Support frame for structured cabling system

Abstract

A support frame ( 10 ) for a cabling trunk assembly ( 1 ) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the support frame ( 10 ) has a main body ( 11 ) defining a mounting surface ( 41 ), and a first extension leg ( 50 ) extending along a first side edge ( 42 ) of the main body ( 11 ) and away from the mounting surface ( 41 ). Similarly, the support frame ( 10 ) can be provided with a second extension leg ( 52 ) that extends along a second side edge ( 44 ) of the main body ( 11 ) and away from the mounting surface ( 41 ). The extension legs ( 50, 52 ) may be provided with tabs ( 54, 56 ) to provide a secure connection with receiving grooves ( 28, 29 ) on a channel ( 12 ) of the cabling trunk assembly ( 1 ). The extension legs ( 50, 52 ) may also be configured to provide a snap-fit connection with the receiving grooves ( 28, 29 ).

1 - 13 . (Cancelled) 
     
     
         14 . A support frame for installation in a cabling trunk body, the support frame comprising:
 a. a main body having a mounting surface extending between opposite first and second side edges and extending between opposite third and fourth side edges, the main body including a central aperture;   b. a first extension leg extending along the main body first side edge and away from the mounting surface, the first extension leg being configured for insertion into a first receiving groove of the cabling trunk body; and   c. a second extension leg parallel to the first extension leg and extending along the main body second side edge and away from the mounting surface, the second extension leg being configured for insertion into a second receiving groove of the cabling trunk body.   
     
     
         15 . The support frame of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a. a first tab located on the first extension leg and configured to retain the first extension leg within the first receiving groove; and   b. a second tab located on the second extension leg and configured to retain the second extension leg within the second receiving groove.   
     
     
         6 . The support frame of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one threaded opening in the mounting surface for securing a face plate to the support frame. 
     
     
         7 . The support frame of claim  16 , wherein the support frame has two threaded openings in the mounting surface for securing the face plate to the support frame. 
     
     
         18 . The support frame of  claim 14 , wherein the main body, first extension leg, and second extension leg are integrally formed from the same sheet of material. 
     
     
         19 . The support frame of  claim 15 , wherein the main body, first extension leg, the second extension leg, the first tab, and the second tab are integrally formed from the same sheet of material. 
     
     
         20 . The support frame of  claim 14 , wherein the support frame is made from a metal material. 
     
     
         21 . The support frame of  claim 14 , wherein the first extension leg is configured for a snap-fit connection with the first receiving groove and the second extension leg is configured to provide a snap-fit connection with the second receiving groove. 
     
     
         22 . A cabling trunk assembly comprising:
 a. a cabling trunk body defining a channel having a first open face, the first open face having a first receiving groove extending along a first side face adjacent the open face and a second receiving groove extending along a second side face adjacent the open face opposite the first side face;   b. a support frame including:
 i. a main body having a mounting surface extending between opposite first and second side edges and extending between opposite third and fourth side edges, the main body including a central aperture; 
 ii. a first extension leg extending along the main body first side edge and away from the mounting surface, the first extension leg being configured for insertion into a first receiving groove of the cabling trunk body; and 
 iii. a second extension leg parallel to the first extension leg and extending along the main body second side edge and away from the mounting surface, the second extension leg being configured for insertion into a second receiving groove of the cabling trunk body. 
   
     
     
         23 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a. a first tab located on the first extension leg and configured to retain the first extension leg within the first receiving groove; and   b. a second tab located on the second extension leg and configured to retain the second extension leg within the second receiving groove.   
     
     
         24 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one threaded opening in the mounting surface for securing a face plate to the support frame. 
     
     
         25 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the support frame has two threaded openings in the mounting surface for securing the face plate to the support frame. 
     
     
         26 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the main body, first extension leg, and second extension leg are integrally formed from the same sheet of material. 
     
     
         27 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the main body, first extension leg, the second extension leg, the first tab, and the second tab are integrally formed from the same sheet of material. 
     
     
         28 . The cabling trunk assembly of claim wherein the support frame is made from a metal material. 
     
     
         29 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a. a faceplate secured to the support frame.   
     
     
         30 . The cabling thank assembly of  claim 29 , further comprising at least one threaded opening in the mounting surface for securing the face plate to the support frame. 
     
     
         31 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the support frame has two threaded openings in the mounting surface for securing the face plate to the support frame. 
     
     
         32 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the face plate is provided with two threaded openings for securing a connector housing to the face plate. 
     
     
         33 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the threaded openings in the face plate are offset from the threaded openings in the support frame. 
     
     
         34 . The cabling trunk assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first extension leg and the first receiving groove are configured to engage with each other in a snap-fit connection and wherein the second extension leg and the second receiving groove are configured to engage with each other in a snap-fit connection.