United States Patent
`Pratt, Jr.
`
`115
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`{45} Date of Patent:
`
`5,042,756
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`[54] FLIP-FLOP CABLE TRAY WALKWAY
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Robert W.Pratt, Jr., Lake Jackson,
`Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`The Dow Chemical Company,
`Midland, Mich.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 496,385
`{22] Filed:
`Mar, 20, 1990
`[51] Unt. (hsee -FI6L 3/00; F16L 3/22
`[52]
`UWS. Ch. cece ecccstesscstestensnecesenens 248/49; 248/68.1
`[58] Field of Search ........ccscseseen 248/68.1, 49, 58
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1971 Thomas .
`3,602,467
`3,618,882 11/1971 Podedworny .
`3,770,233 11/1973 McElroy .
`3,851,378 12/1974 Dessert .
`3,915,420 10/1975 Norris .
`3,938,776
`2/1976 Frazier .
`
`9/1977 Kambara ......ceeeseerrecseeseeee 248/49
`4,046,343
`1/1981 Berry .
`4,244,545
`4,252,045 11/1980 Turner ....cccsccesessreeseereesteees 248/49
`4,433,732
`2/1984 Licht et al.
`.
`4,733,986
`3/1988 Kenning et al.
`
`.
`
`Primary Examiner—Robert L. Wolfe
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57]
`Flip-flop cable tray walkway and cable tray with flip-
`flop walkway system that is movable from above one
`cable tray to an adjacent cable tray. Movable walkway
`members mounted to articulation devices can be ini-
`tially positioned above one cable tray permitting work-
`ers to stand thereon while accessing adjacent trays and
`their contents, the walkway members movable to per-
`mit access to the tray on which theyareinitially posi-
`tioned or to permit access to trays that areinitially too
`far awayfor efficient access.
`
`.
`
`22 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`THE
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`
`
`7\
`
`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 1
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug, 27, 1991
`
`Sheet lof 4 5,042,756
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`PDFDOTOEoT
`
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`Sp St
`
`CRDOPee
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`
`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 2
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 2
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,042,756
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`1%
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`82Srtt
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 3
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 3
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,042,756
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`
`
`FIG. 6
`
`—179
`
`77
`
`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 4
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 4
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`

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`USS. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1991
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
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`5,042,756
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`OEEEEEereeeepeceensananemmrenemmansnal
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 5
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 5
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`

`

`1
`
`5,042,756
`
`FLIP-FLOP CABLE TRAY WALKWAY
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention1s related to cable racks or trays and to
`walkways for accessing cable trays. In one particular
`embodiment,
`it
`is
`related to a cable tray walkway
`hinged at the side for movement away from the cable
`tray to permit access to cable tray and for emplacement
`over an adjacent cable tray.
`2. Disclosure of Related Art
`Conventional cable racks or trays are used in various
`industries to support a plurality of cables, pipes and
`other tubular members for transmitting fluid, gases, or
`electrical power to various locations, both indoors and
`outdoors, in a building, plant, refinery, or other facility.
`Generally cable trays are made from multiple intercon-
`nected tray sections which can be straight or curved to
`follow the contour of a wall or other structure. Individ-
`ual tray componentsthatare spliced together with con-
`ventional splicing structures can be easily disconnected,
`reconfigured, or re-positioned.
`Two knowntypes of cable trays each include a gen-
`eral channel construction with parallel side members or
`rails.
`In one type, perforated sheet metal forms the
`bottom of the cable tray. In another type, a plurality of
`transverse rungs or struts extend between the parallel
`rails to support cables, etc. These rungs can be mechani-
`cally or adhesively connected to the side members.
`Perforations in sheet metal or spaces between rungs
`provide for air circulation around the cables, permitting
`heat dissipation if desired.
`The supported cables may be very small (e.g.,0.1
`inches in diameter) or up to 5 or 6 inches in diameter or
`larger (usually limited by the depth of the tray, but
`cables could protrude abovethe top of the tray). Typi-
`cally, a plurality of cables are disposed in each cable
`-tray and a plurality of cable trays of the sameor differ-
`ent widths may be positioned adjacent to one another.
