ELASCO EX. 1012
`Elasco v. Checkers
`U.S. Patent No. 7,943,851
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 12, 2010
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`US 7,810,197 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 12, 2010
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`Sheet 2 of2
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`US 7,810,197 B1
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`US 1810,
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`197 B1
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`IL-LUMINATED CABLE RAMP
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`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
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`This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60;’96l.885. entitled “illuminated Cable
`Ramp.“ and filed on Jul. 25. 200?, which is incorporated
`herein by reference.
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`ill
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`RELATED ART
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`an
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`(fable ramps are typically ustxi to cover electrical cables to
`prevent people front accidentally tripping over such cables as
`well as to facilitate movement of various objects over the 15
`cables. Such cable ramps are widely used in theatrical pro-
`ductions where many different cables may be employed to
`provide power andfor control for various devices. such as
`lights. used during a theatrical performance (e.g.. a play. a
`musical performance, etc. ).
`A conventional cable ramp typically has a plurality of
`channels into which one or more cables may be positioned.
`Access to the channels is often provided by a rotatable lid that
`can be rotated away from the channels so that a user can place
`one or more cables in the exposed channels. The lid may then 25
`be rotated in an opposite direction so that the lid covers the
`cables that have been positioned in the ramp channels.
`Accordingly. the portions ofthe cables within rarnp are unex-
`posed preventing people from tripping over such cable por-
`tions andfor preventing objects from being entangled with 3n
`such cable portions. Although a single cable ramp does not
`typically cover the entire length of a cable. a cable ramp may
`be placed at problematic locations. such as locations where
`people are likely to walk (cg... across a path or aisle) or
`objects are likely to pass. in an effort to increase the ramp’s 3 5
`eifectiveness at preventing tripping or entanglement.
`Althongli a cable ramp decreases the risk of tripping or
`entanglement at its location of use. it does not eliminate the
`risk entirely. Indeed. it is possible for a person to accidentally
`trip over the cable ratnp particularly ifhe or she does not see 4:‘:
`the ratnp.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`entanglement with the ramp. Light sources (e.g.. light emit-
`ting diodes} are placed at various locations on a cable ramp
`and illuminate the cable ramp helping users to see it. particu-
`larly in dark conditions. In one exemplary embodiment. the
`cable ramp has a movable lid. and at least one light source is
`positioned such that light emitted from the light source passes
`through the movable lid.
`FIGS. 1-3 depict a cable ramp 50 in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The ramp
`comprises a base 52 having a plurality of chzmnels 55 sepa-
`rated by ridges 68. As shown by FIG. 2. one or more cables 56
`may be positioned within each channel 55. Opposite ends 62.
`63 ofthe base 52 are sloped in order to form an incline at each
`end 62. 63. Further. a lid 66 is rotatably mounted on the base
`52. When in a closed position. as shown by FIG. 4. the lid 66
`covers the channels 55 and. therefore. any cables 56 posi-
`tioned in the channels 55. In the exemplary embodiment
`shown by FIG. 4, the lid 66 is supported by and rests on the
`ridges 68 of the base 52 forming the channels 55. In other
`einbodiments. the lid 66 may contact other portions of the
`base 52 and may be mounted differently. For example. it is
`possible for the lid 66 to rest on the base such that. when
`desired. the lid 66 can be entirely removed from the base 52
`by hand or otherwise to expose the channels 55.
`A user can move the lid 66 to an open position by grabbing
`the lid 66 and rotating it away from the charuiels 55 thereby
`exposing the channels 55. FIG. 2 shows the ramp 50 after the
`lid 66 has been partially opened. Relative to FIG. 2, the lid 66
`can be further rotated away frotn the channels 55 to expose the
`channels 55 to a greater extent. When the lid 66 is opened. one
`or more cables 56 can be easily placed in the channels 55 by
`hand or otherwise.
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`Once one or more cables 56 are placed in the channels 55.
`the lid 66 is preferably closed by rotating the lid 66 toward the
`channels 55 until the lid 66 contacts and rests upon the base
`ridges 68. At this point. the ramp 50 houses at least a portion
`ofeach cable 56 that has been inserted into any ofthe channels
`55. ‘l‘lnis_. a person or object walking or otherwise passing
`over the ramp will not likely become entangled with or trip
`over the cable ponions housed by the ramp 50. Further. if an
`object is rolled by wheels over the ramp 50 in the x-direction
`or is slid over the ramp 50 in the x-direction, the wedge shape
`formed at each end 62. 63 facilitates movement of the object
`over the ratnp 50. Moreover. the outer surface formed by the
`ends 62. 63 and the lid 66 is smooth in order to reduce the
`likelihood of tripping or other disruption of the motion of a
`person or ob_iect passing over the ramp 50. Note that the
`structural conligurat ion ofthe ramp 50 shown by FIGS. 1-4 is
`described herein for exemplary purposes. and it is possible for
`the ramp 58 to have other structural configurations in other
`embodiments. Indeed. just about any conventional ramp can
`be retrofitted with light sources in order to effectuate an
`illuminated ramp in accordance with the present disclosure.
