AU2010100760B4

AU2010100760B4 - A Building Channel Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2010100760B4
Application number: AU2010100760A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Martin Newton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-14
Filing date: 2010-07-14
Publication date: 2013-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-14
Also published as: AU2010100760A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a building channel assembly including a slotted channel defining one or more slots. A channel nut can be received in the channel. A biasing means can bias the channel nut within the channel. The biasing means has an end of greater width than the slots such that the biasing means does not become caught in the slots when moved along the channel. Preferably, the biasing means consists of a compression spring of conical shape.

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT A BUILDING CHANNEL ASSEMBLY The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: A BUILDING CHANNEL ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present invention relates to a building channel assembly and a building channel spring. BACKGROUND 10 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. Building channels (or struts) are used in the building industry to construct 15 framework in and around buildings. The framework is typically used for supporting air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, and roofing products. As shown in Figure 1, each building channel 2 includes a flat base 4 from 20 which a pair of parallel side walls 6 extends. The side walls 6 terminate in respective inwardly extending retention lips 8. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a channel nut 10 can be received in the channel 2 and a threaded fastener (e.g. bolt) can be engaged within the nut 10 when mounting a bracket 12 to the channel 2. Referring to Figure 3, a channel spring 14 that is suitable for 25 compressing the channel nut 10 within the channel 2 is engaged between the channel nut 10 and the channel base 4. In use, the spring 14 and nut 10 are readily slid together along the channel 2 to a desired position where a bolt passes through the bracket 12 and engages with the nut 10. 30 In recent years, slotted channels 20 as shown in Figure 4 have been introduced defining a line of spaced apart slots 22. Advantageously, a threaded fastener shaft can be provided through the slots 22 to facilitate mounting of products to the slotted channels 20. However, the applicant has 2 perceived that springs 14 become caught in the slots 22 when moved with the channel nuts 10 along the channel 20. Embodiments of the present invention provide a means for avoiding the aforementioned catching of springs in the slots. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building channel assembly including: 10 a slotted channel defining one or more slots; a channel nut for being received in the channel; and biasing means for biasing the channel nut within the channel, the biasing means having an end of greater width than the slots such that the biasing means does not become caught in the slots when moved along the 15 channel. The biasing means may consist of a compression spring formed from spring steel. The spring may be generally conical in shape. The spring may taper from said end to the other end. The ends of the spring may terminate in 20 parallel flat loops. Preferably, one of the loops is of greater width than the other loop. When the biasing means is inverted, said end may be wide enough to engage with separated retention lips of the channel and the biasing means may bias the nut against a slotted base of the channel. 25 Preferably, said end of the spring is greater than 1.5 times the width of the slots. A base termination loop of the spring may be about 30mm wide whereas each slot may be about 14mm wide. The end of the spring may be greater than half the internal width of the channel. 30 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building channel spring, the channel spring being suitable for compressing a channel nut within a channel, the spring having an end of greater width than one or more slots defined in the channel such that the spring does not become caught in the slots when moved along the channel.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be 5 discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 10 Figure 1a is a perspective view of a building channel; Figure lb is a dimensioned sectional view of the building channel of Figure 1 a; 15 Figure 2 shows a perspective view of framework including a pair of building channels of Figure 1 connected together with a mounting bracket; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a channel nut and spring for being received 20 in the building channel of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a slotted building channel; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a building channel spring in accordance with 25 an embodiment of the present invention and for being received in the slotted building channel of Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 30 According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a building channel assembly including a slotted channel 20 defining a line of slots 22 as shown in Figure 4. The building channel assembly further includes a channel nut 10 shown in Figure 3 for being received in the channel 20. In addition, the building channel assembly includes a biasing means 30 in the 4 form of the building channel spring shown in Figure 5, for biasing the channel nut 10 in compression within the channel 20. The biasing means has a bottom end 32 of greater width than the slots 22 such that the biasing means 30 advantageously does not become caught in the slots 22 as the spring 30 and 5 nut 10 are together moved along the channel 20. Turning to Figure 5, the biasing means 30 consists of a compression spring formed from spring steel. The spring 30 is generally conical in shape and tapers from the bottom end 32 to the top end 34. The ends 32, 34 of the 10 spring terminate in parallel flat loops, with the bottom loop being of greater width than the top loop to prevent catching in the slots 22. The top loop is of comparable width as the known spring 14 shown in Figure 3 so that it can be readily fitted within a circular recess defined in the underside of the nut 10. The roof of the nut 10 defines a pair of grooves 11a, 11b which receive 15 respective channel lips 8 in use to impede rotation of the compressed nut 10 within the channel 20. The bottom end 32 of the spring 30 is greater than 1.5 times the width of the slots 22. In particular, the bottom termination loop of the spring 30 is about 25 20 - 30mm wide whereas each slot is about 14mm wide. The bottom end 32 of the spring 30 (of width 25 - 30mm) is greater than half the internal width of the channel 20 (i.e. approx 20.65 mm as shown in Figure 1b). When the spring 30 is inverted by 1800, the bottom end 32 is wide enough to 25 engage with the retention lips 8 (separated by 22.2mm) of the channel 20 and the spring 30 can then bias the nut 10 against a slotted base 4 of the channel 20. The nut 10 covers the slots 22 in this configuration which allows for a host of new construction applications. 30 A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

5 For example, the conical spring 30 may be replaced with a spring of alternative shape (e.g. parabolic), yet still having a bottom end 32 of greater width than the slots 22. In one embodiment, the bottommost loop 32 may be of greater width than the other spring loops. 5 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of 10 putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A building channel assembly including: a slotted channel defining one or more slots; a channel nut for being received in the channel; and biasing means for biasing the channel nut within the channel, the biasing means having an end of greater width than the slots such that the biasing means does not become caught in the slots when moved along the channel.

2. A building channel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biasing means consists of a compression spring.

3. A building channel assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the biasing means is inverted, said end is wide enough to engage with separated retention lips of the channel and the biasing means can bias the nut against a slotted base of the channel.

4. A building channel spring, the channel spring being suitable for compressing a channel nut within a channel, the spring having an end of greater width than one or more slots defined in the channel such that the spring does not become caught in the slots when moved along the channel.

5. A building channel spring as claimed in claim 4, wherein the spring is generally conical in shape and tapers from said end to the other end. Dated this 14th day of July 2010 MARTIN NEWTON by my attorneys Cullens Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys