at least one engagement member extending longitudinally from one end thereof, the engagement member being configured and dimensioned to engage a portion of an adjacent cable support apparatus in the raised floor system.  
   
     
     
         20 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein each engagement member is a down turned hook member.  
     
     
         21 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the channel section includes a plurality of transverse support members extending from the first stringer element to the second stringer element.  
     
     
         22 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the channel section includes a plurality of longitudinal members disposed across the plurality of transverse support members.  
     
     
         23 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the hook members are integrally formed with the longitudinal members and extend from an end thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein at least one end of each of the first and second stringer elements is bifurcated to define a notch configured and dimensioned to engage a respective support pedestal.  
     
     
         25 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein at least one end of the first and second stringer elements includes a locking mechanism configured and dimensioned to secure the respective stringer element to the support pedestal.  
     
     
         26 . The raised floor system as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the locking mechanism is a snap-fit type locking mechanism.  
     
     
         27 . A method of installing a cable support assembly in an existing raised floor system which includes a plurality of pedestals, wherein the method includes the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of cable support apparatus each including first and second stringer elements, each stringer element being configured and adapted to be suspended on at least one pedestal of the plurality of pedestals, and a channel section depending from the first and second stringer elements, wherein the channel section includes at least one engagement member extending longitudinally therefrom, wherein the at least one engagement member is configured and adapted to engage at least an end support member of an adjacent cable support apparatus in the raised floor system;    suspending a first cable support apparatus on a plurality of pedestals; and    suspending a second cable support apparatus on a plurality of pedestals, adjacent the first cable support apparatus, such that the first and second stringer elements are each supported by at least one pedestal and the at least one engagement member of the second cable support apparatus engages at least an end support member of the first cable support apparatus.    
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the step of: 
 locking a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the first and second stringer elements to secure the cable support apparatus to the pedestal.