Drop cable wall entry guide assembly

Abstract

A drop cable wall entry guide assembly includes a base having a generally arch shaped track for maintaining a minimum bend radius in a cable extending along a wall structure and at least part way around the track for entry of the cable into a hole in the wall structure at substantially 90° relative to the wall structure without kinking. A cover closely surrounds the track except for a cable entry portion of the track which is accessible through an opening in an upstream end portion of the cover.

1 . A drop cable wall entry guide assembly comprising a base and a cover, the base having a generally arch shaped track for maintaining a minimum bend radius in a cable when the base is attached to an outer wall structure with an exit end portion of the track in substantial alignment with a hole to be formed in the wall structure and the cable extends along the wall structure and at least part way around the track for entry of the cable into the hole at substantially 90° relative to the wall structure without kinking. 
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the cover closely surrounds the track except for a cable entry portion of the track which is accessible through an opening in an upstream end portion of the cover. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the upstream end portion of the cover is channel shaped for receipt of an end portion of a raceway that is mountable on the wall structure for enclosing the cable leading into the assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the cover has an inner wall portion that overlies the track up to the channel shaped upstream end portion of the cover. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the channel shaped upstream end portion of the cover has a reversely curved inner wall portion that blends with an arcuate shaped inner wall portion of the cover to permit the cable to enter the track at a gradual outward inclined angle. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein a downstream end portion of the cover has a snap fit with the base adjacent the exit end portion of the track. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the channel shaped upstream end portion of the cover has a snap fit with the end portion of the raceway that is received therewithin. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the track has outwardly extending, laterally spaced side walls for guiding the cable at least part way around the track. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the exit end portion of the track has a flange extending axially outwardly therefrom for use in securing the base to the wall structure, the flange having a slot extending therethrough in substantial alignment with the exit end portion of the track for passage of the cable through the slot and into a hole in the wall structure. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the flange has at least one aperture in spaced relation from the slot for receipt of a fastener for securing the flange to the wall structure. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 9  further comprising another flange extending axially outwardly from an upstream end portion of the base for use in securing the upstream end portion of the base to the wall structure. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the another flange has at least one aperture for receipt of a fastener for securing the another flange to the wall structure.