`Holes 73 are formed itt the base ridges 68. Mounted within
`each hole 73 is a light source 77 (FIG. I). In one exemplary
`embodiment. each light source 7‘? is a light emitting diode
`LED assembly comprising an LED. Each light source 77 is
`inserted into its respective hole 73 and is held in place by
`frictional forces between the Ll-LI) assembly and the ridge 68
`in which the hole ‘I3 is formed. In other embodinients. other
`techniques for mounting the light sources 77 are possible. and
`locations other than those described herein for the light
`sources 7'.-' are possible. For example. it is possible for the
`light sources 77 to be mounted on the lid 66 rather than base
`52 or to be motutted on the inclined surfaces ofthe base 52. as
`described by U.S. Pat. No. 6.499.410. which is incorporated
`herein by reference.
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`The disclosure can be better understood with reference to 45
`the following drawings. The elements ofthe drawings are not
`necessarily to scale relative to each other. emphasis instead
`being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
`disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate
`corresponding parts throughout the several views.
`l"I(‘r. 1 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of
`an illuminated cable ramp having a lid in a partially opened
`position.
`FIG. 2 depicts a three-ditnensional view ofa cable ramp.
`such as is depicted in FIG. I.
`FIG. 3 depicts a three-dimensional view of a cable ramp.
`such as is depicted in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a cable ramp. such
`depicted in FIG. 1. with the lid in a closed position.
`FIG. 5 depicts a top view ofa cable ramp. such as is
`depicted in FIG. 4.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`The present disclosure generally pertains to cable ramps 65
`that are illuminated in an ellhrt to increase awareness of the
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`ramp thereby decreasing the risk of a person tripping or
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`US 7,810,197 B1
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`Each ofthe light sources 77 is electrically coupled to at
`least one power source. which provides electrical power to
`such light source 77. In one exemplary embodirnent. as
`shown by FIG. 3. the bottom surface of the base 52 has
`channels 81 through which conductive wires pass. Further. as
`shown by FIG. 1. the ridges 68 have channels 89 extending
`from the channels 81 to allow the conductive wires to reach
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`the light sources 77. In addition. referring to FIG. 3. the
`bottom surface of the base 52 also has a channel 82 in which
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`a power source 85, such as a battery. resides. Moreover.
`electrical wires run through the channels 81 and 89 coupling
`the power source 85 to each 0 fthe light sources 77. The wires
`may be coupled to the power source 85 dtrough a switch {not
`shown). which can be used to turn on and offthe light sources
`77. as may be desired. Such a switch tnay be mounted on the
`base 52 at arty desired location.
`In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIGS. 1-4. the
`light sources 7‘? are not exposed when the lid 66 is in a closed
`posit ion. When the light sources 77 are activated (e.g.. receiv-
`ing electrical power from the power source 85 l. light from the
`light sources 77 passes through the lid 66 so that at least some
`of the light emitted by the light sources 77 can be seen by
`people approaching the ramp 50. Such light may draw a
`person’s attention to the ramp 50 thereby increasing the
`chances that the person will see the ramp 50 before arriving at
`it. Accordingly. the likelihood that the person will trip over the
`ramp 50 due in part to the person’s failure to see or notice the
`ramp 50 is reduced. Illumination of the ramp 50 by the light
`sources '77 can be particularly advantageous when the ramp
`50 is placed in dark conditions. but the light sources 77 may
`nevertheless be beneficial when the ramp 50 is well lit by one
`or more external light sources.
`FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the cable ramp 50 with the lid
`66 in a closed position. The lid 66 is composed ofa translu-
`cent material that allows light from the light sources 77 cov-
`ered by the lid 66 to pass through such lid 66. In the exemplary
`embodiment shown by FIG. 5. the lid 66 has several bright
`spots 69. liach bright spot 69 is an area of high brightness
`relative to other portions of the lid 66 resulting from the light
`emitted by at least one light source 77. In this regard. each
`bright spot 69 is a region of the lid 66 through which light
`emitted directly from a corresponding light source 77 passes.
`In the exentplary embodiment shown by FIG. 5. the bright
`spots 69 appear in rows and columns. but other patterns are
`possible depending on the positioning of the light sources 7?.
`The bright spots 69 are highly noticeable to a person in view
`of the ramp 50. particularly in dark ambient conditions.
`In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 5. the lid 66
`has a hinge 88 at one end about which the lid 66 rotates. In
`addition. the ramp 50 has four ridges 68 in which light sources
`77 are recessed. The inner two ridges 68 with recessed light
`sources 77 have twelve light sources 77 fonning twelve bright
`spots 69. The other two ridges 68, referred to as “outer
`ridges.“ with recessed light sources 77 have four light sources
`77 forming four bright spots 69. The light sources 77 of the
`outer two ridges 68 are spaced a greater distance from one
`another compared to the spacing forthe light sources '77 ofthe
`interior two ridges. In other embodiments, other ntunbers of
`light sources Ti‘ for any of the ridges 68 and other spacing are
`possible.
`In one exemplary embodi ment. the cable ramp 50 is manu-
`factured by recessing I_.l_€I)s as the light sources 77 in the
`ridges 68 of a cable ramp sold by Peterson Systems Interna-
`tional under the model nunrberY.l5-125 (which has five chan-
`nels 55) and the nan1eYellow Jackettfifi-. Such a cable ramp 50.
`including botl1 the base 52 and l.l1e lid 66. is composed of a
`polyurethane (durathanc). which provides good mechanical
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`support. The lid 66 of such a cable ramp 50 is typically
`colored yellow and the base 52 is typically colored black.
`However. the lid 66 is sufficiently translucent to allow light
`from the light sources 77 to pass through the lid 66. Other
`types ofcable ramps may be employed in other cmbodirnents.
`The light sources 77 may be arranged in any desired pat-
`tern. as well as any color or pattern of colors. Further, the
`intensity of the light sources '77 may depend oil the transpar-
`ency of the lid 66 andfor the expected lighting conditions in
`which the ramp 50 is to be used. A control system. such as one
`or more switches. may be used to adjust the lighting charac-
`teristics {L-.g.. color andfor intensity) of the light sources 77.
`Snell a control system may be mounted on the base 52 orothcr
`portion of tl1e ramp 50. In addition. one or more holes (not
`shown) may be lhrmed in the lid 66 to allow light from the
`light sources ‘F7 to escape through the holes. In such an
`embodiment. the lid 66 may be composed ofan opaque mate-
`rial since light from the light sources 7‘? can pass through the
`holes in the lid 66. As described above. the light sources 77
`may be mounted at various positions on the ramp 50. such as
`on the outer surface of the lid 66 or base 52. Preferably. the
`light sources 77 are integral with ramp 50 to lacilitate move-
`ment of the ramp St} to new locations. l"urther, recessing the
`light sources 7'.-' andfor covering the light sottrces 77 with the
`lid 66 help to prevent contact between the light sources 77 and
`objects or people passing over the ramp 5|}, thereby helping to
`prevent damage to the light sources 77, as well as helping to
`prevent the light sources 77 from interfering with movement
`ofthe objects or persons.
`The invention claimed is:
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`1. A cable ramp, comprising:
`a base having a channel and forming at least one incline:
`a movable lid positioned on the base. the lid having at
`bottom surface and a top surface opposite of the bottom
`surface, the bottom surface lacing the base when the lid
`is in a closed position. wherein the lid is composed ofa
`translucent material; and
`a light source mounted on the base and positioned such that
`light emitted from the light source enters the lid through
`the bottom surface. passes through the translucent mate-
`rial of the lid. and exits the lid through the top surface.
`wherein the light source is positioned within a hole in a
`surface of the base. and wherein the surface contacts the
`lid.
`2. A cable ramp. comprising:
`a base a plurality of channels and a ridge separating two of
`the channels. the base forming at least one incline:
`a movable lid positioned on the base. the lid having a
`bottom surface and a top surface opposite of the bottom
`surface, the bottom surface facing the base when the lid
`is in a closed position. wherein the lid is composed ofa
`translucent material; zmd
`a light source mounted on the base and positioned such that
`light emitted from the Ii ght source enters the lid through
`the bottom surface, passes through the translucent mate-
`rial of the lid. and exits the lid through the top surface.
`wherein the light source is mounted on the ridge.
`3. The cable ramp ofclaiin 2, wherein the light source is
`recessed into the ridge.
`4. The cable ramp of claim 2. wherein the lid contacts the
`ridge.
`5. The cable ratnp of claim 4. wherein the lid is rotatably
`mounted on the base.
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`6. A method of illuminating a cable ramp. comprising the
`steps of:
`positioning an elect.rit:al cable within a channel ofa base of
`the cable ramp.
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`positioning a lid on the base thereby covering the electrical
`cable. wherein the lid is composed ofa translucent mate-
`rial:
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`moving the lid relative to the base; and
`activating a light source ntou nted on the base such that light
`from the light source passes through the lid. wherein the
`light source is stationary relative to the base during the
`moving step wherein the activating is performed such
`that the light passes through the translucent material.