`In typical operations, access to the cable trays is re-
`quired for originally laying cable, for inspecting and
`repaining it, and for removingit. Prior unsafe practices
`include walking on the cables themselves or trying to
`balance on a tray side rail. Walking on the cables can
`damage them.
`Walkways have been constructed next to cable trays.
`These structures can be relatively expensive and they
`can occupy space which might be used more benefi-
`cially. Also, such a structure adjacent a row of several
`cable trays does not provide access to the trays furthest
`away from the structure.
`In accordance with 37 C.F.R. §1.56, the following
`are disclosed:
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,986 discloses a splice plate for
`cable trays.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,732 discloses a fireproofing sys-
`tem for cable trays in which the trays are enclosed
`in sheets of an intumescent fire retarding material,
`U.S. Pat, No. 4,244,545 discloses a clamp for a cable
`tray conduit.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,343 discloses a cable tray with
`side plates,
`transverse supporting frames, and a
`cover plate secured to theside rails.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,776 discloses a form for making
`reusable panels.
`
`’
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`.
`
`2
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,420 discloses a cable tray with
`side rails and transverse rungs.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,851,378 discloses a method for mak-
`ing cable trays from side rails and transverse rungs.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,770,233 discloses a cable tray draw
`mechanism for drawing cables onto trays.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,618,882 discloses a cable tray with
`side rails and transverse cable supporting sections.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,467 discloses a cable draw mecha-
`nism.
`|
`There has long been a need for safe and easy access to
`the cables, etc. supported in cable trays or racks. There
`has long been a need for such access toall of a plurality
`of adjacent cable trays. There has long been a need for
`a system for cable tray access which does not adversely
`impede the desired flow of air around cables in cable
`trays and in which the tray contents are adequately
`ventilated.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE PRESENT INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to cable trays which
`can be accessed easily and to walkways for cable trays.
`In one embodiment of a cable tray according to the
`present invention, a tray is provided which hasparallel
`opposed spaced-apart side rails between which are in-
`terposed a plurality of transverse rungs. The side rails
`contain cables placed on the rungs and the rungs sup
`port the cables. The rungs may be supported bythe side
`rails. In this embodiment, sections of perforated grating
`are hingedly connected to a support memberextending
`beneath the cable tray. The grating, made preferably of
`fiberglass reinforced plastic, is movable so that it can be
`lifted up to permit access to the cables in the cable tray.
`The grating can be held upright orit can be flipped over
`onto an adjacent second cable tray. A worker can then
`stand on the grating while working on the cables in the
`first cable tray or while working onthefirst cable tray
`itself.
`Various other embodiments of the present invention
`include connection of the hinged structure to cable
`trays themselves or simple disposition of an uncon-
`nected hinge support between cable trays or between a
`cable tray side rail and another member. Although a
`perforated grating (preferably made from FRP)as de-
`scribed is preferred for strength, for ventilation, for
`dealing with corrosive environments, and for visual
`inspection of cables under the grating; other types of
`hinged walkway members can be employed such as
`solid or perforated plates or sheets of material suffi-
`ciently strong to support < person. Also the hinged
`walkway can be supported on each side by members
`other than the tray side rails.
`The present
`invention recognizes, addresses, and
`satisfies the previously-described long felt needs.
`It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
`provide new, useful, unique, efficient and nonobvious
`cable trays and movable walkways for cable trays.
`_Another object of the present invention is the provi-
`sion of a cable tray with a walkway memberdisposed
`on top of and hingedly connected at or to a side of the
`cable tray so that upon movement of the walkway mem-
`ber access to cables within the tray is permitted.
`A further object of the present inventionis the provi-
`sion of such a movable walkway for a cable tray which
`can be connected to a supporting member adjacent to
`(rather than part of) a cable tray or which can be con-
`nected to a memberfor disposition adjacent to a cable
`
`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 6
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 6
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`

`3
`tray on a supporting member without connection to the
`tray or the supporting member.
`An additional object of the present invention is the
`provision of such a movable walkway which need not
`rest on the cable tray side rails.
`invention is the
`Yet another object of the present
`provision of such a walkway member which can be
`flipped from abovea first cable tray to a position above
`and/or on an adjacent second cable tray permitting
`access to cables in the first tray while standing on the
`flipped walkway member..
`Another object of the present invention is the provi-
`sion of a cable tray system and of a cable tray. walkway
`utilizing perforated walkway members for providing
`either ventilation to the tray’s contents or visual access
`or both.
`To one ofskill in this art who has the benefits of this
`invention's teachings and disclosures, other and further
`objects and advantages will be clear, as well as others
`inherent therein, from the following description of pre-
`sently-preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of
`disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawings. Although these descriptions are de-
`tailed to insure adequacy and aid understanding, thisis
`not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which
`is to claim an invention no matter how others maylater
`disguise it by variations in form or additions or further
`improvements.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`’
`
`20
`
`So that the manner in which the above recited fea-
`tures, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as
`others which will becomeclear, are attained and can be
`understood in detail, more particular description of the
`invention briefly summarized above may be had by
`reference to certain embodiments thereof which are
`illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings
`form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, how-
`ever, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred
`embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to
`be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention
`may admit to other equally effective equivalent embodi-
`ments.
`
`FIG, 1 is an end view in cross-section of a cable tray
`with a hinged walkway memberaccording to the pres-
`ent invention.
`FIG. 2a is a side view of a hinged connection of a
`cable tray walkway member according to the present
`invention. FIG. 2b is a front view of the member of
`FIG. 2a.
`FIG. 3a is a top view of hinged cable tray walkway
`members according to the present invention. FIG. 30 is
`an enlarged side view in cross-section of a hinge, sup-
`port and walkway membershown in FIG.3a.
`FIG. 4 is a end view in cross-section of a cable tray
`with a hinged walkway member accordingto the pres-
`ent invention.
`FIG. 5 is an end view in cross-section of a cable tray
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a top view of a cable tray walkway system
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is an end viewin cross-section of a cable tray
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 8a is a top view of a cable tray walkway system
`according to the present invention. FIG. 8d is an end
`view of one end of an access station for a system like
`. that of FIG. 8a.
`,
`
`40
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`45
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`50
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`355
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`60
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`5,042,756
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`4
`FIG.9 is an end viewin cross-section of a cable tray
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is an end viewcross-section of a cable tray .
`system according to the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a cable tray system 10 has
`two cable trays 12 and 16 supported on a plurality of
`supports 14 (one shown). The cable tray 12 has two
`parallel opposed side rails 11 and 13. The cable tray 16
`has two parallel opposed side rails 15 and 17. Each side
`rail has in-turned ends 11a, 115, 13a, 134, 15a, and 17a,
`17b, respectively. (Of course this invention is equally
`applicable to trays without such in-turned ends.) Hold-
`ing devices 19 bolted to the support 14 by bolts 18 hold
`the various in-turned ends 118, 135, 15 and 174 to
`secure their respective rails to the support member 14.
`Additional holding devices 19 secure the rails to the
`other support members which are not shown.
`(As
`shown in FIG. 1, the support 14 could be supported by
`tray side rails)
`A walkway member 20, hingedly connected to a
`hinge support 22 by a bracket 24 and bolts 26 extends
`over the cable tray 16 and rests upon the in-turned ends
`15a and 17a. A curved portion 28 of the bracket 24
`encircles a horizontal arm 30 of the hinge support 22 far
`providing pivoting movement of the walkway member
`20. The member 20 can be pivoted 180° to rest upon the
`in-turned ends 11a and 134 ofside rails 11 and 13 respec-
`tively, providing a walkway overthe cable tray 12 and
`a place for a worker to stand while inspecting or work-
`ing on cables in cable tray 16. The cables (not shown)
`rest on a plurality of transverse rungs extending across
`and between the side rails 11, 13 of cable tray 12 (e.g.
`rung 32) and betweentheside rails 15, 17 of cable tray
`16 (e.g. rung 34).
`The hinge support 22 has a lower base plate 36 and a
`bottom portion 38 that extends through the support
`member 34. A nut 37 threadedly engages a threaded end
`39 of the hinge support 22.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2¢ and 2, an alternative
`mounting for a hinge support is shown for use when a
`supporting beam transverse to a cable tray (as opposed
`to transverse supports such as support member 14 in
`FIG. 1) is to provide the mounting for a hinge support.
