AU2002300157B2

AU2002300157B2 - Stand for electrical cables

Info

Publication number: AU2002300157B2
Application number: AU2002300157A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Graeme Landy
Original assignee: Landy Investment Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Landy Investment Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-27
Filing date: 2002-07-16
Publication date: 2007-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-27

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: LANDY ENGINEERING PTY LTD Actual Inventor: Graeme Landy Address for Service: CALLINAN LAWRIE, 711 High Street, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia Invention Title: STAND FOR ELECTRICAL CABLES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 16/07/02,td12138.cs, 1 STAND FOR CABLES This invention relates to a stand for cables and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to an electrical cable stand for cables carrying mains electricity.

In the building industry workers are involved in industrial accidents from electrical leads or cables being draped across the floor or a framework. These leads can be tripped over by the worker which may result in unrestrained movement of the appliance powered by the lead or other injury. Pools of liquid may be on the floor which may increase the risk of electrocution from damaged leads or from the appliance due to short circuits.

Governments have legislated to have electrical leads suspended above the floor. The usual makeshift solution is to use scraps of wood or pipe off cuts to attach the electrical leads thereto. These scraps of wood or pipe offcuts can be nailed to a wall or frame to allow the electrical leads to be suspended therefrom above the ground.

Such solutions are temporary and not transportable when the positioning of the leads must be changed. The solution is messy and unsightly and is not a permanent answer to the problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable stand that can hold cables above the ground and is re-usable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cable stand that is easy to erect and readily transportable.

With these and other objects in view the present invention provides a stand for suspension of at least one cable above the ground, said stand including a central support having a cable retention means at one end for releasably holding a portion of at least one cable above the ground and a ground engaging means coupled to said central support, said cable retention means including a pair of axially displaced hubs with each hub having a plurality of fingers for engagement with said at least one cable, each finger having an angled tab at the free end thereof with the tabs on the lowermost hub being downwardly directed whilst the tabs on the uppermost hub are upwardly directed, and said fingers are radially directed and the fingers of the uppermost hub do not overlap the fingers of the lowermost hub.

In a practical embodiment the ground engaging means includes a plurality of legs which are releasably located in sleeves affixed to said central support. Preferably said legs include a plurality of adjustment holes for cooperating with a holes in respective sleeves to allow the length of the legs to be adjusted for stability on sloping or uneven ground.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. I is a side view of an electrical cable stand made in accordance with the invention with the partial removal of one of the legs for ease of viewing the central support; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along and in the direction of arrows 2-2 shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the top of the stand shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.

In the drawings there is shown an electrical cable or lead stand 10 formed from a central support 12 and a plurality of support legs 14. The stand is typically taller than a workman to ensure that it does not interfere with his labour. Central support 12 is formed of a tubular material and can be made from any suitable material e.g. metal, plastics, etc. A hook 16 is threadably engaged at one end of central support 12 to support a counterweight 18 to provide stability for stand 10. Central support 12 has a plurality of sleeves 20 which are affixed thereto for reception therein of an angled part 22 of respective support legs 14.

Each angled part 22 includes a plurality of vertically aligned holes 24 which allows the legs 14 to be adjusted for placement on uneven or sloping ground. A pin 26 passes through a respective apertures (not shown) in each sleeve 20 to lock pin 26 to a respective angled part 22 of legs 14. At the end of each leg 14 is a pad 28 to prevent the ends of legs 14 from sinking into bare earth.

At the other end of central support 12 is located a claw assembly 30 which includes a central sleeve 32 which slides over the end of central support 12. The claw assembly is made from an electrical insulating material or is coated with such a material. Suitable materials are polypropylene or glass impregnated plastic which also provide strength and durability. Claw assembly 30 may be a frictional fit or may be secured thereto by a threaded fastener 34. At opposing ends of central sleeve 32 are a pair of hubs 36,38 each having a plurality of radially directed fingers 40,42. As best seen in Fig. 4 fingers 40 are offset from fingers 42 in the plan view so there is no overlap. Fingers 40 have tabs 44 bent upwardly whilst fingers 42 have tabs 46 bent downwardly. Tabs 44,46 provide support and guidance for an electrical lead 48 which is looped between a tab 44A, under tab 46A and over tab 44B. This looping of lead 48 will prevent the lead from being slipped off the claw assembly and ensure that the lead does not droop after it has been fitted to stand In use, stand 10 can be assembled on site as legs 14 can be slipped from sleeves 20 and claw assembly 30 can be removed from central support 12. The components can be conveniently stored and assembled as required. After assembly on site legs 14 can be adjusted if needed to suit any uneven terrain. Counterweight 18 can be fitted to hook 16 to provide stability for stand 10 which will prevent it from being tipped over easily as it creates a low centre of gravity. Counterweight 18 could also be replaced by tethering the hook to the ground by a rope. The stand allows more than one electrical lead to be supported if required. The opposing orientation of tabs 44,46 will provide a safety factor for ensuring the leads do not fall from stand 10 and that the leads do not slip through under tension.

Although three legs 14 are shown the number can be increased if required and the adjustment means for the legs can be readily changed to suit differing environments e.g. a clamping or telescopic action could be incorporated into the legs. The shape and operation of claw assembly 30 is not limited to the embodiment shown as many variations are possible which will achieve the same purpose. The invention is not limited to its use with electrical cables as it could also be used for compressed air hoses and other similar devices.

The invention will be understood to embrace many further modifications as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit of the invention, there having been set forth herein only the broad nature of the invention and a certain specific embodiments by way of example.

Claims

1. A stand for suspension of at least one cable above the ground, said stand including a central support having a cable retention means at one end for releasably holding a portion of at least one cable above the ground and a ground engaging means coupled to said central support, said cable retention means including a pair of axially displaced hubs with each hub having a plurality of fingers for engagement with said at least one cable, each finger having an angled tab at the free end thereof with the tabs on the lowermost hub being downwardly directed whilst the tabs on the uppermost hub are upwardly directed, and said fingers are radially directed and the fingers of the uppermost hub do not overlap the fingers of the lowermost hub.

2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the ground engaging means includes a plurality of legs which are releasably located in sleeves affixed to said central support.

3. The stand of claim 2, wherein said leg are splayed outwardly from their respective sleeves.

4. The stand of claim 2 or 3, wherein said legs include a plurality of adjustment holes for co-operating with a holes in respective sleeves to allow the length of the legs to be adjusted for stability on sloping or uneven ground.

The stand of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said central support has a hook remote from said one end for reception of a counterweight to provide, in use, stability for said stand.

6. The stand of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, said at least one cable engages with at least one finger on each hub.

7. A stand for suspension of at least one cable above the ground substantially as hereinbelfore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.