Integral cable retention device

This invention relates generally to the exchange of telecommunication information and, more particularly, to a system for routing telecommunication cables designed to ease the process of organizing the cables during installation. A retention device for the installation of cabling includes a bottom surface for connecting the retention device to a support structure, and a top surface which is integrally connected to the bottom surface at a distance therefrom by an aft surface. The top surface includes at least two cable gripping members which define a passage for selectively housing the cable clusters. The gripping member is defined by a distal edge, a proximal edge and a structural area connecting them. The passage is defined by the distal edge and proximal edge of the adjacent gripping members and an aft edge of the aft surface. The aft edge engages the top surface in an off-set manner sufficiently large to generate clearance for, and reduce bending tension of, cable clusters which engage the retention device during installation. The gripping member further includes a forward end extension, integrally connected to the structural area of the gripping members. The forward extension includes a distal projection extending distally of the passage and a proximal projection extending proximally of the passage. The gripping member forward end extension also includes aft projections integral with the distal and proximal projections, and extending toward the bottom surface. The combination of the proximal, distal and aft projections extends into the open end of the passage enough to create a structure that inhibits the cable clusters from sliding or otherwise selectively exiting the gripping member.