Crossover-bridge cable router

Abstract

Crossover-bridge cable routers for routing cables through intersections and/or around corners of cable trays are described herein. The crossover-bridge cable router may include a floor, at least a portion of which is substantially horizontal, and at least two ramps, wherein each ramp extends downward from a side of the floor and is positioned either parallel or perpendicular to the other (i.e., opposing or adjacent) ramp.

1 . A crossover-bridge cable router for use in a cable tray, comprising:
 a rectangular floor, at least a portion of which is substantially horizontal;
 a first ramp extending downward from a first side of the floor; and 
 a second ramp extending downward from a second side of the floor, wherein the second side of the floor is not adjacent to the first side of the floor, 
 wherein both the first and second ramps have a downward curving portion and a vertical portion extending therefrom wherein the axis of curvature is perpendicular to the floor; and 
   wherein the downward curving portion of the first and second ramps are parallel to each other along substantially the entire length of each of the downward curving portions.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of apertures extending through one or both of the first and second ramps configured to receive fasteners to secure cables to one or both of the first and second ramps. 
     
     
         4 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 1  further comprising a population of openings extending through the floor through which a spindle may be disposed for the routing of a cable or cables in a direction different from a direction of origination. 
     
     
         5 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs in the floor to provide support for the router when cables are placed thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 1  further comprising one or more fasteners for securing the cable router to the cable tray. 
     
     
         7 . A crossover-bridge cable router for use in a cable tray comprising:
 a rectangular floor, at least a portion of which is substantially horizontal;
 a first ramp extending downward from a first side of the floor; and 
 a second ramp extending downward from a second side of the floor; and 
   a third ramp extending downward from a third side of the floor, wherein the first, second and third ramps each have a downward curving portion and a vertical portion extending therefrom wherein the axis of curvature is perpendicular to the floor; and   wherein the downward curving portion of the first and third ramps are positioned parallel to each other along substantially the entire length of the downward curving portions of the first and third ramps, and the downward curving portion of the second ramp is positioned perpendicular to the downward curving portion of the first and third ramps along substantially the entire length of the downward curving portions of the ramps.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of apertures extending through one or all of the first, second and third ramps, configured to receive fasteners to secure cables to one or all of the first, second, and third ramps. 
     
     
         10 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 7  further comprising a population of openings extending through the floor through which a spindle may be disposed for the routing of a cable or cables in a direction different from the direction of origination. 
     
     
         11 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs in the floor to provide support for the router when cables are placed thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 7  further comprising one or more fasteners for securing the cable router to the cable tray. 
     
     
         13 . A crossover-bridge cable router for use in a cable tray comprising:
 a rectangular floor, at least a portion of which is substantially horizontal;
 a first ramp extending downward from a first side of the floor; and 
 a second ramp extending downward from a second side of the floor, 
   a third ramp extending downward from a third side of the floor; and   a fourth ramp extending downward from a fourth side, wherein each of the ramps have a downward curving portion and a vertical portion extending therefrom wherein the axis of curvature is perpendicular to the floor; and   wherein the downward curving portion of the first and third ramps are parallel to each other along substantially the entire length of each of their downward curving portions, and the downward curving portion of the second and fourth ramps are parallel to each other along substantially the entire length of each of their downward curving portions.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of apertures extending through one or all of the first, second, third and fourth ramps configured to receive fasteners to secure cables to one or both of the first or second ramps. 
     
     
         16 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 13  further comprising a population of openings extending through the floor through which a spindle may be disposed for the routing of a cable or cables in a direction different from the direction of origination. 
     
     
         17 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs in the floor to provide support for the router when cables are placed thereon. 
     
     
         18 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 13  further comprising one or more fasteners for securing the cable router to the cable tray. 
     
     
         19 . A method of routing cables that prevents contact between a first set of cables and a second set of cables, the method comprising routing the first set of cables over the second set of cables via the crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first set of cables is running perpendicular to the second set of cables and is routed over the second set of cables via the crossover-bridge cable router and continues in a direction perpendicular to the second set of cables. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first set of cables is running parallel to the second set of cables and is routed over the second set of cables via the crossover-bridge cable router and continues in a direction parallel to the second set of cables. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first set of cables is running parallel to the second set of cables and is routed over the second set of cables via the crossover-bridge cable router and continues in a direction perpendicular to the second set of cables. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first set of cables is running perpendicular to the second set of cables and is routed over the second set of cables via the crossover-bridge cable router and continues in a direction parallel to the second set of cables. 
     
     
         24 . A crossover-bridge cable router for use in a cable tray, comprising:
 a rectangular floor, at least a portion of which is substantially horizontal;
 a first ramp extending downward from a first side of the floor; and 
 a second ramp extending downward from a second side of the floor, wherein the second side of the floor is adjacent to the first side of the floor, 
 wherein both the first and second ramps have a downward curving portion and a vertical portion extending therefrom wherein the axis of curvature is perpendicular to the floor; and 
   wherein the downward curving portion of the first and second ramps are perpendicular to each other along substantially the entire length of each of the downward curving portions.   
     
     
         25 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 24  further comprising a plurality of apertures extending through one or both of the first and second ramps configured to receive fasteners to secure cables to one or both of the first and second ramps. 
     
     
         26 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 24  further comprising a population of openings extending through the floor through which a spindle may be disposed for the routing of a cable or cables in a direction different from a direction of origination. 
     
     
         27 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 24  further comprising a plurality of reinforcing ribs in the floor to provide support for the router when cables are placed thereon. 
     
     
         28 . The crossover-bridge cable router of  claim 24  further comprising one or more fasteners for securing the cable router to the cable tray.