Apparatus for positioning a cable behind a fixed structure

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning a cable in a recess behind a fixed structure, e.g. a storage bin, in an aircraft. A portion of the cable is enclosed in a conduit. Panels adjacent the structure are removed to partially expose the recess and at least one stringer. The conduit is directed into the recess from adjacent one end of the structure until the conduit passes another end of the structure, and the conduit is fastened to the stringer(s). The apparatus provides an easy way to route cable behind a fixed structure without removing the structure and without having to make holes in the aircraft.

1 . An apparatus for positioning a cable in an aircraft, in a space between the aircraft outer frame and an inner shell and behind a structure mounted to the inner shell, the aircraft frame having a plurality of stringers affixed to an interior surface of the frame, the inner shell including one or more panels removable to partially expose the space and at least one of the stringers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible conduit configured to be directed into and through the space behind the structure while enclosing a portion of the cable and after at least one of the panels has been removed, the conduit comprising a length sufficient at least to span the structure; and    at least one fastener for attaching an end of the conduit to one of the stringers.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the conduit comprises: 
 a lengthwise slit through which the cable portion is inserted; and    at least one wrap configured to constrain the conduit around the cable while allowing movement of the cable through the conduit.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the at least one wrap comprises a plurality of wraps spaced along the conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the at least one fastener comprises a C-clamp attached to the at least one stringer.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the conduit comprises a flexibility less than a flexibility of the cable.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for positioning a cable in an aircraft, in a space between the aircraft outer frame and an inner shell and behind a structure mounted to the inner shell, the aircraft frame having a plurality of stringers affixed to an interior surface of the frame, the inner shell including one or more panels removable to partially expose the space and at least one of the stringers, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for enclosing and guiding a portion of the cable behind the structure through a portion of the space exposed by removing one or more of the panels adjacent the structure; and    means for fastening the enclosing means to at least one stringer exposed in the space.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the enclosing and guiding means is less flexible than the cable.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the enclosing and guiding means spans the structure.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising means for constraining the enclosing and guiding means around the cable while allowing movement of the cable relative to the enclosing and guiding means.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for positioning a cable in an aircraft, in a space between the aircraft outer frame and an inner shell and behind a structure mounted to the inner shell, the aircraft frame including a plurality of stringers affixed to an interior surface of the frame, the inner shell including one or more panels removable to partially expose the space and at least one of the stringers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a conduit that is split to receive a length of the cable and configured to be inserted behind the structure while one or more portions of the space adjacent the structure are exposed; and    one or more fasteners for attaching one or more ends of the conduit to one or more stringers exposed in the space.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the conduit comprises a length sufficient to span the structure.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the conduit is constrained around the cable while allowing the cable to move within the conduit.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising at least one tie-wrap for constraining the conduit around the cable.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein one of the one or more fasteners comprises: 
 a stringer attachment device mounted on one of the one or more stringers; and    a C-clamp configured to hold one of the one or more conduit ends and to be attached to the stringer attachment device.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for positioning a cable in an aircraft, in a space between the aircraft outer frame and an inner shell and behind a structure mounted to the inner shell, the aircraft frame including a plurality of stringers affixed to an interior surface of the frame, the inner shell including one or more panels removable to partially expose the space and at least one of the stringers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a conduit having a lengthwise split to receive a length of the cable and configured to be inserted behind the structure while one or more portions of the space adjacent the structure are exposed;    one or more fasteners for attaching one or more ends of the conduit to at least one stringer exposed in the space; and    one or more tie wraps for constraining the conduit around the cable while allowing movement of the cable through the conduit.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the conduit comprises a flexibility less than a flexibility of the cable.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein one of the one or more fasteners comprises: 
 a stringer attachment device mounted on one of the one or more stringers; and    a C-clamp configured to hold one of the one or more conduit ends and to be attached to the stringer attachment device.