`wherein the light source is positioned within a hole in a
`surface of the base. and wherein the positioning the lid
`step comprises the step ofcontaeting the surface with the
`lid.
`7. A method of illuminating a cable ramp. comprising the
`steps of:
`positioning an electrical cable within a channel of a base of
`the cable ramp.
`positioning a lid on the base thereby covering the electrical
`cable. wherein the lid is composed ofa translucent mate-
`rial: wherein the base has a plurality of channels and a
`ridge separating:
`moving the lid relative to the base: and
`activating a light source mounted on the base such that light
`from the light source passes through the lid. wherein the
`light source is stationary relative to the base during the
`moving step. wherein the activating is perlonned such
`that the light passes through the translucent material. and
`wherein the light source is mounted on the ridge.
`8. The method of claim 7. wherein the light source is
`recessed into the ridge.
`9. The method of claim 7. wherein the positioning the lid
`step comprises the step of contacting the ridge with the lid.
`II). The method ofelaim 9. wherein the positioning the lid
`step comprises the step of rotating the lid.
`11. A cable ramp. comprising:
`a base having a plurality of channels and a ridge separating
`two of the channels.
`the base forming at
`least one
`incline;
`a movable lid positioned on the base. wherein the lid is
`composed ofa translucent material: and
`a light source mounted on the base such that the light
`source is stationary relative to the base while the n1ov-
`able lid is moving relative to the base. wherein the light
`source is positioned such that light emitted front the light
`source passes through the lid, wherein the light source is
`recessed into the ridge.
`12. A cable ramp. comprising:
`a base having a plurality of channels and forming at least
`one incline. two of the charutels separated by a ridge of
`tile base;
`a movable lid positioned on the base. wherein a surface of
`the ridge contacts the movable lid when the movable lid
`is moved to a closed position: and
`a light source mounted on the base such that the light
`source is stationary relative to the base while the mov-
`able lid is moving relative to the base. wherein the light
`source is positioned sttch that light emitted from the light
`source passes through the lid. wherein the light source is
`positioned in a hole of the surface.
`13. The cable ramp ofclaint 12. wherein the base has a first
`side and a second side that is opposite ofthe first side. wherein
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`the plurality of channels are in the first side and wherein a
`power source is mounted on the second side, the second side
`having at
`least one channel. wherein a conductive wire
`extends from the power source to the light source through the
`at least one channel.
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`14. The cable ramp of claim 13. wherein I.he ridge has a
`passagway that extends to the at least one channel of the
`second side. and wherein the conductive wire passes through
`the passageway of the ridge.
`15. A cable ramp comprising:
`a base forming at least one incline:
`a movable lid positioned on the base. the lid having a
`bottom surface and a top surface opposite of the bottom
`surface. the bonom surface facing the base when the lid
`is in a closed position. wherein the lid is composed ofa
`translucent material: and
`a light source mounted and positioned such that light emit-
`ted from the light source enters the lid through the bot-
`tom surface. passes through the translucent material 01'
`the lid, and exits the lid through the top surface. wherein
`the light source is positioned such that the lid covers the
`light source when the lid is iii the closed position.
`16. ‘The cable ramp of claim 2. wherein the ridge contacts
`the movable lid when the lid is in the closed position.
`1 7. The cable ramp ofclaim 16. wherein the base has a first
`side and a second side that is opposite ofthe first side, wherein
`the plurality of channels are in the that side and wherein a
`power source is mounted on the second side, the second side
`having at
`least one channel, wherein a conductive wire
`extends from the power source to the light source through the
`at least one channel.
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`18. The cable ramp of claim 17. wherein the ridge has a
`passageway that extends to the at least one channel of the
`second side. and wherein the conductive wire passes through
`the passageway 01' the ridge.
`19. A method ofillutuinating a cable ramp. comprising the
`steps of:
`positioning an electrical cable within a channel of a base of
`the cable ramp. wherein the channel is separated from
`another channel of the base by a ridge ofthe base:
`positioning a lid on the base thereby covering the electrical
`cable. wherein the lid is composed ofa translucent mate-
`rial:
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`moving the lid relative to the base such that the lid contacts
`the ridge; and
`activating a light source mounted on the base such that light
`from the light source passes through the lid. wherein the
`light source is stationary relative to the base during the
`moving step. wherein the activating is performed such
`that the light passes through the translucent material.
`wherein the light source is recessed into the ridge.
`2!}. The method of claim 19. further comprising the step of
`powering the light source via a power source that is mounted
`on a side ofthe base. wherein the side has at least" one channel.
`and wherein a conductive wire extends from the power source
`to the light source through the at least one channel.
`21. The method of claim 20. wherein the ridge has a pas-
`sageway that extends to the at least one channel. and wherein
`the conductive wire passes through the passageway of the
`ridge.
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