`A hinge support 50 has a horizontally extending arm 52
`to which a walkway memberbracket 53 (like bracket 24
`in FIG. 1) can be mounted. The hinge support 50 has a
`base member 54 and a clip member 56 which has an
`upright portion 58 and a bou‘om portion 60. The hinge
`support is positioned on a beam 62 with the base 54
`resting on an arm 64 of the beam 62 and the upright
`portion 58 abutting an end 66 of arm 64. The bottom
`portion 60 of the hinge support 50 lies beneath the arm
`64. Bolts 68 extend through the upright portion 58 to
`another hinge support (not shown) on the beam 62
`opposite the hinge support 50, thereby securing the two
`hinge supports to the beam.If parallel supporting mem-
`bers are present, then the hinge support can be turned
`90° and be connected to the parallel supporting mem-
`bers.
`FIGS. 3a@ and 3b show twocable tray walkway mem-
`bers 70 and 72 (partially shown) side-by-side on a top 76
`of a beam 74 which extends lengthwise between two
`cable trays (71, 73). The walkway member70 includes a
`grating 78 madepreferably offiberglass reinforced plas-
`tic which supports the weight of workers walking on
`
`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 7
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`5
`the member 70. Two brackets 80 are bolted to the walk-
`way member 70 by bolts 82-and nuts 84. Two arms 86
`extend from each ofthe brackets 80 for mounting about
`a neck 88 extending upward from the top 76 of the beam
`74, Each bracket is mounted to a neck 88 bya pin 90
`which extends through holes 92 in the arms 86 and
`through a hole 94 in the necks 88. A cotter pin 96 ex-
`tends through each end ofthe pin 90to holdit in place.
`(Note that the grating 78 is not shown in FIG. 38). A
`worker can view the contents of the tray through the
`grating 78 and ventilation is provided through the open-
`ings in the grating to contents of the tray beneath the
`grating. One hinge could be employed for moving the
`grating, but two or moreare preferred.
`The construction shown in FIGS. 3a and 36 permits
`the walkway members 70 and 72 to be flipped over,
`pivoting about the necks 88 of the beam 74, to expose a
`cable tray under the walkway members as shown in
`FIG. 3a. The bolts 82 are positioned so that they will
`not interfere with either the top 76 of the beam 74 or a
`siderail 79 and the walkway members wiil He flat
`whichever way they are directed.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, a cable tray 100 is shown
`with a walkway member 102 overit. The cable tray 100
`has two parallel opposed side rails 104, 106 intercon-
`nected by a plurality of transverse rungs 108 (one
`shown). The cable tray 100 is secured to transverse
`supporting members 110 (one shown) by holding de-
`vices 112 which clip over in-turned endsoftheside rails
`104, 106 and are bolted to the supporting members 110.
`The walkway member 102 has a grating 114 (like the
`grating 78 in FIG. 3a) which has brackets 116 (like the
`brackets 80 in FIG. 3a) (one shown) which hingedly
`connect the walkway member 102 to a hinge support
`118 (like the hinge support 22 in FIG. 1). As shown in
`FIG. 4, the grating 114 does not touch theside rails 104,
`106of the cable tray 100, but rests on an upright support
`member 120 which extends upwardly from the trans-
`verse support members 110. If desired, the walkway
`member102 could be disposed and configured so thatit
`would contact the side rails 104, 106 as well as the sup-
`port member 120 or the member 120 could be elimi-
`nated with the walkway member resting on the side
`rails alone. A support 121 is provided for supporting the
`walkway member 102 whenit is rotated away from the
`tray 100.
`FIG.5 illustrates a cable tray system 130 according to
`the present invention which has a plurality of cable
`trays 132, 134, 136, 138 side-by-side supported by a
`plurality of support members 140 (one shown) and a
`plurality of walkway members 142 (one shown)
`hingedly mounted between the cable trays 134 and 136
`on the support members 140. The walkway members
`are positioned so that access is possible to cables within
`any of the cable trays while standing on a walkway
`member.
`As shown in FIG. 5, the walkway member 142 is
`positioned over cable tray 136. A worker can stand on
`the walkway member and have accessto the contents of
`either cable tray 138 or cable tray 134. An alternate
`position for the walkway member 142 is shownin out-
`line in FIG. 5. This is the position of the walkway mem-
`ber after it has pivoted on a hinge 144 (like the hinging
`arrangement shown in FIG.1). In the alternate position
`over cable tray 134, a worker can stand on the walkway
`member and have access to cable trays 132 and 136,
`Referring now to FIG.6, a cable tray walkway sys-
`tem 160 is shown in which walkway members 150, 152,
`
`fore 5
`
`5th
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`45
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`50
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`5,042,756
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`and 154 (150 and 154 shown partially) are mounted
`between transverse supporting members, such as mem-
`bers 156 and 158 with a mounting as shown in FIG. 26 -
`and as described above, as well as to hinge supports
`(like that shown in FIG. 1) which are mounted to the
`supporting members 156, 158. The supporting members
`156, 158 support cable trays 151, 153 and 155.
`FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a cable tray
`system 161 and movable walkway for cable trays ac-
`cording to the present invention. Between two cable
`trays 162 and 164 are disposed supporting blocks 166
`(one shown) to whichis hingedly connected a walkway
`member 168 (like that of FIG. 1). The blocks 166 are
`configured to sit between innerside rails 172, 174 of the
`trays 162, 164 respectively without any securement
`thereto or to a supporting member 176 beneath the
`cable trays. If desired, the blocks 166 could be bolted or
`glued to either the side rails, the supporting member, or
`both. A handrail assembly 178 is connected to the tray
`164. Bolts 173 extend through a tray side rail 171 and
`secure upright members 165 (one shown) to the side
`rail. Horizontal members 175 and 179 extend between |
`upright members 165 as does a cable 177 to which a
`safety lanyard or other device may be attached.
`Referring now to FIG. 9, a cable tray system 181 is
`disclosed which is similar to that of FIG. 7. Between
`two cable trays 182 and 184 are disposed blocks 186
`(one shown) to which is hingedly connected a walkway
`member 188 (like that of FIG. 1). The blocks 186 are
`secured to side rails 192, 194 of the trays 182, 184 re-
`spectively by bolts 195 (one shown) and nuts 196. The
`walkway member 188 as shownrests on the cable tray
`184. The trays 182, 184 are secured to supporting mem-
`bers 185 (one shown) as shown and described above
`with respect to the system of, e.g., FIG. 1. Of courseit
`is within the scope of this invention to secure a hinged
`walkway memberto an individual cable tray or only to
`one of two adjacenttrays.
`FIG. 8a illustrates schematically a multi-tray, multi-
`direction cable tray system 200 according to the present
`invention. The system 200 extends from a control center
`in a building 202 to system legs 204, 206, 208, and 210.
`In leg 204 there are six cable trays a, b, c, d,e, f witha
`secondtray b and a fifth tray e (from the left in FIG. 8a)
`having disposed thereon flip-flop walkway members
`212 according to the present invention (such as previ-
`ously described above for FIGS. 1, 2a, 3a, 4, 5, 6 or 7).
`In legs 206, 208, and 210, there are four rows of cable
`trays and over one row are walkway members accord-
`ing to this invention indicated by crosshatching on that
`row of cable trays. At various locations in the system
`200, access platforms 214, 216, 218 and 220 are provided
`for easily ascending to the height of the cable trays for
`easily stepping onto the walkway members.It should be
`noted that each of the legs 206, 208, 210 has walkway
`members pivotable between the two middle rowsal-
`lowing a workerto access all four rows of cable trays in
`the leg; i-e., as shown a workercan access cable trays on
`either side of the walkway members while standing on
`the walkway membersand, after flipping the walkway
`members over onto the other middle tray, a worker can
`access both the cable tray over which the walkway
`member wasoriginally positioned and the cable tray
`which originally was two cable trays distant from the
`walkway members. In leg 204 there are six cable trays
`(a, b, c, d, e, f) and two rows (203, 205) of hinged walk-
`way members. Thus by appropriate movement of the
`
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`and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well
`walkway members, any cable tray in leg 204 can be
`as others inherent therein.
`accessed.
`:
`Whatis claimed is:
`Access platform 214 is shown in detail in FIG. 86.
`1. A cable tray walkway for walking over either a
`Upright members 222 support a transverse walkway
`first cable tray or an adjacent second cable tray, the
`224 that extends abovethe cabletrays a, b. c, d, e, f. The
`cable tray walkway comprising
`cable trays are supported on a transverse support mem-
`at
`least one movable walkway member disposable
`ber 226. A handrail 228 is supported above the walkway
`above either cable tray,
`224 by handrail supports 230. A ladder 232 on the side
`the at least one movable walkway member movably
`of the platform 214 permits access to the walkway 224
`connected to articulation means,
`and a cage 234 adjacent the ladder provides for a work-
`the articulation means disposed for moving the at
`er’s safe ascent of the ladder. A cable can be provided
`least one movable walkway member from a first
`along the walkwayto which a worker’s safety lanyard
`position over the first cable tray to a second posi-
`can be hooked.
`/
`tion over the second cable tray,
`the articulation
`Referring now to FIG. 10, a cable tray system 300 has
`5
`means including at least one hinge member secured
`two cable trays 312 and 316 supported onaplurality of
`to one or both of the cable trays, and
`supports 314 (one shown). The cable tray 312 has two
`a bracket secured to the at least. one movable walk-
`side rails 311 and 313. The cable tray 316 has two side
`way member and movably mounted on theat least
`rails 315 and 317. In-turned ends 311a and 313a oftray
`one hinge member.
`312 and 317a of tray 316 support a walkway member
`2. The cable tray walkway of claim 1 wherein
`320 whichis hingedly connected to a hinge support 322.
`the at least one movable walkway memberis a plural-
`The hinge support 322 is secured to the in-turned end
`ity of movable walkway members each with its
`317a of tray 316 by a bolt 318 and to the in-turned end
`own articulation means.
`311a of tray 312 by a bolt 319. A bracket 324 to which
`3. The cable tray walkway of claim 2 wherein
`the walkway member320 is secured by bolts 323 has a
`circular member 325 which movably encircles a hori-
`the plurality of movable walkway members extend
`along substantially all of the length of the cable
`zontally extending arm 352 (like arm 52 in FIG. 25)
`trays.
`which extends from a main body 326 of the hinge sup-
`4. The cable tray walkway of claim 1 wherein
`port 322. Although the hinge support is shown asse-
`cured to two cable trays, it is within the scope of this
`the at least one movable walkway memberrests on a
`cable tray which is beneath it.
`invention to secure it to only onetray.
`5. The cable tray walkway of claim 1 wherein
`Although it
`is generally preferred that walkway
`members according to the present
`invention extend
`a walkwaysupport memberis spaced apart from each
`cable tray, and
`alongall or substantially all of the length of a cable tray,
`it is within the scope of this invention to provide such
`the at least one movable walkway member has two
`sides, one of which is connected to the articulation
`flip-flop walkway members on only a portion of a cable
`tray or only at selected intermittent locations on a cable
`means and supported thereby and the other of
`tray. It
`is also within the scope of this invention to
`which is supported by the walkway support mem-
`provide such walkway members on a single isolated
`ber spaced apart from the cable tray above whichis
`the movable walkway member.
`cable tray. In that embodiment a worker could hold up
`a walkway member while working on the tray under
`6. The cable tray walkway of claim 1 wherein
`the at least one movable walkway memberhas open-
`the walkway member or means can be provided for
`holding or supporting the walkway member while a
`ings in it so that contents of a cable tray under the
`worker works on the tray or its contents. By employing
`movable walkway member may be seen through
`walkway members which need not necessarily be per-
`the movable walkway member.
`manently or semi-permanently secured to a tray or a
`7. The cable tray walkway of claim 6 wherein
`support, a portable walkwayis made possible which can
`the at least one movable walkway member is grating.
`be moved as desired. Use of such portable walkway
`8. The cable tray walkway of claim 7 wherein
`memberseliminates the necessity for permanentinstal-
`the grating is made from fiber reinforced plastic suit-
`lations and for completely covering the entire length of
`able for bearing the weight of workers walking
`thereon.
`a cable tray. Although various hinges are disclosed as
`articulation means for walkway members, any suitable
`9, The cable tray walkway of claim 1 wherein the at
`hinge, articulation device, or their equivalents may be
`least one movable walkway member has openings
`employed and these are understood and meant to come
`therethrough for ventilating contents of a cable tray
`within the scope of “articulation means”.
`underthe at least one movable walkway member.
`In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present
`10. The cable tray walkway of claim 1 wherein
`invention and the embodiments disclosed herein are
`a support beam extends between the cable trays, and
`well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the
`the articulation means is mounted to the support
`beam.
`ends set forth at the outset. Certain changes can be
`made in the method and apparatus without departing
`11. A cable tray walkway system for walking over a
`from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is
`first plurality of adjacent rows of cable trays and for
`realized that changes are possible and it is further in-
`accessing at
`least one additional row of cable trays
`tended that each elementrecited in any ofthe following
`adjacent the first plurality of rows of cable trays, the
`claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalent
`cable tray walkway system comprising
`elements for accomplishing substantially the same re-
`a plurality of movable walkway members,
`sults in substantially the same or equivalent manner.It is
`each movable walkway member movably connected
`intended to cover the invention broadly in whatever
`to articulation means disposed for moving the mov-
`form its principles may be utilized. The present inven-
`able walkway memberfromafirst position over
`tion is, therefore, well adapted to carry out the objects
`one cable trayof the first plurality of adjacent rows
`
`40
`
`-
`
`‘
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 9
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`LIBERTY EXHIBIT 1011, Page 9
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`least one movable walkway member disposable
`of cable trays to a second position over a second
`aboveeither cable tray,
`cable trayof the first plurality of adjacent rows of
`the at least one movable walkway member movably
`cable trays,
`connected to articulation means,
`the at least one additional adjacent rowof cable trays
`the articulation means disposed for moving the at
`including a plurality of additional cable trays, each
`least one movable walkway member fromafirst
`of which is located so that a movable walkway
`position over the first cable tray to a second posi-
`memberofthe plurality of movable walkway mem-
`tion over the second cable tray,
`bers is disposable. over a cable tray immediately
`the articulation means including at least one hinge
`adjacent each of the additional cable trays,
`memberhaving a lower portion disposed between
`the articulation means including for each movable
`the cable trays and unconnected thereto, and
`walkway member at least
`two hinge members
`a bracket secured to the at least one movable walk-
`spaced apart on and mounted to a support member
`way member and movably mounted on theat least
`disposed beneath the cable trays and to which the
`cable trays are secured, and ©
`one hinge member.
`18. A cable tray walkwayfor walking over either a
`two brackets secured to each movable walkway
`first cable tray or an adjacent second cable tray, the
`member, each bracket movably mounted on one of
`cable tray walkway comprising
`:
`the two hinge members.
`a plurality of movable walkway members disposable
`12. The cable tray walkway of claim 11 wherein
`aboveeither cable tray,
`a support beam extends between the cable trays, and
`the movable walkway members movably connected
`the articulation means is mounted to the support
`beam.
`to articulation means,
`the articulation means disposed for moving the mov-
`13. A cable tray comprising
`able walkway members from a first position over
`a pair of spaced-apart opposed parallel side rails,
`the first cable tray to a second position over the
`at least one transverse support extending between the
`second cable tray,
`side rails for supporting thereon cablesorthelike,
`the plurality of movable walkway members extend-
`at least one movable walkway member movably con-
`nected to articulation means,
`ing along substantiallyall of the length of the cable
`trays and having openingsin them so that contents
`the articulation means secured to the cable tray or to
`of a cable tray under the movable walkway mem-
`a support supporting the cable tray or adjacent
`thereto,
`ber are ventilated and maybe seen through the
`movable walkway member,
`the articulation means disposed for moving the at
`the articulation means
`including hinge members
`least one movable walkway member fromafirst
`mounted to a support member disposed adjacent
`position overthe cable tray to a secondposition not
`the cable trays, or beneath the cable trays and to
`over the cable tray,
`which the cable trays are secured, and
`the articulation means including for each movable
`at least one bracket secured to each of the movable
`walkway member two hinge members spaced apart
`walkway members and movably mounted on one
`and mounted to the support supporting the cable
`of the hinge members.
`tray, and
`19. A cable tray comprising
`two brackets secured to each movable walkway
`a pair of spaced-apart opposed parallel siderails,
`member, each bracket movably mounted to one of
`a plurality of transverse supports extending between
`the hinge members.
`the side rails for supporting thereon cables or the
`14. The cable tray of claim 13